[RustbeltRoyalty]

Hi, folks.

Does anybody find exercise, especially the more vigorous and exertive kind, a potential trigger for a manic episode? A few years ago, I became interested in fitness, started a cardio/strength regime, and went flying straight up. Lost 20 lbs in less then 2 months, worked out heavily for over an hour everyday, and even managed to stay on a strict 1500 calorie diet. It was way, way too much. Of course, looking back on it now, it was clearly a manic episode. Knowing what I do now, I'm a lot more apprehensive about exercising again.

The problem is that I'm in decent shape already, though, so things like walking around the block a few times aren't going to cut it. I'd really like to avoid the weight gain associated with antipsychotics, plus working out does feel great. It brings my stress level down plus it gives me a sense of accomplishment. The benefits do seem to outweigh the potential risk but still..

Has anybody ever gone through this, and if you do, how do you cope and manage?

Thank you for reading.
~Rust

[Crazy Hitch]

Well my viewpoint is a little different to yours.

This is my personal experience only.

When I've gone through phases in my life of rigorous exercise it has been DURING a hypomanic phase - the increase energy that comes along with it.

I didn't start exercising and THEN become hypo. The hypomania was there first.

Kind of not sure if this is what you were asking.

[TRNRMOM]

Originally Posted by RustbeltRoyalty

Hi, folks.

Does anybody find exercise, especially the more vigorous and exertive kind, a potential trigger for a manic episode? A few years ago, I became interested in fitness, started a cardio/strength regime, and went flying straight up. Lost 20 lbs in less then 2 months, worked out heavily for over an hour everyday, and even managed to stay on a strict 1500 calorie diet. It was way, way too much. Of course, looking back on it now, it was clearly a manic episode. Knowing what I do now, I'm a lot more apprehensive about exercising again.

The problem is that I'm in decent shape already, though, so things like walking around the block a few times aren't going to cut it. I'd really like to avoid the weight gain associated with antipsychotics, plus working out does feel great. It brings my stress level down plus it gives me a sense of accomplishment. The benefits do seem to outweigh the potential risk but still..

Has anybody ever gone through this, and if you do, how do you cope and manage?

Thank you for reading.

~Rust

i am 68, female, and exercise 7 days a week; i live across the street from our health club and either i lift weights and take a spin class, or do a minimum of 30 min. on cardio machines and then lift weights. i take 25mg. seroquel nightly to sleep.

i believe exercise has more benefits than negatives….but i exercise early in the morning to burn off my mania and the music on my iPod is used only for exercise…very high energy, motivating and fast.

when i leave the club, i `shut it down' and try to keep things sane, quiet and non-stimulating. i am retired so i may be at a different stage in life as far as work, kids, etc. (am also married to a gym rat).

i have 100% bone density when i have that checked and my weight is good for my height and age. could never even think about not exercising and just came back from being out of the country for 3 weeks and used a band and improvised every way i could so i could exercise daily. ok, so i'm an exercise addict but am merely offering my input.

[RustbeltRoyalty]

Hi, Hooligan.

Come to think of it, I might have been a bit hypomanic when I did start, but I'm not sure. lol. It started reasonably enough but then escalated into BizarreLand quickly. Everybody was telling me that I was too skinny and looked unhealthy ( which was true). Apologies for not making myself clear. I was wondering if anybody escalated into mania because of exercise.

Thanks for replying.
Rust.

[LastQuestion]

I've found the amount of calories I consume matters less than the kind of calories. I'm more stable eating whole foods, no refined sugars, and no gluten regardless of whether I'm exercising. I eat lots of brown rice, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and lean protein sources. However, I've come to understand that sufficient regular sleep cycles is the most effective thing I can do at thus point. Bar none, nothing helps me with mood and coping with stress like keeping a good sleep schedule.

So, I wouldn't be so quick to implicate exercise as a cause for anything, although over training can put just about anyone in an unstable state of being. Intensive training with lack of sleep doesn't gI've the body/mind the rest it needs to stay entirely functional. Put a nutritional deficit on top of it and I would expect things to deteriorate for anyone, regardless of whether or not they have bipolar.

It's important to learn what our bodies need to function, especially for people like us as bipolar places substantial physiological strain upon us. We, honestly, need more sleep, consistent exercise, and better nutrition than normal people.

[cool09]

Good topic. I lifted weight off/on from 18 to 44 yrs old. Last 5 yrs I started swimming (mild) every day and it is the best decision I've made. When I lifted I became obsessed with getting to the gym after work - I was extremely bummed if I screwed up my workout schedule (because timing is crucial for building strength). If I jogged my mind would race like mad (and navigating curbs and holes made me a mental case). Jogging is kind of a metaphor of life - running and running to reach the next goal or next step in life, etc. (I heard Seinfeld say that and that's how I felt). Swimming is perfect - resistance is perfect and does wonders for all muscle tone and for cardio. I'm 50 and in the best shape ever - I went from 35 to 32 waist within 2-3 mths. I'm 5'10", 165 lbs. After swimming I feel fantastic - relaxed and improved concentration for several hours. I would never run again - it was nerve-racking. And lifting did a number on my joints.

[RustbeltRoyalty]

Originally Posted by TRNRMOM

i am 68, female, and exercise 7 days a week; i live across the street from our health club and either i lift weights and take a spin class, or do a minimum of 30 min. on cardio machines and then lift weights. i take 25mg. seroquel nightly to sleep.

i believe exercise has more benefits than negatives….but i exercise early in the morning to burn off my mania and the music on my iPod is used only for exercise…very high energy, motivating and fast.

when i leave the club, i `shut it down' and try to keep things sane, quiet and non-stimulating. i am retired so i may be at a different stage in life as far as work, kids, etc. (am also married to a gym rat).

i have 100% bone density when i have that checked and my weight is good for my height and age. could never even think about not exercising and just came back from being out of the country for 3 weeks and used a band and improvised every way i could so i could exercise daily. ok, so i'm an exercise addict but am merely offering my input.

Keeping it early in the morning is a great idea for keeping the mania at bay, though. I just started a new job ( whole 'nother stressor there! lol ) so we'll see how it affects my day-to-day routine. I agree with the pros outweighing the cons.. at 42, things could start going downhill for me quickly if I'm not careful. It sounds like you're on top it though and at 68, that's a huge accomplishment, so that's awesome!

[RustbeltRoyalty]

Originally Posted by LastQuestion

I've found the amount of calories I consume matters less than the kind of calories. I'm more stable eating whole foods, no refined sugars, and no gluten regardless of whether I'm exercising. I eat lots of brown rice, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and lean protein sources. However, I've come to understand that sufficient regular sleep cycles is the most effective thing I can do at thus point. Bar none, nothing helps me with mood and coping with stress like keeping a good sleep schedule.

So, I wouldn't be so quick to implicate exercise as a cause for anything, although over training can put just about anyone in an unstable state of being. Intensive training with lack of sleep doesn't gI've the body/mind the rest it needs to stay entirely functional. Put a nutritional deficit on top of it and I would expect things to deteriorate for anyone, regardless of whether or not they have bipolar.

It's important to learn what our bodies need to function, especially for people like us as bipolar places substantial physiological strain upon us. We, honestly, need more sleep, consistent exercise, and better nutrition than normal people.

That's a good point about not putting the blame entirely on the exercise. I'm still not entirely certain if I wasn't at least hypomanic to begin with. You're also correct about the sleep. Aside from my meds, getting a regular 8 hours has been the most effective thing I do for mood management. The food is admittedly something I need to work on a bit, still, lol. The cooler temperatures throw my appetite into carb and sugar mode.

[middlepath]

Exercise that is rigorous or at a gym where there is high intensity music overstimulates my nervous system and I find over a few days of repitition it can launch a (hypo)manic response. I have created rules for myself now. I don't exercise two days in a row, I don't get into intense cardio, and I try to make each adventure outside a way to meditate and/or think and connect with myself. That has helped and prevented any problems for a year and a half now.

Originally Posted by RustbeltRoyalty

Hi, folks.

Does anybody find exercise, especially the more vigorous and exertive kind, a potential trigger for a manic episode? A few years ago, I became interested in fitness, started a cardio/strength regime, and went flying straight up. Lost 20 lbs in less then 2 months, worked out heavily for over an hour everyday, and even managed to stay on a strict 1500 calorie diet. It was way, way too much. Of course, looking back on it now, it was clearly a manic episode. Knowing what I do now, I'm a lot more apprehensive about exercising again.

The problem is that I'm in decent shape already, though, so things like walking around the block a few times aren't going to cut it. I'd really like to avoid the weight gain associated with antipsychotics, plus working out does feel great. It brings my stress level down plus it gives me a sense of accomplishment. The benefits do seem to outweigh the potential risk but still..

Has anybody ever gone through this, and if you do, how do you cope and manage?

Thank you for reading.
~Rust