Can Working Out Cure Depression?

Before my recent depression I worked out on a fairly regular basis. I worked out almost every weekday. I always went in the mornings before work. Whenever I did this, I would push myself pretty hard and as a result I would physically feel pretty good during the day.

When I started going through my depression I fell into a really dark place. My workouts were the first things to see the effects of this. In fact, there were some mornings when I didn’t want to go. When I woke up, I didn’t feel like going so I told myself “Its ok if I skip today. I’ll go to the gym tomorrow.” Or I might say, “I didn’t get enough sleep.” Or, I simply just didn’t feel like putting in any effort that day of any kind. So, I would declare it a vacation day…for the umpteenth time.

When I reached my lowest levels of my depression, I stopped going to the gym all together. I started gaining weight which in turn made me look terrible. I hated how I looked which further deepened my depression. I felt sick all the time. My mood would vary from mediocre…to angry…to rage.

EVERY. DAMN. DAY.

It was around Thanksgiving my best friend who had been watching my downward spiral for nearly a year asked me “When was the last time you went to the gym? And are you going regularly?”

When I answered he wanted to smack me. He knew I used to love going to the gym. In fact, we used to go together on a fairly regular basis when our schedules lined up. He knew how much I loved working out and how great I would feel afterwards. He knew this was a very big deal for me to stop going.

He kicked my butt and told me to start going again. When I did, I was still hit or miss. I would send him a text when I went, but when I didn’t go, he didn’t get one. He knew I was still not serious about getting my workouts back on track. Then he got tired of my lackadaisical approach. He knew that I enjoyed challenges. So, he gave me a new one.

He said show up every day at the gym. “Every. Damn. Day.” he said. I needed to show up at the gym five days a week and simply scan my card. I could leave if I wanted to. But at the minimum for this challenge I needed to scan my gym membership card.

Well, my friend new that I was the type of person who hates wasting his time. I do not like the idea of just showing up, doing nothing and then simply leave. I had to do something at the gym, even for a few minutes, before heading back out the door. Even if it’s just walking on the treadmill for a few minutes. And that is what I did.

I would show up, use my Fitbit to track the number of calories I burned, then send my friend a text with a selfie of me at the gym and a picture of my Fitbit with the calorie count. He would respond back telling me “Every. Damn. Day.” in some form or another.

I never simply showed up and then left. This was my own personal requirement. To leave is to quit. Once I got started and felt more serious, I refused to be a quitter.

Since then my workouts started at around 150 calories burned. As time moved on my calorie burned per workout has reached between 800–900 calories per morning workout. I have even gone as far as to hire a personal trainer to help me build muscle and lose weight. Now I have added Saturday as my sixth day in the week so I can work with my trainer. Occasionally I will add an extra training day during the week with him and burn more calories that day. Most importantly, I have not missed a day since my friend gave me this challenge.

Managing Depression with Fitness

So, what did this do for me? The results were not immediate that’s for sure. It took some time before I started to feel the commitment. About 30 days which is the typical habit-forming time. By month number three I had built some of my confidence back and I landed my first full-time contract in nearly two years. I was feeling better and I was happier.

By month six I was noticing muscle growth and strength I had never felt before. But most importantly, at this stage my depression was completely under control. I know that working out for me is a must. I am a gym rat. It’s my life. I am so much happier, healthier and energetic through my day as a result.

There are many studies that show working out plays a huge factor in reducing and/or eliminating depression. It helps you to clear your mind and improve your cognitive reasoning skills. You sleep better (I know I really started sleeping better. Poor sleep is a direct factor in depression.) Most importantly, you are mentally and physically prepared to face unexpected challenges every day.

I know I am not angry any more. And little things don’t set me off like they used to. In fact, I am the most at peace I have ever been.

If you are depressed and are not working out or doing some sort of physical activity, START NOW!! Don’t wait! Do it now! And do it Every Damn Day!! (Just a note, my friend and I are currently disputing over who will get to legally copyright the “Every. Damn. Day.” workout routine.)

Speaking of legal, …always check with your doctor. I mean if he says no then ask him what else you can do. But you have to get active somehow!

A few more recommendations…

1) Get a work out buddy. If you can’t find a workout buddy, get an accountability partner you can report your progress to. It can be a close friend (like I did), or someone else you know who is committed to seeing you succeed. It must be someone you would feel bad letting down if you did not go any particular day. This will keep you motivated to never let that person down. Be accountable to someone. Don’t depend on yourself. It will not work!!

2) Go to the gym! Or at least leave the house. Don’t workout at home. You have to get out of your comfort zone. Working out from home just gives you the temptation to say “well I can do it later today. Or put it off all together. Get out of the house!! And go in the morning if you can. It will help you have a much better day.

3) Start off small. Don’t start by joining the closest HIIT gym or immediately preparing for a marathon unless you are already showing up and in decent shape. If you simply show up and scan your card for a week, that’s great. But! You have to make improvements along the way and keep increasing the intensity. We’ll talk more about this in a future video.

4) Git a health tracker or something to track your calorie burn. I use a Fitbit and the My Fitness Pal app to track my workouts. I can go back and see my progress at any time.

5) Get some rockin’ tunes for your iPhone or whatever you use to listen to your music. Make it fun. Pick your favorite music. And no, no Barry Manilow, Celine Dion, Michael Buble…you know. None of this My Heart Will Go On stuff. I mean pick some real heart pumping music that you have to move your body to. Something that will give you the encouragement to really get into your workout. I have a wide variety that I use to inspire me, but I also change it up from time to time to keep it from getting stale and affecting my energy level.

That’s It!

Conclusion

So, if you have been feeling down or you have been severely depressed and you aren’t working out now, Get started! TODAY! Or if you are just showing up and scanning your card…or perhaps you are not giving it much effort and haven’t taken it to the next level, now is the time.

This is the key to starting to turn your life around. Our body is a temple. Look at it this way, do you enjoy trying to cook in a kitchen you haven’t cleaned in days, weeks, months…or perhaps years? Well, your spirit doesn’t really enjoy dwelling inside a body that you are not taking very good care of. Treat yourself to some spring cleaning of your body. After some consistent effort, you will start to wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.

Tell me what your favorite workout routines are below and let me know what you are doing to start your daily workout routine. Now get out there and work out!