Anyone use exercise instead of drugs

[Ross]

Been suffering from depression a few years. Didn't touch tablets at start then went on for a short period but just made me a zombie. I didn't leave the home and pilled on a load of weight.
So watching Tyson fury's amazing comeback some of his stuff hit home about training instead of tablets as when I trained regular before I was great mentally.
Now even though Tyson got big he never fully lost his fitness being a world champ just a year prior so his training was of course more extreme with mountain runs etc. U can't compare ur own training with a pro heavyweight world champ but we can all do something
I was fat a f**k hadn't even left my home in 2 years so no chance of jumping straight in a gym.
But we can all walk. I've been walking daily and 100% works for me. I don't do tablets. However I don't have anyone dragging me out and with it being winter and dark early and my sleep crap some days I don't make it out and a day can quickly turn into a week of me feeling shit again but I always manage to I've self kick up arse to go again.
I walk anything from 14k to half a marathon (21k) a day so takes 2.5- 4 hrs depending on routes and don't rush I just listen to music and zone out.
I've dropped over 6.5stone (just over 90lbs ) in 6 months so will easily be over 100lbs by Xmas is the pro side on the physically look and I joint a fat club (slimming works) they think my progress is great but at present I couldn't care about look or the numbers feeling my brain return to normal after fried it briefly with meds etc feels great.
Was anyone else inspired by Tyson fury's story ?

 

[BPD_LE]

Amazing! I'm trying to exercise more but struggling. Do you have any tips?

 

[Susannah]

I excersise a lot, maybe too much. It helps both for my physical pain, and makes me less depressed. Unfortunately, it only relieves when I'm training. When resting, it all comes back. Training also takes time, and it's difficult to combine with a job, so when I work, I have to use more drugs than when I'm not working. I do streching, circle/cardio workout, strength training, dancing, boxing, but I hate running. I go to the gym sometimes, but mostly I workout at home, playing loud music. I have made big posters with different excersises to hang around in my appartement, to motivate me. I use rubber band a lot.

 

[Santiago]

The high after a workout definitely resembles that of a drug. It's great, but it's often a matter of finding the strength to actually go out and do it.

 

[Final Escape]

I use drugs and exercise. Exercise helps but drugs make my depressing life more tolerable.

 

[mattwitt]

Walking helped me lose 43 lbs. after hitting a plateau. Altogether I was just recently down 92 lbs. from my all time high. If your looking for more motivation look up David Goggins and check out his YT channel pm me if you ever want to chat about diet, exercise, and motivational stuff.

 

[TotallyIsolated]

Antidepressants are a shitshow, but they can help. It can take a long time and a great deal of patience to find one that works, but if you have a doctor overseeing it then just follow their directions and hope for the best.

Exercise makes me feel MUCH worse because its just something to fail at and feel self-conscious about. Trying to go for walk with friends is enough to reduce me to tears. I dont even try.

 

[AlexM]

Today I started swimming and made my first kilometer. Really liked. I love walking but when I walk unwanted thoughts come and I feel a slight numb in my muscles, and snow fell in my city. My psychotherapist says a good idea to combine meds and exercise.

 

[TheGoodGuy]

I used to but a back injury and throat problem forced me to quit prior to that I smoked a ton of weed, god I miss bodybuilding.

 

[Rollo]

Been suffering from depression a few years. Didn't touch tablets at start then went on for a short period but just made me a zombie. I didn't leave the home and pilled on a load of weight.
So watching Tyson fury's amazing comeback some of his stuff hit home about training instead of tablets as when I trained regular before I was great mentally.
Now even though Tyson got big he never fully lost his fitness being a world champ just a year prior so his training was of course more extreme with mountain runs etc. U can't compare ur own training with a pro heavyweight world champ but we can all do something
I was fat a f**k hadn't even left my home in 2 years so no chance of jumping straight in a gym.
But we can all walk. I've been walking daily and 100% works for me. I don't do tablets. However I don't have anyone dragging me out and with it being winter and dark early and my sleep crap some days I don't make it out and a day can quickly turn into a week of me feeling shit again but I always manage to I've self kick up arse to go again.
I walk anything from 14k to half a marathon (21k) a day so takes 2.5- 4 hrs depending on routes and don't rush I just listen to music and zone out.
I've dropped over 6.5stone (just over 90lbs ) in 6 months so will easily be over 100lbs by Xmas is the pro side on the physically look and I joint a fat club (slimming works) they think my progress is great but at present I couldn't care about look or the numbers feeling my brain return to normal after fried it briefly with meds etc feels great.
Was anyone else inspired by Tyson fury's story ?

