Weight loss is for the mentally stable........ :(

http://www.ehow.com/how_4937626_mentally-prepare-losing-weight.html
oh and IF YOU CHEAT, then you cheat forgive yourself. and work past it, sorry to hear about your problems but you can do whatever you set your mind to, you just really have to work past it ! <333

You didn't mention if you are exercising, but It really helps. I have been struggling with situational depression for about a year (finally getting close to being normal-thank you God). I found that exercising and getting the endorphins release (I started by taking long walks) really helped me focus and regain some of 'me' again. God bless and good luck getting a new lease on life.

A strong support group. Some one you can talk to, some one to listen to your anxiety.
You can do this!

so I was diagnosed with sever depression and anxiety disorder in 2009 and when I'm off my meds I go into a total shut down. I've experienced (what felt like) 2 nervous breakdowns in the last 3 years. I think this has something to do with why I cant stay on track when it comes to eating healthy. I'm sooo weak mentally. The words "will power" dont mean anything to me. I do sooo good for about three days then totally blow it off. It really doesn't help that I live with two other adults that have no desire to change and eat what ever they want. That really messes me up. Im at a low point and I don't want to give up. Because I know I have to do this I really want to do this!!! does anyone know of any books or websites I could read or go to? Shoot any words of advice or stories would also help. Thanks guys HHHeeeeeeeeLLLLLpppppppp

First of all you are NOT WEAK, mentally or otherwise!!!! Second, this new way of living does not come to everyone easily. Third, we all struggle...we just pick up the pieces when we fail and try again. I was diagnosed as being "manic depressive" a long time ago, so I do understand what you are feeling and going through. Add, me if you want and I will be your cheerleader, motivator, pusher, and friend. We can do this!!!

Let me start off by apologizing before I get started. I don't mean to offend. I just feel strongly about this. The drive and determination lies within you. There is not a book, CD, DVD, or anything else that can give you anything. You already have it. You have already made the decision that you want to change. You just have to find that drive and determination to take that first step because that is always the hardest. The first step leads to the second and they get easier. As far as the people that you live with, you have to do for you. Let them eat whatever they wanna eat. You buy what you need to eat.

People make MILLIONS of dollars on books and multimedia selling their own ideas about what should work for people. My Dear, please do not fall victim to this sham. You have drive, determination, and motivation within your heart. You have to dig deep to find it sometimes, but we all do. But the longer you sit around wondering about it, the deeper it falls and the harder it is to find.

Reading a book isn't going to help you lose weight. Neither is watching a video, or listening to a CD....unless you have found it within yourself to do this while you are EXERCISING and EATING HEALTHY. I wish you the best of luck.

Let me start off by apologizing before I get started. I don't mean to offend. I just feel strongly about this. The drive and determination lies within you. There is not a book, CD, DVD, or anything else that can give you anything. You already have it. You have already made the decision that you want to change. You just have to find that drive and determination to take that first step because that is always the hardest. The first step leads to the second and they get easier. As far as the people that you live with, you have to do for you. Let them eat whatever they wanna eat. You buy what you need to eat.

People make MILLIONS of dollars on books and multimedia selling their own ideas about what should work for people. My Dear, please do not fall victim to this sham. You have drive, determination, and motivation within your heart. You have to dig deep to find it sometimes, but we all do. But the longer you sit around wondering about it, the deeper it falls and the harder it is to find.

Reading a book isn't going to help you lose weight. Neither is watching a video, or listening to a CD....unless you have found it within yourself to do this while you are EXERCISING and EATING HEALTHY. I wish you the best of luck.

Gotta second this ^^ Very true

My advice is to forget about weight loss for now, and try and get some exercise. Clinical trials have shown that exercising for 30 minutes three times a week can be as effective as talking therapies, and who knows if you manage to do it you might even lose some weight as a by-product.

Now I do know how hard it is to get motivated to exercise, but you don't have to go all out. Start really small, with things that aren't too scary to contemplate, such as a brisk walk to the end of your street. You can force yourself to do that.

Once you're there you can decide whether or not to walk further. I bet you do. And if you don't, there's always another day.

