Panic Attacks & Dieting #10
 

time for a new thread gals!

andreaphil3 sorry to hear you are going thru all this stuff right now - hang in there. :)

I have been very much on edge lately and for no apparent reason - I might try keeping off the caffeine for a while - it usually works for me.


jennifa
I like your idea about doing things now and not waiting till the weight comes off - I read somewhere about an overweight person describing how she felt "the weight was like an albatross around my neck" and I thought how true it's there ALL the time wherever I go, whatever I do so this past week I have been walking I did 3 days of it - hip hip hooray! I can't believe it I hope to walk Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat this week - now there I have it in writing that makes me feel more committed.

I'll check in to let you know how I go.

MyGirl

Hi all,

Mygirl, enjoy those walks. I'm not much of a walker myself but I do love bike riding. Lately my exercise has been "gardening" (re: weed pulling) and so I'm not so happy.

I'm not in a place where I can diet right now. It's just too much. I'm getting photos together so I can plus size model and get some self esteem back.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Jennifa

jennifa,
you go girl with the modelling! that's fabulous - that will definitely boost your self esteem.
don't worry too much about not getting in the exercise I go thru periods of not being bothered about doing any and then I suddenly get this burst of eagerness from nowhere...go figure.
gardening is wonderful - getting outside in the sun is definitely a mood booster...not to mention watching your garden grow.

daytona
how are you doing? how are the gym workouts? you must be looking pretty buff by now.

gobbie
long time no hear! hope you're doing fine.


hugs to you all
MyGirl

Hi all,

Just watched Monk (ABC Tuesday nite.) I know a lot of folks on this thread have OCD and I thought I'd mention
this new show about a detective with OCD. I liked it a lot, it's light hearted and portrays it less heavily than As Good
As It Gets.

MyGirl, I LOATHE gardening!!!! It is really just weed pulling and hacking at the Hedge of Insanity! Next year I am getting
some hottie in tight jeans to do it for me. It takes 8 hours out of my week, hours I could be riding a bike, modeling,
flirting with boys, etc.... much more fun than getting sweaty and swatting away lawn bugs.

The good news is I have grapes, lettuce, and raspberries and the lilies and roses make everything smell fantastic. But that's
only like 5 minutes of the time. 8 hours vs. 5 minutes.... well, even though I hate math, it's a no brainer.

Glad you like it though!!!! (Yes I am reminded of Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack!)

And I am with you staying away from caffeine, or at least keeping it to just the morning. The meds make me v. sleepy
but overall the caffeine is bad.

Everybody else, hope you are having a great week.

not doing so good
 

hi everyone,
I'm sorry to report that the last few days I have not been doing so well - I 've had a build up of stress and have not walked at all and have in general not been taking care of me :^:

I have been off work for the last 2 days and really don't feel like going back at all.

I'm not sleeping at night even though I'm exhausted.

Sorry to dump all this here and sound negative but that's just how I feel right now.

hope you are all doing well.

MyGirl

Hi MyGirl,

Well, I'm with you on the sleeping thing (or lack thereof.) Last night I was up at 1:30 trying to convince myself I was ok enough to sleep and that things would be fine in the morning. Work isn't fun for me either but it keeps a roof over my head. And I know that I am going part time or leaving in a year - that makes it a lot better.

I am taking action - you can too!

Go do something FUN.
BAN the tv for the month of September. (do you really want to see all that again???)
Eat healthy for a while.
Let yourself be human.

Hi all,

Mygirl, maybe you are just having a bad week? I know they seem to come out of the blue when you least expect it. Just try to remember you are not alone and we do understand. What do you do when you can't sleep? Does reading help at all? I try to keep a book or two on hand to distract myself when I am anxious. Exercise is supposed to help us destress so if you can even walk a little bit it may help. I been going 3 times a week, even when I don't feel like it, I usually am in a better mood for going. I think it takes my mind off my problems for awhile at least.

Jennifa, what kind of work do you do? Will you be changing jobs or just staying home? You are so right about not waiting to do things till the wt comes off. You deserve fun and new adventures now and in the future LOL.

