How do I keep going?

[Goldfish13]

Over the past year I have lost almost 50 pounds. I still eat unhealthy and never exercise though. How do I make healthy habits stick? Motivation is really difficult for me because I have severe depression. I don't know what to do. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks.

[Tiggerr]

Hello Goldfish13.

Congratulations on losing the 50lbs, you should be incredibly proud of yourself for doing that.

To have lost that much weight over such a long period suggests that you have healthy habits. Keeping them can be tricky but you've come to the right place for motivation as you'll never find a friendlier, permanently available group of caring people.

Yesterday afternoon and evening I spent craving and could have easily demolished a couple of thousand calories in a blink. My point, is that yesterday was hard for me and I felt like saying "to hell with it, I'll succumb to my 'whims' now and deal with it all tomorrow".

If I had fallen off the wagon I would come here and someone(s) would have some words of wisdom to impart or simply a caring response. I didn't trip up but I still come here because this forum is inspirational and motivational whether I'm up or down.

Stick around and you will find a wealth of caring and motivation.

Good luck on your continuing journey... you've been really strong up to now and you can do it.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, Goldfish

Depression is a horribly debilitating thing to live with and you have my full sympathy. I have found exercise to be a terrific mood lifter and always feel better after I've been for a run. Maybe you could find something that would have the same effect on you?

It's the same with food. If I eat unhealthy food, I feel bloated and sluggish. However, if I eat well, the brain fog clears and I feel a lot more spritely, which is quite something for an overweight granny

Take a look at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), read the Welcome Newbie thread, then move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you.

Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news.

Take a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as a lot of people have been successful with it, making sure to enter your details into the BMI calculator, to get a calorie allowance tailored to your personal requirements. Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate.

We run daily weigh-in's and you'd be very welcome to join us. The threads can always be found in the Events section, to the right of the HOME page, bottom on a mobile.

Be aware, that the HU app doesn't give you access to all of our important features, so we advise that you use the full website page.

We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too.

It's only left for me to wish you well on your journey

[NannyEJ]

Hello Goldfish. A 50lb loss is absolutely amazing! Do you really want to jeapordize that loss by slipping back into unhealthy eating habit? Me thinks not!

You say you never exercise but that you suffer from depression. One of the best ways to combat depression is exercise so your body can make its own feel-good hormones. Also you will use up calories so it will be a win/win situation.

It doesn't have to be anything drastic; walking is ideal. There is nothing like a walk in the fresh air for making you feel better about yourself and life in general. You can start off slow and gradually build up. Join one of the fitness initiatives on this site such as the 10,000 step challenge or the Walking for Health community. You may even find you can graduate to a run in time 🙂

If you take control of this aspect of your life then the other issues may fall into place.

Do you have a buddy you could partner with? This would definitely help with motivation. If not then keep visiting us on this site and we will try to motivate you.

You can do this Goldfish, good luck and best wishes. EJ xx

[Daisy1925]

Hi Goldfish13

I have experienced depression on and off since my 20s (I am now nearly 65). I have had years of antidepressants and all sorts of 'talking therapies' but I still don't have it under control. I am also a retired mental health professional so have had over 40 years of working with people with depression.

It saps your motivation and it gets you in a vicious downward spiral of over eating, over drinking and weight gain so you feel even worse about yourself. I stopped my antidepressants very slowly at the end of last year (under medical supervision) because they were not really working and the side effects including weight gain and nightmares were not helping either. I thought I was doing fine but I have started having days recently when I can feel the grip of negative thoughts and feelings seeping back in. I totally agree with everything that has been said about exercise and mood. I make myself go out nearly everyday for a walk, even when I really cannot be bothered, and I always feel better for it. My dog is my best fitness aid ever!

You don't say if you are getting any professional help with your depression but don't suffer alone.

Daisy1925

[Knotty]

To make a habit stick you have to practice it. (Some say 21 days is what it takes but I understand it depends on the habit/person and could take much longer.)

So if there is something which you know you are not doing now but which would be good for you, start right away on that one thing and one day you won't think about it, you will just do it.

I'd start with just one thing rather than try a total transformation of habits in one fell swoop. I'd also look for a positive change (to do something or swap to a healthier option) rather than a negative one (to give up something - like not having a late night snack of cheddar and buttered biscuits if that was your current delight).

Any way, best wishes for your future success.

Knotty