Just need to vent.

What is it with therapists and exercise?? I mean, I know it's helpful. Who doesn't know that exercise is good for you in this day and age? I had just finished telling my therapist that I don't feel well, my body aches, I feel inordinately tired and have been to the doctor - who prescribed more tests and recommended more doctors. She's like "maybe you're fatigued because you're not exercising enough." I said to her, "That comment makes me feel like this is my fault - if only I exercised more I wouldn't feel like utter crap." (Ok, I left out the crap part). Thing is I used to be very active. I know very well how it's supposed to make you feel better. But I just don't think it's a magic bullet, like some people claim. Often, when I do get out for a long walk or do some other aerobic activity I come home and still feel achy or depressed. I am just so tired of feeling like I'm making this up, or this is my fault. Ugh. Gotta wait a whole week now to tell her that... Grumpy.

I totally feel you on this! Of COURSE I should exercise, but the whole thing about being depressed is that you just can't FORCE yourself to do it. Now I am back to doing well and taking yoga, etc, but no amount of FORCE would have made me do this. I have a habit of bullying myself.. and that never would have gotten me out the door more than once or twice. The way I got myself out the door was TOTAL acceptance of failure to do whatever I was trying to do, and taking it ONE step at a time. Like, I don't have to go to yoga, I just have to put on my yoga pants. And then, I don't have to go to yoga, I just have to drive to the studio with everything I need. And then, I'll walk into this class but I give myself permission to leave if I want, and I give myself permission not to try the challenging poses. And soon enough...

But I could NOT have done it if I felt all guilty about it, no WAY. That would have just increased the depression...

Thanks, jexa. The thing is I really do like to exercise and be active. I feel frustrated that I don't feel like getting out right now. Or that when I look for that push of energy it's just not there. Thanks for sharing your technique. I used to kinda use that one to get to the Y when I used to go. I would say to myself, "ok, just put on your workout clothes, then go over to the snack machine and think about buying some crackers... then work out a little." I wish I were back there being more able to do that stuff. I think right now I would just want to sit down on the treadmill.

I've had my pdoc and my therapist say the same thing to me. It's frustrating, because I have worked out a lot over the years and I'd always pay for it later with pain. I've never been one to feel fantastic from exercising. I know that there are benefits from exercise, but when you feel like crapola, it's hard to get motivated.