How do I begin?

mariannaschwier

2 years ago. I decided to make a change. I did great! Dropped 25 lbs. Shortly after I conceived my 2nd child. Now. I have gained all that weight and then some. I am back at the fattest weight. I am unhappy with everything I am physically. I also have clinical depression which hasn't made it any better. I want to make a change. I want to be happy with myself. I just can't seem to find the strength to start. My husband tries to understand, but he thinks I am perfect as is which honestly makes me feel that much worse about myself. Because I want better for my family by being a better me. Any advice or words of encouragement are much appreciated. I seem to get discouraged and put myself down every chance I get. I have become my worst enemy.

Pookie724

I can relate. I made excuses by not going to the gym then once school was out and I didn't have anything to do in the evenings I had to get mentally prepared to walk into the gym. I ran across a quote by Walt Disney, and it's almost like the Nike quote, "just do it" I packed my bag and went to the gym. Its be approximately 60 days now and my conscious gets me when I don't go. I included something I always enjoyed mid-week Zumba mixed fit -- it makes you feel sexy while dancing and its so much fun! It is a challenge mentally everyday still to push myself, but the most amazing part is I am down 2 pants sizes already and the numbers on the scale made me extremely emotional because I can't recall the last time they were down. Most importantly my diabetes A1C is down and I feel better. I just joined my fit yesterday for support because sometimes your friends and family don't support your dream. This is for me -- make it about you - I understand getting discouraged and putting yourself down - change the words push yourself to change your thinking. I am doing it everyday! I want to exercise so bad in my head I want to become as easy as I breathe... I desire to change -- PUSH!!!!

SideSteel

mariannaschwier wrote: »

2 years ago. I decided to make a change. I did great! Dropped 25 lbs. Shortly after I conceived my 2nd child. Now. I have gained all that weight and then some. I am back at the fattest weight. I am unhappy with everything I am physically. I also have clinical depression which hasn't made it any better. I want to make a change. I want to be happy with myself. I just can't seem to find the strength to start. My husband tries to understand, but he thinks I am perfect as is which honestly makes me feel that much worse about myself. Because I want better for my family by being a better me. Any advice or words of encouragement are much appreciated. I seem to get discouraged and put myself down every chance I get. I have become my worst enemy.

Hi! Good for you for reaching out on the forums. I have some opinions on this but this is just one guys opinion. And what I'm about to say here I mean with the utmost respect and encouragement. It's just a bit blunt.

I think your first order of business is to seek out help to manage your depression.

You may think that your weight is making you unhappy but I would make a guess that if you're unhappy with yourself right now, you're not going to be happy with yourself 25 lbs from now because you're the same you.
If you don't manage that first then you're not likely to have a good time adding in the stress of counting calories and managing your food intake closely.

If you're already getting help, either in the form of medication or therapy or both, then great! Good for you for taking the necessary steps to help the issue.

As far as the diet and exercise portion I think that's secondary, although you may find that regular exercise helps with your depression a bit, so with that being said I'd START by figuring out active things you enjoy doing. Make a list of any activities you like even if you don't classify that activity as exercise.

I hate cardio and I enjoy picking up my four year old boy by his ankles and swinging him around in a circle. Then I throw him onto the bean bag chair and tickle him. And in the evening I'll put him on my shoulders and walk to the park and that clocks in about 4000-5000 steps and beats sitting on the couch.

At any rate, start with some things you ENJOY doing, and set some small, measureable and attainable goals. Get out and move.

allaboutthefood

It's hard! I had to change the way I thought about myself, I am beautiful, I am worth this, I deserve to be happy and healthy, and so do you! This journey is about you. Like Pookie said PUSH!! You will thank yourself, this will also affect your mood for the better. I do not go to the gym, I walk pretty much everyday, I started with low impact workouts I find on youtube, I eat as clean and healthy as I can. I am down 40 lbs in 4 months and still going strong. It's all about a lifestyle change, yes it's a struggle to break all the bad habits. I take one day at a time and don't beat myself if I slip. The important thing to remember is when you do slip, get back up and begin again. I wish you much success in your journey.