...when you fall of the wagon and just want to lay there and cry???

I was doing SO WELL for 3 months. The last month I've been -eh-. Still losing - slowly, but still doing it. But not committed to my plan (South Beach), giving myself too much leeway, etc.

The last few days, I've fallen completely off. It's depression, I know - I've struggled with this for the last 11 years (I'm 26). I KNOW exercise helps. I've been doing really well - 5-6 days a week for the last 3 1/2 months. But sometimes it seems like exercise gives me an excuse to eat more. And once the momentum shifts from me doing well to doing poorly, WATCH OUT! So how do I get myself re-motivated? I really need help. I'm seeing a counselor, exercising, have a good support system - but I'm sabotaging myself and don't know why. I'm ANGRY and SAD, and feel like I just need to DO THIS again - but I can't. I just CAN'T pick myself back up. And no, medication is not an option (please don't tell me why it should be, I know myself well enough and have been down that path before).

So. What do I do?

Hi Shelby and welcome,

Since you stated how much you've struggled with depression for the past 11 years, I was going to suggest talking to your doctor and trying some medication.....I personally don't see a need to struggle when there is help out there... but I see by your last comment that you are not going to do that...so, the only other thing I can say is I hope you and your councelor can figure out what will help you get the desired motivation you need.

How about posting this in the SUPPORT area to see if the chickies there have any ideas.

Good luck

I'm so sorry you are having a difficult time.

Leenie is right though - there really is no need to suffer, but that's your choice, of course.

I don't know if this will help you, but I used to feel so guilty and down and 'bad' for 'falling off the wagon'.. so I stopped using that phrase. Honestly. Now I say: "How can I FALL OFF the wagon, when there's only ME DRIVING IT???" and that kind of change in my thinking really helped me to forgive the little 'wagon stops' and pick up the reins again and keep going.

I wish you luck and strength.

Heather

Hi!

I do the same thing. When you have depression, anxiety etc... meds and therapy only go so far. Even my doctor says so. It is to be fought on all fronts at all times.

Its is so hard and its not really a choice... it doesn't feel like it. I am on nearly the max of my meds and it has stablized things but not erased this "just wanting to curl up and cry" thing....

Its been years and there is no easy solution. It is indeed a disease and not always easily cured. Some have a good reaction to some meds and they are fine., Some do everything and are not fine.

but the point is - there is no one cure... there is only one day at a time. One Moment at a time.

The only thing to do is love yourself, give yourself permission to feel what you feel and do all you can to make yourself better - for you.

and accept where you are. accept it and love yourself. then you can feel comfortable to move on.

much easier said than done.

I know exactly where you are. Its a moment to moment battle I too go through every day - it is real an not your fault or choice. When you get to a road block talk to your doc about the meds and see how they can be adjusted. see about joining a group. and see if there is anything you can do or join - like a hobby. or volunteer somewhere. Just one thing and it can help.

Meanwhile - keep posting. I will post too.

and don't give up on you or your weight.

Susan

I didn't really answer the question...

how do you motivate yourself when you only want to lay down and cry..

well - the answer is distraction and being kind to yourself.

I sugguest you ask your doc about DBT therapy. It is a newish kind and has been found helpful. search it online.

meanwhile self soothe do something really nice for yourself. when you feel good you will be able to continue.

make a list of why you want to do this - in the making it may help you wake up.

These are the things I do and they may or may not work for youi.

keep posting and cut yourself a break!

S.