We’ve all read the reports about how exercise can help alleviate symptoms of depression, but how often do your really THINK about the connection?
Right now, I feel like I’m living it. I cannot do much in the form of exercise anymore and I am miserable. (my family will back me on that as well!)
I wake up feeling down, spend most of the day just waiting for it to end, and then have a hard time sleeping because I am just not happy. My kids get on my nerves, my husband cannot do anything right, and I have nothing left for my dog. (anyone want him?)
In the words of my 4 year old, I am “GRUMPY!”
I so miss exercising! I miss the endorphins of a solid run or spin class. I miss feeling strong after a pump class or just doing lunges all around the house.
I know I will get back there soon, but for now it’s hard to see the sunshine behind the clouds. I worry that I won’t ever find the time with 3 boys under the age of four and a husband who travels all the time. I worry that I will sink further into this pit of despair and give up on myself completely.
So what can I do?
- Image via Wikipedia
Right now I can get up and go for a walk waddle and just enjoy the fact that I can even do that.
and hopefully someday, I’ll be running a marathon again.
How about you gang? Anyone else suffer from exercise-deprivation depression? Any tips to share?
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Honey. I totally know – I see a direct correlation between the exercise I’m getting and my mood. Thinking about you being able to get back out there!!
.-= syd´s last blog ..tight quarters =-.
It’s funny how those things seem to go hand in hand, huh?
Have you tried getting a trainer or a workout buddy? Maybe someone to MAKE you work out and get to spin class? I’ve started making spin class dates with a friend of mine… we get pissed at each other if one bails, so it makes me get there when I’d otherwise lay in bed.
Also – forgive me if I’m overstepping, but have you seen a doctor? Depression is serious. I was a WRECK until I got on proper medication. It makes a world of difference.
Good luck!!!
My depression lifted after having #3, but in that year, I’ve been miserable about my weight. And so now that I am exercising consistently, I am significantly happier. I had to find a balance in working outside of the home, 3 kids, traveling hubby, cleaning house, dog, and myself. I put all those things before me. I realized that waking up at 5 a.m. while everyone was sleeping was the best answer. I use DVDs and the treadmill. I downloaded some free exercise routines from various fitness magazines. I have a plan for my daily workouts.
I am more happy now that I schedule my fitness into my daily routine. But beating yourself up is causing more depression. Enjoy your time with hubby and kids. It will all get better soon.
.-= Rosa´s last blog ..One Year Old. =-.
If i don’t get a workout in each day, or almost every day, i get grumpy. My wife hates when i miss a day.
I had a hurt foot a couple of months ago and it took forever to heal so I couldn’t run at all. That was frustrating for everyone.
Sorry to hear you’re going through a tough time. Best tip I have is to just do what you can. Good luck!
.-= Blake´s last blog ..Who Likes Mushrooms? =-.
I am the grumpies to grumpy too! My son has decided to just stop sleeping altogether. I am so exhausted. Everything I eat or drink (water included) turns to acid. I can still hop on the treadmill for an uphill walk and use my dumbells. Maybe try som high rep, fast dumbell routines just to get the blood flowing. I know it helps for me. Oh, and stretching. That’s a god send.
.-= Hiit Mama – Meredith´s last blog ..Is the Primal Diet Optimal for Pregnancy? =-.
i have never been addicted to exercise i would stop and start depending on if i was doing a race or joined a gym b/c i was single…etc. only until i started training for the danskin tri did i finally become addicted and what i mean by that is – if i miss a day or 2 of exercise my body and mind feel it, they get cranky and they need to !! and i love it b/c i finally am at the point that if i do miss a day or 2, i dont’ quit, i go right back. also i had ppd after my second and i didn’t know it until a year later, but i do know that after i would exercise i was able to deal a bunch better than when i didn’t
.-= trifitmom´s last blog ..Lara Bars and Smoothies =-.
@Rosa:
Rosa, you are definitely an inspiration! I love this line from your comment:
“I have a plan for my daily workouts.”
You are right, everyone needs a plan!
