Do you exercise?

Do you exercise?
E

EGL

Registrant
During my therapy session today, I was relating an incident about this weekend to my T and mentioned that I went to the gym for the first time this weekend in about 8 or 9 months. He got this quizical look on his face, and said "Aren't you exercising regularly?" :confused: I got a quizical look on my face after a moment and said "Um...no(?)." :confused:

He said "I thought we discussed that a while back."

I said "I don't remember discussing it." He ruffled through his notes a moment and couldn't find any notation of it. We then launched into a 30-minute discussion on the benefits of exercise to those in recovery. I was quite surprised. He said that he generally begins any new relationship with a new client by talking about early on the value of exercise in recovery. He said that he feels it is very helpful, and was really surprised that he had neglected to have the conversation with me until now (2 months into therapy).

As he explained it, exercise has the same chemical effect on the brain as many sedating drugs, such as Xanax, in that it help calm the mind. He further explained that if many of the people who are on anti-depressants would exercise regularly (4-6 times a week), their need for anti-depressants who drop dramatically to a level where they probably wouldn't need them. I take Xanax, and he said that drugs such as that are equivalent chemically in the brain to a pint of scotch. Explains why I feel so good after taking it. :D But he said he would rather see me exercising regularly and weaning off the meds for two reasons:

1. So I don't become addicted, which Xanax can be addictive.
2. So mentally I don't feel like I have to have a pill to cure my problems. Exercise will help me feel like I cured my problem, not a pill.

So, I have a goal now. :) I'm going to exercise regularly (at least 4 times a week), and will strive to get my weight down to 180. I'm 6'0", so that should be about right for me. I'm 193.5 now, so hopefully I can shed the 13.5 pounds. I might even look "sexy" after that. :eek: :rolleyes: :cool:

This was a very "up" therapy session for me today, I got a lot out of it, and am actually looking forward to something in my life now. Now that's a good thing!
 
Eddie - Thank you for telling this anecdote -
it really is helpful to me -
so many folks have been telling me to excercise but nobody put a reasoning behind it-
doctors or friends -
i have been planning on going to the gym there is now more of an impetus to go -

thanks .....

mark
 
Eddie,

this is really good advice, I used to go down to the gym, when you work out, it relaeases chemicals to the brain, endomorphines, makes you feel really good.

One word of warning, don't do it every day, it can be addictive, just like any drug.

I find riding a bike, or long walks, can be very therapeutic, this is what I do on a regular basis, every day in fact, suppost I am addicted also, but I just love to escape.

Just my way of finding relaxation, from this day to day humdrum life,

ste ;)
 
I don't get that pint of scotch thing but, otherwise, I agree that exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, is helpful, not only because of the endorphins being released but also because my breathing is improved--deeper, more complete breaths. That, I think, is what helps modify the syptoms of depression.

A brisk, half-hour walk a day should do it. Walking can, I've found, also have a meditative aspect to it and meditation, too, has been suggested as a way to modify the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

I know that changing my inside is something different from changing my outside though the efforts seem to coincide. Not keeping those separate has been obstacle that sometimes prevents me from maintaining regular, moderate excercise.

Once I am walking its always good but getting to that point is sometimes hard even with medication.

Depression comes in all shapes and sizes so I don't think that regular excercise will always remove the need for medication. While I know, from personal experience, that exercise enhances my sense of well-being I wouldn't want to rely on it exclusively.

Thanks for this post. Just when I am struggling with this issue, you remind me of its importance.
 
Like others, I love to exercise. Running was the best medicine ever for me.

One of the big obstacles that is getting me down right now is that I have a nagging injury to my foot.

I've had it checked, and the doctor says it's nothing serious. It's been with me now for more than eight months and even though it's getting better gradually, it just won't seem to completely heal to free me to get back to the exercise I love. Arrgh!
 
Hi. I am a great proponent of exercise. I joined a gym 18 or so months ago and it has done amazing things for my self esteem. I work out for 2 1/2 hours ever other day. I have gained 15 lbs and taken my body fat content from 25 plus to 14%. AT 63 I have my abs back and I feel great. For too long I hid the body that I thought got me into trouble. Now about running. It can hurt the feet, the back, the joints and the diaphram. If you want cardio learn to inline skate. It is terrific for you and once you learn not to fall it is easy on the joints.
 
Geez all this walking and I could have been drinking a pint of scotch the whole time? lol! Just kidding! Good information to have! Thanks. Yes, I do exercise regularly for weight loss. I put in about 5 miles a day on most days. Some days I just can't do it due to meetings and group and stuff in the evenings, but most days are good.
BT
 
On a normal day I walk about 3.5 miles (live in the city--no car). I used to work-out 3 times a week and I was in great shape. That ended about 2 years ago and now my muscles are pretty much all but completely gone. And I am smoking way, way too much.

However, I am determined to start going to the gym again regularly. I did feel a lot better about myself when I was in the habit.
 
I do concur exersize can be a powerful component of anyones life. I am one of those guys that go to the gym all the time, and about a year ago took the next step and started working with a trainer.

However, I do not believe it to be a replacement for meds for those that need them, and would be pretty cautious about that theory.

Just be careful. Meds can be a pretty powerful tool as well when used and prescribed correctly.
BT
 
Eddie
I have to admit that I don't excercise at all, and I smoke and drink too much. :(

My job is physical, I'm a heavy engineering fitter, but at 51yo it's not excercise any more. I get the young guys to do the heavy stuff!
But I'm not totally unfit. My hobby of off-roading involves a lot of walking - and pushing 1 1/2 ton LandRovers out of window deep mud :D But again, I tend to 'direct' the young guys now.

