To ask how to start running when feeling low?

[Impatient1987]

How do I start running? Im having a really difficult time at the moment and trying to find ways to pull myself away from low mood but feel so unmotivated? Please inspire me with your success stories x

The worst part is getting out the door. I don’t think I’ve ever felt worse for not going, but I do feel worse if I don’t go. Generally I bribe myself if I don’t feel like it but find most times I don’t need the bribe when I get back. There are days when I’ve gone for a run and my legs are like lead and I’ve ended up walking but I tell myself I‘ve overtaken everyone on the sofa! DD1 is actually my biggest cheerleader - she reminds me that most people can’t and don’t run and anything I do is great. And she’s right!!
I’ve now joined a women’s running group - it caters for all including run/walk, everyone is very friendly!

I don’t know if this helps, but it helped me : my GP told me to leave my trainers somewhere I’d trip over them (not literally!).

I also find that once I have my running gear on I want to go out.

Remember that with depression the motivation comes after you take the action. You have to take the action first, even if you don’t feel like it.

I started running 10 years ago when I had a huge breakdown. I bought new, bright pink trainers and left them in my bedroom. I would drive the car to somewhere I could run without meeting people and do my couch to 5k run. Most days it was the only thing I managed to “achieve”. Within a couple of weeks, I would wake up on a non running day with a feeling of dread because I wasn’t even doing that.

I’m still running, I’ve still found it’s one of the best ways to shake of a “bad mood”.

it wasnt the single route out if depression for me, psychotherapy and maximum doses of antidepressants helped a lot, but I still use it to manage my mental health (and adhd)

Guys I did it! I felt like shit, looked like shit and ran like shit but I actually put my trainers on dug out an antique sports bra and just left the house. It wasn't 5k and it wasn't continuous running but it was a start! Thanks so much for the encouragement and "just get on with it"s🙂

@SillySlowCoach how was your walk? Your walk was probably a similar pace to my "run"!

Brilliant stuff @Impatient1987

Well done!

Amazing, well done 👏🏻

Well done!

I am a couple of runs ahead of you, having just restarted after a loooong break. I switched to weights as everyone says that sort of exercise is important during peri. It is, but it doesn’t boost my mood the way that running does. My mood was really low so I decided to restart. I’m doing short runs at the moment as I really don’t want to aggravate an old knee injury. So far every run has felt like a slog but today’s felt a bit easier.

do make sure you stretch. I’m typing this in pigeon pose, stretching my legs. If I don’t I know I will get very stiff. There are some good post run yoga stretching videos on YouTube.

Something that worked for me when I was down was to treat exercise like medicine - something I had to take, even if I didn't want to. I'm a very compliant patient, so it was very effective for me!

Hopefully, once you've pushed yourself through for a few weeks, you'll start to get the habit and find like many people that you start to crave it. Exercise has been the most effective drug for me by a very long way. It's amazing how much it lifts my mood.

Good luck and don't be hard on yourself if you miss a day or just can't motivate yourself - give yourself a pass and vow to try again tomorrow.

When I used to go running I found it best just to go when I felt like it rather than imposing a strict routine. As in if was too tired on Monday I’d do Tuesday instead. After a while I started to need to go regularly as it made me feel so good.