# Generalized anxiety about working out

[pixy0stix]

So, I don't know what to do other than push through this, but I needed to get it out somewhere.

I'm having generalized anxiety (such as feeling panicky) about working out. I need to do it. Not just for weight loss, but for my general health and building up my lung capacity again. My issue stems from my heart scare shortly after giving birth to ZB. I'm scared to do something to hurt myself (which I intellectually know won't happen and the cardiologist is pushing for me to do this).

I keep thinking of dumb things that could go wrong: What if the pool is full? What if I don't follow some unknown to me pool etiquette? What if someone shares the lane and I bump into them? What if I can't even complete one lap and I get judged?

All the time I'm rolling my eyes while thinking about these things, but they keep circling through my brain. It's not all related to just swimming, everything else I've thought of doing I just make up more excuses.

FWIW, I used to swim regularly for exercise in college. I took it as an extra-curricular class for several semesters and then just kept doing it. So none of the etiquette stuff even makes sense.

I'm not having any other anxiety problems, they seem to be focused just on exercising. So any tips? Words of wisdom? Tell me to suck it up buttercup?

[smock]

What about starting by working out at home?

[lizo11]

Any way that you could get a workout buddy, someone that you could trust, and could tell your fears to, that would be willing to help you out through it? I think having someone by your side would help. Good luck!

[terpsfan]

Full pools give me anxiety too (my mom was part of a 5am Y swim crowd for years so I know all about their cliques/judginess/ridiculous etiquette rules). Can you ask the manager when it's less crowded or you have more of a chance for a lane by yourself? Or at least have to share with 1 person (I find splitting the lane down the middle easier, although I overcompensate and smack the wall/lane line far too many times).

[IIOY]

If you used to swim regularly, you absolutely know what to do and frankly will be annoyed at the rotten etiquette displayed by so many others. ;D

Can you go when it's not busy so as to limit likely interactions with others?

FWIW, I swam competitively for 9 years and am a damn good swimmer, but I don't swim to work out ever because I burned out on it as an activity ages ago. Nevertheless, a few years back I decided to give it a go anyway and was totally nervous that I get into the pool, look like a hack, and get laughed out there. The truth was that no one was paying attention to me at all.

My points: (1) a bit of anxiety is normal; and (2) most likely it is 100% unwarranted.

Get to it!

[pixy0stix]

Jul 19, 2012 14:20:18 GMT -5 smock said:

What about starting by working out at home?

I've started that. I was walking but my foot started hurting (plantar fasciatus whoever you spell it). So then I started making excuses and doing the same circular excuse anxiety thing.

[darnkatz]

Don't you live in a super bike friendly area? Biking is relaxing, doesn't have to be a group activity, can be a family activity and doesn't aggravate foot-related issues.

Signed,
Bike Whore

[pixy0stix]

Jul 19, 2012 14:38:06 GMT -5 darnkatz said:

Don't you live in a super bike friendly area? Biking is relaxing, doesn't have to be a group activity, can be a family activity and doesn't aggravate foot-related issues.

Signed,
Bike Whore

I do, but that would require me to get a functioning bike.

I swear, why do activities require so much stuff? It's ridiculous.

[pixy0stix]

Jul 19, 2012 14:45:07 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Wear your swim cap with the seam from front to back, not side to side.

bwahaha! I got that one. Do people really do this?

[emilyj]

SBP said everything I would have (and more). I have never come across anyone who has been dickish about splitting lanes with me.

I will add this - when I am swimming, the only other person I pay attention to is whoever I am splitting my lane with, and that's just to make sure I'm not going to swim in to them. I'm focused on my workout. I don't judge anyone, I don't watch anyone else's workout, and I'm pretty sure most everyone else in the pool is similar. Most people in a pool/gym are there in their own zone, and aren't paying attention to much else except what they are doing.

Don't worry about being judged - and if someone is going to be assholish enough to judge you? Fuck them.

Go do your thing and have fun!

[KateAggie]

When I'm having anxiety over something specific (meaning I know why I'm anxious), I try to map out all the different scenarios and plan how to respond to each.

If the pool is too full, I'll wait 20 minutes, and try again. Still too full? I'll come back tomorrow.

If I mess up on some unknown pool ettiquette, I will apologize and not repeat it. If someone gets all bent out of shape, I will be kind and apologize regardless of their attitude.

If I bump into someone, I will apologize and let them know I am out of practice.

If I can't complete a lap, that's OK. Maybe someone else we see me and be encouraged to try, or remember when they first got in the pool. If they are judging me, they are psycho swimmer jerk.

etc, etc, etc.

I cannot take credit for this great advice (it comes from my therapist who is excellent and worth every penny), but I can say it works. It calms me enough to at least try what's making me nervous.

[pixy0stix]

Thank you all. I think I just needed to type it all out to push myself to go.

[SallyJ]

I read a quote today that I think is appropriate:
Have confidence that if you have done a little thing well, you can do a bigger thing well, too. - David Storey

I say that because I recommend going to workout for 10 minutes and give yourself permission to stop, guilt free, if after 10 minutes you aren't ready to do more or you don't want to do more. That's 10 more minutes than you did yesterday or even last week.

Break it down into smaller more doable increments (mentally doable, not physically). And remember any amount of time is better than no time at all.

Maybe getting a HRM would help give you some comfort with working out? I use a Polar FT4, which I know can be used with swimming.

[Michelle]

I don't have advice - you got great stuff above. I just wanted to share that I have even had a panic attack before going into the gym (60 lbs ago) so you aren't alone. Picking it back up after having a health scare (anaphylactic incident for me) in addition to other anxiety can make it really hard to get into the swing. I just wanted to share you aren't alone and I will think of you and wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors!

[taratru]

If it makes you feel any better at all, I feel the same about swimming as exercise. It's foreign to me, so I get all freaked out.

You'll push through it, because it's important to do so. Plus, you're awesome.