Weightlifting and Depression

Hi greg, I can relate with not being able to do what I enjoyed most lately.. because of depression and medicine related arthritis.. if it helps =\

I love art!~ I draw, paint, woodburn, woodwork, sew costumes.etc, make jewelry, and even pottery.. I've been making things since I was a kid and what I love most is to oil paint and beadwork and its soo painful now because I got arthritis in my hands because of some of the medicine I take and I've lost alot of confidence. I used to use it as a form of therapy, I guess because what I would give to be able to sit down and create something again.. But I can't (frowns) not just because of the arthritis but also because my hands aren't steady anymore so I gave up trying. Sad thing is I'm 31, wait did I say that? I mean 24!!!! hehe
Anyways, I know its not weightlifting but it was something that I loved to do.. It is VERY frustrating, because it was unexpected and I'm mad because it could've been prevented.
I've taken up photography now, capturing art :) may not be the same thing but it doesnt hurt that much to "click a button" I've worked with a company taking photos, but its funner when your able to take a picture of what you want instead of having to.
Have you thought about maybe teaching others how to weightlift? With your experience and knowledge, I bet you'd be good at it!

Nature's Spirit and Red09,

Thanks so much for caring enough to reply to my thread. You two have awesome attitudes and I love that!! I've been reading a lot of posts this past week because I needed a way to reach out. I'd been feeling lost etc. etc.
I like your ideas' about teaching other people to lift. I did do a little personal training but that was along long time ago. Teaching others is a good way to build self-esteem in the student as well as the teacher.

Your stories give me, as well as hundreds of others, hope about life and it's what we make of it. Nature's Spirit; thanks for sharing part of your life with us! Thanks Red90. I know I'll be seeing you two a lot on this site and that's a good thing.

I need to start using my CBT again so I don't paralyze myself with all of my "stinkin' thinkin."

Greg.

Hi greg

I am so sorry to hear about this, because it is one of those things I can relate to. Recently went through something similar, and still am.  First off, have you been to a doctor for the tendonitis?  Can they do anything, or does it have to heal on its own?  I do not get depressed but I do get frusterated and have a very high metabolism so I to use weight training and boxing as an outlet for that.  About 2 months ago, I threw a softball from the left field fence to third base.  Good news I got the runner out, bad news I felt my right shoulder pop, no pain just a popping sound and now it does that everytime i rotate it.  Well I thought nothing of it, I am invincible right????  All the next week I hit the gym, on friday I did Biceps, light triceps and shoulders.  To my horror, most of the strength in my right arm was gone, like I said there is no pain, but I can't lift even close to what I used to and my left arm is a lot stronger than my right now.  I stopped going to the gym, not really sure why, maybe I didn't like to be reminded something is wrong.  This is totally the wrong attitude to have and i thank you for your post because it have shown me something I  lost in myself.  Don't give up on what you love to do. you can still work your legs and torso, and cardio as you said.  Hopefully the tendonitis will go away with some rest.  If not look for other treatments, I so hope you find one, or and I will pray for you that it heals with time and rest.  A lot of people won't understand your problem, but I want you to know I do and am here.  Having a passion for anything and then losing it suddenly is painful and hard to cope with.  Just keep looking for solutions and I am sure one will turn up.  Being a weight lifter I am sure you are familiar with drive and determination, or you would not have been able to go the the gym day to day.  With that mind set you will overcome this, just don't give in, you wouldn't give in on your 3rd set of reps with your biceps, don't let this beat you, you are stronger than this and will get through it.  With the different techniques you can do while working out maybe you will find something, that isn't hard on the tendons.  Stay strong of mind and heart and I know you will get through this and come out a winner.

I just worked doing family photography, graduations/new babies..etc I sold my lenses tho for my camera, so I have to buy new ones again.. seen some at a pawn shop pretty cheap thought that'd be the best way to go hehe

Greg, you sound better in your last posts.. more hope! Glad to see it!

Hi Greg,

I can totally relate with what you are going through.  I recently had a Major Depressive Episode for which I was hospitalized. I have dealt with Depression and Anxiety for 12 years and this was the first time I needed that kind of intervention.  I am an avid weightlifter/bodybuilder and have used it as a means of getting through the difficult times.  Recently, I didn't care whether I lifted or not as I was severely depressed in July but after my release from hospital I started back at it - it felt so good.  Then I had tingling in my legs - the doctors say it is not a disk but a muscle - priformis syndrome - it has prevented me from lifting.  I cannot even do dips or chinups because it seems to set off the tingling again - rest and time off they say.  I am totally discouraged by this - first my mind and then my body.  It is contributing to my depression.  I have to head to bed - but I will post tomorrow to talk about it some more with you.

take care

Hurricane