Totally ADD: No Exercise

[Anonymous]

My problem with exercise is I have depression and add so I am both not motivated to move because my mood is in the pits… on meds but I am unemployed so my self esteem took a hit. My add makes me want to check: facebook, twitter, youtube, totally add, and etc… I miss having my dog around she was a great motivator. Any suggestions??

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[caper]

exercise was/is one of my coping mechanisms; when I started to get irritated I would go out for a walk or do some kinds of exercise to calm down. It was rewarding because it worked (I don’t like getting angry & blowing up at people).

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[Anonymous]

Hey Pete-P…just checkin’ back with you…you started this one. How you doin’ with your exercise thing, anything click for you??? I understood from your initial post comments your were looking for tips on “how to” get a little motivated, and, or what might be interesting and sustainable for you??

Just curious……..????

toofat

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[Anonymous]

My iPad has been a godsend for my exercise routine. I buy the BluRay discs with the extra digital copy included, and I load those on my iPad. I only watch those movies when I work out, so if I want to get to the end of a movie, I have to go work out!

I also download books & magazines on my iPad and read while working out as well. Just when I do the bikes…not the treadmill! LOL

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[Irish10]

Lots of great ideas and comments on the subject of exercise. I’m glad that someone resurrected this thread, since exercise is the missing link in my overall approach to ADHD. I’ve got the other parts of the program down fairly well (7 1/2 – 8 hrs. of sleep; nutrition, incl. fish oil; little or no caffeine; medication; education; coaching, etc…). When I was 1st diagnosed with ADHD not long ago, my Nurse Practitioner stated: “Exercise is in your future.” He has ADHD and kayaks early in the morning. I still remember my former boss stating to a group of us that if he doesn’t exercise in the morning, it just won’t get done. Exercising late in the afternoon or early in the evening is not an ideal strategy, because that will interfere with your ability to get to sleep at a reasonable time. I appreciate all of above comments and ideas. “Just Do It” (credit: NIKE) is going to happen this coming week.

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[wcullen]

Pete_Puma

Try this for getting back into running (even if you have NEVER run before). It’s a running schedule for the Sun Run and it’s a very reasonable, incremental running program that I’ve given to many people who have NEVER run and who finished (or finished but maybe walked a little bit–hey, no one’s perfect!) a 10K run with 13 weeks of training only 3 times a week.

http://www.vancouversun.com/2012sunrun/pdf/InTrainingGuide2012.pdf

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[Anonymous]

Let’s be real here……exercise is boring! There is no way around it unless you do it with someone. You need an exercise buddy. It really doesn’t matter what you do, it’s the social context that makes it easier to get out of bed and put your sneakers on. And I’m not even sure that your spouse should be your exercise buddy because it is too easy to say no to your spouse. And while your pet likely needs exercise, you are more likely to go to a park, sit down and let them chase the other dogs.

So come on, let’s get our exercise buddy thing going. The local Y. Gym where you have friends. But they have to call you and fix a time or better, they should come to your house and tell you to play.

Even a walk sounds easy but the paralysis of ADHD is real!

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[Tiddler]

My PE teachers used to laugh at me and one told me not to bother going back to cross country club. Idiots. My crime was dyspraxic, innattentive tendencies and brittle asthma.

I’ve joined gyms, started exercise classes, bought three exercise bikes over the years and I wouldn’t like to count how many exercise videos. None of it has worked for me.

For a couple of years I had a walking buddy and we’d set off at sunrise and walk until dusk every Sunday with his dog. It really was bliss. Then I used to walk with my husband. Then the kids came along and we do go out with them but the little one still walks so slowly that I wouldn’t count it as particularly good exercise for me.

However, I got a dog in September and he makes me exercise. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who isn’t sure whether that would work for them because a bored dog is an unneeded added stress to anyone already living in chaos! But I knew I couldn’t leave his needs unmet and we walk. It’s really helping. I arrange to meet a friend too,though her health problems mean it’s more of a social stroll than a hike but that in itself has been really good for me too, forcing me to socialise while I’m struggling with poor mood.

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[wawabyjohnah]

I agree with Dr J. If I don’t have someone to exercise with, I rarely do it on my own. So I finally found a friend who I go running with. It’s the only way I exercise. I feel guilty if I stand him up. I also play soccer and go to training so I don’t let the coach down who volunteers his time. I’ve tried exercising on my own for years but it never works.

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[ashockley55]

“..the paralysis of ADHD is real!”

Thank you, Dr. J! That makes me feel less loserish. I need a reminder every now and then that ADD is at hand, not just me being defective and wrong.

I myself have a pile of exercise paraphenalia in the corner of my bedroom: an aerobic stepper with lifts, an exercise mat, a small crunch ball, and little 3-pound weights.

The last time I used my weights was to pound a chicken breast because I don’t exactly have a fully stocked kitchen so far as utensils go. Ha ha ha ha ha!

A couple weeks ago, I watched a video on here about the importance of scheduling, so I got all motivated and said “Ah! I’m going to make an awesome schedule and stick to it and completely turn my life around!”

For two days in a row, I got up at 7 AM, that’s 7 AM!!!, went down to the little work out room at my apartment, and did a rigorous workout.

Then I crashed. I had some really bad fatigue that may actually be the result of another medical issue that I have, and I haven’t been back to the gym since.

And I’m certainly not getting up at 7AM in any more.

I think having a friend as a motivator is the key, from what everyone has said here.

I need to find a friend.

I have a friend, but she lives an hour away.

I feel so lonely in this town!

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[laddybug3]

Kickboxing and Boxing. You are not just punching or kicking. My trainers have me running laps, jump roping, and whatever they can think of. Some people sign me up races now, zumba is the new thing I am doing. Swimming, kayaking, biking, and walking on and off.

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[wawabyjohnah]

I’m off to meet my friend and go running (or walking with the occasional spurt of energy). Hopefully he turns up

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[JimC.]

At the risk of incurring the wrath of Dr. J, I find that if I do things I like, I will remain motivated to do them. Skiing, cycling and hiking seem to get me out the door, partner or not. IMHO if you have a sport or thing you really like to do, then enjoy the thing to death. Just my humble .02, Jim

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[Anonymous]

I’ll wade in the exercise fray……here are my two-bits. I’ve been working out regular for 35 years, yes, 35 years, still do, with a little less intensity ( I’m 62 gimmie a break )…..so I will share how I did it and….what worked for me.

I started working out in my home……very easy, very convenient, nobody around (a little too self concious for a gym maybe ). Winter is also a serious bitch here so, going out in it to work out was not going to happen…..not at minus 30 degrees F. I started for two reasons….a car accident and my “Chiro” told me I needed muscle tone to hold my skeleton correct….I was kinda a bag of skin and bones……poor muscle tone. Second I was not pleased with my body image…too skinny. I really wanted that to be different, for me!! all I had was small set of adjustable weights…..at a garage sale a full set is about $20.00 maybe $40 or $50 with a nice bench. Less than ONE meal out!!!

So it was medical, and psychological/physical drivers that got me started….and ease or convenience that enabled me to create a habit, very important!!! So, within four weeks I began to notice physical changes…a little tone….a little muscle mass….I was encouraged….I guess??? Also my headaches were starting to decrease in severity slightly……wooohooo bonus!!!

Soon I thought, “gosh this a bit of a slow process” (results wise)…..’there is likely more I could do to expedite the progress”…..so I started to research the subject, diet, what a proper exercise program should consist of…..sleep….adopting the right mental attitude, how to get the biggest bang per workout session. I sort of submerged myself in the exercise health and fitness world, read learn, learn read, …….it worked!!! My results were starting to pay off with way more than just dogged exercise and sweat provided!!!

We had a gym in the building where I worked (very nice), and convenient and eventually I started to work out there ( very convenient)…. I found exercise buddies (as Dr J mentioned), which was fun, hard work and social camaraderie … being with other work out freaks boosted my desire and effort which = results! I was sleeping better, I was way more focused at work, I could work through the day without the crash….I looked good, quit smoking cause it was hampering my work out….no wind couldn’t breath….had to throw away my old shirts etc…I was very pleased….headaches were gone, my diet was excellent….I felt (feel) great!!!!. I could go on and on but you folks already know the serious benefits.

Anyway….this is the REAL TRICK….. I shut off the “Deal Making Machine” in my head……I SHUT IT OFF, it wasn’t easy!!! The deal machine is treacherous, an initiative killer….the old, I’ll do it later I “JUST” have this to do right now….shit it’s too late today….I’ll work-out a little longer tomorrow, I have a cold, I have a headache…. gosh everybody from the office is going for lunch, I don’t do that very often, I’ll just skip today!!!!! NO…there is no reason…NONE…..after 35 years I KNOW… there is nothing that can’t wait while I take care of my mind and body……NOTHING!! When my deal machine started to play ( and it did/does from time to time)…I get on my work out stuff and start to work-out until the machine shut off…..and it does….it always always does. Even if I really didn’t feel like it….I started….just start going through the motions….even just stretching doing some light stuff, eventually I would find myself in a full-blown work out…….it works…….it has worked for 35 years……BEEN THERE…. DONE THAT……got the prize!!!

I’ve watched untold folks attempt exercise in a casual manner……rarely is it sustainable, if ever. Example….right after New Years the gym would fill up….two weeks later 1/2 the new folks would be gone…by Feb 1st….it was back to the old regulars only. It happened every year, like clock work…without fail!!!!

So….everybody knows the benefits, ADD or otherwise….same as everybody at least has a slight knowledge of healthy eating….but if you want to do this for life I suggest…….”Make it a Life Priority”!!! Read learn, emerge yourself in it, embrace it!! Make it one of those things that you do EVERY day!!! There are many things we do everyday….many……make this one of them… and reap the benefits for life.

Or not….. remember if an excuse is good enough….we call it a reason!!!

Toofat

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[Fabulous]

I have a bad history of running addiction. Running was my way of self-medicating. Was I in control of my ADHD because I ran Gump-style? Nope. It was at the wheel the whole time.

If anyone out there has been through an exercise addiction, I would love to connect. There is so much underlying biochemistry that motivates this behaviour and so much healthcare industry ignorance …

 

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[Author]

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