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Heartbroken people dismissing "hit the gym" advice as a meme

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People that "hit the gym" to control mood are a close cousin to those that "hit the bottle" to control mood. It's more natural and better for you but it can lead to very addictive behavior and dependency. Nothing wrong with working out and obviously it great for you physically but mentally and psychologically you are not really addressing the issue, you're basically just ignoring it. You are getting high to feel better.

wha...

I've never been into the gym

oh. ok

better to say "go get some light exercise." "hitting" the "gym" is phonetically harsh.

also, for many, gyms are places to judge and be judged

sorta depressing

?????????????????????

If people put as much effort into their mental gymnastics to not exercise as they did in real gymnastics they'd realize how great it feels to be in shape.

It's fucking insane.
 
If someone tells you your advice is trite and your response is to defend yourself, chances are you're not being a good listener, you're making the conversation about yourself.

I know if I was telling a friend about how I was heartbroken and going through a divorce because my husband cheated on me and her response was to tell me to make sure I'm eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of rest and exercise, I'd feel pretty insulted. No shit, Sherlock? And if she started getting fussy because apparently she thinks I'm denying the mental health benefits of her advice? I'd have to keep myself in check in order to not SLAP that ho.

Was there a question in there to engage discussion? Or is this a blog post?

Seriously. I realize there's no way you could come up with a speific guideline to catch these, but I would love it if we could somehow bar these kinds of passive agressive OPs that start out immediately on the defensive, rant about some third party who is clearly based on some actual context that we are not privy to and for the reader is just an amalgamated straw man, are rather naked attempts at seeking validation either through finding others that affirm the OPs views or "fishing out" someone in the supposed class of people being ranted about in order to pick an argument, and just generally dump the reader in an imaginary argument in media res. Go to facebook with that shit (or not, actually).
 
Please read the following in Nic Cage's voice:

This.

This thread.

Yes this is the one.

I saw three of these parked outside of a local Starbucks this morning which tells me only one thing - y'all need to hit the gym.
 
Is a meme. I mean I work out, but come on.
It doesn't mean it's not good advice, but it's still used as a joke regardless and is used in countless different ways during breakup threads. You should have some routine for fitness, with or without an actual gym. Hell you can just start running around the neighborhood and do bodyweight exercises right in your own home and that's good enough.

Telling someone who got out of a like 5 year relationship to go hit the gym isn't gonna do much for them though if shit is rocky. Everyone copes differently.
 
The only thing annoying about gym memberships are some of the people that join it. Not talking about attitude and the like because gyms are actually full of nice people, mostly.

But fucking-A, return the damn weights after you use them!!! It's annoying having to do a scavenger hunt after doing my sets just to find the right weights!
 
If someone tells you your advice is trite and your response is to defend yourself, chances are you're not being a good listener, you're making the conversation about yourself.

I know if I was telling a friend about how I was heartbroken and going through a divorce because my husband cheated on me and her response was to tell me to make sure I'm eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of rest and exercise, I'd feel pretty insulted. No shit, Sherlock? And if she started getting fussy because apparently she thinks I'm denying the mental health benefits of her advice? I'd have to keep myself in check in order to not SLAP that ho).

Most friends in that regard are both consoling and want to give advice to help pull their depressed friend out of a funk. When we are depressed, we usually know common sense solutions, but we are too depressed sometimes to motivate ourselves to do these common sense things. Sometimes we need to hear it from somebody else to get ourselves going.
 
The only thing annoying about gym memberships are some of the people that join it. Not talking about attitude and the like because gyms are actually full of nice people, mostly.

But fucking-A, return the damn weights after you use them!!! It's annoying having to do a scavenger hunt after doing my sets just to find the right weights!

Worse than that is the old ladies hogging up the bench and squat stations to do leg stretches. >:/
 
There is no better mental therapy than a trip to the gym after a rotten day of work. You completely escape your thoughts for as long as you're there. Been at it since 2009 and haven't looked back.
 
