Going to the gym? Working Out?

[NitrogenAfternoon]

Does anyone have it in them to work out or go to the gym at all? It is always something people recommend for depression, but I cannot push through the workouts itself anymore. I force myself to show up and just a few minutes and I am done. I used to be so much more active, but finding it a lot more difficult now.

 

[Grav]

I was getting back on my routine but I'm in a deep dive so can't motivate to do anything. For me it helps a bit but not to the effect other people experience. It does help with anger as I'm blasting music while lifting.

 

[Jadeith]

Since one of my excuses to waste oxygen is being useful to family members and other close ones, gym is a must. If i'm out of shape - i'm useless. If i'm useless, i do not allow myself to steal oxygen any longer.

 

[missedmybus]

For me going to gym was too big a step at the beginning.

I started off with having gym clothes, sneakers and a bottle of water next to my bed, so I could literally jump out of bed into workout clothes.

The first weeks I would just do stretches and maybe some jumping jacks.

Then I would add pushups.

Then squats. Then crunches/planks.

Then when that became routine, I would add a early morning/late nighttime jog, so there weren't many people around .outside yet.

Then when that became routine I was able to do the same but in normal hours/with people around.

Then after that, I started hitting the gym. I already had built up some conditioning with the previous exercises, and was used to "working out" around people. So I didn't feel so out of place in the gym.

The trick to all of these self improvement things, is to make the barrier to doing them as small as possible, and also to make the effort as small as possible in the beginning.

Small incremental steps, and habit/routine building is the key towards getting where you want to get.

Going from 0-100 generally only causes extra stress, and gives your brain excuses to not do the thing.

 

[purelydaft]

Yeah, it helps structure my days and develop a solid routine that's difficult to deviate from. I like to think it keeps me functional and alleviates symptoms of exhaustion, but doesn't really change much about what's going on inside my head.

 

[ConfusedClouds]

For me its become part of my basic/essential routine. Similar to experiences above, it was built up slowly with just getting basic sessions each week which then once that's routine, gradually more has been added.

There are 2 main motivators I keep up my exercising when struggling with it:

1. The most difficult part is the first few weeks and starting out. So if I miss a week or two then I find my fitness has dipped and I have to drop down my levels and also I ache loads more after. By keeping the basic sessions going, I almost see it as easier to turn up that once and do 'something' (even if it isn't a progression, just a repeat or slight decrease) so that I don't have to face the effort of starting from scratch again.

2. Kind of linking to (1), something I heard years ago that may be total bs physiologically but it works for me psychologically! It takes half as long to lose the fitness that you gain. So if you manage 3 weeks of training, you'd lose the benefits of it after missing 1.5 weeks. So if I keep forcing sessions to start for the first month then I buy myself the ability to miss a week and not lose too much. E.g. if I know I'll be away for a week, then if I get a continuous 4 weeks of sessions in the build up then I shouldn't have to go back to the beginning when I am back - and hopefully not ache too much!

3. The first 3 weeks are the worst, once past this hurdle with routine sessions, things get so much more satisfying where your body has started adapting and getting used to the exercises and numbers suddenly start jumping up.

Good luck, I really hope you are able to get started.

 

[tiredash]

everyone says it releases endorphines and shit. when i was young i used to play basketball for 3 years, went to the gym for 8... never in my life i felt those endoprhines or the "feel good" they are supposed to give. just tiredness

 

[Apathy79]

I used to go alone at midnight to avoid seeing people. But never kept up any consistency. And didn't really enjoy it. Now I go to group classes and enjoy it more, despite being an extreme introvert. Its a good environment - noone judges and you get nice comments about progress, or even just showing up. I spend most of my life sitting on a chair alone so its a good change of pace.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I don't use the gym but I was very good at exercising at home last year. It did help too. It's just so horrible though so, I'm also struggling to force myself back into it.

I also found that a little and often was the best way. I simply won't do it at all if it's too bigger task. In theory, only doing say 10 minutes I feel I really shouldn't make excuses over but, I still seem to!

 

[ConfusedClouds]

I also find the gym/exercise one of the only places it is acceptable to not have to mask weird and frustrated and overwhelmed screwed up inappropriate facial expressions - I could be pissed off at a whole range of things but most people assume its just at the weights/effort levels of exercise!