it lasts for a while, i think. i still feel my run from yesterday. i'm running again tonight. man, i feel like a different person.

It's the first time in a long time that I am not on here trying to make sense of anything. not trying to dig deeper for answers either. I guess excercise is a powerful thing.

[Melmo]

It is! I used to run at the gym and it made my mood so much better. Now that I've moved too far away from the gym I rarely get to go, and with it being winter I've gotten out of shape. I can't wait until summer so I can run outside, that is if I can over my anxiety of runnin where everyone can see me. There are two nature trails nearby though so that would be nice.

[Melmo]

I'm glad you feel so good, exercise really is great for the body and mind.

[bluemountains]

I am not in shape enough to be a real runner; however, I enjoy little sprints of running while out with my dog. I also like nature walks (we have a 300 acre park across the street), And bike rides. Now, though, with the awful weather I never get outside. All I want to do is sleep. I guess I have bear genes in me and i am hibernating through the winter.
Before anyone suggests a gym, I can't afford it and I find the monotony of a workout to be awful.
Bluemountains

[Anika.]

I am SO happy for you, proud of you, eletaled for you!! Way to go Dan!!! I hope you keep on doing it especially if it is giving you what you described back. Feel very happy happy reading this, a great post to wake up to this morning.

You musta pulled out your running gear like you said you were going to so you accomplished a few things here I think.

[bos314489]

That is cool. Runner's high is the best. I just started again about 6 weeks ago and I can go 45 minutes. I want to build up. It really helps a lot.

[BlueInanna]

Very cool Dan! and inspiring.

[~Christina]

I am so happy for you

[TheDragon]

Originally Posted by landskaperdan

It's the first time in a long time that I am not on here trying to make sense of anything. not trying to dig deeper for answers either. I guess excercise is a powerful thing.

Exercise is my number one coping tool. Whenever I have to stop, my mental state noticeably drops. I use to train an a MMA gym 3-4 times a week, and also went to a normal gym 2-4 times a week or would run outside depending on the weather. Right now, I can't fight because of a shoulder injury, and at first I had to totally stop exercising for about a month and I mentally crashed. I recently got the okay to start light exercise again, and already I feel better.

Aside from the runner's high, when I started seriously working out again about a year ago, I just naturally stopped smoking and found myself not craving it. I know you're attempting to quit right now, and I'd say that running is one of your best tools to quit. Once your body starts getting into better shape, you'll physically not want to smoke even if you still want to mentally. Furthermore, I just found myself at the point where I had to pick between smoking and better athletic performance and that's what kept me off of cigarettes.

Keep training and good luck. Hurts like eff at first, but your lungs will get better.