Hi

It's been a while since I put out a post. Well, what can I say except the last year was amazing. My symptoms of panic and anxiety left and I started working full-time again. Except, only one down fall. I got so caught up in work that I neglected my body. For the past 6 months or so I stopped working out. I used to work out 3-4 times a week for 30 mins. to 1 hour. I used to do exercise in the form of dance and yoga.

For the past 3 months, I now have severe neck and shoulder pain. I know this is a result of tension headaches I was getting everyday at work. I just wasn't happy at work anymore because the company down-sized and a lot of people quit. Management moved me into another position and doubled my work -load. I left my job about 3 weeks ago because I just couldn't take the tension headaches. I realized that I couldn't do anything to improve my situation at work since management wouldn't budge even after numerous meetings with them about my job.

Now I'm going to the chiropractor and slowly getting better. I want to work out but I guess I'm scared of injuring myself. Does anyone have advice in how to motivate yourself to start to work out when you feel weak and sore. I have to get over the initial hump and I just can't get started. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Trish

hello You know excercise comes in many forms. I usually just walk everyday. It took me a long time to be able to just do that because I was afraid of my heart palpitations. But I no longer fear that anymore the heart was made to pump I also feel the difference in myself when I don't excercise. so get out there and just start walking. even what you said about dancing is great. any form of excercise will relieve stress and also headaches. remember it's better to do some excercises than not to do anything at all.
take care Maxamillion

hi tricia, i have so been there...ive worked out my whole life but when i became severely depressed i too stopped for a while.What i did to slowly return was ,started deep breathing excersizes to help get oxygen to muscles follow that with some stretching doing each part of your body for 30 minutes per day for a week, that should get you starting a little more and more each week that gos bye soon youll be right back on track.good luck

Downsizing is like an evil epidemic. Tricia, that company didn't deserve to keep you - you were right to leave!

Exercise has to be fun if you are going to stick with it forever. Like was said before, there are a lot of ways to exercise so pick something fun. Start slow and give yourself lots of time to get better - you are after the long-term benefits. If it hurts too much at first you won't stick with it.

I think walking is the best exercise there is, but there are lots of options. You need to stretch your shoulders, neck and back. Yoga, light weights or swimming would help.

The best of luck to ya!

Hi

Thanks for all of your replies. I'm going to start stretching and ride my stationary bike. I think I'll use the schedule page in chapter 5. I find that I need to write down my exercise plan for the week or else I just won't do it.

Trish