Depression and no time to exercise!

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

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.

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.

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?

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).

.........

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.

kitten8u wrote: »

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).

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.

kitten8u wrote: »

I work 24 hour shifts, am doing a part time uni course and trying to do up a house. I do try to walk as often as I can, but Its no way near enough to be healthy.

It's healthier than when you weren't walking, right?

and 24 hour shifts? You must be an EMT or paramedic!