Excessive is not my friend

I struggle to develop an exercise regime in the fall and winter. I know what to do just don't have the energy to do it. Exercise keeps my depression under control during these periods of rain and shorter days. My depression is getting increasing worse over the last week. I'm struggling and I can't make myself do the things I know I need to do.

Exercise is really helpful to me too, but it can be difficult when the weather is lousy, for multiple reasons. There's a vicious cycle to it where you have less energy, so you skip exercise, so you have less energy, which makes you less likely to exercise.

About a month ago I ran a half-marathon and hurt my hip. I couldn't run for almost three weeks, and during that time my mood fell HARD. Suicidal thoughts, everything. I started running again as soon as I could do it without pain even though I REALLY didn't want to. It seemed like the worst thing in the world when I wanted to just go to bed after work. But I forced it, because I knew I had to, and after just a few days of getting back on a regular exercise schedule the darkness started to lift.

My best advice is to find something that you actually enjoy. I do actually like running most of the time, which I know is kinda weird, but I HATE the treadmill, so I never bother with that. I also do indoor rock climbing, which I've found to be a really excellent way to vent frustration. Aggressively hauling yourself up a wall is cathartic and you feel a rush of accomplishment when you get to the top. It's a great mood booster for me.

What are you currently doing (or not doing) for exercise? Do you like it, or is it just a chore to help your brain chemistry? Exercise that you find difficult, but still fun, is much easier to talk yourself into doing when you don't feel the best.

I currently walk. During the spring and summer I walk six miles a day. I also hate the treadmill. I live in Oregon where it rains most everyday during the fall and winter so walking outside is a challenge. I'm trying to find an app exercise buddy to walk with or maybe join a Zumba class with me. I'm just struggling with the motivation to just get up and do it.

I live north of Seattle and I can tell you that every year until this year I've gotten depressed starting around the middle of September as the days get shorter. It's seasonal affective disorder [SAD], and is easily treated with a full spectrum light and melatonin.

I started taking an extremely high quality nascent [ionic] iodine last summer, and have noticed that I didn't developed SAD this year!

The other thing that I think is helping my mood this year is that we've got full spectrum light bulbs in all our lights, and with our elderly dog who is almost blind, keeping them on all day has probably ensured that I am getting the light in my brain I need to keep from becoming depressed.

Here's some links and articles on the subject:

Seasonal Affective Disorders - 2 - SAD, Melatonin, Serotonin - Life Extension Health Concern

Treating Depression Naturally Is Possible ? Clean's The New Black

This is a link to an Ott Light that is a full spectrum light. I have an older version of this that I have on all day for my dog, but I really think it's helping keep my mood stable by getting light into my brain.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sto...FQ6dfgodcmoBQQ

I absolutely love Oregon (have some of my family there) in the summer and early Fall but could never live there year round. I am addicted to sunshine. Sunshine is one of the things that motivates me to walk every day (though I do put on my raincoat on rainy days). Are you taking vitamin D? I bet everyone in Oregon needs to take this supplement during the winter. Palest people in the US.
Is there a gym you can join?

I've never done Zumba because I'm super uncoordinated, but I know lots of people who have and they seem to really enjoy it. It's as much a social outing as it is an exercise class, so there are multiple benefits.

You can also make outdoor exercise a lot more pleasant if you get the right clothing. Stuff designed for backpackers and other people who have to keep moving in bad weather is really nice. It can be expensive, but you can find really good deals online.

Exercise helps me a lot. I'm the opposite though, I love the colder, darker months and have more energy during those times. It's during summer that I lack the will to go to the gym and exercise.

I do a lot of walking, especially outside. I love being in nature. If it's cold I just bundle up and go. I also love yoga but haven't been able to do it recently because I tore my calf muscle this past summer.

Good luck to you, I hope you find your motivation.