Staying focused while suffering with mental health issues.
saracullen83
Posts: 7 Member
Hi all. I have over 80lbs to lose and due to my mental health issues, I lack motovation. Which has led me to put on so much weight and 96% of my clothes no longer fit 
Im just wondering if anyone else is going through something similar or if there was any advice someone could give me? I know that once i lose this weight i will start feeling amazing but at the moment i got no motivation and i just constantly eat Please feel free to add me, i need all the help i can get x
Im just wondering if anyone else is going through something similar or if there was any advice someone could give me? I know that once i lose this weight i will start feeling amazing but at the moment i got no motivation and i just constantly eat Please feel free to add me, i need all the help i can get x 1
Replies
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I have severe mental health issues, one day I decided that I will take control back of the one thing I can control, my physical health. In doing so it has made a huge positive difference to the management of my mental health. But don't think that being slimmer is going to be a magic bullet, it's not. My functioning still isn't great but I self manage better, have better coping strategies (thanks exercise!) and am on less of a mental roller coaster.
Just start logging your food intake. No goals, no pressure, just log. Make yourself look at the numbers and get into the habit. Seeing what I eat was really the turning point for me, I binge once in a blue moon now and again, I make myself log it and look at the numbers.
But really, you just have to be in the right place mentally to do it. I started a year ago, a year prior to that I wasn't ready, it wouldn't have worked. I needed to be ready and in a kinder place to myself first. You'll get there, it's a bumpy old road.10 -
Speaking as someone who has significant mental health issues as well, first and foremost are you under a doctor's (ideally psychiatrist's) care? I would bet you will find significantly more motivation/strength within yourself if you get your issues, whatever they may be, controlled - via meds or therapy or both; whatever it takes to get your brain chemistry balanced needs to be a priority in my opinion.
Second, with that said, you can go through life using mental health issues as an excuse and food as a crutch, or you can make a decision and follow through. It really is that simple (not EASY, but simple). I started out 100+ lbs overweight, 255 lbs (or more; thats just the highest weight I was aware of). I gained it all on psych meds, some are real doozies for weight gain - but I also lost it all while still doing medication trials (and many errors LOL). It's difficult but not impossible. It takes determination, less than motivation. It takes a commitment to "just do it." Whether I feel like it or not, I do it, day in and day out, because I decided to.
Third, you may be one who benefits from a low/lower carb eating style. For many with mental health challenges, eating low carb produces significant positive effects on mood and brain chemistry. It doesn't work for all and is not a cure or replacement for meds by any means, but it is possibly worth a shot for you. I eat low carb - not ketogenic, but lower than the standard typical diet. (worth noting, I tried to eat a ketogenic diet for about 6 months - which is under 50g total carbs a day - and found myself progressively more miserable in the mental health department, so I switched up to a higher total carb intake. I now shoot for 75-80g a day and the difference is night and day for me. For reference MFP recommends I eat over 200g carbs a day, and I did that and lost weight for a long time but it was harder and my mood was much more volatile. FOR ME, low carb works better. It might for you too, and there's no harm in giving it a good solid try.)
If you are interested in exploring further, I suggest joining The Low Carber Daily Forum group here on MFP and checking out the Launch Pad in the top section of sticky announcements. You can browse and read up and decide if you think low carb might be worth a shot for you.
I no longer track my food here at My Fitness Pal, so factor that in, but if that doesn't matter please feel free to add me as a friend if you wish.1 -
Motivation isn't always going to be there or be easy, but as long as you don't give up you can't fail. Sometimes you may feel like quitting, or you might not feel up to it, but put it on pause instead. But never quit. Stumbling happens, and many people have to get it wrong many times before they get it right.
That said, here are some of my thoughts:
Watching your vitamin intake and being committed to taking regular supplements can help a lot - with weight loss and mental health. Our bodies are complex machines, and each one has different needs. That said, not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals can make a big difference. Nutrition matters to everyone, but it can be huge when a person struggles with mental illness.
For example, if you struggle with depression getting enough Vitamin D and B9 can make a difference. There is even a prescription form of B9 ready to pass the blood brain barrier (l-methylfolate) for treating depression. Many people have low Vitamin D, and more doctors are having to tell their patients to take Vitamin D3 supplements.
Those that don't absorb Vitamin B12 correctly have been misdiagnosed with schizophrenia until more awareness was raised.
Food is our fuel - figure out foods that work for you as long as you're still getting the nutrients you need. Low carb makes some people feel great. Others feel best as vegetarians or vegans. There are carnivores. Even higher fat diets.1 -
wth, I got flagged for that?! smh0
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While I don't think I have mental health issue I think I can address motivation to some degree.
