Why have I quit..?

I know that living with bipolar is really hard. I understand the medication frustration. But sometimes the medication is better than the alternatives. Talk to your doc. Ask them to try something different. There are diferent options that were not available even a few years ago. Even without the bipolar...Its winter. millions of us suffer with seasonal depression issues. If like me you are anywhere in the midwest in the US it has been overcast and rainy for weeks. Not great for putting anyone in a good mood. Then there is the holiday stuff with family or lack of family, money and all of the rest. Maybe give yourself a slight break and change your goals for the time being to maintain. Keep logging your food. Try to move some even if its not at prior levels. If you were runng-just go for a walk. Put the before and after pictures where you can see them? Remember to take it one day at a time. Try to remember how bad it feels to be there. I know I really don't want to go back there again. Remember that food will never make you happy. If you don't already have one find a support group. Find someone to support through their journey. The more we reach out to other people the more we are helped. People living with bipolar are some of the strongest people on earth. Use that strenghth for positive changes. I know you can do it.

I have depression, so I have some idea about how difficult it is when you are in a funk. Maybe it is time to try something new, so you can get excited about the journey again. When I was like that this year, I started a me-based project "Hot for my 50th", and dedicated myself to it, and even though my birthday is long gone, mojo is still there.

Hugs
GG

They also have light boxes you can get which will have the same affect. Good luck to you!!!!

I see clients that go through the I feel good so quit the meds go for awhile and then crash circle. Perhaps a different med cycle would help? I know it's hard as it can take up to 3 months to see if a new regime is going to work out, but it seems to be worth it.
On another note... everyones mojo puts on it's invisible suit once in awhile. Hang in there, and good for you for being here!

It is OKAY to take a break from the intense exercise you've been putting in. It's okay to coast for a little bit too. Sometimes you just need a rest, to listen to your body and your soul. It is not okay to pitch in the towel and backslide. You've worked to hard for that. Can you just concentrate on staying within a 3# range for a few weeks while your mojo tank refills, then start again on the 1st.

What has worked for me is getting off the rollercoaster by elminating all sugar and refined carbs (quite a ***** for 3-4 days but all the cravings go away and my mood is much more even keel. Do you think that might help you? I can eat a little bit of dark chocolate now and be satisfied. It has been very freeing and I feel so much better.

We're here for you Beth. Keep coming back even if it's to rant. Perfectionism killed a lot of (other people's) success. You don't have to be perfect right now. Hang in there.

Laura

Hi Bethy,

You didn't quit. You just paused.
I did the same thing a couple of weeks back. But like catdoc, I have now eliminated sugars and refined carbs (I started the Paleo Diet 8 days ago), though I don't know if it has been quite long enough to separate any perceived effects from a normal cycle of ups and downs.

You know that it's important to be gentle with yourself, and allow yourself a bit of a break now and then. When I have a hard time getting motivated, I tend to tackle it by making myself a treat. Not a sugary treat, but something I can get excited about, like a new healthy and flavorful recipe I can just toss into the crockpot. I have been doing that a lot lately, and I've discovered I can get really excited about tasty healthy food. I've found tons of delicious recipes on SkinnyCrockPot.com.

But I have also dealt with depression in the past, and understand how hard it can be to get started. Just remember that you know more about yourself than anyone else does. You *know* what has worked in the past to help get you motivated when depression threatens to stop you in your tracks. You know what negative thoughts thoughts you have that serve to derail you, and you also know that you DON'T have to believe those thoughts just because you think them. You are far more powerful than that, my dear. Remember?

Perhaps you could try some guided meditations (you can even find some great ones Googling you-tube, believe it or not!) that could help pull you out of the funk. It's normal to get the blues this time of year. Winter slows everything down, the holidays make us nostalgic, and like others have said, the lack of sunlight often contributes to depression. But you are also aware that those of us with bi-polar, depressive, or SAD tendencies need to be especially aware of our mental state, and take proactive measures when we notice ourselves getting out of balance. You can do this. In fact, you already are. Just reaching out is a step in a very positive direction. Hang in there, and know that you aren't alone.