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How Do You Stay Motivated When You Are Feeling Low?
A MyDepressionTeam Member asked a question 💭

A few months ago, I started exercising three or four times a week doing activities that I enjoyed, including swimming and yoga. This was partially to counteract the weight I have gained since starting a new job in a sweet-making factory, but also because I have heard many times that exercise can be good for depression
All was well for the first couple of months, but recently I have found myself lacking motivation and not wanting to exercise at all. I was beginning to feel/see the benefits and… read more

posted August 23, 2016
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A MyDepressionTeam Member

Hey there @A MyDepressionTeam Member

I feel your pain sister! I have been using exercise as a treatment method for going on 4 years now and I absolutely love it! However, I do get days and sometimes weeks where I just don't have the motivation to go in. I am lucky to have joined a gym that actually phones you if you stay away longer than a week to make sure everything is okay and that has helped me in some respects. I also have a trainer that does not and will not give up on me so I have my own motivator in the gym that helps me fight the weight-loss battle with full force. I would not have come this far without him.

The most difficult thing for me is getting past the mental barrier. I have to be mentally present and positive in order to be successful in my workout otherwise there is no hope. The physical pain has, at times, made me question my decision to join the gym and I have had to fight myself to keep going but it has also shown me that I am stronger than I think I am. Pain is good. Pain helps us grow, it shapes us and it makes us work harder. Pain is a sign that you have actually worked hard in the gym... at least that's how I see it. Also I change my routine regularly so as to avoid boredom :)

To get myself out of a bad week, I read a lot of inspirational quotes and watch inspirational videos on youtube or I look at old photos of myself and trust me, what an ugly sight. That helps me get back on the saddle. Also, don't be too hard on yourself, you are going to go through ups and downs and sometimes the downs will be pretty bad but remember that you have to fall to be able to get back up.

I wish you the best of luck and keep going, you are doing great!

posted August 28, 2016
A MyDepressionTeam Member

Exercise is great, but @A MyDepressionTeam Member is right. The motivation, or lack of it, is tough to overcome. What I've found useful is giving myself an out after 10 mins. Anyone can do anything for 10 mins. So I do make myself go to the gym at times and if after 10 mins, I really don't feel like continuing, I stop and I leave. It's that permission to stop that reduces the anxiety of me not wanting to go. In the 4 or so years I've been doing that, I have only taken myself up on leaving after 10 mins a handful of times. But the next day seems easier. Hope this helps.

posted September 15, 2016
A MyDepressionTeam Member

Trouble is to get over depression you need to do stuff. To do stuff you need motivation. Depression reduces motivation. So you dont do stuff. So depression gets worse. So its a vicious cycle.

posted September 15, 2016
A MyDepressionTeam Member

Hey @A MyDepressionTeam Member!

I know exactly how you feel. I currently have a similar situation where I find myself at a lack of joy of the thing that I normally love to do and lose interest. The best way that I have found myself getting back on the horse is to have someone there to motivate you. Someone who will pull you into doing things for the better.(Friend, Partner, Professional, Etc.)

I have also found use in posting Pictures or Posters and things in that category of the stuff I love to do around the room or house. In Example of your situation: Work out images, Nike Posters, and simple things like that. It may seem pretty basic but waking up in the morning, reading some of the posters and telling myself "I want to do this! No, I'm GOING TO do this!" has been a key factor in my living process since my incident. It's definitely something you want to look into! Good Luck and I hope for you the best~

P.S. Sorry for tagging you twice.

posted August 26, 2016
A MyDepressionTeam Member

Exercise is 90% just showing up....and just doing what you can

posted July 15, 2018

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