I began by simply locking all the food I ate as accurately as I could. As I saw where the numbers falling in place i knew it was affecting me permanently so I started making small changes to my diet just trying to make the numbers match.
That was one month and 9 pounds ago.0 -
I can relate because I have Asperger's Disorder. I used to go to work and since that alone drained my energy so much due to sensory overload, I'd just come home and lie in bed while mindlessly snacking. I put on 10 pounds over the course of a year which isn't the worst but it was sending me into being overweight again. Since I used to be 190 pounds, whenever I see the scale get close to 140 I freak out and lose weight immediately; that's my warning weight. That's exactly what happened when I saw 139 last June and attempted to lose weight again.
However, I made many lifestyle changes this time around instead of simply focusing on weight loss. I've found that adhering to a routine helps with every aspect of my mental health. I'm up at 5 every morning, I exercise after my morning coffee, go to work, come home and run errands, relax, and I'm in bed by 9 every night. If I stay up late, I feel it physically and mentally for up to three days after the fact, so I stick to my schedule as best as I possibly can. Keeping on top of my diet, exercise, and sleep has made everything else easier to manage. I still have stressful days at work sometimes, but instead of coming home and vegging out, I make myself walk the five miles home from work so I have time to clear my head. For me, being surrounded by nature works wonders.
It's almost been a year since I came back to MFP. Now I'm 110 pounds and my mindset and physique have changed completely. I can't imagine going back to the way I used to be now that I've found what works for me. I'm not sure if this will work for everyone, but I've found that it really does help.1 -
wth, I got flagged for that?! smh
I think they thought you were selling something when you posted the link to the forum. They weren't paying attention and did not see that it's a forum here on MFP and not a book or a link to another web site.
That's the only thing I can see anyway. Otherwise, I have no idea.0 -
Speaking as someone who has significant mental health issues as well, first and foremost are you under a doctor's (ideally psychiatrist's) care? I would bet you will find significantly more motivation/strength within yourself if you get your issues, whatever they may be, controlled - via meds or therapy or both; whatever it takes to get your brain chemistry balanced needs to be a priority in my opinion.
Second, with that said, you can go through life using mental health issues as an excuse and food as a crutch, or you can make a decision and follow through. It really is that simple (not EASY, but simple). I started out 100+ lbs overweight, 255 lbs (or more; thats just the highest weight I was aware of). I gained it all on psych meds, some are real doozies for weight gain - but I also lost it all while still doing medication trials (and many errors LOL). It's difficult but not impossible. It takes determination, less than motivation. It takes a commitment to "just do it." Whether I feel like it or not, I do it, day in and day out, because I decided to.
Third, you may be one who benefits from a low/lower carb eating style. For many with mental health challenges, eating low carb produces significant positive effects on mood and brain chemistry. It doesn't work for all and is not a cure or replacement for meds by any means, but it is possibly worth a shot for you. I eat low carb - not ketogenic, but lower than the standard typical diet. (worth noting, I tried to eat a ketogenic diet for about 6 months - which is under 50g total carbs a day - and found myself progressively more miserable in the mental health department, so I switched up to a higher total carb intake. I now shoot for 75-80g a day and the difference is night and day for me. For reference MFP recommends I eat over 200g carbs a day, and I did that and lost weight for a long time but it was harder and my mood was much more volatile. FOR ME, low carb works better. It might for you too, and there's no harm in giving it a good solid try.)
If you are interested in exploring further, I suggest joining The Low Carber Daily Forum group here on MFP and checking out the Launch Pad in the top section of sticky announcements. You can browse and read up and decide if you think low carb might be worth a shot for you.
I no longer track my food here at My Fitness Pal, so factor that in, but if that doesn't matter please feel free to add me as a friend if you wish.
I find this claim kind of interesting because for me it is the exact opposite. If I cut carbs, I am more symptomatic.
Also-why is this post flagged?1 -
I have an eating disorder's therapist in my family. The power of choice. We all have tendencies for mental health issues and depression. I refuse to be a victim and give in to depression or other potential distractions to my psychological well being and emotional health. Life is short.0
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Third, you may be one who benefits from a low/lower carb eating style. For many with mental health challenges, eating low carb produces significant positive effects on mood and brain chemistry. It doesn't work for all and is not a cure or replacement for meds by any means, but it is possibly worth a shot for you. I eat low carb - not ketogenic, but lower than the standard typical diet. (worth noting, I tried to eat a ketogenic diet for about 6 months - which is under 50g total carbs a day - and found myself progressively more miserable in the mental health department, so I switched up to a higher total carb intake. I now shoot for 75-80g a day and the difference is night and day for me. For reference MFP recommends I eat over 200g carbs a day, and I did that and lost weight for a long time but it was harder and my mood was much more volatile. FOR ME, low carb works better. It might for you too, and there's no harm in giving it a good solid try.)
