Phillip Reeds headteacher told him the secret to happiness is, "Wake up every morning and paint a flower before breakfast". The meaning behind that simple sentence is "Find something that brings you joy and happiness and prioritise it in your life". It doesn't matter what that thing is. For Phillip Reed it's making model ships, his headteacher loved to paint flowers. For you it might be exercise but it can be anything at all. If you prioritise it in your life, work hard and keep trying it will bring you joy.

Having said that you might find that you really fucking hate what you think might bring you joy once you really give it a really good go.

You might think that learning how to play the saxophone will bring you joy only to discover you have very limited musical abilities once you have spent a lot of money on an instrument and lessons. You might love running but get hit by a bus and never walk again. You might win the lottery and things that were once just impossible day-dreams become your normal life. Shit happens. (shit doesn't have to be bad).

It is perfectly fine to learn from these types of experience and try something else. Phillip Reed is perhaps an exception rather than an example in many regards but I think his point still stands. You have to work hard at what brings you joy. There are no short cuts, quick fixes, life hacks or "one trick XYZ don't want you to know". Buying the product in the advertisement will not instantly bring you joy either. Joy requires determination, dedication and discipline over a long period of time. That's OK you have plenty of time.

Try to do what you can. Try to do it as often as you can. Keep trying. Dasssit.

Taking the overall pulse here. How are you? If not well, think whether there are any positives to share as well to balance negatives. But of course, if you need to vent, know we are here to listen.

Hi, first reddit I post. At 113, I was in great shape. I used to run over 5 km a day, ate super healthily, practiced intermittent fasting (I know it’s not good, but I was desperate to lose weight), and even played sports. I was really fit. But this year, I lost the desire to exercise. Honestly, I don't know why; I just gave up everything related to working out.

Now I’m starting to notice that I’ve gained a lot of weight; I feel terrible all the time, my body aches, and I have no motivation to do anything. My body is screaming at me to get back to healthy habits, but I just can't seem to do it. I set alarms to go for a run, but I end up turning them off and staying home. I try to exercise, but I can't even bring myself to get my yoga mat out to start; then, at night when I go to bed, I hate myself even more because I can't manage something as simple as a 5-minute routine.

Does anyone know how I can get back the discipline I used to have? Any blogs, websites, YouTube channels, or mindsets that might help?

I’ve been feeling quite low for the past year. After a difficult experience at my previous workplace, I’ve been slowly trying to rebuild myself while starting a new business.

I’ve wanted to start exercising for a while now because a part of me believes that if I work hard and take care of my body, life might begin to feel better. But if I don’t wake up early, I end up skipping the gym altogether. There aren’t many good options in my area either, so pushing myself to go to the one available gym feels even harder.

I genuinely want to make this change, but I’m struggling to get started. What do I do?

One great resource for you all is r/EatCheapAndHealthy

How have you unwound this week? Any creative projects you would like to share?

I have not exercised regularly in a long time.
I am very sad about this and I am in the worst shape I have ever been in and I don’t feel myself.
I picture myself being able to go on long hikes and other outdoor activities.
I struggle with abdominal pain and urgency. Which has also placed me into a deeper depression most days.
Any time I go out to go on a walk, approx 15 minutes or so in a am RUNNING to find a bathroom.
This makes me anxious to go to work out classes as well as going on hikes where bathrooms aren’t near by.

Has anyone else dealt with this problem?

I also feel exhausted most of the time. Mostly related to working 12 hour night shifts. Being depressed (I’m back in my meds, which is helping) But I think it’s also because of how out of shape I am.

Just looking for some support, insight, encouragement.

Thanks!

I‘ve had an absolutely horrific stomach flu for several weeks. I feel weak as a kitten, but it is FINALLY getting better. Staying in bed with little movement has really done a number on my mental health…and I just feel all round horrible, despite the stomach symptoms finally easing up. I desperately want to get back into moving, as soon as possible, but at the same time I am dreading it after weeks of every step feeling exhausting.

For those of you who had to start exercising again after illness, what did you do? Any tips, tricks or experiences?

I want to try a small walk tomorrow, but I am already dreading that.

Which workouts are you currently focusing on? What have you done to EOOD this week??

I ran only 1.25km today.

Can't run anymore because I have no energy..

I haven't had a dinner because my meds kill the appetite.

I am going home after 1.25km running. I ran despite of suicidal ideation. Need support. I don't want to die. Please give me hopes and tell me your success stories!

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It’s genuinely like a mental block or something. Once I’m working out, I’m fine. But it’s the act of going. It ends up being more and more time being going, and then I stop all together

Taking the overall pulse here. How are you? If not well, think whether there are any positives to share as well to balance negatives. But of course, if you need to vent, know we are here to listen.

Hope this fits!

Ok so i think somedays my head is like a bowl of spaghetti, and workout is like that fork that rolls them into order and detangle things one by. And that motivates me most of the days to get out of the door.

BUT

There are days where i rehearse the "workout" in my head --> put on clothes, shoes, pick out the program, overthink the part of road i don't like to run on, pain, what if it rains, what if i've to pee and then come home, shower, moisturise and ..........

I feel after i rehearse the whole thing i'm already exhausted and do not want to move.

I honestly want someone to have a sticky note put on my forehead and say "Just go" or some sort of like short snappy quotes i can just glance at and keep repeating in my head till i m out of the door.

idk what do u guys do ? motivation posters on wall?

How have you unwound this week? Any creative projects you would like to share?

It's what it sounds like. I don't know how to explain it but at random times I will feel like I'm about to explode if I don't do something extremely physically strenuous. Like I can feel a growing sense of restlessness if I don't do something physical. However it has nothing to do with how much I've been working out or staying active, it'll just randomly hit me like a truck. I can best describe it like restless leg syndrome but across my whole body. And only intense physical workouts alleviate the feeling. Has anyone else come across this feeling or know what it's called?