Exercising caution

Healthy readers: Have you ever secretly wondered if people with ME/CFS or fibromyalgia are contributing to their own problems? Do you think they would get better if they just exercised more?

Readers with ME/CFS or fibro: Have you become enormously frustrated by all the well-meaning friends and family members who say you should just exercise?

Caregivers: Are you ever accused of enabling when you don't try to force your kid/spouse/parent into more activity than your kid/spouse/parent can handle?

All y'all need to read this:

Debunking Myths: 'More Exercise' for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The article explains, in very plan language, how exercise can be harmful to people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. It's a good, informative read, and because it's associated with About.com, people might actually take it seriously.

Bookmark the page. Send the link to your friends the next time they say you should be exercising. Maybe they'll finally get it. Or, if not, at least you didn't waste your breath on useless debates with those who are absolutely convinced that they know better than you.