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A woman is curled up, exhausted, on the ground with exercise equipment around her.

How I Prevent Fatigue from Derailing My Exercise Routine

I used to be one who could quickly work out for an hour or more every day and never feel tired. I could also go out on long runs without any issues. But after my diagnosis, everything changed.

Suddenly, my energy plummeted, and even a five-minute walk would leave me feeling exhausted. No matter how much I wanted to exercise, there have been times when it's been tough to keep up my exercise routine.

Thankfully, those tough times inspired me to develop strategies to help prevent fatigue from derailing my exercise routine. So today, I'm going to share those strategies!

1. Make tweaks to help keep exercise routines manageable

As someone who often deals with fatigue, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to stick to an exercise routine. After a long day where I've used most of my energy supporting others, I often have little energy left at the end of the day. For that reason, I've made a few tweaks to my workout routine that helps me keep going despite the fatigue.

For example, I warm up properly before starting my workout, which helps me avoid pain and stiffness later on. I also focus on quality over quantity when it comes to my workouts. I might not be able to do as much as I'd like, but I make sure that what I do is effective. Finally, I listen to my body and take breaks when needed. Even if I have to take time off from exercising, avoiding injury and burnout is worth it.

By making these small changes, I've been able to stay active and keep my condition under control.

2. Be more flexible and forgiving when challenges arise

The best way for me to prevent fatigue from derailing my exercise routine is to be more flexible and forgiving of myself. I'm not always able to go to the gym or go for a run, but I try to make sure that I'm doing some form of physical activity every day, even if it's just a short walk with my dog around the block.

And if I have a day when I'm feeling exhausted, I'll take a rest day. Everyone's bodies are different, and I've learned that it's essential that I find what works best for me when it comes to managing my fatigue.

I try not to beat myself up by appreciating that I can stay active without engaging in activities that might trigger a flare-up.

3. Ensure I take time for myself after working out

I used to think that working out was about pushing myself to the limit. But my diagnosis helped me realize that I needed to take a different approach to exercise. So now, I make sure to take time for myself after working out.

I might take a nap or relax and enjoy some quiet time. By giving my body time to get the appropriate amount of rest, I'm better able to avoid fatigue. Likewise, when I'm not tired, I'm better able to maintain a consistent exercise routine.

By doing this, I've been able to stay active and healthy and ensure that I'm prioritizing self-care.

4. Focus on giving my body the energy it needs

It can be hard to get motivated to exercise when you're always tired. However, if I eat well-balanced meals and get enough sleep, my body has the energy it needs to heal itself.

For me, well-balanced meals mean ensuring that I'm consuming the macronutrients and micronutrients that my body news to thrive. Likewise, ensuring that I get enough sleep entails being intentional about maintaining a regular morning and nighttime routine.

There may be days when I'm completely exhausted, but I'm glad to say those days happen less often.

Even though fatigue has been a big challenge, I haven't let it stop me from staying active. Whether it's making a few tweaks to my routine or taking time during the day for myself to recover, a little goes a long way.

What tips help you keep up with your exercise routine when feeling fatigued? Let me know below.

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This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The AxialSpondyloarthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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