29/09/2026
🔥 STRUGGLE WITH FATIGUE BUT STILL WANT TO BURN MORE CALORIES? 🔥
If you live with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or take medication that leaves you feeling tired and sluggish, you’ll know that exercise isn’t always as simple as just getting up and going.
But here's the thing… you don't have to smash yourself in the gym to increase your calorie burn! 💪
Small changes throughout your day can help you move more without completely wiping yourself out.
👇 Here are some simple ways to increase your daily calorie burn without exhausting yourself:
🚶♀️ 1. Increase your NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis)
This is the energy you burn doing everyday activities outside of formal exercise.
Walk around the house when you can.
Do a few minutes of light tidying.
Get up and move regularly rather than sitting for long periods.
Try short, gentle walks throughout the day.
🏋️♀️ 2. Try short bursts of strength training
You don't need an hour-long workout. Even 5–10 minutes of gentle resistance exercises can help maintain muscle mass and support your overall fitness.
🚶 3. Break your steps into smaller chunks
Struggle with a long walk? Try 5 minutes at a time throughout the day instead. Little bursts of movement can add up without feeling as overwhelming.
🧹 4. Make everyday tasks count
Cooking, putting the washing away, gardening or doing a little housework all involve movement. Just remember to pace yourself and avoid pushing through a flare-up.
🪑 5. Try seated exercises
Seated marching, gentle arm movements and light resistance-band exercises can be a more manageable way to stay active on lower-energy days.
⏱️ 6. Use the stop-before-you-crash approach
Don't wait until you're completely exhausted to stop. With fibromyalgia, overdoing it can lead to a flare-up or a delayed increase in symptoms. Build activity up gradually and allow time for recovery.
😴 7. Prioritise recovery
Poor sleep, fatigue and medication side effects can all affect how much activity you can comfortably manage. Rest is part of your routine, not a sign of failure.
💜 Remember:
You don't need to burn hundreds of extra calories in one workout to make progress.
The goal is to find a level of movement that works for YOUR body, your energy levels and your circumstances.
And if your medication is causing significant fatigue, speak to your GP or pharmacist before making changes to it.
Consistency doesn't mean pushing through pain. It means finding a sustainable way to keep moving. 💜
