Mental Depression preventing me cycling

[kajero]

I don't have a lot to post except I saw the Doc on Tuesday and she adjusted the meds. She also thought getting the SAD light I asked about was good a idea, too. I have been getting some exercise and have been trying to take a walk outside after work.

My bike sits directly in front of the car so when I come home from work; the bike just nags me to get on it and ride. I almost did today, but turned away. I just couldn't find the energy. My poor little bike looks as forlorn and sad as I am. I think it's feeling really rejected lately. And of course, keeping it tied up with a cable lock in the garage and then shutting the garage door has to make it's life even more miserable. I know it wants to be outside on the trails. It's locked up physically and it seems I am locked up emotionally right now.

I am going to try and ride this weekend; it is supposed to really nice. (Well, for Minnesota that is.) I also have to make myself believe riding 10 or 12 miles is okay and it's not necessary to ride a gazillion miles to enjoy my bike.

Thanks for all the support. I'll keep you posted!

[OakLeaf]

I also have to make myself believe riding 10 or 12 miles is okay and it's not necessary to ride a gazillion miles to enjoy my bike.

You know what? Riding 2 or 3 miles is okay!

And - don't know if this is an issue for you or not - but cruising nice and effortlessly without breaking a sweat is okay, too.

In fact, it's fun - riding a bike the way we used to when we were kids, just for the pleasure of the wind on our faces and the feeling of movement. When I lived in town I would sometimes just cruise around the neighborhood "surveying my domain." I think a lot of us don't do that nearly enough anyhow, just finding the simple childlike joy in moving our bodies through space.

Maybe try just going for a ride in street clothes, planning on a really short one. Regular clothes don't get uncomfortable in just a few miles (as long as you cinch your pants leg or just roll it up). Sometimes just getting dressed in cycling clothes can seem like such a production - and then, when you've taken so much time to get ready, it doesn't seem "worth it" to just ride for a couple of miles. Wear your helmet and gloves for safety of course, but try just pretending you're a little kid again, and remember how it felt to ride a bike then.

Glad you saw the doctor, and I hope things start to turn around for you very soon. I do still think you should try and see a counselor. Keeping you in my thoughts and sending lots of hugs.

[tulip]

Yep, just riding around the neighborhood is great fun, and it still counts as a bike ride! I hope your doctor visit was good and that you find relief soon. Sometimes meds work better when you have a good therapist working with you too. We're thinking of you

[Smilie]

If you do just go ride around the neighborhood, pay attention.

I just did the pleasure ride to just get out and ride this summer, and was checking out all of the wonderful yards around me, happened to look up and almost ran smack into a parked car! Now that would have messed me and my bike up.

Hope you just get out and do something that makes your soul sing. Sending good vibes to you.

[mayanorange]

Most everyone has said the same things, but I'd like to add my support that I've been there too. (I don't admit this to many people, so you're much stronger than me right there). I hope the doctor(s) can help and I know sometimes it takes too long for the changes to kick in and it seems like it'll never get better. But as everyone's been saying, you need to hold on to hope and positivity as best you can. And then cry when you need to. My only suggestion was going to be that yoga (Iyengar is my preference) can be helpful if you find the right instructor or DVD. Exercise does help, but I know what you mean about the hardest part is just getting on the bike. The yoga that helped me started out with stretching and being in the moment (listening to your body and not your head), then before you know it, you're turning into a pretzel and actually doing some work! Kinda a good way to sneak up on myself to do exercise. Or, like the others said, just cruise on you bike and enjoy the scenery.

[Crankin]

I'm at the point where cruising on my Jamis is a lot more fun than trying to go fast on my road bike. It definitely recalls the feeling of being a kid. I find going on errand rides sets a purpose and even if some of them are as short as 8 miles, I still feel like I've exercised.