Does anyone else get socially awkward or even “depressed” when they haven’t been to the gym in a while?

minoc_uo · 2019-01-11T22:10:58+00:00

I literally suffer from depression if I don't excercise

MrAgamemnon · 2019-01-11T22:09:12+00:00

I hope I haven’t developed a reliance on fitness to be happy/social, since that’s not true confidence.

Human beings aren't meant to sit at a desk for a month with zero physical activity.

You need to be physically active.

I haven’t been able to lift for 4 weeks due to a storm of work from grad school.

There are 672 hours in 4 weeks. You couldn't even spare 16 of those to hit the gym?

Shittybillyall · 2019-01-11T21:48:19+00:00

Being physically active is directly related to your mental health. If I go a few days without working out I feel like shit too. No idea about being socially awkward tho doesn't change my personality.

maxofreddit · 2019-01-11T22:53:04+00:00

Echoing /u/MrAgamemnon ... humans are SUPPOSED to move, not sit and study/work for hours and hours.

It shouldn’t be seen as a “reliance” on fitness, it should be seen as you being aware and your body giving you feedback that you have to get movingly answer your question, I notice a difference after 3 days.

Leaves4Good · 2019-01-12T00:17:44+00:00

I've been lifting for 5 years, last 2 very consistently, I was huge.

3 months ago my conditions won't let me lift any more, like at all, I can hardly walk.

My natural test fell to the bottom, I can see it in conversations with other people and with how I present myself and how I feel. Life is hell now and it's not going to be fixed any time soon. Yeah.

SkankHuntL89 · 2019-01-11T22:05:02+00:00

Yeah. I work at desk so sedentary a lot. No exercise makes me introverted and tired.

nross368 · 2019-01-12T01:56:36+00:00

Momentum is what you're lacking. Me personally when I don't work out I feel less confident. But that's only because I derive some of my confidence from my lifting and fitness. If you're thing was comedy and you liked making people laugh everyday and that's where you got confidence from then decided to stop all of a sudden you would feel like shit.

At the end of the day being active makes you feel better. So suck it up and realize that you have the power to change your situation. So instead of trying to seek validation from others online so you don't feel so lonely. Experiment and find out what works for you.

This is vent not a question.

wont_tell_i_refuse_ · 2019-01-11T23:04:58+00:00

There's a hormone in your brain called endorphins. They raise mood (in fact, they act on the same receptors as opiate drugs) and exercise raises your levels.

You're gonna feel like shit if you don't get a solid workout in at least once a week.

palmshore · 2019-01-12T02:03:09+00:00

I literally thought about this today.

EvFlix83 · 2019-01-11T22:15:18+00:00

Go lift bruh !

DWS33_ · 2019-01-11T22:59:07+00:00

If i’m not training mma( aspiring fighter) i feel like i’m not working on my purpose. you’re not the only one

Rkingpin · 2019-01-12T01:15:14+00:00

This is a real phenomenon was going to post about this.

Must have something to do with endorphins released from exercise

trpppp123 · 2019-01-12T02:21:10+00:00

I don't get depressed but, after a week or two where I haven't lifted, I feel my body being generally weaker, more prone to fatigue, and maybe even a little less confident.

rektum_expander · 2019-01-11T22:12:27+00:00

Yes, I start to feel...gross. Like I’ve gained 15 lbs. Then I miss the ache of the DONS.

KnowledgeableNip · 2019-01-11T23:34:41+00:00

Yeah.

I started lifting to lose weight and all that. I keep doing it because I know it has such a strong impact on my mental health. After about a week off I notice a shift in my body.

linkschode · 2019-01-12T00:53:10+00:00

Were you not confident in the same way before you got fit?

If so, then I’d say you’ve used your physical fitness to prop up an unhealthy ego and sense of self.

For the time being - just set yourself a date when you’ll start again and realise you can’t always do everything you want to. Remind yourself that within a couple of sessions you’ll be back to where you were.

Try and use this time off to think about the aspects of your being that you can draw on for confidence. Remember that strangers don’t really pay much attention to your fitness or strength level at all unless you’re severely over or under weight. Also remember that a few weeks off will make only a fraction of difference to your appearance or strength.

Also remember that this is just a part of life your learning to be ok with - and that is that sometimes you can train, sometimes you can not. As long as you keep it up over the years - that is what truly counts.

And when you get back to it, realise that you had time off, and how easy it was to get back to it. Use this time to get your sense of self and ego rebalanced.

ProNinety · 2019-01-12T02:44:18+00:00

i know I felt the same thing today until we had to help lift things in class

Aggressive_Beta · 2019-01-12T05:47:45+00:00

Yes, I start getting depressed after about 3 days. Especially if I’m drinking on that third day, I feel like such a piece of shit

Garathon · 2019-01-12T07:09:31+00:00

It's not a problem to be reliant on fitness since that is completely under your control. It's kind of ridiculous to expect confidence to be completely independent of internal factors.

An_Actual_Politician · 2019-01-12T14:07:27+00:00

Yep. Getting a vasectomy in a couple weeks and wont be able to lift at all for two weeks. Going to be absolutely BRUTAL.

Worst part will be the strength I lose. Been at this for a year straight now, have taken every step to ensure I didn't get injured and have to stop.

I'll probably start my own thread here on starting lifting again after the big V.