So, before I become a true couch potato I NEED to shift my ass and excercise!

Dave
 
I need to get to the gym a lot more. I feel so much better after a workout. It also increases my appetite, which is good (I'm underweight). I'm finding that workouts also help me become more aware of my breathing, and help me "feel" my body more (in a good way).

Jeff
 
I've never been one to excercise. Right now I'm in no physical condition to. Several months ago I tried yoga to help relax, all I did was hurt myself more. At work I do a lot of walking, upwards of 20 miles in a day in mud and shallow water, I have been trying to avoid it this last year because it hurts too bad after a mile or so. I know on those days that had done all the walking or had to really exert myself I did feel much better. There is a definate benefit to exercise.

As Mikey says, try inline skating, but beware of lamp posts. ;) :p ;) :cool:
 
About 2 years ago I was finally diagnosed as haveing a rare genitic form of Muscular dystrophy - why do I mention this you ask??? - because untill that time I had always been a very physical person in very good shape (5'9"-180lbs-9% body fat) - had always taken very good care of my body (eat good foods - take vitamins)- I was in the weight lifting club all four years of high school - used to bike many miles a day - rollerskated all of the time - also did a lot of swimming - even was in the military for 6 years where they keep you fit...

For me all of these activities were a way of releaseing stress - they were part of my copeing skills that I'd learned over the years

I have really let my body go downhill the last few years (now weigh 210lbs at 28% body fat) - I know I need to do something about it but any physicaly demanding activity leaves me in pain that lasts for hours and sometimes days afterwords...(the M.D. causes my muscles to fatigue really fast - sort of like the runners burn feeling)

I have been thinking that perhaps maybe low-impact cardio (like swimming) might not be so hard on me - just need to kick myself in the rear hard enough to get myself to the door of the local gym...

Thanks for the reminder that we ALL need to take care of our bodies...

TJ jeff
 
I exercise. I go to the gym 5 days a week. But, I HATE it. I know I am doing it for me, but I have the nagging voice that tells me I am wasting my time. I HATE that voice. But, I force my stubborn butt to the gym, and make myself lift and do the *(^%&&^$$^ cardio. I am not noticing any calming o fmy mind. Maybe I should step up my workout.
Casey
 
Casey methings you are being burdened by the Committee of Assholes in your head. Shut them up and it will get better for you. They are not your committee anyway. If you figure out how to fire them let me know cause I can just shut them up at the moment.
 
hey here's another response -
i went to the gym this morning - i thought i know i am supposed to do it - and like it??? but i don't
then i walked about 3 miles instead - felt so weary and aimless and then got a very sensual massage from another man -bye my hotel - went home and masturbated after words -

started feeling so much pressure building up in me could not interpret or deal with what was going on inside of me -

now i realized images of my family have been streaming through my head

listen up!!!

when you have such controlling people around you - you loose a sense of your own abilities or the value that you have - i suddenly thought
---fuck it - they are not here anymore- i am alone - and i just started cussing at any little old thing i felt annoyed at - and that was pretty darn nice -

it was really cathartic ....imperfect - and NOT WORTHY OF SCORN
i am going for what i want -

-yeah it means accepting being an imperfect boyfriend but ok with that
- setting my boundaries with shopkeepers who try to touch me (a moment ago) -
and then i came online -

i realize that IF I DO NOT WORK OUT - the EFFECT IS EVEN WORSE - than IF I DON'T

AND THAT THOUGHT IS A COMFORT .....:-)

Thanks for the rant ! :-)
MGB
 
I exercise, having been training in sport since I was four years old, it is kind of a 'given'. I do not know about 'liking' it. Some things, like going to the gym and lifting weights and such, I find rather boring! I would rather be skating, or running, or playing tennis. But I do like the result on my body, because doing the 'boring' stuff allows me to have better energy and strength for the things I do enjoy. And it does feel good, to feel soreness or tired in my body and muscles. But that is just me, perhaps.

leosha
 
I will try to listen to my own words as I impart them to you...I:m often better at solving others` problems and clueless about the same issues internally!
All exercise can definitely feel good. When initially exercising beware you will be body conscious in the bad sense as well, which is to say your body will be stressed and that includes the brain and emotions. Starting up serious swimming after 3/4 seriously couch potato years I felt my face underwater recreating/triggering some of the choking I endured in my childhood abuse. I realized it brought back alot of these same feelings I unknowingly had when I started becoming an all-LA city swimmer in High School (and further explains why I screamed on exhales during flashbacks while swimming back then!)...You might face a few months of retriggering, but fight to get past it. Somebody said swimming is low impact, but that depends on how hard you swim!

Warning 2; losing weight and *sexiness* as a goal is dangerous too...someone above mentioned Addiction to exercise...I am struggling with this now...to have a sexy Body Image. Even when I was a City Swimmer, I then (as now) focused on my imperfect teeth, so body image has to change internally as well as externally. I:m taking a vacation here in Tokyo away from my English teaching job for the sole purpose of trying to up my 7500M of swimming to include weights too. I don:t know if I:ll get my goal of 175 pounds at the end of the month or not, I wonder what I will think at the end of the vacation if I fail...Exercise yes, but it:s only one tool, something else must click to give yourself a good Body Image. Good Luck, it:s very important to get body aware again. I:d be interested in hearing how you come along...
 
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