Depression getting in the way

It's a good question. I think we are all different. I have had to give up coffee (which I would not wish on anyone) because it was just somehow depleting me and leaving me really low. Since giving up coffee, I do not get as low as I used to. Now at least I can get to the gym most days even when I feel down. I still drink lots of green tea though and do not suffer the same drain as from coffee. ALso, be sure you are getting enough fat and protein. Once I discovered not to be afraid of fat, it changed my world. I think our brains are something like 70% fat! Gotta feed that brain to stay happy. Good luck.

I do sometimes. I get that oh-so-wonderful feelings of despair, anxiety, and general mayhem wash over me and the last thing I want to do is exercise or focus on eating. I usually tough through and jsut go through the motions at that point until I can right the ship. I know the exercise helps me a lot.

Good luck.

I'm bipolar II. I have found that since getting into a regular workout routine I have been much better able to manage my low swings. The trick is to make it a part of your daily routine, just like showering, going to work, etc. It's my JOB to get that workout in, regardless of how I may feel. You may find that you feel a bit better if you get some exercise.

Habits help me through my episodes.

I think having lost a lot of weight helps though I was never depressed "about" my weight... I think just being in better physical condition helps me avoid the episodes better.

Also exercise! I find that if I go a few days without stretching and strength training I will find myself feeling funky... but if I start the day with a 30-minute session of circuit work the endorphins will kick in a bit later and I'll be lively and hopeful.

I've been on Paxil 3 times in the last 10 years, each time for a few months. I haven't needed it now for a while and hope never to again, though I won't rule it out if necessary.

Hard one, I get down if I don't do any exercise and atm that only consists of walking for an hour in the morning and half an hour minimum in the afternoon, I think getting outside under the sky is a big lifter of moods, I rarely come back full of the fury I went out the door with.
I also make myself get up and do stuff in 15 minute bursts, put the cooker timer on! And if I go over 15 mins and carry on with housework or whatever, great
I also realised that depression does not define who I am, it's just how I feel and that feeling will pass and it will pass quicker if you get up and do something xxxx

I crash sometimes too...it's not just not working out, it's wanting to sit around and do nothing. Then feeling guilty/bad because I did nothing. If you can make yourself get up and go workout that's great, but sometimes it takes babysteps to make us feel better. This may sound a little silly, but have you showered today or gotten dressed in something more than "bummy" clothes or fixed your hair? If not, try it and add a little makeup, perfume and/or moisturizer, even if you aren't going out - this is just for you because your worth it. Next, try getting a glass of water. Clean water is such a blessing that many people don't have in the world (please focus on this thought as your drink your water). Have you eaten something healthy today - baby carrots, an apple? If not, go get a small, good for you snack - even a little peanut butter on crackers is good. Now, even if you don't feel like it, go look in the mirror and smile at yourself. Finally, reach out to someone positive - a phone call, a text, come back on here. Make sure to get a good night's sleep and tomorrow I hope you will feel better.

Whenever I am having a terrible day I make tea out of the loose herb St. John's Wort. It is a natural depression eliminator, but be careful b/c it can interfere with some medications like birth control. Sometimes taking a nap helps me, rest is important and you're spending time resting rather than eating (which I'm horrible about when I'm feeling anxious).

Oh yeah!!! You got it, sister :happy: Also, I would like to be friends and since I'm new here, you are going to be my first...now, I gotta go do the "gotta new friend dance, woohoo!"

This has been my biggest downfall. I've had many successful weight loss stints. My most successful loss wa 80+lbs. I hurt my shoulder, got depressed, and gained it back. Then had about two other bouts of weight loss derailed by depression. Lost 35lbs before joining the site...gained THAT back. Then decided to get on MFP and lost 54lbs...and then...you guessed it...>GAINED IT ALLL BACK. I was on anti depressant meds during my most recent loss. But I stopped taking them, I didn't wanna become dependent on them and that backfired. It's a real pain in the *kitten* because depression makes leaving my bedroom hard enough, let alone doing anything. I feel your pain.

I crash sometimes too...it's not just not working out, it's wanting to sit around and do nothing. Then feeling guilty/bad because I did nothing. If you can make yourself get up and go workout that's great, but sometimes it takes babysteps to make us feel better. This may sound a little silly, but have you showered today or gotten dressed in something more than "bummy" clothes or fixed your hair? If not, try it and add a little makeup, perfume and/or moisturizer, even if you aren't going out - this is just for you because your worth it. Next, try getting a glass of water. Clean water is such a blessing that many people don't have in the world (please focus on this thought as your drink your water). Have you eaten something healthy today - baby carrots, an apple? If not, go get a small, good for you snack - even a little peanut butter on crackers is good. Now, even if you don't feel like it, go look in the mirror and smile at yourself. Finally, reach out to someone positive - a phone call, a text, come back on here. Make sure to get a good night's sleep and tomorrow I hope you will feel better.

This was really helpful for me. Thank you.

Exercise IS how I pull myself out of depression, even if it's just going for a walk outdoors because it's sunny, or taking a yoga class. The hardest time for me to keep exercising is when I feel pulled in too many directions, by work and social obligations, and even then, I need exercise and sleep to keep me in shape to juggle it all.

Definitely. I know what you mean (especially right now, going through a break up).

BUt the key is to exercise despite the depression. You may not be as focused and therefore not work as hard HOWEVER, exercising along makes you feel like a BAMF and you get a rush of endorphins and adrenaline. And, in my experience, it takes my mind off of sadness at least temporarily. I hope things start looking up for you! Best of luck

Exercise can help depression so much, but obviously depression can keep you fro exercising. For many having a workout partner really helps because while you are ok with letting yourself down, you think twice before letting down a friend. If you don't have anyone to work out with the next best thing is have your exercise be a scheduled event (either a sport where the games are at a specific time or a class that has a set schedule), most people do better with a schedule because we are just wired in our modern world to go to our appointments.

Best of luck to you... it is a beast of a burden to carry!