The weather here has been really humid, you can tell fall is right around the cornor. This is the first time in 25 years I don't have any kids starting back to school, it sure feels funny. My youngest is starting college, if that counts. It is not the same.

Take care everyone,

Daytona

Help! I have never posted before, but I need to connect with others who share my concern about who's looking back at me in the mirror. I am dealing with osteoarthritis and trying to move this old body (53 years) more. Would love to hear from anyone who loves life and wants to keep weight loss in the positive realm! I live in Phoenix, Arizona and it is too hot here to exercise outside.

HI everyone!
hi ladykathryn welcome - hope we can be of some help to you.

I have been doing much better since my last post. The time-out gave me food for thought and I had some time to re-evaluate things and my life direction.

I've also decided to ....(drum roll).....quit my job and do something totally different! ;)

I brave step I know, I'm full of excitement because I am not exactly sure what I'll do - am leaving things open-ended. I'll have a bit of a much needed break first and then think about career prospects early next year.

I appreciate your support daytona - I did try walking on the treadmill and it helped me a lot. My sleeping patterns are back to normal thank goodness. I am normally such a good sleeper.

jennifa - I like your advice about banning the tv for a month and doing something fun - it's been too long since I have done things for ME.

Take care all,
MyGirl

Hi everyone,

MyGirl, here is your drum roll !!!!!!! You are so inspireing, sometimes we just need to shake up our routine. You know the saying if you don't take care of yourself no one else will either. Glad you are sleeping better, it is so hard when you are tired and have anxiety. I still reach for food when I get too stressed out. I also get migraines that are triggered by stress. My youngest is moving out this weekend, she is starting college in town but wants to be on her own. I am a little stressed about that, but over all I am doing good for the moment. Sometimes we just have to take it hour by hour. The weather has cooled off a bit so I been trying to walk more, the exercise helps a lot.

Welcome ladykathryn, sorry we havn't been posting on a more regular basis, we tend to be like that on this thread.

jennifa, how is the no tv coming? I don't watch much, but I do turn it on for noise while I work on quilts. I am with you on the gardening, I hate pulling weeds and my yard shows it.

Have a good Labor Day weekend

Daytona

hi girls,
how are you all doing?
doing much better these past few days (thank goodness).
I am so looking forward to having some time for ME and to be able to do the things I've always wanted to do but just didn't have the time or the energy to do so.

Ahhh I can't wait. :^:

MyGirl

had a full blown panic attack the other day...and yet here I was thinking I was doing much better - or rather I was just kidding myself. I was suppressing a lot of stress and anxious feelings for too long.
I was in the corner store buying the paper when there it was a panic attack that just hit me with an enormous force that I had to crouch down and try to compose myself. I yelled out to a shopper and asked her for help, thankfully she was very helpful. I abandoned my grocery items and got into my car and went straight home.
I feel awful.

Good Morning everyone,

MyGirl, I am so sorry to hear of your recent panic attack. I can relate, that happened to me once also and boy it scares you to death! It is especially bad when you are all alone and still have to try and hold it together enough at least to get out of the store and hopefully home. Try to remember you are making a hugh change in your life and even positive stress (like quiting work) and finding a new direction is still stress! You can have the same old reaction to that as if something bad has happened. I know it is crazy but it is so true. I find that if you think about all the stuff that is going on in your life right now you will begin to see where the attack may have come from. Just dust yourself off and remind yourself how much better you are doing overall. Don't let this set back put in a downward spiral. Think of a phrase you can say when you have high anxiety or an attack and keep repeating it to yourself till you calm down. I use the phrase I can handle this.

How are you doing Jennifa? Are you sleeping any better?

Positive and calming thoughts to all of us.

Daytona

hi daytona,
and thankyou so much for your encouragement - your words of advice stayed with me and I kept thinking about what you said about not getting caught in a downward spiral...so true, the trouble is that I am still feeling very scared about my uneasiness and my trembling feelings BUT I did manage to get out of the house even if only for a little while today I went a store (not same one) where I could get in buy a couple of things and get out quickly without having to wait in line. I know this is sort of cheating but I felt that I couldn't throw myself into the thick of it by going back to the same place so soon after my panic attack...so I tried little steps.
After my small triumph at the store I drove (yes that's right) to another store to pick up some take out...again no waiting in line and I was able to park my car right at the front of the store.
I am not sure what I will do about tomorrow - I will see how I feel in the morning.
I really feel that I am in crisis mode - things just seem to have gotten on top of me.
It just gets me down sometimes I ofetn think will I EVER be able to live without the anxiety?
I must say though that with my past panic attacks I would never dream of going out and trying new things so soon - so I guess I AM making longterm progress.
I am so thankful for your support and kind words.

