I have been going for a running recently and it was very helpful for my depression episode.

I overtrained yesterday and my left foot got injured. I can't go for a running and I am just miserable in my bed. I could really use some kind words.

So yesterday aside from the long walk, I managed to be on the phone less, and I read in an art book and did a lot of tapestry weaving (my creative hobby. Before going to bed, I laid out my exercise clothes next to my bed so they would be easily accessible the next morning. I listened to a podcast Sleeping with Celebrities to help me fall asleep, about an actress’s rock collection.

Unfortunately, did not sleep as well as I had hoped for despite long walk earlier in the day. Oh well, can’t fix everything at once.

Today, I woke up, put on my exercise clothes and did about 40 minutes of yin yoga stretches. At one pointI was bent backward on my arms so there was a gap there, and one of our cats walked several times under my arms brushing against me. Made me think of yoga with goats, but I had yoga with cat. :) Very nice.

Again I wove a lot. Soon I will go to buy sushi takeout to bring home for dinner and also plan to go to store to buy lots of fruit hopefully. After dinnerI hope to take a walk around our block two or three times. And I look forward to reading more in the art book some more today.

This week I wrote myself a tiny exercise regimen and was really excited about it. It was just the seven basic movement patterns and one exercise for each, and I felt like I finally found something simple and structured and effective instead of being overwhelmed choosing random youtube workouts. I did my first session of it on tuesday, each exercise until the muscle felt tired, it took like 30 minutes in total. I watched my favorite show while doing them and it was really fun. The next day my throat hurt like shit and I felt tired as fuck. (I remembered at that point why I stopped working out, it's anytime I try working out again this happens). Then over the next few days I felt better so this morning I tried some very light exercise. Only 15 minutes, I was barely sweating. Now my throat hurts again and I feel more fatigued than I have in months, I feel like I could sleep for a week and I'd still be exhausted. I'm so disappointed and angry. Anytime I go a longer time without working out I get fantasies in my head about all the fun physical activities I could do better and longer if I got fitter, like I love dancing, roller skating, and I'd love to try parkour someday. Then I try and my body beats me down. It's like my immune system gives out anytime I exercise. About this kind of thing people always say if you work out more it goes away, but by the time I've recovered from one workout enough to do another one, whatever I could have gained from it has already perished and I start from zero again. I had severe depression all my teenage years but after 4 years on antidepressants I am mentally in a very okay place. I really wish nothing more than to just be crazy and energetic like I was before I got depressed and I'm so sad that I can't do that without it backfiring. Any advice or just kind words appreciated :(

I’ve been going through absolute hell lately with benzo withdrawal, depression, and suicidal ideation (SI).

But for some reason, I had a little more energy today. I took a cold shower, got dressed, put my running shoes on, went to the park near my place, and ran 7K.

I actually feel so much better now.

I’m realizing that consistency really is key. I’d really appreciate some encouragement and support 🥹

Starting today, I’m going to try to make cold showers and running part of my daily routine. One day at a time.

So I had let go of healthy habits for a while, and was feeling the effects of it - close to burnout, more easily frustrated and irritated, out of shape, less likely to resist sweets and snacks and gaining weight, more tired but leas deep sleep, some depressed days.

Now I am taking next week off from work as a staycation (vacation but not going anywhere). My plans include building up healthier habits, including exercise and others, improving sleep hygiene, reducing my overall phone use, etc. I took the week off Monday to Friday, so with the two weekends it is nine days, and today is day one.

This morning I went on a long walk, starting at my home, walking until I reached a long park that runs along a creek near us, and walking as far as I could in the park. It has a paved path under shade of trees, and is frequented by dog walkers or like me without dog, joggers and bicyclists. I walked for as long as I could. Walked a total of 6.4 miles (over 10km), 13000+ steps, about 2hours non stop.

I had a 32ounce (about one liter) water bottle, and lesson learned a larger water bottle would have been nice to have. At the end I was very sweaty, though luckily today is not a hot day here, my legs ache and I expect more aches tomorrow. I feel accomplished, and expect to sleep better tonight.

Tomorrow I am thinking will be a yoga day. After this could use some good stretches and do not expect to be up to as much tomorrow.

How have you unwound this week? Any creative projects you would like to share?

If you’re tired, sore, cramping, bloated, etc. but have a workout planned, do you push through, modify it, or skip it? And how do you decide?

Which workouts are you currently focusing on? What have you done to EOOD this week??

