morning workouts are the best thing i’ve done for my mental health
tl:dr- first time poster - consistent movement and kettlebell workouts for the last few months have massively shifted my mental health in a positive direction
not the best photos but dinner last night was l’oignon soup gratinee and mushroom ravioli - both homemade - including the bread - third slide is this morning’s workout
————- here’s the long version ————-
i have never posted here but have long been reading others posts and see how supportive and uplifting this community is.
i’ve been struggling for the last few years but 2025 and 2026 have been incredibly difficult and stressful. in the last 18 months three friends have taken their own lives and one almost lost their battle with the bottle.
i get little fulfillment from my work, despite it being an enjoyable industry/job and i am very good at what i do.
i gained 18 - 20kg since april 2025. 6 or 7 months ago, i started doing short warm ups and bodyweight exercises at home every morning before work. in the last six weeks, i’ve graduated to getting up earlier and going to the gym to workout. i am doing kettlebell workouts (3-)4x per week and using the other days for cardio/active recovery and yoga or mat pilates.
part of working out for me is prioritizing listening to music and music (playing and listening) has always been my happy place. so, i think that is part of the effectiveness exercise provides to my improvement.
i’m not 100% but holy smokes is my mental health improving. i’m feeling more positive and am regularly able to push away the darkness that often comes with depression and anxiety, though the dark humor remains and is welcome.
i’ve got miles to go but i am down about 6kg from my all-time highest weight, my strength and endurance are improving, and my good habits get better each day. i realized i can give my energy to the things that keep me at peace or i can let chaos reign… for now i’m choosing peace; with a little chaos mixed in to remind me what balance is.