When you’re trying to recover from a physical disability where mobility and fatigue are both a real issue, how do you motivate yourself?

Start slow. Train the muscles that haven't been affected by the disability. Arter some time you will see that you can do it and you will start worki g on other body parts as well! You can do it!

I think what is best I can do at any moment and that is what is going to drive me. I want to improve my self in all the well being and better human so have goal to increase Love, Politeness, Satisfaction, Giving, Humbleness, Patience, Truthfulness, Contentness, Gratitude and all other virtues. Since I go to my congregation which is my school for above. Choose option which will help to practice the above, no matter what limitations are at the time.

This is a real problem for me. I try to just keep increasing my activity a little at a time because I know if I overdo, I’ll backslide. I try to be forgiving to myself. My inactivity and illness didn’t happen overnight and won’t be fixed quickly. But I know if I keep improving I’ll progress.

For me, if I have to reduce my physical efforts due to inability, I increase my goal setting/planning efforts. I work to explore possibilities and refine existing goals.

I heard a talk once by popular nutritionist, many years ago.

Students would often complain to him, “I’ve been working out for so long, but I barely see any results.”

And he would reply, “It is a ‘physical certainty’ that change is happening… even if it isn’t apparent to you yet.”

Just keep working at it. The change is coming…

Just do a little, do something. I can’t compare to a physical disability, but I have asthma, and even this morning my chest was so sore. So I found a 15 minute workout, but only did 10 minutes of it. Did I feel a bit disappointed that I couldn’t do it all? Absolutely. But was I also glad I did something? Absolutely. Don’t over do it – don’t set an unrealistic goal. If I’d have told myself to do an hour long workout even though I didn’t feel well, I wouldn’t have done anything, but 15 minutes didn’t seem too bad. I also like to quantify it – 15 minutes isn’t even an epsisode of Friends, so I definitely have time to do it!

I think the only thing that would motivate me would be the need to recover, to not want to be the way I am at the moment. Celebrate your progress and every little win, because the big wins don't come along that often. If you keep a diary of how much you can do, it will give you motivation when you realise how far you've come.

I set a goal. I’ve several injuries that have kept me from completing 5k races without fear, so I set smaller goals. First it was to just try going for a walk again. Then it was to work on exercises. Eventually, I signed up for a race. It was hard to do, but I felt like I was back in control. I look forward to working on speed now and trying another 5k soon.

I think that you have to focus on the things that you can do or change instead of the things that feel to big or are (for now) out of your reach. Focus on the small doable steps so you can celebrate your success. Instead of focusing on the things you weren’t able to achieve today. Also make the steps about today instead of in a few months.

Try to find some lighter version of the activities, which still brings some excitement. For example if you're not fit for daily morning exercise, go for a walk in the afternoon. Swimming is another excellent exercise you can tune the intensity of. And most important for me is enough of good sleep, body need some time to recover, don't push yourself too early. If it has rested enough, even light exercises will bring some pleasure and will motivate for more the next time.

I don’t have a mobility issue at the moment, but did for an entire year. The PT I had to do to get better was very painful to get through without friends. I asked my friend to be an accountability partner for me. Knowing she would ask me about how I did was a huge motivator. I also “graffitied” my apartment with positivity. My husband and I have posted notecards and used dry-erase markers to put inspiring quotes all over the place. I’m so excited that you are pursuing healthy habits! It’s hard when the world tells us we “have an excuse” to not do healthy things. I have found that making healthy choices in the midst of struggle is not only a witness to others, but also to myself. It’s how I know I can create healthy habits for myself, so I can have a healthy family! You got this!

Keep in mind that it's a process, aim for a little improvement each day and over time it adds up to a lot. Let long term health be your goal and realize how you will appreciate your current efforts in the future.

When I don’t want to do something, say exercise for example, because I hurt or I am too tired, I set a really small goal. It might be as small as 5 minutes of walking or get 1000 steps. Once I’ve done that small task, it usually gets me over the hump of simply getting started and moving toward a bigger goal.

It also helps not to judge myself against others, but rather focus on myself and accept that what I am doing, however small, is important because its purpose of being a small goal is to make me feel successful. It serves its purpose and ultimately I find myself moving toward health again.

I try and break my goal down into manageable steps. Maybe by time—for instance. So something for 5 or 10 minutes—or by quantity—I will do 40 of something, or 10 of something. It’s hard to
Get going if you feel tired or have limitations, but I think starting small, and achieving that, is progress. Music is a big motivator for me, I find a few inspirational songs that will get me going.

