Hi everyone, I wanted to ask if anyone has difficulty with excercising. I am having trouble getting a regimen going due to fear of excercise. My fear has a lot to do with being to hot. I find that heat sets off my panic attacks in a major way, which inturn keeps me from doing a lot (I never leave the ac in the summer). I also had a panic attack on a tread mill 12 years ago and since then my excercise has decreased and is now non existent- I don't even walk my dog anymore. I know it is not healthy and I feel aches in my body everyday from not toning up my muscles. I thought maybe of starting with stretching or something like that. Does anybody have or had this problem? Or any suggestions that may be helpful. I would appreciate them greatly. Eagerly awaiting your replies.
Melissa

Hi Melissa,

I do lots of Yoga...and I love it. I didn't stick with it at first but I've made it a nearly daily part of life since the New Year (one of my resolutions). Whether it's 7 in the morning or 10 at night, I'm making sure it happens. I don't enjoy the treadmill either, but I'm trying to work to something more cardio...for the heart. A brisk walk would be good too! I've been doing my Yoga and following it with a light jog.

Until then Yoga's great. And it's not easy so you'll be sure to get lots of toning. I can work into a sweat but rarely feel overheated because you're not breathing super hard. It'll take time to get used to but it's worth it.

Recommendation: GAIAM - YOGA NOW w/ Mariel Hemingway and Rodney Yee. I bought it from Costco last fall. It has four dvd's for different levels, nutrition, and a.m. and p.m. sessions...it sounds like a lot but I just use the 30 minute session. I've never done Yoga before and it's fairly simple...the workout goes pretty quick too...and is very relaxing!!

Hope this helps!

Jen

MissaJDay.
Hello i'm Glen. I am a firm believer that we need to get some exercise somehow.
Jenjo had a great idea for you. I have done all kinds of exercise and find yoga very benificial and relaxing. In fact I will do that now instead of lifting weights. It is just as good any way for someone like me. I'm going on fifty. I just want to be in shape and flexible. It is not hard on you eather.Take it slow and easy. Remember what Lacinda said about anxiety attacks. What should you do when you have one? NOTHING! If you feel one coming on. Do your breathing, do positive talking, like say over, and over it's only thoughts.
I see this as a challenge and an oportunity for you to advance in your growth of conquering your anxiety. In fact right now i'm going to do some myself. Take it easy. Remember, baby steps.
How do you eat a whale? One bite at a time.
I hope that we have helped you.
You take care of yourself, because we love you.

I too have had a panic attack on a tread mill in a fitness center, and I believe that's the last time I got on a machine like that....mine was from that derealization feeling and a sense of dizziness though.... I too have dabbled in Yoga and would highly recommend it too. Jenjo had many good points about yoga and in the tapes I have done yoga too they are always talking about breathing and being in touch with yourself and relaxing and not putting a lot of pressure on yourself and stuff like that...there is a lot of stretching and I have noticed that after I do Yoga, the next morning when I wake up my back doesn't hurt whent it normally does.... hope this helps and good luck to you

I am the same. When I get hot I feel like I can't breathe. Then my heart starts pounding and I panic. All I can say is take it slow . Do your breathing yhats important. I do pilates and I walk on nice days for about 40 min. In the summer I go to the gym but its hard when its humid to do anything you just breathe its good anxiety practice.

Last year I was extremely dizzy due to medication. I fell 7 times and injured my hands and back. The beginning of this year I fell down a flight of stairs a week after having surgery. Now I listen to my inner voice. I do not use the equipment at the YMCA. In this case my fear is telling me something worthwhile

I found a water yoga class that starts Monday. It's in waist deep water. Now all I have to do is show up wearing a bathing suit in a co-ed pool.

Today I walked a half mile, took a shower and bought myself lunch (at the YMCA). My body wants to exercise. The walk felt so good.

Wanda

Thank you all so much for your replies and suggestions. My sister has actually bought me a yoga pilates kit a few years back, the video it came with seems rather difficult, but it comes with a mat and a block; so maybe I can find a beginner video or actually the one Jenjo recommended.I believe they have some yoga on demand so maybe I'll check them out.Now it's just getting up the courage and making it routine. My sister had also just picked me up a pilates strech band like they use in physical therapy (I stretched a little with it today). Thank you all so much. I'm glad I have you all to talk with.
Melissa

So, Melissa -- I was in Barnes and Noble today purchasing "From Panic to Power"...has anybody ready this??? Anyway, I saw the Yoga set I use and instantly thought of you. It's about $40 at a book store...and I think I bought it at Costco for just under $30. Anyways, it's pretty cool going through my day and randomly thinking of people I've met on this forum...there's an interesting connection when we all share the same struggles.