It's working for me. Ended a 3 year relationship a few months ago, and started routinely going to the gym to help take my mind off the situation (let's face it, being dumped sucks). A few months later I have abs, more defined arms, more confidence, more energy, clothes fit me better etc. Also it's inspired me to improve my eating habits and I haven't smoked a cigarette in over a week now!

So yes, making fitness a priority is a GREAT way to get through tough times and beyond. And my planet fitness membership is $10 a month, so price isn't a problem here.
 
I pay 26.99 a month for mine. That gives me access to pool, track, weights and machines. All of which would cost a fortune if I bought them. So I concur

You can also check you health insurance. They may reimburse all or a portion of your gym membership fees.
 
But I hate working out. I hate it with my life. If I was depressed or heartbroken or suicidal and somebody who claims to have seen the light told me working out was the answer to my problems, I would probably climb onto a massive catapult, pull the massive lever, and fling myself into the sun.

Honestly, this. I mean, I still exercise some in my own way; I'll go jogging sometimes, and I walk to places a lot instead of driving, but there are few things I enjoy less than actually hitting the gym and working out.

That being said, I also don't expect to ever date anyone, so I guess this topic isn't really for me.
 

It's not the case for all people but the workout high can be addictive and lead to similar addictive qualities that are looked down upon when they're attached to other things.

The reality is that moderation is key everywhere. The same way that people look at excessive work/making money as a general positive, many workout enthusiasts champion the gym/being fit. Nobody would ever say that making good money or being fit is bad but if either of those things are making you misplace priorities, look down on those who have different interests, ignore the sources of your problems, etc... Then there is an addiction problem just as legitimate as a gaming/gambling/drinking/drugs/sex addiction.

Refusual to acknowledge that isn't good.
 

Hitting the gym hard causes your body to create chemicals that get you high. Those chemicals are just as addictive as many other drugs. I have nothing against going to the gym, but if your hitting the gym because your heartbroken then you are chasing that high. Its really not that different mentally than hitting the bottle. Off course it is not as bad for you physically. The fact remains your using a drug to give temporarily relief. If you happy and stable and love the gym all the power to you, but its never a good idea to self medicate depression.
 
It's not the case for all people but the workout high can be addictive and lead to similar addictive qualities that are looked down upon when they're attached to other things.

The reality is that moderation is key everywhere. The same way that people look at excessive work/making money as a general positive, many workout enthusiasts champion the gym/being fit. Nobody would ever say that making good money or being fit is bad but if either of those things are making you misplace priorities, look down on those who have different interests, ignore the sources of your problems, etc... Then there is an addiction problem just as legitimate as a gaming/gambling/drinking/drugs/sex addiction.

Refusual to acknowledge that isn't good.

I don't want to say fitness addiction isn't as legitimate as the ones you listed--but I do think it's less "legitimate" if only because the others are actively detrimental to several aspects of your life and health. Fitness addiction is bad if you consistently get injured, but otherwise it's not nearly as immediately, physically detrimental.

You are right in the other ways. If it leads to you misplacing your priorities and doing it at the expense of other things you're gonna wind up in a bad place. As was said, all things in moderation and there's absolutely no panacea for a problem, but doing something that can help you feel better about your body during a down period can help! There's often a feeling of no longer being in control after you're dumped because your "ideal" life was just changed radically, and doing something that helps you regain control over your life in a very tangible way has loads of benefits.

I won't vouch for it during an actual depressive episode, though. Fuck people that tell you to eat healthier, work out more, or do yoga (: while you're mentally fucked. No shit, sherlock.
 
Hitting the gym hard causes your body to create chemicals that get you high. Those chemicals are just as addictive as many other drugs. I have nothing against going to the gym, but if your hitting the gym because your heartbroken then you are chasing that high. Its really not that different mentally than hitting the bottle. Off course it is not as bad for you physically. The fact remains your using a drug to give temporarily relief. If you happy and stable and love the gym all the power to you, but its never a good idea to self medicate depression.

What the fuck?
 