{{ hugs to all }}
MyGirl

hi gals,
how are you all doing?
I am doing SO much better - thank goodness! have been taking it easy these past few days. I have made a point to go out everyday (this has been with a varying level of uneasiness depending on how tired I feel) The idea has been to challenge myself.

One of the most important developments has been that I went back to the store where I had previously had my panic attack...wow I didn't think I had it in me! This was very empowering indeed...of course I have felt much more relaxed since then so that did help.

just need to keep that walking up!

How are you all doing? I hope you feeling ok and making progress.


{{ special hugs }}

Hi everyone,

Great news MyGirl, you feel so much better after confronting something like that. I started working for WW, I am only doing one "at work" meeting, but it is a start. The first week was not too bad because the leader sat right with me. This week, I had a lot of anxiety going on, I was on my own and I get real nervous that I am going to make mistakes! I had mysef to the point of physcially shaking, anxiety is the worst problem. I almost decided to quit, but I don't think that would be in my best interest. It is a terrible feeling when anxiety makes you so stressed out you just don't want to do anything for fear it will send you into another tail spin. Maybe it is low self esteem, lack of self confidence, or something like that? Who knows where is comes from, but I am tired of giving into it, so I am going to keep at it till I feel comfortable! Exercise helps a lot, it does relieve the tension. Hope things continue to go well for you, this board has been pretty slow lately. Are you still working? The fall weather is setting in around here, it is my favourite time of year.

Have a relaxing day,

Daytona

hi daytona!
fall really is pretty! thanks for your good wishes - I'm really happy that I am feeling better - I have been listening to these tapes that I bought on dealing with anxiety and they help a whole lot. So, even though I feel a level of discomfort I make it a point to try to get out EVERY day even if it just means walking to the gate and checking for mail

I am not working now, I think that I need a break for a little while so I can get myself back to what I used to be - ahhh those were the days.

I was really happy to read that you are doing WW meetings! That is great news - I know how bad that trembling feeling can get but perserverence is the key especially when you are feeling at your worst - don't give in to it. You will find that the feelings of anxiety go away quicker.

How are the rest of you girls going? Hope you're doing ok - drop us a post when you can we'd love to hear from you.


In the meantime take care of yourselves,
MyGirl :D

hey howdy hey all,

ok, I just watched Toy Story.

Well, it sounds like we are all struggling. MyGirl and Daytona, I too have been having panic attacks; the world goes a bit flat,
I feel like the world is pounding and all I could do was stare at a stuffed animal cartoon turkey in the gift wrap aisle. I
was lucky enough to be able to focus on the turkey and get it together enough to leave, but girls, I know the feeling.

How are we going to deal with the holidays? I just want to go somewhere fun for Thanksgiving, I don't know how I will
deal with it at all, I can't even think of how to get out of it, either. I have all the plans but telling my family - yeah right.

The thyroid meds cause anxiety and I fear they are not going to be the silver bullet for me.

I'll post more later.

Hugs to you all - you are closer to perfect than most!

Jennifa

Hi Girls,

Wow, we are all in the same boat. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just go to the DR. and get a magic pill and be back to normal? Remember those days when we were kids? Strep throat and a shot of antibotic and we were all better in a day or two. Yep, those were the days. I wouldn't wish anxiety problems on anyone. The problem is you look perfectly normal and people just don't get what your problem is. I am so glad to have you guys to talk to, at least we understand completely.

