We've all had those times where we're going along, we're doing fine, and all of a sudden, we've done too much. We've all been there! It seems like the line between "okay" and "too much" is so fine, you can't tell when you're going to crossover. In this episode, Tami shares her favorite energy management tool that will put you back in the driver's seat and in control of your own energy levels.

Key Points

• Using a pedometer or activity tracker can help you manage your energy.
• If we want to get better, we need to budget some of our energy towards our healing.
• If you don’t feel good at your current average number of steps, you may need to figure out ways to decrease your steps.
• Don’t look at the number of steps on your activity tracker as the minimum to meet each day. Instead, it’s the maximum amount you can spend for the day.
• Pay attention to how many steps each activity costs you. Once you have an idea of what things cost, you can start making choices on how you want to spend your energy.
• Activity trackers give you an objective way to estimate how much energy you’ve spent and have left. This puts you back in the driver’s seat and gives you control.
• Tracking your steps gives you a way to go back and look at your history when you have moments where you think, "Oh great. I’m in a flare. What the heck did I do this time?"
• In order to get better, you have to know how much energy you’re really spending each day, what makes you feel good, and what is too much.
• Most of Tami’s fibromyalgia clients average 1,000-5,000 steps a day at the beginning.
• If you feel good and have energy at the end of the day, that means your body has energy left to heal. It doesn’t mean you should have done more.

Links & Resources

• FibromyalgiaPodcast.com is the digital companion to this audio magazine, where you can find full show notes, links to the studies referenced in this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach.
• Tami's first book, Take Back Your Life, contains more information on managing your energy using a pedometer. Get free copies of Tami’s books here.  
• Find a Coach to help you discover new ways to improve your energy

Other Episodes Mentioned

• Episode 27: Goal-Setting & Habits with Fibromyalgia
• Episode 28: Exercise in a Fibromyalgia Body with Megan Densmore
• Episode 32: Your World Revolves Around Your Healing, Not Your Illness