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Any Bodybuilders here?

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 5/17/2011 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Or just anyone who lifts heavy weights on a regular basis?

Reason I ask is I find inspiration from people with the same passion and same "mental" disorder

I have a passion of bodybuilding lol it's crazy but I do, I go to bed thinking about squatting more weight than my last workout, or just bench pressing amounts no one my size should be able to do, I used to be hardcore in weightlifting and I even put it before school lol it was crazy, but now with my anxiety, I do workout quite a bit but just the thought of going as heavy and intense as I used to intimidates me now, I fear having a cardiac event of some sort or some spontaneous combustion while going intense, can anyone help me out with this?

and reaally if anyone has beent here and OVERCAME it? ANY words of advice would be freaking awesome! I believe I can do it, I believe in myself and am willing to fight this hard fight, but of course I need support and inspiration from anywhere I can get it

I'm not alone as well, I have a friend who used to be very athletic playing basketball day in day out and now gets panic attacks while jogging or simple weight routines

also if it's possible, does anyone have any scientific evidence or something about the benefits of weightlifting towards anxiety disorders? or maybe health in general?

please help guys, I feel like my dream has been taken away from me:(

tear,cry,pain,emo,yeah!
Posted 5/17/2011 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
All I would know is that if you are in tuned with your body, listen to it. It will let you know if you are over doing things.
Do what you feel comfortable with. If you want to have a little competition with yourself so be it. But trust your instincts. If the body says it is too much, then it is too much.

Know that there are also other things that you can strive for if the anxiety is too high in one thing. Be versatile.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/17/2011 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Pfff, no way, with anxiety I never even come CLOSE to what I am capable of:( I'm often scared to even push myself and it sucks lol
Posted 5/18/2011 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hey CM. I used to lift weights a great deal... back in the day (cue music from yesteryear). I tended to over do it with my OCD and what not. Sooooooo... I may not be the best source of advice. :)

I know you're not going to have a cardiac event and you probably won't spontaneously combust. Although, that would shed light on the fire extinguishers at the gyms. I'm sure those two things are not connected.

I think Karen gave you some great advice. You have to listen to, and be in touch with your body. This is something I need to learn to do... usually put my body on hold (I know, it's rude). My compulsion with lifting was not good. I plan on getting back into "some" lifting, but nothing like I was doing back then (cue music from yesteryear). Man.. I wish that music would stop!

You can be in great shape AND get great results WITHOUT pushing your body to or beyond its limits. Just my two cents.

Present "two cents" Tensed
Posted 5/18/2011 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hey CMP:) I don't know if you've read my story before or not...if so just skip to the end of this post!

I have been active all my life. Dancing, competitive gymnastics, more dancing (professionally) Phys. Ed. teacher, and presently a dance teacher/choreagrapher.

When my anxiety hit, some of it was in the form of health anxiety. In other words, I thought it a very real possibility that I could die in the middle of a strenous activity, i.e, teaching a class, or possibly jogging, lifting, ect...

I didn't have any alternative but to cut out all activity, or take a risk. I took the risk. I figured if I went out, I would go doing something that I loved. I wasn't going to let A/P take that away from me. Have I had physical symptoms while working out? Yes, but it didn't kill me. Over time, the fear subsided, and the times I feel strongest now are when I am breathless, and my heart is going at 150!

So with that said. I believe in balanced fitness...aerobic, strengthening and stretching activities all working together. When you lift, you are putting extra pressure on the heart, and the b.p. is going to rise. However if your heart is strong from aerobic conditioning, this is not going to harm you. Also, the more lean muscle mass you have on your body, the lower (statistically) your b.p. will stay.

Stretching will prevent muscle injury and shortening. It is also calming and relaxing. A good well rounded regimen of all three of these exercise types will keep you fit and healthy:)

Feel the burn! Lol!
S.C.
Posted 5/18/2011 5:02 AM (GMT 0)

PresentTensed said...
Hey CM. I used to lift weights a great deal... back in the day (cue music from yesteryear). I tended to over do it with my OCD and what not. Sooooooo... I may not be the best source of advice. :)

I know you're not going to have a cardiac event and you probably won't spontaneously combust. Although, that would shed light on the fire extinguishers at the gyms. I'm sure those two things are not connected.

