Depression and no time to exercise!
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All good advice. I wake up an hour early to exercise. I started with about 10 minutes because it was all I could do. I can truly say that I feel completely better, mentally when I exercise. Maybe try five minutes a day and see if it helps you at all.3
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Try exercising it has been know to decrease depression symptoms. I am sure you can find 30 minutes a day to fit some activity in. Stop making excuses.4
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I get up at 4 in the morning... at work for 7;30-4:30... home for 6... quick snack... out the door and off to the gym about 6:30..for 1.5-2 hours... then home, a snack... and bed by 9 -10... 5 days a week... Saturday and Sunday I hit the gym for 2-3 hours each day... There is Nothing like an hour of steady state cardio to alleviate stress and anxiety... A person needs to use their body for what it was designed for... mainly hunting and gathering... BUT since our "modern world" sees us hunting and gathering at a supermarket we have to create alternatives... hit the gym... pick up a martial art, take a walk, ride a bike, do something to engage your body in meaningful physical activity... buy an ax and head into the woods and chop trees into toothpicks... Until I decided that my health was more important than my comfort...sitting on the couch watching tv... I didn't have time either... SO.. in a broader sense of "LIFE" we are only given so much time on this planet... ask yourself.. "Am I making the best use of it? what more can I do? for myself? for others? ... YOU will figure it out... the better version of you is inside you somewhere... find him/her... and kick his/her *ss5
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I don't get a lunch break at work as I'm with the tenants 24'7, thank you all for your advice on the depression but id rather get to the root of the problems,than just cover it with pills. i think getting fit will help a lot. il take your advice of the short and quick exercises when i can, barring in mind even for a quick work out, you still need the right clothes (sports bra, leggings, involves changing) and a shower after if you sweat.. and you should if your work out was good!! lol. so that all adds to the time. I completely agree that you have to make the time and i will try my best. thank you all.
Depends......pilates and yoga (not hot yoga) isn't going to make you sweat profusely.
I walk briskly during my lunch break (but not in 80+ degree weather). I keep baby wipes & deodorant in my desk. There are going to many times when you won't have to take a shower.
Sports bra for high impact.....regular bra for everything else.2 -
I feel you, i have a very tight schedule, but you just squeeze in what you can, i work full time, have 4 kids, and do scouts with 2 of them, one is autistic and has weekly therapy, I also do 95% of the housework, my typical day looks like this
530-get up and shower
600-Get kids up and ready
645-leave with all 4 kids
700-drop littlest off with baby sitter
730-get to work and kids to school (i work at the school)(i also dont get a lunch break)
1600-get off work
1620-pick up kids
1700-start dinner
1800-eat, then clean up
1900-bathe kids and get them ready for bed
1930- make husband watch kids so i can workout
2100-bed
on scout days i have to cook and be at scouts by 1800 (6pm) then dont get home till 8pm, my days are crazy and have to be routine, but i workout extra on weekends to make up for missed workouts during the week
as far as depression, i do suffer with that on and off, but i tell myself that if i dont workout, and stuff my face instead, im going to regret it and hate myself, plus working out makes you happier1 -
str8bowbabe wrote: »I can honestly say I have come out of depression from working out. I went thru a very nasty divorce that dragged on for way too long. I didn't want to go anywhere or see anyone. One day I went for a walk along the river just to think. It ended up being 2 hours later before I returned to my car. I loved it. It was a great way to think and well the exercise was just a plus so I started walking almost every day for an hour at least. The endorphins kicked in. I was feeling better and in time looking better which of course helped with my depression.
Same here. I had a bad breakup, and walking my dog every night for 2 hours down neighborhood sidewalks helped me think and process the breakup and the side-effect was that it gave me a LOT of exercise, and I lost weight without even knowing it. Plus, the empty feeling in my stomach made me not want to eat much.
