Exercise and anxiety

[fishman65]

Well that's the end of the cross trainer, the belt has snapped just like the exercise bike. The real bike will have to be dragged out of the shed.

[MyNameIsTerry]

Well that's the end of the cross trainer, the belt has snapped just like the exercise bike. The real bike will have to be dragged out of the shed.

Wasn't it new?

[MyNameIsTerry]

Thanks for all this info Terry. I did find a rucksack which I filled with books. I considered bricks but the rucksack would be unlikely to take the weight, or me for that matter. Also doing crunches after looking on youtube.

OK one big issue for me when it comes to hands/arms/upper body workouts is that it really triggers my anxiety. I have an obsession with my hands shaking/people seeing it. I think that's why I was concentrating on lower body and cardio while avoiding upper body. So avoiding the trigger. My solution is to do upper body late at night. I don't know what the answer is here other than my body adapting to the workload. Did you get this kind of reaction?

Is the shaking visible or something you just feel? I'm wondering if it's just muscle weakness. That might go as you strengthen any weaknesses. I get this with my arms but it can happen in other muscles.

Doing it at night is a start. Getting over that is going to mean some exposure work to prove to yourself it doesn't matter what people see.

Why does it bother you? You've mentioned it before but I can't remember what you explained. I have anxiety over workouts too but more the muscle pain that sets me off.

[fishman65]

Hi Terry. I don't think the shaking is visible but anxiety tells me it is. Though as you say, I'm hoping as my arms and shoulders adapt it will lessen. Appearing to shake or tremble in front of people is a long running obsession for me, its the anxiety symptom I fear most. I don't know why because nobody has ever said anything so it can't be noticeable. Thinking now I'm wondering if it goes back to school where I had unpleasant episodes of having to read out loud in English lessons.

Anyway the cross trainer was second hand but had little use from what the lady said. And I believed her as it was in good condition. However on youtube a fitness fanatic was saying some exercise machines seem designed for light and sporadic use but can't handle being put through their paces regularly. He had a Reebok exercise bike fail after just a month. With this cross trainer, I was having to hammer it to get me puffing. But in all honesty I think cross trainers just don't give you the cardio workout that exercise bikes do. Yes they tone your upper body but I've got the bull worker etc for that. I need to find some good workouts for 'older' people on youtube but low impact as my right knee grates.

Exercise gets addictive doesn't it.

[ankietyjoe]

Shaking is pretty normal for muscles that aren't used a lot, and still common for people who exercise regularly. At my peak younger bodybuilding days I would often go for a beer after a workout (well I was young OK!!!) and I could barely get the bottle to my mouth, the shaking was not only visible, it was violent!

Aaaaanyway.

I still don't think you need to worry about machines, and certainly don't take advice from anybody on Youtube, or at least take it with a pinch of salt. There's always going to be somebody with a story about why what you're doing is wrong and why you have to spend WAY more money on something good....."and here's my affiliate link down below" etc etc.

A combination of brisk/fast walking and some HIIT at home is really all you need. HIIT will destroy you in literally minutes lol.

[fishman65]

Shaking is pretty normal for muscles that aren't used a lot, and still common for people who exercise regularly. At my peak younger bodybuilding days I would often go for a beer after a workout (well I was young OK!!!) and I could barely get the bottle to my mouth, the shaking was not only visible, it was violent!

Aaaaanyway.

I still don't think you need to worry about machines, and certainly don't take advice from anybody on Youtube, or at least take it with a pinch of salt. There's always going to be somebody with a story about why what you're doing is wrong and why you have to spend WAY more money on something good....."and here's my affiliate link down below" etc etc.

A combination of brisk/fast walking and some HIIT at home is really all you need. HIIT will destroy you in literally minutes lol.

Hi Joe. Thanks for your input and you are dead right. I took your earlier advice and did an over-50s workout on youtube last night. It mostly involved variations on squats with kicks/punches etc on rising. And I can tell you today that my legs ACHE. All down the outsides of my thighs like someone has pummelled them with a sledgehammer. And yes I was begging the instructor to finish LOL. I thought I was fit

[ankietyjoe]

Doesn't matter how fit you are. HIIT will always hurt because you are pushing yourself to YOUR max.

The only time I'd really advise 'investing' money in equipment is buying a decent set of dumbells and bench, once they're widely available again.

[fishman65]

OK an update on the exercising. I've been following a youtube workout, for over 50s and have been doing it for maybe 2 weeks. It involves a lot of squats, in fact each routine is a variation on squats apart from one which is skipping.

But just lately I've been introduced to someone called Emma Royds. I've not had anything to do with her in 3 or 4 years maybe, but now she's back and a right pain in the backside. I've read on google about squats being bad for putting pressure on the pelvic floor/bum. There's a price to pay for getting fit that isn't always financial.

[pulisa]

Exercise can bring additional "extras" which are not always welcome! So hard to get the balance right but maybe this is a sign that you're overdoing things?

[MyNameIsTerry]

Exercise can bring additional "extras" which are not always welcome! So hard to get the balance right but maybe this is a sign that you're overdoing things?

That's true. Our organic friend is recommending a mixture of heroin and porn