College in my 30’s

Well, at this point, I know that I’m getting closer to deciding what my exact topic will be but I know it’ll have to do with exercise and/or bipolar disorder.  After completing Essay 2 this week, I feel like I’m getting a better understanding of how to present an argument in writing form.  It’s like a light a clicked – and all the sudden I have more confidence in my writing style.  Whatever it was, it was an answer to a prayer, for sure.

Anyhow, with pen and paper, I jotted some of my thoughts for a possible argument:

- Exercise is an extremely beneficial tool to use in managing bipolar disorder symptoms
- Regular exercise is absolutely necessary for someone desiring to control their biopolar disorder symptoms

- Using a balance between exercise and medication, you can manage your bipolar disorder symptoms
- The best exercise for those who have bipolar disorder is aerobic fitness

- The best way to manage bipolar disorder symptoms is through a combination of exercise, medications, and managing stress

Exercise (specifically aerobic/cardiovascular) and bipolar disorder are two subjects of personal interest to me – I’ve been a group fitness instructor for 13 years and I was diagnosed with bipolar in 2005.  I have found that regular exercise (cardio interval training) has been extremely helpful in managing my stress levels and provides relief to my symptoms of mania and depression.  I know of others who also suffer from bipolar who do not exercise and I’ve observed them needlessly suffer.  It’s a fact that people who exercise at least 2 to 3 times a week feel less depression, anger, distrust and stress than those who exercise less often or not at all.  I also have a testimony that exercise provides an outlet from the stress and pressure that we encounter daily.  As exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle, it has a positive effect on the mind and improves attitude and both are needed to develop effective coping mechanisms.  As exercise is developed into a habit, it will leave a sense of well-being that can increase self-esteem – that is necessary for someone with depressive bipolar symptoms.  Better quality of sleep is a key element for someone with bipolar to be a functioning and resilient individual.

Anyhow, through completing this blog, I feel more confident in my abilities to write an effective proposal, source analysis, rough and then FINAL draft of Essay 3.  This really is turning out to be a “happy writing” experience – as we are frequently wished from Amanda in her podcast lectures!