Does regular exercise help you cope in these troubled times?

[La Coliniere]

Before our national nightmare began 7 LONG years ago, I hardly exercised at all. In order to keep myself from falling into a depressive state due to our national state of affairs, I have to exercise on a regular basis. Really, after my morning readings of DU, Buzzflash, Common Dreams, and Consortium News, I have to run or lift weights to keep me from falling into the dark abyss of depression. I'm also a political activist when I can be, but this alone isn't enough to keep the blues away. I guess the only bright side to what has happened and is happening is that I'm keeping myself in decent shape. Otherwise I'd be heavily dependent on pharmaceuticals to help me cope. Is this true for others as well?

[TomInTib]

1. I bought some really heavy wine glasses.

I lift them at least fifty times a night, per hand.

[La Coliniere]

4. LOL

Done that as well. Had to limit that kind of exercise, but there are still those times....

[beac]

15. Funny, that's my "cool down" routine after a day spent

alternately clenching my jaw and stomach as the news of the day unfolds. I think they call it "isometrics". ;)

Sometimes I like to mix it up by doing deep-knee bends as I line the catbox with a picture of Shrub or Cheney.

[Libby2]

19. LMAO!! Hey that's my routine too......except the litter box thing.

Yes, working out helps me.

[TomInTib]

21. Speaking of cats....

I sent this catnip doll to my ex for her Bengal cat. The doll was a likeness of LittleMan (Shrubbie), and that cat is fierce. I figured she would work her own special voodoo on it.

She (ex) called me the morning after she received it, just laughing her ass off because she woke up, went into the bathroom, and the doll was in the litterbox.

[beac]

32. Perfect! That's one smart kitty.

:rofl:

[NightWatcher]

2. two words: heavy bag. beat on it for a few minutes

you can even tape pictures of people to the bag

[blue sky at night]

3. well known fact that......

exercise fights depression....man do we need to get out there and hit the (fill in the blank) everyday!!

[Elwood P Dowd]

5. Me and my dog walk 3 miles a day.

Takes about 45 minutes. On nice weather days we may stretch it out to one hour. I listen to my iPod, and she runs all over the place looking for critters to chase. She will occasionally jump a deer or rabbit but never can catch them. She has learned that ducks can bite, and little dogs don't fuck with large king snakes.

[La Coliniere]

10. Great!

I also take our terrier mix with me when I jog. Soon as he sees the iPod he starts to shake in anticipation of his "walk".

[Quantess]

12. My dog goes with me, too. It's half the fun.

Especially when I let him off the leash on the trails.

[BlueManDude]

6. Physical excercise is as beneficial to the mind as it is the body.

[panader0]

7. As a bricklayer, I get plenty of exercise every day

That, in addition to several beers, keep my spirits going. My outrage, however, has never been so high.

[dkofos]

8. I walk 3-4 miles every day. It's good for the body but not my attitude.

[Quantess]

9. Yes, exercise is saving my life.

Ironically, I feel better now that I'm NOT on an antidepressant anymore! I am jogging/running again, like I always did before I got hooked on Effexor. The Effexor made me physically lazy. It took away my motivation to exercise.

The physical exercise is doing more for my mood than the medication did. I have so much more energy now that I'm getting in shape.

[La Coliniere]

13. Beautiful!

It's amazing how the body responds to being "worked" by producing those positive psychological benefits.

[EFerrari]

11. YES. It gives me a mini vacation every day.

Be good to you and exercise every day. All you need is feet and no one can mess with that.

[Pastiche423]

23. I don't have feet that work

but I still get out and power wheel as much as I can. It clears the mind so that you can be ready for the next outrage.

[EFerrari]

28. And it helps, doesn't it? There really is something about the fresh air

that is rejuvenating. :hi:

[Pastiche423]

29. Yes, it really does

It also keeps me away from my addiction (for a little while) - obsessing on politics.

[eShirl]

14. yes, but it's becoming increasingly difficult with arthritic knees

I can't even do Sweatin' to the Oldies now without aggravating the knees :(

Hopefully the mini exercise bike that I just ordered this week (thanks to the stimulus refund) will help. I can pedal it while doing computer stuff. ( http://www.pcgamerbike.com/PCGBMini.php )

[raouldukelives]

16. That's sounds pretty cool!

Years ago I worked in a bicycle shop and we sold a similar gadget that you hooked up to your computer. If I recall correctly it was about $1600.00 and it was only the one "game". Just scenery and bike races.
Like to hear how it works out for you!

[eShirl]

22. sure :)

I added you to my "buddy list;" I'll let you know about it once it gets here and I have a chance to take it for a spin.

BTW, what was the gadget called, the one you sold in the bike shop?

[raouldukelives]

24. The name escapes me

It was a pretty serious set-up though. You were basically wired up to the exercise bike and it tracked your heart rate, pedal revolutions etc. It was meant as a way to spice up indoor training for serious cyclists.

[msongs]

17. hell its great. been doing wts 3x wk, swim 3x week. lost 12 pounds and feel so much bttr nt

[onethatcares]

18. masturbation, works.

trust me

[Saboburns]

20. Absolutely

I just bench pressed 300 lbs. for th first time last week.

Just lacing up the shoes for a 2 mile run.

Best shape of my life, and I'm 41.

I hate the fucking bastards.

Exercise is WONDERFUL stress relief.

[Firespirit]

25. I've been fighting depression for 6 years, and finally decided to just embrace it.

I don't really need to exercise -- my BMI is under 17 -- but I used to exercise semi-regularly. All it accomplished was to jack up endorphins and whatever, and make me feel violent and homicidal. No joke. If I exercised outdoors, then I'd just SEE someone and feel a surge of hate, like, "How dare you intrude on my space and exercise in the same area that I am." If I found something indoors to do, then I'd feel the same surge of anger, but I'd be tempted to act destructively toward property in the house. It's just not worth the risk. I DO have a tendency to get into a "red miasma" if I'm angry enough and react with physical violence, and when it happens, I don't feel like I really have control over what I do.

I've tried counseling, tried everything except meds, because I already take a number of things for unrelated problems. Given what my response is when I feel a chemical high, I'm also afraid of taking anything. I've also decided that maybe, sometimes, there are good REASONS to be depressed, that it's a natural human response, and I'm not going to deny it any longer. Nihilism may not be the best life philosophy, but it's better than feeling like Jekyll and Hyde.

[InvisibleTouch]

26. No energy for exercise anymore.

Not that I've ever been huge on physical activity for its own sake, but for a few years I made a passing stab at getting some regular exercise. When the times came when I could barely crawl up the stairs because I was so tired, I decided no longer to torture myself. Now that I've recovered from that little era, I still decide no longer to torture myself. Given that I'm not displeased with my weight/physical condition, I figure, why bother? Got enough things to worry about rather than guilting on myself for not doing what some expert says I "should." It's ironic in that they say exercising gives you more energy. Doesn't work that way for me!

[kpete]

27. one must keep moving

I am on the computer alot, but I love my bikes (road and mountain) and I do lots of hiking and long walks.

definitely helps keeps me sane...if one can use that word...
kp

[Manifestor_of_Light]

30. Too goddamn hot to go for a walk.

I wish I had a pool.

I'm moving to a little town, and I will have to join the Y which is 20 miles away.

[Skittles]

31. I exercise every day

do I seem like a calm and rational person? :7