Anyone use working out as a way to counter APD?

Lifting weights, combat conditioning, and outdoor sports have been the only way for me to deal with my self-diagnosed APD. The only problem is it doesnt give me a positive self image or help me in any way towards finding myself in this world. It only helps me for the amount of time im involved with the activity. i find myself becoming obsessed with the image it produces rather than the positive feeling it gives me. In essence I take a positive thing and turn it into an insecurity, like always. I think i need to seriously consider some alternatives. Anyone else use exercise as a tool? or suggest anything else?

Wow... Polar opposites. I use rich sugar foods as a tool to feel good. Most everything else is kinda bland tasting to me. Exercise? Not since I left the Army back in '06. You just can't make me!

For me, i don't think i even try to counter it anymore. The only thing i seem to do is is just keep my mind busy. I am always doing something at home, typically working on my computer working on some programming projects that ive been working on for sometime. Last week I had a plumbing disaster, so i gutted my bathrooms, and putting up new sheet-rock, new tile, painting ect.. It seems like i always have to keep my mind 'working' on something to forget about everything else, I guess thats my way of coping with things.

Exercise helps to clear my head and leaves me in a better mood. It does nothing for my AVPD, but at least I have lost some weight in the last few weeks.

I work out. It helps. I think using hookers works better though.

I hate sports as I was extremely bad at it. I did Judo for some years. This was quite okay for me because the movements are kind of natural (if your opponent pushes you, you don't push back put pull him). But after some time I realized that I don't make progress and I had some problems with people in my club. So I stopped and I don't like being reminded of that period.
And I tried jogging for some time. During 7 month I did it every day for about 40 min. I've always hated it. I had to stop for some days after twisting my ankle and never started again.
But I like long walks and going by bike. And I try to take the stairs instead of the lift if possible.

I've always been horrible at sports, although the track coaches when I was in high school wanted me to join track, probably because I am a walking stick >.> I don't really exercise too much, mostly because I dislike going out, only real exercise I get is walking my dog, and even then only for a mile or two down the same path I take it every day >.> My main way of "dealing" with things is to not deal with them I guess <.< probably not the best habit I'll admit...

Asuka wrote:
I used to be an assistant Karate instructor. Its good for self discipline and obviously endorphins are always good. A very healthy way to relieve surpressed stress and anger also.

I don't think I'd be any good at any sport, let alone karate. I am so light, when I walked home on a windy day it took me literally an extra 30 minutes to get home >_>; I'd probably just get more frustrated doing it than anything, heh

The thought of joining a gym and having people watching me while I exercise gives me the creeps. Lately I've been into pilates/ballet/barre type workouts. So I put in a DVD, move the computer chair and foot stool out of the way, and be total dork in the privacy of my apartment. And I get a good workout, too.

Nicolletta13 wrote:The thought of joining a gym and having people watching me while I exercise gives me the creeps.

And that is another reason I am not very keen on working out >.> Even if I could find something I could do in my house I'd get "stage fright" and end up not doing it <.<;