Mental Health as a Barrier

I hear ya! Been in the same boat many, many times...

When do you normally exercise? I would highly reccomend in the morning, that way you are going to start the day positively, and if the worst happens and you do end up having an anxious day, at least if your food choices are sabotaged, you got your workout in!

I'm currently swimming every day, it was a struggle at first, but it's become habitual, along with cleaning teeth etc so if I do have a bad day this is just something that is done regardless.

I feel your pain all too well Bill. I struggle with bi polar disorder and Im trying to bounce back from a 35 pound weight gain after successfully losing 100 pounds. Anxiety and depression can easily crush all your motivation an will power into dust. There are times when you will stop caring and fall off the wagon of a stable diet or days where working out will seem impossible so instead you will stay home and be lazy. But, no matter how much that happens you have to try and let the guilt go and pick right back up where you left off. As your health improves so will your mood and it will get easier.

I personally had issues with self esteem when I started, I honestly believed that I was just fat and lazy and this mind set and acceptance of who I thought I was became a huge hurdle. Dont let self pity and excuses hinder your progress. I have found that taking steps to improve positive thinking and recognising distructive behaviors has helped me more than any of the dieting advice I have received.

Although I do not know all of your story or truley understand how deep mental health issues go for you I do know that there are resources in most places that can be a great help in motivating and educating in regards to overcoming depression and anxiety. I recently did a group couse at my local health community centre which focused of recognising negative thoughts and changing perceptions. It might be worthwhile looking into local support groups in your area. The more people you bring into your circle and make part of your journy the more support you will get and the increased self accountably from having a group of peers to answer to never hurts.

You got this. You already decided you arnt the guy who's going to sit around and let his health deteriorate. You are already on track, and if you fall off you know how to get back on.

......and if you truly ever need reminded of that I will happily tell you over an over that missing a day of excersize or eating an extra slice of pizza doesn't make your goals magically disappear....but just sets them back a day or two or alternatively you could just make up for these days on other days with a longer work out to ease the guilt if you truly need it.

I have pretty severe anxiety, it got really bad after I had my daughter almost 3 years ago. I had PPD also. I see a therapist and I engage in quite a bit of self care. And I still have bad days. I have definitely done some emotional eating lol...not that im proud of it, but I just move on from it. I also try not to deprive myself of food I like, just eat in moderation so I don't feel so bad if I really NEED that cookie.

I'm coming out of 10+months with agoraphobia were I couldn't really leave the house with out experiencing a panic attack. In that time I had gained 50lbs because honestly in that situation nothing matters and you are waiting to die and the only relief I could find was in fatty, sugary, and/or salty foods. I have anxiety, depression and a few other health problems that I've had for a good 22 of my 33 years on this earth that make dieting a bit more tricky.

Hopefully, you haven't had to be hospitalized for your condition but I will share two points I find helpful. One aim for progress not perfection, people with anxiety tend to have an 'all or nothing' mentality. Pushing too far one way will cause you to swing back further in the opposite direction. I can't afford large deficits in my diet because it can effect my mood too greatly but I can still shave a little off here and there. Second is self-compassion over self esteem. I think this video sort of sums it up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kfUE41-JFw also a book called 'Self compassion' by Kristin Neff has some good points even if some of the writing irks me.