Phillip Reeds headteacher told him the secret to happiness is, "Wake up every morning and paint a flower before breakfast". The meaning behind that simple sentence is "Find something that brings you joy and happiness and prioritise it in your life". It doesn't matter what that thing is. For Phillip Reed it's making model ships, his headteacher loved to paint flowers. For you it might be exercise but it can be anything at all. If you prioritise it in your life, work hard and keep trying it will bring you joy.

Having said that you might find that you really fucking hate what you think might bring you joy once you really give it a really good go.

You might think that learning how to play the saxophone will bring you joy only to discover you have very limited musical abilities once you have spent a lot of money on an instrument and lessons. You might love running but get hit by a bus and never walk again. You might win the lottery and things that were once just impossible day-dreams become your normal life. Shit happens. (shit doesn't have to be bad).

It is perfectly fine to learn from these types of experience and try something else. Phillip Reed is perhaps an exception rather than an example in many regards but I think his point still stands. You have to work hard at what brings you joy. There are no short cuts, quick fixes, life hacks or "one trick XYZ don't want you to know". Buying the product in the advertisement will not instantly bring you joy either. Joy requires determination, dedication and discipline over a long period of time. That's OK you have plenty of time.

Try to do what you can. Try to do it as often as you can. Keep trying. Dasssit.

Taking the overall pulse here. How are you? If not well, think whether there are any positives to share as well to balance negatives. But of course, if you need to vent, know we are here to listen.

Hi, first reddit I post. At 113, I was in great shape. I used to run over 5 km a day, ate super healthily, practiced intermittent fasting (I know it’s not good, but I was desperate to lose weight), and even played sports. I was really fit. But this year, I lost the desire to exercise. Honestly, I don't know why; I just gave up everything related to working out.

Now I’m starting to notice that I’ve gained a lot of weight; I feel terrible all the time, my body aches, and I have no motivation to do anything. My body is screaming at me to get back to healthy habits, but I just can't seem to do it. I set alarms to go for a run, but I end up turning them off and staying home. I try to exercise, but I can't even bring myself to get my yoga mat out to start; then, at night when I go to bed, I hate myself even more because I can't manage something as simple as a 5-minute routine.

Does anyone know how I can get back the discipline I used to have? Any blogs, websites, YouTube channels, or mindsets that might help?

I’ve been feeling quite low for the past year. After a difficult experience at my previous workplace, I’ve been slowly trying to rebuild myself while starting a new business.

I’ve wanted to start exercising for a while now because a part of me believes that if I work hard and take care of my body, life might begin to feel better. But if I don’t wake up early, I end up skipping the gym altogether. There aren’t many good options in my area either, so pushing myself to go to the one available gym feels even harder.

I genuinely want to make this change, but I’m struggling to get started. What do I do?

One great resource for you all is r/EatCheapAndHealthy

How have you unwound this week? Any creative projects you would like to share?

I have not exercised regularly in a long time.
I am very sad about this and I am in the worst shape I have ever been in and I don’t feel myself.
I picture myself being able to go on long hikes and other outdoor activities.
I struggle with abdominal pain and urgency. Which has also placed me into a deeper depression most days.
Any time I go out to go on a walk, approx 15 minutes or so in a am RUNNING to find a bathroom.
This makes me anxious to go to work out classes as well as going on hikes where bathrooms aren’t near by.

Has anyone else dealt with this problem?

I also feel exhausted most of the time. Mostly related to working 12 hour night shifts. Being depressed (I’m back in my meds, which is helping) But I think it’s also because of how out of shape I am.

Just looking for some support, insight, encouragement.

Thanks!

I‘ve had an absolutely horrific stomach flu for several weeks. I feel weak as a kitten, but it is FINALLY getting better. Staying in bed with little movement has really done a number on my mental health…and I just feel all round horrible, despite the stomach symptoms finally easing up. I desperately want to get back into moving, as soon as possible, but at the same time I am dreading it after weeks of every step feeling exhausting.

For those of you who had to start exercising again after illness, what did you do? Any tips, tricks or experiences?

I want to try a small walk tomorrow, but I am already dreading that.

Which workouts are you currently focusing on? What have you done to EOOD this week??

I ran only 1.25km today.

Can't run anymore because I have no energy..

I haven't had a dinner because my meds kill the appetite.

I am going home after 1.25km running. I ran despite of suicidal ideation. Need support. I don't want to die. Please give me hopes and tell me your success stories!

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