MyGirl, where did you find tapes? I saw some advertised at one point but I am not sure where. Do you think they are helping? I am still doing my meeting, and they added one more. The second one is a lot more involved, you have to deal with money, merchansie, stamp books, etc. It is overwhelming me. My instincts are to quit the second one and keep the first meeting. The first meeting is just recording wts and things like that. I am trying to make mysef keep the second meeting just to prove to myself that I can learn all the info and actually get good at doing it. I have little self confidence, I am sure that is part of the anxiety. It is such a pain.

Jennifa, I have just started thinking about the holidays, they will be here sooner than later. I dread all the faimily stuff, I have a war going on within my family, my oldest son and his wife are being real jerks and the other 4 of my kids are fighting with them. I get put in the middle, I am not looking for things to improve anytime soon. So the holidays are not going to be pleasant!!

Have a clam and peaceful day,

Daytona

hi girls,
have been having some trouble logging in so I had to re-register as mygirl1 anyway, here I am and happy to be able to post again.

nice to hear from you jennifa and thanks for the kind words - I don't how close to perfect I am - some days feel awful but overall I am doing much better now that I was this time a couple of yeras ago I suppose knowledge is everything with anxiety (at least I know I am not dying when I'm having a panic attack). ;)

hmmm the holidays - how are we going to deal with them indeed! I am already dreading them and thinking how I can get out of them I have decided I will only do what I want to do and nothing else. I will tell my family that this is all I can cope with right now one step at a time. I've also decided that no-one will dictate my life and what I am to do. ;)

sorry to hear the thyrioid meds are causing anxiety - bummer! main thing is to keep trying to find a solution.

daytona,
how are you doing? I am so poud of you for doing the ww meetings one step and day at a time you will see that it will get better each time - the main thing is that you are doing something to get out of the house. Give yourself credit for that. :smug:

I'm sorry to hear about your eldest son and his wife being jerks - families can do that and it doesn't make life much fun for all involved. Try to ignore their behavior and focus on the positives.

The tapes I've been listening to I bought a while ago from anxiety busters.com the woman who wrote them is called Ronnie, she used to suffer from anxiety herself and is now over it completely - the tapes help me a lot. I think I'd mentioned this site once before - good forum there too.

I've been doing ok overall - there is some anxiety which is always there and it's severity varies depending on what else is happening - my doc says that my anxiety and panic is reactive that is, it depends on who I am with and the situation. I can handle some better than others - I hate that this dictates my life and what I can and can't do! :mad:

It's very hard to explain to friends why I pull out of things at the last minute and why I don't go to too many places....ugghh I HATE that.

I will try to stretch myself beyond my comfort zone everyday - just to prove that I haven't let this big, ugly anxiety monster take over my life totally.

Yesterday I stepped on the treadmill and went for more than
10 minutes hip hip hooray! I loved that I could do that. Have to keep that up - my goal is to walk everyday.

One step at a time,
MyGirl

hey gals,
just pulling up.

MyGirl

Hi girls,

Wow, long time since we been in touch. Things here have been crazy as usual. I am not doing the w/w meetings anymore. The one at work fizzled out and the other one had their number of members drop too low to warrant a receptionist. They did offer me another "at work" meeting but it was downtown and the parking is totally not worth the anxiety it gives me. So I am back to my usual, and that is really ok with me. Sometimes we just need to try things we think we want just to find out we are really happy with the way things are. Does that make sense? I am still working on the family stuff and that gives me anxiety too. Along with that we are in the process of re-finacing our house and the paperwork is unreal! Details make me crazy, I am too much of a perfectionist and that doesn't help. I put myself right in the mist of an anxiety attack last night worrying about all this stuff. I was able to finally calm down and get things in reality! That is something I wouldn't have been able to do a couple years ago. It is like you said Mygirl, we have made a lot of progress. I like the phrase, direction, not perfection. I am going to check out that site on anxiety, seems you did tell me about it B4 but I forgot. I am for anything that helps.

So how are the holidays shaping up? Today is Halloween and I am going to try and keep out of the candy! I will do ok till tonight when I am tired and hungry, but I am trying anyway. For Thanksgiving I will be making the dinner so I can have some diet friendly food. I like the w/w pumpkin moouse, it has few calories and I fill up on it B4 I eat my piece of real pumpkin pie.

How are you doing Jennifa?

take care and think calm thoughts!

Daytona