when the people who say “exercise” are actually right…

[bijou]

i've been picking up strength training these past few weeks and i'm actually excited to get up, workout and move my body…

then again i'm also managing my depression and other symptoms with meds, and talk therapy as well. i'm just maybe a little spiteful that the normies were right about the whole exercise thing. i've just been doing simple things at home for now— 3x a week for 30 mins-1 hour. the gym is way too scary for me still, but maybe one day i can go and be more confident!

i guess i just wanted to share since i'm quite proud of sticking to a goal, i haven't done that in years, also probably why i haven't been posting here in awhile. i hope everyone is staying well :)

 

[EmpathyMinded]

That's great to hear! Keep at it, you're kicking ass out there.

 

[CloudyNight]

That's great! I picked up working out to help with my mental health to and I really do suggest going to the gym one day I have met some great people there.

 

[awaitinglove]

I love that for you! I agree with you though. I recently started being active and i feel a bit better.

 

[RedHotRage]

Definitely. Exercise, particularly with sunlight, is pretty potent and it makes life feel sunnier. Also as a guy, makes me a lot more virile, lol.

I truly reccommend it as an option to try if you do seek recovery. Or even just to watch a youtube video on how it affects the brain.

 

[Source Energy]

I love gaining strength and building up my body. It hasn't done miracles with my pain, though. It just distracts me for a while, as I focus on getting a tight body. One hour for me is not enough. One hour is barely maintenance; I like to work out for 3-4 hours, to use various machines that target different body parts muscles. I don't always have the time, but I try. When I started 2 months ago, I could lift 70 lbs on the hips/ gluts machines. I now do 130-150. My arms are the weakest, but I'm getting there; got from 15 lbs to 45...belly went down, butt got perkier, I definitely see progress. While it does not particularly help much with my issues, it helps me cope a little better

 

[FinalBossu]

I find that listening to music makes exercising a thousand times more fun and tolerable.
Also, if you like video games, it's fun to think of it as "I'm earning experience points and boosting my stats."

 

[FadingSunshine]

I took up exercise to cope with my self harm ideations. At it's core I would describe exercise as a form of self harm, as you have to encounter pain and go past your limits. I started off with a lot of negative self harm energy, but slowly over time I saw it as something more fun that I look forward to. It also helps you become proud of yourself after you reach your goals. Also, people at the gym are some of the kindest and accepting people out there, don't be worried about judgement, nobody's judging you they are focusing on themselves.

 

[FormerlyFe(IV)]

The problem with exercise is getting the motivation to do it in the first place. If I'm feeling okay, it's a tool/habit to shoo the depression away. But if I'm depressed, I'm not leaving home to do laps in a park lol

no they aren't. stop assuming everyone's a clone of you or them.

I feel like you're doing a bit of the same?

 

[suicidalloser]

The problem with exercise is getting the motivation to do it in the first place. If I'm feeling okay, it's a tool/habit to shoo the depression away. But if I'm depressed, I'm not leaving home to do laps in a park lol



I feel like you're doing a bit of the same?

i probably am, i'm not a normal person i have injuries to the head so i don't always response think clearly. its not an excuse i know i'm the biggest bastard here in all my contradictions

 

[aGoodDayToDie]

Exercise did absolutely nothing for me. I just dreaded every minute of it and couldn't wait for it to be over. I'm glad I decided to stop doing it. It was a complete waste of effort. I hope it means I die earlier. The sooner the better. Sadly, I'm still alive

 

[stillunemployed]

The problem with exercise is getting the motivation to do it in the first place. If I'm feeling okay, it's a tool/habit to shoo the depression away. But if I'm depressed, I'm not leaving home to do laps in a park lol

I'm literally doing that everyday for hours, because I am so full of rage. Did not expect that.
I wish I had an option for talk therapy although I am never taking meds ever again.

 

[dogtired]

Absolutely, exercise is such an underrated treatment for depression (proven to be as effective as antidepressants). I used exercise to manage my mental health for years and it was more effective than any meds I've taken. Sadly I've now got an illness that means I can't exercise (ME/CFS) so my main coping mechanism is gone, hence joining this forum. Every depressed person should try exercise if they're able-bodied, it's a gamechanger for many.

 

[bijou]

no they aren't. stop assuming everyone's a clone of you or them.

are you reacting to only the title of this post?

sorry i'm genuinely curious, as it is pretty clear this is a completely personal experience. i am sharing my unique progress in the recovery section

 

[LittleJem]

Unique.
What's next touching some grass? Oh look, all debilitating problems solved, just like that.

@suicidalloser for you, smoke some grass. Or try the kratom. Or in my advice, try every drug till you find one you like. As per your post in suicide section.

Credit to everyone exercising. I did it for a week or two then got despondent. But now I'm in supported accom I will try and get them to kick my butt back into it. and add weights to the cardio.

 

[bijou]

Unique.
What's next touching some grass? Oh look, all debilitating problems solved, just like that.

it just feels upsetting, sharing positive progressions i have made in my recovery from my extreme suicidal behaviour and body dysmorphic issues.

i am not wrong for being proud of myself for these positive progressions considering my history. i am very clearly not saying, in my 2 month old post, this is how everyone's problems are solved. i came here from eating disorder forums, where exercise was viewed as a punishment for eating anything. it is a statistical fact that anorexia poses the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. i was once told i had to be in wheelchair to conserve calories or i would die. i had ecgs every week for 3 years to make sure i wasn't at risk for a heart attack. i will not be made to feel ashamed for being able to exercise in a healthy way.

 

[misarexic]

it just feels upsetting, sharing positive progressions i have made in my recovery from my extreme suicidal behaviour and body dysmorphic issues.

i am not wrong for being proud of myself for these positive progressions considering my history. i am very clearly not saying, in my 2 month old post, this is how everyone's problems are solved. i came here from eating disorder forums, where exercise was viewed as a punishment for eating anything. it is a statistical fact that anorexia poses the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. i was once told i had to be in wheelchair to conserve calories or i would die. i had ecgs every week for 3 years to make sure i wasn't at risk for a heart attack. i will not be made to feel ashamed for being able to exercise in a healthy way.

don't listen to him, pretty sure he's a troll or just looking to pick a fight. really proud of you, and you're super awesome for actually finding the strength to excercise. my dms are open if you want

 

[ThatStateOfMind]

i've been picking up strength training these past few weeks and i'm actually excited to get up, workout and move my body…

then again i'm also managing my depression and other symptoms with meds, and talk therapy as well. i'm just maybe a little spiteful that the normies were right about the whole exercise thing. i've just been doing simple things at home for now— 3x a week for 30 mins-1 hour. the gym is way too scary for me still, but maybe one day i can go and be more confident!

i guess i just wanted to share since i'm quite proud of sticking to a goal, i haven't done that in years, also probably why i haven't been posting here in awhile. i hope everyone is staying well :)

If you can afford a gym membership and can push yourself to do so, I say go for it. I've been on and off the gym. I haven't been since Covid shut down all gyms and I was planning on it but then I started college and it's been very taxing on me. But when I was going to the gym, it was great and I highly recommend it.

 

[saddestbunny]

it just feels upsetting, sharing positive progressions i have made in my recovery from my extreme suicidal behaviour and body dysmorphic issues.

i am not wrong for being proud of myself for these positive progressions considering my history. i am very clearly not saying, in my 2 month old post, this is how everyone's problems are solved. i came here from eating disorder forums, where exercise was viewed as a punishment for eating anything. it is a statistical fact that anorexia poses the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. i was once told i had to be in wheelchair to conserve calories or i would die. i had ecgs every week for 3 years to make sure i wasn't at risk for a heart attack. i will not be made to feel ashamed for being able to exercise in a healthy way.

good for you. im proud of you as well for making progress. regardless of whether this works for everyone or not i'm glad it's working for you and you're able to feel a bit better

 

[bijou]

If you can afford a gym membership and can push yourself to do so, I say go for it. I've been on and off the gym. I haven't been since Covid shut down all gyms and I was planning on it but then I started college and it's been very taxing on me. But when I was going to the gym, it was great and I highly recommend it.

i am starting up back at college in september and our residence has a gym free for students to use :) all of the positive posts on here have really encouraged me, including yours. i am excited to for the versatility the gym has to offer!

do you mind if i ask what you are studying, i am personally going into a veterinary medicine and i am nervous i will become overwhelmed.

 

[day]

I do always feel better after vacation, I do a lot of walking, socializing, and other activities outside. The outside terrifies me but on vacation I almost feel normal enough to do things.

I mean I can't stand going to the grocery store but I had no issue attending a rave with 150,000+ attendees daily.

