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Exercising in nature produces psychological benefits and measurable changes in brain activity
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Why you can't get flexible in a week - from instagram. This applies to all types of exercise too. Its a marathon not a sprint.
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I usually listen to music on my watch, which I use to track my heart rates & workouts. I did add some podcasts & this morning had the idea of adding a short meditation for my cooldown at the end of a workout.
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5am walk
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I have noticed an increased level of fatigue lately. I wake up from 8+ hours of sleep and could sleep for longer. This usually lends to weekend naps which then make me restless at night. Yesterday I did a walk on my treadmill during my sons nap and felt really good. So this morning I decided to wake up at 5 and do it again before he got up. A little sweaty but it was a good choice. I’m very lucky to have a treadmill in my basement. Just trying to keep myself active, because in a depressive episode that’s the first thing to go is movement.
| 63 |
looking for recommended gyms
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I feel like I'll be more motivated to work out if I start hitting a gym. I was looking at planet fitness because apparently they have trainers there but I've heard of issues trying to cancel memberships there. if yall have any recommended gyms, even if they're local, I'd appreciate the feedback. just so I know what I want to get myself into. my budget is at most $50 a month
thanks yall
| 3 |
I cried during my run at the park…
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A sad song came on, and on top of my constant battle with depression, anxiety and procrastination, I was also quite a bit stressed lately. I allowed myself to get teary eyed, cried a little for a minute, but didn’t go full on waterworks. Slowed down and walked a bit in the grass, contemplating life and all it’s difficulties… then started back up in a moderate jog. The tears stopped… and the endorphins and dopamine kicked in… felt better having allowed myself the release. Continued on home, knowing I let myself be human for a bit, in public, yet also getting my run in.
A bit of clarity in my often jumbled head which helped me to get through the day.
| 106 |
tightness in ankle when running, normal?
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Hey, guys, been trying to get into consistent running after over a decade of either inconsistent exercise or flatout inactivity due to anxiety and the likes.
In November-early December time I started on a standard exercise bike. I did find it tough and was barely able to spend 20-25 minutes on it without feeling breathless or real heaviness in my legs.
I was on vacation during Christmas so no exercise there, but in the 4 weeks since I've been home I've used my exercise bike daily aside from one or two exceptions. I manage 45 minutes daily, with occasional pushes up to an hour. I often find the first 5/10 minutes tough with heavy legs being the main symptom again, before my body is then able to mostly push through for the remaining time.
Although I am finding good consistency with my exercise bike and my body no longer has panic attacks while exercising, I thought it was about time I went outside for runs. My first two days were yesterday and today, and although I'm happy I got outside, I was barely able to jog/run for half a mile before my left ankle specifically just froze up and felt heavy. I didn't particularly feel breathless but my ankles and just above felt very rigid. I was more conscious to slow my run down today compared to yesterday and yet my left ankle still felt very rigid.
Once I got home and rested for a short period this discomfort went away. It doesn't hurt, it just is a heaviness that means although I want to run/jog further, I'm not really able to. Is this normal for beginner runners despite me using my exercise bike for weeks prior, or is something else up?
| 3 |
How Do You Do It?
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I have been dealing with MDD and anxiety for almost 20 years. I'm 50f and for the last 4 months I've really really been struggling. Some days the most I can d9 is feed everyone and get a shower - pick up the kids from school and pray for bedtime so I can take trazadone and just numb myself to sleep. It's been truly the hardest depression I've ever had.
I know exercise is supposed to help. I walk my dog around the outside of the house 3 or 4 times a day, in the sunshine. I walk to my barn to feed. That's about 4000 steps a day. The rest of the time I want to lay down and just turn my brain off and beg for peace.
How do you do this exercise stuff when the depression is really bad? I feel tired just loading the laundry right now. I'm not sure how to even start. I have an inexpensive rowing machine and an older total gym. I've lost about 30 lbs due to the depression and not wanting food. I'm not overweight anymore and i just feel so tired and lost. I'm alone most of the time because the kids are in school and my husband leaves early to work and hunts or fishes on the weekends. I'm really trying to help myself (with a doctor who prescribed trazadone for sleep and lamictal for depression) but I'm alone enogh that working out seems so hard.
I guess I just need to know where to start or how to start.
| 12 |
How much cardio a day to start seeing benefits?
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Hey guys!
How are you?
I wanted to ask you that simple question: "How much cardio a day do you start seeing mental benefits?"
A side question can be what's better LISS vs HIIT? Talking exclusively mental health.
I have been having some anxiety lately, I have always worked out but ever since the pandemic I have changed to workout in home. I used to do just weightlifting, I was recommended to do cardio in aiding this sensation. I would like to know how much a day would be good.
Best regards and wish you the best in your journey!
| 9 |
I reached my lowest point in my life this week. I want to recover/cope with my PTSD and depression. It starts today. Wish me luck!
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Cardio Dizziness
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Does anyone else deal with a pretty significant lightheaded/dizzy/foggy feeling immediately following cardio? If so, how do you deal with it/reduce the sensation?
​
(I've mentioned it to my doctors and they seem to think it's a benign anxiety symptom.)
| 5 |
Repressed memories and exercise
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Hello!
I guess because I’m healing “properly” (i.e. i have phased out my harmful coping mechanisms) now a lot of repressed memories are resurfacing. This morning one brutal one hit me. I can’t even vocalise it and probably never will. But I fell apart completely.
I wanted to go back to bed and sleep all day until it was numb. I wanted to run to get a 20 pack and smoke it all out.
But instead I curled up and cried and slowly put myself together another to go to the gym.
I started with cardio but I just hated it. Normally I like it but it wasn’t sitting right. I did 10 mins and got off the machine like nah I hate this.
I ended up doing an hour of a mix of yoga and weight exercises. I feel so much better.
Exercise is always great at giving me perspective. That those things happened. I cant change it. It doesn’t define me.
While I’m not 100% happy I just feel more at peace with it and I’m glad I got out of bed and pulled myself together to go to the gym even though it was hard.
Also remember to listen to your body. If it says I hate this and I’m not in the right headspace, do something else.
Hope you’re all doing ok! 💜
| 28 |
Online fitness coaching?
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I'm looking for some kind of affordable online fitness coaching. Really just someone to help motivate me and keep me accountable for the first few months while I implement a routine. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you in advance!
| 2 |
Seeking Participants for Study
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Trigger Warning: Suicide
Hi everyone,
A Qualitative Examination of Suicidal Thoughts (QUEST) study is recruiting adults (ages 18+) in Canada and the US to participate in a study investigating individuals experiences of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. To complete the online survey/see if you are eligible, please scan the QR code below or reach out to us by email.
​
https://preview.redd.it/zzjdgcqe25ta1.jpg?width=1296&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9399411f977167f34263c24aa88352335fc27180
| 1 |
[Mod Approved] Are you a man who has experienced an eating disorder? Participate in this quick 10-15 minute eating disorder survey (Ages 18-25)
|
Hello everyone,
I am part of a research team from Carnegie Vanguard High School is evaluating young adult men’s experiences with disordered eating, body image concerns, and interpersonal stressors. To participate in this survey you must be:
* 18 - 25 years old
* Identify as a man
* Live in the US
* Previous or current experiences with clinically severe body image and eating concerns (i.e., an eating disorder)
This study is strictly VOLUNTARY and there are no monetary benefits or additional incentives. This research will not directly benefit you. **However, this research may provide a better understanding for how men experience these issues and may help to inform future prevention and treatment efforts.**
The online survey is expected to take 10-15 minutes to complete. If you match the eligibility criteria and are interested in participating in this study,[ click here](https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TVmc9Lgl8yDbsq) for informed consent and more details. This research project has been approved by this institution’s campus review board. If you have any questions about this study, please contact the Advising Investigator, Dakota Leget, M.A. at [email protected] or contact the Educator of this AP Research course at [email protected].
Again, CLICK[ HERE](https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TVmc9Lgl8yDbsq) FOR SURVEY (Survey lasts until February 21st).
Thank you!
| 16 |
Weekly Planning/Fatigue Help
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New here but very grateful for the sounding board. For background: 23M with moderate depression and anxiety, possibly stemming from Visual Snow Syndrome (still working on getting that sorted out).
Of late I’ve been seeing modest success relieving anxiety and depression symptoms with cardio and yoga. My current schedule looks something like:
Day One: 20 minutes elliptical, Stretch
Day Two: 10-15 minutes elliptical, 15-30 minutes yoga
and I alternate this so that I’m on about 6 days per week taking off the 7th day. I think I may need to tweak it, though, as quite often I find even three days into the cycle I’m too exhausted (and becoming increasingly anxious perseverating over the exhaustion) to get the most out of the regimen. This obviously compounds pretty terribly with the brain fog/general malaise that come with whatever it is I’m actually dealing with. Any advice on how to reschedule to avoid aggravating the already excessive fatigue depression/anxiety seem to cause day-to-day? How do you plan your rest days?
I’d also appreciate any tips on snacks or meals to help fuel cardio and yoga, before and after. My current choices don’t seem to be optimal.
Thanks everybody!!
| 15 |
You don’t have to be young to build muscle: how women are breaking fitness taboos - from the Guardian
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Making a mental health crisis plan is a good idea.
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So glad I went out today- the first signs of spring made me so happy!
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Be careful when you sign up for on line mental health services: Your data is almost certainly being sold to advertisers and who knows who else
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Explored a new trail with my dogs today. Hiking in nature always brings such a sense of peace and calm. May the path lead us all to a little more happiness. 🙏🏽
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Depression strikes again
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Hi, i'm 23 M and i've lost a ton of weight, about 30kg/66lbs, but because things are never easy, depression is coming after my butt again. I'm currently at 85kg/185lb and my goal is 75kg/165lbs, then i can start a bulk and things will be wonderful. That's the plan anyway, however, it's been tough trying to do the work, depression is whispering to me, "i't wont be worth it", "you'll get there and you'll still be depressed" or "you'll never make it".
\*sigh\*,i'm hanging or for dear life, i'm 75% done with weight loss and this has been the best motivator, but depression puts up a tough fight.
Just a rant, thanks for reading.
| 40 |
EOOD with medical issues
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I have not posted on here for quite a while. First of all I have had lingering depression for months now much longer than usual with lack of motivation to do anything about it. It has not been deep depression, not anywhere close to suicidal, but rather just not enjoying life and not feeling motivated to do the self help practices that I knew would help and not willing to acknowledge my accomplishments even on better days.
Anyway before Christmas my therapist and I talked about it and she asked “what would it take for you to get onto anti-depressant medication?” And I at first fumbled through the answer but ended that meeting committing to setting up an appointment with a psychiatrist for the end of January with the idea being that if I managed to get motivation in the new year to start back up on my self help in January I could reconsider. Well, by mid January it became clear that was not happening and so I moved the appointment up and got onto Zoloft.
What made self help efforts much harder was that I experienced medical issues that made it suddenly much harder to even consider exercising out of depression. At the beginning of January I was able to walk for an hour non-stop without effort and I was on just one prescription med. By the end of January walking more than 25 minutes at a time was out of the question and I am now on six prescription meds and doctors are still figuring out what is wrong with me. Some days even 25 minutes of slow walking exhausts me, and that frustrates me to no end. I used to be able to walk 10000 steps a day, but now if I do that I regret it the next day, and my doctor suggested that aim for somewhere between 7000 and 8000 steps instead.
This weekend I have been feeling weak and thus have been more sedentary. But by noon today I decided to try to do something about that. Alas it is also rainy outside so walking out there holds no appeal. So I have been walking in circles inside our open floor home. It takes three circles inside our home to do 100 steps, and I am doing 1000 steps per hour this afternoon. I am now up to 5000 steps so far today, which used to not be a lot for me, but now it feels like an accomplishment.
I may not be able to do much EOOD now, but I am trying my best.
| 21 |
Making my return…
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I am new to this sub and am thankful to have found it!
I used to be an avid gym user. Did two-a-days. Cycling. Hot yoga. Aerial yoga. Running. Lifting. All of the things. But then, I moved away from all of those things and found out that I had a umbilical hernia. Two hernia surgeries later and one pandemic with quite a bit of anxiety and depression - I’m in a terrible rut. I’ve tried working out at home. My husband got me an exercise bike that I used occasionally but I get down on myself because I am not what I used to be. This has turned into starting a program and then abandoning it because I’m so disappointed in myself.
But, I know I want to make a return - I just don’t know where to start. I’ve been cleared by my doctors to workout but I’m overly cautious about my core.
Do I workout to lose the weight I’ve tacked on or do I focus on building my core back up since that’s foundational?
Any insight into how I can dig myself out of this hole and make progress would be EXTREMELY helpful! ❤️
| 9 |
This is one of the best articles on helping someone with depression. I learned a lot about my own condition from reading it.
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First week done, a small résumé.
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Might be a longer text... again.
So, my first week as a fresh gymgoer is over and what can I say? I did it. Started on Feb. 5th, my 35th birthday. Maybe some of you remember my first post. I'd like to thank all of you for the kind and motivational words, it felt great to know that I am not alone with this, damn, I even got an award for that. Thank you guys.
How was my first week? I'm a mess. There are muscles aching in my body that I didn't even know exist and watching a 60 year old totally kicking my ass in a full body course just had me thinking what I did with my life.
Diet has improved too, I bought a ton of low fat curd cheese which I just mix 1:1 with water, stir it up and chug it down. Twice a day (morning and evening) that makes a bit over 100g of protein and it really stuffs you for a few hours. I cut the soda and have been drinking water all week. Turns out that stabilizes my blood sugar very well so I crave less for sweet stuff than before. There is still a lot of room for improvement though, Wednesday evening I had a pizza for dinner but I didn't eat it in one take this time and that helped because I think I cut one entire meal for that day that I would have eaten a few hours after eating a whole pizza so I call that an improvement.
The workout was fine too. Attended 4 courses, Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and today (Friday), just went home from the course. It is no surprise that I really struggle at those courses, there is basically no stamina or strenght to keep it up a full hour and I have to either do the exercises a bit slower or can't do the last reps due to fatigue, but I'm getting there and the trainer is really great and takes some extra time to correct my posture or yells something motivating in my face.
Unfortunately, I still smoke but I bought a vaper and try to transition to it and get rid of tobacco entirely. I also don't want to overwhelm myself out of fear that it will fail and throws me back if I try to change everything at once, maybe that is a lame excuse for an addict.
After the course, there is my least favourite part of sports, cardio. I fucking hate every second of it, it is dull, boring and repetitive. I think I like the rowing machine the most since it also helps me to strenghten my back but staring at this damn display watching the seconds go one by one feels like every second is a minute. I tried music but that somehow makes me even more nervous, maybe I should listen an audio book and try to shut off my head to get through this for 30 minutes. The courses are fun and diversified, you work out with other people, have the trainer talking to you, time literally flies and I think "What? That was an hour already?" but cardio...
Talking about head stuff. I had some serious doubts in the dressing room and the gym in general. While I am proud of myself that I sticked to it and made it an entire week without excuses is a huge win for me, I still felt like I was throwing my life away earlier and had serious regrets about my past for not starting to work out earlier, for not quitting smoking (or starting it in the first place), for eating garbage for over a decade. There was this feeling again when I saw other guys in the gym being so much younger and healthier than me and I doubted if I ever will get into shape again, what if I turn out to look like a wobbly sack with lose skin hanging everywhere? What if I never be able to lift some decent weights and look somewhat healthy? What if? What if? What if?
It is driving me mad to have a mind like this, a mind that is constantly worrying, doubting, spreading negativity and pessimism. Instead of being happy my mind sabotages every good feeling that comes up and tells me that I am not worth it and don't deserve to feel good and that everything doesn't matter and I just fool myself to push aside the reality. The reality that everything eventually will come to an end which makes everything meaningless and null. It has been like that since childhood when my 5 year old brain started to panic and cry in the middle of the night because I couldn't accept the fact that my cat will die some day, or my grandmother. It was so unfair to me that I doubted the meaning of life... at the age of 5. Where other kids where eating sand in the garden I sat in the corner crying because life is so sad and suffering to me.
Well, anyways. I hope that I will continue as it goes and maybe see the first results in a few weeks. I think my first celebration will be the weight dropping below 100Kg / 220lbs which hasn't been the case for almost 7 years now.
I hope this post wasn't too whiny and bitchy and may motivate or whatever someone else out there, even if it just one person getting something from reading my shit.
By the way I took some pictures of myself but I am not confident enough to post them here, even with a blurried face I still feel ashamed of myself a lot. Maybe I find the courage to post them one day.
Cya!
| 5 |
We are all getting older
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Its very tempting to look back to when we were younger and a lot more active and physically fit. I am 52 now. Yes I still keep myself fit, I row, I lift (off and on right now) I shoot my bow, I walk. At the same time I sit on my arse and type for 8 hours a day 5 days a week. There is no way in the world that I can be as fit as I was when I was 25 and had a very physically demanding job and either played or trained for rugby 8 months of the year and spent the summer training and playing cricket.
Even if I trained for hours every day I couldn't get back to being 25. I am literally not the same person physically. Back then I could pick up a barrel of beer weight 300lb and walk off with it. I could carry a beer keg around one handed. I could run faster and further, I could contort my body and still generate lots of power in rugby scrums. I could do hundreds of bodyweight squats in the course of a few hours whilst keeping wicket when playing cricket.
Its literally self defeating to think that I could get even close to that. Its good to remember the glory days of course. When I get back together with guys I played cricket and rugby with we have a fine time reminiscing about the past. The last time I did that with my old rugby team we went on to discuss what surgeries, joint reconstructions and replacements we have had, what long term chronic illnesses we have now (type 2 diabetic here). We played "who has the biggest waistband in their trousers". Sitting the waistband millimeters above your hips or the dreaded elasticated waistband is cheating.
Now I look forward to what I can **still** achieve. I have faired better than some of my old friends. I can still row, lift and do pretty much anything physical I want to within reason. I can still work on my fitness and improve. I just can't go back in time.
| 41 |
Nature is doing wonderful things all around you. You just have to look in the right way.
| null | 7 |
HAAS fit
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I read about this app (also a YouTube channel) in the paper. It's a free app (pay $5 per month only if you want a detailed plan) of free workouts including HIIT, strength, cardio, etc. I find the instructors very helpful with my depressive thinking- they emphasize aiming to do ones best but not perfection.
| 2 |
How do you do it?
|
I have been doing some walks here and there, trying to wake up early and do stretches before bed, but I always feel stuck trying to get myself to go to the gym. It used to be my therapy before the shutdown, and now I've been somewhat dreading to go back. I had a great routine last year from summer to fall, then ended up getting into a depressive state in the wintertime. I got put on a 5150 hold and was in a psychiatric ward from Jan 6-13 this year.
It's almost a month of me getting out. I have felt like I could take advantage of life, yet I still feel slumped. I want to go back to my old routine but it feels like the hardest part is going, having to go through the road blocks of maybe pushing myself too hard, trying again and again, and just working around my work schedule that's always changing.
I was almost towards my goal weight in Feb 2020 and since then, I have gained about 30lbs. Tbf I did start new medications that cause weight gain but man, I just want to get better. How do you do it?
| 16 |
Returning to healthy eating habits after starvation diet
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Hello beautiful EOOD community!
*I know that you are a kind and concerned bunch so I would like to preface this by stating that I do not suffer from an eating disorder and see a therapist regularly*
Over the past 6 months, I have dropped a significant amount of weight, going from 165 # to my current weight of 115#. There have been a variety of contributing factors. First off, I discontinued zoloft around 7 months ago. I had put on about 25-30# while using zoloft, my normal weight fluctuates between 130-140#. Additionally, I lost a close friend to a tragic accident in August, went through an absolutely heart wrenching breakup in September (he left me for someone else after nearly four years together) and had a terribly stressful fall semester (14 credits worth of nursing school classes while working 40-50 hours a week).
Needless to say, it was a stressful time. After my friend passed, I seriously couldn’t eat. Anytime I would try I became overwhelming nauseous and it would often just come right back up. A week or so into this, I (embarrassingly) passed out at work. I was eventually able to work myself back up to eating small meals, but my appetite never fully rebounded. I was starting to feel back to myself when my boyfriend left me. My appetite plummeted once more. It wasn’t as severe as the first time, but I was probably eating 300 calories a day at most. This trend continued with the added stress of school. I just didn’t think about eating, my stomach was always in knots and food almost never sounded good. I would guess that I haven’t consumed over 1000 daily calories since late August.
However, I am feeling better! My school/work load balance is much more reasonable this semester and with the help of therapy, I am starting to come to terms with the loss of my friend and relationship. I actually have time to get back to the gym. I have lost SO much muscle mass. Sure I’m skinny, but I look like crap naked! I want my fit, strong body back, but I know that my diet needs to change dramatically for that to be a possibility.
It’s really disheartening googling “coming back from starvation diet”. I understand that most of these articles are trying to discourage people from crash dieting, but they make it sound like there’s no hope! According to most of what I’ve come across, I’ve permanently f**ked my metabolism, my organs, my muscle mass, and if I try to go back to eating a normal, well-balanced diet, I’ll inevitably just put all of my fat back on with no hope of ever being able to lose it again.
This can’t be the full picture, right? Is there a way to avoid putting all of the fat that I lost back on. I feel, logically, that a gradual increase in calories would help my body to slowly come out of “starvation mode”. Has anyone had a similar experience, or have any advice to share? Thank you so much! 🙏
| 11 |
Bought my first ever pair of proper running shoes!
|
I’ve always enjoyed running short distances and getting that runners high, but was inconsistent so would just buy cross trainers.
In summer of 2021, I hit a major depressive state, so terribly bad, and decided to join Orangetheory. I’ve worked out in the past but had not for many years. Orangetheory gave me the confidence and inspiration to return to working out not just there with their group classes, but also on my own, so I rejoined my lifting / full gym. I also discovered trail running, which was easy to fall in love with, as I love hiking. Unfortunately there aren’t too many trails local to me, the best ones are at least an hour away, but I’ve found some short ones.
I generally try to run on dirt, gravel, grass, unpaved surfaces. So I went to a running store and got fitted. I had no idea they used high tech to measure and analyze your feet and walking pressure! In the process the results taught me quite a bit about my feet. I tried on several pairs of different brands and decided on these Mizunos, which were most comfortable for my feet. The difference is just amazing compared to shoes I’ve always worn. This pair isn’t meant for trail running, I have another for that but will later get a proper trail running shoe, but I will use it on light trails.
If you’ve never been fitted for running shoes, I highly recommend going into a store which specializes in them. You don’t even have to make a purchase! Your feet will thank you!
| 185 |
Trying to exercise but getting depression/anxiety days after.
|
In regards to exercising being good for mental health, sadly I've been having the opposite. I joined the Gym and started slowly on weights and cardo and I noticed two days after I would be really depressed/anxiety, I thought it was just a recurrence of depression/anxiety back into my life, but it just kept happening to the point I had to stop and when I did everything went back to normal. So I tried smaller exercises at home, like skipping for only a min and it would have the same affect, only this time the next day, not as bad but still there. Even after just doing a few squats with no weights, I'd get the same effect. I even tried just walking for 20mins and sometimes it would happen as well. Is there any explanation to why or what I can do, Doctors etc etc ? I don't drink or smoke, I eat really healthy, I don't take any supplements or anything. I do suffer from anxiety and depression at times, I take 5mg of lexapro everyday. Strangely enough, I boxed for 4yrs and it never happened back then.
Any help would be amazing, I have searched high and low, but I haven't come across any solutions.
| 21 |
I’m so exhausted, please help.
|
I need help.
