EXERCISE

[LuLu88]

They all suggest it.

Every organisation you come across when searching mental health, depression, anxiety etc..... Eat healthy and Exercise.

Easier said than done, am i right?!

After battling depression, anxiety and PTSD since my pre-teens (now in my late 20's) I have tried a butt tonne of methods for coping.

This one seems to be sticking - and Im now a personal trainer. What!?

Its really hard to get out of bed somedays, but knowing I'm bringing some functionality to someone else's day kinda helps me get some perspective. I'm currently looking into volunteering my time as a trainer at a local women's shelter. My idea is to give them some small physical 'wins' for their week even if mentally they haven't felt so strong. For me exercise is something that I can look forward to, a moment that i can focus on me, feeling good and nothing else. What do you think?

Please - Tell me your stories on how you use exercise for your mental health OR let me know if you have yet to feel it's benifits.

[ro63]

Hi LuLu, first off welcome, and big congrads on becoming a personal trainer,your idea of volentering at a shelter is very generous to offer your time and yes it will make a huge difference ,for me I have had depression for around 9 years and the last 4 years I started doing yoga which really helps me with staying calm and the breathing techniques in particular ,but 6 months ago I started crossfit and I found that high intensity exersize was really beneficial I noticed very quickly it was making a difference then I got injured (my fault pushing to hard) and had to put it on hold until I healed and noticed my depression come back with avengence so for me at least it does make a difference ,sometimes the anxiety trys to stop me going but i force myself to go and once there love it ,so yes it works but you have to keep it up regularly and the more you do it the more motivation you get and a good hit of endorphins too,Regards Ross.

[MsPurple]

Hi LuLu

Studies have shown that exercise and healthy eating can help reduce symptoms of mental illness (some of them maybe even found on this website). SO like everyone I have tried doing it to help reduce my anxiety as well as to help my self esteem. When I moved to Brisbane I decided to join a gym. I found it helped reduce my anxiety and it also helped me make a friend who I am now quite close to. I also decided to do a pink series triathalon which I completed a month ago (which I enjoyed).

Since exercise I have found my depression and anxiety has reduced (note still on same treatment) and I have found my confidence has also increased.

I think looking after yourself and your body is important

[geoff]

Morning LuLu, a good post, because that's what my psychologist for 20 years kept on asking me to do, but I had no interest, I couldn't even walk around the block, all I could do was throw the ball for my puppie to chase, I couldn't find the energy.
I want to congratulate you for becoming a personal trainer a great achievement, it's a course that takes a couple of years to finish, but dedication is certainly needed, and to try and help those women in a shelter will involve two issues, understand if someone maybe too depressed to work out, and secondly understand that they maybe adverse to physical exercise.
Well done. Geoff.

[Doolhof]

Hi LuLu,

Thanks for a wonderful thread topic. A bit like Geoff, I have injuries that prevent me from doing physical exercise at times. I do have a foot pedal apparatus I use (when I remember to do so) that doesn't hurt my back as much.

Gardening is also a form of exercise for me, we have a large block, so I combine raking, breaking twigs, picking up bark, weeding and pushing a wheelbarrow. A bit of an all round exercise program!

When going out somewhere, I try to park a little distance from where I am going so I have further to walk on my good days.

Finding exercises I can do at home helps me as well.

All the best to everyone with their exercising!

Cheers from Mrs. D.

Well done to you for wanting to reach out and help others. That is excellent.

[monkey_magic]

Hey lulu,

Nice to meet u!!! I'm also a qualified p.t. but personally struggling ATM so guess what I got back into...yep, EXERCISE!!!!

I believe it's what will make me better as it proved effective in the past.

Volunteering at a woman's shelter is an excellent idea & I think they will really benefit.

Good luck!

[fairydogmother]

Hi LuLu,

Thanks for posting. I can't tell you how much I admire that you took your motivation as far as becoming a PT. Excellent!

I am at that 'easier said than done' stage. I used to be such an active person but in the last year or so I have lost any personal investment in my hobbies and activities. I think I spend more time searching for motivation online than I do actually motivating myself.

I was wondering if you, or anyone else remembers how they managed to take those first steps, and then keep going. I just can't seem to convince myself...

[Guest_322]

Hi Lulu,

Wow, mad props to you for your resilience in facing anxiety, depression and PTSD. Congratulations on qualifying as a personal trainer- go you! I think volunteering at the women's shelter sounds very meaningful, and your work could potentially help a lot of people there.

I mostly do light exercise these days but I used to be heavily involved in dance (jazz, ballet and lyrical hip hop). My favourite types of exercise would be walking along a beach and dance. I like dance because- to borrow someone else's words- it's a way to convey emotion through movement, and there's something very beautiful and empowering in that.

fairydogmother, as is often said, the first step is the hardest but good on you for persisting and reaching out.

I would suggest starting small using maybe incidental exercise around the house such as dusting, light cleaning, gardening, etc. Maybe you could even use a timer (e.g. 5 minutes) to minimise any feelings of being overwhelmed.

Then maybe you could progress to something like walking up and down your driveway. Perhaps you could next walk up and down your street and progressively increase your physical activity.

I guess the point that I'm trying to make is try baby steps...gradually build your stamina and slowly push yourself. Pace yourself bit by bit. I don't know if this helps but that's just my 2 cents.

Take care everyone!

Dottie x

[Doolhof]

Hi Fairydogmother and All,

Finding the enthusiasm to exercise can be difficult. Dottie has suggested some great ideas. For me writing a note reminding me to go for a walk helps...sometimes!

One thing with me, if I don't achieve exercise one day, I try not to come down hard on myself. Negative self talk does not do me or anyone any good at all. Tell yourself you will try again tomorrow.

Do you have an old exercise DVD tucked away somewhere, or could you download exercises off the computer? Even 5 minutes will be heaps better than nothing at all.

Like Dottie mentioned, by doing housework we are exercising!

I will now thing how I will exercise when I return home this afternoon. Maybe I will drag out the pedal device. If I put it in the middle of the kitchen floor now I will remember to use it later!

Cheers all from Mrs. D.

[ro63]

Hi ALL, I beleive exersize is really importamt ,as hard as it is to get motivated some times it really does pay off I make sure I force myself to do something at least 3 times a week ,I look at exersize like medication ,in that it needs to be regular and on going in the same way as if you have a good day you wouldn't stop taking your meds the next day thinking it has worked ,it needs to be regular and the more you do the easier it gets to do it ,

Just my 2 cents ,Happy running all,Ross.