All joy gone
GrossMonster
Posts: 11
Has anyone else felt a complete lack of happiness when you started dieting? I've always been depressed but everything just seems so bleak right now. All goals feel impossible and I don't really see how losing weight is going to improve my life. I hate being so whiny, I just don't know who else to talk to and I wanted to know if this could be a diet issue. I already go to a psychiatrist regularly.
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Are you denying yourself your very favorite foods? This will make you grouchy. Thinking of it as a diet means deprivation, think of it as a lifestyle change. Set small goals for yourself like I will add one vegetable or fruit this week, etc. I want to lose 1 to 5 pounds this month....something small so it is doable. I will exercise for 15 minutes today and then usually it ends up being more because it feels good. Losing weight helps fight depression (it doesn't take it away totally), it makes you feel better about yourself and improves your overall health.
Myself, I haven't been able to get off of junk food totally and I am sure I would feel better emotionally if I would give that up or eat less of it. My sister has gone to "clean eating" and has noticed many good changes.
Do you see a counsellor as well? Hang in there and I hope you start feeling better!0 -
I suffer from Major Depressive Disorder w/ PTSD. I have always suffered from this. But, since dieting, it is actually better. I have more energy, and I feel less sluggish and tired all of the time.
I'm trying not to think of this as a "diet", though. I'm not depriving myself of anything. I just count calories... and limit my carbs (but without cutting them out completely). I actually feel better than I have in a long time.
I can tell you from personal experience, though, if you are trying to cut out your favorite foods 100%, it will be hard. It will get you down. Try to find new (healthy) recipes for your favorite foods. Exercise by doing something you like... such as dancing. Make this fun. Like I said... don't think of it as a "diet".
I hope I didn't sound too harsh or uncaring. I really do hope you stick to this for you. I wish you luck in this journey.0 -
Thank you both for responding. Now that I'm re-reading what I wrote, I am embarrassed to have made this thread but I really appreciate your kind and motivating words.0
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Don't be embarrassed. It's how you were feeling and you needed to get it off your chest!! Glad I was there to respond to you! You will find some great support on here
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Negative thinking is a barrier to dieting that almost everyone has to overcome. It's totally understandable that if you have an illness in which a chemical imbalance in a brain hormone results in a more rigid negative thinking style then it is going to be that much more difficult. Of course it can still be done, but it's harder.
Self criticism is also a symptom of depression and it saps motivation so being kinder to yourself when you need a helping hand is useful when you can manage it. Posting here for instance, that's a positive way of seeking support and no-one here thinks you have anything to be embarrassed about.
When trying to do something new, having a clear idea of how the changes may benefit you is important to give your goals meaning and to generate the drive to stick at it in the difficult times. How about focusing less on weight loss and more on improving your diet for the sake of your mental health? There is increasing evidence that diet is a significant factor in maintaining good mental health. Check out this link :flowerforyou: :I don't really see how losing weight is going to improve my life
http://goodmedicine.org.uk/stressedtozest/2012/09/emerging-research-diet-suggests-its-startlingly-important-prevention-anxiety-0 -
Thank you both for responding. Now that I'm re-reading what I wrote, I am embarrassed to have made this thread but I really appreciate your kind and motivating words.
Don't ever feel embarassed for admitting how you feel. I'm always here to help.0 -
I really appreciate all of the kindness in this thread, thank you so much.
That link was very interesting, lorro. I know exercise is supposed to help anxiety/depression as well. I am starting to work out but I am finding it discouraging because I get so out of breath and sore! I am sticking with it, though. I have been eating pretty well and counting every calorie for 11 days now, so hopefully I will begin to see some sort of improvement, either physical or mental, eventually.
My clouded mind is still having trouble foreseeing any positive outcomes but I am just trying to have faith that eating less and moving more will benefit my life in ways that I can't even predict.0 -
If you ever need any more motivation, I'm here. I know how hard it is to just start... but, if you stick with it, it will get better. It has for me. I'm going to post a link below (to a forum post I wrote earlier today). I hope it's ok. Whenever I think of giving up, it's something I think about. It may help.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/770214-you-can-t-fly-without-a-little-struggle0 -
I really appreciate all of the kindness in this thread, thank you so much.
That link was very interesting, lorro. I know exercise is supposed to help anxiety/depression as well. I am starting to work out but I am finding it discouraging because I get so out of breath and sore! I am sticking with it, though. I have been eating pretty well and counting every calorie for 11 days now, so hopefully I will begin to see some sort of improvement, either physical or mental, eventually.
My clouded mind is still having trouble foreseeing any positive outcomes but I am just trying to have faith that eating less and moving more will benefit my life in ways that I can't even predict.
You're welcome :flowerforyou:
That's fantastic, well done for sticking with it and logging every calorie too. You will definitely see improvement soon if you keep it up.
Aim for working hard enough to be slighly breathless such that speaking to someone when exercising would a bit of a struggle but still possible. Aim for 30 mins most days if you can. This is what I was advised when I started out and my fitness began to build after a few weeks and I began to feel the benefits then. I'd keep up with the more intense pace you are working at if you can but if you are in danger of losing motivation because you are finding it too tough then you may be better to ease up a bit and build your fitness more slowly.
It's great you have that hope for your future. Even if it wavers, keep going and it will return and get stronger as you do
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