I don't have the motivation to do this. Please help me.

I can empathize with not always having motivation... whatever the reason, whether it's because you feel depressed, tired, anxious, discouraged, you can always start with something.

Here are some ways you can start feeling more energized:
1 - Don't sleep in. This sounds counter-intuitive, but waking up and going back to sleep (e.g., hitting the snooze button) disrupts the hormone cycle, making it even more difficult to get moving when you do get up. Wake up at the same time each day even if you have to force yourself to at first.
2 - Get moving! It seems like the more energy you use, the more energy you have. Go for a long walk -- you won't even think of it as exercise, but you'll feel great when you get back. I started going for walks just to get some time to myself and it always helps my mood.
3 - Don't think about what you are -- think about what you can be! If I find myself thinking "I look terrible" or "I'm slow and weak" it can quickly spiral into the self-pity you're describing. But if I instead tell myself "I'm going to be in the best shape of my life!" I feel much better and I'm much more likely to make the effort to go to the gym or watch what I eat.
4 - Make positive memories with healthy food. I hate the term "comfort food" because it usually describes high-fat, high-sugar, carb-laden foods with little nutritional benefit. Make your new comfort food something you feel good about eating. You'll never see me eating rice cakes... but I love chicken salad with celery sticks and a clementine for dessert. Find healthy food that you like to eat.
5 - Make a point each day to read/watch something that inspires you. You can find lots of motivational speeches on youtube. Get yourself a calendar that has an inspiring quote on it each day and make it your motto for the day.

Getting in shape is fun and exciting. It's like finding $20 that you didn't know you had. As each week goes by, I'm happier at all of the things that I can now do because of my workouts. You'll see that in your daily life -- you won't get winded taking the stairs, you'll find walking around the neighborhood invigorating, you'll like trying on clothes. Next thing you know, you go from a mile-long run that you thought was going to kill you to signing up for a marathon that you're excited to run! The little changes you make every day will add up to a happier, healthier you.

I even take as many of classes online just so that I have less reasons to leave my apartment because I am too embarrassed to let people see me and how much I let myself go.

The more replies I read from everybody, the more I think I need to discuss my medication because it might not be helping me as much as it should. I just HATE going to any doctor's office because whenever I go, I get weighed and then I get the lecture from both the nurse and the doctor about how I have to get this weight issue under control. Seriously. I've been putting off a physical for 5 months because I don't want them to see that I gained another 15lbs since I was there.

First, cut yourself a break. You haven't killed anybody or robbed a bank. You're preparing to graduate with a tough degree. College is a really stressful time, no matter how many people tell you it's the best time of your life. I had a great time in college but I would never do it again.

I am also on 20mg of Lexapro. Ignore your parents' calls for you to get off of it. People who don't have depression or anxiety (my problem) have zero idea how much of a difference the right medication makes. I am glad you are making an appointment with your doctor. It sounds like you either need a different drug or a different dosage. Something isn't working right now.

You don't have to be lectured. Stop the doctor and nurse before they start. Tell them you want to work on your weight but you have to get your depression under control before you can. It's true. It's impossible to have motivation or willpower when you're struggling to just get out of bed and get through the day.

You can do this.

It sounds like depression to me. I can say about depression, it takes a lot to bring you out of it. You may be dog tired and don't feel like doing a thing, but once you do a workout, the feeling afterwards is rewarding. The more you do, the better you feel. TRUST ME. I'm not depressed right now, but I'm slowly on my way there because I haven't gotten out much AT ALL. It's like you're stopping yourself from moving forward. Almost maybe a fear of the end results of losing the weight. Will I gain all this weight back and be right back where I am now? Will it really help improve the depression? Also, your parents have a good point about the diabetes, you are on your way there. I was on my way there, I know lol. But it is preventable and yes, you can choose to do the healthy choice meals or dinners like that, but I wouldn't recommend it as a total fix all. You can't eat them 3 times a day and get all you need from them. Now every now and then when you feel so bad you can't hardly move, then yeah. But the problem with that is, you do it once, you'll more than likely do it again, and again, and again, then it becomes a pattern. I suggest seeing a new Dr about trying a different kind of medicine and seeking out a therapist. Sounds silly I know, but often times we harbor feelings inside that are the root of the problem and we can't talk to family and friends about, so talking to a complete stranger who doesn't know you or anyone around you from Adam. I've seen two when I was younger, and it really does help. Good luck and I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Everyone here has had some really good advice and here are my two cents.