90lbs in 6 months is nice. I'm currently melting my fat as well. I would loose 3kg a week, walking 20km everyday plus strength training. Then at the end of each cycle I have a feast and gain about 2kg in 1.5 days. It's crazy how quickly fat bounces back. Yesterday I walked 26km, plus as usual I sprinted for traffic lights and last 3 km walked with a 5kg groceries bag, making my trapezius hurting. Felt like an exhausted horse, but still good. Then as usual at the of the cycle had feast and smoked some bud (retrieving it this same day from where dealer hid it was an adventure in itself, place was near appartment complex, felt like a spy, watching for people, cops etc). So this morning I was plus a kilo (compared to previous morning). 26km? Pfff, gone like in a magic trick. And I'm still going for MCdonalds today, Caesar wrap and fries is a must. So keeping the gain is a big challenge to me

I excersise a lot, maybe too much. It helps both for my physical pain, and makes me less depressed. Unfortunately, it only relieves when I'm training. When resting, it all comes back. Training also takes time, and it's difficult to combine with a job, so when I work, I have to use more drugs than when I'm not working. I do streching, circle/cardio workout, strength training, dancing, boxing, but I hate running. I go to the gym sometimes, but mostly I workout at home, playing loud music. I have made big posters with different excersises to hang around in my appartement, to motivate me. I use rubber band a lot.

Yeah running can be painful. When this cardio exhaustion sets in it's not pleasant. Each week I would only once run 350m at average speed and would also sprint hard for traffic lights. Actually sprinting at max speed for 10-20 seconds feels great. Cardio is a big thing, although I would rather work it up on a gym bag, just don't have access to one at the moment. I do deadlifts with a trap bar with 75kg on. Currently at 28 reps but my heart gets exhausted faster then my back muscles, so I can't exhaust them to the max it seems. I stop when I feel my heart is about to explode. I play it safe here.

 

[Hank]

Been suffering from depression a few years. Didn't touch tablets at start then went on for a short period but just made me a zombie. I didn't leave the home and pilled on a load of weight.
So watching Tyson fury's amazing comeback some of his stuff hit home about training instead of tablets as when I trained regular before I was great mentally.
Now even though Tyson got big he never fully lost his fitness being a world champ just a year prior so his training was of course more extreme with mountain runs etc. U can't compare ur own training with a pro heavyweight world champ but we can all do something
I was fat a f**k hadn't even left my home in 2 years so no chance of jumping straight in a gym.
But we can all walk. I've been walking daily and 100% works for me. I don't do tablets. However I don't have anyone dragging me out and with it being winter and dark early and my sleep crap some days I don't make it out and a day can quickly turn into a week of me feeling shit again but I always manage to I've self kick up arse to go again.
I walk anything from 14k to half a marathon (21k) a day so takes 2.5- 4 hrs depending on routes and don't rush I just listen to music and zone out.
I've dropped over 6.5stone (just over 90lbs ) in 6 months so will easily be over 100lbs by Xmas is the pro side on the physically look and I joint a fat club (slimming works) they think my progress is great but at present I couldn't care about look or the numbers feeling my brain return to normal after fried it briefly with meds etc feels great.
Was anyone else inspired by Tyson fury's story ?

I never used drugs. Well except for alcohol. I run with my dog every day. Not long distances, but max 6 to 10 km. I think that drugs won't help, but only suppress feelings. And when they return, it will get even worse. It's better to deal with it spiritually, by meditation or yoga, and physically by doing exercise. humans are not meant to sit on a chair or the couch all day.

You are doing a good thing with your physical exercise. Combine it with some spiritual exercise, and you will do even better. Keep it up!

 

[TimeToBiteTheDust]

Yes. I run and swim. Makes me feel happy but only lasts a few hours lol

 

[fightingsioux]

Been suffering from depression a few years. Didn't touch tablets at start then went on for a short period but just made me a zombie. I didn't leave the home and pilled on a load of weight.
So watching Tyson fury's amazing comeback some of his stuff hit home about training instead of tablets as when I trained regular before I was great mentally.
Now even though Tyson got big he never fully lost his fitness being a world champ just a year prior so his training was of course more extreme with mountain runs etc. U can't compare ur own training with a pro heavyweight world champ but we can all do something
I was fat a f**k hadn't even left my home in 2 years so no chance of jumping straight in a gym.
But we can all walk. I've been walking daily and 100% works for me. I don't do tablets. However I don't have anyone dragging me out and with it being winter and dark early and my sleep crap some days I don't make it out and a day can quickly turn into a week of me feeling shit again but I always manage to I've self kick up arse to go again.
I walk anything from 14k to half a marathon (21k) a day so takes 2.5- 4 hrs depending on routes and don't rush I just listen to music and zone out.
I've dropped over 6.5stone (just over 90lbs ) in 6 months so will easily be over 100lbs by Xmas is the pro side on the physically look and I joint a fat club (slimming works) they think my progress is great but at present I couldn't care about look or the numbers feeling my brain return to normal after fried it briefly with meds etc feels great.
Was anyone else inspired by Tyson fury's story ?

Love Tyson Fury, not only because of his backstory but because he has such a great sense of humor! Always clowning around, never takes himself too seriously, reminds me of Muhammad Ali. And the man can sing!

As to your exercise program: incredible, you're the first person I've seen here that talks about exercise instead of drugs, great job!

I was an artist, but also a high school teacher and cross-country coach. Ran in many, many races of all lengths, including marathons.

A good fitness program has three main components, or areas: strength, flexibility, and cardio-vascular.

For strength: some light dumbbells or just push-ups and sit-ups is fine for a beginner. 3 or 4 times a week. Many good weight routines available online.

For flexibility: yoga, tai-chi, dance, or just plain good old-fashioned stretching. As many times per week as you can! Again, many good exercises available online.

For cardio: walking, running, swimming, biking, rowing, etc. Anything that really gets your heart rate up and the sweat flowing. 3 or 4 times a week is fine. I like the fact that you started off just walking, that's exactly the right idea. Many people jump right into running, find it too hard, quit. Just gradually keep increasing your distance and your pace. Eventually, when you feel like it, try just a little bit of running. 400 meters is fine. After a week or two, maybe 800 meters. Keep everything very gradual, keep everything fun!

Two words to keep in mind for running or walking: Regular and Progressive. Regular means to establish a schedule and stick to it. People who say that they exercise when they feel like it or when they have the time have no Program. You've got to have a program, no matter what it is, and stick to it. Progressive means that you've got to keep making your program a bit harder every so often. Either by increasing the distance or the pace or the amount of days you work out, or a combination of those factors.

And finally--to me it goes without saying--keep your overall lifestyle healthy. No cigs, no drugs, alcohol in moderation. Get plenty of sleep. Socialize, read, have intelligent conversations, visit museums, keep your mind strong and alert. If you don't have a special someone now, hopefully fall in love. It may sound silly but it's true: a positive outlook and a positive lifestyle will help with your overall physical fitness, and vice versa!

I've worked with many people who began as overweight, generally unhealthy couch potatoes and wound up running a marathon!

Stick with it, establish goals, have fun!

 

[Ross]

Love Tyson Fury, not only because of his backstory but because he has such a great sense of humor! Always clowning around, never takes himself too seriously, reminds me of Muhammad Ali. And the man can sing!

As to your exercise program: incredible, you're the first person I've seen here that talks about exercise instead of drugs, great job!

I was an artist, but also a high school teacher and cross-country coach. Ran in many, many races of all lengths, including marathons.

A good fitness program has three main components, or areas: strength, flexibility, and cardio-vascular.

For strength: some light dumbbells or just push-ups and sit-ups is fine for a beginner. 3 or 4 times a week. Many good weight routines available online.

For flexibility: yoga, tai-chi, dance, or just plain good old-fashioned stretching. As many times per week as you can! Again, many good exercises available online.

