I'm having a really hard time with this session. I don't know if I should go onto session 4 or stay on this session until I can learn to love myself unconditionally. I'm trying but I can't. I hate what I see in the mirror. I work out feverishly, run, eat well but have gained 10 pounds in acouple of months. I don't understand it and it just makes me not like myself more. Am I a hopeless case, should I move onto session 4 or am I going to be stuck on session 3 forever???

Wiley
Lesson 3 is a good and a tough one. I dont think any of us can love ourselves unconditionally with just 3 lessons. Its all a learning process, and with each lesson, you learn more about YOU and who YOU are!
Lesson 4 seems like it might help you with your expectations. How not over expect so much of yourself all at once... So you might go to lesson 4 and then go back and review lesson3.
im slowly learning myself if i take care of ME inside, the outside is following.. Dont Lose Hope and Dont beat yourself up.. THis is a journey, and each lesson and each step, gets you closer to your goal..... BREATHE! and RELAX, and I HOPE for YOU continued learning and success!!! Nelly

I am on session 3 right now for this week and I believe she did mention that it will take a lot of practice and that Session 3 is carried forward
thru the other lessons so don't worry that you don't grasp it all just do the best you can to replace those negative thoughts with positive ones
I am going to get a spiral notepad today so I can
track those pesky negative thoughts.
We can just do the best we can!

I'm spending more than 1 week on session 3. I can surely list all the negative thoughts but the positive replacement thoughts sometimes are a bit tough.

Thank you all for your replies. They are appreciated. It's just hard sometimes to find something positive to change the negative from, but I will continue to try and really, really try to love myself unconditionally. I keep telling myself everyday that I'm worthy of being loved especially by myself. So we will see what happens. I have high hopes. Also, I've noticed lately that I have fewer anxiety attackes EXCEPT after I run. It seems to trigger them. Has anyone else had this happen?? I ran 5 miles this morning and a anxiety attack has been trying to "seat" itself ever since but I'm trying to positive talk myself out of it. Can anyone help me with a suggestion on this one. Thank you so much.

Wileycry- Your mention of anxiety attacks after a run made me remember a book I read awhile ago "The Swartzbein Principle" written by a well known endocrinologist here in Calif. She felt that over exercising was not good for people who have anxiety because it increases the adrenaline levels too much. She recommended keeping the heart rate at about 90 and no higher. Interesting.

Wow, that is interesting. I wonder what is considered over exercising if I've ran at this same capacity for 15 years??? Hmmm Something to think about. When I get past this anxiety I wonder if it won't affect me when I run anymore. Thank you so much for the info. I asked my doctor yesterday and she felt that I was thinking about things in the back of my mind while I was running and that it had nothing to do with the actual running. All I can do is try to continue to get better and see what happens.

Wileycry - I think what she meant by over exercising was not how long you've been exercising but when you do exercise to keep the heart rate at about 90 because when the heart rate gets higher it can actually increase your adrenaline levels which can in turn increase your anxiety.

Thankyou, I understand that. I'm just still trying to grasp the whole concept that now that I know I have anxiety that it's affecting my whole workout routine. I've probably had anxiety for years but just started have the attacks in November. Why wasn't I affected before the attacks? Working out hard and running is such a part of my life I don't know if I could cut it back. Anyway, I guess I just need to be patient and learn more about this whole condition. Thanks so much again.

Wileycry- I know what you mean. I was addicted to the runner's high at one time, but was forced to cut back cause my knees were getting worn out.

I actually don't like running I just do it because I'm in the military and have to stay in shape AND I like what it does for my weight. I'm extremely self conscious about my weight. If I could do another exercise and get the same result and be able to pass my pt test every year with ease I would definately do it.

wileycry:

the excessive breathing you do when running and cooling down, just reminds you of how you breath during a panic attack. keep at it. you will be fine. what you are doing is way more benefical that harmful.

to the original poster. this session is more about chaning your thoughts from a neg. to a pos. not about loving yourself unconditionally off the bat in 3 weeks. just by you saying that you don't like yourself cuz of a few lbs. is a negative thought that needs to be changed to a postive one!!!

i don't like the way i look in the mirror because of 10 lbs.

i look fine, i have alot of great qualities that people like. i will continue to workout and make losing this 10 lbs a goal. but in all acutallity my weight has nothing to do with me loving myself. i know inside i'm beautiful. i'm working hard, my skills are working and with practice and time i will learn to accept myself and others as they are. that is true love....

see how easy that was gorgeous!

Thank you so much. I've continued running and just talking to myself the whole way positively and it's been working.

My weight issue I go back and forth on. I try to stay in the positive and tell myself it's not that bad I can get it back off it will just take time and then there's other times that I fall back into the bad habit of negative talk and depression and think it will never come back off and I'll probably just gain more. It's a work in progress and it's a challenge everyday. I appreciate all he comments people have given me, that's a boost in itself. I'm very hopeful that I will beat this thing and be happy with myself. Have a wonderful day.

Wileycry, I've been hearing alot about affirmation CD's that repeat positive thoughts like "I am calm and happy". etc. Maybe you could get one and listen to it while you run. I really want to get one and listen on my commute and before I got to bed each night.

And thank you for serving our country!

Yes, Wileycry I agree with Music Fan. Thank you for serving our country. I have several family members who are both retired and active duty. It's one of the toughest jobs out there. With todays world issues, I'm sure it's hard to sign up for a job that you could die at.

Do you think this has something to do with your anxiety? If it does it's understandable.

Music Fan: Do you have any idea where to find such CD's and maybe some names?

Thanks..