I’m so exhausted with everything thats been going around me all this toxicity brewing around me has got me bad. Without getting into the actual reason I just want to say that I’m just stuck in a bad place (cant move because of financial reasons) because of problems which directly don’t effect me but indirectly do have an affect on me so because of that I’m spiralling.
I have no motivation, I have no discipline and to be very frank I am exhausted mentally. I dont have the mental capacity to even get put of bed there are days when I have been just laying on my bed and the max I could do is scroll through my phone which has now gotten annoying seeing the same type of content over and over.
How do I get up any tips of tricks? I did manage to force myself to go on a walk but that was for a week then I got sucked into my surroundings. Then I joined a gym payed a heavy fee went for two days now again it has happened, haven’t gone to the gym since last week.
How do I pick up my scattered self?
| 36 |
It’s been cold and wet, so I’ve been hitting the gym and group fitness classes lately. Today I really needed a little nature and it’s sunny out, although cold, so went for an outdoor run. It doesn’t fix everything, but it does help some to get me out of my head and things moving.
| null | 102 |
Quit smoking, started using my Apple Watch again
|
I posted a couple of weeks ago about going back to the gym after a long break.
Well my next step on my “getting my shit together” bus ride was quitting smoking. So as of 1st Feb I am smoke free.
I also started using my Apple Watch again, which i havent used in about a year becsuse i stopped exercising and not closing the rings made me feel worse.
However for the past 3 days I’ve closed my move ring twice over, exercise ring three times over, and done between 15k-20k steps a day. I did 20k today and i work from home office based so quite pleased with that!
Hope everybody is doing alright! At least winter is nearly over. I find exercise so much easier in the summer.
| 22 |
got unintentional exercise
|
where i live, yesterday and the day before were dangerously cold and i went absolutely nowhere. i had planned to get some groceries, but put those plans on hold until today. of course, today being sunday, in my small town, there is no bus service. this makes the task of getting groceries home a bit more physical but being able to carry stuff is one of the benefits of being a big, bulky, sturdy girl.
at the store, everything i'd planned to buy was way too expensive. with inflation, i price check groceries often since they fluctuate a lot right now and none of the prices i saw there today were doing it for me. well, i at least got some cheap cans of beans and threw them in my backpack. there was another grocery store just a bit further away and i decided to grab the rest of what i needed from them because they had some good prices in their flyer this week.
this might have been a stupid idea because one thing i had to pick up was a 5kg bag of flour. putting it in the cart i was like 'why do i do this to myself?'. i then grabbed a carton of almond milk and a few lighter things which were also on sale. adjusting things in my backpack, i then lugged my supplies to another grocery store i wanted to check in on. it was about a half hour walk and i was feeling the weight of my bag towards the end. worth it, though, because i did find a good sale.
almost within range of home, i made one last stop, got nothing and continued on to the final stretch (another half hour or so). i don't want to have to buy anything more for at least another week but i do feel like i made up for two days of complete inactivity.
| 15 |
Today was the first day at gym
|
LONG TEXT
Hi there,
as the title says, I finally did it and subscribed to a gym + got my first training after being a lazy ass for over 10 years. Unhealthy food, smoking and a basement dweller life got me into the shape I am right now and I am disgusted by it. The belly looks like a keg, my ass sticks out while my spine is more bend than a pretzel. The shoulders hang forward, my neck looks like a giraffe's.
All that combined, I look like the stereotypical person who farmed every mount in WoW.
Yesterday I found my first grey hair on my head and that was a moment where I looked into the mirror and said "You can't go on like this"
Well, today is my 35th birthday, so what else could you do to yourself but hitting the gym at 9am on a Sunday? I've been browsing through this sub a bit yesterday evening and it helped to bring up the courage to do what I did today because this morning, I was terrified of stepping into the gym and ask for a membership.
Being on a sub like this concludes that I also suffer from depression, since childhood and it did play a huge part in my life. Combined with an anxiety disorder it is a perfect mix.
The trainer was super friendly though and made me feel welcomed. Got my member card and she wished me good luck, so I went to the dressing rooms and there was my first panic attack starting to rise. All those bulked and shaped guys, a lot of them easily 10 years younger than I am, looking so healthy and well and then there was the big mirror. I just saw a sack of potatoes in it and immediately wanted to leave because, yeah, made the big mistake of comparing myself to others and my self esteem got a serious crack while doing so.
I somehow managed to get myself into a sportier outfit, the running shoes are somewhat ugly and pretty worn out but it was the only pair I found at home, that reminds me to buy proper shoes.
Then I entered the main gym and I was overwhelmed. So many machines, weights, people (which was surprising being a Sunday morning) and I remember reading on /fitness a bit about what you can do and then I realized that I read too much and my head started spiraling around doing a perfect min/max workout my first day ever. I stood there in the middle of the gym thinking about my calorie intake today and how many reps I should do on this and that machine to maximize the effect.
Until a random trainer got my out of my cloud and asked if I need help.
​
I had a conversation with him about who I am and what brought me to this place, what my goals are etc. and he just smiled at me and said "You see that ergometer over there? Just cycle a bit for 20 minutes and then come back to me".
It was more fun than I expected to just cycle around but there were a lot of other people around me running on treadmills, rowing like maniacs and the thoughts of how I look came back into my mind and I tried to get rid off them and concentrate on cycling which worked rather bad but in the end I made 20 minutes while coughing my lungs out.
The rest of the day consisted of the trainer motivating me to do a 45 minute full body course in the course room and I caught myself telling that guy any excuse that I could think of.
"It's my first day, I don't have any stamina, can I even do that with my back? My knees are in a bad shape" but that dude convinced me to just give it a try and if I don't like it, I may leave at any time and no one will be mad or will try to persuade me to stay and finish the course.
Fast forward: I finished the course and it might be the case that I need a wheel chair next to my bed tomorrow morning because I am sore as hell and I just want to sleep.
The next course is on Wednesday and I will attend again.
Sry for any grammar errors or so, not a native speaker and sorry for all the "I"s and "Me"s.
I feel great!
| 50 |
Food is equally important. My Journey out of depression
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TLDR; Don't forget to consume enough vitamins, MOST IMPORTANTLY **VITAMIN D.**
​
I was depressed i wasn't sure of the cause. I read tones on the subject but was not able to cure myself. Even visited a doctor. No amount of meditation was enough. I was suffering in the mental hell that i created. By hit and trail, i figured out that I was probably deficient in essential vitamin and minerals. Most importantly, lack of vitamin D can cause DEPRESSION. I started talking multivitamin supplements which have 400IU of Vitamin D, which is the minimum amount your body need. It was enough to drag me out of pit called depression. But now i had to work on self esteem issue. That required some self love and caring which I can't achieve just by sitting on couch and thinking about it. So, with the goal of becoming best of me, I started Gym, a skin care routine and giving lots of thoughts on my clothes and general looks. OMG. It worked. I think we have to show yourself some visible changes via handwork to develop some self love.
| 24 |
Exercising makes me feel even worse
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I've tried some stuff, running, went to the gym, tried to work out at home, taking more walks, boxing, but none of it ever made me feel any better, quite the opposite usually. When it's all done I just sit back at home and feel like shit. I'm all sweaty, I gotta shower (which I already have problems with due to depression) and my body reminds me of how weak I got over the last 2 years. I just hate it. I tried to include a social aspect but that just made it worse most of the time.
Last week I went to my doctor because of a blood test and my depression, she just told me to get more exercise on top of therapy.
I already walk a lot, I'm outside pretty much every day (except for when I'm sick), we don't own a car so never drive anywhere to begin with. If I have to go somewhere, tough luck, gotta walk for an hour.
I don't know why that is. Instead of getting more endorphins or whatever, it feels like exercise is actively taking the little motivation I may have away.
| 31 |
Resources on Diet for Anxiety and Depression
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About a month ago I started cardio and yoga again after a long time out of the gym and the onset of some pretty severe anxiety, panic and depression symptoms. Right now I'm on about about 60 minutes of moderate intensity cardio (elliptical) and about 60 minutes of yoga per week.
