Depression and athletics

You might want to check out this thread:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=109489&posts=966&page=1

I suffered from depression after my heart surgery a number of years ago.  In my experience being active helps, but I still can suffer from bouts of depression triggered by seemingly random events.  Better than it was, but something I think I'm always going to half to deal with on some level.

Mark

Heya Larali,  Although everyone's depression is different, it does seem that exercise is one of the most helpful treatments.  Although, for me, often the hardest part of exercise is the first vertical six inches of elevating my butt off the couch.  Please give it a try and explore different ways to get yourself up and out.  Best of luck to you as you work with the bipolarism,

Good for you for considering getting into athletics!  The fact that you're considering it shows that you're motivated to change.  Now the key is to find ways to start putting that desire into action in ways that create success so you don't get discouraged and quit.  I agree with Annie, those first 6" are the hardest.  I've had major depression for most of my life and I take a handful of meds to manage it. 

I had to start *really* small because I was injured for over 2 years and had no stamina or strength whatsoever.  In Feb. 2014, I started doing just one core exercise 6 days a week (it took about 90 seconds).  After a month of that, I started doing something else 3 days a week.  I did walk/run intervals (4 min. walking, 1 min. running) for 20 minutes one day, rode my bike for 15 minutes another day, swam a few laps another day.  After I got used to doing that for a month or so, I bumped up to 6 day a week.  Bear in mind that I had wanted to do triathlons for 6 years before I was able to start doing this so my desire was really strong.  I entered a 5k about 2 months later and cried when I crossed the finish line.  There are days when I overdo it then hurt too much to work out the next day, there are days when I just don't feel like it (last night, for example), but I keep going because I want it SO much.  I am also really grateful *every day* that I can do this because I had been so debilitated for so long.

The most important things for me have been keeping my expectations reasonable--no, I can't run/bike/swim as far as that person, but they're training for an Ironman and I'm not--rewarding myself when I achieve goals I've set, and being an active part of a community.  I'm in a mentoring group here on BT and it's made all the difference in the world.  Yes, we chit-chat about silly stuff but we also check each others' workout logs and leave encouraging notes for each other.  Having other people notice my progress has helped a lot (I don't tend to give myself enough credit), plus there are times when they help me keep things in perspective.  I also find that cheering other people on makes me feel better, so I do a lot of that.

I hope that you decide to take a crack at doing triathlons.  I think you'll find that the community is really supportive and once you get into the groove of regular exercise, it'll help.  I actually went for a run the other night when it was 9*, dark and snowing because I had a bad day at work and wanted to clear my head.  It worked!!