Help needed

[GM11]

I restarted C25k and goy to w4. And then stopped, that was 2 weeks ago.I cannot get out the door, I want to but my mental state is just not doing it.

Any help would be grateful.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Can you put your trainers on and go right now? Don’t think, just do it?

[Folkylass Administrator Graduate]

Hello GM11. Has anything happened to make you feel so distressed.

Try not to over think this . If you can’t get out one day just leave it till another day. Try some breathing exercises maybe before you set off and as MissUnderstanding said just put your trainers on and just go out. If once you get out and you cannot run for whatever reason …..just walk ,take some music with you if you can or even a pod cast to listen to. Something that might distract you from worrying. You can do this I’m sure and you know what we are all here to support you. I’ve put a link which was written by our great late IannodaTruffe who was such a massive support to everyone including yourself I’m sure on this forum down below to give you and idea of why you started C25K the first time round and what you did and still can get out of it.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

You will get there ….honestly and how long that takes is entirely up to you👍😊

Please let’s us know how you get on and if there’s anything else we can do for you. Good luck.

[Ivegottheruns Graduate]

What is getting in your way?

I can honestly say if I was running outside I wouldn't have made it out of the door. Both because of family commitments but also anxiety. In the end, after years of thinking about it I invested in a second hand treadmill that folds up quite flat and I am hoping to finish week 7 tomorrow. I realise that doesn't tackle my underlying issue of why I would find it hard to get out of the door but I'm hoping to address that over time, and for now this works. I feel happy and secure running at homenand its better than doing nothing.

Not sure if that's of any relevance to your own difficulties but basically I sidestepped what I kept thinking I "should" be able to do and took a different approach.

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to Ivegottheruns]

A treadmill is my idea of hell. I went on one once for gait analysis, was recommended the worst running shoes I've ever had, and hope never to need to go on one again BUT I completely endorse the addition of this suggestion because it is about looking for something you CAN do and might result in you finding there are a lot more things you CAN do. People have done the full C25K running round the house (living in places where outdoors is unsafe, including just too hot) I did quite a few sessions round the house during the first lockdown when I was re-doing C25K.

Loads of other great suggestions for GM11 here. If they aren't accessible for you or don't set you on the path you want to be on, it may be worth considering some supportive therapy - you can often self-refer to an 'IAPTS' therapist on the NHS.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

If you want to... you can... as  MissUnderstanding says.... don't think about it... just go... As an expert in overthinking... I know how it works.

Our mind is wonderful... working against us and working for us... but we need to train it. The negativity into positivity...

I could share so many past posts with you that I have posted... using all my favourite quotes for positivity...there have been a lot, but only YOU can do this.

What you have to remember though, is that you are not running alone...we are right there beside you... I am the one whispering slow and steady...

Just head out, no time or distance in mind... just run...look around. take it all in... and enjoy it.

I know you can do this and I will share one quote with you...Eleanor Roosevelt:

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”

... and this link is to the post I wrote... during Lockdown.... I was very apprehensive... believe me.

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto......

So.... your turn now... Get out there... go on... I dare you! x

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

Could you do week 1 run1 again? 8 separate minutes with walking in between is not too intimidating and might actually remind you that you have really progressed.

If that goes well you could decide whether you would like to do a week2 run next .

Treat yourself like a little child being gently coerced to do something. Don’t be cross with yourself or give up.

I hope you get through the block. Come back and share what you do as it will help others.

[Igot_this]

take the pressure off and go for a walk. 😊 I am an over thinker and the worst part is leaving the house. You got this

[GM11 Graduate]

Thank you all.It is depression and anxiety.

I can't get out the door at the moment.

It happens now and then.

I think sometimes I have over done things and am tired but then it takes hold.

I am going to get out and at least walk today.

I will put my trainers on.

[Ivegottheruns Graduate in reply to GM11]

Just putting your trainers on is the most important first step to be honest. I really like the book atomic habits by James clear and he talks about the 2 minute rule, which is helpful. Have a read if you haven't heard of it;

jamesclear.com/how-to-stop-...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to GM11]

I hope you got that walk in.... we are here and we will support you

[BahamaMama1 Graduate]

Can you use some distraction? How many blackbirds/sparrows/trees can you count?

I appreciate the irony that a run will probably help your mental state but the mental state is stopping the run - choose which one will win!

[Never-too-old-run Graduate]

Start off running much slower than you normally do and I mean slow: just a little more effort than a brisk walk. I find I go much further that way and if you can get into a slow rhythm, you can sometimes keep it up for longer than you would expect