This: Right now I can get up and go for a walk waddle and just enjoy the fact that I can even do that.” is ME to a T right now. I so feel your pain. Exercise has a huge impact on my mood. And I too have a wee one who likes to tell me every morning “You GWUMPY.”
.-= charlotte´s last blog ..Exercise and Your Immune System =-.
It’s really nice share.Thanks for share.
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Keeping a positive fitness attitude (or any positive one)is challenging at best and sometimes impossible in today’s stressful life.
We at http://www.familyfitnesspath.com think that the family sharing fitness together is a possible way to get the best of “collective motivation” along with the benefits of a healthier family.
Thanks for “keeping it real”-we all can identify!
.-= Jack Brooks´s last blog ..REFLECTION: The “Superpower” of a Positive Fitness Attitude =-.
we love you for your HONESTY.
xo xo,
Carla
.-= MizFit´s last blog ..Six life lessons we can learn from children. =-.
What a cool post, thanks for sharing.
Hang in there girl! Keep walking! You know you’ll find the time to exercise (even with three toddlers running around)! And while this may not make you feel better right now, I ran a race about a month ago, and this lady around the age of 50 finished right behind me. We talked for a bit and she told me that “training gets so much easier” at her age. Her kids are teenagers, so she has a lot more free time. She said when they were younger it was much harder. So this is the hardest it’s going to get for you, and at some point it will start to get easier.
I’m a monster when I can’t exercise. I don’t know if I’d call it depressed, but I feel like a crazed lunatic. And I KNOW when it’s happening. Sometimes I’ll apologize to Nick and say something like “I’m sorry I snapped at you…I haven’t exercised and I feel crazy.” Now if he senses my craziness he’ll ask if I’ve exercised. LOL! As long as I can run or beat a cardio machine into submission all is right with the world!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Our Wild Weekend of Jedi Knights and Monster Cranes =-.
I was exactly where you are. I think the traveling husband also contributes to the overall slump and also adds to the guilt. You get caught in a spiral of ‘i’m the only parent here so I have to watch them 100% of the time.’
I can tell you the very best thing I ever did was get a babysitter for 2 hrs 3 days a week just so that I could exercise when my husband was out of town. I prefer to exercise very early morning but you can’t really find a 6 AM sitter (unless you have a very understanding relative). so, i had to switch my workouts to whenever the sitter could come. BUT IT WAS SO WORTH IT!! It was worth the hit to the budget and, since it really was so few hours a week, my children really didn’t notice I was gone after the first week. And it made all the difference in the world. Getting out in the sun for a run or even going to a gym and seeing other grown ups for awhile helps.
Good luck!
Thanks so much Workout Mommy. The “plan” came from years of excuses that I didn’t have time because I had two kids (at the time), a traveling hubby, no job, depressed, fat, asthmatic, and tired. I get up around 5 a.m. and know what that workout will be so my mind wraps around what my body will endure. And I had to change that plan last night for today’s workout because my hip flexors are causing sciatica issues, so Pilates will be replacing 30 Day Shred workouts for 30 days. So I still have a plan for everyday while reducing the impact on my body.
.-= Rosa´s last blog ..One Year Old. =-.
Can you try something like yoga? While it may not give you the rush that your previous exercises did, perhaps simply focusing on your breathing and meditating can help you with your current bout of grumpiness…
This has happened to me before. There are periods when I’m planning the Mamavation stuff that I can’t get exercise in and I get so moody too! Dr. Renna says that dark chocolate is a natural mood enhancer. Just keep your eye on portion control. And you are ALWAYS welcome hanging out with the Mamavation Sistahood! I ALWAYS need mentors for my girls!
Does anyone know how kttape works?
.-= Del Miller´s last blog ..Exercise and depression =-.
I totally feel ya…maybe that’s what my funk is
Let’s get together and walk! Big hugs girlfriend.
Jamie
.-= A Forest Frolic´s last blog ..Wee one in B&W =-.
I am so sorry you are feeling down.
And yes, not exercising affects me the same way. Hang in there – you’re almost there!
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