Vigorous exercise helps the most!

Especially when Im in crisis, adding more vigorous exercise to my schedule helps the most. I was one of those people who never exercised-more the cerebral type. I actually scorned exercise when I was younger. For us mature folks, it really isn't optional for health reasons. In committing myself to vigorous exercise for health reasons, I discovered that vigorous exercise, or even regular walks helps more than anything with my bipolar.
For those of you like me who aren't the physical type, try water aerobics. Its the first exercise I ever liked enough to stick with. LA Fitness has a big program where in a big city you can try different locations, and therefore dif instructors who have very different styles. Water aerobics is not dorky, as I thought it was for years. Men do it too. No one can see your bulges or whatever because you are under water!!!!
Next time you are having an episode, try exercising and you'll see. It works like magic. I go regularly without fail at least twice a week. When I am having problems w my bipolar, I increase it to 6x a week. Try it. You'll be amazed that no one ever told you this.
Tho a leisurely walk can be helpful by just distracting you, what Im referring to is real aerobic exercise that churns out those endorphins and puts more oxygen in your blood. I get so angry that none of the so called professionals mention this and the importance of structure and routine, knowing your triggers, and avoiding toxic people. Love to you all!!!

I like walking too. I got an insane amount of exercise yesterday just by power walking in the sun/heat. It was a 40 min power walk, but I underestimated the time, distance, and heat. (I only wanted to do about a 25-30 min slow walk, but for some reason, I decided to power walk.) I was sweating like a pig, even with a hat on to block out the sun. TONS of sweat dripping into my eyes. It was pretty gross... not gonna lie. But I didn't regret it.

I would try water aerobics, except I have a skin condition on my back that I'm embarrassed about. So I'd look pretty awkward if I wore a shirt in the water to cover it... and even worse in a wet suit. lol. It's a great idea, though. I used to loooove swimming. Very relaxing and requires a lot of strength because of how resistive water is.

I'm only 27, so I guess I'm not as "mature" as you're probably talking about, but I would have no problem doing water aerobics or anything that. I couldn't care less about the ages of people who do them or the "dorkiness." Exercise is exercise. If people want to make fun of it, then fine. Enjoy being a couch potato or enjoy limiting yourself. If you say you don't like something without even trying it, then you're missing out on something you may really like.

I have found out exercise helped me allot. This is particularly true with vigorous exercise. I have been running (sort of) for several months now. Sometimes I run for two miles, and sometimes four miles. Sometimes I do this every other day, and possibly every day. I started off with a 18 minute mile. Now due to my persistence, I now can run a mile less than twelve minutes. So not only do I vigorously exercise, I also set myself goals. I then monitor my performance and improving fitness level. Sometimes this can turn out to be better than an AD.

I'm wondering about med side effects, if they affect other people, too. Even when I just walk I feel "off balance" and have a feeling of such discomfort in my brain (if that makes sense). I would love to exercise more, but those side effects are disabling.

I have poor balance as well from my meds when they kick in, but I walked before I took my meds yesterday and I was fine. I'm not sure if that is the case for you, but that's just my specific situation. Is the balance thing all the time or only after you take your meds?

You could try an indoor stationary bike. I'm blanking out on the exact name because there are multiple types of stationary bikes, but I mean the ones where you sit-up perfectly straight rather than lean back.

You could also do light weight training. I promise you won't become a hulking beast. See this fit girl who is thin, but EXTREMELY strong from weight training:

No bulging muscles. Just lean and fit. She does calisthenics and some weight training. Lifting weights should be ok for you, I think. I would just start off with 5 lbs weights, do some pushups, do some crunches, etc.. That'll burn fat because muscle needs the calories from fat and your muscles will start chewing up the fat. You'll probably get sweaty and your heart rate will go up as if you were doing cardio if you do the weight training without many breaks.

Well, yes & no. If you've got an eating disorder and a problem overexercising causing you to lose weight as well as bipolar, I'm not sure it's the healthiest outlet. It's the outlet I'm using right now though, unfortunately. I need to gain weight, I think 15 lb. to be at the bottom of normal for my frame, which is small. I get pleaded with to even gain 10 lb.

With meds, I was posting on here not terribly long ago, maybe May, June about repeatedly falling down, often while jogging. That was because I felt off balance a lot of the time. I even saw a neurologist who said I was perfectly fine. I complained to the pdoc about it because those issues seemed ongoing and it was a 3 times a day med and he reduced & reduced until it stopped bothering me. Propranolol was the culprit.

I agree that exercise can be very helpful!
Lately, I've been going through med adjustments and I can relate, Laurie.
Neurontin has me a bit light-headed and off balance for most of the day. I am hoping this side-effect goes away soon! I want to go back to my walking!


WC

I agree. The days I run I feel the best.

Thanks for your reply, blue. Yes, that odd "off balance" sensation is always present. Man, do I dislike it. For example, for years & years I was a bicyclist. Then I had an off-balance feeling, fell, and knocked out my front tooth. UGH. I was very lucky not to break bones in my face; at least the tooth could be replaced. So...I stopped cycling . I sure miss it.

I was also a weight-lifter. I actually did get "buffed out"! I loved it; I was very proud of myself. Unfortunately, I caught a heavy glass refrigerator door that fell of its hinges at work (cafe). Tore my rotator cuff (shoulder), had to take a year off on disability, and the physical therapists I saw told me to stop weight-lifting (also the pain was too severe to continue). Bah. I was so disappointed! However, I like what you suggested about light weight-lifting! I have not thought of that before & it is something I believe I would enjoy, plus it doesn't have the risks involved with the off-balance sensation. I feel excited...I can definitely get some light weights and give those a try.

I still do yoga and stretching, which I enjoy. And I dance around my living room (I was a ballet dancer way back when, before I gained weight from meds).

I'd love a stationary bike, but cannot use one because I live above other tenants.
Light weight-lifting and walking, though - those are 2 excellent options.

I'm on Gabapentin (about 6 weeks, now) and have that fairly extreme side effect of being light-headed and unsteady from it, too. It's a common issue with that particular medication. I also hope the side-effect goes away after a while. My pdoc is raising my dose very slowly because she says she's had patients fall from being on the higher Gabapentin doses.

Thanks for sharing

I agree! I actually started doing ultra marathons about 10 years ago when I figured this out. Sadly, my joints can’t deal with the pounding at the moment, which leaves me with few strategies for relief. I wish someone could shoot me full of endorphins every morning.