And well done for making a start by posting this, that was a really positive step!

I'm right there with you. Clinical Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, nice to meet you.

Some days I literally feel too exhausted to get out of bed. PTSD comes with all sorts of fun symptoms like insomnia and, for me, nightmares of the extremely disruptive variety. It's just one day at a time. Just keep pushing forward. Even if you lose your way now and then or even more often than now and then...it's okay...look at the big picture--you're still making progress. Slow and steady wins the race.

I would in no way call myself mentally stable, but I've taken off six and a half pounds in the last five and a half weeks. And I have definitely had my days where I just couldn't make it to the gym, where I just had to have extra food, where my willpower was nowhere to be found. But then there are days that it IS there, and those are the ones really worth fighting for.

Everyone on MFP has your back. You can do it. :flowerforyou:

Don't be too hard on yourself, losing weight is hard for everyone and combined with an issue like depression much harder still.

I really like a booked called "Changing Habits Changing Lives" by Cyndy O'Meara.
She focuses on changing one thing at a time. So, for one week just focus on eating a good breakfast. For one week, just focus on drinking water.
For me, this approach is much more achievable that having to do everything at the same time and its easier to see and celebrate small victories.

i agree with you on some points but tbh i don't think all mentally ill people should be lumped together. such a variety of illnesses. and even within the illnesses a variety of manifestations

First of all, (((Hugs))).
I know all too well how hard it is just living each day, let alone trying to better yourself on top of it. All too well..... If you'd like another friend, who "gets it" please feel free to add me.

Secondly, ditto those above who mentioned doing one thing at a time. I'd start with exercising. My depression was to the point that just getting off the couch to tend to my children became harder than running a marathon. Well, that's how each day felt. Like I was running a marathon with no end in sight. Start small. Go for a 15 minute walk, then 30, then 60. Try boxing. I found the Golds Gym Cardio Workout for Wii was great for when I felt like just getting out of bed was impossible. It's mostly boxing and I swear if you throw yourself into it, it helps the anger and frustrations.
I found the more I work out, the less frequently I let my pessimism get to me. I am naturally a 'glass if half empty' type of person. Filled with "I can't" and "I could never's".

Thirdly, ditto those who mention, just jumping back in after a bad meal/day/week. I have my bad moments. I still have 1-2 really awful "treats" a day. Hell, if someone CCed my diary it would be pretty ugly..... But I keep limping forward. As another mentioned 2 steps forward, 1 step back is still progress!

You CAN do this. Your body CAN do this. Call me immature or childish, but The Little Engine That Could should be motivation enough for many. Just keep telling your self, "I think I can, I think I can". You may be a bit twisted like me, and end up arguing with yourself wanting to scream, "No I Can't" but again, you CAN!


And Lastly, since I've already typed up a book here....if your depression is effecting your day to day life, and you are feeling down more than up, please seek counseling. It took me a long time to even admit I needed help, and I nearly lost my life for it. Depression is no joke at all, and there are so many options for treatment.

I have depression. I have anxiety. I have PTSD. I am happy and healthy right now, but I have to manage my triggers each and every day. I spent two years in therapy just so I could learn how to leave my house. My therapist taught me a lot of mind/body techniques that I use to calm my thoughts and I use them whenever I start to have flashbacks or can feel an episode of panic. I highly recommend this style of therapy for anyone dealing with depression and anxiety because it saved my life.

But I absolutely agree with the others that have advised exercise. I have many dark days where my self loathing is high and I am overwhelmed by something as small as making breakfast in the morning (just got through a few). But nothing has changed this for me like exercise. Above all, I have been completely transformed by a regular yoga practice. I have found it to be even more powerful than talk-therapy in teaching me how to practice self-love and self-forgiveness.

But trust me:
You are stronger than you know. You just have to be brave enough to be tested. You deserve to be happy, to feel vibrant and healthy in your body. And you have everything necessary to give yourself exactly that. This community will lift you when you need it. But once you commit to yourself--truly commit in your heart and mind--you will be amazed at what you can do.