I've been reasonably successful so far, noticing some definite improvement around the margins--but I'm still in search of some credible outlets to research how I can boost this progress with the right diet, and specifically the "gut/brain serotonin connection." Seems like everybody's talking about it but it's tough to find non-clickbaity resources to check out.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
| 23 |
Is it normal for my legs to feel tired during the first few minutes but not afterwards?
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When I first go to exercise the first few minutes are tough. My legs feel heavy, my muscle tension is strong, I breathe very heavily, but then after 5-10 minutes my legs feel light and I don't feel out of breath even after going for another 40+ minutes.
Is this a normal feeling? I've been consistently exercising now for 3 weeks.
| 34 |
‘Some weeks I only speak to the postman’ - Loneliness is huge problem - From the Guardian
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Relapse due to injury
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Hi guys, I have only ever been a lurker in this sub, but for years now I have been managing my depression with exercise.
I recently sustained a serious injury doing my favourite sport (rock climbing) and it's left me unable to do all forms of exercise that I enjoy, as well as the hobbies that bring me the most joy otherwise of sport such as knitting. I'm completely unable to use my right hand without pain. The other exercise I've always enjoyed included cycling, yoga, weightlifting - none of which are safe or comfortable to do with my injury.
It's been over a month now and it's not any better - there is nothing that can help other than time and physio, but I'm feeling myself sinking into depression. This past week, I have been crying more and more and had no motivation to do any work, or anything at home for that matter. I have no appetite and no motivation to find anything to eat. A lot of positive things have happened in my life this past month - I got engaged and I'm buying a house with my partner... but instead of being happy I just want to cry and I feel hopeless.
I'm sure I'm not the first person this has happened to, and just looking for some support and advice on dealing with this. Even just hearing your stories would help!
| 16 |
Post break up
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Im depressed cuz I recently went through a really hard break up. I’m having trouble eating and since I’m a college student on a meal plan I don’t have many options. Currently bulking in a 300 cal (3000 cals) surplus and I’m having trouble even reaching 2000 a day. Any help?
| 13 |
Does anyone else go mad for the gym for about two weeks and then feel like that’s enough and do nothing for a month, only to repeat that cycle forever?
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And if so, how do you break out of that cycle?
| 69 |
The link between our food, gut microbiome and depression - Reported in the Washington Post
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Black Dog by Arlo Sparks. "Its so cruel what your mind can do for no reason"
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I had to quit my workout this morning. Do I feel bad about it? Not really.
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It was rowing this morning. 5 x 1000m intervals with 1 minute rest periods.
I overcooked the first three intervals and couldn't get to the end of the fourth. I honestly thought I might throw up.
I still gave it my all though. I didn't leave anything in the tank. I just need to learn to pace myself better so the next time I get to the end. I will still feel like puking then but I will have learned and improved.
| 50 |
Walking daily helps
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Another important personal quality exercise gives you is humility
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So much of the modern world is driven by ego. Getting the most likes, retweets, comments or what ever. That whole thing people do when they say "I have more followers than you so I must be right". The thing is that if you make some "content" and no one likes it then it ultimately doesn't matter.
When I got on my rowing machine this morning I was meant to do 5 x 1000m intervals. I thought to myself "This is going to be easy, I am good at this." Then I went off to fast for the first three intervals and barely finished the fourth and didn't even start the fifth. The erg kicked my ass.
25 years ago I used to box a bit. I was a terrible boxer, too slow on my feet basically. I could punch really hard though. I only went to the boxing gym as it was the closest place to my house. The trainer would ring me up and say something like "We have a new guy who reckons he can take a punch, come round and knock him on his arse a few times"
When you have given your all and exercise has kicked your arse you have two choices. The first is to just quit. Walk away. Pretend it never happened. Lie to yourself you are still great at what you do. The second is to learn. To recognise you failed. To work out why you failed. To analyse yourself. To be humble.
Now take that humility and apply it to other areas of your life.
| 5 |
Martial arts and running has helped me stay grounded
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I’ve been suffering from depression and anxious thoughts for a good portion of my life. However, once I started training Muay Thai at my local MMA gym, things really fell into place. You work up such a good sweat and have no choice but to be present in the moment. I have no time for gloomy rumination when I’m hitting pads and sparring. All of the stress, anger and sadness just melts away. I’m by no means naturally gifted but I’ve noticed tangible improvements in my technique, appearance, reflexes, flexibility and confidence. Everyone, from the pro fighters to the average joes I train with are always so supportive and have great insight and advice to pass on. It’s nice to have a sense of community when I want to shut out the world.
In the days between classes I’ve been going on runs for roadwork to improve my stamina. I used to hate running with a passion, my heart would be pounding out of my chest, the stitches were awful, my legs would give out and I was easily winded. But after some time I’ve learned to love the feeling of focusing on my breath, my stride and just putting one foot in front of the other. I can’t say it’s been a cure all and I’ve been tempted by my old coping mechanisms. But by god, it sure helps. If you’re curious about picking up a martial art, take the plunge.
| 50 |
We have talked about the mental health pressures elite sportspeople endure. Sol Campbell has had abuse hurled at him for years.
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Mother's last words to me were "For f**'s sake would you just let yourself be happy son?"
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So basically for most of my adult life I was an alcoholic shitshow until I discovered running. I eventually gave up drinking altogether and went on an almost 7 year streak of running every day until November 2021 when my mother died after only 7 weeks of terminal cancer. It was traumatising as I'd lost both a mother and my lifelong friend and wasn't fully ready for the full impact it would have upon me.
I stopped running the Monday after her funeral and I went into mental lockdown. I stopped going out. I gained 50lbs over the course of a year and was becoming a shadow of my former self really. There wasn't much hope and any time I tried to run I just compared myself to how I was before. It was sad and it basically felt like it was all over for me. Life was becoming darker and my only joy was food and that just kept feeding into a shitty cycle I couldn't break.
In September I was put on some quite powerful anti-depressants by my doctor around this time but these made me catatonic and unable to function at work, so in sheer desperation I booked a one-way flight to Vienna (I can work remotely so hoped to inspire some form of change with a change of scenery). I ended up in Spain a month later and started walking again. Walking became running here and there and I kept finding "pieces" of my old self in places I'd never been before.
Now as of January 2023 I've used my exercise bike every single day for a total of 600km. I've been walking every day and I'm coupling those walks with some running as well (I was previously big into ultra marathons so I was always more interested about distance over speed). I'm using the Apple Watch and closing my rings every day aiming for a 500 calories, 60 minutes of any activity and 10 active hours).
I've still a lot of that weight to lose but it feels like I've sprung the depression trap with the Apple Watch rings, daily cycling and now daily walk/running, I've one year to go tomorrow until I'm 40 and by 40 I will be in the best shape of my life because I've been through that darkness and I'm not going back there.
Do not become complacent with your fitness and mental health. You do not know what's around the corner and a few lapses could be enough to destabilise your life to the point of no return. I'd been running every day sure, but still had the shitty diet and few other outlets beyond that form of exercise. I've started a healthy diet and I'm also drumming too and I'm working on mindfulness as well as learning Spanish every day (as a thank you to the country that reinvigorated/saved my life)
Just saying that if you do get an opportunity to make your life better, grasp it. Start small and grow as much as you can away from the darkness.
Mother's last words to me were "For fuck's sake would you just let yourself be happy son?" (she was a working class Belfast woman who swore between swears, even at the end) and for 12 months I'd felt I'd been letting her down.
Now that's changing.
| 193 |
Anyone else feel lower mood after exercising?
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This might be the wrong subreddit, as I don't suffer from depression, but I get an extremely low mood after exercising... The more exercise I do, the worse I feel (panic attacks/unable to get out of bed at the worse end)
I usually endure the low mood for the other benefits of exercise (body feeling fitter, more awake, can do more, etc).
Does anyone else feel like this? I'm naturally quite a thin person/don't eat too much, so thought it might be blood sugar related, but I make sure to eat loads after exercising and still get this.
Mentioned it to my doctor - they couldn't find a reason, didn't seem too concerned.
Any advice?
| 9 |
I did it! I went on an early morning run!
