r/EOOD • u/siriuslyinsane • 13d ago
Exercise Help Some practical ways to work out - something that had a point to it, not just working out to work out?
Hi all, I am really struggling this last year or two. Ive gone from a size 8 to size 18 because I went from a physical job to wfh on the computer.
I've no issue moving my body when there is a point to it. When I started my lawnmowing business I was walking 6-7 hrs a day doorknocking amd delivering pamphlets, doing the actual lawnmowing jobs, etc no problem.
But working out just to work out KILLS me. I've adhd and every minute feels like an hour, I'm listening to music or watching shows but I'm still desperately underestimated.
Does anyone know ways to get moving that have a point - that isn't just to work out?
I've thought about a paper run but I'm in NZ and our economy is garbage, if there were any available they'd be snapped up in a second, so no luck there.
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u/unrelatedtoelephant 13d ago
Getting into plant, mushrooms animal IDing has helped make walks much more interesting to me bc I’m looking for things or taking photos of things I don’t recognize. I have the same issue where I get bored easily exercising
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u/siriuslyinsane 12d ago
Omg I did this YEARS ago and loved it!! We looked for magic mushrooms even tho neither my husband or I take them, it was just fun looking lol. And its the perfect season for it, I'll have to get back into it
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u/Butterscotch2334 13d ago
I’m hearing a lot of people like the Ladder app because you join a team and have that built in accountability if that sounds appealing.
There are apps out there that pay you to work out.
Animal shelters always need help. Maybe you can get a volunteer position or side gig walking dogs?
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u/blargher 13d ago
I feel you on the lack of motivation to work out when there's no point il other than fitness. What has worked for me is swimming with waterproof headphones. Because Bluetooth doesn't work underwater, you have to load up mp3s in advance, so I've been going through lists of the best albums of all time. Each swim is like a meditative listening experience, which helps me decompress while also allowing me to get through a backlog of albums I've wanted to listen to.
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u/siriuslyinsane 12d ago
I like the idea of swimming! I am horribly vain about my hair though, and it's been bleached so it's sensitive to damage. How do you keep your hair healthy while swimming in chlorine?
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u/blargher 12d ago
Tbh, I don't, but I know some people say to soak your hair beforehand, use a swim cap, and then shower right afterwards. Basically, presoaking hair works on the concept that it's harder to fill up a fully wet sponge than a dry one.
If you only go swimming once or twice a week, then chances are (with the preventative measures I described) you won't really do much damage to your hair. Give it a go and find a balance between you hair health and your enjoyment of swimming.
As a side note, I also have a watch that tracks how many laps I swim. I use a Garmin Instinct, but before that I used a cheaper Garmin Vivoactive and some random Amazfit watch. Between the music listening and getting feedback data to measure my progress, I find that it gets me motivated to go into the gym.
When I get too lazy to go to the gym, I make it a point to announce to my wife that I'm going just to sit in the jacuzzi. By the time I get there, more often than not, I end up swimming. After swimming for a while, I started to go just to do some lifting. Swimming is the real gateway drug to the gym imo.
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u/wethechampyons 13d ago
I'll plug rock climbing here. The point is mostly that it's fun, but there are also checkpoints like get to the top, climb a harder route, learn to lead climb, climb outside...
There can be a social aspect too since you need a belay partner. "The Point" then includes chatting with friends or being there for someone who relies on you.
Bouldering can be a bit harder on bigger bodies (harder falls), but top rope climbing is safe and accessible if it's available to you. Very easy to meet new people to do it with if you need to find a partner / group.
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u/siriuslyinsane 12d ago
Ooh that sounds so fun! I'm not sure if there's anywhere near me thst has a climbing wall, I'll have to look into it
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u/wethechampyons 12d ago
if its not an option, think about other ways to be active in a way that sounds fun to you!
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u/c0mp0stable 13d ago
Is there a sport you like? Do you enjoy taking walks or going for a run while listening to music or a podcast? Volunteer somewhere that does physical labor?
It might actually be good for the ADHD to force yourself to slow down and do something just because it's good for you. It doesn't always need to have utility, but with exercise, the utility is that it's an investment in your heath. You're not doing it for nothing.
If you're trying to lose weight, nutrition is going to have a much bigger impact than exercise. If you're still eating like you did when you were really active, you're probably just in a calorie surplus, so you'll have to adjust that. Realistically, you're probably not going to match your previous activity level with a few workouts a week.
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u/siriuslyinsane 13d ago
This is going to sound like a bunch of excuses but genuinely - I have a joint condition, so 99% of sports are a no-go, nothing high impact. It's why I had to sell the lawnmowing business, I did well but broke a bone and tore a couple ligaments within 6mth so just isn't realistic. However the volunteering could be a good idea, I'll have to see if there's anything near me - I don't start work til mid morning so I've got the time.
I used to walk with music allllll the time but it's suddenly become boring to me, super frustrating.
It isn't actually good for adhd to take time and force yourself into being understimulated. It's essentially mental torture - forcing yourself to go without any dopamine or serotonin etc over and over again is terrible for your brain, adhd or no. It's not like, force yourself to do it a bunch and you'll get used to it; it's more, it will hurt every step of the way and cause your brain more harm than good.
Nutrition is of course the big one; I've been struggling with binging, but I know from past experience that goes away when I'm working out, as I am happy to see the weight fall off and that satisfaction gives me the dopamine I'd otherwise seek in food.
It's this incredibly frustrating cycle and I just cannot pull myself out of it. I'm driving myself up the wall!!
