Hi Supanova, I think your question was about staying active outside of episodes because mania and depression obviously influences it.
For the past few months I have found it very difficult to be active. According to my knowledge you're right about most bipolars leading a pretty sedentary lifestyle. I recon there are so many aspects about it that can contribute to this.
For me personally, it takes a while to wake up from a depressed episode and sometimes the next one happens before I get going. I definitely think that the medication, which ever, has an effect not only physically but also mentally in terms of slowing me down and clouding clear motivation strategies. Also, a lot of it for me is cognitive where I have built up some disempowering believes because of the illness like; even if I get started on a fitness routine, I believe it won't last or I won't succeed cause I hardly ever have and thus fail to convince myself that this time, I'm gonna do it. I tend to use some not so useful thinking patterns like "all or nothing"-thinking where I imagine that I must either go full out and be active every day or do nothing at all. It's a scary one and I identify using the "all or nothing" attitude often in my life. I'm sure there's something about a healthy (or unhealthy) body perception and also some issues regarding worthiness and social engagement. These I think stem from the very symptoms of bipolar. I sometimes drink painkillers because of chronic back ache or as an attempt to change my state and that also doesn't help for feeling energetic enough to get going. I know that cigarette smoking adds to feeling lethargic and sticking to a healthy eating plan, which can be difficult with constant pain and the ups and downs I experience in a bid to achieve 'normal', probably also plays a role.
It's not a losing battle because the above are insights and not justifications so I keep trying.
What do you think it is for you?