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I don't get a lunch break at work as I'm with the tenants 24'7, thank you all for your advice on the depression but id rather get to the root of the problems,than just cover it with pills. i think getting fit will help a lot. il take your advice of the short and quick exercises when i can, barring in mind even for a quick work out, you still need the right clothes (sports bra, leggings, involves changing) and a shower after if you sweat.. and you should if your work out was good!! lol. so that all adds to the time. I completely agree that you have to make the time and i will try my best. thank you all.
Depends......pilates and yoga (not hot yoga) isn't going to make you sweat profusely.
I walk briskly during my lunch break (but not in 80+ degree weather). I keep baby wipes & deodorant in my desk. There are going to many times when you won't have to take a shower.
Sports bra for high impact.....regular bra for everything else.
THIS. Don't make the perfect the enemy of the good. You don't have to be perfectly outfitted, with equipment & shower & oodles of time. Just get moving. If you're sitting at a desk, stand up and sit down 10 times. Take the stairs to the next floor to go to the bathroom. Little things will add up!6 -
I don't get a lunch break at work as I'm with the tenants 24'7, thank you all for your advice on the depression but id rather get to the root of the problems,than just cover it with pills. i think getting fit will help a lot. il take your advice of the short and quick exercises when i can, barring in mind even for a quick work out, you still need the right clothes (sports bra, leggings, involves changing) and a shower after if you sweat.. and you should if your work out was good!! lol. so that all adds to the time. I completely agree that you have to make the time and i will try my best. thank you all.
Depends......pilates and yoga (not hot yoga) isn't going to make you sweat profusely.
I walk briskly during my lunch break (but not in 80+ degree weather). I keep baby wipes & deodorant in my desk. There are going to many times when you won't have to take a shower.
Sports bra for high impact.....regular bra for everything else.
Ya, I only need to shower afterwards if I'm outside and it's hot. I don't work up a sweat lifting weights in my 64 degree gym or practicing yoga in my 68 degree house or walking outside fall-spring. (Although the colder it is the longer it takes me to get dressed for a walk.)1 -
I don't get a lunch break at work as I'm with the tenants 24'7, thank you all for your advice on the depression but id rather get to the root of the problems,than just cover it with pills. i think getting fit will help a lot. il take your advice of the short and quick exercises when i can, barring in mind even for a quick work out, you still need the right clothes (sports bra, leggings, involves changing) and a shower after if you sweat.. and you should if your work out was good!! lol. so that all adds to the time. I completely agree that you have to make the time and i will try my best. thank you all.
Right attitude on the depression. It really helps me out a ton!. I got a fit bit so I could see my activity levels and tested it out for a week, then tried to improve it from there. Sometimes I will run in place for 5 min.. or do squats, or push ups against the counter I don't get super sweaty and do not need workout clothes to do those. ... every little bit helps
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i think getting fit will help a lot. il take your advice of the short and quick exercises when i can, barring in mind even for a quick work out, you still need the right clothes (sports bra, leggings, involves changing) and a shower after if you sweat.. and you should if your work out was good!! lol. so that all adds to the time. I completely agree that you have to make the time and i will try my best. thank you all.
Nah, I work out in my underwear. I'm at home so no one's going to see me.
You can also try working out in very small bursts, like every time you go to the bathroom do two squats, or put a pull-up bar in a commonly used hallway and every time you go under the bar you have to do a chin-up.
