[hamster-bamster]

My then husband, a psychologist, used to wonder whether exercise can make people well enough to go off the meds - even for schizophrenic patients. By exercise, he meant long stretches at very high heart rate, not leisurely biking. Or possibly, long stretches of hard interval training (real hard - moderate - real hard/fast - moderate, in bursts). And regularly, on most days of the week. The idea was that this sort of exercise produces positive effects in the brain activity. My body is too lazy to even try (well, maybe one day). Has anyone tried that? Not necessarily to replace the meds, but to augment the effect and just feel pretty effing good? Is anyone exercising at that level of intensity and for prolonged stretches? What are the mood results?

[argv]

I was probably mentally healthier when I was lifting weights and exercising. Gave the self esteem a boost and felt good. I do want to get back into it. (Eating good can help too). The thing is, once you quit, the same thinking comes back.. Perhaps worse. Exercise can be like a drug in itself I think.. And like any drugs there are ups and downs. I play drums and sometimes to a sweaty resolve. That always feels good.

[AniManiac]

When I was basically in remission, I did a half hour circuit training workout at 6 AM, 6 days/week. I don't know if that counts, but I also had a very low-stress lifestyle at the time.

[lad007]

I work out with intensity 4 days per week-boxing and step class.
While it has not reduced my need for meds at this time, I do feel a lot better after I finish and it helps with the irritability I suffer from, and gives me a time to focus on the exercise instead of my issues. It's also good socially for me as it gives me something in common with other people as with the bp I am not normally comfortable socially.
So the results are good for mood in many ways for me.

[thickntired]

In High Sch. I used to run 5 miles a day and compete in cross country. I got runners high - which feels great - but my life was still in a constant state of chaos & drama. I was unmedicated & undiagnosed at the time, so IMO exercise helps but it's never going to take the place of pharmacuticals.

[kykid]

I run three miles a day but not strenuously. I feel that this does help my bp in conjunction with the meds. I have run strenuously in the past and found that this caused mania in me. This is perhaps not the case with others, but it was with me. I hope this helps.

I do 90 min of bikram yoga ( 40'f 40% humidity) 4 days a week. On the other days I do vinyaasa flow yoga, & snowboard. In the warmer months I bike, and rollerblade too. Yes it's helping me immensely. I was on 6 meds and now I am down to 2. Since I have taken up yoga my moods have been more stable than ever. I used to go to the gym twice a day 6 days a week and didn't have very good results. I think right now I am mentally in the best place I have been in 33 years (my whole life). I think it's a combination of things tho, mind connecting with body. I'm not going to stop doing these things tho because it's helping so much. Hopefully I can get down to one mood stabilizer. I'd even be thrilled with that.

[hamster-bamster]

Thank you everyone. Anika, this is so great, and you seem to be living proof. I tried Bikram a few times (when I weighed about 25 lbs less than now) and it is very hard, I still remember.