Running

[NicoleP]

Just wanted to share one way I have dealt with my anxiety - running. I had a rotten day at work yesterday with my nemesis being her normal self. Anyhow, rather than letting her ruin my evening, I went and did what I often to - I went for a run. Put on the headphones and got out onto our local cycling paths along the river and ran. 14km later I felt much better.

Running has become a huge part of my life. I decided at 41 to take up running to help manage my anxiety -decided that I would do a marathon (42km). I am now 48 years old and I am signed up to do marathon number 23 in 2 weeks time. Running is one thing that I use to manage myself and it has the added benefit of helping tire me out and helps me to get a good nights sleep. Often I look at what my anxiety has cost me, but it got me running and I have gained a lot from that - physical fitness, friendships, sense of achievement. It has also enabled me to see some pretty beautiful parts of Victoria that I would not have taken the time to see.

Just wanted to share this because it is something that has helped me so much and I would like to inspire people to get out there and give it a go.

[Neil_1]

Hi Kezza

Hey, no worries at all for not being here to post - I feel that sometimes as well, but we've gotta all realise that this is all voluntary and if we get some time to come here, great, but if not;  then you do have loads of other things to be doing and one of those is to be taking care of oneself.  🙂

Dexter can wait - ok, I guess.  🙂   But wowee, that jigsaw does sound gi-normous.

Shoulder is still a little dodgy - haven't made it to the gym yet, but on the weekend, I did get to the garage and armed with spider spray, I sprayed around all my weights etc;  and then with cloth and water, I then cleaned down and dusted off, etc my old weights stuff - to get it back up and running - so I can further ease myself in, before I say "hello to the gym" again.

It's all that process of doing things in very small steps.  🙂

Neil

[NicoleP]

Hi Neil,

Small manageable steps is the way we get most things done - I think that is a good idea with the gym and well done for getting into the garage. When I do a marathon, I don't worry about the distance. I keep my end goal in mind (the finish line) and then work on each kilometre and the challenge that each one brings. I guess I am doing the same with the jigsaw. I am working on getting one piece in at a time with the short term goals of finishing each section and then the long term goal of finishing the whole thing.

By the way, the puzzle is huge. I have just finished the first 6,000 pieces. It is as tall as me and when I am finished will be longer than two times the height of me.

Kezza

[Neil_1]

Hi Kezza

Holy snap - sounds like you must have a separate room dedicated to this monster jigsaw!!  Did we find out what the jigsaw is of??   (Is of - hmmmm, brilliant english Neil)

Um, you've finished 6,000 pieces.   I say Um, cause I want to know how you know that you've done that many - are there numbers on the back of them??

So you're a quarter way there - even though I flunked maths at school, i'm pretty sure I'm right with that little calculation.  🙂

Neil

[NicoleP]

Hi Neil

The puzzle is so big that it is divided into 4 sections with 6,000 pieces in each bag. I have finished bag one and am two thirds of the way through the second bag. Look up Life the Greatest Challenge on Google and you will see the picture. And yes, we have a very large family room with a wooden floor.

Meant to tell you about what a friend of mine has taken on. At the start of the year he did one push-up and one sit-up, the next day two of each, the next day three, then four and so on. Just a good way to build up fitness 

back to the puzzle

Kezza

[HA1]

Hi KezzaA

Just googled it - that's awesome!  Love the title!

enjoy

K

[Neil_1]

Hi Kezza

I looked up the word "Distraction from depression" and it came back with:  try doing the jigsaw of "Life the Greatest Challenge".  🙂  🙂

Wowee, that's awesome - just as AOK suggested.

Good on you - but when I did google it, I saw that one bloke did it in about 2mins29sec on Youtube.  🙂   Now he's just a damn show-off.

My nephew a couple of years ago did a similar thing - committed to doing 50 pushups each day for a year.  He got through it.

Anything like that is good - getting out and doing stuff;  or occupying the mind with feats of amazing mind ability with placing a massive jigsaw together.  I hope you can somehow then place it in a frame and hang it up - something to be proud of forever.

Neil

[NicoleP]

Hi Neil

Saw the doctor on Wednesday and all is going well. Am able to walk around the house and can think about driving. I am back to work on Monday and am not looking forward to it. I have quite enjoyed being locked away from the outside world for 4 weeks (apart from my visitors). Think my greatest challenge is not the jigsaw (which is half done now).

I have started toe exercises now. Very strenuous work which includes moving my big toe forwards and backwards. ha ha

How is your day going?

Kezza

[Jemima82]

Hi everyone,

this is my first post on BB (I'm a newby here) and thought this'd be a great place to start! I have enjoyed running on and off for the last 10 years but haven't managed to motivate myself to get back to it since January this year (sprained ankle 3 times!) but am really keen to get my runners back on today! Having a bit of a tough time with my anxiety & depression & eating disorder at the mo plus a wee bout if insomnia (been awake since 430am) and need to kick myself up the bum and get back to self care rather than self destruct.

Im hoping posting this will put me on the right foot this am and encourage me to get myself back to a healthy happy headspace today.

i look forward to chatting to you guys xx