Hi guys, A month ago, I posted this about realizing that I had Depression. (Thank you guys again for helping me realize that what I was feeling wasn't normal!)My doctor recommended exercise and to see a therapist. The therapist recommended exercise and to go to a group class one night a week where we learn how to combat negative and distorted thoughts. She said she could prescribe me something, but it was my choice whether to just try the exercise and class first or go on medication, and I chose not to go on medication because it would be months until it would start working and I need to lose weight anyhow. I'm glad I did, because I don't think I need medication anymore, and I don't want to be dependent upon a chemical unless it's absolutely necessary.The class has been really helpful. My wife and I went over the cognitive distortions list together and it helped me because she could recall actual examples of things I've said that matched that list, things I've said on a constant basis, and I realized that the way I was talking to myself and to others was a major part of the problem.Given my limited time during the day (due to work and my long commute) I ended up having to sacrifice most of my "after-the-baby-is-down" hour of togetherness with my wife, when we used to watch a tv show or a movie together, in order to use that hour to exercise.It's ok though because our relationship is completely healed now, so our time together during the day and during weekends has really improved in quality and we're much happier.The Doctor said the blood tests all came back normal except for slightly high cholesterol, and obviously my weight was an issue. He said I needed at least 1/2 hour of HARD cardio every day, and I needed to keep track of my calorie intake.The night of the initial Doctor's appointment, I began riding my bike for an hour each night. Keeping track of my rides and calorie expenditure using the Strava app. I'm now riding 10 miles every night. I also started using the LoseIt! app, and am logging everything I eat. I like it because I can eat whatever I want, as long as I keep it under the calorie limit, which at my weight is around 2000/day. As I lose weight, the calorie limit decreases somewhat, but it's totally easy to stay within the calorie limit right now.I'm not going to lie - the exercising was super fucking hard for the first couple weeks. I really had to force myself and my wife had to push me out the door. But I've lost eight pounds this month. And it's gotten easier. Now I'm looking forward to it every night. Trying to get the "high score" on the Strava Leaderboards for segments in my neighborhood.The body sensation after the first few rides reminded me of the body sensation of eating an edible cannabis product. I had tingles all over my body and everything just felt relaxed. Now, when I go out, I try to work myself hard enough to generate that same feeling every night. I figure, if I can "get high" every night without actually ingesting anything, why not, right? (The only difference is that on actual cannabis, everything seemed so much more "significant" - like, "This is the most amazing herpes commercial I've ever seen! Screw the Oscars, this is a masterpiece!" kind of significance... So you don't get that feeling, which, to be honest, I don't really need. But the body sensations are super nice.)Now, after a month of doing this, I can honestly say that I feel 1,000% better mentally and physically. I still have moments where my temper flares up, but nowhere near the level it was before. I still have moments where I feel really sleepy, but they're MUCH fewer and further between, and I no longer fall asleep on my commute. My overall energy level has increased to the point at which I feel like I can run around and actually PLAY with my boy now. My feet no longer hurt.My wife has noticed a HUGE difference in my attitude and involvement in our family, and my desire to help with things and desire to play and interact with our son. "You're cracking jokes again!" she told me the other night. (I hadn't realized that I had stopped having fun, but apparently I had!)My memory has also improved somewhat. I'm paying special attention to things now, and am forcing myself to be more aware and take notes when I need to, just in case.I've started meditating on Saturday mornings with a local Zen Meditation group. I've only gone to one session, but had such an awesome experience that I've decided I'm going to try to make it a regular thing every week.So, things are looking up. Honestly, I kind of think that just realizing what the initial problem was and taking steps to combat it is what brought me out of it. I felt good knowing that it wasn't a physical problem. I felt good knowing that there was something I could do to make myself better. I felt good to be actually doing the things that make me better mentally and physically. I felt good that I wasn't the only person in the world the feel this way, and I even discovered, through talking with friends at work about it, that they've pretty much all gone through similar things as well. I'm not alone, and neither are you.Anyway, I just wanted to put this out there to encourage anyone else who's been feeling the way I felt to go and get help and just do it. You can do it. And you'll feel better. It's worth it. It's so, so worth it. via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2aGi6TX
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