When I get back from those vacations for a like a week or so my mood is heavily lifted.

 

[bijou]

I do always feel better after vacation, I do a lot of walking, socializing, and other activities outside. The outside terrifies me but on vacation I almost feel normal enough to do things.

I mean I can't stand going to the grocery store but I had no issue attending a rave with 150,000+ attendees daily.

When I get back from those vacations for a like a week or so my mood is heavily lifted.

i can definitely agree that the outside can be terrifying, especially when other people are around, which is why i have avoided the gym for so long...

to mimic the feeling of serenity, have you ever thought of going to conservation areas? sometimes you can find a little slice of local paradise on the trails! if you like reptiles/amphibians going herping is always a great way to feel connected to nature

 

[day]

i can definitely agree that the outside can be terrifying, especially when other people are around, which is why i have avoided the gym for so long...

to mimic the feeling of serenity, have you ever thought of going to conservation areas? sometimes you can find a little slice of local paradise on the trails! if you like reptiles/amphibians going herping is always a great way to feel connected to nature

Ngl motivation is what I lack. However vacations work great for me because I'm not gonna book a flight and get a bnb and NOT go lol. I have to force myself into being motivated at the moment. Guess it's the small steps though.

 

[bijou]

Guess it's the small steps though.

a small step is still a step <3

 

[Celerity]

I have specific chronic pain issues that have been alleviated to a degree by exercise, not to mention the subtle improvements I have noticed with my sleep. Now that I am doing exercise for my wellbeing and not the goal of becoming more attractive/being a better person/yada yada, I find it a lot easier to follow through.

I am glad to see that somebody else on the site has benefited from exercise. When it works, it really works.

 

[bijou]

I have specific chronic pain issues that have been alleviated to a degree by exercise, not to mention the subtle improvements I have noticed with my sleep. Now that I am doing exercise for my wellbeing and not the goal of becoming more attractive/being a better person/yada yada, I find it a lot easier to follow through.

I am glad to see that somebody else on the site has benefited from exercise. When it works, it really works.

i think this is a great way of approaching exercise, i am not sure if you have read my previous replies about my eating disorder and the health issues it has caused me, but putting wellbeing before body image is my number one priority.

i used to struggle going up a single flight of stairs, i could barely carry my groceries back to my apartment. my main reason for SI was an inadequacy in my body, i exercise to be able to perform better in my day to day life.

 

[Celerity]

i think this is a great way of approaching exercise, i am not sure if you have read my previous replies about my eating disorder and the health issues it has caused me, but putting wellbeing before body image is my number one priority.

i used to struggle going up a single flight of stairs, i could barely carry my groceries back to my apartment. my main reason for SI was an inadequacy in my body, i exercise to be able to perform better in my day to day life.

Your story is really inspiring. You have overcome so much. I can't imagine how difficult your journey has been. It's so awesome that you have been able to get to a place where you can work on recovery.

 

[EternalShore]

Great to hear! :D I wish it worked for me too! :(

 

[Pluto]

I recently passed the 1 year mark at the gym. I haven't had good results, but nonetheless I'd recommend it to anyone who isn't physically screwed like me.

It has not been fun. Due to depression, it has been an extreme drag, and I've had to use brute force to attend and get through each session. I don't eat meat which makes the diet side of things much harder. I have an insanely fast metabolism so need to get up several times each night to eat, yet I have not bulked up.

On the plus side, I can lift far more than when I started, and increased my weight by about 20%, but most recently I got a stress fracture from my warmup runs on the treadmill, and the need to stop is likely to set me back several months. It is unclear when I'll be able to walk properly again. So much for 'no pain, no gain'.

The experience of being constantly sore, struggling with various injuries, not sleeping properly and struggling to eat enough, combined with poor aesthetic results, is a worst-case scenario caused by terrible genes and dreadful mental health. I still continue for fear of losing the pitiful gains I have made.

For anyone else, the attitude needs to be 'no excuses'. Lucas Popan does a good job of depicting this. It's brutal but there's no other way.

 

[FadingSunshine]

Bijou I respect the fuck outta you man, I hope you're doing better from your ED. I went from barely being able to look myself in the mirror to noticing changes within a couple months. I think out of everything (meds, therapy) exercise helped most as a way to get rid of negative energy for me and looking forward to breaking my prs. Did you ever build up to going to the gym? I was deathly afraid of it for a while but once I got familiar it felt like a second home.