Those chemicals are just as addictive as many other drugs. I have nothing against going to the gym, but if your hitting the gym because your heartbroken then you are chasing that high. Its really not that different mentally than hitting the bottle.

there is a much better balance between pain/pleasure when working out than there is taking a drug, in a weird way we are conditioned to see things as effort vs reward

when working out the high is a reward to the effort you have put in, when talking about drug addiction you are getting the reward without the counter-balance and things get very dangerous very quickly

with working out there are plenty of checks and balances in place (like muscle pain) before you get onto the slippery slope of drug comparisons

they are actually very different
 
there is a much better balance between pain/pleasure when working out than there is taking a drug, in a weird way we are conditioned to see things as effort vs reward

when working out the high is a reward to the effort you have put in, when talking about drug addiction you are getting the reward without the counter-balance and things get very dangerous very quickly

with working out there are plenty of checks and balances in place (like muscle pain) before you get onto the slippery slope of drug comparisons

they are actually very different

There is still the idea that you can get addicted to whatever pushes your endorphin button. Yes, it makes you healthier--but if it comes at the detriment of other aspects of your life, it's still bad.
 
Is there something I have said that you are disputing?

Yes, you're incorrect. Exercise helps with depression and is not "filling a void." It's a very crazy statement to call an equivalence between alchoholism and regular exercise. Absolutely insane. There is no mental or physical equivalence between the two.

Exercise is a very common first-step in tackling depression.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-and-depression-report-excerpt

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC474733/

Exercise is not a panacea. It will not fully "cure" you, it will not work for everyone. But it works for a large amount of people and is beneficial for you in more ways than one (including helping many with depression).

Comparing it to substance abuse is disgusting and wrong.
 
there is a much better balance between pain/pleasure when working out than there is taking a drug, in a weird way we are conditioned to see things as effort vs reward

when working out the high is a reward to the effort you have put in, when talking about drug addiction you are getting the reward without the counter-balance and things get very dangerous very quickly

with working out there are plenty of checks and balances in place (like muscle pain) before you get onto the slippery slope of drug comparisons

they are actually very different

The drug addiction is scientifically the same, the only difference is your chosen method of delivery. Of course like all drugs and people there is a wide range of factors in addiction. The addiction is real, all those action sports junkies that don't know when to quit are junkies and they are doing it because they are high as fuck. My point is only about the OP stating its the some magic solution to depression. There is risk with doing that and it is not all roses.
 
There is still the idea that you can get addicted to whatever pushes your endorphin button. Yes, it makes you healthier--but if it comes at the detriment of other aspects of your life, it's still bad.

my argument isn't that it makes you healthier, it's that the addiction itself is healthier...if that makes sense
 
Hitting the gym hard causes your body to create chemicals that get you high. Those chemicals are just as addictive as many other drugs. I have nothing against going to the gym, but if your hitting the gym because your heartbroken then you are chasing that high. Its really not that different mentally than hitting the bottle. Off course it is not as bad for you physically. The fact remains your using a drug to give temporarily relief. If you happy and stable and love the gym all the power to you, but its never a good idea to self medicate depression.

You actually believe this nonsense, don't you?

The drug addiction is scientifically the same, the only difference is your chosen method of delivery. Of course like all drugs and people there is a wide range of factors in addiction. The addiction is real, all those action sports junkies that don't know when to quit are junkies and they are doing it because they are high as fuck. My point is only about the OP stating its the some magic solution to depression. There is risk with doing that and it is not all roses.

What the fuck are you talking about? No, going to the gym to make yourself better and feel better is not remotely similar to substance abuse.
 
You actually believe this nonsense, don't you?

Maybe I should clarify, if you are hitting the gym to button mash your endorphin button when you are depressed, its not the best idea. There are other things you need to be doing and tapping that button is not ideal.
 
You actually believe this nonsense, don't you?



What the fuck are you talking about? No, going to the gym to make yourself better and feel better is not remotely similar to substance abuse.

I am not saying it is for everyone. If the gym is triggering endorphins they can be very addictive. It does trigger them in many people and it is as addictive as fuck. If you're not one of those people that's great but it is like that for lots of people.
 
