Depressed yet demotivated

[dreamtobethin]

Okay, I have been around this weight loss game many times before, in 2008 I managed to reach my lowest weight of 137 pounds and got into a size 2- 4 clothes. I was the happiest during this point in my life. Somewhere down the line i slipped back into my old habits and began to enjoy life without focussing on my weight and slowly and steadily my weight crept back; the other day I went to the doctors office and I weighed a scary 196 pounds..since my weight began to creep in I have been depressed and dont socialize as must but at the same time I am putting no effort to lose it; I am just not motivated enough. I don't know why is this? I feel miserable about the way I look and feel but yet dont do anything other than crib/cry and eat....I avoid people who have seen me thin; I dont go out as much; avoid any social get togethers since I have nothing to wear; hate to shop since nothing looks good. What do I do to get going on my path to get my old self back. Any ideas and tricks that have worked for you?

 

[clever_plant]

As always, internet diagnostics and advice should NEVER substitute actual advice and help.

To me it sounds like you might be suffering from an actual depression, as in the clinical one, and I would really advice you to see your physician and tell him/her how you feel.

Maybe you are sad, maybe you are clinically depressed, if you are I can certainly empathize with being non motivated, avoiding social situations and such, and just know that there is help to be had from the healthcare system

Other than that what have helped me a lot is to set small goals and reach them... and maybe try to identify what makes you eat, and try to sort of stop yourself whenever you are about to and think an extra moment about whether or not you are hungry.

Hmm.. also... I don't know if this will actually mean anything coming from random anonymous internet person but... realize that you shouldn't chastise yourself for being where you are

 

[Jeanette401]

I think it's really easy to focus on the failure and not what you need to do to succeed.

You can spend all day castigating yourself for letting yourself 'slip' and fail, or you can get up and do some exercises right now! Seriously, it is very easy to end up in a vicious cycle where guilt and bad feelings lead to inaction, which leads to things getting worse, which leads to more guilt and bad feelings...

Here's an analogy that I picked up on these boards to kind of put things in perspective. Imagine you've slipped and fallen a few steps down the stairs. Do you throw yourself the rest of the way down the stairs because you've already tripped, and deserve it, or do you pick yourself up and dust yourself off?

So just focus on getting back to where you were and how much happier you'll be. Ask yourself - do I want seconds at dinner, or do I want to be the happier me at 137 lbs? Do I want to skip my workout, or do I want ...

Hope it helps!