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I have severe depression and I for now, do have time to exercise but sometimes have a hard time breaking through the mental negativity. As others have noted, exercise can do wonders for depression and in my experience, a short intense workout can give great results. That said, please don't feel like you should be able to beat your depression through willpower or exercise. Be open to medication. It can change your life. When I have been in situations where time and facilities were limited, I've found some simple things that help. Heavy weight training, that also doesn't have to take long, has given me the best endorphin rushes, and that includes when I used to run long distance (like 10K and up) on a regular basis. If you need to start slow, start heavy, step down a few pounds, and then again, until you're struggling just to curl that five pounds. You'll feel that in the morning! Get yourself a jump rope, two heavy dumbells or a kettle bell, and just knock out some squats, burpees and jumping rope when you have a few minutes, right before a shower or whatever. Even if you don't have the weights, try burpees, push ups (make'em handstand pushups if regular ones are easy), sit ups and squats/squat jumps/one legged squats, keeping up a fast pace will wear you out quickly. If you can, download a tabata app for your phone or ipad. That can help you keep movin through the exercises for 8-10 minutes which can give you a tough workout in minimal time which will make you feel good. Adjust as needed to you don't get discouraged early on but push yourself as much as you can because endorphins are a hell of a drug
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Since being on MFP i have stopped my anxiety and depression meds. I also no longer need therapy for my PTSD Exercise has made a huge impact on my moods and even with work and study I work out. Some days I wake up at 4am(in summer) just to get my work out in. If i don't work out i get emotional and it ruins my day.
If you want to work out then you need to find a way to fit it in your day. If it's 100%impossible it's not the end of the world if your goal is to lose weigĥt. Just reduce your calories. When your life calms down, add in a work out or two. If you sit at a desk, get a gymball or cycling pedals. If you watch tv or a movie, cycle. There are also 3_5min work out videos on youtube you can do throughout the day.2 -
Hi there
I just want to let you know that your not alone when it comes to struggling with mental illness and weight loss. I'm diagnosed with GAD and getting past that and finding 5 mins to exercise some days is impossible. Yes there is 24hrs in a day to exercise but having an illness is at times debilitating and even the smallest of tasks is tough. If I could share one more thing it's take care of your mental health first and the rest will follow.
Feel free to add me as a friend if you wish. Sending along strength and hugs.
Good luck with your progress.1 -
OMG! If you just sent a friend request, I tried to hit accept and POOF decline...my apologies. Let's try again1
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It sounds to me like you are exercising. Unless you are literally sitting on your butt most of every day (I can't imagine getting painting done like that), you are more active than a lot of people. Maybe it isn't more physical activity that is necessary, maybe it is more sleep!
As a personal note, I find medication for depression (and anxiety) very helpful. I'm more mindful about the things that contributed to my poor mental health and feel like they put me in a better position to think rationally about the stresses in my life. I can't say my depression is "gone" but I tune in to negative moods more quickly and am able to work my way out of them before I hit bottom and start imagining myself doing something drastic. It probably is a crutch but I'm the first in the family whose depression has not landed them either in a psychiatric hospital or a grave.3 -
Others have mentioned that exercise helps with depression. I'd like to reiterate that. Also, I have read that exercise can be as helpful as medication in helping depression.
Commit to walking just 10 minutes. You can walk longer if you are enjoying yourself, but the knowledge that it is only a ten minute commitment might remove the barrier to getting started.
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I have started with a little exercise each day to help get unstuck because exercise has boosted my spirits and given me more sustaining energy throughout the day. I also have sleep better and better sleep equals better mood. Even just a little exercise makes a world of difference! I walk on lunch break.
My suggestion is to try to sneak some exercise in your day while you're out...quick walk around the block for fresh air, off the bus sooner than your regular stop, stairs over elevator, get a pet to play with if you can (unconditional love, and exercise through playtime), walk instead of taking the car, consider watching some you tube videos of others in the same boat I.e google image "depressed but can still exercise" for one one one stories of their journey to feel less alone in this and maybe get inspired by their success?1 -
Not having time for something really just means it's not a priority for you. That's ok, it's not a moral judgement or anything, we just tend to make time for the things that really matter to us. The good news is, you don't technically need to exercise to lose weight, you just need to eat fewer calories than you burn.
I'm sorry you're dealing with depression, I know that's tough!2 -
Be creative!
You can do 10 squats in the bathroom every time you go to the toilet.
Lunges every time you go up the hallway.