I am not saying it is for everyone. If the gym is triggering endorphins they can be very addictive. It does trigger them in many people and it is as addictive as fuck. If you're not one of those people that's great but it is like that for lots of people.

Being addicted to being healthy is not a bad thing.
 
Being addicted to being healthy is not a bad thing.

It has nothing to do with being healthy. Being addicted to endorphins can be just as harmful as any drug addiction. Of course not everyone that loves to be healthy and work out is addicted or has any issue. It is something to keep in mind if you trying to deal with depression.
 
I am not saying it is for everyone. If the gym is triggering endorphins they can be very addictive. It does trigger them in many people and it is as addictive as fuck. If you're not one of those people that's great but it is like that for lots of people.

Do you have any evidence that this is a widespread thing?

You're pretty much saying that it's not "safe" to do anything if you're in a situation where you may be suffering from some depression.

If you are are depressed because you got dumped, then going to the gym to improve yourself will almost certainly not do anything but benefit you in both the short and long term.

"Beware of endorphins" has to be one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read. Might as well warn people away from seasoning their food while depressed because it might make it taste too good!
 
Do you have any evidence that this is a widespread thing?

You're pretty much saying that it's not "safe" to do anything if you're in a situation where you may be suffering from some depression.

If you are are depressed because you got dumped, then going to the gym to improve yourself will almost certainly not do anything but benefit you in both the short and long term.

"Beware of endorphins" has to be one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read. Might as well warn people away from seasoning their food while depressed because it might make it taste too good!

I said my bit and hyperbole is just a waste of time. It is actually a real thing and there are droves of adrenaline junkies out there. This whole hit the gym it will solve all your problems mentality does have some drawbacks. I'm out
 
It has nothing to do with being healthy. Being addicted to endorphins can be just as harmful as any drug addiction. Of course not everyone that loves to be healthy and work out is addicted or has any issue. It is something to keep in mind if you trying to deal with depression.

I think the problem I have with this comparision is that you are equating natural endorphins to drugs. One requires higher and higher doses (as a result of tolerance) and can be highly destructive, while the natural endorphins (or runners high etc) wouldn't cause this.

There is a real problem of Body dysmorphia with people becoming more obsessed with their physical appearance, but you say that natural endorphines from working out is a dangerous drug seems like a weird argument for me.
 
I think the problem I have with this comparision is that you are equating natural endorphins to drugs. One requires higher and higher doses (as a result of tolerance) and can be highly destructive, while the natural endorphins (or runners high etc) wouldn't cause this.

There is a real problem of Body dysmorphia with people becoming more obsessed with their physical appearance, but you say that natural endorphines from working out is a dangerous drug seems like a weird argument for me.

Ah you ever watch action sports, you think those guys are not pushing more and more because that addiction takes more and more. Ok I promise now I am out.
 
I'm sure it works for some people, but three months of gym cardio and resistance training 4-5 nights a week just made me bored and tired. Never got much improvement in mood or strength.

It seemed like simple calisthenics did more for me. They never really tired me out, but I became more limber. Just body-weight squats seem like the best.
 
I said my bit and hyperbole is just a waste of time. It is actually a real thing and there are droves of adrenaline junkies out there. This whole hit the gym it will solve all your problems mentality does have some drawbacks. I'm out

In the same post you complain about hyperbole being a waste of time, you wrote this:

"This whole hit the gym it will solve all your problems mentality"

No one is saying that it will solve all problems. It will almost definitely improve things, though.
 
Ah you ever watch action sports, you think those guys are not pushing more and more because that addiction takes more and more. Ok I promise now I am out.

That is not because it takes more and more endorphines to get "high". Naturally occurring chemicals in the brain wouldn't create a tolerance like a drug would. Its just those people who partake in sports/dangerous activities because they like it, not because of an addiction.

I'm sure the average person wouldn't suddenly have to start base jumping just because they can't reach the same high.

There are risks for people who have depression/eating disorders to start relying on working out as a coping mechanism but it is a healthier alternative then drugs/alcohol.
 
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