I have been in a similar situation for years now. Focusing on what I could do and control really helped. I had to be honest with myself about what I could accomplish in one day and broke it down into doable segments. I became better at listening to my body and took breaks when I was starting to feel tired before overdoing it. Ask for help when needed and being compassionate with myself was also important. I had good and bad days and many times I didn't complete everything but even completing one task successfully is a step in the right direction. At the end of the day I'd reflect on what I finished and what I was grateful for. Changing my mindset and perspective in these ways while focusing on recovery and tailoring my days to fit where I was at physically resulted in more wins and increased motivation over time. Keep trying and adjusting and you'll figure out what works.

My motivation is that a small progress is always better than no progress. When I make just one step I'm still ahead of all those sitting on the couch.
For me physical activity is a celebration of the body possibilities. I enjoy looking at my self toned and I remind my l self that I'm an example of behaviour for my kids who look at me for inspiration or excuse for their behaviour.

I try to remember that in the parolympics there are people who face conditions much worse than mine and they are on a world level.
So on mine private level, it is possible, and if it IS possible I WILL do it.

I smile, smile from the heart, smile from the eyes, smile from the face, I look for a quote or verse that make me smile, I know that when I smile every thing will be OK (big ok) I remember myself that I have experienced something worse and it was over may be it's not the same but it was BAD but it's over, this too will be over, just smile you have a beautiful one show it.

You have to set a goal and work towards it no matter what. Personally music is a huge mood changer for me. If I’m having an awful day, the right music will turn it around. It will also wake me up when I’m exhausted. Overall, just find the positive in every situation and trust yourself!

I’ve struggled with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia for 15 years.

I’ve found it beneficial to set boundaries between work and recovery. To really prioritize the recovery time, and accepting that you can’t accomplish everything today. You’ll become more rested, and less stressed, and more prepared for tomorrow creating a snowball effect.

I’ve also found it helpful to create a strong, motivational morning routine. Instead of laying in bed, listening to the negative self talk that I’m not physically motivated, I choose to focus on my list. Drink a glass of water, turn on the lights, play motivational speeches or music to replace the self talk, do some pull-ups. It creates a series of small wins, that are easy to do even on a bad day, and creates the momentum to start the harder things.

Realize you have limits and don’t be too hard on yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to yesterday, and focus on being a stronger version of you. You’ll get there.

What I noticed that both good and bad habits work as a cycle, and the bad one is really hard to escape. For me, if I don't exercise, I feel more fatigued, eat less healthy and procrastinate more. But once I start to get back on track, everything else comes in place too. It really helps to start very small and don't set the bar too high. 5 minutes of yoga is better than nothing. And if you build a habit around it it's gonna get easier.

I experienced this when I was recovering from an emergency back operation 4 years ago. Stay grateful. I felt grateful everyday that I the opportunity to work and train my body to walk again. It was very much a case of internalizing the idea that some days are better than others, but gratitude keeps you going. I recovered twice from a Cordia equine operation, the second time was tough. Dancing was my lifeline that time, and regular Tai chi. I needed structure and routine to help me get back to normal. I achieved it twice and now live pain free and mobile and am tremendously grateful for that.

Keep pushing yourself to success through everything you are going part of it is making yourself eat even though you don't want to, it will help by you gaing weight which will help you all the way, plus exercise and and drinking water and meditating.

I remember that my body needs time to adjust to a new routine. I understand that there are limits to what I can do, but also that I can do other things that can make me happy. I try to be at peace with myself and remember that growth, recovery, etc are continuous processes and it's ok to take a break before taking the next step forward.

During the day, if I'm feeling down, I would seek help from my loved ones, and after the day I would simply meditate to remind myself of who I am, and why I should be happy to be me to cheer me up.

Keeping a positive attitude and focusing on your goals helps shift your mood. I often visualize a dream vacation and use that as motivation to help me accomplish difficult tasks. Then break down your goal into small manageable steps that you can accomplish on a daily basis. Be realistic with yourself. It’s okay to have small steps in the beginning to help gain momentum.

I am actually experiencing something of that sort right now as I am going through chemo therapy and rehab for a broken wrist and wrist surgery two weeks after my first chemo infusion. The little increments of time and doing my exercises with slow build up has helped me the most. I also get satisfaction out of the check off of accomplishing the goals set before me however small they are.

When overwhelming sleepiness and fatigue are present, I’ve had success with not giving up my habit, but by reducing it to simply one minute or five minutes – for example in the case of Meditation or exercise. Keeping consistency even at a tiny dose keeps my momentum going and makes me feel great.

I always have in mind what I would do if a close person that I love is in the same position. I would do amything to help them, and since I know exercising and being healthy would help me as well, I decide to be that kind person towards myself too. At the end of the day, if you cannot help yourself be better, then you won’t be able to help others that need you, either.
Self-love and realizing your own worth, is probably the most benefitial thing you could do for others, by lifting that burden from their sholders.
You deserve to be healthy, so if getting there means doing uncomfortable things at this moment, so be it. What’s important is the long run and the journey goes along with it.
I wish you all the strength to get well soon.

