things have gone from bad to worse

[zabrinalouise]

i haven't been on this website in a while now, i had lost weight but as time has progressed i've gained even more weight as i don't go outside at all anymore because of having bdd. i want to lose weight because i hate my current weight and how it makes me look but i just don't know how to go about it. i try most things and end up breaking down, it's a constant cycle and i just seem to put the weight back on if not gain more. has anyone else had a similar situation? i'd love to talk to someone about it and any suggestions for diets that seem to work and best exercises etc etc, it'd be much appreciated. x

[kallista93]

I'm not an expert, I'm a fellow traveler, so keep that in mind when reading my advice.

Since you don't like to go out, I would first recommend exercise videos. I like the ones from Skinny Bitch, I don't know if they are available in England, though. I like them because I liked the books as well, and the girls in it are funny so it feels almost like working out with friends. The other workout I do that always lifts my spirits is Dance Dance Revolution. It's a video game with a dance pad, and it's pretty fun. I can play for a couple of hours at a time without noticing. But be careful and stretch beforehand. The second time I played I got carried away and hurt my knees, which I didn't notice until the next day. I hate getting old! The last exercise advice I'm going to give is yoga. Gaiam is a company that has a lot of good yoga videos for all levels. It lifts the spirits and tests have shown that people who do yoga have better body image.

As for diet, I always feel better on a vegetarian or vegan diet. If you can't do that, maybe try to eat local, fresh, or organic. By taking the emphasis off "diet" and onto something bigger than yourself, like an ecological or ethical movement, sometimes you can get beyond your feelings of self hate. It's good to have a cause to take you out of your self, and since we're all food obsessed anyway, that's a good one.

Here's my final piece of advice, I promise. Even though it's hard to leave the house, try to do some volunteer work. My favorite places to volunteer are homeless shelters and food banks. Nothing like working with those in need to take you out of your hole and make you realise how lucky we are to have the option of refusing food.

Good luck. I'm not going to recommend therapy, because I myself avoid it, and meds. They really do help people, I know, but I'm one for trying everything else first.

[zabrinalouise]

thank you so much for the advice, i myself was thinking about starting yoga but i wasn't sure of the best videos etc to buy so i'll definitely look into that and the same with the other exercise video too, i have one but i think i need a nicer one that gets me more motivated. i think i'll stick with eating vegetables and fruit and it probably would help to look into some vegetarian recipies too, i do think you're right that it's best if i think of it in another form other than dieting, it may take the pressure off. the going outside part will be so very difficult though, it's been more than a year where i've barely stepped outside because i feel so awful and i always tell myself if i was thin i wouldn't feel this way so much which is probably true, i have to admit i never really thought of trying to do something like that but i'll deifnitely look into it i'm just not so sure i would manage it, it's lovely that you do that though. thank you again though for the advice, it's much apreciated. (: