Exercise While Depressed?

[80s_Lover]

So...I've been having a pretty hard time over the last three weeks and my appetite has been non existant. I can't even force myself to eat, it comes right back up no matter what I do so I've been trying to drink soy milk when I can and a granola bar the minute I'm even a little bit hungry...no matter what I seem to do it only adds up to 500 or less. I've also been exercising to boost my mood but I'm worried about the combination affecting my health negatively? Does anyone here have any input?

[Elena99]

I've been reading your posts, I can see why you'd have no appetite. *hug*

Anyway, when you exercise, do you feel hungry after? Or even a half hour later? If it's not making you hungry, you should just make sure that you're not making yourself lose weight that you don't want to lose. If it boosts your mood, you should exercise regularly still.

If you cut up vegetables or fruit and keep the bowl with you, do you think you'd be able to eat it over the course of an hour or so? That might help get more food in you, if you don't notice yourself doing it so much.

[rainbowmoon]

I think most of your energy needs to be devoted to doing what you need to do to get yourself mentally healthy. If you feel that exercise is necessary for this, do something light like walking, yoga, pilates...something soothing mentally and physically. If you can hardly keep food down I don't know that you need to be going for long runs or doing very strenuous workouts. But that is just my two cents.

[beforewisdom]

Everything I ever read has said that exercise helps depression.

Not wanting to eat is like insomnia. Sooner or later you will want to eat, and exercise will help that along too.

[IamJen]

In most cases, the exercise should help your mood. Get those endorphins pumping! :)

As far as food, maybe you could work on eating some super calorie-dense foods so that even if you're only eating a little, you'd at least be getting your body adequate fuel. Smoothies are a great way to add some extra cals..load up some fullfat tofu or soymilk in those babies. :)

Your breakup is pretty fresh, so you may just still be adjusting.

Also, in one of the other threads, did you mention maybe seeking some counseling/therapy for yourself? For many, food and emotions are very intertwined. Getting some help and advice about the things you've been struggling with may help with the dietary problems as well.

[MEST up GC kid]

now that i think about that, the same thing has happened to me too. But i just dismissed it as maybe it side-effects (I've been out of school since the beginning of november with mono). Try taking a break from exercizing (i cant spell for my life) and see how you feel. Still crappy after that? Go to the doctor and see what they can tell you. :)

[lijahbaby]

I also have read your posts and first of all :hug: Exercising is so important when you are depressed. I agree with IamJen. Eat foods that are high in calories that are healthy like peanut butter, avacados, smoothies with flax oil, etc.

[vggiegirl]

I understand that everyone says exercise is good for depression. But when you are down in the dumps - don't want to wake up in the morning depressed, it is hard to say "I think I'll go for a jog"
Any suggestions on getting the @ss-kicker to get started (for 80s Lover and myself!)

[zoebird]

i think the best thing is to do some kind of movement--even if it's just turning on some music and dancing around by yourself just to get energy moving. Also, it connects you to yourself.

i mean, i don't like to go out for a jog any day, let alone when i'm not feeling so great (emotionally or otherwise). So, yeah, i'd avoid that. but, when good music is playing, i can't help but start to move. ANd, yoga is a big, natural thing for me too. so, that's easy for me. just do whatever moves you, whatever you love, and then youll be motivated.

as for the eating/exercising thing: i agree with beforewisdom. eventually your appitite will kick in. very likely, it'll do so before you know it.

[80s_Lover]

Thank you all for your reassurance :) I was just being paranoid about causing permanent damage or something...my therapist also showed some concern but I think that's because of my history with eating disorders. My eating has actually started getting better! Not back to where it was but everything has stayed down for 3 days now and I've been trying to consume all healthy food :)

[jimbojeans]

I get like that too when I'm depressed. A couple times I would barely munch on anything for a day or two at a time. Glad to hear your apetite is coming back. :hug:

[Morticia]

I've had severe depressive episodes several times over the last few years. I would definitly recommend that you keep excercizing. If you stop exercizing, you might get more depressed, which can make your appetite disappear even more.

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time of it. I've read a couple of your posts, and I think I can understand why you're having difficulties. :hug:

[xrodolfox]

I've had severe depressive episodes several times over the last few years. I would definitly recommend that you keep excercizing. If you stop exercizing, you might get more depressed, which can make your appetite disappear even more.

Same here.

I exercised my way out of a severe and dehabilitating depression of several years. No pills, just diet and some homeopathy and talk therapy.

I highly recommend forcing yourself to exercise somehow.


I understand that everyone says exercise is good for depression. But when you are down in the dumps - don't want to wake up in the morning depressed, it is hard to say "I think I'll go for a jog"
Any suggestions on getting the @ss-kicker to get started (for 80s Lover and myself!)

What I did was to make sure to commit myself to a group. I never exercise a lone (joggin alone, working out a lone in a gym, etc).

If other people had to rely on me, and expected me to show up, then I showed up. I tested them a few times, and didn't show, or showed up late, but the group would call and check on me and just having that sense of responsibility to the group forced me to show up.

I would start with an exercise class. I started out with a swim team and a soccer team. The thing that got me better was the exercise, but the reason I showed up at all (instead of lock myself in my room/house and not open the blinds or eat or answer the phone or anything) was because of the team. :hug: