I just got a huge slap in the face from someone who I thought "got it" about CFS (www.cfidsassociation.org). She was my personal trainer several years ago. I am among the fortunate 5% of cfs patients who can exercise at all. Taking on a trainer was a bold and brave move on my part because of the cfs. I did my best to train her that I could not push myself, that I have to follow my body's lead. As a PT I know that went against her core, but she was as amiable as possible.
I won't go into details about the symptoms or reasons why exercise can be perilous or about post exertional malaise or CFS crashes.
Cut to the present. I'm 55 now (56 this month), my metabolism has slowed even more, my body has changed, etc. I hadn't talked to Nicole for a really long time, but I see her at the gym. I texted her a Happy New Year and an update that after 6 months on no gluten, low sugar, only 1600 calories a day, and exercising about 6 days a week---not one single pound lost. And that I decided to simply embrace my fatness.
She flagged me down at the gym today and we had a conversation. I couldn't believe what was coming out of her mouth. She was spewing the same thing at me that the rest of society thinks about us: we're lazy, we're liars, it's a psychological problem. But she was very kind and non-attacking or judgmental about it. She kept pushing me to exercise more, eat less, etc. etc. She simply could not "hear" me.
I left there feeling defeated, more alone, sad, depressed.
I told my daughter what happened and I instantly felt better because of her love and support.
Since Thanksgiving I have enjoyed the freedom of not having to count calories or worry about what I eat. And I haven't gained a single pound either.
I don't think I'll ever be able to shed this extra 25 lbs. due to my thyroid and cfs. Even doctors haven't been able to help me. I followed their protocols.
