I’m taking a huge risk by writing this post, but I think way more people deal with anxiety and depression than we know. So it’s really important for me to cover how to lose weight while battling anxiety and depression.
I have, personally, dealt with depression since I was a teenager. Then, when I became a mom, severe anxiety hit me like a ton of bricks.
Since I can remember, I lived my life trying to hide my depression and true feelings. I could go from being this happy and peppy girl one day to not even recognizing myself the next day. Even small tasks make me want to break down and cry and I am constantly terrified of things like dying and my kids not having a mother to raise them.
Have you ever felt this way?
If so, please know that you are not alone!
Having both anxiety and depression at the same time sucks. Having both is staying in bed because you don’t want to workout and then panicking because you’ll never lose the weight that’s making you so miserable. Having both is wanting to meal prep so you don’t continue eating like crap, but then going to McDonalds because you don’t want to cook.
Depression and anxiety can both take over your life in ways that make it worse. So, it’s important to learn to work around it if it’s something you’re going to have to live with.
How to Lose Weight While Battling Anxiety and Depression:
- Talk to your doctor. Seriously, if you haven’t done this yet- do it. There’s no shame in it. I was so scared to talk to my doctor (or anyone, for that matter) about it and when I finally did years later, it was such a huge relief. I made the decision to get on meds and it helped a ton. You and your doctor can find options that will work best for you.
- Consider therapy. Talking to someone who doesn’t know you or judge you can really give you a great space to vent. Letting everything you’re holding in out will give you more positive energy to focus on your health and fitness.
- Find an activity that provides some sort of release for you. I loved boxing because it helped me release SO much negative energy. Some people prefer swimming, some like dancing or running. Test a few out and see what works for you. Exercise will literally make you feel better- you just have to get out of bed and do it. By the way, I also have a free trial to my health club available for you if you are in the Chicagoland area.
- Force yourself to get out of bed and workout the same way you force yourself to get out of bed and go to work or take care of your kids. You just got to do it.
- Find healthy food options around you so when you don’t feel like cooking you can just pick something healthy up and not ruin your diet. Some ideas are Greek salads or greek chicken from Greek restaurants, salad bars, rotisserie chicken and pre-cooked veggies from the grocery store, chicken tacos or fajitas with corn tortillas from a Mexican restaurant and baked chicken or fish from anywhere.
- Plan and track everything in your Simply Fit Planner. Having a plan will help you stay on track and keep you way more motivated. Seeing where you’re doing well and where you’re slacking will help you make changes you need to make. The SimplyFit Planner has been a game changer for me!
- Get a pre-workout because, let’s be honest, battling depression and anxiety leaves you exhausted with very little energy and that may be one of the main reasons you don’t workout. A pre-workout drink gives you a huge energy boost and basically forces you to workout once you have taken it.
- Try yoga. It is said to have an insanely calming effect on your body and to be a huge stress reliever. And if you’re not flexible, don’t worry, you’ll get there.
- Sit and relax all of your muscles. Once you take all of the stress off of your shoulders, you will not feel so tense and will suddenly feel like you can workout.
- Listen to your favorite upbeat song. Listening to music you love is an instant mood booster and gives you crazy energy.
- Try the TeaMi skinny tea (you can get 10% off with code ELT10). When I’m just not feeling it and really slacking on my eating and exercise plan, I take this to help keep the extra weight off and it really works for me so it’s my go-to.
But, most importantly, know that anxiety and depression are not signs of weakness. They are just signs that you have been way too strong for too long.
The only thing more exhausting than having a mental illness is pretending you don’t. You’re fighting a war inside your head every single day. If that’s not exhausting, I don’t know what is.
Most people don’t realize that some people expend a crazy amount of energy just trying to be normal, that’s why not every workout plan or meal plan is going to work for you- because they don’t understand you. But that’s okay, you just have to keep going and find what does work for you.
Xoxo,
Jessica
