I don’t have much hope.

[ABana]

I am new here. My main fear is that I will give up soon. I have never experienced the benefits of exercise when it comes to fighting depression. The boost of endorphins has always eluded me, even when I exercise intensely. Any advice?

[Hidden]

As a sufferer of depression I found jogging to be a great way to deal with it tbh , set yourself a target like I have and others , you'll be ok , I found that fighting it is power over mind .

[Barbiegrlll]

I think setting yourself small goals is always helpful. Be kind to yourself it really is important.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done

on your decision.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Don't push too hard.........this is for fun, not punishment.

Keep posting and we will keep you running.

Enjoy your journey.

[RunningMigster Graduate]

Welcome to the gang.

The C25K program is excellent and really works. So trust in the program.

But it's the people on this forum who will be the ones to get you through this. The support is amazing. You'll get cheered along when you do well and they will pick you up, dust you off and get you going again when you dont do so well.

One tip that helped me, was to post an update after each run. It somehow keeps you accountable to the gang and is a great self motivator. Even if you have a bad run, tell us, and you'll get all the support you need.

Good luck, and do please keep posting!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Do it to prove that you can finish it then. That's partially why I did it. I was often told I didn't stick with things and that I don't finish things. These things become ingrained in our heads and we begin to believe them when actually we can chose to change them whenever we want... I completed and so can you, if you want to. It's far from beyond you so go on, just make the choice. We'll help you get there 👍🏻😁

[Leosmit Graduate]

Interesting to read your post. I only told my husband that I’d started the programme because I was scared of telling anyone else and then not being able to do it! Took me to week 5 - I had been reading the posts on this forum in secret and then I decided to post myself (I have never posted online before). This forum gives you great encouragement especially when you don’t want to be public. I’ve only felt confident recently talking to others in real life about it.

So, my point, keep posting, do C25K for you and expect highs and lows but knowing that ultimately, doing this is helping your health and well-being.

[Speedy60 Graduate]

I have no personal experience of depression, except supporting other sufferers. I don't know whether my three pieces of advice are relevant but here they are:

Make a decision to be kind to yourself.

Post your experiences here and you will get lots of support.

I don't know your circumstances, but if you can, run outdoors during daylight.

Good luck. You are an inspiration for making the decision to take control 👍

[DaneUser Graduate]

Good luck. Follow the plan you’ll love it. Sometimes it’s hard to just get out , but just get out the door. You will never regret a run even a bad one

[SarhS]

Good luck! And really well done for starting. First step is sometimes the hardest, and you've inspired me to start the programme too.

I suffer from depression too and previously exercise has really helped. (All went out the window when my little one was born.) My issue was it helped lots but in a similar way to the medications: ie. you have to do it regularly for a month or so before the mood improvement kicks in. So annoying. 🙄

I found exercise first thing in the morning helped most and was good for not upsetting/exasperating my sleep issues. And if you can someone to do it with you that helps loads too. Maybe plan a (reasonable/healthy) reward for reaching milestones?

[DW65 Graduate]

Hi Abana, firstly as the others have said, well done for taking this first step. I've found that the structure of the program really helped me, the individual runs provide a target and a palpable sense of achievement when you complete them - don't worry if you have to repeat a step several times, it just adds to that sense of achievement when you get there.

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and see what you achieve!

Keep posting, were all running with you......

[pa259]

It is hard to banish that black dog and I found doing the programme hard. What really helped was my music. I must admit I felt extremely low when I finished the programme but I have kept going and now a couple of months on I am starting to feel some mental health benefits. What I am trying to say is it may take some time. Don’t expect an instant fix but keep trying even when the dog is telling you you can’t.