Complex Trauma And Working Out

[Little_Hekate]

While I'm relatively new to the forum, I've tried to find information anywhere on personal training/working out and CPTSD and flashbacks having an influence on one's work outs.

I'm just beginning to get back into working out, albeit I love to swim, and find that certain exercises/pushing hard through a workout is triggering flashbacks and panic attacks.

I really don't want to give up with the training as I'm praying to whatever entities are out there to help me focus on the positive aspects of healing, get through the gym experiences, recondition myself as a more healthier and happier me. I've no real disabilities (oh how I hate the word!) besides the CPTSD diagnosis, but find myself almost literally running up against a brick wall with flashbacks killing my workouts.

<Font style edited by Amethist>

 

[Froggie]

My psy told me that exercice willl greatly help and I do believe her. When I putter around in my garden or go for a walk through the forest near my place, I feel regained. I feel for you concerning your flashbacks. Yes they do damper everyday life. I had tried many things but it ended up between the therapy and meds (Abilify) that helped put some emotional distance between the effects of flashbacks and me. You have a great deal of courage, your will is strong, and from what I've read so far ... you have a good heart (as in goodness).

 

[Emilie]

Do you think that trying a different workout program would help you? Maybe yoga, kickboxing, anything that does not in particular relate directly to your trauma? Maybe you can just pick and choose the specific exercises to do, write them down, and follow your own regimen. I don't get flashbacks working out but based on my issues in other areas, I've learned to adjust what I'm doing around my triggers.

I get really sick when I'm cooking because something triggered me again in culinary school. So I found out that if I don't put on my apron, experiment with different forms of cooking like grilling and steaming reduce my anxiety and often don't trigger my flashbacks.

Like I said, maybe anything you can do to change the setting, make it weird or different, or develop a different method all together really helps, and might work for you

By the way, I find that kickboxing really gets the cardio going and is great for focus which is another issue of mine.

 

[Little_Hekate]

I went through a lot of trauma, from when I was a little girl to a fully grown adult. Avoiding flashbacks isn't the cure here ... but knowing how to better deal with them is my goal. I think the flashback is brough on by actual support of accepting being in my body. Then all of a sudden a negative memory triggers in my body and I haven't the foggiest to deal with it.

My trainer is going to be training me with a punching bag and yoga soon. Would that be more helpful maybe?

 

[Emma Zoe]

Punching bags are always good of course! Hit hard, I'd say.
I've been a couch potato for many years, and recently started to indulge myself in physical activities. I needed to do something because I wasn't doing well at all, and so far it does seem to work. Not perfectly, but at least when I do a lot in the day I can sleep better. Of course, being physically fit and getting more sleep will have a positive effect, even if it won't heal you completely.
Do you only do sports with your trainer or also in groups? I find that sporting in a group (doesn't have to be a group sport) works in more ways. The physical part, and you also get to socialize and have to keep yourself together in order to not seem like a complete nutcase. Sometimes I feel almost normal when sporting. :-)

 

[SimplyComplex]

I had a lot of panic and anxiety/dissociation and other ptsd issues that made working out hard. I just really kept at it. Exposure therapy. I found a trainer that I was terrified of (female) but actually used it as exposure therapy on purpose. Been working out with her 16 months and now friends with her and she is a big support for me (she might not know though). So going, just going, keep going. Push yourself to be uncomfortable. Work on mindfulness in the rough moments.

I would get all worked up before I even got in. What I did was I would not think of the steps ahead, just the task at hand. Get my work out clothes on. Get my shoes on. Get in the car. I guess that is some mindfulness...

It will get better :)

 

[LauraA]

I have experienced an uptick in anxiety after working out "bootcamp" style. I was looking around for info on working out and PTSD and found this discussion and signed up to the forums. I don't really know anyone to talk to about PTSD because it's not something many people understand. If you tell someone you have that diagnoses, then they ask you, "what from?"

I'm going to CONTINUE to work out but not bootcamp style. I have actually GAINED belly fat and I think it's the cortisol effect that I might be seeing.

Anyone else experienced this?

 

[Marguerite]

I believe that my recently acquired belly fat is from my stress. When I wake up in a panic, I feel this sick tingling that originates in my core, then spreads to my arms and legs.

 

[Sheer Force of Will]

I have been using exercise to to cope with my PTSD for the last to years. It makes me feel strong, powerful, beautiful and in control. It also makes me feel like if my abuser tried to lay a hand on me ever again, I would be able to fight back. Sometimes I picture myself fighting back, sometimes I just picture myself climbing a giant mountain, or something. Sometimes I picture myself fighting dragons. Whatever you need to do to push through. I love it.

If you want something free, try googeling the daily hiit. It is free, but the presenters are great, really funny. Its a very supportive environment.