Lost all motivation

Shan_Wow89
Shan_Wow89 Posts: 54 Member
in Motivation and Support
Recently I’ve fallen into a deep depression and have had zero motivation to do anything! I lost my streak of logging everyday for almost a year, I’ve stopped meal prepping because the thought of planning my weekly meals and putting them together just overwhelms me and gives me anxiety... I literally just want to lay in bed all day! It takes everything I have to get out of bed in the morning! Any suggestions on how to kick this?

Replies

  • maureenkhilde
    maureenkhilde Posts: 849 Member
    Have you seen your Dr.? What you describe is depression, and I would think you need to reach out to the medical profession. Mental health is so important, that need comes before logging of food.
  • Shan_Wow89
    Shan_Wow89 Posts: 54 Member
    Yea I’ve seen my doctor.
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    maybe break your routine.. do something easy or at least easier than meal prepping or working out..
    just get out and about...buy some flowers... light a scented candle.. watch and old favorite happy movie.. do something to bring about a small amount of joy. The smallest things can snap a person out of a funk. You need to find your joy.. them motivation for bigger goals comes later.

    Good luck to you.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Shan_Wow89 wrote: »
    Yea I’ve seen my doctor.

    What did they suggest?
  • Sheisinlove109
    Sheisinlove109 Posts: 516 Member
    Stop. Refocus. Forward. Plan, prepare and work hard anyway even when you don’t want it or think you don’t. Nothing fabulous comes that easy.

    Maybe stay in maintenance but DO NOT STOP! Do not stop holding yourself accountable. Whatever is making you do this, you are stronger than it...and !*?$ it.

    I use the gym as stress relief. Obviously talk with your doc, but get in there and pick stuff up and put it down. Run, bike, stairs, all of it. Do it then do it again.

    Focus! You got this.
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,895 Member
    Nothing helps my emotional/mental state more than tracking and exercise. Even when having an absolutely awful time of things, it is the one bright point - that I am doing something for myself and have accomplished something in the day. Trite, but exercise releases endorphins and has helped me so much with anxiety. For sure the last thing that I want to do is exercise when I am feeling bad, but even a 10 minute hip-hop workout from Youtube does me wonders.
    These feelings are really ebb and flow. We recognize when they are upon us. Exercise helps me immensely. Find something that helps you. Great suggestions above: light a candle, do something that you know always brings you some joy.
    It is tough. We humans find ways to cope.
    Best of luck
  • Shan_Wow89
    Shan_Wow89 Posts: 54 Member
    I went for a walk today... didn’t really help my mood. I’m trying to find other things to try and keep busy, but nothing really seems to be helping. My doctor recommended a lot of what everyone here has recommended... I think the only thing I can do is wait for it to pass... thank you for the support!
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,895 Member
    Shan_Wow89 wrote: »
    I went for a walk today... didn’t really help my mood. I’m trying to find other things to try and keep busy, but nothing really seems to be helping. My doctor recommended a lot of what everyone here has recommended... I think the only thing I can do is wait for it to pass... thank you for the support!

    And it will pass. Everyone finds their own way. For me for sure it is exercise.
    I hope that today is better for you.
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    another idea is aroma therapy. I love it..and find it lifts my moods. Lavender and peppermint oils are just a part of my everyday life. I swear that peppermint oil diffused in my room at night is why Lost my weight so easily this year. .. Lavender oil and bath salts have helped with my anxiety too. You may want to give it a try. it is cheap...so why not. You may also want to read about it on the internet.
  • mulecanter
    mulecanter Posts: 1,792 Member
    sounds like a combination of depression and MFP burnout. It's winter, are you getting enough sunlight? Like others have already said, reboot your MFP program with new workouts and meal ideas. Exercise! Get outside. Got a dog? Consider one, they are a joy. Are you on meds? If so, you may need a change in dosage or an alternative. My wife struggles with depression, finding the right med combo is tricky but when you find it it helps alot.
  • amgreenwell
    amgreenwell Posts: 1,267 Member
    Sounds like you need to see a dr and figure out a treatment plan for your depression. Stopping all activity that you once loved and thrived on is a bad sign.
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,895 Member
    Shan_Wow89 wrote: »
    I went for a walk today... didn’t really help my mood. I’m trying to find other things to try and keep busy, but nothing really seems to be helping. My doctor recommended a lot of what everyone here has recommended... I think the only thing I can do is wait for it to pass... thank you for the support!

    How are you doing today? Any better?
  • Shan_Wow89
    Shan_Wow89 Posts: 54 Member
    My mood has improved a little bit, but I’m still not feeling motivated.
  • maronesax1972
    maronesax1972 Posts: 272 Member
    edited December 2018
    Okay. Glad mood is improving. Why don’t you try breaking it down into very small steps. Maybe set the alarm 1/2 hour early and take a 15 minute walk one morning. That’s it. When you’ve done that, believe it or not...you’ve started back. That one little step...can change your mind about starting. Remember, you only have to accomplish that first day back. That’s it. Nothing more. Don’t let your mind trick you in to thinking there’s more to it.
  • maronesax1972
    maronesax1972 Posts: 272 Member
    Here’s a great little story, sounds similar to you.

    https://www.goalcast.com/2017/07/24/mel-robbins-felt-like-a-complete-failure/
  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,534 Member
    Keep walking or find some other exercise. Really. It’s not a miracle cure. But keep at it. Try to find something to do every day that you can consider exercise or a workout or whatever you want to call it.

    It takes a couple of weeks to get a habit started. But sometimes our good habits have to be defended. Even a halfhearted effort can keep a habit going.

    But the big lesson I took from starting an exercise program was it’s where I learned incrementalism. Exercise can be built up a little each week. Stay with it. You may be dragging through your walk today but soon you will get a bit stronger and feel better doing it. Incrementalism can be the foundation of weight loss and other helpful habits.
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    maronesax1972 wrote: »
    Here’s a great little story, sounds similar to you.

    https://www.goalcast.com/2017/07/24/mel-robbins-felt-like-a-complete-failure/

    great read!
  • Shan_Wow89
    Shan_Wow89 Posts: 54 Member
    Very interesting read. I’m working on doing one small thing a day from walking to the mail box to check the mAil or even just doing some kind of light cleaning.
  • maronesax1972
    maronesax1972 Posts: 272 Member
    You got this Shan_Wow89. One small step. It will become a habit after 30 days. Then another. Only do one little thing at a time. Don’t think, just do. MFP family has your back!
  • jaxisabella
    jaxisabella Posts: 4 Member
    edited December 2018
    I’ve been in the same boat. Lots of good suggestions. I know exercise is the number one thing that helps my mood and anxiety but I keep starting and stopping and haven’t stuck to it long enough to be back in the habit. Any little thing is a huge mental effort. I’m going to try doing a day at a time and coming on here for support and connection. I started exercise today again. I think I can do it and you can too. Just keep on trying.
  • Safari_Gal
    Safari_Gal Posts: 888 Member
    Shan_Wow89 wrote: »
    I went for a walk today... didn’t really help my mood. I’m trying to find other things to try and keep busy, but nothing really seems to be helping. My doctor recommended a lot of what everyone here has recommended... I think the only thing I can do is wait for it to pass... thank you for the support!


    @Shan_Wow89 we all get stuck sometimes. I lose myself in stress with work a lot. It helps me to remember to be grateful for all the love that i have. Sounds corny- but what if you think of all the amazing things you have in your life and reinvent yourself?

    You have the means to chat with a group of people on MFP - that probably means you have a phone or computer.

    You can exercise- so you have mobility and are not disabled.

    You were logging food and meal prepping - so you were blessed with food.

    Hope that idea might help- it helps me when I’m feeling down and out. I remember how much I have and how many people would love to be in my shoes.

    Reinvent. Today. You can do this! Today is a gift of life.

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