Posted by Michele on April 11, 2001, at 2:29:22
In reply to Exercise Depression Poll, posted by Peter S on April 11, 2001, at 0:46:18
That is definately a tough question.. and very frustrating that no AD's have worked for you!
Ok.... I was a fitness instructor for many years, you are definately on the right track.... exercising like you are every day. It's tough, not knowing you.... but the basic fitness program for someone in "general"..... would be At least 40 minutes of aerobic activity a day(which is sounds like you do).. but sometimes.. like say if your run.... you are overexerting yourself.. which could deafen the results you really want. I don't know your age..... but I'm gonna give an example for a 30 year old. It's not necessarily 40 minutes for the total workout... it's 40 minutes in your target heart zone. Meaning.. for a 30 year old.... you want your pulse to be beating at between 120 beats per min.- 139. For a full 40 minutes. Sometimes brisk walking is all you need... you'd have to keep track of your pulse... you might not want to be running yet. Oh, I hope this is making sense. Now hiking.... would be something to do in ADDITION to an aerobic exercise daily. It's non-aerobic... Your heart rate doesnt stay consistent..help lift some depress.bike riding also.. it's very hard to keep your pulse rate consistant(hills, etc.) Now... doing an areobic exercise... is good to do everyday... and you can do it as long as you want.... AS LONG AS YOU DON'T GO OVER YOUR TARGET HEART... in addition...... the other stuff(hiking, lifting weights, etc) is better to do every otherday or every third day. I'm not say this would lift your depression... it definately helps me... noticed the difference since I haven't been doing it for the last couple years..... but it will help you sleep better, give you a great healthy goal,makes you feel so good about yourself. The endorphine rush is great too...... but the point is.... you can't overdo it.... then your sore, beat, whatnot. I don't know if this helps any. Has helped me much in the past. You would also loose weight doing this...... especially if you keep it up... so if you don't need that.... be careful to maybe eat a little more... or protein shakes.... weighlifting.... etc. I'm sorry this advice is so "vague" but it's hard to give it without personally knowing you. But that would be the "standard" someone would give. EXCELLENT IF YOU HAVE A PARTNER. I'm not sure how much this would lift your depression. I would say it was great for minor or situational. And... as far as if that didn't work.... and need more meds..... I'm not the one to ask about that one, but many people on here are very in tune with the so many different and specific meds. Good luck, my heart really goes out to you that your having such a horrible time trying to find something to work. Keep me posted...... Michele
poster:Michele
thread:59389
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010403/msgs/59394.html