People with Depression, how do you stay on track during a low?

Often I don't stay on track. I do, however, make sure to take classes with my trainer (running) 2x/wk so I am obligated to show up and get my money's worth. If nothing else, THAT goes right, and sometimes the endorphins get me through the better part of the day without food obsessing me. Of course, then there is the evening to deal with.....

Really good q - I'm ok right now but he be been doing good yr bad yr for 7 yrs now. Hoping getting back in shape will form habits that'll keep me going if I have relapse (live in hope I'm going to be ok tho!)

It's hard, especially if I'm feeling particularly negative. I just try to remind myself that the low point is only temporary and I will feel better again. If I can't manage to find the energy to exercise (depression usually makes me feel more tired than usual), I make sure to at least track my food. It helps to keep me from overdoing the pizza and chocolate. If I do over do it, I try to be extra vigilant during the times when I feel good to make up for it. Generally, I also find that the weight loss and just being more involved in life helps to keep the relapses in check.

Sara2652 wrote: »

I don't have the answer. I just wanted to say I get it. There are many forms of depression and people react very differently so its not a one size fits all solution. Obviously see a doctor if you believe it is depression. If its sadness go for a walk if you can, take a shower, get a massage and be gentle with yourself however you see fit.

If you go to bed torn up and wake up every morning pleading that something just ends your life but you can't afford to be hospitalized then I say eat if it numbs you but also get help from were ever you can- places like NAMI. Being fat is better than being that depressed. I'm now 50lb heavier then I was last year but I'm not mad about it I'm just now able to face this part of the damage. And in reality I'm thankful my vice is food and not booze or drugs because those can really cause you damage really fast.

I guess I'd say focus on balancing your mood in healthy ways first. Practice self compassion. If you feel like exercising awesome, if you make it around the block walking thats fantastic just don't feel guilty or beat yourself up if there are days you can't. Exercise does not treat depression but it can be part of a healthy way to work yourself out of a depressive cycle -if you are even to make it out the door.

I agree self compassion is key. Insight into your illness, how it affects you because it affects everyone differently and to just celebrate the small things you can do helps. I saw a post about a woman who'd showered and brushed her hair for first time in three weeks...depression had made her almost catatonic.

I go over my calories all the time but I force myself to do some sort of exercise, I feel better afterwards but it's really hard to get going.

I hope you can find something that helps but remember please don't be too hard on yourself if you aren't able to get up and do anything 1 day. It's okay ❤️

it is horrible-for me I am stress eater-I have been going through depression for the past couple months-I try to workout to relive stress-I love to lift are do something intense-even a long walk-some days I have to force myself-but when I do I feel better good luck

LonniJay wrote: »

When I start to feel low I work out or get outside in the sun. It doesn't always work but sometimes it does. My new problem is not eating at all. I used to eat my feelings now I starve. I don't think either is healthy at all. I hope you can figure this out. Maybe keep healthier snacks around so when your low your options are at least a little better.

Good luck, I wish I could help more.

I do this too. One extreme to another.

Macy9336 wrote: »

Sara2652 wrote: »

If you go to bed torn up and wake up every morning pleading that something just ends your life but you can't afford to be hospitalized then I say eat if it numbs you but also get help from were ever you can- places like NAMI. Being fat is better than being that depressed. I'm now 50lb heavier then I was last year but I'm not mad about it I'm just now able to face this part of the damage. And in reality I'm thankful my vice is food and not booze or drugs because those can really cause you damage really fast.

I cannot smash the "insightful" button on this enough times. We live in a world where many, many people think the worst thing in the world is being fat. It's not. I'd rather be fat than suicidal (I understand they are not mutually exclusive).

Get professional help if you have the resources; take meds if you need them. Don't attempt to power through bad patches thinking you're a failure if diet and exercise alone don't do it for you. Take a walk if it soothes you. And yes -- eat it if soothes you. Try not to eat until you feel worse about yourself, but just do your best. It's all we can ask from ourselves.

Sara2652 wrote: »

I guess I'd say focus on balancing your mood in healthy ways first. Practice self compassion. If you feel like exercising awesome, if you make it around the block walking thats fantastic just don't feel guilty or beat yourself up if there are days you can't. Exercise does not treat depression but it can be part of a healthy way to work yourself out of a depressive cycle -if you are even to make it out the door.

I wish I could practice self-compassion but I don't have any at all. Most of what I feel towards myself is self-loathing. Even dieting is a way of punishing myself because I let my weight get out of control.

A lot of climbing out of my low points is by sheer stupid stubbornness and a cowardice that won't let me take that final step into the unknown. I'm glad it works for others, I am. For me, there just isn't any.

I'm working on positive thoughts and positive routines. I set goals that are easy to achieve like a small calorie cut and a light exercise routine while practicing to compliment myself on achieving them without overdoing anything. I tend to work out too much, eat too little, get even more depressed and eventually give it all up. So after 15 years of that i changed one fundamental thing: I'm trying to relax. Not rushing into over-/under exercising/eating by focus and breathing, to learn how to stay calm and trust the (very slow) process. That also means forcing myself a lot to say "I'm ok" or "not too bad" to the mirror.

I'm probably not qualified to write as I fall down a lot. But here are some things that help me. I work out with a personal trainer. I have to do that whether I'm depressed or not, and it really ends up helping me to work out as well as talk to him. Also a huge thing for me is doing self care. Have a self care plan that you've made when you were not depressed, and then follow it when you are. Be kind to yourself. I also try to keep the house free of junk food, but have other food on hand that I really like and can eat a lot of, but that is healthy. Remind yourself, that you will feel better eventually, and just get back up when you fall down with the food thing. It's hard. I know how hard it is. I have bipolar so I have the really lows and the really highs and I can emotionally eat on either one. I'd suggest spending some time with someone you love and trust, even if it's just sitting there not talking. Surround yourself with things that comfort you that aren't food. And see a therapist if you can. I don't want to at all sound like I'm telling you what you HAVE to do, or that these will work for you, I'm just saying what helps me. Sometimes even all of those things don't, but sometimes they do. I get you and my heart goes out to you. Hang in there.

I've seen countless threads like this in my time on MFP (2+ years), but I have to say, this one seems particularly insightful & practical. I like the thought about classes/training that we feel obliged to attend, whether we particularly want to or not. I feel like this easily carries over into areas of life outside of fitness. Reminds me of a phrase I heard many years ago- "Act yourself into the right way of thinking."

I too really feel like exercise has been the main key for keeping things under control, and my simple rule to follow has been, if I don't feel like it (which is the case more often than not), I have to do it for 5 minutes. If I still don't feel up to it, that's fine and I don't have to. But I'd say at least 95% of the time I get the workout in and feel better for it, if only for a short time. It also helps to have a playlist of music you personally find upbuilding & energizing to get you (and keep you) going.

Thank you for the thread