smadams11

so, as the thread title suggests, i am considering getting an exercise bike. this would be a good way to focus my energy, i think, and i will use it when the urge to drink becomes too much. i used to have a mega treadmill which i loved but i don't have the room for a treadmill now. before that i simply ran/walked around the downstairs of our house as it was every large but, again, we don't have any room now.
so, is an exercise bike a good idea? maybe a folding one so i can store it away when not in use. also, they are fairly quiet unlike a treadmill.
do you think this will work or will it be a waste of money? i know i will use it, i just don't know if it will help to ease the urges?....
on a different note, do they help you to lose weight or just tone you up?
thank you

ScottFromWI

Exercise is one way to stop the urges, sure. Do you have any other plans either formal ( meetings, counseling, etc ) or informal ( SR, daily meditation, etc ? )

Anna

I think that exercise plays a part in recovery and helps you to feel better about yourself. Do you have other things in mind for your recovery plan?

ArtFriend

Exercise it great for relieving stress. I used to run and it did the trick. But, maybe that should be a part of the tool box

MisterChill

Everyone is as unique as a fingerprint but exercise definitely makes a difference for me personally during the evenings when the grip is tugging on me. Especially aerobic stuff. I've done regular bike rides, high rep/low weight workouts, and even doing 10 flights of outdoor stairs at my local elementary school.

By the time my heart rate returns to normal I feel completely different and surprisingly relaxed considering what time the clock says.

Before investing in a piece of equipment try out a simple cardio workout on youtube or just doing a bunch of stairs and see how you feel afterwards.

SDH73

Hi, smadams. I have an exercise bike in my home and I love it. I don't use it to fight urges, per se, but regular exercise has a lot of other benefits. I've lost weight, I tire myself out so I sleep better at night, sense of accomplishment (short term - having gotten my workout in for the day, long term - having lost X weight, or built up to X miles in X minutes). So yeah, I'd say get yourself an exercise bike.

Again, for urges? Haven't tried it, myself. Best wishes!

Calicofish

May I suggest you buy a Nintendo Wii. You can probably find plenty second hand (online). I have one, and it's fun. You can buy lots of different games and also a fitness program, that will come with your own personal trainer. You can chart your progress. I think it's more fun than a stationary bike.

CF

least

I don't know about a bike, but I used to walk my dogs when I got the urge to drink. They got a lot of walks for a while and I stayed sober.

smadams11

thanks to everyone for your replies. based on your replies and my thoughts tonight, i will definitely buy an exercise bike-probably a second hand one so it shouldn't cost too much.
i don't really have anything else in place to fight the urges, just stuff i have printed off the internet and you guys here.
i have tried just doing exercises around my living room/running up and down the stairs but i remember how intense it used to be on the treadmill and i kind of long for that unthinking, repetitiveness that exercise equipment can give me.
calico fish, i am looking to lose weight and am sure a wii would have the opposite effect but thanks for the suggestion-the fact that it charts your progress is tempting though. i already have a lot of pc games but they don't really detract me from wanting a drink unfortunately.
thank you SDH73 for reminding me of the feeling i got after a good hour or two on the treadmill-this has really driven my motivation to get a bike (before this post i was considering it, but now it is a definite thanks to your reminders of sweaty accomplishment) so a great big heartfelt thank you to you.
thanks again to all!

trachemys

If you can find one, try the Gold's Gym Twist N Step at wally world. Inexpensive, VERY compact, durable.