Clinical Depression, Anxiety

Hi, is there anyone out there that has clinical depression and is finding it difficult to get the motivation to exercise?   I know I'd be losing weight faster and feeling better if I exercised more but it's a difficult thing on my own and almost impossible on a "bad" day.  I passed all my psych tests (both the surgeon's psych testing, and my own said "go for it") and I know that having wls (lap-band) IS a tool, not a magic cure-all.  I'm hoping as my other co-morbidities lessen and as I feel healthier, my depression will be easier to manage.   I guess part of it is working full time and being tired as heck, drained even,  when I get home and a limited window of time to do things that I enjoy.  Getting someone to work out with is really not an option.  One good thing I have is 2 great dogs I can walk after work, but the weather is not always good.  I also have a recumbant bike at home that's gathering dust.   Believe me, a few years ago I was in great shape, even WITH the depression, but the last years have been very stressful plus I went through a number of foot surgeries which prevented me from walking and I think I got into the habit of non-activity.  I also suffer from osteoarthritis in my spine and hips and have one herniated disc and one bulging one in my lower back, and one in my neck.  I know building my core strength will help as will the weight loss as far as my back pain.  I have a pain doctor and am on pain meds because none of the other treatments worked very well.  It's possible my pain med/muscle relaxant is making me drowsy but without them I cannot function at work, being in pain all day. Actually I know what the answer is, just start and it will become a (good) habit.  But boy is it hard.  Maybe what I need is some encouragement from someone who understands depression.  Anyone? 

I'm sorry but I don't suffer from depression.. but I hope that someone is able to give you some answers.  And.. btw.. welcome to the board btw.. I do suffer from just laziness and find it very hard to motivate to exercise.. and I don't know what the cure for THAT is either.. except to JUST DO IT..

I suffer from depression, and understand that inability to get started.  I have a therapist who gives exercise as homework for everything.  Once I used rain as an excuse for not walking, and his reply to me was "Do you melt?"  He runs 9 miles four times a week in all types of weather, and I do mean all types of weather.  He is over 60 years old, and he looks fantastic.   What works for me is setting mini-goals starting out.  For the first week, set a goal of walking the dogs for ten minutes a day.  Face it, like it or not, they will be much happier to live with if they are walked.  The next week, add five minutes.  So on and so forth.  You will find that you will have more energy when you get into an exercise routine, once it starts.  It is the starting that is that is the hardest part.  If you need to set a smaller goal, make it 4 times for the first week, instead of everyday.  Once you do it for a month, you will start to find it addictive, and you might even find yourself looking forward to it.  A lot of research has been done that indicates exercise is a great antidote for depression. Also, dust off the bike, and park it in front of the TV and watch the news while riding it.  Especially use this as backup for the cruddy weather days.  (I don't walk in the rain.  I do melt. LOL)  I also have a recumbant bike, which is my cruddy weather backup. I find that having an accountability partner helps me tremendously.  See if you can find a friend that you can check in with to tell you are exercising.  Check in here everyday to let us know how you are doing if you need to.  I could use the accountability myself.  I am a slacker too often.   Hugs, Trish

i really don't have a good answer for you either...just wanting to let you know i hoped things worked out for you "no pun intended". i actually am on lexapro and wellbutrin...so i know what you're going through...i've thrown in an added caveat of alcholism and have come upon my...wait for it....5th day sober.  yeah me! my next step is to get out there and start replacing some of these bad behaviors with some good ones...want to make some kind of challenge together.  i know that on our bad days getting out of bed can be a challenge enough...but i always like a bit of accountability.

Congrats on your now SIX days! Keep up the good work!

Thanks Patricia, and all the others.  The "take the dogs to go potty" walk lasts about 10 - 15 minutes, but it's a slow walk.  The excercise walk the dogs walk is almost 2 miles, and I do always feel a real sense of acomplishment when we finish.  It's rainy today so I will set a goal of doing 10 minutes on the bike.  I need to start keeping a journal too, I have done this with past diets but not so far with my wls surgery.  I will report back tomorrow, same bat time, same bat station!