I fell of the wagon and get get back on :(

Sadly, for me, I usually get back into my routine when my level of disgust with myself outweighs my lack of motivation. This can take anywhere from a week to a couple months. But hey, two steps forward and one step back is still one step forward. So we'll come out ahead as long as we keep going.... is there anyone in your life that can help motivate you in person? Usually once I get that first workout or two in, I don't have any trouble keeping going, I just need an extra push to get restarted.

I fell off the wagon and then it ran over me. I am trying to get back on track too. I take an anti depressant too.. hopefully it will get better as the spring get's in to swing.

I hate how I look so when my self-loathing overcomes my emotional eating, i will hopefully lose again.

Jane

Good luck It is an awfully gloomy season!!
I take Vitamins D and B and fish oil as well. Sometimes a few minutes in a tanning bed can give you a nice pick-me-up .
Looking at the success stories on here is always motivational to me. If anyone else can do it, so can you!
Also since I've been living a healthier lifestyle I've cut waaay back on alcohol. I realized what a depressant it had become for me!
You can friend me if you want Best wishes :flowerforyou:

I worked out and logged food daily for 6 months leading up to my October 2012 wedding. Once the wedding was over, I felt I needed to take a honeymoon break and I did - for 5 months. I gained back almost the weight and inches I lost.

Early Feb I started ramped back up again. Started with a zumba class or 2 per week and logging at least 3x per week.

It took time but I'm back up to speed. 4 zumba classes per week and 2 bodypump classes and logging food intake everyday. I have alot more energy and my mood has certainly improved. **Note - I'm not any medication, nor am I supposed to be**.

I can only describe it as "seasonal" - I tend to stop working out between Nov and Feb and eat a ton of comfort food. Something I have to learn to work with. It's spring now - time to work!

I've suffered from depression for my entire adult life. Meds work well but what really helps me is a good multi (i.e. Centrum). I don't know why but my doctor said she's seen this before. Now that I'm exercising I fnd that it also helps tremendously, possibly because I'm out doors and getting some much needed sun and fresh air.

Just for today take a walk outside. Not long, half an hour or so. It may help. However, if you still feel depressed after another month or so please speak with your doctor. The newer meds have far fewer side effects; you don't need to live with depression.

For as long as I remember I have struggled from mid-January through late March or April (S.A.D.). I have gone the seasonal antidepressant route, but this year began taking B-12 sometime in December.........NO S.A.D. THIS YEAR!!

As for "getting back on the wagon" my suggestion is to STOP HAVE THE INTERNAL DIALOGUE with yourself. By that I mean when it's time to go work out and you begin thinking "I really don't feel like it today" or "Maybe tomorrow" or whatever your discussion with yourself is, STOP!! Stop thinking about it, just go/do. It's not easy at first, but I get up at 4 am to go to the gym Monday through Friday, and trust me I have a variety of thoughts rush through my brain. I just throw the covers back and get my feet on the floor, and rely on auto pilot to get me through getting dressed. At that point, I'm no longer thinking about how much I don't want to go workout, because I've already made forward progress.

I've worked in mental health for 14 years, and had my own struggles at different points in my life, so I feel your pain. Trust me when I say just try to take the conversation with yourself out of the equation. Stop trying to convince yourself to go workout, stop telling yourself you're a loser for falling off the wagon. Rely on auto-pilot / muscle memory to get yourself to the gym. Think about your weekend plans, or the next pair of shoes you're going to buy, or what groceries you need to pick up, or ANYTHING ELSE while you're driving to the gym. this is a great way to win the war without showing up for the daily battles!

Take care, and rely on whatever support system you have.......and maybe try the B complex vitamins (though you need to give them time to build up).

have you thought about trying the SAD light therapy? I am thinking about giving it a try, as I feel like you do...did well, lost 20lbs, then got depressed and pretty much gave up...HANG IN THERE! I am slowly pushing myself back into it...you can do it!!!:flowerforyou:

Yes. This whole motivation thing is cyclical for me (and for many people I know).

Start with just one thing. After I recently fell off the wagon, I started back by logging everything. Every. Single. Thing. From there I progressed to starting to move more again. Soon I was back to running and lifting. I know I am going to hit some rough spots up ahead but I'll keep my head up. I'm strong enough to do this and so are you.

I've had seasonal problems for a long time. My doctor has recommended vitamin D, but you still need some sunlight to metabolize it. So even in the winter I try to be outside for 20 minutes... walk to mailbox, etc. He has also suggested a light box in the past. Exercise, helps me tremendously. As a last resort, once a week in the tanning bed... it gets the vitamin D.

Right now I just vitamin D, see the sun for a few minutes outside, and exercise. It's working a ton.

Whenever I mess up it helps to picture this 'wagon' everyone keeps referring to as being two feet off the ground and pulled by two elderly, arthritic Shetland ponies. One easy hop to get back on.