desperate for any help you can give me!

If you can convince yourself to get to the gym a 2 or 3 times and do even 20 or 30 mins of cardio, you might see how good you feel mentally and physically. Even sometimes when I haven't been working out in a bit after that first workout I feel much better and excited to go again. Just put on your workout clothes and make yourself do you. You've already taken the first step by coming here. You can do it!

I started walking as a way to get myself away from the kitchen, I would continually snack all evening if I was home. So maybe look at the gym that way, go so you won't be tempted to eat, it's a better alternative than going to bed early. The great thing is, the more you exercise the less you will think about food, I find I'm not hungry after I walk. You don't have to work out hard, even just going and walking for 20-30 minutes will be great for you and will keep you away from snacking and success builds motivation, so if you have to force yourself the first few times, do it, your body will take over from there.

Have you hear of EFT. It has helped some people I know a ton. Check out www.emofree.com You can do it on yourself at home. Paul Makenna has some books and video's out that are really good too. His series is called "I can make you thin." MFP has been the biggest help in my weight loss, but I use ideas and things I learned from Paul and EFT to help me with cravings or emotional eating.

It sounds too simplistic but just schedule your gym time. Write it on the calendar 3 days a week, with a time. And just go - because you've scheduled it.

I schedule my time to jog. I know when I go to bed at night that at 5am I'm up to jog. There can be 'I don't feel like it' however, if it's in the schedule, it's just time to do it.

If you have it planned, it's easier to do than just saying, "maybe I'll go this week."

I feel for you, I do. The irony is that once you get moving, it's easier to keep moving than it is to start. So once you get started, it will be easier to keep up the motivation! We're rooting for you!

I agree with a lot of the comments already posted. After a workout I always feel fantastic. It is getting to the gym that can be the problem. I found for me that I needed to be held accountable. So I hired a trainer. I knew I wouldn't miss a workout if someone is waiting for me. However, it is expensive and my time with my trainer is up so now I am doing it on my own. What helps me stay motivated to workout is by having my family, friends and coworkers keep me accountable. They know what my goals are and they often ask how I am doing and my husband encourages me to work out. I also work out with my family and friends when I can. Having a good support network is very important. Also, I like to go to the group workout classes. I find that I stay on track better when I plan to go to a scheduled class.

I hope that helps :flowerforyou:

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, so I will... Good for you for getting the help you need to deal with your depression! It's not an easy thing to do for many people and it's the first step in helping yourself to feel better. You must take care of yourself first and it sounds like you are starting down the right path. I strongly believe that a good therapist and the proper medication can go a long way to helping those of us affected by depression to work through our eating issues. You are right -- it's all tied to emotions.

The suggestions so far are great. It's hard to take the first step to commit to a healthy you. Just believe that you've already taken that first step (SEE ABOVE) and now are going to start adding little steps that will add to your new self! Start small. If you can't get yourself to the gym, tell yourself that you will be going for a walk every day. Get outside! Put the baby in the stroller, the dog on the leash and walk for 20 minutes. That's all it takes to make a start. Once that's part of your routine, add 2 or 3 times a week at the gym. It's great that there is free child care! But, don't stress yourself any more than you already are by trying to jump into everything all at once. Just take that first step to commit to a short walk outside each day.

As for snacks, like the others have said, just keep healthy snacks in the house. Fruit, lo-fat crackers, veggies and even reduced fat/sugar ice cream (within reason) are good choices. I allow myself ice cream once a week. That's my big treat for the week if I can make it through eating healthy snacks the rest of the week. The slow churn ice creams are very good and good for you. Just don't sit down with the whole 1/2 gallon! Measure your portion and dish it into a fancy bowl. It will really seem like a special treat for being so good to yourself.

And, that's the key here, be good to yourself! You're a beautiful, worthy person. Don't ever stop believing that!

Good luck.