Topic Tuesday // Physical Activity and Mental Health // Tues 6th July, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

@Former-Member - it really isn't easy when your not a active person. I used to be a extremely active person and since COVID hit I just have hardly gone out. It doesn't help I have a heart condition that I'm awaiting surgery on which is Anxitey provoking

Hi everyone. @Daisydreamer @Anastasia @Former-Member @Shaz51 @apc @Fluttershy1

I always make sure I read back through every Post (Topic Tues etc) - Before I write or say anything.

I just did that.

a) What is your relationship with physical activity at the moment?

Well I am on my feet All the time - I rarely sit down, need to sit down & actually relax a lot more.

Although I have always Enjoyed Walking, especially Bushwalking - I don't do any anymore, except when shopping, doing other activities etc.

That's because I have No company to go walking with - So no motivation.

My Motivation is Tied to (comes from) Social Connection, Social Engagement, & Social Interaction - Of which I actually have very little of recently.

So without that - there is No motivation to do even my most Enjoyed Activities.

b) Twice Weekly Yoga Classes + an Over 50's Fitness Class (each week) - I enjoy & find helpful.

They are also virtually my only (or limited) social interactions with people (as well).

Those Classes have all been cancelled, for the past few weeks - Due to this Current Lockdown & Restrictions (Mask-Wearing etc).

So no physical exercise + no social interaction, these past few weeks - As you can see, there has been a Very Heavy Price (to me), that I have paid as a result of not being able to do my only activities (& main sources of social interactions).

Adge

Question 2: What gets you motivated to get active?

@Peregrinefalcon - I have a few questions for you.

I feel insecure about my body if I don't do any exercise. I feel like I have to do more than I should. Do you have any suggestions on how to stop or ease the at feeling.

How do you motivate yourself to do exercise on a particular hard day where you have no motivation. How do you motivate yourself?

Do you know when you have done to little or too much, what are the warning signs?

Question 2: What gets you motivated to get active?

I enjoy the sense of energy it gives me – especially if I am having a day where I am feeling low.

- Doing an activity that I genuinely enjoy. If it is something I don’t really like, I will keep putting it off and procrastinating

- Scheduling a regular time that works best for me. I know that I have the most energy in the mornings and that if I say to myself "I'll work out later..." it won't happen!

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@Daisydreamer wrote:

Question 2: What gets you motivated to get active?

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Knowing I'll feel better on the other side of it. It's hard to get motivated some days, but knowing it will lift my mood when I'm finished really keeps me going.

Good evening all sorry I am late to the discussion. Excited to be involved as I am sedentary at the moment and need to start contemplating some exercise to help with my mental health.

Hi @Forumuser and welcome 🙂 Great to have you here!

Such great questions and something we will be covering in the next 10 minutes so stayed tuned 🙂

If you need a hand at all with navigation of this discussion, feel free to tag any of us here as well

For me, I go through phases where I want to look good and clothes don't fit so that gets me motivated to exercise but like certain things in my life with my MH, it loses its shine and then I'm back to the start again. It's hard.