If you are interested in exploring further, I suggest joining The Low Carber Daily Forum group here on MFP and checking out the Launch Pad in the top section of sticky announcements. You can browse and read up and decide if you think low carb might be worth a shot for you.
I no longer track my food here at My Fitness Pal, so factor that in, but if that doesn't matter please feel free to add me as a friend if you wish.
I find this claim kind of interesting because for me it is the exact opposite. If I cut carbs, I am more symptomatic.
Also-why is this post flagged?
That's why I was careful to say it doesn't work for everyone! I know people on both sides of it, and I dislike painting with a broad brush over all the people. I'm an example of it - there is so much literature out there saying that ketogenic eating helps tremendously in control of bipolar disorders but for me it was a disaster in the making; simple low (not Keto-low) carb eating suits me much better. And I absolutely believe that there are people for whom my way of eating would be the disaster. It's a very personal trial and error process to figure it out, I just wanted to toss it out for her information
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Third, you may be one who benefits from a low/lower carb eating style. For many with mental health challenges, eating low carb produces significant positive effects on mood and brain chemistry. It doesn't work for all and is not a cure or replacement for meds by any means, but it is possibly worth a shot for you. I eat low carb - not ketogenic, but lower than the standard typical diet. (worth noting, I tried to eat a ketogenic diet for about 6 months - which is under 50g total carbs a day - and found myself progressively more miserable in the mental health department, so I switched up to a higher total carb intake. I now shoot for 75-80g a day and the difference is night and day for me. For reference MFP recommends I eat over 200g carbs a day, and I did that and lost weight for a long time but it was harder and my mood was much more volatile. FOR ME, low carb works better. It might for you too, and there's no harm in giving it a good solid try.)
If you are interested in exploring further, I suggest joining The Low Carber Daily Forum group here on MFP and checking out the Launch Pad in the top section of sticky announcements. You can browse and read up and decide if you think low carb might be worth a shot for you.
I no longer track my food here at My Fitness Pal, so factor that in, but if that doesn't matter please feel free to add me as a friend if you wish.
I find this claim kind of interesting because for me it is the exact opposite. If I cut carbs, I am more symptomatic.
Also-why is this post flagged?
That's why I was careful to say it doesn't work for everyone! I know people on both sides of it, and I dislike painting with a broad brush over all the people. I'm an example of it - there is so much literature out there saying that ketogenic eating helps tremendously in control of bipolar disorders but for me it was a disaster in the making; simple low (not Keto-low) carb eating suits me much better. And I absolutely believe that there are people for whom my way of eating would be the disaster. It's a very personal trial and error process to figure it out, I just wanted to toss it out for her information
I wasn't saying that you were wrong or anything, just that I find it interesting. I am also bipolar, but keto would never work me. I'm always interested in how different things work for people and how it doesn't work for others. Mental illness and treatment is and should be very personalized.1 -
I have pretty severe mental health issues as well. For me, I couldn't really start working on my weight until my meds were in order and I was feeling like I was able to function. Once I started logging my intake and (especially) exercising regularly, I started feeling even better. I had spent so much time and money on "quick-fix" diets and products, and nothing ever worked, so I figured I was a lost cause. But all it took was managing my calories in vs. calories out to start seeing results, and that was all the motivation I needed to keep going.
I cannot emphasize enough how much regular exercise has helped me. I walk and I run, mostly, and I look forward to those times because I know I'm doing a world of good for my mental health.1 -
i find making my food makes more excited about food and health. and if i eat healthier than i want the rest of my life to be healthier too
motivation waxes and wanes. habit is more important i think.
doing things with friends can help too. otherwise, i would not do many things i had planned.
accepting that some days i'm not going to do much is healthy too because we are allowed to take mental health days.
I found working with my doctors: GP, psych, rhuematologist, etc helps me develop plans that are reasonable and good for me.
mostly, i just remind myself I am worth it. and i also don't restrict foods. i just weigh foods and count calories. and that's all that's needed really to lose weight. and i can do that on the couch 1 -
saracullen83 wrote: »Hi all. I have over 80lbs to lose and due to my mental health issues, I lack motovation. Which has led me to put on so much weight and 96% of my clothes no longer fit Im just wondering if anyone else is going through something similar or if there was any advice someone could give me? I know that once i lose this weight i will start feeling amazing but at the moment i got no motivation and i just constantly eat Please feel free to add me, i need all the help i can get x
What is the nature of your mental health issues? I sometimes suffer with depression, and have tried a slew of antidepressants. I like Wellbutrin the best, as it is a little speedy and that helps me get off my butt and exercise. Exercise does wonders for my depression and anxiety.
