4 Exercise Habits Guaranteed To Help Manage Bipolar Disorder

People ask me about my treatment plan, and how exercise is a part of it. So, today, I’ve decided to share my top 4 exercise habits you can implement too.

My Health And Wellness Program

Psychiatric medications have all kinds of side effects. Make sure to discuss these side effects with your doctor or medical provider. For me, when it comes to the side effects of medications, weight gain is one that I dislike with a passion.

In 2007, I went to school to be a personal trainer. There, I received my diploma in both personal training and sports nutrition. You can probably already guess that fitness is a big passion of mine.

My whole life, I have been active in sports like soccer, track, and cross country. In high school, I took a class about lifting weights, and I was hooked.

Having bipolar disorder, I have gone through periods of working out consistently and then stagnating throughout the years. This has been due to my many fluctuating episodes. However, like I said, there have been long stints of stability where I’ve been consistent with my workout program.

Not only does bipolar affect my moods, but it greatly affects both my energy and activity levels. Managing bipolar disorder has been an ongoing battle, but it is something that I have learned to live with. It has forced me to adopt various strategies that I may not have done otherwise if I didn’t have it.

To help give you an idea, I have implemented a few exercise habits to help keep me consistent with my new health and wellness program. I have an at-home gym consisting of a set of adjustable dumbbells, an adjustable bench, and a pull-up bar. With minimal setup, I can give my whole body a great workout.

The following are my four exercise habits that you can adopt too.

Exercise Habit #1

My Goal Is To Improve My Mental Health.

When I was younger, my goal was always to lose weight and gain muscle. My focus was all or nothing. If I couldn’t work out for my allotted amount of time, I would just not go to the gym. It was a very militaristic way of thinking and I had to change it.

Now, my goal is to improve my mental health. With mental health as my goal, I remind myself that something is better than nothing. If I don’t have the time to do the whole workout, I get as much done as I can. Sometimes, I even break each workout into pieces. Basically, I have 2-3 mini-workouts that make up each workout. That way, I can even spread those mini-workouts over a day.

Exercise Habit #2

Focus On Making Healthy Eating Choices.

I make it a point to eat fruits, vegetables, and lean meat, as those are the things that used to be most lacking in my diet. In addition, I have protein powder on hand that I can make for a snack or to add extra protein to a meal. Protein is also something I did not get enough of, so I focus on getting more of it today.

I also try to stay away from processed food and foods with extra added sugars. I don’t always have that option, but I do my best to prepare beforehand, so it isn’t even an option in the first place.

Exercise Habit #3

Instead Of Scheduling My Workout, I Listen To My Body And How I Feel Each Day.

Someone taught me I should schedule my workouts for each day. It worked for a while, but bipolar disorder kind of changed things. I had to get creative, and that is what I did.

During the day, I try to take advantage of the time when I have the energy, so I can get my workout in. Sometimes it is first thing in the morning, early afternoon, and occasionally in the evening.

This is the top step I take each day to almost guarantee consistency with my workouts. I just make it a goal to get my workout in for the day and not to do it within two hours of going to bed at night.

Exercise Habit #4

I Do Not Live On The Scale.

The scale can be extremely misleading. Especially if you weigh yourself almost every day and when you first start a workout program.

I follow a weight lifting program as my primary means of exercise. Lifting weight builds muscle. So, you can actually gain weight when you work out if you follow the right nutrition plan and exercise protocol. That’s why I don’t look at the scale because muscle does weigh more than fat, and because of that, the scale can be misleading.

I like to take a different approach. Instead, I base my progress on how I feel, look, and how my clothes fit. I weigh myself once or twice a month to have a numerical record of my progress. It is only for reference, though, and not a measure of my success.

These 4 exercise habits help me stay on track, leading a healthy lifestyle.

Last Thoughts

The process is what I have been focusing on. I follow my workout plan, fuel my muscles, get sleep, take my meds, and utilize deep breathing.

Remember, with your daily exercise habits, something is better than nothing. Just let your exercise and wellness program take over from there.