New fitbit to help with depression - looking for friends in the same boat

[SunnierJayne]

Hello!
I'm so unmotivated a lot of the time so hoping this'll help. I manage v little except for going to work, and that's been difficult.

But I normally (used to) enjoy walking so here goes....

(Tho today I've come home to set up my new fitbit instead of going for a walk!)
Jxx

[SunsetRunner]

It will help! It will not be an instant change, but you will notice the difference. You will feel good, when you see you managed to reach your goals, or even a bit more.... Keep faith!

[SunnierJayne]

Hello hhfit
Thank you! I finally made it outdoors & it *was* worth it, the local river is pretty even under an insipid English winter sky.

[woolsee]

Hi,

I really hope the fitbit works for you.  I lowered all the goals because achieving them made me feel good. I have gradually increased them which makes me feel good too but I have to be careful. I have days when I can hardly drag myself out of bed and not reaching the goals can me me worse. I do think it has helped me overall though a walk by the river is always nice, even when its pouring and its flooded. I wish you all the best, feel free to add me as a friend.

[SunnierJayne]

Hello - thank you!
I have no idea how to add you, but yes please 🙂 If I can get 10k steps at the weekends, that'll do for now. My goal is that anything is better than nothing (can't do fewer than no steps).

I know what you mean about being careful - I need motivation but Fitbit isn't a bully on a wristband (I've told it that already). I don't need help to be horrible to myself & duvet days will still happen.

Flooded rivers are great - wellies and a coat, and I've got the place to myself. Take care

[betpchem]

@SunnierJayne Here's how you add someone as a friend from this discussion area. Click on the person's name in their post (on the left). You will get to their discussion profile. Under their name, there will be a link "go to Fitbit.com profile". Click on this link. Once you are at their profile, you will see an "add friend" button.

Good luck with your fitbit. I find it very motivating.

[loveabull]

Walking is awesome for depression. Really, if you add an Ipod with favorite tunes even more so. The right meds and exercise even better still. Exercise gives you those feel good hormones and a better body image. Really...even an hour a day.

[SunnierJayne]

Thank you both, really helpful. Meds were the first (recent) step for me, they've really hrlped. The crash that followed the high after the first lot of exercise I tried almost put me off, but it's been worth persevering.
All the best for today - whether you're resting, walking or running ☺

[woolsee]

It was one of those mornings when I really didn't want to get out of bed but I had to take the kids to school/nursery so no choice. It was freezing outside so I popped on my favourite TV program and walked on the spot infront the tv. Needed a nap after that but felt better that I had got some steps in. Hope your having a good day. x

[SunnierJayne]

Yey for getting some steps done! Getting out of bed is hard (& I don't have kids to think about) so that's an achievement before you've even left the house.

Mondays & Tuesdays are my earlys at work - always iffy at 8.30 when the calls start (accidentally hung up on someone last week 😕 ).

It's warmish here - near Southampton - but my duvet's still warmer! I don't drive, so have to walk a bit. So tired after an ordinary workday tho, no work - life balance.

Hope your evening's gone ok & tomorrow goes well for you. ☺

[SunnierJayne]

Hi @woolsee

Hope your day went ok. Is it any warmer yet? I ended up hoovering & putting the bins out to get the last few steps done. So, yey for housework (blame Fitbit for that sentiment!. Using up holiday from work, so tomorrow is in danger of becoming a duvet day - but let's see!

Trying to eat better too, but shopping is often more than I can handle, so just set up a veg box delivery - lots of fruit & salad, and only a bit to cook. Feel like I've done a full week now, that extra activity is rewarding but tiring too.

Have a good evening & take care. x

[Matttux45]

Everyone add me I am always looking for some friendly challenges to keep me motivated. Matttuxhorn@gmail.com

[woolsee]

Hi, the kids didn't let me get much sleep the last couple of nights, doesn't help when you cant get out of bed in the first place! Well done on the veg box sounds lovely, I tried to eat better too but cutting out my favourite foods was a step to far and I am back on the chocolate. I can see that I have increased my activity and even managed a bit of a jog chasing the kids home on their scooters. Not lost any weight and my clothes are just as tight but clearly I am getting fitter.

I live in north Yorkshire so its bloomin cold here had to defrost the car this morning, it was lovely and sunny though so if you kept in the sun you could pretend it was warm.  I hope you managed to get some steps in today, you are right about the extra activity being tiring perhaps a duvet day is what is needed. x

[SunnierJayne]

Hi, definitely haven't given up junk food here! Pretty sure chocolate is a food group ☺
I'm just aiming to eat from a plate once a day, instead of grazing from cupboards. It's sequences of tasks that floor me - plan, go to shop, buy stuff, prep, cook, clean up.... Yikes!
So the veg box breaks the sequence - no planning or shopping. That approach is helping with other things too.
Functioning while tired is such hard work - I hope the kids let you get some sleep tonight. Cold & clear can be lovely for a walk but it's soooooo hard to leave the house x

[daff]

I got a fitbit to help manage stress and depression. I don't know when I feel stressed (I just think of it as being busy) so when I get really stressed and need to rest I'm completely unaware of it. Which is rubbish becasuse I sometimes have episodes of anxiety where I can't catch my breath and cry. I wanted to monitor my resting HR to be able to see if it's at a normal level (normal for me) or elevated (which might mean I'm stressed and need to ease off). 

An added benefit is that aerobic exercise helps depression but I've never really known what was aerobic and what wasn't. You can read about it here. The thing is, aerobic HR = 60-85% of your max HR and I wonderd how well this matched with the preset zones in the fitbit? I know you can change to have custom zones but I wondered if anyone knows if the middle zone (Cardio) is the same as aerobic?

[UpBeatBoyd]

I got my Fitbit to help with my depression. It really helps get me moving and I feel so much better now. I still have my days, but it is getting better.