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I keep getting into different fitness things then falling out when I have a depressive episode. I haven't exercised in a while but this morning I went on a run! I ran for 30 minutes and was fucking dying the whole time. But it kinda also felt good. Getting comfortable running clothes made a big difference...
You can do it! I believe in you!
| 114 |
A good article on the ongoing debate in science about what causes depression and what depression actually is - Quanta Magazine.
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Birdsong boosts mental wellbeing for 90% of people, UK poll finds - reported in the Guardian
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To the people complaining about the "we're just hot and sad" post
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In case you are not aware that image and post title is a common meme / joke across the net. I am sure when it was posted it was meant as a joke.
As for saying it breaks the "prime directive" of this sub not being a place to come together and complain and moan. I have been a mod her for I think about 8 or 9 years. Many of the posts that are not links to studies etc fall into these categories.
* How do I start? I am too depressed to even think about exercise
* I have stopped exercising because my depression is too bad.
* Exercise *makes* me depressed
* How long to I see an effect
* I am anxious about starting exercise
You can scroll back a month or two and see this pattern for yourself. I have over eight years worth in my head. Trust me there are very few happy success stories posted here.
What makes EOOD different in my view is that the responses to these types of post does not become a pity party where everyone says "I am the same, I don't know why I even bother" or words to that effect. Instead people post thoughtful, helpful comments about how they overcame similar situations and wish the OP well.
Take a look at the comments on a [post today](https://www.reddit.com/r/EOOD/comments/10lc4rd/i_cant_find_the_motivation_to_begin/) for examples of what I am talking about.
If you feel you have to gatekeep what this sub is about based on what you want it to be then feel free to try the shark tank thats /r/fitness or cesspool thats /fit/ on 8chan or perhaps set up /r/EOODshitposting or what ever floats your boat.
| 42 |
Genes Common to Different Species Found to Be Connected to the Development of Depression.
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A few days ago I posted the track 'Sick Boi' by Ren. This one is called 'Hi Ren'. The same content warnings apply to this one. This is the closest a song has come to describing mental illness that I have ever heard.
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Exercised myself back into depression…
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I suffer bad anxiety and depression, and running used to be my outlet. I would literally “run away from my problems”. If I was having a bad day, sometimes an intense 10 mile run around the lake would make me feel better. My terrible feelings would fuel my runs, the crappier I felt the more I would feel like running it off.
I also enjoyed hiking and walking everywhere and had some opportunities to hike abroad last year. I then noticed that I was getting really bad knee pain over a few months, and thought physical therapy would help. After three months of physical therapy, my knee pain did not get any better. I recently got an MRI and got diagnosed with “runners knee”. The cause was most likely overuse and bad running mechanics.
Now I feel lost, I work from home now and am isolated in the suburbs. Running was my way of getting some sunlight especially in the seasonal depression months and I can barely walk outside without getting so much pain. I can’t seem to motivate myself to exercise indoors. I am going through a big loss and can no longer use running as an outlet and feel very isolated from any sense of community. I feel hopeless and my job feels dead end and nothing feels hopeful in my life anymore.
Thank you for reading.
| 57 |
Antidepressants can cause ‘emotional blunting’ - reported in the Guardian
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Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Nightmares
|
Hello,
We are currently recruiting individuals to participate on a voluntary basis in our research study exploring the relationship between nightmares and mental health.
The study is open to everyone who is over the age of 16 and a fluent English speaker. You do not need to have experienced nightmares and mental health difficulties to participate. The study is a series of questionnaires which will take no longer than 25 minutes to complete. The questions will address depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, if these subject areas may be upsetting to you, we strongly advise that you do not participate. If you choose to participate and are negatively impacted by the study, you can stop the questionnaire at any time. Any answers you provide in the study will remain completely confidential.
If you would like to participate, please follow the link below. You will be directed to the information sheet, consent form and the questionnaires.
[https://chester.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/actnightmares](https://chester.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/actnightmares)
| 1 |
The most annoying thing about having to take a walk every day for your mental health...
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Gyms are getting more and more expensive. Here are some cheap or free alternatives. Its mainly aimed at Brits so if anyone has some tips from where they are add them in the comments.
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LPT: If you feel self conscious at the gym because everybody else seems to be much fitter than you, focus on how much you're helping the next unfit person who walks through those doors, as they won't feel so out of place.
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Easy Meals for Depressive Episodes?
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My energy levels are next to nothing during my worst episodes. Any advice on how to avoid resorting to fast food during these periods would be appreciated. I'm underweight so calories are not a concern.
| 9 |
Great podcast on movement and mental health
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I listened to this a few weeks ago and instantly thought of this sub. It's maybe some review for what we all know and focus on here, but if you're like me, also find motivation and encouragement from hearing information presented in different ways with science- and evidence- based discussion. But I found plenty of new insights and nuggets of wisdom!
[Good Life Project podcast: Move your body, ease your mind - with Dr. Jennifer Heisz](https://www.goodlifeproject.com/podcast/dr-jennifer-heisz-move-your-body-ease-your-mind/)
Be well friends, and MOVE YA BODIES! 🤘😁
| 3 |
I don't get out of bed or do anything but I don't feel completely depressed, what is it?
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I genuinely don't know what's happening to me anymore. The first thing is my sleep. I CANNOT wake up and stay up no matter what I do. I've tried apps, loud alarms, people calling me to wake me up etc... It's gotten to the point where I can half wake up, resolve the math equations on my phone or scan the bar code for the app and fall back asleep or find a way to turn my phone off *without remembering it*. No matter if I get up, put water on my face, look at my phone, I will fall back asleep until it's the afternoon. And when I do get out of bed, I simply don't do anything other than looking at my computer or phone for hours. I've tried DOZENS of time to snap out of it, to just do something, but it's like an addiction, I always end up falling asleep, watching something dumb or scrolling.
It's gotten to a point where I'm late in all my assignments at uni, I don't reach out to anyone or talk to my friends anymore and I don't do anything I'm supposed to do, no matter how vital or important it is for my well being and future. For some reason I just can't seem to do what I need to get done.
I eat once a day and it's enough since I'm asleep most of it. I haven't been out or talked to anyone in days. I haven't reached out to my friends or family. I only do things that bring me immediate pleasure and that's it. I think I'm addicted to the hormone in my brain that produces instant pleasure if that's a thing but despite knowing that and having a plan to deal with it, I instantly fall back into my bad habits. I've had that tendency for months and even years if I dare say it. I feel bad and I'm not doing okay now because obviously I'm not getting out of my room, talking to anyone and my life is crumbling down because I'm late for everything but I wouldn't say I'm depressed. I've been depressed before and it wasn't like that. I don't want to die, nor do I wake up with the feeling that everything's never gonna be okay etc... I find pleasure in doing things that I like. If I'm being social with people I'll feel really happy and content - though lately since I haven't been interacting as much my social skills aren't as good and it's been a bit harder.
What's going on? Does anybody have any idea? I know I'm probably not depressed but then again nothing else explains it. I've been thinking I'm just lazy for months but the thing is, it feels like I genuinely CANNOT do what I need to do. I've really tried to get back on track for months but I end up not doing anything for days. I had an appointment with a therapist yesterday and I couldn't even attend it, even if it was online and *I don't know why*. I missed it, and all I had to do was press the button to connect but it feels like I couldn't face it. If it's not depression what is it? I'm lost.
| 33 |
Ren - Sick Boi. One of the best songs about mental health I have heard. Content Warning - Practically everything, blood, extreme images, language, you name it, its got it. Don't watch if you are not 100%
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interesting study about hiit
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Spending time in green spaces helps reduce peoples dependency on medication for mental health issues. - Reported in the Guardian
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TED talk on the benefits of exercise improving your mind and body.
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My right trapezius is constantly tense, I assume from anxiety. I have to consciously relax it. My left is significantly weaker.
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My right side is my dominant side, and one of my jobs is labour intensive which means I do a lot of lifting etc, with this side of my body. However, I’ve noticed I’m creating an imbalance in my shoulders, one sits higher than the other and the right side is noticeably stronger than the other. I also notice I’m super tense all the time because I’m anxious, but now it’s happening unconsciously. How can I remedy this?
