How Do I Keep Motivation Going? | MyDepressionTeam

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How Do I Keep Motivation Going?
A MyDepressionTeam Member asked a question πŸ’­

I have always had a problem with motivation, especially with my health. I am now at the point where I need to lose weight or develop diabetes. The problem though, is getting the motivation to exercise, work out and lose the weight.
I used to go for walks every day when I was out of work, but I don't do it anymore. I don't like gyms, and I don't have the money for a personal trainer to keep me going.
How do you keep your motivation? What would you suggest I do?

posted January 5, 2017
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A MyDepressionTeam Member

Thanks for all your advice and for sharing, @A MyDepressionTeam Member
I know this change needs to happen. I know the consequences if I don't make the change. And I'm scared that it will happen.
I need to stop procrastinating and get sh!t done

posted January 9, 2017
A MyDepressionTeam Member

I enjoy free exercise like gentle walking. 20 minutes of gentle walking a day will lift your spirits. I have to stretch before I walk but even in cold weather, I find time to walk around a mall or grocery store and most of losing weight is actually about making healthier choices to fuel your body. Drinking only water and milk is something that helps me a lot. Choosing healthier proteins, carbs and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables works too. I still indulge in some processed and snacky stuff but I find the more I eat of the sugary or cheesy junk, the more I want it. I usually give myself one processed snack food a day and choose to snack on nuts or dried fruit if I get hungry while cooking. Also I share a junk food meal with my husband one day a week or we eat out together so I'm not depriving myself completely.

posted January 7, 2017
A MyDepressionTeam Member

Motivation what's that the body wants to go but the mind says no

posted January 21, 2017
A MyDepressionTeam Member

@A MyDepressionTeam Member i understand how that feels.. i have been unwell for so long i don't know what it is like to be well.. Now my new meds are starting to work i am scared .. hang in there ok you will do it in your own time.. as long as you do it

posted January 9, 2017
A MyDepressionTeam Member

Hi Dan, You have lots of good advice here but if I may add my own observations....
When you're depressed anything can seem huge and scary to accomplish, so we just want to run away and hide under a quilt until it's gone. So I'm guessing that at the moment that's how excercise feels to you, a huge, task that seems impossible, and just another thing that you could even fail at if you try (that may not be you, but I've heard it often enough). So the important thing is not the exercise itself, it's how you FEEL about it.

You firstly have to try and cut down that image of a massive goal in your head, into something more manageable. One way to do this is to find a way to make it pleasurable, so walk a little at a time with a friend, or one excellent suggestion someone made was to walk dogs for charities, they're desperate to get people in to walk their dogs. At least then you have a companion who be their very nature makes you want to walk with with them and share their company. I would even suggest writing down things you think you could do each day to make it easier on yourself, such as one day decide to park further away from somewhere you're going to so you have to walk to it, that kind of thing.

So make this a lifestyle change, where you commit yourself to moving more, and eating in a more healthy way. Food is a huge part of not becoming a diabetic, and so I would suggest you see a dietician to help you plan what you're going to change in your diet. They'll help you find ways and show you the hidden sugars in everyone's diets, whether they know it or not. But personally, from all the research I've read, changing to low fat foods doesn't work, and we're putting added chemicals into our bodies a well. All you have to do is look around, their are plenty of large people who are trying to diet and it doesn't help, they still get heart disease. I think the most important thing for you is to cut out as much sugar as possible. How do I know? I'm a type 1 diabetic, and have been for 30 years now.

I don't want to scare you into changing your habits so as not to get diabetes, but I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. At this stage, I have a nerve disease which gives me severe pain all across my body (and I mean taking legal narcotics type of pain), my eyesight is failing, and I lost my right leg 8 years ago, and it's all because I devlkoped this horrible disease on my 10th birthday. Mine I couldn't help getting, it just happens, but with you, yes you can stop yourself from getting it so I suggest you do everything in your power to try and not develop it, because what's happened to me is what could happen to you, and I really wouldn't want that, especially when it is preventable.

Take care xx

posted January 9, 2017

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