I hate the gym/excercise
Number One Rule: do not beat yourself up. You don't feel like exercising today, then maybe you will tomorrow. Don't put added pressure on your self with timelines. Try to exercise once a week. Then feel good about that. Then, try to do it 2 times a week, etc. I think alot of us are our own worse critics.
ANGELS CAN FLY BECAUSE THEY TAKE THEMSELVES LIGHTLY
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Guest
You know, this anxiety state is quite impacting... Yet, it's all in our heads... I think sometimes it boils down to: do we see the glass half empty or full? Now why this is or why we feel pessimistic is sometimes out of our control I think sometimes... But for me, exercise can be tough, other times easy...
How about varying things up? Take yoga 1-2 times a week, spinning, do cardio only, weights only, other days, just get there and do whatever you feel... Setting goals also helps..
How about varying things up? Take yoga 1-2 times a week, spinning, do cardio only, weights only, other days, just get there and do whatever you feel... Setting goals also helps..
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Guest
What really helped me with this, especially, when I was very depressed is remembering the feeling I felt afterwards....Exercise has played a very essential role in getting better.However, there are days that I would rather miss it....stay in bed, etc. But, I remind myself of how much better I feel afterwards...A short 10 minute walk and do wonders for anxiety and depression...I am now running 2 miles a day...(hard to beleive) and cannot wait to go do it again. But, it took me 3 months to get to that point...Not sure where you are in the program...but, one chapter will talk about secondary gains...that may be a very instrumental chapter for you if you truly are questioning if you want to feel better...Good luck to you...Keep reaching out...
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Guest
Exercise ends up being one of the best things for you but if its done the way you would want to do it. Years ago, I never thought I'd ever go to a gym. Within the last 2 years, I began just going to do a few random machines, maybe a class or two. But once my anxiety and self image issues rose up...I decided to do things I truly enjoy at the gym. I began cycling while reading a book or listening to some fun music or watching a movie (my gym has dvd players on the machines). I eventually began running (which Ive never been a fan of) and now I take cycling classes many times a week.
Sometimes it does get hard, if I forget my ipod or if there is too much on my mind. At the same time, it helps. I use my anger for the best of it. It pushes me to work harder and keep going til I reach my goal (certain time limit or end of the class).
I think of all the bad things I've ever been called, all the negative thoughts I've had about my body or my life and I use those to show myself I can be different, I can do it!
It takes a lot of dicipline but the end result is a great feeling. Take it with you.
Another suggestion/idea...shop around for home equipment. I dont mean the fancy smancy ones on TV for body builders. But if you go around to different stores, you'll find lots of fun equipment to do in the privacy of your own home or with friends. This may make you a bit more comfortable not having to run into people or use gas or take time from your schedule or use money on a membership! Completely up to you, but exercise is good for the body and mind.
Sometimes it does get hard, if I forget my ipod or if there is too much on my mind. At the same time, it helps. I use my anger for the best of it. It pushes me to work harder and keep going til I reach my goal (certain time limit or end of the class).
I think of all the bad things I've ever been called, all the negative thoughts I've had about my body or my life and I use those to show myself I can be different, I can do it!
It takes a lot of dicipline but the end result is a great feeling. Take it with you.
Another suggestion/idea...shop around for home equipment. I dont mean the fancy smancy ones on TV for body builders. But if you go around to different stores, you'll find lots of fun equipment to do in the privacy of your own home or with friends. This may make you a bit more comfortable not having to run into people or use gas or take time from your schedule or use money on a membership! Completely up to you, but exercise is good for the body and mind.
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Guest
mike100
Exercise is crap for you. If you are doing it just because someone else tells you that it is good then in this case it will just be useless for you and in fact it could be counter productive. You said that you resist it and it gives you bad anxiety, right?
If you want to motivate yourself to do something, and i'm not talking about forcing yourself to do something that you've been told is good for you. I mean getting to a point where you actually feel good about the idea. The key is to find the purpose for you.
What is it going to give you? What are the benefits for your energy, your relationships, what is it going to mean for your financial situation, how will it help you relate to other people? how will it affect your sleep? Your digestion? Your mood? How will your body look after a few weeks of exercising? What will it do for you mentally? How will it help you with overcoming anxiety? What is it that you can gain from the experience?
My advice is if you want to go this path, read about people who consistantly exercise...find out the things they have in common in all those fields that i asked the questions in (relationships, mentality, mood...etc). What do you think their answers would be?
Mike
Exercise is crap for you. If you are doing it just because someone else tells you that it is good then in this case it will just be useless for you and in fact it could be counter productive. You said that you resist it and it gives you bad anxiety, right?
If you want to motivate yourself to do something, and i'm not talking about forcing yourself to do something that you've been told is good for you. I mean getting to a point where you actually feel good about the idea. The key is to find the purpose for you.
What is it going to give you? What are the benefits for your energy, your relationships, what is it going to mean for your financial situation, how will it help you relate to other people? how will it affect your sleep? Your digestion? Your mood? How will your body look after a few weeks of exercising? What will it do for you mentally? How will it help you with overcoming anxiety? What is it that you can gain from the experience?
My advice is if you want to go this path, read about people who consistantly exercise...find out the things they have in common in all those fields that i asked the questions in (relationships, mentality, mood...etc). What do you think their answers would be?
Mike
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Guest
frodo,
surely "Exercise is crap for you" is a misquote, I am sure. I think you meant "great" for you and mistyped.
What is up?
usually you are so dead on and insightful, but if you truly believe that exercise is 'crap', I think you need to look into a bit more yourself.
did you know that exercise alone, is more effective and the results more permanent, to lift depression than therapy and medication COMBINED?
did you know that people who regularly exercise are less likely to develop anxiety and depression than their non exercising peers?
or that all of the physical disease fears that most people on this site can be diminished with regular exercise?
there is even evidence that life extension and exercise are related. exercise, and live longer!
that is not crap.
now, if what you are responding to is the motivation issue, then that is understandable.
but for someone who is so read to refer me to Hans Selye, you truly could not mean that exercise is worthless.
please frodo, please say it isn't so.
surely "Exercise is crap for you" is a misquote, I am sure. I think you meant "great" for you and mistyped.
What is up?
usually you are so dead on and insightful, but if you truly believe that exercise is 'crap', I think you need to look into a bit more yourself.
did you know that exercise alone, is more effective and the results more permanent, to lift depression than therapy and medication COMBINED?
did you know that people who regularly exercise are less likely to develop anxiety and depression than their non exercising peers?
or that all of the physical disease fears that most people on this site can be diminished with regular exercise?
there is even evidence that life extension and exercise are related. exercise, and live longer!
that is not crap.
now, if what you are responding to is the motivation issue, then that is understandable.
but for someone who is so read to refer me to Hans Selye, you truly could not mean that exercise is worthless.
please frodo, please say it isn't so.
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Guest
The thing about exercise, or should we just re-invent the name here? Call it what you want... Time to work-out problems, feelings, emotions, etc... Time to adjust, re-plan, relax, meditate, etc...
I can honestly say it has saved my life many times... When I feel the world is coming to an end, I always feel rejuvenated from a great stress-release workout...
It gives me balance in my life... And it is the one thing we can honestly do for ourselves and express mental manifestations through actions... There is only so much talk therapy and social things we can do to relieve anxiety.. Sometimes, we just have to get out and do something about it physically...
The body was meant to move... And I love that fact.
I can honestly say it has saved my life many times... When I feel the world is coming to an end, I always feel rejuvenated from a great stress-release workout...
It gives me balance in my life... And it is the one thing we can honestly do for ourselves and express mental manifestations through actions... There is only so much talk therapy and social things we can do to relieve anxiety.. Sometimes, we just have to get out and do something about it physically...
The body was meant to move... And I love that fact.
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Guest
Hi,
I have been exercising consistently since May 2005, and I can't stress how important it was in my healing from anxiety. Yes, there are other things that you have to do to get well, but the impact that exercise has on changing your brain chemistry and getting rid of excess adrenaline can not be under estimated. I used to have a link to an article that showed that moderate exercise outperformed antidepressants for those with moderate depression, but I can't find it:(.
I know you know all of this, and it's apparent that you are "shoulding" on yourself, etc. That usually never works, especially over the long run. I would not have kept at exercise for this long if I beat myself up over it, or if I had made it complicated by having lofty goals of every day exercise at the gym. I think it's great that you can be so honest about your dislike for exercise, and it's a great place to start.
Here's what's made me consistent for over 3 years now.
Start small. Just exercising three days a week for about 15 to 20 minutes will definitely have an impact. You can also take a small walk in the morning, and a small walk in the afternoon to break up the time. It will not be as dramatic as taking a pill, but over time it will add up. In fact, if you start off exercising an hour a day, every day, you will not feel good! You may have less anxiety, but you'll be too distracted by very sore muscles and fatigue to notice the anti-anxiety benefits, and then those symptoms may actually cause you anxiety. So, guess what? If you are not exercising every day in the beginning, then you are actually making a good decision:)!
Find something you enjoy. Right now, my exercise mainly consists of simply dancing to my favorite fast beat music for about 30 minutes a day five times a day. Sometimes I go over because I enjoy it so much:)! I have the cheap fast access DSL, and I can just get music on my playlist on playlist.com for basically for free. I have speakers for my laptop, and I just stay in the living room, and move my body:). Also, studies have shown that listening to your favorite music has heart healing benefits, so it's a double impact:). I've also purchased a jump rope and a soccer ball that I just like to kick around. I've tried to juggle it, and it is a great work out.
Keep it simple. If you hate going to the gym, you can try something even more simple than that. Did you know that most public libraries have exercise DVD's and VHS's that you can check out for free? This just makes it so easy to stick in the DVD or VHS and exercise with some structure at home in front of the television. You can explore all of their different selections and you may just find something you enjoy that way. It's just so easy to keep up the exercise that way. I love Tae Bo! It makes me feel powerful and strong, and it helps me get out a lot of aggression and adrenaline. Also, I think having a dog to walk is a simple way to exercise. Our rat terrier always lets us know that he needs a walk. Depending on my level of anxiety, I'll just walk him around our apartment building and try to go up and down the hills to increase the intensity of the work out. I enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, and the birds and trees. It's simple, and it works. Also, have you ever tried just walking around your house? Just walking around for thirty minutes does make a difference. You can also by stair stepper-the machine kind or the kind that's used in step aerobics. That exercise requires very little space, and can be done while watching television!! I can't stress how often I've used the exercise of simply walking up and down in front of the television, news, etc., and that has helped me become very consistent. I'm going to watch the news, or Oprah, so why not just move up and down while doing it:)?
So, I just wanted to encourage you that I think you will be more likely to be successful if you start small and just be flexible with yourself. Don't make it complicated:). I know that it seems like every day exercise is best, but I just think five times a week is a good maximum goal to build up to. It really is enough. You have to be flexible and nice to yourself to be successful. I have exercise under my belt right now, but I'm trying to become a vegetarian. I'm starting off small. I'm trying out different recipes, and I do not beat myself up for having chicken or cheese a few times a week right now. I'm learning. I think that attitude makes us more successful when we are making changes. Slowly but surely. If I had a lofty goal that I was going to become a "Vegan" overnight, then when I gave in and ate some meat, I would just give up thinking that I had failed. This attitude is helping me stick to my goal. Don't give up:)! You're on the right track, and just doing a little does add up over time. Research does show it. I think there's research that shows that if a woman takes a ten minute walk once a day for a week before her menstrual cyle, it will drop her PMS symptoms by 50%! A little does go a long way when making lifestyle changes.
Take care,
luvpiggy
I have been exercising consistently since May 2005, and I can't stress how important it was in my healing from anxiety. Yes, there are other things that you have to do to get well, but the impact that exercise has on changing your brain chemistry and getting rid of excess adrenaline can not be under estimated. I used to have a link to an article that showed that moderate exercise outperformed antidepressants for those with moderate depression, but I can't find it:(.
I know you know all of this, and it's apparent that you are "shoulding" on yourself, etc. That usually never works, especially over the long run. I would not have kept at exercise for this long if I beat myself up over it, or if I had made it complicated by having lofty goals of every day exercise at the gym. I think it's great that you can be so honest about your dislike for exercise, and it's a great place to start.
Here's what's made me consistent for over 3 years now.
Start small. Just exercising three days a week for about 15 to 20 minutes will definitely have an impact. You can also take a small walk in the morning, and a small walk in the afternoon to break up the time. It will not be as dramatic as taking a pill, but over time it will add up. In fact, if you start off exercising an hour a day, every day, you will not feel good! You may have less anxiety, but you'll be too distracted by very sore muscles and fatigue to notice the anti-anxiety benefits, and then those symptoms may actually cause you anxiety. So, guess what? If you are not exercising every day in the beginning, then you are actually making a good decision:)!
Find something you enjoy. Right now, my exercise mainly consists of simply dancing to my favorite fast beat music for about 30 minutes a day five times a day. Sometimes I go over because I enjoy it so much:)! I have the cheap fast access DSL, and I can just get music on my playlist on playlist.com for basically for free. I have speakers for my laptop, and I just stay in the living room, and move my body:). Also, studies have shown that listening to your favorite music has heart healing benefits, so it's a double impact:). I've also purchased a jump rope and a soccer ball that I just like to kick around. I've tried to juggle it, and it is a great work out.
Keep it simple. If you hate going to the gym, you can try something even more simple than that. Did you know that most public libraries have exercise DVD's and VHS's that you can check out for free? This just makes it so easy to stick in the DVD or VHS and exercise with some structure at home in front of the television. You can explore all of their different selections and you may just find something you enjoy that way. It's just so easy to keep up the exercise that way. I love Tae Bo! It makes me feel powerful and strong, and it helps me get out a lot of aggression and adrenaline. Also, I think having a dog to walk is a simple way to exercise. Our rat terrier always lets us know that he needs a walk. Depending on my level of anxiety, I'll just walk him around our apartment building and try to go up and down the hills to increase the intensity of the work out. I enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, and the birds and trees. It's simple, and it works. Also, have you ever tried just walking around your house? Just walking around for thirty minutes does make a difference. You can also by stair stepper-the machine kind or the kind that's used in step aerobics. That exercise requires very little space, and can be done while watching television!! I can't stress how often I've used the exercise of simply walking up and down in front of the television, news, etc., and that has helped me become very consistent. I'm going to watch the news, or Oprah, so why not just move up and down while doing it:)?
So, I just wanted to encourage you that I think you will be more likely to be successful if you start small and just be flexible with yourself. Don't make it complicated:). I know that it seems like every day exercise is best, but I just think five times a week is a good maximum goal to build up to. It really is enough. You have to be flexible and nice to yourself to be successful. I have exercise under my belt right now, but I'm trying to become a vegetarian. I'm starting off small. I'm trying out different recipes, and I do not beat myself up for having chicken or cheese a few times a week right now. I'm learning. I think that attitude makes us more successful when we are making changes. Slowly but surely. If I had a lofty goal that I was going to become a "Vegan" overnight, then when I gave in and ate some meat, I would just give up thinking that I had failed. This attitude is helping me stick to my goal. Don't give up:)! You're on the right track, and just doing a little does add up over time. Research does show it. I think there's research that shows that if a woman takes a ten minute walk once a day for a week before her menstrual cyle, it will drop her PMS symptoms by 50%! A little does go a long way when making lifestyle changes.
Take care,
luvpiggy