Quote:
Originally Posted by SoHereIam
I have been seeing my therapist for about 1 year now. I must say that he has really helped me make some valuable progress. I seem to be at the point now that I have to make some of the hardest changes in my life/routine. I feel like I've hit a wall and it's come down to either doing it or just giving up and accepting my life of ever changing emotion and mood swings.
One of the major changes I need to make to to get regular exercise. He's been telling me over and over that if I do this, I will really feel so much better. So I've joined my local activity center and even tried out a session with a personal trainer. As a matter of fact, I've been so sore since then that I haven't been back because I can hardly walk!!
This weekend I plan on sitting down and making myself a detailed schedule of what I will do next week, including time scheduled for exercise. I find this very difficult to do, primarily due to my social anxiety. I also find it extremely difficult to make a schedule and stick to it.
I'm hoping some of you have also encountered this and are able to offer some much needed support. I might add that I am currently in a transition period, trying to sell my business and retiring. I'm actually not retiring as much as I am planning a new venture, turning my creative hobbies into another part-time business.
Have any of you tried this, and did it really make a difference in your well being?
Thanks in advance for sharing with me.
|
When you are depressed, exercising can be really difficult to do. When you are depressed and out of shape, it's even more difficult.
The trick is to take it slow and easy. Take something that you do already or sounds appealing and do it a bit say 3X a week. The first goal is to get in the habit then to build up to a more vigorous workout.
To set your expectations, I am 44, four years of family cancer, my own lung disease and depression/anxiety. I recently had a head injury, and could not swim for a bit. NO big deal, done this before so I started easy. 200 yds and I was laid flat for 3 days.....kept happening. Not my usual, normally I can go from 300 on day 1 to 1000 on my 6th workout.
I worked with a fitness person at the gym and she was like, come on, sweetie, it's going to take time. So start at 200 yds 3x/week and check in with me next week. It's been a lot of swimming really really short distances. After 3 months, I am up to 1300 m just this week, and just this week got to the point where I am feeling like I could trip, fall, and swim a bunch more. That's where the magic happens for me. So sticking to 1300 this week and then will be taking off after that I think.
Is it worth it? Well, when I swim regular, my head is softer, the inner dialogue is quieter, my monthlies are less and easier, and I eat better too.
But the most important thing is that what you are doing is sustainable, enjoyable and accessible for you on a regular basis....if it's not, you won't stick to it.