[Faraway tree]

I went to the gym for the first time today. And I went for my first non-manic run in the weekend. I worked, I cooked dinner, I mingled with the people I live with...

Progress!

Rewind three months ago I was new to the country, couldn't sleep at night, sleeping in the day, barely cooking and getting wasted on cheap red wine to slow my brain down / ride out the mixed awful raciness.

Oh yeah, did I mention I've stopped drinking completely and am quietly medicated now eek.

I got really really down recently when i still felt bad, even on meds. My friend said you've taken the bad stuff out over he years ( wine, smoking, weed, stress, dramas), now it's time to put good stuff into our life to build it up to the life you want and to force your brain to be happy.

So I went to the gym today.

that's great you went to the gym, faraway!

don't think i'm ever gonna go again (not after the time i fell off the tread mill and twisted my kneck!). plus i'm done with all that keep fit stuff, don't have the energy

[minefield]

I miss exercise sooo much it really is good for the soul and good for feeling crappy as it tires the body so it has to sleep. Since my slipped disk i had to stop all of that and my mental health is too bad and i can't find anything to replace it. I don't feel safe to go swimming and that is about all I can do. So seriously well done for going of your own will rather than a manic compulsion. Did it feel different working out not being manic?

[anon61514]

Well, not sure about that exercise, but congrats on the cooking and mingling - most days that is COMPLETELY beyond me.

(I walk to University every day so I kinda get my exercise.)

[Faraway tree]

Yeah it did, for one it wasn't four in the morning or midnight, which is when manic me goes running. Though annoyingly I am not asleep - maybe a tiny bit hypo haha. Bloody bipolar, such a sneaky wee puppy.

Sux you hurt your back! Can you cycle with a crook back, or are ll the options really hard?

[Faraway tree]

Originally Posted by ryc0v

Well, not sure about that exercise, but congrats on the cooking and mingling - most days that is COMPLETELY beyond me.

(I walk to University every day so I kinda get my exercise.)

Hahat know what you mean. Last week the psychologist the government apparently pays to make me sane asked if I was eating ok. I wa like "yeah sure, I had peas and cereal". Haha the look on her face was priceless. Then I told her what I used to eat when I was in this horrible mixed time ( red wine and toast)

It's confusing isn't it, when you ave the ingredients but can't concentrate to cook :/

[anon61514]

It is rather bizarre. Sometimes I even make myself go to the shops to buy ingredients, but still end up not making anything. Sometimes I can bring myself to slice cheese and put it in-between bread. :P

[minefield]

I use to enjoy downhill mountain biking, I am only able to ride now on flat smooth surfices so I just don't get the same enjoyment out of it and the options on where i can go are really limited, well i don't enjoy anything anymore. Plus my bikes keep getting stolen. My last one was a top of the range I had only sat on once I am still paying for it out of my income protection insurance as got on a ride to work scheme....so rude. My parents got me a second hand bike for crimbo a couple years back but it is not a very good bike and i don't like riding it. I tried thi chi but they would only let me do it sitting down and waving my arms around. Its just not what i view as exercise and i don't get the rewards at the end.
Being up and down all the time must be exhausting for you and not knowing fully your motives for doing activities I think you should be really proud of yourself and remember this day when your motivation fails you. Good work
I am not eating properly at the moment because I am so low and there is nothing that tastes nice i can't even face boiling pasta. It is a real pain food and frustrating we have to eat to survive. not ad anything for 3 days now so i know i have to soon. grrr

[Faraway tree]

Originally Posted by minefield

I use to enjoy downhill mountain biking, I am only able to ride now on flat smooth surfices so I just don't get the same enjoyment out of it and the options on where i can go are really limited, well i don't enjoy anything anymore. Plus my bikes keep getting stolen. My last one was a top of the range I had only sat on once I am still paying for it out of my income protection insurance as got on a ride to work scheme....so rude. My parents got me a second hand bike for crimbo a couple years back but it is not a very good bike and i don't like riding it. I tried thi chi but they would only let me do it sitting down and waving my arms around. Its just not what i view as exercise and i don't get the rewards at the end.
Being up and down all the time must be exhausting for you and not knowing fully your motives for doing activities I think you should be really proud of yourself and remember this day when your motivation fails you. Good work
I am not eating properly at the moment because I am so low and there is nothing that tastes nice i can't even face boiling pasta. It is a real pain food and frustrating we have to eat to survive. not ad anything for 3 days now so i know i have to soon. grrr

Oh dear, three days is ages. Sometimes those drinks that are a meal in a bottle for spors people or busy people are good if it's too hard r your appetite a gone.

... Why did ou have to sit in tai chi?.

[minefield]

Ooh i know the drinks your on about that is a really good idea, my skin has gone awful so I know im not getting what i need but i have been really good today. walked across the road to the shops today and i walked over the road to the chemist, done a little colouring in with a pencil set i got today in an attempt to try it as a distraction. I ate some scramble egg and have Poussin ( a little chicken) in the oven that is nearly ready. If i had the option of one of these drinks as back up. I'm a size 12 I have not got a clue what these translate to in American sizes but i use to be a size 20 so i am happy with my body I just can't face or be bothered to eat. Cheers for the advice xxx

I was not balanced or stable enough standing for the length of time required to do the stretches let alone doing and holding a stretch it was so frustrating!!! I miss exercise loads i really believe it is an amasing healing tool which has saved me in the past so happy to support your proactive day sorry if i distracted you from that achievement xx

[Blue Poppy]

Good on you for going to the gym! I have been avoiding that place all summer, but I have kept up running outside, which I find much more enjoyable.