I think Karen gave you some great advice. You have to listen to, and be in touch with your body. This is something I need to learn to do... usually put my body on hold (I know, it's rude). My compulsion with lifting was not good. I plan on getting back into "some" lifting, but nothing like I was doing back then (cue music from yesteryear). Man.. I wish that music would stop!

You can be in great shape AND get great results WITHOUT pushing your body to or beyond its limits. Just my two cents.

Present "two cents" Tensed

 

If this was facebook, I'd make a thousand accounts just to like this point that many times haha, thanks PT *cues emotional tear-jerking music* you have really been a helpful hand in my life buddy, I don't know where I'd be without you

 

bwahahaha

 

Yeah I hope I can get in great shape, my plan is to do a moderately intense home dumbbell workout and start jogging again and eventually pick it up to those big barbell squats and deadlifts and military presses and what not *cues emotional tear-jerking music* cause it just ain't the same unless I got my hands wrapped around a big ol' olympic bar

Posted 5/18/2011 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
Scaredy Cat, I can really benefit from having people with your attitude around me or in my life, is it possible... if it's ok with you... to exchange e-mails and I can bother you with some anxiety questions? I already bug the heck out of DarkWolf with those but I don't want to anymore lol I gotta give her a break haha

and you know what, you said you experienced physical symptoms from the exercise combined with Anxiety, can you even e-mail me a list of those symptoms? It's just comforting to read this patciular symptom as an anxiety symptom, so that when or if it happens it's just comforting and lessens the edge off of it

Like the time I had tingling hands, it freaked me out but I became comfortable with it when a few anxiety sufferers admitted to having that symptom from working out as well

thanks Scaredy Cat, I understand ur probably a super busy lady so rejection is ok with me, but I'm doing everything and anything I can do recover 100% and I know this would benefit me, being as though your very knowledgeable and experienced and stuff
Posted 5/18/2011 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
CM,

Don't ever think you bug me with any questions.

Cheers,

DW
Posted 5/18/2011 9:30 AM (GMT 0)
Just gotta push yourself you know?
Posted 5/18/2011 9:31 AM (GMT 0)

3doorsdown said...
Just gotta push yourself you know?

I agree man! Your the best, THE BEST!;)
Posted 5/18/2011 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmmm, so CM Punk, that name makes me think you're into wrestling (I wonder why....), could some of your anxiety be to do with this? (seeing everyone getting injured all the time is what I'm thinking)?
Posted 5/18/2011 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
Not a bodybuilder but I do run 2-3 miles 3-4 days a week, do various toning/stretching/strengthening exercises 20 minutes 3-4 days a week and walk everyday.  This has done alot to help my anxiety/mood issues.  When I do push myself, I feel better after wards.  I do not have health anxiety as I just do not worry about things that are beyond my control anymore, meaning, if I am taking good care of myself, that is all I can do, the rest is in the hands of Spirit.  Exercising is great but I also believe you have to balance it with rest and relaxation which is hard for me to do, but I keep working on it!

Gem

Posted 5/18/2011 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hey CMP, My addie is in my profile so e-mail me anytime...never too busy to help a friend:) (and I'm on break from classes at the moment..don't know what to do with myself-Lol;P)
S.C.
Posted 5/19/2011 8:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi CM Punk

I have had a lot of free time on my hands over the last year and I have been filling that time by getting down the gym. I do a lot of fitness work as well as lifting weights which I love. I find going to the gym to be one of the best things for my anxiety at the moment as I usually plug my ipod which some ass kicking tunes and just spend 2-3 hours exercising and find during this time my mind is kept of anxious thoughts.

Keep it up sounds like you enjoy the gym.

Hibee
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