As you can see though, it's not helping the insomnia any ;)

I have noticed the same thing. When I go for a run my urges disappear for a little while. I don't know when you're working out, but try not to do it at night if you can't sleep.

I've been trying to work out in the morning and mid-afternoon. All I need is one more thing to keep me awake, lol.

Hello!! Yes...it totally helps me to be working out! I joined this group at about the same time that I decided to work out almost daily and I think it has really helped with the pulling!! It is a huge stress reliever for me! It is like therapy and medication for me!!! I highly recommend it! =)

Okay, now you guys are helping me with alot more than just Trich. This is my other huge problem, my weight. I want to lose weight, but don't feel like I can take that on right now too. How cool though that excercising could help both at the same time. I'm going to try! : )
Congrats Blumoray on not pulling and exercising instead. That was such a disciplined act. Good for you!! Keep it up, you're winning!!! : )

PS sorry you can't sleep. I have a friend who can't sleep at night and she takes some homeopathic medicine that helps her. Would you like me to find out the name of it and pass it on to you?

Definitely appreciate it Connie, I'm already on so much right now, JUST to try and get some sleep, both medical and natural. I take Lunesta, Melatonin, and Klonopin at night and it just doesn't seem to work. I don't know what else to do. I've tried Valerian Root, but that left me feeling hung over in the morning.

If she's taking something and it's working I'll definitely give it a shot.

Keeping busy helps me for sure in any fashion, but yes, working out does seem to help now that you bring it up.

I haven't tried working out yet (I actually haven't tried anything yet, since i just came to the realization that I have it and need to stop) but I'd really like to start. I've also been wanting to get in shape also, so it would be a great thing killing two birds with one stone

I don't work out...I go biking a couple times a week...usually 2 or 3 hours. I've been kayaking once a week, and I ride my horse several days or evenings. Sometimes just for an hour, sometimes 4 or 5 hours. I ran into a bear tonight. It scared Penny, my horse, but she was brave! I love to hike when I get the time, I work on a farm and we're haying, so I'm pretty tired at the end of the day. I absolutely can't wait for XC skiing....

Exercising is known to release endorphins into the bloodstream, which block the production of several neurotransmitters which may be a part of TTM cycle. So it makes sense that exercising would provide at least a temporary reprieve. I walk on the treadmill an hour each evening and it helps to combat insomnia and the TTM.

I wish that I could work out, just to see if it will take my urges away. Also to make myself feel better. But when I do finally work out and I figure it out, I will tell you. :)

yh i took up jogging when i was really trying to 'love myself' and take care if my body lol. I thought if i could jog the distance i set and accomplish it it would boost my confidence to accomplish not pulling and also help me get fit. I'm sure it helped me to stop pulling for a while but regrettably i didn't keep it up - maybe i should go again, it made me feel great but it is making myself go in the first place lol xxx

I found this old message thread and would like to get it going again. Please weigh in as to whether exercising has helped your trich. I joined Curves today and feel incredibly relaxed after my workout and a healthy lunch.

I actually read something interesting in the NYT the other day about sitting vs. standing at work... there's apparently some sort of movement where people are deciding to stand at their desks because it's better for you (burns more calories, improves circulation, etc.). But the interesting part of the article, I thought, was when the author talked about how if you stand up, it gets rid of some of that nervous energy that can accompany writer's block.

I've decided to try and see if just standing up helps with my trich, and it has! Whenever I feel like pulling when I'm watching TV or reading, I just try doing it standing up. It might just be that it distracts me from pulling because I feel so silly, but it works for me... Hope it helps someone else!