Moving

After yesterday’s bad day, I decided I have to do something more to help myself.

I’ve mentioned before that I know exercise is good for depression, and I have been for a few walks, but that’s difficult now with a lot of places being closed. I’ve got loads of exercise DVDs and A Wii fit but no motivation.

Half an hour of exercise a day doesn’t sound like much, but when in depression, it can be too much. Depression makes just getting out of bed a mountain climb, to exercise is an Everest ascent the sufferer just can’t attempt.

I got up not wanting to move, but I know have to do it, so I made myself.  I picked a DVD I know is gentle, that advises on ways to modify so you keep up even if you get winded.

While this did get me a bit hotter and breathing harder, I was surprised how well I kept up.  A lot of my coordination has deserted me, but the I haven’t done any form of exercise class in three years.  The sad part of the ‘used to’ of this is that in my late twenties and early thirties I qualified as an exercise leader, got into it because of my interest in nutrition, as the two usually go hand in hand.

I can feel I’ve worked muscles that haven’t been worked in a while, it’s not a comfortable feeling, but it’s one that I remember and it’s one that, if I can keep up, should lead to better fitness and health. 

Depression makes doing anything a herculean task. Sometimes you have to take the duvet day, but sometimes you have to force yourself to get up and just do something. Try and do what you can.

Isolation

Given the current status of the Coronavirus, we’re all now being advised not to go out unnecessarily. This is a good thing and advise we should all follow.  It’s not going to be easy for many, and could hit some vulnerable people very hard.

(photo by my husband using a drone)

Today, before this above advise was given out, I went out. We drove to Carreg Cennen Castle, an isolated place on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, and went for a wonder up the steep slope up to and then around the ruins. There were only a couple of people around, but that’s the good thing about Wales, you don’t have to go far to get away from people. I sat for a while up in the castle, and it was odd, through one window was green rolling hills, through the other, blue sky. Couldn’t get a picture because the sun was directly in the camera lens. Then a bus load of teenagers turned up to ruin the tranquillity. Still, it’s a lovely place, if you get the place to go, it’s well worth the effort, and it was an effort. Getting up the slope was tough, but only because I’ve done next to no exercise in years, it was one of the things “I used to do”. Now I have to do better.

It is going to be difficult to do any more walks with the recent government advise, but I will need to find a way to get fitter in the home. I still have various work out DVDs and access to a Wii, so no excuse really.

Whatever you’re doing, stay safe.