Feel Low & depressed with 0 confidence.

Phebz24

Hi everyone,
I have joined today because I have had enough of the way I look and feel. I have struggled with my weight since I was 11 years old and I have been a yoyo dieter ever since. I have lost weight in the past and felt brilliant but went about it in the wrong way; by not eating for weeks on end, I only started to eat when I found out I was pregnant and the weight has piled on ever since. I am a small 5'2 and an currently at my heaviest at 10st 7lbs, so obviously look like a couch potato.. Literally! I know what I need to do to loose weight but currently have no motivation what's so ever and am spiralling in to depression over it, my weight is constantly on my mind. I have even considered going to doctors and requesting anti depressants (I have always been hard faced when it comes to how I feel and don't talk about my emotions so I know how bad it has become) I have tried running but I think people are laughing at me and I am to ashamed to join the gym. I have a exercise bike but I have become so lazy I literally spend 10mins on it, get off and reside back to the sofa! If anyone has any motivation tips or is going through the same thing I'd love to hear from you. Iv never done anything like this and never spoke in detail about my troubles, it does feel a lift has been taken off my shoulders.
Thankyou for taking the time to read, x

tabicatinthehat

I know what depression is like. I do, I swear. I take antidepresants daily and have since adolescence. That said, you are in charge of what you do. If you want to quit working out. Don't. If you want to eat when you're not hungry, don't. These are just bad habits and it does take a little work to break a habit. But you have to make that choice yourself. You are not as weak as you think you are.

jancie84

You've come to the right place!!! This is a place where you are among others in your same boat! I feel we hit rock bottom some times in our life! Sometimes it takes a little bit of time until things start looking up! What are some of your goals?

Do you have any support systems in your personal life? Those + this community!!!!!

CindyMarcuzAdams

You can do this cuz you want to do this.

You have to get out of this vicious circle you are in. Depression causing weight gain and weight gain causing depression. Maybe a trip to the dr isnt a bad idea to start things off. Get their opinion on how much you need to lose and talk about your depression.
Joining here is the first step. You are ahead of the game by already owning an exercise bike...use it everyday... Make friends on here to support you. Be an active user. It helps to be part of a weight loss community. Every one is in the same boat.

Add me as a friend if you like.

Cindy

bubaluboo

Hello Phebz

First of all stop beating yourself up! I checked your BMI at your heaviest and it was about 27. OK it's just into the overweight category but it's not obese (if you take much stock on BMI). I was in a similar situation just over a year ago. I started using MFP exactly as it's intended...just set the weightloss to 1lb a week, put in my stats and stuck to the goals. It took a while to get used to logging food and there were times when the weight didn't seem to be shifting but over time it did come off at the rate it should. I hit my target at Christmas last year. During this process I learned about what foods I could have more of and which foods made me feel full and satisfied (I think it's a personal thing you learn along the way) and now I feel more in control of my weight. I didn't think that I could do this when I started...but here I am now at goal weight. If you want to lose, you can do it and MFP is a great tool!

Adohi

You have taken a huge step! Build on that. Your ten minutes on the bike is fine. Don't beat yourself up because it wasn't longer. it takes time to build. Do that and then do some thing physical in the house or walk the dog. The more you move the better you will feel. You could do 2 ten minute sessions today! It does feel better to lay it out, doesn't it? I just joined yesterday. hang in there and take it one moment, hour and day at a time!

whalesong2164

You are not as weak as you think you are.

This.

