[Switch]

Hi people.

Just so you know, I've also posted this in the Exercise and Weight Loss forum because I find people in different sections have different solutions to the same problem, and my dilemma applies both to Exercise and Anxiety (as evidenced by the title).

Alright, so I'm a relatively small woman who is average build (medium shirts, size 10 jeans (thats 30" I think in guy sizes)). I'm engaged and living with my fiancé who is a work out success storey but has cut back his routine to a light work out in the morning. And I have fairly severe social phobia. Two years ago I couldn't leave my house to do anything (groceries had to be brought in my family), or make a phone call. Through exposure therapy I am now attending collage and doing placement work at a place similar to a shelter. I started working out a few weeks ago, and my fiancé already sees the results (I don't, but I'm my worst critic), but I want to go further with it.

I'm too scared to work out when he's around, and I'm too scared to work out in front of people at a gym. Also, I'd have to travel a few subway stops to get to a gym because all the one's in my area are very preppy and try hard and expensive.

I'm not working out to lose weight. I'm working out to get stronger. But I'm too scared to let anyone see me or hear me (old building = thin floors = no jumping of any kind or the neighbours will be annoyed) especially my fiancé who's with me almost all the time. I've tried working out during break at work, but the staff room is cramped and too small and I'm still scared someone will walk in, plus I only get 30 minutes. Also, it's so frenetic where I work (very similar place to a shelter) that I want at least 15 of those minutes to be just chilling out and mentally refocusing.

I'm working on this form an exposure therapy sort of way but because I still don't understand anything about exercise or diet or any of this crap I am still too anxious. That being said, I don't want to stop.

Does anyone have any advice or been through this sort of situation?

exercise is a great way to overcome anxiety I was told by my therapist.