how to - exercise

I know that exercise will be very beneficial during detox and after, both to help with brain neurotransmitter regeneration but also as an overal health, stress, and well being benefit. It is VERY important to me to start looking after my health, I am 35 and starting to well and truly feel it, stiff joints, cellulite, hunched over back - all of these things that will progressively get worse unless action is taken.

I would like to hear if, and how, others have gone from being a pill popping couch potato (for me probably desk-potato is better term for it, stuck to my desk while studying) to doing regular, consistent exercise.

I can do exercise for brief periods, but apathy laziness and bad habits set in, and I give it up - how do you motivate yourself, how do you remain consistent - any tips at all would be very much appreciated.

4 days til cold turkey - its Saturday morning here, my last dose god willing will be Tuesday afternoon!

Alex

[lurker]

I can only exercise regularly if I have a buddy to do it with so that I am motivated and have someone to push me along.  I'm so bad at it - I've often joked that it's too bad that I didn't get addicted to exercise instead of drugs!
Did you get thru exams okay?  Hows the legs - still dealing with the swelling - I've been wondering about you!

[alexandra fox]

Hello there! I am still in the middle of exams, last one on tuesday, and then into CT. Yay! Trying to study now but just posting on here instead, procrastination to the max.

My legs are better because I switched from ibuporfen to the equivalent of T3's, as a temporary measure until CT, because the ibuprofen was killing my stomach, not to mention the legs. Also have ended up in a kind of taper, because I only have access to a very limited number of these pills - which is great for detox time.

The swelling has gone down considerably, and if I do take a few ibuprofen, they swell back up, so its a pretty clear cause and effect. One problem that remains is that my ankle area is incredibly tender, feels bruised and painful, probably from all the up and down swellings - hopefully it will resolve with clean-ness. Oh goodness, I can't wait. It has been the lousiest, most miserable, horrible couple of weeks getting throught these exams.

I remember I was SO worried and miserable that weekend, was almost on the verge of crashing the exams, and your kindness was greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Lol, addiction to exercise, yes please!

[avisg]

I was in very good shape until started having issues with my shoulder.I ended up gaining 30 pnds between the pills and the steroids. so when i detoxed back in april I started to work out again .I started with walking until the bad withdrawls were over. Then I started biking I worked my way back up to lifting weights...now i jog I love it ....I lost the 30 pnds I put on I feel great ..
avis

[1234betterlife]

you would think as addicts we could channel that into something more productive..lol. but really for me i have to approach it the same way i do sleep and other life functions. make a habit. choose your best time. everyone is different when it comes to schedules, energy level, etc. i have to stick to a time and day. choose something that won't overwhelm you. try to find something that you really like. try new things, kickboxing, yoga, whatever as long as you are moving. try to do it the same time each day you choose. i have to put myself to bed the same time each day. if i don't i get off kilter and feel poorly. after a period of time my body tells me it is time. that works for me! i am so relieved you discontinued the ibuprofen, i was concerned about the swelling. your ankles will be very tender until the fluid has been gone 2 weeks or so. you are right, it is a direct result of the edema. i am so happy you are planning this out so carefully, i think you will do wonderful!

[lady1981]

i know this may sound odd or maybe "too geriatric" (lol!) but I do water aerobics. As in i am a 26 year old female who goes to the YMCA 2-3 nights a week after work and does water aerobics with a bunch of women 50+ and it is AMAZING! I like water aerobics because it is a low-impact work out (meaning i dont get out of the water stiff as a board) and i feel good because i just did something good for myself (both mind and body) and eventally over the course of a few months, I lost quite a bit of weight!!!
Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do! :) Just keep telling yourself "I can do it!!!"

[allaboutmary]

My suggestion is very simply ....good music....Put some headphones on while sitting, some good upbeat music.  It will make you want to get up and move.  If your home alone ... get up and dance.lol
Nothing like music to lift your spirits. ( Don't put on sad heartbreaking music. ) I think its good for your mind also. Worth a try.  Mary

[allaboutmary]

Oh heck....get up and dance even if your not alone..lol

[flmagi]

I would like to be addicted to exercise too, so if anyone has the secret to that, please share.
I wasn't a big exerciser before the pills, during the pills, so probably not after the pills. Would love to get into shape. The pain, the stress and the pills have aged me so bad.
But I'm feeling much better now.
Magi

[doglvr139]

hi everyone! I've never posted before but I have spent alot of time here for the past 6 weeks. It was 6 weeks ago today that I took my last oxys after a 3 year addiction. for all of you still in that first week, hang in there.....it really does get better. I cant stress enough how important exercise can be once you're starting to feel a little better. Just start out walking, if nothing else. just go at a distance and pace you're comfortable with to start. If you have no major physical problems, after a week or so, just push yourself to go maybe a little further or a little quicker. After awhile,dont be afraid to test your limits a little bit. If and when you're up to it, try a slow jog. Or theres swimming or biking. I have found that anything aerobic that you can do for 30 minutes will make you feel GOOD. That will be your motivation. If you live where the weather is bad,dont be afraid to join the Y or a gym.  and the best part is that for people like us, you will feel even better knowing that this relaxed good feeling you have when you're done was achieved with our own brains chemicals.......and not the fake ones. Good luck everybody

[KRC1959]

Hey Mate. I am 48, and up until 3 years ago I worked a physical job, and then came home and worked out with weights and then took my Pit bull terriers for a long walk, and then twice each week night played on a softball league, and as good as any twenty year old. I have always had enery. I am 6 feet and usually,180 pounds. Lean but very very tone and strong. In the last year I have quit doing everything because of pills and lost 20 pounds and can tell my body is suffering. I still have a job now where I walk on average of 5 miles a day and do physical things with horses, but as soon as I get well I am going to start lifting weights. Even at 48 I stil have the toneness, just lost the mass. I figure it willl take me three months to bulk up. Just start out by doing some walking, that will help your legs and heart and if you swing your arms with little weight that will help strentgthen your upper body. As dog said, start out with a walk and pace you feel comfortable with even if its 100 yards, and the next thing you know it will be 200 and so on, and you wll see those legs start to tone up, and keep your back straight as you walk, Iknow from you saying that youre at acomputer desk, that makes the back hunched, Maybe a chiropractor to get you started and then the exercise to maintain it. You can do this Alex, justlike your going to stop the pills.   WE are here to help you as everyone has been here to help me through my first two days almost.       JayDean

[dark69meat]

The days indeed are counting down;  it's a strategy I've never tried... i.e. selecting a CT day in future.  When I quite marijuana after smoking it almost every day for 12 years, I came home one day and through it all away, including the paraphernalia.  None of this was premeditated and very odd but effective approach, looking back.  The point is, the strategy doesn't matter, only that we recover and free ourselves from addiction.  I felt like a slave pot smoking and too depended physiologically.

On topic:  Before exercise obviously you'll have to be relatively clear of withdrawal symptoms with less swelling.  Who knows, it might not take that long; I can only hope.  Not sure what's going on with the ankle area.

Exercise and eating a regular healthy diet has literally saved my life, but I've done both with alcohol until 18 days ago.  I have so much energy now after freeing myself from addiction.

I remember being physically sick taking exams; I'm obsessive compulsive (OCD) about everything, but made it - shear determination... I knew the material and came prepared; then had confidence on test day.

You'll do fine Alex and rid yourself of those nasty pills.  I'll get to that other note regarding exercising in detail a little later.;-)

Your friend,
- dark