Improving Fitness for Mental Health

Yes!
I've battled depression and anxiety for a long time, and I'm hoping my current get-healthier efforts will improve things for me, as well as help with my fatigue and low immune system.

History of bipolar, anxiety, substance abuse. Exercise and having a healthy weight helps with all of these things but definitely easier said then done.

I struggled with mental health issues since I was a pre-teen but used to self medicate with alcohol and drugs. Been in recovery for over 7 years and since then have used food for comfort on and off. Since being in recovery I have gained 65 pounds, I did lose it all at one point and was the healthiest I had been fitness wise, which also made me the happiest I have been but gAined it all back after at a very stressful time of uncertainty in my life.

Now this past year of my life has been the most unstable, bipolar wise where I have felt the lowest that I have ever felt. I recently started on new medication and am already starting to feel more stable so I'm starting to incorporate small changes of healthiness into my lifestyle. I do struggle to get motivated and am really just trying to push myself and to stop comparing myself to my past and everyone else because that really discourages me.

I've battled anxiety/depression since I was a child - my first (and biggest) suicide attempt was at age 12. My parents didn't seek help for me - I wish they had. I went on antidepressants about 8 years ago; for some of us, they mean life or death. I do okay in the summer, but plummet down in winter. But exercise plays a HUGE part in helping me stay on top of it all. This is why I prioritise cardio (although I do lift weights twice a week to try to maintain my muscle mass), because that's what helps me. As long as I exercise, and use a lightbox in the winter, I'm okay.

That's definitely why I'm here. I just got out of a nightmare of a depressive episode and I'm trying to get that jump start and improve my view of my body while I'm at it.

I also love walking to calm the mind. Swimming is also great. I've heard that more strenuous cardio exercise could also be beneficial for mental health.

I have bipolar disorder. My medication works miracles on the crazy, but gives me the munchies. I'm here to get that under control through keeping a food diary and also get to a healthier weight. I do notice adding diet and exercise to medication and a good nights sleep, does make me feel much better. I have no friends yet, so feel free to add me.

To help with my depression, anxiety, and adhd. Yes. Also, I'm trying to get my body to give in and go on a normal sleeping schedule, since every day i am exhausted.

*Waving over here*

Me - dealing with anxiety, depression and Auto-immune disorders and chronic pain. The Lupus has certainly made its impact felt with exhaustion and my highly negative response to UV so my main form of exercise, hard, long walks is now out of the question.

I've basically been able to maintain my weight despite being on steroids and now my Thyroid doing a hyper number on me (God the anxiety is shocking from this) through very careful logging but I have had to go back onto anti-depressants now...I'm just too tired and worn out from battling this on my own.

I have decided finally to employ a P. Trainer and join the gym...maybe that will help. I hope it does.

Wishing every one of those on here who has these difficulties all the best. You are all Champions.

assilem_2003 wrote: »

I'm interested- I've battled with this app for so long... I've never wanted to add people because my depression tells me that they will only see that my fat self can't succeed so I tend to give up.

I've been there, too, with oodles of negative self-talk. Please feel free to add me. I most definitely will not be thinking of you that way!

I have dealt with anxiety all my life. After having kids I struggled with it a lot more. Sonce starting working out i have had no panic attacks. I normally get overwhelmed whenever so much is happening which is common since i am going to school full time and have 2 children. But working out has helped me be able to relieve stress and not become overwhelmed with all my homework.

I'm in the same boat. Since 1982, I've lived with it and had ups and downs.

Since dieting, I've found that eating healthy and exercising do help. Because I am so overweight and have arthritis in one knee, my exercise is limited to swimming laps. Sidestroke really helped me lose inches so that I looked like I had lost more than I did. The inches came off in my thighs, hips, and tummy which are the areas I needed the most help.

So try it and see how it works for you. Some days you are going to have to drag yourself out of bed and to do your exercising, but it will pay off.

Good luck.

Yes I'm definitely working outbfor mental health. On days where I get discouraged by lack of physical improvement (early days yet), I have to remind myself that my mental health is number one right now and that exercise and healthy eating are just as important for my mind as they are for my body.

quinngetsshredded wrote: »

I've noticed that while my energy levels haven't improved, they haven't dipped at all as a result of the exercise– which is something I was worried about happening, at least initially.

Have you tried changing your diet? Eating more fibrous, natural foods might help!

I have bipolar disorder, and exercising helped tremendously...but only to a point. I still love to work out, but the depressive side doesn't stay away as long. Idk if that makes sense, but I'm very unstable at the moment. The only thing that truly helps me out is staying busy, my meds, and lots of marijuana.