Hi,
I've been an avid exerciser for 3 years now, although during this past semester I was only doing yoga and I could actually FEEL a diffence, like, I was miserable and my memory wasn't as sharp, even on the ritalin. I mean I was used to good moderate/intense aerobic activity. Don't get me wrong, yoga is GREAT but aerobics definitely needs to fit the equation. I feel like I'm back to my happy self :) again so now I know that my bad moods and stressed out feelings were a result of a lack of aerobics(weights) in the last few months, now I KNOW cause I'm back to myself again, so it's proven for me now. But I started my regimen again and I feel GREAT! I know that exercise helps with cognition, mood, and a whole bunch of other things. Tell me your success with exercise!:D :) ;)

My story goes on a while (showthread.php?t=7714). :D This spring has been a struggle with cardio health, but it's coming. If you skip to the end of that link above, you'll see the last posts there. I let it lapse when I lacked company there. :eyebrow:

It's been a wonderful journey of depth and substance. It's spanned all aspects of my experience to date. I believe in the process with every fibre of my being. Endorphins are addictive. ;)

This year I've had nothing but grief with allergies and secondary infections. It's forced another paradigm shift in my understanding of self care. I must run and this forces new questions about how to keep making that possible.

I'd hoped to be racing most of the summer at my own limited level, but it looks like I'll be lucky to race a couple times in the fall if my current status any indication.

Tomorrow is a run day. :D The image is from friends from runningmania.com From left to right, Ian (me!) Cheryl, maybe you saw her story on Oprah, Jill is a laugh a minute and totally full of beans, Natalie, what can I say, she's simply disturbingly beautiful, and her beau Dwayne who's about to run his first ultra marathon. 100km! OMG it's in the mountains of Alberta (http://www.blackfootultra.com/index.shtml)! Save me! The maniacs are so much fun.
Cheers! Ian

Well, I've been exercising for over 20 years now. Exercise always made me feel more energised, confident and focused for days. I do less than I used to - but I do three 1 hour sessions on an elliptical machine each week. I feel great. Better in my 50's than I felt in my 20's. I usually bowflex workout on off days about 40 minutes 3 times per week.

If I ever need mental clarity - I work out. While it is not better than adderall or ritalin - it is a close second. It certainly changed my life. I was a mess in my 30's all confused (and flabby and out-of-shape as well). Exercise helped all of that. And I didn't even know I had ADD at the time. But thats another story in itself.

Thanks for the replies, and i love success stories!:D

Ok, this thread has motivated me to get off my rear and get to the gym this afternoon. Thanks, guys!!!:)

That's a great thing to see just before heading off to sleep. :D I hope you post an account of your time at the gym. We each feed off each other... support! It's amazing stuff. ;)
Ian

Great thread,
This is what I needed to hear, I just got a job teaching, so I will need to be my sharpest. I know I have add though not diagnosed yet-but it is the spacey kind, the drift off-deer in the headlights add-and I think for me it will be good-I was thinking about Curves, does anyone know if it works, or walking/jogging? What is the best, cardio I guess, I think for me sunshine helps lift my mood almost euphorically. thanks for this thread.

I'm not at all sure that it matters a wit what you do as long as the training response kicks in. Once my body starts to bounce back stronger for whatever given stress I'm applying I get a more wide ranging set of benefits beyond the purely physical.

I'd be interested to hear how you make out. The process is a brutally slow one in the beginning. It takes about four months three or four times a week for at least 30 minutes before it becomes habit. By that time though, I'm betting you'd be pretty well addicted in all the right ways.

My trouble was always going out with too much enthusiasm early and then running into trouble with sustainability later. It's a really slow cycle type of endeavour. Take your time, get on with the rest of you life and don't look back! heheh I got my three miles in today. :D
Cheers! Ian