What I eat also affects my mood and appetite greatly. Certain foods make me bingey and sluggish and lead to a downward negative cycle. If I focus on protein, fat, and fiber, I don't experience this.
If you change your Diary Sharing settings to Public: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings I might be able to give you suggestions tailored to you.
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I wasn't saying that you were wrong or anything, just that I find it interesting. I am also bipolar, but keto would never work me. I'm always interested in how different things work for people and how it doesn't work for others. Mental illness and treatment is and should be very personalized.
I'm bipolar 1. I've been doing keto successfully now for 18 days (so far). I can't express how helpful it's been for my anxiety. Definitely would never recommend anyone go off their meds, of course, but I have found keto changed my brain chemistry enough to help me in a noticeable way. This was actually a surprise by product of keto, I didn't know it was a thing. I was trying keto for leveling off my blood sugar (mine gets really low sometimes after carb-y meals).
Now the question is, will my brain eventually adapt to keto and find ways to turn triggers into spirals? I don't know, but I'm willing to try this woe to see if the side effect continues. I was lower carb (80-120g/day most days) for a couple years, and managing my moods better than I ever have.0 -
Also agreeing with routine being absolutely essential to maintaining a level of health. When I started, aside from making logging a habit, I capitalised on hypomania and had a strict workout schedule. Having it scheduled carried me through when everything else starts turning a bit to custard. Now it's just habit and if the only thing I do in a day is log, workout and feed the cats I'm winning!
It's all part of self management and understanding your illness, figuring out what works for you and developing appropriate coping strategies.0 -
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A few posters mentioned it but sometimes its about decision, not motivation. You just have to decide and then don't think about it. Believe me, I know how hard that is. I've been fairly consistent over the past 8 months or so but was in a bad place when I started. I just decided. I didn't feel that "Yay! I'm ready to lose weight" motivation that sometimes gets us excited to start; instead I felt really, really bad and knew that if I could just start it would get better. I also rely a lot on exercise and activity to improve my moods so knew I had to do that, too. I literally cried through every workout for the first week or so and it felt like everyday was slogging through mud.. until it didn't. I also try hard to banish the negative thinking. Not always successful but the balance is tipping little by little. Now the good days are much more frequent than the bad.
Anyway, you've got a lot of great suggestions here and wishing you the best as you get started.0 -
@Phrick I swear on a stack of rice cakes I did no flag you, but I would love to see some links about low carbing helping with mental issues. I have never heard of this and I am very curious.
My psychiatrist was the one who actually brought it up first, and I took her at her word. I just googled for information after that. I am the first to admit that I don't have a ton of education and lack the skills to effectively understand most studies, so I tend to rely on analyses that break it down into more layperson-friendly terms. So if science-y studies are your thing you may do better googling on your own honestly.
With that said, there are several blog-type articles on it that I can link to - do note that they all basically state that there "may be" an effect and that there are few human studies; and obviously involve your doctor:
Can a Ketogenic Diet Help Treat Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder and Low Carb Diets
from Psychology Today - "A Dietary Treatment for Bipolar Disorder?"
this one is from PubMed but I don't have access to the Full Meal Deal: the ketogenic diet for type II bipolar disorder0 -
@Phrick I swear on a stack of rice cakes I did no flag you, but I would love to see some links about low carbing helping with mental issues. I have never heard of this and I am very curious.
There is some evidence that Keto (very low carb) or simply low carb helps some people with bipolar:
I cannot link today. Google the title of this study:
"The ketogenic diet may have mood-stabilizing properties"
Also this one:
"The ketogenic diet for type II bipolar disorder"0 -
I swear on a stack of rice cakes I did no flag you, but I would love to see some links about low carbing helping with mental issues. I have never heard of this and I am very curious.
There is some evidence that Keto (very low carb) or simply low carb helps some people with bipolar:
I cannot link today. Google the title of this study:
"The ketogenic diet may have mood-stabilizing properties"
Also this one:
"The ketogenic diet for type II bipolar disorder"1 -
I have Bipolar 1 and no motivation. So I just decided to do it with or without motivation. If I waited on motivation i'd never meet my goals because for me motivation is a magic spell. Some people like my husband are gifted by the motivation fairy. i get a whiff of it on occasion and when i do feel motivated i'm certainly not going to spend it at the gym. Since i dont wait on motivation i've managed to lose 45 pounds but maintained 25. Even when i dont exercise for long stretches of time i still log in daily. Also I found that planning out meals and snacks helps keep weight gained through emotional eating at bay. Also dont keep unhealthy snacks in the house. I hope this helped! XOXO0
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