An Apple A Day

[NIKI]

When I feel like snacking, I will drink a big glass of cold ice water and it helps. You can add sugar free flavor if you don't like straight water.

So, that's what I did today every time I wanted a snack I drank my water. Good for me. :)

 

[Tinyflame]

I grounded myself better, or managed to get my blood pressure down, and ate something good on my stomach though I didn't feel like it.

 

[Deaf Global Nomad]

Has anyone tried a video game console with games that require moving your body?

I am not a gamer. However, in December I decided to purchase a video game console with which I can play all different sports while staying in my house. Because of my disabilities (unrelated to PTSD) I cannot play team sports or exercise safely outside. In the health care building at the state fair for the past few years, they have been showing how game consoles can actually help everyone be or become "fit".

I noticed that my anxiety increased, the less I was able to go outside and move. I do not qualify any more for a personal care attendant according to the new rules. Plus my mom was diagnosed with cancer. On top of everything I was rear-ended twice in September. Both times I was stopped at a red light and the other driver was not paying attention to the road. The first time I drove home from therapy, just a few blocks away. The second time was on my way home from the doctor's office, the next time I was out after the back half of my car had been replaced. They had to tow the car back to the dealership for the exact same repairs. Those incidences freaked me out and I couldn't handle being in a car.

I was hoping that the exercise would keep me moving and let me use my muscles to keep the adrenaline at levels at which I could remain calm and concentrate. I knew that I would need games that keep the background simple (e.g. tennis) so that it wouldn't overstimulate me. I tried a few games at the store to see if I could play some games. In the meantime I can play almost all of the exercise games for at least 15 minutes, regardless of the background. Plus a few traditional games (thumb exercises) have allowed me to improve my fine motor skills as well as attention span.

 

[Gamereign555]

There are a couple boxing games that I have tried in the past that really can tire you out and get your blood flowing. Maybe just walk off the extra energy outside and get some fresh air afterwards. For less tiring games that involve coordination and understanding of physics you could try a cool game I like called Boom Blox.

 

[NIKI]

Has anyone tried a video game console with games that require moving your body?

Yes, I love it. I love doing the yoga and slow paced running in place. It has helped me lose 50 lbs. I also switch up by playing other random games. I just bought a dance game. It should be lots of fun, and fun to to with my daughter.

 

[simplekindofgirl]

I love those games! I am going to google bloom box in a minute- had not heard of it.

Wii Fit (which is designed specifically for the purpose) are both fun and a good workout.

The kids have a 3DS and it has a pedometer in it- with the nintendogs, you can set it up so that you are walking your dog, and it counts your steps and gives you special items based on the number of steps that you take.

Xbox has the kinnect device, which even though they really have not focused on fitness per se, there is something to be said about using your whole body to move through a video game rather than sitting on the couch and working out only your thumbs. It is great to see the kids standing and moving around (sometimes rapidly) in an interactive way.

PS3 has move. We just bought the move controllers and it functions similarly to the 360. I believe all of the systems have the dance games, DDR or Dance Party have benefits. One of my siblings actually used it as (the majority of) a workout program and managed to drop 30 lbs. over 6 months.

Not only can it be beneficial, but it is also a distraction.

 

[Meadowsweet]

The thing that gets me is that exertion to me feels like the beginnings of a panic attack

I get that feeling too, and it does stop me exercising sometimes.

Part of my reason for writing this thread, is because i recognise the benefits of good physical health for the body and the mind, but the mind has quite a powerful influence. So focussing on the one positive thing I've done for my health, is about changing the way I feel towards healthy living.

Its kind of a way of making healthy activities into a friend that helps me feel good about myself, instead of the criticiser that wants to push me down.

 

[Coop]

My mother has been terminally ill for sometime and it has resulted in hospitalization that she may never get out of this weekend. I didn't go to the psych ward to hide but was there at her side because I had my 'duties' to her as she had to me. I feel proud I did and finally prayed the first time in 3 years after being mad at God. I don;t know what saved her this time as she wasn't responsive and couldn;t say more than 2 or 3 words due to ammonia in her brain, but it helped and science wasn't cutting it. Maybe it is her stubborness to stay as I get it from her and she calls me the stubbornest child on earth.

But either way I didn't go into the psych hospital and dealt with a major mixed BIPOLAR I and general anxiety disorder (PTSD ?) episode by journaling and facebook writing about my mother and what she meant to me.

 

[Meadowsweet]

I'm struggling to find something, but I did walk to the shop rather than drive.

 

[simplekindofgirl]

Great meadowsweet! Even that is something worth making a note of! Some of the times those simple little things are enough and can bridge that gap between the days where we have and will do more than that.

 

[Meadowsweet]

I do feel guiltily self indulgent writing this thread. But it is helping.

Yesterday I felt as bad as the day before. But because I'm writing this, I was more aware of how one bad day can roll into the next and the next. So I put on a wii exercise thing, and thought if I only do 5 minutes, its better than giving up altogether.

But I did the full half hour. So I'm pleased.

Also, I have days when I feel too exposed going out for a walk. And days when the sudden changes, fast pace and upbeat tempo of some of my exercise dvd's brings up waves of panic, and I can't face doing it.

But this wii exercise disc was much steadier and had more repetition. And I found this much steadier and easier for my mind to take.

 

[simplekindofgirl]

YAY! I love the Wii for that reason. It is fun exercise, in fact I often forget that I am even exercising. Wonderful for you meadowsweet.:)