What do I do? No motivation.

[justasomebody]

Hi. I have depression and social anxiety. I do no exercise whatsoever but I think I want to. I just can't get outside or into the car. The process causes me to breakdown and because I always fail at the task it causes me to hate myself even more. I know what classes I would do at the gym, but I can't get there, both physically and mentally. I can't motivate myself. I know I will feel self-conscious exercising, so what is the point.

Please help, I know it will be good for me.

[Elizabeth CP]

Are you getting help for your anxiety. If not you will need to try to get some support.

With the exercising it seems the gym has some big hurdles for you. Is there some way you can exercise at home or drive to a park at a time when there is unlikely to be people and go for a walk and then build it up to a run. The idea is to find something that interests you so you can exercise but doesn't trigger the anxiety like the gym. Acheiving success no matter how small is important to stop the terrible feelings of failure which feeds you anxiety. Good luck and hopefully you will eventually get to the gym. Recognise any small steps you take towards your goal and don't compare yourself with others as they are not going through what you are going through

[Zeal]

Hi just a somebody,

Welcome to the forum!

Elizabeth has some great advice, and I second her comment that small steps are just as important. If you don't mind me asking, have you been diagnosed with depression and anxiety by your doctor? Regardless, I really recommend you make an appointment with your GP to discuss your symptoms and concerns. Writing down a list of topics/thoughts you need to cover is helpful. This way, you won't need to worry about forgetting things during the appointment. If you're really nervous when you get to the appointment, you could pass the list to your doctor, so that they can help direct the session more actively.

I am happy and healthy, and have never joined a gym or been a regular there. I like walking and hiking, and have only just started going on a hike/walk with my boyfriend and two friends once a week. I have been inactive a lot since completing high school in 2010, partly because I was unhappy after school and suffered severe mental illness for which I was hospitalised, in 2012. Please don't be too hard on yourself. If exercise is viewed as a burden and a chore, then it will be just that. These days, I find incidental exercise more manageable and appealing. For example, walking around my university campus during a break, taking the stairs instead of the lift, vacuuming the house, walking to my boyfriend's house, cleaning my room or taking the dog on a walk with my Mum. Try doing active things with others, such as family members.

I hope you can seek help from your GP. If necessary, your doctor can refer you to a psychologist or counsellor.

Best wishes,

SM