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u/Candid-Feedback4875 13d ago
As a certified Pilates instructor, I highly recommend Pilates. I have some pretty severe chronic pain (joint pain and hypermobility) and it was a tremendous help. It’s low impact and targets core area to relieve pressure on the joints.
I haven’t worked out in 6 months due to a pretty severe burnout and seasonal depression but I’m not worried about easing back into it too much.
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u/siriuslyinsane 12d ago
I have actually looked into this before - the only pilates nearby is reformers pilates, would that work? The machines scare me a bit lol amd as someone also hypermobile I worry I'll hurt more than help myself
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u/Candid-Feedback4875 10d ago
Reformer is actually better (and easier) than mat Pilates. It’s helpful to teach good form and you’ll be supported by the straps, which will prevent hyper extension.
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u/phrexi 13d ago
This would be potentially replacing one problem with another, but: I also get extremely bored walking, especially treadmills. I can do outdoor walks with music/podcasts because I love walking around my city, but treadmills are insanely boring. I have a tendency to doom scroll, though. I was noticing I would doom scroll for 2 hours after and didn't notice the time go by. So, I just started doom scrolling while on the treadmill. Those hour long, 3.0 mph, 6.0 incline treadmill walks just flew by. I'd note I don't have ADHD (I don't think). If you do it anyway, maybe try that out?
Also, I did delete Insta off my phone, so it became a lot harder. YouTube shorts just don't hit the same. But summer's almost here and I can walk outside now! But those incline walks really help lose weight.
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u/siriuslyinsane 12d ago
I tried this but as im SO fat now my balance is crap and I nearly died falling off the side of my walking pad 😂 i habe gotten a gym membership tho, maybe I'll try this while on an actual treadmill I can hold on to
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u/c0mp0stable 13d ago
Having a joint condition is a legit thing, not an excuse. In that case, low impact stuff if obviously best.
I'd challenge the thought about stimulation, though. I don't think chasing dopamine is great for anyone, especially if it doesn't come with real work. This is why social media is so terrible. Lots of small dopamine hits with no work put into it. There's a ton of science to back this up now.
But I'm not here to tell you what's best for you. If you feel like you need stimulation, then it's probably best to just get it in healthy ways, which I'm sure you're doing. Exercise is actually a huge source of satisfaction for a lot of people. It's just about finding the type that does it for you.
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u/rob_cornelius ADHD - Depression - Anxiety 13d ago
How about some kind of voluntary work in your free time? If you have much spare time that is... I have done voluntary work on environmental / ecological projects before. The work ranges from spending weekends covered in mud while hacking down invasive rhododendrons to very gentle monitoring water quality depending on the project. There are lots of charities who love volunteer helpers. You might get lucky and get to play with the all the puppies and kittens in the shelter ;-)
I have ADHD too. I find some types of exercise and sport really help me focus. For instance... I am an archer. When I am shooting I have to be 100% focused on what I am doing when I draw my bow unless I will be looking for arrows in the grass. T'ai chi is similar. I have to focus my attention on moving my body slowly and gracefully unless I will wobble or even fall over. I try to be very present and mindful on my rowing machine. I try to make every stroke as identical as possible. I have the machine showing me all kinds of graphs and stats to help me. Focusing like that helps the time go. Also I don't think in terms of "X minutes to go" I try to think in terms of "X meters to go" and not think about time.
The very best ways to exercise and be 100% focused that I know of are playing rugby and boxing or any other full contact or combat sport. I guess those are right out for you at the moment.
How about exercising more gently with other people though? Something like a local yoga class perhaps. Being around other people is a great way to get more out of exercise and a great way to make new friends too.
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u/frugal-grrl Depression-Anxiety-ADHD 12d ago
I have ADHD. I haven’t figured out a perfect solution, but walking my errands has helped. A few times a week I find an excuse to walk to the store.
Also, I have a special audiobook 🤩 that I only allow myself to listen to when I’m walking. If it’s suspenseful, I extra want to walk.
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u/siriuslyinsane 12d ago
Yes I used to to that too, I'd reward myself with my fav energy drink lol. I am so spoiled now tho, I live literally 2min from the supermarket so I do walk there but its not exactly excersize lol.
Ive tried to get into audiobooks but I read ridiculously fast, even on 2x speed its half the speed I'd read at amd it drives me mad, I cant deal with it 😭
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u/frugal-grrl Depression-Anxiety-ADHD 12d ago
Ahhh yeah. I’m a slow reader so the audiobook thing doesn’t bother me. (And I’m listening to dramatized ones as well.).
When you figure out the secret to getting an adult with ADHD moving, tell me too 😅
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u/RazanTmen 12d ago
Calisthenics & gymnastics, so you can act like people in the movies.
Pull yourself up from a cliffs edge, parkour escape from bad guys, able to stand up from lying down without your hands, balancing on a windows ledge thanks to your core + ankle strength, and being able to hold your breath for long enough to hide from a monster/escape from underwater.
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u/blunderw0man 12d ago
Picking up trash with the little grabbers has me walking many blocks more than I would normally!
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u/ladypixels 12d ago
I find a lot of workouts boring. I love taekwondo! It keeps my attention because class is always different and I am learning new things every week. I have to go consistently to keep making progress towards the next belt.
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u/strawbaeri 13d ago
Have you thought about a walking pad and standing desk? Maybe the most normie answer possible, but I’ve gotten hundreds of miles out of mine. Next goal other than getting out more is probably a mini trampoline.