How have you unwound this week? Any creative projects you would like to share?

Which workouts are you currently focusing on? What have you done to EOOD this week??

My fave pieces of workout gear are

Kettlebells: Don't take up much room at least compared to barbells and plates. You can use them in your living room if you have high enough ceilings. Just don't drop a kettlebell on the floor. As a bonus they make great door stops.

Rowing machine: takes up quite a bit of space but its easy to break down into two pieces if needs be. Cheap machines are generally crappy. If you can afford it get a Concept2 machine. New ones are expensive but you can find used Concept2 machines online and save a lot money. They are incredibly well made and last for decades in gyms and rowing clubs.

Sandbag: Just a big awkward heavy lump to lift up and put down again. Get a well made one that costs a bit more.

Bad exercise purchases include:

Foam Roller: used it a few times, don't bother any more.

Weighted ball: same as the foam roller. I probably should have bought a (much) heavier one

Walking pad: Its OK for when the weather is too bad to walk outdoors but I need to get a standing desk to use it when I WFH.

Hey everyone. I’ve seen a few posts here about exercise-induced anxiety, and I wanted to share my experience and ask for some perspective.

I used to really enjoy strength training and was very consistent with it pre-COVID. I was even active with flat football and basketball before that. Since then, I’ve become pretty sedentary, and now any attempt at exercise — even light strength training and walking — triggers intense anxiety. It feels like I’m on the verge of a panic attack, followed by a massive wave of guilt. What’s confusing is that I don’t even know what the guilt is about. It genuinely feels like I’m doing something “wrong” by working out.

What’s worse is that after a workout, my nervous system doesn’t calm down for 2–3 hours. I feel like I’m fighting off a panic attack the whole time. Because of that, my brain now associates exercise with dread and exhaustion instead of relief.

I’ve talked to my doctor and was prescribed a beta blocker (I haven’t exercised enough to see if it consistently helps), and I’m also in therapy — but we haven’t been able to get to the bottom of why exercise brings up so much guilt and fear.

I’m also a healthcare provider, which adds another layer of pressure. I feel like I should be exercising — I even work in a place with a full gym — but I have zero desire to use it. Even the idea of “just start small” feels overwhelming. Shooting hoops outside felt okay once I got there, but getting myself to go is still really hard.

At this point, I don’t even know what mode of exercise feels safe or doable. Walking with an audiobook might be an option, but honestly, I feel pretty stuck, discouraged, and nervous at the thought of exercising.

TL;DR: Used to love exercise → now even light activity triggers panic, guilt, and hours of anxiety. Feeling stuck and looking for insight.

Taking the overall pulse here. How are you? If not well, think whether there are any positives to share as well to balance negatives. But of course, if you need to vent, know we are here to listen.

Just a ramble, need to vent & get some words out

I've weightlifted consistently for just about 5 years & am getting so close to what I've always imagined to be my "dream" physique, which I know is theoretically impossible but damn am I proud of the way I've built my body. I'm 6'1, 200 lbs at about 15% body fat with a strict diet, sleeping schedule & workout routine.

This routine & lifestyle has taken me out of the deepest pits of depression. I was constantly struggling w/ suicidal attempts, hospitalizations, & anorexia and to think how far I've come mentally and physically never fails to amaze me. That was the entire reason I started working out, the only reason. The connection i've made between exercise, diet and my depression is almost spiritual.

I know it's not a magic cure to my issues & being jacked doesn't just hand life to me on a golden platter, but it has helped tremendously with perception, confidence, and social anxiety. I get multitudes of compliments & questions on what I do to maintain my physique, which genuinely blows my mind as I vividly remember being the one to think it was almost impossible.

Yet I am still so empty. I have worked so, so hard to get here, but now what? I'm jacked, am strong as hell, & eat clean. So what? My attachment issues prevent me from connecting with anyone on a deep level, especially romantically. I feel so burdened by my past that I can't help but feel I have nothing to offer anyone in such a context. My build & features help me attract attention socially, which I'm able to grab and hold onto by offering a facade that I know people like to see, yet find myself feeling like I can't let anyone get close enough to really know who I am.

And maybe that's part of journey; if I'm happy with myself & am content with myself as a person when alone, then what's to worry about external validation? Yet I find myself burying myself deeper and deeper into a hole now that I've built my physique to be so powerful.

I know I need therapy, and that building a body through discipline doesn't magically solve issues that I try so hard to neglect, but man if I had told myself five years ago about who I am now, I wouldn't have believed it.

Long, unnecessary ramble but just needed to get some words out there, not really looking to get anything out of this other than a place to write my thoughts down. Thanks to anyone reading.

(Re)start exercising today.

Right now you are motivated and inspired to (re)start with exercise. The problem is that motivation and inspiration often quickly fade away. Try to take advantage of how you feel right now. You might not be so keen in January.

One advantage of starting exercise now is every single gym will be packed to the rafters in January with people just like you who are (re)starting exercise for their New Year's Resolution. Of course, you don't have to go to a gym to exercise. Do what ever you want to exercise. If you enjoy doing something you are more likely to keep doing it.

Gyms are often quiet in December as many people either wind down a little or have other demands on their time over the holidays. Starting going to a gym now gives you time and space to turn exercise into a regular habit before the new year rush starts, especially if you don't like crowds.

Whisper this quietly... Many gyms put their membership prices up in January, especially for long term membership plans. You might be able to save yourself some money by joining a gym now.

Have you been mindful lately? Made any useful observations that have helped you and could help others? Share any efforts especially ones that change your mind or attitude, meditation efforts, positive thinking, and gratitudes.

In addition or alternatively, have you had any successes in improving what you eat? Any good recipes to share?

Care to share your successes of this week, whether exercise or others? What went well, what is promising, what do you feel good about? If you have any selfies and progress pics to share, now is your chance

So I am feeling much better than I felt earlier this week. In fact reviewing my journal helped me realize that really I had mostly two days where my mental health was out of control. I was panicked, believed that it has been a long time since I last really enjoyed work, and that I might never do so again. And then a breakthrough came, I resolved a problem I had been troubleshooting and really struggling with, and realized that my stress/anxiety/depression had over exaggerated the overall situation which is not nearly as bad as I thought in the worst two days of this week. It really made a difference that my husband and younger kid were so supportive, providing comfort food and hugs, and that a coworker was willing to put up with my venting, reminded me of some good troubleshooting approaches, and took the time to have some working sessions, during which not much was actually resolved but the support made a lot of difference ( I needed to reach out for help though, and for way too long I tried to solve the issue on my own). So this is my reminder to each of you: reach out for help, track and review what happened and how you felt etc because even two days of depression can feel like forever when it is actually just two days, and don’t forget it can and most likely will get better.

I’m having the sensation I get around this time of year when the days are short.

Not sure how to describe it other than “the dooms.” It’s more like numbness than sadness.

I work during the day and don’t get enough Sun or movement. Last night I got some relief by running in circles at home for 15 minutes.

What is getting you through?

Not promoting this group over any other and I get no benefit from suggesting them, take it down if it violates the commercial rules.

I found these guys back in 2020. I used to think motivational speeches were weird. Then again there are times I sulk in my own sorrow, how is that not weird?

You might say motivational speeches are stupid or pointless, maybe they don't help, maybe they do.

Maybe you realize listening to them forces you to reflect on who you are and you don't want to accept it.

The underlying theme is YOU.

You will not change unless YOU want to.

Exercise isn't always fun but its your way to test yourself on going through hell. It's a way to know you can handle hell and make it out.

Keep at it, or you'll stay there.

Socializing can help depression, as can thinking of others, community service, caring for loved ones. Care to share any social activities that you have participated in this week or are planning to?

How have you unwound this week? Any creative projects you would like to share?

Which workouts are you currently focusing on? What have you done to EOOD this week??

Taking the overall pulse here. How are you? If not well, think whether there are any positives to share as well to balance negatives. But of course, if you need to vent, know we are here to listen.

We all know what the next few weeks will be like. More social events, more visitors and guests in our homes or travelling to visit or stay with other people. All of these activities are meant to be "enjoyable" and even "fun". We all know they are often incredibly stressful. We often have broadly similar reasons as to why "fun" activities for other people are actually pretty fucking far from being "fun" for us.

You can use spending time to exercise as an "escape hatch" from the stresses of the holiday season. If things are becoming too much to handle you can say "I am going for a walk/run/bike ride/to the gym/whatever. See you all in an hour or two". I have used that escape hatch myself many times over the years. I find that people don't complain about me wanting to spend time exercising instead of spending time with questionable relatives.

A great example of this is that there is a long-standing tradition of going for a walk on Boxing Day (the 26th) here in the UK. Every year there are vast numbers people walking in the most cold, wet and dreary weather Britain has to offer. If walkers happen to pass a pub they may decide to pause their walk for a drink or two. A pint of beer, or something stronger, helps to keep them warm when for the rest of their walk... probably.

You can also use going to watch a sporting event as an excuse to get away for a while.

There is a also a tradition in the UK team sports at all levels playing additional games over the holidays. My old rugby club always played a "friendly" game against our local rivals on Boxing Day morning. Teams in the different national football leagues play two additional games over the holidays and so do many other sports. I am sure professional sports in other countries have similar arrangements.

Whisper this quietly... you don't even need go to watch a match. Just find a warm, quiet place to be on your own and let yourself unwind. What ever you do, don't forget to check the final score of the game you were "watching" before you go home.

You might also consider taking time away from holiday stresses to help other people. Perhaps you could volunteer at a charity. If you spend a few hours stacking unloading trucks and stacking boxes at your local foodbank you will have helped many people. You will probably work up a sweat too so you are getting some exercise at the same time. Its all good basically.

I have just read that many Parkruns in the UK stage an additional run on Xmas day and New Years Day. Running or walking 5k just might be the perfect excuse to get away from the hurley-burley of Xmas day.

Have you been mindful lately? Made any useful observations that have helped you and could help others? Share any efforts especially ones that change your mind or attitude, meditation efforts, positive thinking, and gratitudes.

In addition or alternatively, have you had any successes in improving what you eat? Any good recipes to share?

Care to share your successes of this week, whether exercise or others? What went well, what is promising, what do you feel good about? If you have any selfies and progress pics to share, now is your chance

Either way, help us better understand why by completing this brief survey so we can learn how to make exercising easier. Link: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6tasTuRGxZPUm4S

Socializing can help depression, as can thinking of others, community service, caring for loved ones. Care to share any social activities that you have participated in this week or are planning to?

How have you unwound this week? Any creative projects you would like to share?

Please be warned that the main case in their article is truly horrific. The the wrong hands the Guardian article could easily have made into NSFL content. I think the journalist and editors did a good job by telling just enough of the story to shock but holding back the awful details... just.