Exercise

xkthorpex · Post by **xkthorpex** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:56 am

I know it's important to get exercise every day to try to lessen anxiety, but lately I've been having some problems with that.

For the past 6 months or so, I've been going to the gym with a friend about 5-6 times a week and have been really proud of myself for doing it. (I'm not a big fan of the gym/working out, so it's quite an accomplishment for me.)

Things have been going great, but recently, I have had a couple of panic attacks at the gym and right after leaving the gym. I think they were triggered by my accelerated heart rate - that lead to concern and then to shortness of breath and feelings of not being able to breathe.

Obviously accelerated heart rate is a result - in fact, a goal - of exercise, and I tell myself that...but when the shortness of breath happens, I get really worked up and haven't been able to stop the attacks before they really escalate.

So now I've been having anxiety about going to the gym, and my friend and I have run a couple of 5Ks and now I get worried about going out running by myself in case I have another attack.

Has anyone else experienced this? And if so, what have you done to keep them at bay once you're already worked up and your heard is pumping from working out?

Teri61 · Post by **Teri61** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:33 pm

I use to have this problem too. What I did was, I got a stationary bike for my home. For me, It is much easier working out at home than in the gym, because you will be assured that if you feel bad you can take a break without anyone noticing. You will want to exercize more when you feel secure. Also, you wont have that anticipatory anxiety about having to go to the gym when you don't want to.

With your own stationary bike or treadmill, or whatever you choose, you will be able to work out at any time you want, day or night. you won't have to find the time to go, get dressed, wait for the machines to be available, then work out, then get dressed again, and then go home.

That was a lot for me. It use to tire me out when I went to the gym.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:07 pm

skthorpex,
I do a lot of exercise too, twice a week or sometimes 3 times a week. I go to a Karate school but it is way more than that. They teach you self defense, karate, kick boxing, and grappling., sometimes I have to fight like in a boxing match with my partner with my boxing gloves on, other times I have to do grappling witch is like wrestle with anoter woman or man, and it is very exausting. Many times or should I say most of the time after 20 minutes of being in class I'm out of breath, and it feels like when you are in a panic attack, and I love to take this opportunity to practive my breathing technique to relax a little bit, because I think if I'm able to practice my breating technique in the moment in order to get more oxigene to my lungs so I can continue fighting, or continue exercising in class, I can do a better job breathing when a panic attack strikes again. So, I see it like it is really exiting when I can practice my breathing rather then get scare. Only like 2 times I felt scare but I imediatly thought, it is just exercise. I hope this help. Lovelysmile.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:06 pm

xkthorpex - I get anxious too. I've been doing a walking cd in my apartment and it's been great and I haven't had a problem. tonight though I went walking around my apartments. I found myself walking very fast (actually I'm getting in shape) and then part of the way through it I started getting anxious. I still walked the whole 35 minutes and then when I got back to my apartment I was anxious and not feeling well. I popped in my relaxation cd and feel great now.

I noticed before that depending on how intense my workout is has a lot to do with if I feel anxious or not. So usually the better shape I'm in the better I feel afterwards.

melanie jeffries · Post by **melanie jeffries** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:45 pm

Listen to music and just know that you won't die.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:45 am

overexercising can cause a drop in the blood sugar that can also lead to feeling faint or nervousness . make sure you have something to eat before hitting the gym !

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:50 am

for me thats why i dont exercise sometimes. if i feel weak and shaky or dont think ive eaten enough at the time i cant exercise cause it will increase the symptoms. its really annoying.

h.beth · Post by **h.beth** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:34 am

It's the opposite for me. When I run at least 2 miles in less than 20 mins, I get a little high. Meaning more or less an opiate effect. I like it.

Yet, I worked out all last week and not this week. My anxiety is crazy this week. I guess working out last week elevated my hormones and this week since I didn't work out there is no outlet. I feel very irritable and not wanting to start projects. This isn't all due to the exercicing though. If you look at my post I just made on getting frustration out.

Anyway, sorry this doesn't help. Good luck.