Definitely go to your doctor. Your medication doesn't sound like it's working right. I was also on a medication that left me in the neutral zone and yeah. it's better than the dark places, but it's not a good thing.

When your doctor/nurse starts to get into the "you need to get this under control" stuff interrupt them and say, 'I know I do and that's why I'm here in your office." If a large part of your lack of motivation stems from depression then getting that in control will go miles toward your health.

As for what you can do now, if making a full life change is hard to put on your plate right now you can try little steps in the fast food joints. Get a water instead of a soda, or opt to not get french fries. Those two things are incredibly fattening on their own and just cutting out part of the fast food meal is a good step toward weaning yourself off fast food in general.


You can do this!

We can't make you want to do the changes. You either want to do them or you don't.

If you feel like you can't, then you should call in outside help - a nutritionist/dietician, doctor and perhaps a therapist as well. We can't make you want to do better.

Good going with setting of small goals. My personal journey with depression has shown that successful treatment is a combination of meds, exercise and diet. Just change one thing at a time. Set a small goal, and each time you complete your small goal, praise yourself. If you start just logging your food and exercise, you will soon run out of excuses., make a bargain with yourself you can only eat junk if you have earned it through exercise.

If I had known earlier that exercise is so very important to my mental health, I would have started sooner.

Some things that I am going to do this week are:
01: Get an appointment with a new doctor to discuss my depression
02: Log everything I eat, regardless of what it is
03: Make a list of reasonable goals that can help me ease into a healthier lifestyle

Good plan Batman.

I would also say that it doesn't sound like you lack motivation. It doesn't sound like you lack willpower either (which is a hugely over rated concept in dieting anyway. An eating plan which puts high amounts of deprivation against the need for high amounts of willpower constantly usually ends up in dieters end facing first in a bowl of cake batter...)

What you need are the skills to execute your plan. Skills are learned behaviour they are not innate (again why the "you need to want it" or "use willpower" advice won't get you far if you lack the skills necessary to achieve your goal.)

Do what you are thinking of doing. If you find yourself struggling then come back and ask for more advice.

You can and you will do this.

You can do it, sweetheart. You sound so much like me, it breaks my heart. But. Baby steps. We can do it. You can do it.

So sorry you are going through such a bad time. Keep your chin up and make gradual changes. Change the things you can change for instance:

You don't like to cook just for yourself - make Sundays your food day - make a meal plan, do your shopping and prepare your food and have it ready so when you are hungry there is something to eat. Eating healthy will have a positive effect on how you feel.

You were once very active - you have made your first steps to getting some exercise - remember how good you felt when you used to do workouts for fun. This is way easier to do when you are young so now is the time!

Definitely see your doc about the negative effects of the medication - and maybe make a plan to have regular appointments to wean yourself off it eventually.

You have a supportive family - stay in contact with them and share your progress - they are obviously concerned with your well being.

You were healthy and active before - you can do it! Good Luck OP - keep your chin up and don't let this beat you!

Sounds like maybe your depression is a bit worse than you thought. Your parents are overly concerned (never heard anyone turn into a drug addict by taking anti-depression meds though!), but you have to do what's right for you. I think the idea to see a new doctor is a good one, or at least go to your current doc and explain what you've been feeling. Sometimes you need a combination of meds to really help.

You can do it, sweetheart. You sound so much like me, it breaks my heart. But. Baby steps. We can do it. You can do it.

^This. Exactly. :flowerforyou:

As a previous Lexapro user, that dosage might not be working for you anymore. Have a discussion with your doctor about it. He/She may up your dosage or change your meds altogether.

I am just starting so I by no means am an expert, but as the previous posters mentioned, you will have to WANT to change your lifestyle and lose the weight. It took me over a year to WANT it enough to get off the couch and do something!

Get your depression under control, join a gym, change your diet , find a work out buddy and keep coming here for support! You can do this!!

You can do this. Take it 1 day at a time. There is nothing you can do about the past except learn from it. It sounds like you have wonderful supportive parents who love and care for you very much and you have all of us here on MFP!!! Set your self some short term goals and once you achieve them, set bigger goals. Losing weight and getting healthy has to be a life style change and I know that you can do it.

I am proud of you for taking the steps to get better - not only mentally but physically. I was on Lexapro, too, but it stopped working for me. I switched to Effexor and it made a world of difference.

You've also gotten into the habit of eating. You're not necessarily hungry but it gives you something to do and it doesn't judge you and let's face it, food makes us feel good. But you're not eating the *right* things. That will come in time.

First focus on getting your mind in the right place and you can then work on your weight. *hugs*