Phebz24

Such a lovely response already, thankyou. I find it difficult to talk about how I feel, especially about my weight so I am relived to find such a lovely group of people to discuss this with and to know I am not the only one. When My partner, family and friends notice I'm down and they ask, I will say I feel uncomfortable about how I look but they just lie and tell 'I'm not fat', 'I look fine' and 'I don't need to loose weight' and feel like screaming at them to stop patronising me and lying to my face but I know they are just trying to be nice. I need realistic people around me and I know I will get this on here. It feels so good to finally talk about it in detail and I really appreciated all of your support xx

SparklingBlue01

Hi,
As everyone says here you're in the right place.
It's all about building on it day by day, and MFP is great for that. Set reasonable goals and use the tracker to learn what suits you - as has been said. As far as moving goes, you'll soon find yourself wanting to add that extra bit of 'exercise' when you can; it all becomes self affirming, and yourself from your good days keeps you motivated. Just keep recording, that 'streak' count really helps. :-)
If you don't like running at the moment, then do fast walking, it's just as good. I have found using a tracker app, like MapMyWalk, helps, and it talks to MFP, so you can see it adding up! It's just step by step,pardon the pun, and then you begin to see how very small things, like avoiding lattes, or not eating that extra snack, and as said above, that extra 10 mins here and there all helps.
If the machine feels too much like a chore put on a couple of great tracks and dance!

debubbie

Welcome to MFP! I struggle at times to find the motivation to exercise, but I have reached a point that I have decided that I want to lose weight and be healthy versus being fat and miserable. I lost 20 pounds this winter in two months by riding my exercise bike while I watched TV shows on Netflix. I would exercise for about forty minutes at a comfortable pace for me and I felt better after the workout, relieving my depression. I made a few eating changes during this time too and that has helped me to lose the weight I lost.

gail1961

You took the first step and joined MFP and asked for support! Good for you. You should feel proud of that. 10 minutes on the bike was the first step. Challenge yourself to do 12 minutes tomorrow. Watching TV or even talking to a friend on the phone can help make the time pass. I wouldn't last more than 10 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical without the TV screen!
Logging your food and weekly weight is a big motivator and it keeps you accountable. Add the ticker to your profile so you can watch the numbers go down. Set SMALL goals for your self. Like 5 pounds and then you get a manicure or buy a new workout outfit. Set another goal with a reward. My goal was to get back into my smaller clothes so buying new clothes wasn't a motivator for me but buying a new work out outfit and pink converse sneakers were! The more you workout the better you will feel. Exercise is the best "natural" anti depressant. Also, mix it up. The bike will get boring day after day. I was able to join a gym, so I take a different class 5-6 days a week and walk a 5 mile trail near my house with a friend 1X a week. Having a workout buddy will REALLY help too. Good luck.

zyxst

If you're overwhelmed by exercise, just eat at a deficit. Start small; portion control worked for me when I began.

sarahrosheen

have you tried antidepressants? they ARENT for everyone but they really helped me. They calm anxiety too so I've learned to not really care what anybody thinks of me, allowing me to do what I want, not care if I get stared at at the gym, etc. I gained 25 pounds in a year and was off work for depression for a few months, I couldn't even get out of bed, I slept for 18-20 hours of the day and only woke up to eat ! mostly pizza! anyways, I struggled through it but I want you to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. you will not feel this way forever, I can't even tell you what gets you out of the depression but it WILL happen for you! Continue to force yourself to be social. Good luck!

Phebz24

Thankyou for the amazing advice everyone. Just hearing how well everyone has done since joining here has already relit a small spark too look and feel great that has been missing for a long time. I can't thankyou you all enough! Does anyone know if I can access the community section on the app (just download and can't find the community/topics ect) x

RamonaFr

Yes, talk to your doctor about how you feel. Record everything you eat -- everything! -- on MFP and you'll find that helps a lot because it keeps you focused and honest about what you are eating. Ten minutes on the bike is OK. Just do it two or three times a day.

I hope you feel better soon! I find it helps to get outside every day, do a bit of exercise out in the sunshine (or rain). It makes me more cheerful and positive. I go over to the lake nearby to sit and knit, read, have a cool drink. I always wind up walking a bit, and it helps.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Phebz24

That sounds lovely Gail, thankyou for your advice. I will write here again when I am half way to my goal. Thankyou all so much x