So - a little letter:
To anyone out there who is depressed,
Also to me, in about four weeks' time when I'm being a moron again,
Please do have the therapies. They are good. Especially the ones where you talk and blame your parents or the pope or the government. Also, have the medication if you need it. It can help you cope. Especially with those little bastards who insist on shouting "mummy" at the top of their voices a million times a day. But after all that? Find yourself a sport. Do it three times a week, for at least half an hour. Ideally an hour. Doesn't matter what, as long as youlove itcan bear it.
There's only one rule: you must (MUST) break a sweat. Your heart rate has to be up the entire time. I get mine to 150 and keep it there. It doesn't matter what you do. Gardening works, but not careful pruning. I mean taking out a tree trunk, or weeding vigorously. Cleaning works, but not gently dusting the piano. You have to scrub and bend and go up and down the stairs. A lot. I suppose sex would work, but only the extremely frantic kind and in the more "challenging" positions, and crucially you'd have to find a partner willing and able to keep up with you at high intensity for forty minutes three times a week, so good luck with that if that's your preferred option.
My personal favourite is the exercise bike at the gym. I take my little mp3-player and I program it with all my favourite up-tempo juvenile and/or sexy songs. And holy crap does it ever work. I am new. NEW, I tell you.
Go forth and exercise. I implore you. Think of the CHILDREN.
Mwa
xxx
Posts
You know what, I think I will. I can't promise 3 times a week (haven't exercised for 14 years) but I will do my best! I have an exercise bike in our bedroom that's been used as a coat hanger for 4 years. This evening I will watch Eastenders and cycle.
ReplyDeleteIf I fall off, I'm blaming you!
Yes. You are completely right. The exercise is too important not to do.
ReplyDeleteDon't just think of the children- think of the MOTHER!
@notsuchayummymummy - Oh, yay for you! I'm so sure you will love it. Just give it a couple of weeks. Do tell us how you're getting on!
ReplyDelete@Ms. Moon - The mother. That's right. I knew there was someone I was forgetting. ;-)
You're right of course...just as soon as this cold allows me to breathe again without feeling knives are entering my lungs, I shall dust off my bike and wheel around the country lanes (always some excuse - PLEASE god let us get another dog soon so I'm obliged to go out).
ReplyDeleteI almost lost it yesterday morning. When I was getting the baby dressed Max and Olivia dumped out all the clothes from Max's dresser and threw them all over the room. ALL OVER.
ReplyDeleteI cried.
@Pueblo girl - I know about the excuses. I have in the last month had the cold, the period, the sick child, the tiredness. There's always something.
ReplyDelete@erin - Oh, you - I wish I could come over and give you a hug. That is the worst feeling. xx
Now it's dark again I guess I could wobble out there - but it's dark and there are wolves.....
ReplyDeleteYou are soo right! not always good for the children tho, last time I did yoga on wii fit i kicked milly in the head, i think she has been emotionally scared for life and will probably never be able to enjoy the relaxing joys of yoga! maybe i'll try running! ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteThis weekend I commited to training for a half marathon. We'll see how it goes since I can only seem to run 4 miles without dying.
ReplyDeleteThanks for also reminding me to update the music on my ipod. Reggae music just doesn't promote fast running...
I know you are right. I know it. But that glass of wine and blog reading is so enticing. And it is cold and dark outside. And I can't find any trainers and am not sure that I actually possess any any more (this from a girl who used to row very competitively AND has run two marathons - how the fit have fallen).
ReplyDeleteI must. I must. but, just a few more blogs...
You're so darn right. But you are up against a gazillion dollar industry which likes to give people pills instead. (Don't get me wrong, I'm not against pills. It's just the sheer number of people on them makes you wonder. And the fact that they're a first resort for lots of people.)
ReplyDeleteI always say (here's repetition for you) that getting fit, ie doing regular exercise, is the hardest part; keeping it 'ticking over' is far easier.
ReplyDeleteWell done you for persevering, amazing how energised you can feel afterwards (and pleased with yourself too). Although must agree with FM about the blogs getting in the way... Does finger aerobics count as exercise?
LCM x
I am so sorry, but all I can think of right this minute that I like well enough to do three times a week for 30 minutes is have sex. I suck-I am sorry.
ReplyDelete@MrsW - You will just have to clean the bathroom with a toothbrush then. Or are there wolves in there, too?
ReplyDelete@icklebabe - Should I have included a health warning? Don't kick the children.
@Erin - No, reggae would be ok for the wind-down. NOT for the running.
@Brit in Bosnia - You can do both! (At least I can, today.) No, seriously - I understand the pull. Gin&coke and blogs for me just now.
@Iota - I haven't used any yet, having managed so far without, but I've seen lots of people benefit tremendously after trying a whole lot of other stuff. I think we agree on this one.
@London City Mum - I'm sure it does.
@Kori - GREAT PLAN! Just go for that. And - no, you don't suck, dear. You're lovely. Don't apologise. Sex will make you feel better, too!
I love, love, LOVE exercising. It's one of those things I'm dying to get back into. For me, right now, it's baby steps (not justification, truth). Well said. Nothing like breaking a sweat to make you feel GREAT.
ReplyDeleteevery therapist I ever had encouraged me to keep exercising. I swim and do the elliptical. I used to run 5 miles and then my knee gave out and well. it definitely is the best anti depressant one can "take"
ReplyDeleteOoooor....I could sit on my ass on my couch and read blogs and drink my water and watch tv and be comfy...while complaining about how fat my ass STILL is.
ReplyDeleteOh fine. I'll go walking. Humph.
But I don't have to like it.
Therapy is great, but haven't we all heard that blaming our parents is passe, and that we have to take responsibility? Exercise is it, I tell you, get that body working. And yes, think of the children! Good!
ReplyDeleteDear Mwa, good for you. Hope you get round to raising that heart beat. I was so lazy recently that while reading about Eddie Izzard doing 43 marathons in 43 days for charity I could not be arsed to get off the couch and get my wallet so i could donate by credit card! How shite was that??? Sometimes I amaze myself.
ReplyDeleteDo you really follow all those blogs? No wonder you don't get round to exercising much!
Ah crap.I know you're right. I don't wanna! I do. I just can't get off the sofa and out of the house to the pool.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU THANK YOU for the laughs. Well, there's MY exercise for the day... heehee
ReplyDelete