I’d also like to develop some sort of daily routine to move my body. I can go for a walk but it lacks stimulation for my brain. I have this image of me with some muscles and some definition in my body but instead I am just average, and out of shape. I don’t want to be ripped. I just want to be comfortable in my skin.
| 4 |
If my time is limited is it better to do gym or run for 30 minutes to help against depression?
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Some days my time is limited and I can only do one thing. Is a 1 hour gym session with lifting and no walking or running for 30 minutes better? I am thinking in terms of anxiety and mental despair.
Would I be correct in assuming the running might be better? for the brain
| 36 |
Different people respond to different types of "motivational" content.
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"Motivational" content amuses me and perplexes me in equal measure. You get the Marine Corps DI "YOU ARE ON THE WARPATH, THE PATH TO WAR" types and the "Celebrate your body" scented candle type things.
The psychology behind both of these is pretty basic really. Men are meant to jump to attention and yell "SIR, YES SIR" and give the DI twenty the instant they hear something like the WAR PATH content. Its perfectly valid of course as it does work for a given value of work. People like Dave Goggins and CT Fletcher have made careers out of it.
Obviously the more gentle side of things is aimed mainly at women. They are meant to respond better to gentle encouragement and take time to reflect and observe their bodies. Again psychology 101 stuff. Gwyneth Paltrow has made millions from this sort of stuff.
I think though that yes while both ends of the spectrum do work most of us are more in the middle most of the time. I know I will play CT Fletcher yelling "CHOOSE YE THIS DAY, WHAT SHALL IT BE, BEAST OR BITCH" at times before a workout to get me going. At the same time if I break a PB I take time to pause, reflect and celebrate.
What I think is unhealthy is sticking to one end of the spectrum all the time. Both of them lead to problems. You can't emulate Dave Goggins 100%. There are only a few people on the planet capable of that. Likewise you can't have the perfect influencer lifestyle, that stuff costs a fortune for a start.
We all need motivation. Choose your motivation wisely. Mix and match to suit the situation.
| 16 |
A 5 minute workout that covers the basics pretty well - from The Guardian
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A study which shows that jump rope after maths lessons improves cognitive enhancement. The same effect was not observed when cycling or rowing. Could jiggling up and down help with brain development?
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Anyone else just walk and walk or keep moving virtually all waking hours for a while?
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I’m thinking that just walking non-stop in my down time is better than sitting around lazily ruminating and procrastinating all things that need done.
At least this way I can burn calories and tire myself out. Seems out of balance walking 3 or more hours a day, but so is sitting around feeling down.
Low key forest gump is channeling me right now.
| 6 |
Exercise making me depressed?
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I had to start exercising for health reasons and it honestly ruined my mood. I was in a fairly OK place after a depression a couple of years ago that eventually went away on its own, and had to start exercising because of some health complications of sedentarism.
My life is now either the pain and bad feeling of torturing myself running/lifting/cardio in the gym or the anxiety that today is my rest day but tomorrow I will have to go to that torture place again. I honestly can't cope with the idea of a life where it is considered normal to have to do this every week for the rest of my life with no end point in sight where I can put this exercise bullshit behind me.
Sorry for the rant.
| 41 |
You might want to check your Strava account and your bank balance. Apparently Strava are increasing charges and not telling customers.
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Another reason to exercise, you will benefit later in life. George Sagar is a 83 year old powerhouse.
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All U.S. veterans in suicidal crisis will be eligible for free care from next Tuesday
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There are now over 90 000 subscribers to /r/EOOD!
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I have been active on this sub for about 8 years now. When I first found it by hitting the "show me a random sub" link I knew I found the place for me. Back then there were about seven or eight thousand subscribers.
There are now over 90 000 people cheering you on when you EOOD. Every step of the way.
| 34 |
How long does it take to feel improvement in mood
|
Hello
I recently started swimming, roughly every 2-3 days, while my mood feels better immediately after swimming, it goes back to feeling pi$$ed off every morning, no motivation, anxiety, cortisol, insomnia.
I have had major stressors for years, that I have tried to tackle, and can do nothing about,, property, financial, legal.
For now, I must come to terms with them.
For several years I was so unmotivated, I stayed indoors, socially isolated, saw no point in anything, which is heartbreaking as I have artistic, writing, and singing talents, that I don't want to waste, I am 56.
I lost 7st in weight, I stand 5'4", so, not a good look, but I have put that back on now.
The stress started to give me diarrhoea a year ago.
Sometimes I even cancel my swimming bookings even though I know they are good for me.
A really cruel negative part of me is saying "Your life will be ruined because of the property/financial errors you made, and so will others lives be ruined, STAY IN BED, NO POINT IN GETTING UP!"
Short of suicide, which I am definitely against, I feel like I am just existing.
How long does it take for insomnia and low mood to go please?
| 30 |
I have massive work anxiety. I can’t stop perseverating about it. Will exercising help me get better? I can’t keep doing this.
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Work is so hard, and there’s so many mean customers. I work at a call center, and it’s quite terrible. I’m new here, only been on the floor for about 3 months. They say it’ll get better but it hasn’t gotten better yet. Will exercising help me? I feel like it won’t, my anxiety is so strong. Please help me.
| 51 |
Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open with concerns for her mental health. We don't have to do anything if it makes our mental health worse.
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Solidarity post for those of us going outside in the cold winter
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Hey, just wanted to put this out there—if you’re cold and don’t want to go outside, I get it. I try to get outside every day but sometimes it’s a big hurdle and maybe it is for you too.
But we can do this. And if we can’t make it out every day then maybe just try today and see how it goes. Rooting for you.
| 19 |
Cardio for PTSD?
|
Main complaint: visual snow/light sensitivity
Other: digestive issues, headaches, fatigue
Always lifted weights and sometimes competitively. Lifelong CPTSD and 4 years ago got PTSD. since then my physical health has been horrible.
Has anyone had similar issues helped by exercise, specially cardio and yoga, meditation? Would love hopeful stories.
| 3 |
Why does exercise make me depressed?
|
I love exercising, it's a very satisfying activity. People say it's difficult and stuff but it's not at all difficult. Except whenever I think about exercising or while doing it and after, I get these burst of depression. For some reason when I think of exercise my brain goes to "life is meaningless", "nothing in life is worth it" etc.
Other than when exercising, I control my depression well but the specific exercise-related depression I get is extremely intrusive and also very powerful. And I get this depression right after initiating any kind of physical activity. I have good physical energy.
Why does this happen? What can I do?
I really want to exercise routinely for around 1-2 hours daily (I won't push my limits) without feeling miserable. Please help, I love exercising.
​
| 5 |
Exercise with a migraine
|
[Edit **DO NOT DM ME with suggestions about headache fixes.** You don't have to read the whole thing, but at least read the first paragraph before commenting, please]
I'm really up and down with my exercise journey in part because I get frequent migraines. *(my whole family on both sides get them, I've been dealing with it my whole life,* **please no unsolicited advice about the headaches** *)* This post is to write out something I've been trying recently to manage this.
I get on a roll and just start to feel good about establishing an exercise schedule and sticking to it, and up pops a debilitating headache that prevents me from doing my planned workout that day, sometimes for several days or even weeks at a time. Since my exercise habit is so newly established, it can't weather a multi-day interruption, so it feels as hard as starting from scratch when the headaches finally subside.
What I've started to do is build in a Plan B (Plan M?) into my exercise routine:
- If no headache, do Plan A target workout
- If mild headache and/or migraine warning signs, do modified Plan A workout which is some combination of gentler overall or skips the specific exercises I know are most likely to exacerbate my headaches
- If (near or actually) debilitating headache, do whichever feels most manageable of the following:
-> roll out yoga mat in a dark room and breathe carefully for 15 minutes;
-> do some very gentle, headache-accommodating yoga;
-> take a shower with only the nightlight on and focus on the warm droplets massaging my scalp and shoulders;
-> very slowly and carefully collect my workout clothes/gear and fold them into a nice neat pile to be used next time I feel like I can;
-> make a mug of tea, focusing on my hand movements, slowly sniff the steam as it cools, then slowly roll the tea around my mouth once it's cool enough to sip
As I write these out I realize I basically sub a mindfulness practice for my physical workout on the days I'm not up to the movement. I'm declaring that it counts!
