> I know what you mean

I’m not sure that you do, because

> The only thing ever stopping you from going out the door and running is putting on shoes and shorts, its easy to form a habit!

feels very invalidating, as someone who struggles with an executive dysfunction disorder.

I don't think they were talking to you specifically. They're probably just talking from their perspective, and don't have the knowledge of where you're at.

If you feel invalidated, those are your feelings coming from inside you, not something they planted in you. Perhaps it's a sign that you have things you need to work on.

They were responding to someone who started off saying they’re dealing with executive dysfunction. I do not know exactly how it affects GP, but I do know that typically it creates a crappy system of inaction despite intention, motivation, etc. And yes, I indeed have things I’m working on.

Oh geez I am so sorry. Truly. I guess I had a false notion that "executive dysfunction" was a softer term/catch-all for various problems around procrastination/focus, not something that is diagnosed explicitly such that you could feel this invalidation. Really sorry. I will edit accordingly.

It’s something that comes along with things like ADHD (that’s where I experience it). It just makes tackling sometimes simple seeming things feel insurmountable. It’s not a constant, and it effects everyone who experiences it differently. For me, self-care in some regards feels like an uphill battle (particularly maintaining dental hygiene and exercise - yaaaaay!). There are things I can do to make those things more accessible and “doable”, yet forming a routine and sticking to it is haaaaaaaard.

And I appreciate your response - the invalidating part was just that it’s “easy” to start a running routine with just shoes and shorts. It probably is for most people, and for me the shoes would sit there as a reminder of an investment in myself that I can not seem bring myself to take advantage of more than once or twice a year.

This may work for some people, but not others. For me, nothing is as unpleasant as running. Back when I tried to forcd myself to do it as part of my gym routine, I was actively dreading it the moment I woke up, after a week or two. It took all my willpower every time to run another minute, another 100m, etc. No other exercise I tried is as unpleasant and demotivating to me.

This is usually the side effect of people running too fast. Slow it down- even if you feel like speed walkers can pass you.

Or you actually hate running.

Yes, this is super important! And, at least initially, stopping to walk is perfectly good too. Whatever pace and time it takes to not feel bad during or at the end of the run is what you should go for.

And you will be surprised how quickly you scale from wherever you begin.

Tried slow running, tried sprint+walk cycles, tried various combinations. Tried both treadmills and running outside. The sensation of being out of breath is just very unpleasant to me, and you always end up out of breath if doing any kind of running for more than a few minutes.

Sprinting was the least unpleasant actually, but only for a short while for the first time and only once/day.

Thankfully strength training is much more enjoyable, as is walking, so I'm relying on this combination. Plus some swimming occasionally.