HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Exercise and pain

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/23/2009 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
So I finally motivated myself to go to the gym yesterday and do a short workout. I did 10 minutes on the stationary bike, a few weight and floor exercises and figured that was a good gentle start. Last night I noticed my right calf was really sore (just a light touch over the skin was painful) and today I have chest pain. I'm sure its just my body being really out of shape and muscles resisting getting back to work but its really freaking me out and making me scared to go back to the gym!!! I feel like an idiot for even thinking that way because I'm sure if I can just pull through it I will feel so much better in the long run and in turn reduce my anxiety but I'm really on the fence whether to go back or not. :(  I know its completely ridiculous to be scared to exercise but ugh... I just can't get it out of my head that I'm going to have a stroke or heart attack while I'm on the machines. :(
Posted 6/23/2009 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dixibella! I went to a gym for all of 08, and one of the biggest mistakes that I made at the beginning of 09 was that I stopped going. I took a medication that caused me to experience severe depression, and out of fear; extreme anxiety (I was anxiety free all of 08). What I would recommend for you is that you start out slowly. Don't exercise until your heart is pounding, instead focus on light walking and perhaps yoga or tai chi. Slow movements that don't raise your heart rate a lgreat deal would be best for you right now, and after a while you will feel more confortable and will want to try faster paces. Exercise is good for your heart but it's the anxiety of the higher heart rate that makes us so frightened. It's not ridiculous, it's anxiety and you can overcome it, just take it slow at first. Keep your exercise moderate and even enjoyable if possible so that you will stay encouraged to do it. If you decide to try yoga, it is also very beneficail for improving your breathing which will also benefit your anxiety. I know of a good routine on DVD that should not make you feel more anxious, in fact it's for relaxation. It's available at Amazon and it's called "Candlelight Yoga" by Crunch. I have many DVDs and this was my first and is still my favorite because it's low paced and helps me breathe properly. I wish you the best of everything! *big hug*
Posted 6/23/2009 4:43 PM (GMT 0)

Hey there,

I just checked out the video and as usual I wonder if anyone over the age of 30 with some body fat to lose ever makes a exercise video...............  Being in my 60's and having 20 lbs to lose, these videos are depressing to me.

Like you Dixi I am trying to get back into a regular routine and I have gotten back on my treadmill.  I find my heart rate kicks up too and I have chest pain so I have to slow it down but man do I feel old and out of shape.  I find the whole routine to be anxiety provoking.  Is there any hope for the matue woman? confused    confused    confused

Joining a gym is out of the question due to expense and I do not have the kind of health insurance that will cover memberships to YMCA either.

What ever happen to Richard Simmons? smilewinkgrin     smilewinkgrin

"Sometimes, in order to cheer up, it's nice to see there are others who are worse off, or at least feel the same as you do."

Hugs galore,

Kitt

Posted 6/23/2009 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hay Kitt! That is true, they are always young thin people in the videos, but I can assure you that I have at least 20 more pounds to lose and I can do it. We just have to remember that people who do yoga or other fitness activities for a living are going to be thin! I used to mountain bike and back then I was very thin! It's not about what the other poeple look like, it's about getting ourselves feeling more fit and happy in our own bodies, and using up that anxiety adrenaline. =) *big hug*
Posted 6/23/2009 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey! Glad to hear everyone is exercising. I know I told everyone I got into tennis with my daughters. Well, the weather hasn't been cooperating. It's either too hot or too windy. But I'm enjoying it when we do go.

Dixi, is your calf red and swollen? Also, is the chest pain new for you? Any chest pain should be checked out by your doctor. Just to make sure everything is okay and you're okay to exercise. It sounds like your workout was perfect. Not too much and not too little.

Kitt, I can't believe you are in your 60's!! In your picture you look much younger. Take care everyone!
Posted 6/23/2009 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Dixibella its good that you are doing some kind of exercise and it sounds as if you were smart in taking it slow. Some folks decide they want to loose weight and go whole hog in the exercise then pay for it dearly the next day. Start off slow, and DO expect some soreness. You are working on muscles that haven't been used in awhile.

If you are sore you can take something over the counter such as Tylenol or Advil to help ease the soreness. Keep up the good work and kick the stinkin thinkin to the curb!
Posted 6/23/2009 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone, I am definitely taking it easy as I am prone to "If it hurts, that's no fun, if its no fun, I don't want to" so I'm trying to just accept that I am THAT out of shape. Which is a big blow to the ego because I've been working very hard on my denial that I am fat, and frankly pretty lazy. I used to be a daily gymgoer and I felt fantastic, so I hope to regain some of that in time. My calf isn't red or swollen, but I suffer from really miserable leg cramps that has been going on for a year. I've been checked for clots and that is negative and my recent abnormal labwork suggested that perhaps something is up but the other doctor didn't seem too concerned. My aldolase was slightly elevated, my sodium was a little low (weird because I eat salty stuff alll the time!) and my glucose was a little high (but I wasn't fasting) - so perhaps thats why I feel "off". It also doesn't help I got this miserable cold from my husband and I'm going through round 2... he had the same problem, it hit full force, went away, then came back at 1/2 strength for a week. Bleh! So I'm taking my vitamins and drinking lots of water and gatorade hoping perhaps that will help. Its hard because I KNOW I will feel better if I just push through the initial discomfort of making myself move again. Plus I am really out of shape for riding and I feel bad for my poor horse having to carry my 30lb heavier duff around so I really need to get it together. The weather is crappy here too so I've been blaming my slacker ways on that but I have a small gym at work so I really have no excuse... I'm off to ride the bike for another gentle 10 and hopefully push past this stuff. Thanks for all the support everyone!!!! We should have a fitness club!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply