Anyone running to beat depression?

I used to run (and swim and cycle) but I've had a bad year with depression. Really would like a check-in buddy to keep motivated in cracking this exercise thing.

[Hidden]

I took up the challenge of the Couch to 5k to beat my depression.

I'm not ashamed to share, as there may be people online who can relate to depression.

I gave up the gym due to health scare in August, so I wanted to do something, which didn't involve a monthly subscription.

When I started on the 1st November it was hard, but I had a new focus in my life, besides my job.

What triggered my depression was accepting that a person I was dating no longer wanted me. Sad, but true!

Being rejected isn't nice, it hurt me like hell, in fact it still does.

At the beginning it was tough, I couldn't even make it around the block. I believe running is helping me.

I am currently now on week 6, run 1 of the Couch to 5k plan. If I didn't focus on this I would just stay in bed and feel terrible about myself.

What has made me happy is I did this on my own. No one told me to get off my backside and go and do it.

I'm chuffed to have got this far, with the support of this online community I know I can finish. I can share my highs and lows of the plan with them.

I would be happy to be your check-in buddy if you like. I don't charge!

Viktor

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It's surprising what you can achieve by yourself be it running, weight loss, giving up fags and booze. You might have to dig deep to do it but it's worth it and you'll come out the other side much happier. It's good to be able to fall back on your own resources isn't it. Happy running

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Viktor, checking in off my first run from the bath afterwards (but I also cleaned the oven after the run so it's a busy day here)

My depression is an "old friend" and I'm at last accepting I need to take plan B seriously and make some big changes. Running will hopefully help me deal with the stress associated with transitioning from A to B.

Lots of you seem to be morning runners - I can barely open my eyes at the best of times - any other evening folk here?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I'm quite rubbish after work, so evenings wouldn't work for me. There should be lots of evening runners here.

[waletta Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I am a morning person but funnily enough I don't run well in the morning so it's late afternoon on my days off or evening on a work day. Good luck with the running-I find it a great mood enhancer.

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hey, Viktor, spoke/messaged with you last week. Am off on the 20 minute tomorrow, thanks for your encouragement. It feels good, doesn't it, just running round and feeling proud of yourself. I've also taken up the Stretch and Flex programme and started the NHS 1:1 weight loss appointments at the doctors. No more panic attacks. No-one messes with my mind these days. I've got too much positivity running through me. Run Viktor Run!

[Hidden in reply to dozzer19]

Dozzer19, you're welcome. May I purchase some of that positivity? Your post sounds so great, well done! I've had a rubbish day, but I am out tomorrow morning. I'll be attempt Week 6, run 2, I won't be beaten by depression, despite feeling totally alone and that no one gives a fart about me. Happy running.

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Viktor, you're a star!! When I said there was no way I would make the jump from 2 x 8 mins to 1 x 20 you told me I could. So in belief that you knew what you were saying I went for it. You pushed, cajoled, praised and generally motivated me through the whole run. The cool down got me within 300m of home so I've dragged myself back, exhausted but so proud. You should be proud of yourself too. Your support is helping a huge number of us to keep it up even when we find it hard. WELL DONE TO MY SECOND MENTOR!

[Hidden in reply to dozzer19]

Well dozzer19, what can I say! I'm amazed at myself. Well done to you. What week are you now? Viktor

[dozzer19 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Just finished week 5. Determined to follow you into week 6 straight away rather than tell myself that I need to practise week 5 again. Keep fighting that depression. Bro, you're a legend! Be positive, I'm rooting for you.

[Hidden]

Thx for the replies

[turnturtle Graduate]

I did hope, probably subliminally, that running would help my depression. It has to a certain extent, but I always feel at my worst during these short day months- SAD is a definite syndrome. Are you actually from New Zealand? My daughter lives there and I am off to visit in 3 weeks. I am so looking forward to launching myself back into summer and to running around the Inner Estuary at Ahuriri! I do think English winters are very unhelpful to people suffering from depression. Good luck in your ambition to return soon to your fabulous uncrowded country.

[Hidden]

Im in the UK, have been here most of the last 15 years. SAD is one factor on top of my usual depression

[I_will_do_it Graduate]

Not depression as such, but I started c25k a few months back following some truly horrid news about my daughter, which resulted in me spiralling downwards big style. I was off work and decided one day that I needed to try and get some control back...enter Laura. running has yet to help me make sense of it, but it does help me feel that I can control something in my life and make positive changes to it, whilst still being in the midst of being totally out of control and helpless re The Situation.

I decided to be brave and respond to the post, largely because everyone else has been too. I'm close (hopefully!) to graduating now...week 9 here I come and I'm hoping that 2014 is a bloody damn site better for us that 2013. My motivation has been stagnating a little, so would welcome a check-in buddy too. how's about it?!

[Hidden in reply to I_will_do_it]

OK, I will start a check-in thread and anyone who wants can join it. How I plan to use it is to state which days of the week are going to be running days and check in after each. If others post like this and they don't check in, then I am happy to "nudge" by post to find out how they are going!

[lemondoodle in reply to I_will_do_it]

I'm sorry to hear you are going through such a tough time. Life can really bowl some googlies sometimes. The fact you have found the strength to get out there and run is very impressive.

[I_will_do_it Graduate in reply to lemondoodle]

Thank you for your lovely words...you've made me cry (I'm still very raw, and struggle with people being nice to me!!!). It truly means a great deal. X

[Hidden in reply to I_will_do_it]

(((Hugs))) - feeling a bit raw myself this evening. Hoping 2014 is better too!

[I_will_do_it Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! And ditto ((hugs)) x

[Hidden in reply to lemondoodle]

I've learned that I need to go back to basics to get well. Running is a basic "look after the body" tool. My big challenge is to make the big change which will involve changing work...that's scary

[Hidden]

Not sure which is more daunting - next run or GP review

[Choccychic]

I've been taking anti depressants for a while because of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem......you name it. I'm hoping C25k will help me get to point where I don't need them anymore.

Hope GP review goes well x

[Hidden in reply to Choccychic]

He is a good GP, I'm a bad patient...that's the rub.

[Choccychic in reply to Hidden]

I'm sure you're not x

[CrazyKitty Graduate]

Just joined up so I can post this! I started C25K in the autumn & I've actually graduated but my running has slacked off recently due to motivation, weather & the holidays. I started running as a number of things were getting me down - life in general and doing the program motivated me and gave me something to focus on. Though I've never been diagnosed with depression I know that I "get down" moods & minor things can make me emotional. I can honestly say that the program has given me a positive feel for life, the toning up, looking good & health benefits are part of it. So anyone thinking of starting this or thinking of giving up - stick with it. If anything it's given me, it's given me a bit of confidence & self esteem which I'm severely lacking at the mo. Now I just need to get in my stride & start up my motivation again! The weather really is not helping

[Hidden in reply to CrazyKitty]

Come and join my motivation thread - so we can check in on each other

[Hidden]

I'm a bad patient mainly because I work in health and generally tell my doctor what to do. But I successfully fought my urge to go back to work when my appetite and sleep are still messed up (along with dodgy concentration). Dreading tomorrow's call to my new boss to tell her. She's at least some of the current problem...

[mugsy273 Graduate]

I had the black dog for 8 years, as well as severe anxiety, and was on anti-depressants for the whole period. I was given some counselling, but nothing helped. I eventually decided that enough was enough, and that if the doctors weren't going to do anything else to help, then it was up to me.

I started to go to the gym twice a week, doing Pilates and body pump, alongside doing CBT with a counsellor I found through work, and it's amazing how much it helped. I have now been off the ADs for 1 year, but it doesn't mean the black dog has gone forever. I've just learned to tame him a little. He still lurks in the background every now and then, and I still struggle with anxiety, particularly at times of stress, such as now - I separated from my husband at the end of August, and have been going through sheer hell ever since. But it was at that time that I started the c25k programme - a few days after my world fell apart, I just felt the urge to run. So I did. I had never run in my life, but I think maybe it was my way of regaining some control when everything else was falling apart. A proper Forrest Gump moment! The natural high I get after each run is worth 1000 times more what ADs could ever do. For a few moments each run day, life feels good, and that's what keeps me going and keeps me running.

[Hidden in reply to mugsy273]

I wish I got an endorphin high - maybe I will later on.

I'm kinda accepting I will be on anti-D at least until menopause. We have a very long and extensive history of depression in my family, so it's treated a bit like other genetic conditions in terms of being pragmatic about treatment. At least we have tablets - my Gramps had ECT regularly most of his adult life...O-o

[prettymingo Graduate]

Hi. I've had several depression relapses over the years (meds & counselling helped but never really 'cured' )

I find exercise helps hugely. Not just endorphin thing, but also because i feel like i'm doing something for myself. Not a tablet, or professional help, just me. It gives me back a sense of control and autonomy, which is too easy to lose when you're in the thick of it. It's not a miracle cure but it's definitely given structure and purpose to my recovery. The outdoors seems to help, too. Even though the weather is horrible, at the mo.

For me, the hardest part is always setting foot out the door. After that, I just get on with it.

I hope you're doing ok at the moment, it's a lonely place to be, at its worst.

[Hidden in reply to prettymingo]

Thanks for your post, I'm in the beastly "one good day, several OK days, one really bad day" phase at the moment. You are right about the autonomy thing. Found the sick anxiety of speaking to my boss for a check in was enough to get me out the door this morning

[moger Graduate]

had ptsd for 4 year s didnt do alot or go out started biking in the summer and running 4 months ago running is what got myself going and takes your mind of things if your felling down try a little run good luck and all the best