Intervals of high intensity work on the house followed by normal work periods.
In your study break 20 push-ups or dips (will help you focus too).
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I have bipolar disorder type 1, work, have a family and am studying towards my masters.
There have been times when I have been unable to exercise and my mental health has suffered.
I take medication (which is a necessity for some and not a crutch) but the exercise definitely helps takes the edge of my depressive symptoms.
From personal experience I would encourage you to try and fit in some exercise but also encourage you to seek professional help if you are suffering depression or low mood.2 -
I want to add to my post, if your depression is entirely situational, as hard as it is, maybe you need to 'get to the root of the problem', as you say and make some changes.
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Just having the support of so many people makes me feel so much better and is incredibly encouraging! Thank you all.2
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You have the right attitude! Start slow and start small. Leslie Sansone 1 mile walk workouts take only 15 minutes, are low-moderate intensity and can help you break a small sweat. Good luck!1
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I don't get a lunch break at work as I'm with the tenants 24'7, thank you all for your advice on the depression but id rather get to the root of the problems,than just cover it with pills. i think getting fit will help a lot. il take your advice of the short and quick exercises when i can, barring in mind even for a quick work out, you still need the right clothes (sports bra, leggings, involves changing) and a shower after if you sweat.. and you should if your work out was good!! lol. so that all adds to the time. I completely agree that you have to make the time and i will try my best. thank you all.
Getting fit won't necessarily help - it's the pitfall for a lot of people... thinking that losing the weight will change everything... but it really doesn't.
However, being more active can help. Honestly, you don't even have to exercise - just walk whenever you can. And you don't need to take a shower after then (or just plan your daily shower after your workout).1 -
Don't underestimate how much physical activity you are already doing. Both care work and house renovation are quite strenuous. It's not all about sweat.
If you want to add a bit more, why not extend your walk home? Add a loop to get it up to 40min or an hour. Also gives you a chance to unwind after your shift before falling into bed, and possibly improve your sleep too. And doing it after work means you don't have to worry about stinking up your work clothes, which are probably headed for the wash anyway after a 24 hour shift.
I agree with whoever said to consider sleeping in separate rooms from your boyfriend, if your shift patterns are not compatible and you're a light sleeper, it might be the only solution. Sleep is crucial.2 -
I was very sad and fat when I started. I refused to exercise because exercise is dumb. I got my food scale and only ate my allowed calories plus having to walk the dog. Then, the weight started coming off. I felt a little less sad and felt like moving a little more. I took the dog on longer walks and kept at my calories. I felt even less sad, so sometimes I went on walks even without the dog. I kept on doing this until one day when I was walking, I felt the urge to run. Not much or fast, but I run (I tried running with the dog, but she's a greyhound and can kick my *kitten* at running). I keep with my calorie goal (which is what I knew even with the lazies and sads I could do). As I started achieving small milestones like tight pants becoming loose or not feeling like death warmed over, my pile of what I CAN do and WANT to do got bigger and the pile of shitstorm that was my sucky fat sad life got smaller.
I still feel the sads sometimes. I don't always want or like to run. I am happy with the results I am seeing and post regularly in the NSV thread in the Success forum because every little win does count and keeps me on the wagon.
I have a long way to go. My second leg of the race will probably harder and longer than the first, but I'm in it to win it.
Edited to add: Yes to the bra. Get good bras. The high impact one from Lane Bryant (if you're a biggerly gal like myself) is amazing.4 -
I can't be the only one depressed with no time to exercise, but has anyone over come this, if so please share your wisdom!! Thank you.
When I've been depressed, I felt like I didn't have time to exercise. Or for many other important things. When I was depressed life felt much more difficult than at other points in my life. A lot of it was in my head.
During those times of depression, whenever I've been able to force myself to exercise, I always felt better afterward. That was part of how I climbed out of the hole, sort of like an upward spiral.1 -
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im just a care worker1
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