Working out with an anxiety disorder ... and no space.

2»

Replies

  • mojohowitz
    mojohowitz Posts: 900 Member

    I fear judgement more than I fear death and that is not hyperbole. It does not matter if "no one is really judging me," I assume they are and it launches me right off the deep end. I cannot work out in front of people. I cannot make friends to work out with -- I can't make friends in general.

    I completely get it. I dont think I suffered the panic to the degree you did but I was certainly petrified of exercising in front of other people and I did have my fair share of panic attacks in other situations.

    First, the good news. Exercise helped IMMENSELY and almost IMMEDIATELY with my anxiety and panic. You can't afford to NOT do it. Also, stay away from refined sugars and caffeine. The sugars pushed me from mild anxiety to full blown panic.

    My solution was to walk in a park/nature preserve that was close to my home. I used headphones and just staired at the ground 3 feet in front of me. When I felt the panic come on I just focused on my breathing and just let it happen. I knew I was going to freak but somehow giving myself permission and reminding myself it was a physiological thing helped.

    Start small. Start by simply driving to the park. Next time, drive to the park and step out and look around. Next time, dress in your workout clothes, drive to the park, get out and walk a short distance and go home. Slowly increase your distance.

    Small victories mean so much. Just keep progressing no matter the pace.

    I was a 300 pound basket case with few friends and very depressed and anxious/panicy. Now I am down to 216 and the emotional stuff has leveled out. Pretty much normal now.

    It seems like a gigantic hurdle now but your brain can be trained. Panic and anxiety create paths in your brain that become ruts as they are reinforced. However, those paths can be circumvented and rewritten allowing the old ruts to fade into history.

    Blaze some trails in your brain and in the park.

    The bad news. It may take a little time but not as long as you may thing,. In one year you will be one year older anyway. Might as well feel better.
  • healthyeating555
    healthyeating555 Posts: 115
    I have a similar disorder but its all physically related. My blood pressure situation prevents me from food shopping or any kind of shopping for an extended period of time. This problem became noticeable only during the last 4 yrs . I feel bad for you . Its not easy going through this dilemma
  • eep223
    eep223 Posts: 624 Member
    Are there steps in your dorm? You could start there, just up and down in the stairwell (I used to do this). Or focus on walking. You may not feel so self-conscious. EVERYONE walks!

    I too have dealt with panic attacks and they are horrible. I know it's a terrible catch-22, but exercise (running and yoga) is the thing that has helped me the most with dealing with them, aside from medication which I no longer take.

    Taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for yourself, and exercise is a necessary part of that. *Hugs!* You can do this!!
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Very little space required (low impact ... won't upset your neighbors): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjduJjO1pLg&feature=related
    and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2G8mi_2beU

    DVDs available at Wal-Mart, Target, etc.

    Deck of cards workout: Hearts = cardio, Diamonds = upper, Spades = lower, Clubs = abs. Play: draw the 8 of hearts - do 8 jumping jacks, draw 10 of diamonds do 10 push ups .... etc.

    Workout above is military ..... also military style: Gin Miller - Cramped Quarters, this one is hard to find.
  • psicocat
    psicocat Posts: 60 Member
    hi, i haven't read all the replies so maybe this has been said, i made a step from big books tired in a pillowcase and do 100 steps as often as i could :) i was stuck with young one and did well on this :)
  • tenintwenty
    tenintwenty Posts: 92
    I have really bad SAD. I run, outside, by myself, on the most desolate trail I can find. Sooooo relaxing. Or, I go to a boxing class with really loud music. I find I can interact with people pretty well when: 1) we have a specific task to do together, and 2) it's too loud to talk.
  • SashaMegan
    SashaMegan Posts: 110 Member
    I like to go jogging in the evening when people are dining or later (sometimes it's already dark). There are not many people out at that time so it helps me. Otherwise I often feel too anxious to go, so I'd rather do it late than not at all.
    I hope you'll get better eventually :flowerforyou:

Categories