Kn1ght0 · 2019-01-11T23:14:13+00:00

Yeah. Lost my job start of this year and cant afford my membership/classes or food. Currently experiencing the worst depression i've ever known

INNASKILLZ2K18 · 2019-01-12T00:28:58+00:00

If you've been lifting consistently, doesn't surprise me you feel the difference.

If I'm heaps busy, I still get there for 30 mins...it helps my mood considerably. Plus, there is nice ladies to look at 😉

fartingaround · 2019-01-12T00:30:03+00:00

821sleepingbag · 2019-01-12T06:01:05+00:00

I start to hate myself if I don’t go to the gym for a while. It’s my sense of responsibility kicking in.

redpill_scientist92 · 2019-01-12T06:19:01+00:00

Started lifting last year. I get fucking miserable when I’m not in the gym, feel like I’m not doing anything with my life. I’m barely into lifting, but when I’m not in the gym I feel like a scumbag loser these days. And for the first time I’ve been getting stronger, ive always been a scrawny punk, and a friend asked me if I’ve been lifting tonight for the first time.

Whoisaryan · 2019-01-12T08:41:47+00:00

Yep. For most of Christmas my company received a lot of business, which means I was working around 60 hours a week, I had no time or energy for the gym afterwards.

It’s safe to say I felt extremely worthless and depressed at nights before I’d go to sleep.

The gym more than anything to me is a stress relief. It’s like a therapist but more so

That_Deaf_Guy · 2019-01-12T10:17:46+00:00

I've only returned to the gym 6 days ago after having 2 months off due to an injury. My anxiety is gone, my confidence is back, my discipline has increased etc. Its amazing what a gym routine can do, physically and mentally. I've never felt better.

ayhme · 2019-01-12T11:09:15+00:00

For sure. My mind definitely isn't as focused and I start to feel like crap.

I have started doing push-ups in my office and plan to buy a pull-up bar.

Notwhatyoubelieve · 2019-01-12T14:31:47+00:00

I haven't been to the gym for a month due to a back injury. I'm less productive and less optimistic, I'm not depressed but I can't find deep joy in everyday life.

FUCK GAINS! I'm waiting for my PT appointment and looking forward eagerly to returning again, not to look good but to feel good about myself. Turns out I train for Functional not aesthetic gains.

cuztrp · 2019-01-12T15:47:51+00:00

Look Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor. I think it's a kind of hormone/neurotransmitter released in the brain when you move which increases neuroplasticity and brain growth in general.

philbignig · 2019-01-12T17:21:11+00:00

i feel you man.. if I don't lift, I can't live properly

TRP8myfeels · 2019-01-12T18:21:09+00:00

Yes it can be an issue. I have an issue when I don't eat right, when I consume too much sugar or dairy and other crap.

Technically you do rely on healthy living, pushing yourself to feel good. We are all addicted and fixating on things, what we choose to press ourselves into definitely reflects on our mood.

You need to work it in.

I just started taking Vitamin D with magnesium and melatonin [spell check says I spelled that shit wrong wtf] at night to give me a boost in the morning.

I need a little less rest and have a little more go first thing in the morning to start out with a run then lift a few sets.

Even if you just get in 2 first thing, maybe get another one in right after work.

I do all my work at home.

You could easily pick up the plates you need on craigslist for cheap and stack them neatly in almost any size space at home.

You just don't need that much room to at LEAST keep yourself consistent on the big 3.

Don't ever stop totally ever. Find a way to keep sharp brother.

toniree · 2019-01-12T19:32:51+00:00

Bro I can’t even talk to women at bars if I stop lifting for 2+ weeks. When I get back into it I become myself again

Razzoz6 · 2019-01-14T12:46:45+00:00

Totally true for me too. I was sick for a month and did not hit the gym and had a trip with friends at the end of that month, the guys asked me if anything was wrong because I was not the same. Don't skip gym for longer than 2 weeks please.

Changedcam1017 · 2019-01-31T16:27:45+00:00

Agreed

BuahahaXD · 2019-02-03T14:15:06+00:00

I had a surgery a few months ago and I couldn't go to the gym for a few months. During that time I felt significantly worse - I was sad, bored and my confidence dropped.

Now I am active again and I feel better.

MemphisBro · 2019-01-12T00:05:45+00:00

Life would suck ass without the gym no wonder you’re depressed you’re being lazy & I’m a grad student too, most I ever took off was a week

red_matrix · 2019-01-12T01:04:55+00:00

Yes. Every time. Once you build the habit, it’s hard to break.

liberty1127 · 2019-01-12T03:30:34+00:00

Excuses. Manage your time better. I know people in med school who still go 2 hours a day and work a job.

ngKindaGuy · 2019-01-12T00:51:42+00:00

This sounds like a common case of "I don't have time for X" which translates to "I'm not making X a priority".

If you're feeling depressed because you're not going to the gym, then make it a priority to go to the gym.

Title	Does anyone else get socially awkward or even “depressed” when they haven’t been to the gym in a while?
Author	germancarfan
Upvotes	225
Comments	67
Date	January 11, 2019 9:32 PM UTC (7 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/af07zl/does_anyone_else_get_socially_awkward_or_even/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/does-anyone-else-get-socially-awkward-or-even.163614 https://theredarchive.com/post/163614

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