Anyone else trying to lose weight with anxiety/perfectionism?

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Replies

  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    kae612 wrote: »
    I'm finding that trying to change my habits is triggering a lot of my anxiety! I am trying to get to the gym, but the more I want to the less I go because I worry about it so much! It's extremely frustrating to want something and feel very afraid or unable. Does anyone else have this experience, or any suggestions?

    Anxiety doesn't prevent me from exercising but procrastination does. And lately my favorite form of procrastination is being on the MFP boards >.<

  • softblondechick
    softblondechick Posts: 1,275 Member
    Just like Nike..."Just Do It!".

    And really, stop thinking so much. Put yourself on autopilot, meaning that for routine tasks like eating, exercise, just do them on schedule, and don't think much about it. I am allowed to eat fruit, veggies, protiens...my life is simple. No bread, or products made with flour, rice, sugar...
  • gaelicstorm26
    gaelicstorm26 Posts: 589 Member
    I have OCD and yes, it does affect me. I can't weigh myself daily. My husband hides the scale because I get obsessive. I can also get obsessive with weighing food. I try hard to know my limits.
  • SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage
    SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage Posts: 2,668 Member
    kae612 wrote: »
    BinkyBonk wrote: »
    Anxiety sucks. There are so many of us out there!

    Sometimes when I am having a bad anxiety attack and feel like I can't exercise, it actually makes me really angry. I've learned to use that anger to say "eff you anxiety", put my shoes on and get outside for a run. I'm too busy thinking about other things. I just make sure to bring my Ativan and my phone just in case ;) Having an active life has also helped keep my anxiety at bay.

    I tend to stick with solitary exercise like running and cycling because I don't like to be in groups. As well as having social anxiety, my attacks manifest in.....uh....GI problems. If I'm out for a run and have to duck into a bush, I'd rather not be with a friend at the time :)

    I've also learned a few coping mechanisms when I can feel an attack coming on - pressure points, visualization, etc. They help immensely.

    Keep at it! I agree with other posters who'v said take it one thing at a time and don't overwhelm yourself

    I get so angry too! What sucks is when I get really angry about it, but 2-3 hours later and it's after dark so I can't go out. But when it happens at the right time, and I can go out and do something, that's great.

    Oh man, nervous stomach stuff is the worst. The other day I thought "I can do 2 doctor's appointments and hang out with friends after no problem" and my stomach said "nope" and I had to get my dad to come get me :/ life is embarrassing. I definitely need to learn some coping mechanisms, I should look that stuff up. :)
    I recently found this one that works really well: from the top of your inner wrist, measure three finger lengths down. Apply pressure with your thumb in between the tendons in that spot. Push HARD. You will know the spot when you find it (it hurts and sort of twangs). Hold it for 30 seconds and breathe. I do this one at least 5 times a day, even when I'm not having an attack. I do it so hard I leave a mark.

    Recently after a serious car accident (I wasn't physically hurt, but I was "this close" to being wiped off the earth by a tandem dump truck and the left side of my car had bad fire damage. Sadly the driver of that truck died when he burned alive in the accident), my anxiety went through the roof. I couldn't work for 3 days and driving a car was difficult for a long time. I finally got connected with a therapist that does EMDR therapy: Eye Movement Desensititization and Reprogramming. I was skeptical at first because it sounds rather hokey, but after the very first session I felt 1,000 times better. I only went to 4 sessions and was able to get on with normal life. I even drive the same route now as the accident with no issues at all. If you have a specific incident(s) that causes you anxiety, I would highly recommend seeking out this treatment.
    Here's a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_movement_desensitization_and_reprocessing
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    BinkyBonk wrote: »
    I recently found this one that works really well: from the top of your inner wrist, measure three finger lengths down. Apply pressure with your thumb in between the tendons in that spot. Push HARD. You will know the spot when you find it (it hurts and sort of twangs). Hold it for 30 seconds and breathe. I do this one at least 5 times a day, even when I'm not having an attack. I do it so hard I leave a mark.

    Recently after a serious car accident (I wasn't physically hurt, but I was "this close" to being wiped off the earth by a tandem dump truck and the left side of my car had bad fire damage. Sadly the driver of that truck died when he burned alive in the accident), my anxiety went through the roof. I couldn't work for 3 days and driving a car was difficult for a long time. I finally got connected with a therapist that does EMDR therapy: Eye Movement Desensititization and Reprogramming. I was skeptical at first because it sounds rather hokey, but after the very first session I felt 1,000 times better. I only went to 4 sessions and was able to get on with normal life. I even drive the same route now as the accident with no issues at all. If you have a specific incident(s) that causes you anxiety, I would highly recommend seeking out this treatment.
    Here's a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_movement_desensitization_and_reprocessing

    I don't, but wow! That's really amazing and impressive that you got back after that trauma!
  • galfindgmoneyyeah
    galfindgmoneyyeah Posts: 3 Member
    You don't have to go to the gym to get fit! Reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness is an amazing place to learn about increasing fitness just by using your body. Their recommended routine lets you start at your current level of fitness and go as far as you like. Plenty of knowledgeable and friendly and inspiring people on that forum to help you along, too.
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    I spent an hour and a half laying in my bed staring at the ceiling trying to convince myself to go for a walk until it got too dark and I can't go. It makes me so angry at myself. I did really well the last couple of days getting out to the gym. But I got sore and just wanted to do something small at home. I'm so mad I want to scream. I feel like a lazy piece of s***. Rationally I know this is not a big failure, but it feels like it's "setting the tone" for the whole thing, an "omen" that I can't do this, that I'm lazy and will give up, that it's useless, etc. It's just so frustrating when this happens, and I have nothing to blame but myself.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I deal with anxiety by turning it to my advantage - I focus on the anxiety of what happens if I *don't* follow through. Since that produces an even bigger anxiety....bob's yer uncle...
  • helenkaraven
    helenkaraven Posts: 27 Member
    i suffer with anxiety and depression. have a fear of going to the doctors so i havent got my meds i usually take for sleeping and stabilizing :/ because i cant bring myself to go and ask for them. first time i went to the pool i was terrified. but then i felt good because id done it. i go 3/4 times per week now and to be honest although once im there and in i enjoy it, getting through the doors is still a struggle a fair bit of the time. theres no easy way around itand i have no answers for you, but. your here :) your doing something as are we all. thats got to be worth a thumbs up xx
  • labohn91
    labohn91 Posts: 113 Member
    Nothing is going to make it worse than not doing it. If it is really bad find a good therapist, I wish when I was younger I wasn't so scared of asking for help.

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