Anxiety and depression= Lack of motivation :(

Start working out and join a gym. It will help with your stress and make you look great.

If this has been going on for a while consider seeing a doctor. It may be seasonal depression (SAD) from insufficient sunlight. Try to get out as much as possible and get some exercise. If you crave carbs when you're depressed have canned fruit (no sugar) and maybe oatmeal. It will provide the comfort you're looking for without causing dietary harm.

I've been treating for depression for over twenty years. Many people recover when their situation changes but some of us need meds to feel normal. Even still I will have days when getting out of bed is a challenge. Your kids will get you up and moving, and maybe you can have some silly dance time each day - great cardio!

I also struggle with anxiety and depression. I'm on medication right now, so it's suppressed, but it's still a battle. For one thing, definitely try to exercise. You don't even need a gym. There are plenty of exercises that you can do from your own room. Exercise increases endorphins and makes you happier. I got tired of hearing this, but it really is true. Also, try to stay away from greasy/fried foods. I found that those just ended up making me feel worse. I started eating clean and my overall mood has improved a whole lot.
Best of luck to you! If you ever need anyone to talk to about it, I'm here

The only thing that will help is actively working on your anxiety and depression. Saying "I'm not going to let this stop me anymore!" doesn't do any good. You have to get help, whether it be from a book, therapy, group support, or other form of support.

I'm speaking from personal experience here - acknowledging lack of motivation doesn't get you anywhere unless you slowly start to work on these issues. Building blocks, you know?

((Hugs)) I struggle with this as well. I've been in a rut lately. I will say that exercise helps my mood so much it is crazy. I end up feeling 100 times better. Go for a walk to get things moving. Good luck!

While I've always been sufferer of some form of anxiety and depression, I'm going through a break-up so rough I'm having trouble getting through the day right now. That said, watching what I eat and logging my calories has become easier. I think it's because I feel like I have no control over anything in my life, except what I eat. MFP has been my rock, in a way. I have to tell myself, "Fine, my life feels like it's falling apart around me, but at least I can do this right." And I do feel a little happiness at the end of my day when my calories are around what I have planned for myself.

So my advice is to focus on the one thing you can do right, even if it's just not putting a cupcake in your mouth.

Best of luck!

I was in this place last year. I would say, start going on long walks outside, during the day if you can. Make them long, and on inclined terrain to get the most out of them. Supplement that with doing some at-home workouts with DVD's or on youtube.

Id love to honestly, but my personal problems wont allow me. Im not making excuses honestly lol. New year I tried going back to my local sports centre, and couldnt stay

you can workout at home

I'm recovering from PTSD, so totally get you re how debilitating depression and anxiety can be. Personally, I found that doing strenuous exercise has really helped, and as hard as it can be to get motivated, it's worth it to push myself to do it. It removes the stress hormones from your system (i.e. you get rid of a lot of the symptoms of anxiety) and it releases endorphines that make you feel better. It only relieves the symptoms, not the cause, but in my experience it makes such a difference.

If you can't get as far as working out in the gym, there's a lot of stuff you can do at home. I have my own weights and a treadmill and a punch bag, you can get a lot of stuff on the 2nd hand market (ebay, etc) so you don't have to fork out a lot.

If you're not already doing some kind of therapy, I'd totally recommend that as well, but make sure the therapist is experienced at dealing with the exact problem that you have. All of what I said about exercise only relieves the symptoms it doesn't cure the cause. but the combination of therapy and lifestyle changes (the main one being exercise) has really helped.

Hi.Try doing some yoga. Get a book or video on beginner's yoga and breathing techinques if you are unable to go to yoga studio or gym. I myself have anxiety and can tell you that doing yoga DOES help. They have books about yoga and anxiety. Yoga is much more than just physical. Once you begin to understand the basics of yoga and what it has to offer, you might find this will help you and also keep your mind focused on something other than your anxiety. Breathing is a big part of it. Don't give up on your journey... these are just little bumps in the road. You just have to push through these little bumps and look for something that brings out your motivation and dedication.

In the same boat here (anxiety & depression... both a biproduct of a personality disorder) so I feel your pain. I find that the one exercise I can stick to doing even when I don't want to leave my house, see other people, be seen, or put forth any effort at all is my Wii Fit/Sports. I literally have not exercised in MONTHS because of both depression AND being physically sick since just after Christmas and last night I somehow managed to boot up the Wii for the first time and throw in the Sports disk. I did 20 minutes of boxing and my arms are actually pretty sore today... best part? I got to take out some of my anger and sadness by kicking the butt of an imaginary character! :laugh:

I suffer from Anxiety and was treated for depression in the past. I do find that exercising helped to control the anxiety. I haven't been to the gym in a few months and I find that my anxiety is increasing. If you can't go a gym, find an exercise video that you can do from home. It might help.

It helps me to remind myself to make one right choice. Protein over cookies, exercise (even a short walk) over couch sitting. Making a right choice makes the next one easier. Right choices snowball the same way poor ones do--and if your choices are 90% healthful, you are well on your way to sucess.

I also agree with the poster who mentioned finding a professional counselor to work with. No shame in getting a problem treated. Depression is pretty common and treatable. Don't let it drag you down.

Good luck and add me if you wish.

When you work out, do you do that at home or somewhere else?

I suffer from pretty bad anxiety and depression. I recently started mindful meditation. This was suggested to me by my counselor. There are a whole bunch of these vidoes on YouTube that are guided for beginners.

There are also a ton of videos on You Tube for yoga. I try to do yoga twice a week. If you can't get to a gym can you go running/walking? I find that when I incorporate some really good high intesity (for me) cardio that really, really helps.

i had probs with anxiety back in 2011 and had to take Ativan for a while, I had a lot of medical issues and wasn't sure I was going to live. Even afterwards, when I was on the mend, the shock from it all still shook me to the core. It took me a while to regain control of my life. Honestly, at that time in my life, there was no way i could focus on losing weight and all that. I had to let myself be ready for it. I will say though, that since I started jogging again and taking better care of myself, I have been off of Ativan, sleeping well, much better moods and outlook on life. I think I reached a point where I was just ready to take my life back, and then taking better care of myself sealed the deal. Good luck to you. :flowerforyou: