Voices in my head all the way

[chappamaddog]

I stopped running over the summer and gained weight (big sigh) I've just started back again at the running and not doing too badly. However all the way round I couldn't get the damn voices out of my head about ..... This being the last time im this over weight, heaving my extra weight around, losing weight, what I'm eating. Just such negative thoughts. Made it such a difficult run. I listen to music. How can I stop the negative voices. Help!

[Pollypanda Graduate]

I'm not surprised that you had such a difficult run! Your post reminded me of the Oatmeal cartoon, he has a Blerch that follows him around:

theoatmeal.com/comics/running

You've already taken the first step in knocking these voices on the head. You're aware of them when they occur, and recognise that they're not helpful! The next step is to counteract them. Remind yourself of the progress you're making. For each negative thought, counter it with a positive. Argue against them in your head using facts. It's tiring at first, but if you keep going you'll get on top of these thoughts (kind of like C25k).

This is a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) approach which I've used (still use really!), and it's been quite effective.

You're doing so well just by getting your trainers on and getting back out there! Good luck with your running

[Slookie Graduate in reply to Pollypanda]

Pollypanda Thanks for the link to Blerch. It's brilliant

[Pollypanda Graduate in reply to Slookie]

No worries Slookie! It is brilliant isn't it? I think he sums it up well in the heading, we all have terrible and wonderful reasons why we run

[notbad Graduate in reply to Pollypanda]

Brill link thanks

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Pollypanda]

That Oatmeal thing is amazing. I don't run like him, but I do recognise all of those negative feeling and the problem in my head with the things I can't control. At the moment I am not in control of my life at all, and there is absolutely NOTHING I can do about it. I can run though. and I do.

[Pollypanda Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

useitorloseit, I can completely relate to this. Part of the reason I started running was because I desperately needed something that I could control which was positive, and where I could see progress.

It's so overwhelming and deflating when you feel like you're not in control of any part of your life.

I'm glad you like the Oatmeal comic, I really like it too

[Slookie Graduate]

Tell the voices to s*d off and bother someone still sitting on the sofa

Great you are out there and doing it, just keep going.

[Pollypanda Graduate in reply to Slookie]

I should have posted this instead. Much more succinct!

[chappamaddog Graduate]

Thank you for the fantastic link. Makes me feel a little bit better knowing I'm not the only one with voices in my head

[Pollypanda Graduate in reply to chappamaddog]

No problems I'm glad that our answers have made you feel better.

[Hidden]

Yell at the voices! I know them so well stupid voices. Keep up the hard work with your runs you're doing great, I need some motivation to get my butt running! You can do it!!

[ajwyld Graduate]

Try "talk" podcasts instead of music ? I pottered round on Saturday listening to the previous week's Saturday Live - no room for voices in my head as I'm listening to the radio... (radio 4 has lot, for shorter runs I like the Now Show)

[notbad Graduate]

Chappamaddog, I think the key to silencing the Gremlins is to replace them with something else, maybe a podcast like ajwyld suggests, or perhaps run with someone? I have never had Gremlins on a social run, and it's actually really therapeutic to have a good chat while running. If you don't know any other runners perhaps join a group in your area?

[Hidden]

I read a nice post here yesterday, sorry I can't remember who posted it... it was a quote from a learned gentleman (Thomas the Tank!) and it went - "I know I can, I know I can" I tried it yesterday every time I got to a hill and wanted to stop, it fits very nicely with running ! Really it's just a mantra to keep other thoughts out of your head, like meditating. Otherwise, as PollyPanda says, turn each negative into a positive, instead of thinking about heaving your extra weight around, think about how the pounds are melting away with each step. Or instead of I'm never going to be overweight again, I'm going to be slim. Same thing but from the other perspective.

[Nilzed in reply to Hidden]

Another useful cartoon character's voice to carry around is Dory, from Findung Nemo. "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming". It makes a good running 4-count for me. You (we) could pretend to have a gremlin voices version of her condition which causes her to forget things as soon as she hears them.

[AnnieW55]

Brilliant link. Thank you