[googley]

So I've done some good things (well one) in that I started working out. It has been a while since I last worked out routinely. I started it last Saturday and have gone 1-2 hours every day except Tuesday and today. I will be going again tomorrow. However, I'm feeling really tired. I know that it is good for me to work out, but that I also probably started by jumping in instead of dipping my toes in. What I am trying to figure out is if my exhaustion I am feeling is a new bout of depression coming on or a regular reaction to exercising. I'm also having some depressed thoughts about being lonely and not cared about. About not getting support when I know that I'm not asking for it. Is this exhaustion because I'm working out or because my depression is back? Any suggestions on how to tell? Thanks.

[Direction]

I think you are having some good insight into what's happening. I would think a little of both...easy to correct. I think dipping your toes in would be the goal for this coming week.

[Rohag]

I agree that reducing the intensity of your work outs -- keeping them routine -- may give you a better idea about the source of the exhaustion. If it's the exercise, then a less rigorous workout theoretically should reduce the exhaustion.

I'm one of those people for whom physical exercise has but a minimal, fleeting effect on my depression. A long-term dedicated exercise regimen failed to keep me from crashing in the 1990s. I believe my experience is anomalous, though. Exercise should help, or at least support your other mental hygiene efforts.

Success and all the best, Googley!

[turquoisesea]

for me I got this way when I started exercising at first , espcially with depression. Hopefully your body should adapt within a month (I know that seems like a long time) if you keep going reguarly. You could alwyas go and do less than normal the days you are really tired?

For me if my depression was really bad and it was a gym day, i'd turn down the resistance on the eliptical machine I go on (well I haven't gone in 2 months now =( ) and maybe reduce the aerobic time by 5 minutes if necessary. I'd also reduce the weight lifting by about 5 pounds depending on the exercise if I was having trouble. Making the habit, in my opinion, is just as important as how MUCH you do while at the gym.

How's it been going lately?

[Nemo39122]

*tackles*

I sometimes have a hard time figuring this out too. How I usually tell is if it feels more physical or mental, like if it's just from karate/exercise yeah I'll be physically tired but still functioning fine. If it's from depression, I'll be tired in the sense that my butt feels glued to the couch lol, just like a weighed down kind of tired. I also feel tired mentally, like I can't think very clearly, and I'm much more likely to nap.

Another way to maybe tell the difference....when you think about or plan to work out again and if you consider not going, is it because you're physically sore and/or tired, or just don't feel like going even though you feel fine physically?

I hope that made sense....

[arcangel]

1-2 hours every day...I would guess that is way too much to begin with and has got to be a big part of your exhaustion.I think one hour every other day along with some biking would be less tiring and get those positive endorphins going

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((((( googley )))))))))))))