I start at the beginning. 2 times a day I walk adding 10 steps each time. I breathe deep before I start and after I finish. ( I was in an accident and broke my back 7 years ago and used this method with learning to walk an d then run again.

This is often something I am dealing with as I have a chronic condition that is exacerbated by bending or too much activity . It’s very tempting to not engage in ANY physical activity to preserve my strength, but I usually feel so much better if I get out and take a short walk or do some tai chi.

This happens many times to me. But I think you should just stand up. Washing my face is my plan to pass the moment. Because as it is obvious it is just a moment. Also I try differently. For example if I have this feeling to cancel my today running I will try to wear my best sport cloths and best shoes. It seems to me change of apperance helps me to encourage myself.

When mobility and fatigue plague my spirit, the first positive step is to I be aware of the state and knowing that i need to distract my mind to avoid getting sucked into the blackhole of 'victim-mindset' . I use a positive and productive distraction such as sketching, painting cooking, or just cutting vegetables even. Celebrations for small achievements help too. I also try to get outdoors, just to take a few deep breaths, alone amongst nature reminds me of how small my problems are

Start with a short duration light duty task 2 times a day increase duration and length focusing on gait alignment and posture. Then go to 3 and 4 times a day later increase duration and add a back pack.

I have suffered from that a lot (and probably will again). It is so hard for me not to get down on myself for not meeting some imaginary standard… my focus lately has been to meet me where I am, meaning, if all I can do is walk around the block slowly, then that’s good enough. I focus on trying to get outside as much as I can because it really makes a difference for me. I also see a great chiropractor who gives me awesome adaptive exercises that truly help. I just try and see the big picture, and remind myself that I always feel better after I have been outside, even for only 10 minutes.

Hmmmm… do you have a favorite spot where you just like to hang out and let your mind drift? I would say take some time there and walk around if you can. Sit and meditate or have a picnic with some music. Get out and make your body happy. I think just a little mental awareness goes a long way.

I think about the way I want to look and behave in the future. I also visualize some successful people whose goals where similar to mine. If they have reached them why I am not going to win

Oh my goodness, it’s so hard and sometimes I don’t pull it off. But when I succeed it’s because I cheer myself on, try to incentivize myself with treats & victory rewards, and sometimes I just flat out do something even though I don’t want to and all I want to do is sleep or cry. But it’s so hard!!! And sometimes I fail but when I do, I try to let it go and try again the next day.

This is a hard question for me. I had days to many days sitting on the pitty pot. Asking, why me. But now, I look at it as Yes it was you and look what you have had to over come. Be your own cheerleader! Love yourself! Except what you can’t change. This was hard to do. But at the end of the day. It’s up to you. Reach for the stars! You can and will do this. Remember there will be days you can only take baby steps. That’s ok ❤️ Just remember, it does not matter how long it takes you to get there. You will get there. When your body / mind / spirit is ready.
Always love yourself

I had to learn not to measure myself against others, small improvement on the day before was key. Chronic pain has really reduced my normal capabilities and the mental aspect is something I am still challenged by.

If I'm doing physicaltherapy I try to compare todays results to yesterday or the day before, or last week. You Will see an improvment and do celebrate them, how tiny they may be. Because they are a step forward to a better you. If you do have difficulties with your workout, just do half of it or perhaps one third or maybe just One move and set. The important thing is that you actully try to do something. One small step, a giant step for…

Think of how you were and felt when you were healthy before the injury or disability and then slowly, gradually work towards getting your strength back. Being active and positive will help you recover.

I try and think that it gets better, when I do my exercise. Or I try and motivate myself by remembering what it was like to be fit

Overall when I'm having a bad time, instead of keeping it all inside of me, piled up and all that. I seek support from my loved ones and after the day even perhaps meditate to remind myself about the things that matter the most to me and gather motivation from those things.

It is only hard in the worst of times. Honestly the Fabulous App has helped me more than anything, just being accountable. It has also helped me say, “It’s a bad MS Day, without feeling guilty when I really am not up to something.

I go into the process knowing that Im not at the same level as i was and i have more compssion with myself and allow for breaks knowing that it will take time. Know my limits and work through it.

I try to remember, even visualize how good it felt to be in shape. Also, remember the struggles I went through initially. It helps me to remain patient and continue in small steps.

I will give you some advice from my past. I am a fencer, and I habe experienced a variety of injuries and physical disabilities, many of them caused me trouble while I tried to move. As all people, my first thoughts after such injuries were to give up for a couple of weeks, and start again when I was better. But then I thought of all the great athletes, and their stories. However, it isn't their stories that motivate me. It is the feeling that some day I will be well-known, and I will have a story to tell to other people and inspire them.