Mentium

I went to the gym today for the fist time since I quit drinking a couple of weeks ago.

Let me say that I first joined a gym a year and a half ago and I started to go regularly for a while mainly because it seemed to take the edge of feeling quite so crap with all the alcohol I was throwing down my neck.

Anyway I stopped going for one reason and another about three months or four months ago.

Started again today. I took it gently for obvious reasons - just about 45 mins or so.

I felt absolutely great afterwards! Relaxed, unstressed and a sense of wellbeing I have not felt as strongly since I quit drinking.

I know people bang on about exercise in recovery - it is a bit of a cliché and people perhaps tend to just go yeah yeah and skip over 'that bit' (I know I tended to!), but here is a heartfelt recommendation - if you've recently quit drinking and you are feeling a bit glum get to the gym - you will feel much MUCH better!

Bobbieka

Great job, Mentium! Keep moving!

Upstairs

Exercise is great. Plus joining a gym gets you out the house and you can meet new people if you attend regular. I used to be a gym rat, and as shy as I was, even I would make friends there.

Bird615

Working out has been one of the things I've also been happy to be doing again. It really does help me feel better.

Anna

For me, it's walking outside, but I agree with you completely Mentium. The exercise works on so many levels.

Mentium

Double dose for me - walk my dogs for an hour or so in the morning!

*beam*

entropy1964

I'm one of those ones that bangs on about exercise. Just did my hot yoga and I feel great.

I would add for anyone reading this forum: If people with some sobriety bang on (I love that term) about things? Try them. They'll probably work. If you read here and you find yourself saying/thinking, nope, nope, not gonna do that or getting all sensitive about what is being suggested, look inside, at yourself. I've learned that doing what other sober people suggest, as opposed to what I think I should do, usually works out well.

gettingsmarter

Heck YA!

Nic233

I joined the gym a month ago and have only been once!!! I'll take this thread as a sign to stop wasting my $$ and get my bum down there again lol

gettingsmarter

Starting exercise again was literally a life saver. The emotional relief I get during and after is fantastic.

Zebra1275

Exercise is great.

I've been playing competitive tennis 3 - 4 times a week since I got sober. For an old fart, I've gotten pretty good at it.

BrendaChenowyth

It feels great!

Midwest1981

my gym membership is the best money I spend!! I love it. Exercise is a lifesaver for me.

Outonthetiles

I took up racketball. Never in my wildest dreams during my "lost years" did I see that coming!
It's amazing how much we can do once we get the junk out of our lives.

whopper

+1 for gym. Gets me out of the house and takes away my stress and anxiety.

Mentium

Stumbled on this article - one of many actually about exercise and recovery. This quote is from here: https://www.addiction.com/in-recover...ving/exercise/

"Studies suggest that adding exercise to addiction treatment (which typically means counseling, self-help support groups and/or medication) can strengthen the effects of recovery. One study of patients being treated for substance abuse published in Mental Health and Physical Activity showed that exercise can lead to a sense of accomplishment; feeling stronger; improved health; and increased confidence in staying clean and sober".