[tabnov70]

I'm a new member to this site - I just signed up yesterday...I posted the following yesterday in the "Self Help and Goal Setting" section with no response. I came across this topic and my issue seems better suited here.

It's a beautiful day. The temperature is just how i like it mid-50's. Yet I haven't been outside in well.... I can't remember. At least 2 weeks now and that was to go to the grocery store. I don't like going places anymore and I feel awful about myself. I signed up here because I'm tired of feeling this way. I fully intend on changing this about myself. My plan is to get up and take my dog for a walk around the neighborhood. I'm going to try and do it after the sun comes up, which will be difficult....I really have a difficult time being around people because I feel so bad. I'm hoping that if I start walking it will help me get over this rut that I'm in and I'll lose some weight too. If anyone has ANY suggestions that have worked for them - please let me know. I haven't told my family about this. I didn't even go see them at Thanksgiving this year and I really don't want another holiday to go by.

Well I didn't manage to go for that walk this morning - I stayed in to make cookies for an office party my boyfriend was having where he worked. I am going to try again tomorrow morning. I feel better today but I really miss the life I used to have and any suggestions would be very appreciated. I want to try and overcome this on my own before seeking professional help.

Thank you

Welcome & I hope that you find what you're looking for. My question is on a scale of 1-10 how confident are you with dealing with this on your own? It wouldn't hurt to seek out professional help...a therapist who you can talk to & that will help you sort out some things. Anyways at least you are trying to reach out in some way. Take care 8)

[pbutton]

The things that have helped me most are: exercise, therapy, and convincing myself that I am going to do this. Best wishes to you. It's a hard fight, but VERY worth it.

[jitters]

Originally Posted by SoFragile88

It wouldn't hurt to seek out professional help...a therapist who you can talk to & that will help you sort out some things.

I wonder why you're determined to conquer this all by your lonesome. It's great that you've got that determination but please keep in mind that, statistically speaking, you've got a much better chance of recovering if you're in therapy. (Therapy + meds is the most successful treatment plan for the general public.)

Walking is an excellent way to get an endorphin boost and increase your overall well-being. I find it's best to schedule a specific time for exercise, get all your gear together and ready to go in advance, and when the clock strikes "exercise time", just jump right into it and do what you can. I don't say, "I'm going to exercise for ____ amount of time", because I'll get discouraged before I even begin. If you get five minutes in, consider it a success. What's important is to make it habitual.

And, on the flip side, I think it's equally important to be kind to yourself and forgiving when you don't meet your goals on any particular day. If your emotional state has drained you of every last drop of energy, consider it a success if you've showered. Really. Microwave yourself dinner and do a happy dance in celebration of the fact that you met your survival needs that day. (Happy dances are a good way to burn calories )

A good doctor will recommend omega 3s for depression/anxiety, so that's something else you can do to help yourself. 1,000-3,000 mgs. of a quality fish oil supplement will benefit most people. I sometimes take SAM-e, and Choline & Inositol every day for anxiety.

Keep posting here, too. Relating to people who are in the same boat can be very cathartic.

Good luck!

[tabnov70]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions - it was really nice of y'all to take the time

Today has been a pretty good day so far - I've done 2 loads of laundry! Which for me is good because I have to walk to through the apartment complex to get there and I really don't like being seen. I'm trying to work on that by telling myself no one knows how I feel inside nor do they care.

I'm trying to do this myself because I haven't always been this way. It started March of this year and I'm really not sure why. In June of this year I had a pretty severe knee injury and I didn't get to the point where I could walk on it until August. My weight went through the roof and I still can't exercise the way I used to and I don't know if I'll be able to. I don't have medical insurance so I don't really know what happened to my knee - I'm just glad it's better.

For some reason I've developed a fear of being around people - it takes real effort to go to the grocery store or do laundry.

I have a boyfriend who really doesn't understand why I'm like this now and I've talked to him about it but he really doesn't know how to help.

I just really am tired of feeling this way and I hope this is the motivation that will help me pull through this.

I will try the supplements that you suggested and try to get outside more and walk. My hope that is I will feel more confident to begin working out so I can wear my clothes again and feel like "myself".

Y'all have made my day by responding - it really means alot to me to know others have experienced the same things and have found ways to work on them.