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I spent most of my life depressed. At the time, though, I didn't know I was depressed. I just thought that was the way everyone else felt. I was moody, sad, nervous and impatient most of the time.
In the foto at left, I'm 18 years old, weighing 140 pounds, wearing a size 12 dress! (Today I weigh 115 pounds and wear a size 2 dress). Not knowing another way of dealing with my discomfort, I ate!
Eating made me feel worse, the heavier I got, the more I hated myself. Anxious, shy, lethargic and sad, I felt deeply frustrated with life. Alcohol and sleep were my escape.
Rigid thinking ruled my life. I ridiculed and belittled ideas different from mine. I was very critical of myself and others. I worried constantly and always expected the worst possible scenario. This state of mind kept me completely blind to the positive and beautiful side of life. My world was very bleak.
In 1986, at age forty-six, desperate to find relief from feeling so miserable, I started lifting weights. Within a few weeks I began to feel physically and emotionally stronger. Soon I began to incorporate deep breathing into my training, which cleared my mind and made me aware for the first time, of my self-criticism.
I then began to challenge my negative thinking using positive affirmations. Soon I began to see the brighter side of life. I also began to write the story of my life, as self-therapy, and in the process released tons of repressed anger.
Since part of my depression had come from suppressed anger due to my inability to express my thoughts, feelings and emotions, I vowed to myself to become more assertive. Speaking up for myself was not easy at first, but the more I forced myself to do it, the easier it became.
Weight training made it possible for me to learn to like and to respect myself. Physical strength developed into emotional strength.
My experience with weights is not unique. Recently many studies have shown that weight training produces faster results in combating depression than therapy.
According to an article in Psychology Today, after reviewing 14 studies in which exercise was used to treat people with clinical depression, researchers found that sufferers who performed WEIGHT TRAINING three times a week for 20 to 60 minutes were significantly less depressed after five weeks. And when workouts were kept up, the improvements lasted until the study's end a year later.
Another study conducted at Harvard University involved a group of 60 women. At the start of the study they were assessed as to how they felt about their bodies, and then were separated into two groups; one group walked and the other lifted weights. At the end of the study, about four weeks, the level of self-esteem of the weight lifters doubled that of the walkers.
According to the doctors who conducted the study, the reason for the dramatic difference, is that with weight training, results come quickly. A woman who starts with 3 pounds could be lifting 5 or 8 pounds in three to four weeks. This type of achievement is very empowering to women.
Weight training will not only lift your depression, but also will make you strong and give you energy. Lifting weights helps to rejuvenate the body by toning muscle and skin. A toned body suffers less wear and tear from daily living. The list of benefits is endless. So what have you got to lose? Nothing but anxiety, hopelessness, despair and low self-esteem. Begin weight training today. It's the best investment you will ever make and the greatest gift you can give your loved ones: a healthy you! A big, wonderful world awaits you.