Exercise: anyone want to talk about (and maybe even do) some?

[TheSilveryTinsellyPussycat]

On another mh thread I wrote:

Although I'm no longer depressed, I am finding it hard to get going these days, but Ok once have got going. I think I need exercise - it occurred to me today that as my AD is a seratonin re-uptake inhibitor, the more seratonin I make, the more there should be around to have its uptake inhibited, iyswim. Exercise releases seratonin QED

My problem is getting myself out of the door in the first place, even though I know it's going to help. This was much much worse when I was depressed, but now I find I'm making excuses about the weather and/or needing a new swimming costume!

Wondered if anyone else would like to talk about the effect, if any, of exercise on their mh, and maybe even offer each other mutual support in our decisions whether or not to take some!

My preferred exercise is walking alone (or swimming alone if weather awful), I am in a nice rural area, however I thought it would be nice to share the stuff I've seen with others and vice versa, should I manage to get myself out there...

[amillionyears]

I did start a general exercise thread on MN In September I think, on the sports and exercise board, though it was not to do with mental health, just general health.
Good luck with this.
There are lots of exercises to do indoors as well, if the weather is bad, or you dont want to venture out.

[biffnbuster]

That's a good idea, we (my partner and me) hope to go for a walk along the river/park later. It's a proper pathway so wont be to wet or muddy after all the rain we have had. The sun is out and I thought I'd take the camera and see if I could get some pretty pictures. Like you I have trouble getting out the door but enjoy it when I'm out there.

[TheOneWithTheHair]

I was on your thread. :)

Tinselly I suffer from SAD and my New Year's resolution is to get outside as much as possible.

I too love walking although I don't live near the countryside. I have several National Trust properties and a canal and river which I've never explored. I find it hard to get motivated.

I'm sending you good wishes and luck in your bid to get well. Take it one day at a time and remember there will be good and bad days. Just because you have a bad one does not mean you've failed. You need to accept that and then put it behind you ready to start again the next day.

[Bumply]

I took up running in 2011 and its benefits meant I felt ok to come off ADs in 2012.

I mostly run on my own, although I do run once a week with a running club which I find good for the getting out in any weather - it's just something I don't even have to think about.

Running races can give me a huge buzz. I then have to be aware my mood can dip afterwards.

I've coped without ADs since giving up in the summer. I needed to dig out my SAD light in December as doing less running due to less running (injury/illness lack if motivation to get out and run in the dark)

[Bumply]

Oh, just point out I'm no skinny fit young thing. I'm 50 and still a couple of stone overweight, although I lost 4 st in 2011.

[amillionyears]

I remember you.
How are you doing?

[TheOneWithTheHair]

Good thanks. Hope you are ok too. Are you still exercising?

[amillionyears]

Yes I am.
Progress still slow, but it was the keeping going that was important for me personally. So the thread worked, thanks to you and others.
I am pretty sure I would have fallen by the wayside otherwise.

This is a good thread to start, op.

[TheOneWithTheHair]

I'm glad about that. Progress is good. Doesn't matter how slow it is. :)

[willow777]

I do what Bumply does, although more slowly by the sound of it! I totally messed up an interview one day and just thought 'that's it, I'm doing this' adn went for a run, rather than continue beating myself up over it. I felt stronger afterwards - still annoyed with self but not in that endless way I get wiht the depression.

I've kept going because you can just do it without faff - twenty or thirty mins out there and you've exercised and are feeling better. Even on days i don't fancy it, I can handle that and I feel good that i've done it. I don't have a self image as 'a runner' because that's really not how I see it (or do it, it's more lumbering than that :)); it's a maintenance thing.

[TheSilveryTinsellyPussycat]

Hello all.

Hangover 1 Exercise 0

[amillionyears]

Start again tomorrow op.

[TheOneWithTheHair]

Morning everyone. I haven't got any exercise planned for today unless you count walking round the supermarket.

What are you up to today?

[amillionyears]

Too busy with lots of things today TheOneWithTheHair. Been dashing around.
Will be glad of a sit down tonight!

[TheSilveryTinsellyPussycat]

Very slow start, then visit to dentist.

But after that, had a nice 10 min stroll along old railway line near where I used to live. Dusk, broken grey clouds overhead, beautiful evening bright horizon though. Blackbirds giving their warning cries, friendly enounter with small dog and its owner (who was on mobility scooter), and brief chat with an old neighbour. Result!

[TheOneWithTheHair]

Well done op! Good going. You sound do much brighter than yesterday. It sounds like a lovely walk.

I have just been cleaning and shopping. It's been raining all day but I'm going to try to get out tomorrow afternoon with the dcs. :)

[TheOneWithTheHair]

do = so

[ThatVikRinA22]

great idea pussycat - it occurred to me in a rare moment of clarity that i stopped running last April, and by May was falling apart in a big way....doctor wanted to put me on sertraline in May but i soldiered on....

i really think i need to get my running gear back on and get out for a short run, i do go riding once a week which always lifts my mood and so i force myself to go even if i feel more like hibernating....

maybe i should try to aim for a run twice a week. I was up to 10k at once time but i doubt i could do a 10 min run now...

[TheSilveryTinsellyPussycat]

My running days, such as they were, are long gone. And long distances were never for me, though in my youth I could sprint.

I walked a lot in towns for most of my childhood, teens and twenties, to school and for pleasure (am S Londoner by birth) And I think all that walking on pavement had a slight effect on my knees. Then in my 40's comfort eating and meds helped me become overweight, which led to knee and foot problems. These have cleared up now (except for the weight), but walking is my ambulant exercise.

I did ride for a bit, but knees are probably no longer up to the job, although I do plan to go ambling about on horseback at walking pace this summer. I would love to be astride a horse again :) (Am 60 btw) I

[HellesBelles396]

Hi silvery - good plan. I should do this as I am overweight, my SAD has been horrendous this year and I promised my cousin I would so the gnr with her next year. I'm focussing on housework at the moment though. Does anyone know if that counts as exercise?

[LavenderBriggs]

Hi Silvery. I'm supposed to be studying (hence opening threads on MN). Help me with my procrastination.

What do you think you could do when you get the "I can't go out for a walk now" thoughts? Could you do some prep work and draw up an activity log? Or could you write a contract for the amount of exercise you would like to take?

It's hard to say "just do 'this' and it will all work out", but if you want to exercise it will be possible to find something that will help you.

Have you been for a walk today or you planning on one at some point?

[TheSilveryTinsellyPussycat]

I'm no good with contracts, even with myself - it feels like being told what to do!

No exercise yesterday or today - except mental exercise (accounts) which I enjoy doing but stayed up way too late doing them both nights

[TheOneWithTheHair]

No exercise here either today but I'm definitely going to try tomorrow. I think it'll be easier when the dcs go back to school.

[LavenderBriggs]

Why is being told what to do (even by yourself) a bad thing? Not being snippy, but I could throw lots of ideas around and you'll just become exasperated if I don't get close to what could help.

Would it help if you looked into the positive benefits of exercise? Or the best way to exercise to get the most out of it?

Let me know if anyone has been able to get out - has anyone got any exercise done?

[TheSilveryTinsellyPussycat]

It's not a bad thing lavender, tis just the way I am, having made a study of myself for the last nearly 60 years

I am feeling v well, and getting on with life. The exercise is not an angst-ridden thing for me :)