Stress Center Peer Support

Hi everyone I am starting week 4 today and a workout program at our local gym. I have already came up with reasons not to go...germs...my throat hurts....to much work at home....I am tired..ect. This one is going to be hard for me...I really do not want to look like a fool in there.

Sooo...reasons to go...to feel better....look better...be healthier....learn better habits...sad enough I know all this but my mind choses the others.

HERE I GO...Anyone else at this point?

I don't know if this will make you feel any better or not, but most people going there feel the same way you do. I know I did. The truth is nobody is even going to pay that much atten. They are busy with their own problems and schedules. Remember,you might feel different because of anxiety, but you don't look different to anyone.Once you do it you can feel so proud of yourself. Look how far you've come just by joining. Be proud of yourself!

At least you are going! My husband and I have memebership at our local gym and I have had every excuse for months! I had severe panic attacks and anxiety/depression so I didn't have the energy or motivation to workout and now I am doing much better but have this fear of my heart racing and sending me into panic mode, so I fear working out! I am trying to get through that so that I can return to the gym. I also feel that people will see the anxiety on my face or know that I have some "issues" so I don't want to go, but I will have to take the advice of rudie and go on back!!

I can address the germs issue for you...it is actually healthier to be exposed to normal, everyday germs to build an immunity, when we are too sanitary we are more susceptible to disease. More people become ill who worry & over-use anti-bacterial products than those who don't. Without bacteria we wouldn't be alive, for sure.

Also I agree with rudie, once you are in there you are comfortable, nobody notices you. I always think people are looking and watching but really in a gym where people are concerned about themselves most of them are thinking about themselves and not interested in what others are doing.

Getting there is the battle. Ive always been active and in sports, but since leaving college backed down from a solid training plan. Over the past couple of years, ive gone off and on to the gym and can really notice the anxiety level rise when I take extended breaks.

Everyone feels self-concious when getting into a program. There is a lot going on. What do I do, how do I use the machines, why does that other person look so much better. The key is that you are there. Once you are done, you have a huge accomplishment to be excited about. You have given your mind and body a workout.

Not realizing the physical state that anybody is in, I suggest signing up for a race. I just signed up for a marathon in 21 weeks and it helps to have something to train and plan for.

Think about that.

I DID IT!!!!!! I pooped out while running so I went to the bathroom took a few deep breaths....then thought about leaving but decided it would look worse to just leave the class then to just get through it...

Everyone was right people were more worried about their stuff then mine.

Then it happend I saw a person I went to school with....she did not like me then nor now(my negative mind, she said nothing)....she looked great....I was embarressed...thank goodness I was leaving...I grab my keys and out the door I went.

My anxiety is worse now at home alone because I am left to imagine what she said or thought after I left....I know crazy.

Well Thursday is the next class....wish me luck.

P.S. Thank-you to everyone who posted here I am blessed to have so many care...I do not take that lightly...I would not be where I'm at if not for the great advice.

Originally posted by BookOfPsalms:
At least you are going! My husband and I have memebership at our local gym and I have had every excuse for months! I had severe panic attacks and anxiety/depression so I didn't have the energy or motivation to workout and now I am doing much better but have this fear of my heart racing and sending me into panic mode, so I fear working out! I am trying to get through that so that I can return to the gym. I also feel that people will see the anxiety on my face or know that I have some "issues" so I don't want to go, but I will have to take the advice of rudie and go on back!!

I have an issue with working out also. I work out in the worst place. The garage. Anyways, i use to work out 5 or 6 days a week for at least 30 to 45 minutes a day. Now, i only work out for 3 days a week for 20 minutes. Those 20 minutes i hit it hard in there. Why did i stop working out so much? Yeah, panic attacks at night. When my metabolism starts kicking in and my body heats up, i interpret that as a panic attack. And it really isn't a panic attack but to this day i begin to believe it is. Working out is important though. Not so much for looks but really for overall health, including fighting anxiety and panic attacks. I know about the heart racing deal, but my advice is to start off slow, and i mean SLOW. Don't work out too hard, though sometimes it's tempting after a big meal, or a disatisfied look in the mirror. When you begin to feel panic creeping in while you're working out go with it and AS HARD AS THIS MAY SEEM learn to not care what others may think about you. May the Lord help you and know that ALL THINGS WORK FOR THE BETTER FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. I hate panic attacks, but they have served their purpose.