Exercise

Hello anxiety sufferers, Ive not been here for many months maybe a year or so, as I dont suffer anymore, unless im totally out of my comfort zone, eg dentist, long journeys the usual that most folks get from time to time.

After 2 and abit years of sitting around the house anxious and generally been sedentary (sitting on facebook), with a rubbish diet, going from not eating at all to eating total rubbish and occasional digestive problems (acid reflux) swallowing probs both physical and mental, I decided to radically change my lifestyle, it was like, I got up one morning and I turned my life around. I happen to have a book called the mediterranean prescription, I read it cover to cover again. Basically cutting all sugar, fats and switched to olive oil, veg, grains, bran oats and anything healthy. I was so unfit too, I was 8 stone 5, the most Id ever weighed (I am very petite) I felt very sluggish and had a right gut appearing.

I used to be such an energetic person, I used to cycle to work, jog and walk. I wanted to get back into it.

I followed the med prescription (its not really a diet as such) healthy balanced diet, I switched from spirits to red wine. I lost 3 pounds in a couple of weeks, taking about an inch off my waistline, and getting into my old trousers!

I bought some new cycling gear from Aldi (very reasonably priced!!) donned myself with a new mountain bike helmet and an olympic top, adidas tights all matching in red including the bike, and managed to get my fitness back to where it was in about only 3 weeks! Im back sprinting up steep hills, ive even started jogging with intermittent jog/sprint/jog, running a whole 400 meters, I even went on holiday to Wales and ran there, a young lad about 13 kicked his ball down hill, he couldnt get it, I managed to sprint to get his ball, out running this young lad! Not bad for a 44 year old.

I just want to say to you all, it is amazing what the human body is capable of, try treating your anxiety with exercise, I know its obvious, but it really does get rid of all your excess adrenylin.

If your not into jogging or cycling, try Zumba!! If anything that will take your mind off your mind lol. If you cant get out of the house for some reason, there are classes on youtube you can follow.

Seriously turn your life round, beat your anxiety (gowd I sound like Charles Linden) bless him lol. (Hes good btw)

Just thought Id add some inspiration, dont stop moving, no matter how bad you feel!!

Take care all

AC.x

btw you can buy the mediterraneon prescription book off amazon.

Post Edited (acidgirl) : 8/15/2011 3:42:13 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Shannon oh Im glad my post inspired you. I know what you mean, sitting around feeling sorry for yourself, I think alot of the time anxiety is excess energy that cant be released. Especially if you are sitting around eating high calories foods that need burning off. Use your body correctly it will pay devidends.

Yeh Charles Linden, got his records stored in my mind for emergency perposes, used to have them on my ipod but know them off by heart hehe.

take care, good luck Shannon.

Hi Benny, you are so right, at the end of the day the fight or flight response needs a physical natural response eg. Exercise. Thats what the human body is designed to do. :)

You take care too. AG

Hi Acidgirl,

You are absolutely right about "treating your anxiety with exercise". I am a long time "panic and depression" suffer. I figured out that been sedentary is the worst thing for me. I have a bad habit that is sitting in front of computer for a long time. When anxiety/panic sneaks in, I will get out of the chair and go to yard to work. I haven't figure out how to deal with panic at night. I am still depending on Xanax.

I have been trying all kind of exercises and got hurt a lot. I joined a gym and fell out of treadmill. I fell asleep because the boredness . It was such a scene when I tumbled between all those machines. After two years, my tail bone still hurts if I am not sitting right. The latest exercise was Zumba and I love it. Have to give it up after few months of struggle. My knees got hurt so bad that I couldn't walk stairs. I am still looking for a new thing to try.

Thank you for the post.

Acidgirl,
"WoW, I cannot Thank-U" enough for your words of encouragement and allowing me to feel hopeful again. The doctors cannot figure out why I keep gaining weight. They said after my ileostomy I would definitely lose weight, however its been the opposite. It has definitely contributed to my major-depression. I have just isolated again in my room & am embarrassed to even go work out where people can see me. You have changed my outlook and there is not enough words to express my gratitude.

And congratulations for turning yourself around. I was appreciative when you told us your age as I am 46. I've had 7-kidz, 3-grand kidz & the weight has truly contributed to "no energy level"...I will start tomorrow doing something. I wish I could join a gym but can't afford it right now. But I have been wanting to go to the Aquatic Center as they have a small fitness room. They have bicycles, treadmills, & weights. I know its less than $5.00 I'm sure, so I am going to go tomorrow :)


Best of luck to you, smiles & hugz sent your way.
Your Healingwell Friend,
Serenitee

Bipolar 2, Borderline, Anxiety/Panic Disorder, Ptsd
Loop ileostomy, Pelvic/Bladder Trauma & Dysfunction

Hi lulu, yeh keep moving, If you are going to buy a treadmill, remember they are very heavy and expensive and you have to be very motivated. Why not go out with a friend or a member of your family jogging? You could do spinning, its like frantic cycling in one postion lol. I know about the racing thoughts and I had catastrophizing too. I jump in the car and drive round the block like an idiot of course this was not excerting any energy whatsoever.

I have an analogy, anxiety is like keeping your foot on the excelerator whilst its in neutral, its just revving up and going knowhere, it needs to be in gear.

Apparently exercise effects neurotransmitters in the brain, establishing new neural pathways. This is why its good for mental health. :)

Take care.

Post Edited (acidgirl) : 8/16/2011 3:36:59 AM (GMT-6)

This is the book that Im reading 'The Meditteranean Prescription. Its been a Godsend amzn.to/ptIgx5

Also this book 'The Psychic power of running' Ive had it for years its an old book, amzn.to/p1xoo0
It kind of explains whats going on in your mind/anxiety related probs and how exercise can deal with it. Even if your not into running its an interesting read.

Post Edited (acidgirl) : 8/16/2011 4:02:12 AM (GMT-6)

Hi lulu, good luck!! And can I have some of your weather please :D

Hi hurtandscared, yeh I know the feeling, I get gerd sometimes, usually my diet is to blame, so I have to cut out all fats and switch to low fat, feels like your stomach contents are about to fly out of your throat, its quite distressing isnt it!! But, ive had no problems with it since modifying my diet. Best thing is cycling, I find if you jog your insides are like a washing machine, although ive not had any probs, I wont exercise if I have reflux anyway.

Try something that doesnt require you to bend down.

All the best to you I hope you solve the problem.

AG

Post Edited (acidgirl) : 8/17/2011 11:30:14 AM (GMT-6)

Good idea chahw :) And thanks.