Unsupportive/ Depressing Living Conditions

Hey there. I also suffer from Bipolar 2 and have for 17 years. It's certainly made things challenging and my environment has played a huge part in it. Lots of ups and downs. Things that have helped: yes absolutely when you are feeling down get out. Go walk go run do something. Give yourself a 5 mins pity party and then MOVE. For even 5 minutes. If you still feel crappy then Atleast you gave it a go. As for the eating crap cause it's what is around you. There are always better choices to make. That's where this app comes in handy. Helps you be aware of what's better. It's not easy at first and sometimes you aren't gonna want to do it and that's ok. And those negative people in your life discouraging you. I have it too. I fight for me all the time. I know what's best for me. I know what I deserve. I know my goals. Remember you are doing what you need to do. It's not for them. So who cares what they think. It's always gonna be a fight with people. Going out to eat, feeling like you have to explain your choices. You don't have to explain anything. It's your life. Plan ahead and surround yourself with your own motivation. I have a lot of positive self affirmations around me. My desk. My night stand. My bathroom. Even my fridge. Goodluck. You've got this.

I understand the unsupported feeling. This is a good time to learn how strong you can be. At 18 you are young, find out how strong willed you are. I bet you are stronger than you think. If you can't eat healthy than portion control. It is all about the small changes. Getting any sort of exercise will also clear the mind of frustration and stress, it is amazing what just a short walk or bike ride can do for your spirits. I have found there is always support on these forums as well. Read some other peoples success stories that are similar to your situation, they are quite motivating.

What are the typical foods that are available to you? Keep in mind that while more wholesome foods are better for your health, and can make weight loss easier, the ultimate thing is calories. People have lost weight mostly eating things like twinkies in one extreme example:cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/

44hannah wrote: »

@archon2 The foods I have at home are like ramen noodles and tomato soup etc. I've been trying to make grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches on wheat bread for lunch and eating a banana or orange for breakfast. I try to find healthier choices in our kitchen but sometimes it's a little hard and often I'll get bored and want to find somethin to snack on and it's chips or cookies

Yeah, lots of salt in those noodles and the soup. Skip the seasoning packet on the noodles which will help some. The sandwich and fruit is good.

Can you talk with your Dad and ask him to buy some more healthy things you want to include? Even a jar of peanut butter and wheat sandwich bread is good for you. Some eggs, mild, non-sugary cereals, perhaps a jar of oatmeal. inexpensive things that can be staple foods.

If your Dad won't help much, you could try for a part time job and take some control of the situation, if you aren't working already, so you will have some of your own money to put towards your self. Plus that can get you into some social interactions that you might like and give you a greater feeling of independence.

18 can be a difficult time for most people ... just so you know it gets better

As suggested is it impossible for you to get a p/t job so you can buy your own groceries?

You should really focus on yourself and you would need to change how you see problems, ratehr than see them as insurmountable and start blaming others, just accpet thats the situation and adapt. As losing weight is all about calories and being in deficit then you still have the option of eating less via portion control, even if the choice of food isnt great.

Exercise will help you destress. Start with going for a walk.