[Bipolarchic14]

I need to lose weight but I seem to develop hypomania with too much exercise. I accidentally put this thread first under psychotherapy so there are two of these out there.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Bipolarchic14

I need to lose weight but I seem to develop hypomania with too much exercise. I accidentally put this thread first under psychotherapy so there are two of these out there.

I ran 52 miles on the treadmill one day when I was manic. Just sayin'... Took me a little more than 11 hours, cuz I am slow.

[Rick7892]

For me, too much of anything gets me off kilter. Signs that I am hypomanic/manic are grandiosely and too energetically trying to do more than I can do.

For me, excessive exercise leads to burnout, to stop exercising at all, and/or injury or strained muscles.

There have been times when I may get somewhat hypomanic with moderate exercise, but I am on the lookout for this and do self-help to become more balanced.

I also sometimes have brief touches of hypomania (energized and euphoric with grandiose ideas) during a pleasant shower. Again, I am on the lookout for this and nip them in the bud.

For me, I don't think either moderate exercise or regular showers has launched a hypomania episode. Exercise and showers in moderation are both more important for my coping and mental health than not doing them. When I don't do them, it may be a signal that I may be slipping into depression.

[Gabyunbound]

Exercise releases endorphins, so I can see why you'd be euphoric afterwards, I know I am. I guess it all depends on how long that lasts (persistently for weeks, with or without exercise?) and what you do as a result.

I am not sure which comes first for me, the chicken or the egg, in regards to elevated mood and exercise. Definitely I am much more physically active when hypomanic and manic. It has slowed down a bit as I have aged and am in poorer shape. When I was a young woman I was a super exerciser. I could dance almost continuously for over five hours, no problem. Walking briskly 12 miles was no biggie at all. I used to walk those distances with my friend several days per week throughout my teens, 20s, and much of my 30s and then even come home and start dancing. Then I slowed down. Heavy exercise when hypomanic/manic is now in shorter bursts.

I do believe that my medications also contribute to my slowdown. Though I don't feel tired on them, there is still sedation enough to curb what I used to call my "Speedy Gonzales" tendency. I'm definitely still not a slow-poke, though. Then there is also my tendency to sweat easily. That is annoying.

[fern46]

I think it is all about balance. Maybe try limiting exercise to 30 minutes or less. Maybe use a form of exercise that is calming like yoga. Pilates might work as well. Even a steady walk can be calming.

Select short routines and set a timer to help remind you to stop after a little while. Calm yourself down afterward with meditative breathing or something else relaxing.

There's definitely a way to make this work. It may take some trial and error. Sending support and well wishes your way!

[FluffyDinosaur]

I don't think I've ever gotten hypomanic from exercise, at least not from moderate amounts. Sometimes it does help my mood a bit. I have experienced the opposite, as I think many people have: when I get hypomanic I get a huge amount of energy for exercise and I feel like I could go on forever.

I don't, but if I do "ramping up" workouts I do get very rageful. I have to do more calming activities like fern said such as yoga and walking. Swimming is a good one too, but I haven't been able to do that in a while.

[unicornlady]

I have noticed that excessive exercise worsens mania for me. I had a manic phase where I'd walk 8-10 miles every day, and that just perpetuated the mania. There seems to be a tipping point where exercise goes from helpful to harmful. I think it's all about moderation, and stopping your exercise before it gets to cause the hypomania.

[Moose72]

When I was doing judo, I'd get a shower after and feel really good on the way back to my car and driving to my next destination. I went for a walk today and showered after - the effect isnt as extreme as after judo but I didnt work out as hard either- or get as sweaty.