Either way, I am adhering to my plan and am continuing to build the consistency of habitual exercise even if the "exercise" requires significant modification to be achievable.
So far it has at least been far less discouraging when I hit a major migraine roadbump, and feels a lot less like starting from scratch trying to resume my physical work out routine.
I hope this helps someone else, and please wish me luck on sticking to my exercise "routine".
| 22 |
My personal word of the year is "Overwhelming"
|
You know how it goes. Every year the Oxford Dictionary here in the UK or Websters in the USA has its word of the year. I think this years here in the UK was "goblin mode". OK thats two, anyway.
I think I get overwhelmed more easily now. Loud noisy environments, several people talking at once, trying to keep a lot of information in my head at the same time, trying to "multitask", doing little fiddly tasks that have a high chance of going wrong, all of these just use up my mental capacity and before I know it I am either raging or crying or both.
For me at least exercise helps. If I can do some tough cardio for about half an hour I feel better. I can get on my rowing machine and just *sweat* for a while. I can obliterate my mind, all I can focus on is the display on the machine telling me how long I have left to go. I get off the machine literally dripping in sweat but my mind is reset.
Of course the problem with all of this is that I can't just do that when I need it. I can't just jump on my rowing machine when things are confusing and overwhelming me at work. I work from home and the machine is literally next to my desk but I can't take 30 minutes plus a shower out of my day.
Does anyone have any other ideas? I have tried meditation and it does help but I am never consistent enough with it. I used to get a lot of benefit from t'ai chi but I have let that slide as I don't have space to do a full form at home. Archery helps too as it forces me to focus but again I can't just stop what I am doing and pick up a bow and arrows.
| 23 |
Sleeping better ever since I started “working out”
|
I struggle with sleep, which is actually the root of the a lot of my problems. Ya know, the classic “do you have trouble falling asleep or sleep too little or too much?” question on depression questionnaires. I have usually had issues with all three.
I don’t really “work out” but I go on a walk at night + job with moderate exercise means I get about 9k-11k steps a day. I’ve had a MUCH easier time falling asleep ever since I stopped rotting on the couch all day. I still sleep in too late but it’s easier for me to wake up at a proper time now than before.
Im starting my next college semester soon so the sleep is a huge thing for me, because my sleeping schedule was a huge factor in me performing badly last time.
As of now I’m down 32 pounds (almost out of the overweight BMI!!) and sleeping a bit better. I’m feeling more hopeful about my next semester than I have in a really long time.
| 92 |
using the gym to cope with depression / loneliness
|
ive been lifting for a few years but only recently did i start to lift purely to combat feelings of depression/loneliness
it helps a little but i hate the fact that i'm human and have to recover otherwise i'd be training all day. honestly the gym is my only form of escape from feeling worthless
is it bad to use the gym to cope?
| 15 |
Getting to the gym/pool: lowering barrier
|
Hi all,
Throwaway account here. I've recently picked up swimming as a near-daily activity, but I'm new to this going-to-the-gym thing.
I have depression and one thing I struggle with is what I call "activation energy", like in chemistry, where getting to the activity is much harder than the activity itself. When I'm feeling fatigued the effort of preparing to go to a place or unpack after a place can easily overwhelm me and can outweigh the feeling of wanting to do something. (This is a common depression thing - I look at something and I see all the individual steps to do a thing instead of broadly just being able to do the thing. At my worst I'm unable to convince myself to put on a jacket and shoes and go outside because that feels like too much work, even though I want to be outside.) Plus, the stuff taking up space in my bathroom bothers me a little.
How can I make the barrier of getting to/from the pool as small as possible? I have no problems swimming once I'm there.
After swimming:
* Rinse goggles, swim cap, bathing suit in shower; hand-squeeze suit dry; pack in plastic grocery bag
* Pack shower/pool deck flip flops in another plastic bag
* Pack both plastic bags in duffel bag
* Leave. Carry wet towel.
At home:
* Hang up bathing suit, towel, wet bag on shower curtain rod
* Hang up wet towel on towel bar
* Wipe down/dry swim cap; put cap and goggles on a washcloth to dry next to bathroom sink
* Pull out flip flops and bag, prop it open to dry on bathroom floor
* Pull out water bottle, leave in kitchen
* Leave duffel in front of coat closet door (floor of closet is taken up)
Basically, I have stuff all over my bathroom - at least I'm not showering there because I'm using the gym shower. I don't have anywhere else to hang it up to dry and all this hanging up feels like Tetris to my tired brain. This does not spark joy. The unpacking routine feels like its own event, rather than something I do without thinking about it, but I know I need to do it in order to take care of my equipment and have dry stuff for future me.
Before swimming:
* Find bathing suit (easy right now since I only have one and it's drying on my curtain rod), put it on/pack it in duffel
* Pack cap, goggles, towel, flip flops
* Fill up water bottle (if I remember), pack
* Go to gym
My depression backup plan is to fall back to the workouts I was doing that have a lower barrier to/from said workouts. That said, I've found swimming to be really helpful with my overall mood, and I enjoy swimming, and I have to pay money to go to the pool - so I'd love to keep it up as much as possible.
Do you have any hacks to simplify getting to/from the pool? Much appreciated, thank you!
| 31 |
Feeling like shit
|
I probably know that many ppl experience and what i am about to comment is the same but I just wanna get this out of mind because I'm so frustrated at this point and I dk what to do about it . I just feel like sad/depressed im also not sure but this feeling been here for quite some time and it sucks.Although, it has gotten better slightly overtime but it feel like 1 step forward and 2 step back. I have a healthy diet like the 80/20 where mostly is clean and a bit of dirty food. I also exercise 6 times a week at the gym and while at gym i don feel like this because im like in zone and all i think about it pushing the weights up and constantly improving but when i m back , it just starts again and no matter what i do , it just doesn seem to go away this feeling . I have frens but i rarely hang out with them as all of us are occupied with our lives and in term of my relationship im single but i messing around tinder tryin for fun but i don think that the reason or it is because im alone most of the time so i feel lonely which causes me to be sad because i have no social interaction and attention ??? But i do enjoy my time alone where i do stuff i enjoy like playin games or reading books but it I just feel like a part of me feels so empty and lost and stuck in this looping cycle i cannot seem to figured out what am i lacking to not feel this why. I wanna feel like what i feel in the gym 247.
| 16 |
Did cardio for like 3 weeks straight
|
Did cardio for so long now I'm always tired and my shins hurt when I put too much pressure on them.
I feel like I'm chronically carefree now because my mind is too tired to make up bullshit to worry about and it hurts to think LOL.
Yesterday I realized that my brain is indiscriminately negative. I could take a random word out of the dictionary and it could find something negative about it so now I see my mind for what it is and as a result I feel so much better because whenever my brain starts doing it, I can just watch it do it lol
| 87 |
What are some healthy hobbies to do when not exercising? For rest days to fill the empty void.
|
With the New Year, one thing I've noticed is I often injure myself by working out too much or doing too much of one activity. I want to learn new hobbies and learn new things to do. So I propose the question to you, what are some healthy hobbies you do besides working out?
| 61 |
Start New Year with EOOD
|
So I intended to start the new year with EOOD again after having slacked for a while. Yesterday I did two walks that were over an hour each so yay! It helped that the weather was just gorgeous yesterday here, sunny and nice and warm. Today I woke up with mild nausea - some stomach bug that various members of my family have caught - I did not want to give up on exercise all together, so I tried a very simple yoga but once I got to downward dog about 10 minutes into it I could not go on. I am thinking to also try a short slow walk but if that does not work then I will call it a valiant attempt for now.
How about your start of the year EOOD? How is it going so far?
| 11 |
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