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Scared to Exercise


17 years ago 0 2101 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
OMG!!! I have the same problem with exercising it freaks me out totally! I had figured i would start with some yoga and i still intend to do that but i just might try what wholesale5 said too. I am so greatful to Isabella for posting this problem and for wholesale answering it cause i have been struggling with this too. and i sooo want to get back in shape! Wow it feels good to know i am not the only one freaked out by this. Thanks guys! -Diva
17 years ago 0 33 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I actually had this same problem, but was able to overcome it using a sort of exposure method. I started by taking slow walks around my neighborhood (strolling, not exercising) every evening. I did this for a few days so that I got real comfortable. Then, once I got within sight of my house at the end of my walk I started picking up my pace. It made me uncomfortable, but I knew I only had to go just a short way until I got home, and it would be ok. As I got used to that, I started the faster pace earlier in my route until eventually I was power walking all the way. Then I repeated the process by adding running to the last little bit and increasing that distance slowly until I was running the whole way. From there I gradually increased the distance of my overall route. All in all it took about a month - maybe a little longer. I still had occasional panic attacks, but I would force myself to finish as planned anyways. Now I hardly ever have panic attacks while running.
17 years ago 0 207 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey everyone! I know there have been several posts on exercise in the past but I was wondering how I can get over this fear of being afraid to exercise because I have been struggling with it for nearly a year and a half now. My main goal is to live a healthy lifestyle. I have been able to eat healthy, cut out drinking, smoking, and caffeine(including chocolate), but the one thing that makes a huge difference is exercise. I do yoga but I want to do cardio to keep my heart in shape and to drop about 10 pounds. The problem is every time I get my heart rate up, I get hot(which is natural), and I immediately feel shaky, dizzy and I feel bad for about an hour after I exercise. I guess I am so used to not feeling that way unless I have a panic attack that I now associate those feelings with panic. I have tried to expose myself by doing 10 minutes of cardio to start but the problem is I can't get past that and each time I panic. I am afraid that I am going to die or something and I even have chest pains. I've been doing so good in other areas that I feel like I can conquer this too but I have been unsuccessful thus far. My fiance has even agreed to workout with me so I feel "safer" with a partner but I immediately feel panicky once we start to exercise. It is really depressing for me too because I used to run a local reservior religiously and it was so stress-relieving and calming for me but now I can't even walk fast without freaking out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Previously one of the support specialists mentioned a physiotherapist( i think that's what it is called) so I would like to know how they help and how to get ahold of one. Thank you so much. ~Isabella~

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