Anxiety holding me back from working out

You're basically going around in circles. Exercise would help these "monkees in your head" to shut up! LOL. BUT, you have to take the first step. Maybe you're getting anxious about what you think you will look like while you're exercising. I had a girlfriend a long time ago who wouldn't even go for walks with me because she thought everyone would look at her. Trust me - nobody cares! Start with a small goal - something achievable. A 20-minute walk around the block. Mark it here in your diary and give yourself a visual on your calendar on the fridge. Journals can be great motivators. Do the walk and then write about it. How you felt and what impact it had on your sleep, appetite, etc.. You'll learn about yourself and you'll be motivated to do more, hopefully.

I know this sounds silly but it really is true - no one ever regretted working out. Getting started is the hardest part. It sounds like your boyfriend is trying to be helpful, but maybe that is putting additional stress on the situation? Start small - tell yourself you only have to go for a 5 minute walk - and if it really is bad, you can stop. I find when I give myself permission to stop on the days I really don't want to go to the gym, I end up finishing my workout and feeling a lot better

I'm sorry you're going through this right now! Have you spoken to your Doctor? Are you currently on meds? It would seem your priority right now is getting your mental health stabilized. Exercise is always a good idea. But think in terms of baby steps. Take a walk around the block. Dance like a fool when no one looking (don't tell me you don't have room, you could dance in a bathroom stall if you really wanted to!) Commit to 10 minutes of aerobics (youtube is a great free resource), tackle a calorie burning home project. Do it even if it totally sucks at first...it will get better.

If you're looking for a supportive community try healingwell.com

Best wishes

It's awesome that your boyfriend is so supportive but if your boyfriend's suggestions make you defensive it's probably going to be more motivating if he stops suggesting stuff and if you take this into your own hands.

The kinds of exercises you can do are endless so you need to figure out what would be enjoyable for you. I would also suggest starting with exercising in your home since outside the house can be triggering for anxiety. You don't need a lot of space to exercise - you can do calisthenics, yoga, weight lifting (buy some dumbbells), going up and down stairs, on the spot cardio (running, dancing, jumping), etc.

You've received lots of great ideas here. I would like to add -- get yourself a couple of dumbbells and do a bit of strength training whenever the mood strikes. Better yet, choose a certain time of day, and do it three times a week. When I have been miserable, I often can't manage cardio, but I can always manage to lift a few pounds.

speak to a mental health professional

this

I finally broke down and went to the Dr., after about 2 1/2 years of "fighting". I had feelings of hopelessness and "I just CAN'T do it!" I had been working out consistently/heavy since about 1992, so I know how to train, I know how to eat, I know, I know.....but I just can't DO. I tried getting out of myself, spending more and more time with friends trying to help them, but it backfired. I ended up feeling very resentful and then started isolating. Pretty soon, it was all I could do to just go to work. I would perform there, leave promptly at 5:00pm, go home, get on the couch and carb up every night. Weekends were spent watching old movies/ classic tv shows and eating. I couldn't even cook, I would just go and get a chinese buffet take out, McDonalds, Wing Stop, whatever, stop by the grocery store and pickup some munchies and candy, and eat that all day. Cleaning my home? Forget it. Washing my hair? (I have long, super-thick hair that takes about an hour to detangle) Oh hell no. Cook? Please. I considered myself "going out for the day" if I went browsing at a second hand store for an hour.

I got to the point where I wanted to hurt myself, and I drew the line there. I went to the Dr. (cancelled my 1st appt, then felt like hurting myself again so stuck to the 2nd one) and explained OPENLY AND HONESTLY what was going on with me. My Dr. said that I had major depression and I received some medication. The lowest amount, once a day (in the morning) I don't like being on the med train, but it is what it is.

On the third day, I put my headphones on, blasted music and cleaned up my home. Washed my hair, got stuff ready for the week (food, outfits, etc). Within a week, I started walking and planning a weight training program of things I like to do.

Fast forward about 70 days (today). I do heavy weight training 3x a week (squats, deads, bench presses, OH presses, I love compound movements). I run/walk 3x a week. I called or met up with most of my friends and made amends for my behavior. I got feedback from some that stated they could tell that I was "off", but couldn't figure it out.

I''m still on the lowest dose 1x/day only. I feel completely different now, like there are so many opportunities to do better, be a better person, help others. I know this must sound kind of corny, but it's completely true. I have nothing to gain by posting this, but hopefully I could help someone that may be struggling. Good luck and peace.

Melissa