Fighting through my mental health to exercise.

[Milk_Honey]

Week 2. Run2. Crying because I don't want to go today. I have such a long way to go. But I know I need to get my mental health better.

[Hidden]

The hardest thing about it all is usually the mental part, getting up and going out. But step out of the front door and even walk a bit and you might feel better to do the run.

It's not just our muscles, lungs etc that need trained, our brains do too, getting out of our comfort zones is a big change, but you can do it, just stick to it.. 👍

[Determined55 Graduate]

We’ve all been there. Don’t overthink about actually doing it, think about how good you will feel when you have done it, think about the nice hot shower or bubble bath you can reward yourself with. Baby steps - one run at a time, one deep breath at a time 💪 Keep checking in on here, there are some wonderful people who can help with advice and support 👍🏼

[TytoAndy]

Well done Milk Honey for getting this far , I can very much relate I struggle with my mental health and just started W2 , hope you keep going because your doing amazing things

[Hidden]

Do take care, do you have help for your mental health issue? I for example suffer from Anxiety Disorder (already since 2002). The jump to help is big, but it is often necessary. After maybe 12 different therapists and such, I ended up with a great one who found out that talking could not help me. I needed meds and I am very ok on these meds. I do still have anxiety and get panic attacks. But they aren't interfering with my life anymore. So I do am happy I sought help, no idea how I would be now without...

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Its so tough. If it really feels too much commit to a walk instead, then, if you feel like you want to start running after a while cue up the programme. But a walk will help too. Trust me, I still have days I can barely get out the door, but it always, always helps. 💖

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Hi Milk_Honey ...please don’t cry...or if you do have to cry, then cry because you’re proud of yourself for getting so far...you’re doing so well, getting to week 2 run 2 is nearly week3!!! There will be some days when you don’t want to go, I know...honestly, I’m running everyday at the moment and I would give anything for a rest day right now!!! But I set myself a goal and I’m sticking to it...because I’m stubborn! Are you having a nice rest day in between? Try not to look at how far you have to go, just focus on the week and run that you are facing on the day because of you focus on any further you’ll put yourself off...and that’s when the gremlins come knocking on your door. ...just getting out of the door will help you I’m sure & on days like today when the sun is shining it can really lift your spirits. Be kind to yourself...things are tough at the moment so the very fact you’ve got to week 2 is amazing...we’re all cheering for you xx

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Firstly you’ve reached W2R2 Milk_Honey so well done you 👏🏻👏🏻. If you need to cry that’s fine, it can be an emotional journey for a lot of people. Focus on how good you’ll feel after you’ve completed your run.

What I do to get me into the right mindset before I go out is to put my headphones 🎧 on, go onto You Tube and search ‘running motivation’ there are some really good videos on there that will help motivate you. You versus You featuring The Rock is a good one. Give it a go. We’re all behind you.....you can do this 💪🏻👍

[NusiaFab Graduate]

Hi Milk_Honey, there's already been lots of great advice posted, but here are few things that helped me get through tough moments:Getting out the door is often the most difficult part, ive tried to avoid excuses by laying my running clothes out for me to jump into first thing in the morning for a morning run (someone has suggested sleeping in running clothes so you are ready for the morning although a bit extreme might work too😂)

Go as slow on your runs as possible, my run is often slower then my walk but this lets me complete the runs and avoid the pain, check out japanese slow running video on you tube

Allow yourself space to fail the run, dont berate yourself for it, accept it as a first, 2nd, 3rd try etc, move on and try again you will get there eventually

Post on this forum about your runs, this is an absolutely amazing community and there is a good chance someone had similar experience and can give you some tips

Enjoy your achievements, you can do it and will keep my 🤞 for you!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Don’t force yourself MH, if you feel you can’t go today there’s always tomorrow. Don’t think about how far you have to go- congratulate yourself on how far you’ve come! And you have - you thought you would give it a go and you’ve got out there and made it happen for 5 runs already! That’s a big deal and shows that you can do it; just concentrate on the run you’re about to do not the ones in the weeks ahead. If you look at them now, they’ll seem impossible. But they won’t be - every run you do makes you stronger and prepares you for the next run.

[Purplepianist Graduate]

I agree with all the advice given already. I struggled through the C25K. I cried many times, dreaded almost every single run and built it up in my mind beforehand. But you CAN do this! The feeling when you accomplish a run is incredible! Don’t focus on how far it is to the end (I never thought I’d make it there) but just take it a week at a time, or even one run at a time. Celebrate each time you complete a week and feel incredibly proud of yourself. I wish you all the best.