Hear from you all soon!

Jen

quote:

Originally posted by jenjo:
So, Melissa -- I was in Barnes and Noble today purchasing "From Panic to Power"...has anybody ready this??? Anyway, I saw the Yoga set I use and instantly thought of you. It's about $40 at a book store...and I think I bought it at Costco for just under $30. Anyways, it's pretty cool going through my day and randomly thinking of people I've met on this forum...there's an interesting connection when we all share the same struggles.

Hear from you all soon!

Jen

Hi Jen, I
Thank you so much for your support. My sister does a lot of yoga, so for now I had her bring me over some of her dvd's that she has. Plus she said she will get me a yoga ball, I guess they have them at the christmas tree shop for 6.99. I did a little stretching today, but I know I need to do a full body one and not just my arms while sitting on the couch. lol. It's hard to stay awake today, it's raining over here and this weather makes everyone want to just sleep. I've been procrastinating today, I still need to listen to Session 2 (It's day 1 for me). I will get to it, I have to, no one else can do it for me. I was actually on ebay looking for the same book. Their are alot on there. I am still not good at the going out thing, hopefully I will start more with this new session. I am really excited about this program and am glad I have everyone in here to talk with.
Thank you again for all your support.
I
Melissa

One of my first panic attacks was after going for a walk with my son so I think in away I relate exercise with panic so I just don't do it. I know that I would feel much more healthy if I would just do something but I am scared.

I have a treadmill in my living room and I thought that since it was right there even if I started to feel panic setting in I would feel safe because I was at home but I haven't had the guts to get on it yet. It is so frustrating. I guess I just have to bit the bullet and do it.

quote:

Originally posted by Pink Pirate:
One of my first panic attacks was after going for a walk with my son so I think in away I relate exercise with panic so I just don't do it. I know that I would feel much more healthy if I would just do something but I am scared.

I have a treadmill in my living room and I thought that since it was right there even if I started to feel panic setting in I would feel safe because I was at home but I haven't had the guts to get on it yet. It is so frustrating. I guess I just have to bit the bullet and do it.

Baby steps, I guess is what they say- Yet it's easier said then done. I have started some stretches and I have been trying to have fun with it. For example: I had my nephew(8) over lastnight and as I was doing strectches, he was on the computer. I got up like a dog and started barking. He turned around and said what the heck kind of excercise is that, You have weird excercises. and I just started cracking up. It feels good to be able to laugh and get the excercises in. I am sure you will find the courage you need. I wish you lots of success.
Melissa

As it is warming up here in Southern CA, I can relate big time to the association of being too hot and panic attacks. I find the rationale is 3-fold.

1) When it is hot, I breathe heavier - triggering the "I can't breathe, I'm going to die" negative thoughts. Hence I associate air conditioners, fans, and even trees (in that they produce oxygen) as a comfort - can anyone relate to that? Sometimes even when it's cool I find myself turning on the fan or car A/C as a comfort to try and reduce anxiety/panic.

2) When I'm hot, I'm not comfortable - hence more irritable, apt to complain more and be negative.

3) Ongoing heat triggers my "I must be ill with an incurable flu-fever-disease thing and am going to die or lose control of my mind because of the high fever". When this happened, I found myself taking my temperature every 5 minutes of course to find my temperature at a normal level, but of course in my mind it was because the thermometer was broken. I don't do this obsessive tendency anymore, though it re-emerges when I really am sick with a cold or flu which is a VERY difficult time for me mentally.

So, whether it's during exercise, spending time outside with others, in a hot, stuffy, indoor place, due to illness, and/or or just being subject to normal environmental heat, I can relate, it makes total sense to me how this is an anxiety thing, and I hope we can dispel these mental lies together!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Less-Stress-Wes:

Not only can I relate to you- I feel like you were talking about me. It is amazing to find people who actually have the same symptoms. I feel like I am the only one around here. It's horrible feeling and I pray that we all get through this. Thanks for responding.

Hugs
Melissa