Are Any Of You Really Into Fitness?

[Curvy]

If you are, what type of fitness? Do you feel you PTSD/health affects your fitness poorly or do you think that your fitness hobbies positively influence your PTSD? Fitness is a huge passion of mine so I'd just like to chat about anyone who has something to say on it!

I love lifting weights. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Sometimes its very hard on my body and nervous system. If I'm not careful it will put me in a flare. But its amazing for my anxiety and PTSD issues. The things that have cause the PTSD make me feel weak and weight lifting makes me feel strong!

When my body is in a flare, I will stick with body weight exercises and light cardio. I used to LOVE to run for my anxiety, but that shoots me straight into a flare everytime.

Currently I'm trying to figure out how to get into some type of MMA :)

What are every one's personal thoughts and ideas on their fitness?

 

[VDWngr1355]

I love working out. I workout five days a week and I force myself not to exercise the other two days to give my body time to rest. I love doing HIT training at home and I do go the gym as well and lift weights or run on the treadmill or other machines.

Exercising and eating right really helps to keep a good portion of the symptoms in check. It doesn't cure it, but I really think maintaining a lifestyle like this has kept me med free so far.

 

[Hashi]

I was having a quick look at the forum before heading to the gym and saw this!

I exercise a little. It makes me feel emotionally stronger, reduces stress and it's good to know I'm taking care of myself (at least in this way). I love how my mind relaxes when I do something physical - gym, gardening, knocking down walls, cleaning, anything.

A few days ago I asked a member of gym staff to help me with some problems I was experiencing. Just for fun, I also asked him to show me the pull-up machine - where you lift your whole body weight by holding a bar above your head or at thigh-height and bend your arms. I managed two of each on the easiest setting. I'm female and my upper body strength is just above zero but I love watching gymnasts using the bars so this was my version of it. :p

 

[piratelady]

I love running! I used to be in great shape, but when I got depressed last year I quit exercising and now I'm basically going to have to start over. Usually, when I try to run, and can't, I get very down on myself for letting myself go. My goal now is to just accept what shape I'm in and start rebuilding.

When I do push myself hard, and keep my perfectionism in check, I feel wonderful afterwards. I feel more in control, have more energy, and more confident.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I am not doing anything and I feel it. I am a caregiver for my husband 24/7 and have to stay by his side. He has bad falls, and is too afraid to stay home by himself. I will need to ask my daughter to come over here and sit with him so I can take a walk. I need to do something. I am not doing anything but sitting around and so no wonder I feel lousy so much of the time. I was doing exercises but I got out of that. Mabe I will start doing them again. I have to do something.

 

[Hashi]

I love running! My goal now is to just accept what shape I'm in and start rebuilding.

That is a really good goal. :)

Curvy, thank you for starting this thread. I've been thinking about it. Got back and did some gardening, and I was thinking about when I used to work during the summer as a room maid in a hotel. It was really physical, especially with all the overtime I took on for more money, which meant cleaning lots of extra suites within the standard working day. I didn't like what disgusting pigs some of the guests were, but I loved doing physical work. Each day I used to clean at least 21 suites (bedroom, dressing room and bathroom), plus all the corridors, often a lot more. We had to clean really well - the housekeeper checked every suite running her white-gloved fingers over everything - but I got so quick I could make up a double bed with new sheets perfectly in less than two minutes. I felt so fit and healthy. I used to get home and my flatmates who worked in offices would be flaked out exhausted while I'd be saying, let's go out, let's go out dancing.

 

[CraftyCath]

I don't exercise much and I can't afford a gym membership. I do a lot of hill walking and can do anything from 5 - 12 miles each walk. I have hypocalcemia (low blood calcium) and osteopenia (thinning bones that are a precursor to Osteoporosis) so weight baring is important to me.

I also suffer with iron deficiency anemia so at the moment just getting up the stairs is a real task. If the PTSD is triggered then it is hard to focus on anything and I become agoraphobic but usually my husband can persuade me to go for a walk.

 

[Curvy]

Usually, when I try to run, and can't, I get very down on myself for letting myself go. My goal now is to just accept what shape I'm in and start rebuilding.

Its SOOOO hard not to let our perfectionist side keep us from taking the next step. Even if you start fast paced walking everyday you'll build up. Dont give up!

I will need to ask my daughter to come over here and sit with him so I can take a walk.

Its good to get out of the house sometimes when you are the caregiver for another person. That being said, look at Zuzana Light on Facebook. Make sure you get the page that says "public figure" when you're searching for her. I'd link it, but apparently I'm still not allowed.
She has AMAZING workouts you can do at home :)

Its nice to hear what everyone is doing. Im very proud of myself. I've been in a flare the last two weeks and continued to go to the gym. That is very hard, but I have some excellent workout buddies :)

 

[Toria]

Oh - this reminds me how unfit I am! I joined the gym 18 months ago and lost a stone :tup: then things got busy at work and I stopped going... :tdown:

I'm asthmatic so it takes a lot for me to be able to do any cardio and I was at the stage where I could do 30 minutes on what I called the Skiing Machine (I think it's proper name is Cross Trainer). I tried to start going again back in April but didn't stick with it.

Then a few weeks ago I downloaded the Couch to 5K thing for your phone and decided to do that... ha! Talk about disasterous!!! My lungs nearly fell out - honest - I was sweating, shaking and very nearly crying by the time I did the first session!!! :( I have to admit I've not done it since.

But, Husband (Sufferer) suddenly seems to want to get fit so who knows, we could do it together. After 22 years in the Army though, his idea of a run might be slightly different to mine!

I do have a goal in mind though. I'd like to do Cani-x with the dog. It's a bit hair raising, but I think it would do her good as well as me. This is a photo of what you do (and no that's not me!!!):

 

[piratelady]

I'm asthmatic so it takes a lot for me to be able to do any cardio and I was at the stage where I could do 30 minutes on what I called the Skiing Machine (I think it's proper name is Cross Trainer). I tried to start going again back in April but didn't stick with it.

I have exercise induced asthma as well. I have an inhaler I used about 20 minutes before I start exercising and it makes a world of difference! I am actually able to exercise for more than a few minutes and breathe :) Maybe that is something to consider?

 

[Curvy]

Then a few weeks ago I downloaded the Couch to 5K thing for your phone and decided to do that... ha! Talk about disasterous!!! My lungs nearly fell out - honest - I was sweating, shaking and very nearly crying by the time I did the first session!!! :( I have to admit I've not done it since.
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You should push to the point of pain and misery. Start out to where you go until your a bit uncomfortable, then just a tad more and stop. This way you can still enjoy your exercise and progress. But if you're miserable and in pain then you will quit and exercise will have left a sour taste in your mouth. Exercise should be enjoyable :D

 

[Toria]

Thank you both - I do try to take my inhaler before I set off but I think I am just so unused to exercising in that way that it comes as a complete shock to my body!!!

The Couch to 5K gets you to run for 30 seconds then walk for 90, then repeat until you've done 30 minutes. I did surprise myself as it said I'd done 2km!!! I think I need to get my motivation back and try again :rolleyes: