Life Changing Mindset

How can I be motivated to exercise despite depression?

I have depression, and I find that as much as I want to exercise and lose weight, I am having a difficult time getting motivated due to my depression. Exercise does help me feel better and help with my depression, but does anyone have any tips on getting motivated in the beginning and continuing an exercise routine even when feeling discouraged?

Public Comments

1. Treat it like a decision which it is.

2. Haha I have the same exact problem. Try exercising with your friends, family, or dog. (if you have one) It helps a little. Or go somewhere cool to exercise where you enjoy being. As for motivation, I just have to tell myself to do it whether I feel like it or not. Once it's a habit things should be easier. Good luck!

3. It's a bit of a double whammy isn't it; you exercise and you'll feel better, but if you are depressed you aren't motivated to do anything!

Well, the best suggestion is to push yourself right out the door. You do have the choice and simply force yourself to put on your shoes and go. That's what I do, the worse I feel, the more I know I have to push myself. Also, enlist a friend or relative to help you, someone to be your walking buddy.

4. I have suffered form depression for 18 years... For me, instead of weight, it was drugs, and booze... But it was when I got fed up with my depression, and stood up, and made a conscious decision to change, to be happy, and have a different life.. Then I was able to quit the drugs and booze, and have a happy depression free life... Depression is not forever... Don't believe the Psychiatrists, they wouldn't have business if people realized they didn't have to be depressed anymore...

5. I say if its a video just stay concentrated and think of when your done how much you have lost and how good you have been doing, and also what helps is listen to music or watch t.v. while doing excersise.

6. I have depression, too. Some days getting out of bed seems like this impossible task, but I don't have a choice so I do it. You need to decide that you WILL exercise. It's not a choice anymore after that. If all you can do is a 5 minute walk around the block, then at least you did something. Then you will feel better about yourself and have accomplished something! I was watching the end of Oprah yesterday and she said that she HATES exercise, but she just forces herself to do it and feels good after it's over. Just make yourself do it. You can do it! Ask someone to check up on whether you followed through if that will help.

7. You have to make it something you look forward to. I have an iPod which I listen to while I walk. I listen to audiobooks and I'm always eager to hear the next part of the story. But everyone is different, find something that helps you.

It might help to change up the routine too. Like if you walk on a treadmill, go out in the neighborhood some day. If you lift weights, try helping someone move or moving furniture or loading a truck. One of the things that discourages us from exercise is the boringness of it.

Of course once you do start exercising more regularly, you'll feel better. And that will serve as motivation.

8. Start by going for walks every day no matter how bad you feel. If you are too depressed to even do that, ask your doctor for Wellbutrin. Welbutrin is an antidepressant and also a mild stimulant which may help you.

9. Have you been diagnosed with depression or are you self-diagnosing and saying that you are depressed?
If you have a real chemical imbalance, you can treat it with conventional drugs or take a natural route. Once you get your blood chemicals back in balance, it will be easier to make decisions. All of these suggestions that people have given are very good; find a partner, bring music, make it fun, take it easy at first to associate pleasure with exercising.
Group support is critical if you really want to make changes. Check out meetup.com, local paper, health department, local therapists, etc. and see if there are support groups in your area for folks who want to exercise together or for folks with depression. There's probably a local walking club near you.
Join a gym that has classes you can sign up for. Make the commitment to do it no matter what. Meet others in that class for support.
Walking is great. Good luck !