For cardio: walking, running, swimming, biking, rowing, etc. Anything that really gets your heart rate up and the sweat flowing. 3 or 4 times a week is fine. I like the fact that you started off just walking, that's exactly the right idea. Many people jump right into running, find it too hard, quit. Just gradually keep increasing your distance and your pace. Eventually, when you feel like it, try just a little bit of running. 400 meters is fine. After a week or two, maybe 800 meters. Keep everything very gradual, keep everything fun!

Two words to keep in mind for running or walking: Regular and Progressive. Regular means to establish a schedule and stick to it. People who say that they exercise when they feel like it or when they have the time have no Program. You've got to have a program, no matter what it is, and stick to it. Progressive means that you've got to keep making your program a bit harder every so often. Either by increasing the distance or the pace or the amount of days you work out, or a combination of those factors.

And finally--to me it goes without saying--keep your overall lifestyle healthy. No cigs, no drugs, alcohol in moderation. Get plenty of sleep. Socialize, read, have intelligent conversations, visit museums, keep your mind strong and alert. If you don't have a special someone now, hopefully fall in love. It may sound silly but it's true: a positive outlook and a positive lifestyle will help with your overall physical fitness, and vice versa!

I've worked with many people who began as overweight, generally unhealthy couch potatoes and wound up running a marathon!

Stick with it, establish goals, have fun!

Thanks. Cheers for the tips will deffo take on board as yes was about to start including small runs and weights into workouts.
I do need to get more of a routine as I still miss odd days then feel shit . This is something I'm working on but 100% agree needs to be scheduled so it's a plan . Almost "medication time"

 

[ForNow]

i know nothing about Tyson Fury, never heard of him (i don't do sports at all, complete nerd). but your post and this story intrigue me because i have a really bad history with meds and decades with depression and illness. i prefer lifestyle remedies to prescriptions, even though exercise now hurts more thanks to illness. but i also know that exercise provides much-needed solitude for me, and it helps lift my chronic brain fog in ways i no longer understand. i wish it would relieve my pain instead of making it worse, but oh well. i really like your description of how it has helped you physically, especially the weight loss aspect of it (health-wise), without the pounding and competitive hard training that most seem to drawn to. the lure of the long solitary walks has always appealed to me, but i could never find any resources or writings on it from others like me ..... until now. so grateful for this -- thank you. this is refreshing.

 

[Lefty]

I try to work-out, it can be hard at times, and I often want to, but forget, but I try to basic exercises as much as I can. By drugs do you mean anti-depressants or other types of drugs? I have anti-depressants, but I only use them if I really need to. I think some of them can cause weight gain, so it can be a good idea to exercise, if you're using them.

 

[ForNow]

i just want to say, this OP has made a big difference for me. i used to exercise a lot, walking, even jogging, was pretty active before i got sick. it all crashed down after i really started getting sick, the pain, fatigue, everything set in. then depression hit even worse, and i can't even say how many plans for my end i've made, and multiple preparations, journaling about it, how much thought and research i've put into it. there is a reason why i came to this forum, after all.

this is NOT a new concept -- using exercise as medicine. but sometimes the way it's presented, or the approach makes all the difference. and for some reason -- how you presented it, or how i understood your post, just hit me like a lightning bolt. everything i ever understood about exercise what I "had to do" and the "right way to exercise" flew out of my head ...... it all clicked and i had put on my sneakers and walked out the door. and just walked, and walked. and breathed.

the mind training and solitary endurance just clicked in my brain and all the pieces came together. my body followed. I attribute this to muscle memory, as MDD and lupus have robbed me of many things that i used to do regularly, but I feel like i am starting to become human again.

and i've been doing this a few times a day. no purpose, no reason, not trying to accomplish anything. just heading out the door and walking. and it hurts, and i like that it hurts because the pain is different -- i feel alive, in a good way. and i like pushing myself for absolutely no reason, just because I WANT to, and i CAN, and i don't have a reason, and i don't need a reason. it's just what i want to do, in the middle of my mess of a life. and my body still hurts, and i'm still tired as hell -- but i also feel better for it, and I am getting stronger for it also. and i crave going out and walking ..... just walking alone, in the cold, in the snow, in the rain -- i've been doing all of it. i must look like a loon because i start laughing when i'm walking, it makes me giggle ..... but i don't care, because then i feel happy inside.

thank you for giving me this gift. i'm going to take this one as far as i can go.