I am working with someone who has been diagnosed with anxiety disorder for many years which causes severe insomnea and that person is also OCD(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and taking Zoloft for the issues and it just totally makes this person float through life without all the stress and sleepless nights . That is the good part now the down side to not caring is getting urgency for the challenge or getting psyched up to work out. That part of this persons drive is also suppressed. This person came to me last night and had a genuine cry because this person could not get fired up to do the work outs. This person wants to do it. This person is eating meals that are on the plan but I don't know what to do to get this person geared up for the dive into it. Maybe one of you has run into this before but this person is too embarrased to launch the question out there in the public forums. Thanks for ANY help you can give us to get this person on track and fired up.
Dave

I am dealing with PTSD, Bi polar disease and ADD, I don't take any medication, I am not against taking them, I just don't want to get on some heavy duty stuff because once one is on something, they cannot just go ahead and get off whenever they feel like it, and since I am not a pill person, I just occasionally do readings that guide me on how to manage those conditions.

I don't specifically like to work out, I'd rather go straight to down hill skiing, biking or something, but each and every time I went to gym, at the end of the workout, I came out thinking "Oh Lord, am I ever so glad I came!", each and every time, no exceptions. Tell your friend that they don't have to love working out to actually want to go and do it. That is not required. Tell them to be forgiving toward themselves and to not beat on themselves so much since that is only going to get things worse not better. They need to get into readings that help them see clearly into their mental state of being and be able to underestand themselves. Medication is good but that is not the Ultimate answer, there are other things they can do to stimulate themselves into getting up and getting down to it. Also, they need to find a Transformer that lives close by and see if they can partner up together. This might help this person take the step needed to get started. They can cry to you at the gym all they want if you're there.

Everything in life had 2 driving forces behind it depending whether the person is carrot or a stick type of person. Depending on what type your friend is, talk to them about the negative consequences to not working out as well as the rewards. Like Bill talked about the penalties and rewards of getting things dones vs. not. Perhaps that would help him/her see the other end of the bridge and go from there. They need to know that they are not the only one who are dealing with a condition, millions and millions of people are. Anxiety is nothing compared to a cancer or severe physical handicap for example. Maybe if they see that things could have been lot worse than they are now, they would be able to generate some drive to get up and go, however small that drive may be at first.

Also, you guys might want to think about getting some specially designed subliminal cd's to help you get going. I used them for working out, for food and they are absolutely outstanding. Many people hesitate to ask question about them as if it's some kind of taboo that is not to be brought up under any circumstances, and that simply is total bolony, I dare you to try them. they work I don't care what anybody says. I use some relaxation, meditation, healing, brain conditioning and optimizing cd's and they are very effective. You should go to a huge book store, go to the audio section and browse through to see what you can find. The first ones I have ever used were Anthony Robbins', back then I have not worked out in few years after I got off the military, married this slub and let him swirl me down. I started to listen to them every day, and went from, zero mile running, to 12 miles in about 1 hour and 40 mns within like less than 90 days! (thank you Buddy Tony, I love you). Many times I 've seen anxiety treatement cd's on the shelves. Please think about this.

Good Morning from Cyprus Guys

Even though I am no medical expert I find that experience in life can be a great teacher, that being said I belong to a registered educational charity that teaches spiritual unfoldment, we teach personal prescribed practices, are not a religion and are one of the biggest schools in Europe, we teach for free and from our own homes.

What I have found with 10+ years of teaching is that when Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is within he meant that all the answers lie within. There is an eternal reservoir of strength, love, compassion, determination, positivity and so much more within thus we just need a way to tap into that. I have taught many people many people with addictions (be it drugs, alcohol etc) and first sign of trouble we tend to search exterior from our selves instead of finding a way to tap within.

I realise that there is a value in everything thus medication prescribed by a doctor must be taken but I feel that in the above case you should recommend that alternative therapies are administered so your friend can slowly come off the medication, I believe it possible.

Like attracts like, the more he can find other means to tap into his “true” self the more less dependent he will be on medication - the more positive he will become thus more positive circumstances will surround him and then the sky is the limit.

Wishing you all a great day

Pan

Hi Dave

There is a world of difference between Motivation and Inspiration

Motivation is the impetus to DO more
Inspiration is the impetus to BE more

As stated above, people can be motivated by either pleasure or pain (as they perceive it) e.g. outstanding health or an early heart attack, but that motivation will only work if they take it on board and make it their own. You can present all the facts, figures, stats and arguments to someone - but it's no guarantee that they'll take action.
As we all know - knowing something logically is very different from feeling it emotionally.

One option is rather than trying to motivate someone to do something, try to inspire them to do something. What do they find inspiring ?

Is it stories of others that have faced and conquered adversity ?

Is it doing something that will directly benefit an organisation ?
(e.g. running a race to raise funds for a charity or cause that's dear to them)

Is it doing something that will directly benefit an individual they know ?
(e.g. training with someone that is painfully shy / with low self esteem / dangerously unfit)

Perhaps they'd be inspired to be a role model for someone else that perhaps face the same challenges ?
(e.g. through a local group aligned with the Anxiety Disorders association of America - Anxiety Disorders Association of America, ADAA, Triumph Over Anxiety, Find a Therapist or something like "Big Brothers Big Sisters" - Volunteering - Volunteer work and volunteer programs with Big Brothers Big Sisters.)

We can be either paralyzed by our own challenges or totally oblivious to them - neither situation is good and it sounds as though your client falls into the latter group, thanks to their medication.

When there isn't motivation, look for inspiration.

Dave,
My epilepsy meds were my excuse for years. They slowed down my metabolism, and I just kind of floated through life. I had to retrain my body to work against these side effects, and I did! I am now on an even higher dose than I was, and doing wonderful-even LOST 100 lbs on the higher dose. We all have obstacles-motivation and inspiration are so individualized, but I think goal setting is KEY to your friend's success, that, and a daily plan to stick to, even when he/she doesn't feel like it.
A cheer I say in my fifth grade classroom:

I will do the right thing today-even if I don't feel like it.
I will treat people right today-even if I don't feel like it.
Today, I will remember that my will power is stronger than I think or how I feel.
All things are possible today.
Good things are coming my way!

Amy

Love,
Amy

Hello Dave,

Right now I am recovering from a recent severe anxiety/panic attack, actually two of them. And I am on medications for anxiety and depression. Because of my attacks, usually that would be the end of my workouts. This time because I had been working so hard the last 9 mos. and lost 30 lbs, I knew I had to go back to the gym. After missing a week of workouts I went back. It was the hardest thing I had to do.

My first goal, just get myself to the building with my hands clutching on the steering wheel so tight my knuckles probably turned white! If I got that far, then do a few minutes of cycling. If I can do a few minutes, do a little more. I didn't manage my full 20 minutes at my highest level, but at least I did it. Next, try to decide what to do next. I swear my heart was pounding in my throat and it was not the cycling! I tried a few of my favorite machines, work on my abs. I couldn't concentrate and would pause a lot during my workout. My workout took a lot longer than normal, but I got through it.

After three weeks since my first anxiety attack, my workouts are almost back on track. I still have to force myself to get there in the mornings. But now I use my workouts to try to relieve the stress and anxiety I am still dealing with. I'm hoping if I workout hard enough, I will be too tired to feel the anxiety.

If I could tell you friend, tell him to take it one step at a time. Tell him to make a plan.
"If I make it to the gym, I'll do five minutes on ....."
"If I make the five minutes, I'll see if I can five more."
"If I make 10 minutes, I'll do this machine 1 set for 15 reps"
"If I make the 1 set, I'll do another, then another."
... etc.

Tell him to do whatever he can manage. No matter what he does or how much, he would have accomplished that. The next time may still be difficult, but that is okay. As long as he goes step by step again. But once he starts, tell him not to give up. It helps to say to yourself "I have done this before, I can do it again."

I hope this helps. Tell your friend he is welcome to e-mail me. Sometimes, it helps to know someone who is going through the same situation.

Maria

Sounds like the person has geared up to stick to the eating plan. That's not easy. So there is already motivation and action. They get a certain feeling when they decide to eat right. Have them consider that feeling, how it feels to be motivated to do that and the mind set it takes to stick to the meals.

The key is to realize they are already capable and practicing the exact same skills in the one area that they will now apply to the next.

What do they say to themselves/picture or see/ feel in their gut when they decide to eat correctly. What do they sayor hear/ see or picture/ feel inside when they are tempted to eat something they should't, and they do the right thing anyway?

What will they be saying/ feeling/ seeing when they apply the exact same skills to the working out situation? Have them imagine that vividly.

This person is already successful. Take that skill and apply it to the next project.

Oh Dave. Please have that person email me!!! I can tell you, I have been there!!!! My medication was for severe depression. My business had me so stressed, I was depressed because no matter how hard I worked, it seemed to get further behind. I was working 12 hour days, depriving my family of a wife and mother and I lost myself. I had gained 80lbs. I was miserable. I would completely fly out of control with my husband and family when minor things would happen. I was literally a ticking time bomb. I started the medication and wow, did it help. But then, like you explain above, I kind of zombied my way through life. I had a oh, well, who cares attitude. I didn't care about anything. Not myself, not the people around me and the people who were hurting me, I said things and did things that brought me to the level they were at and that just wasn't a good place to be. 3 weeks after starting BFL (to the T), I quit taking the meds. For the remainder of that twelve weeks, I was in a really good place. When I stopped, I started slipping back. This past 7 weeks, proves to me that eating right and working out, is better then any medication they can give me. Please have them email me. Maybe them stopping the meds isn't a good idea, I'm not a doctor, but it would be worth it to see if cutting back would help as long as they are on plan.

Thank you all for sharing your stories and ideas with me here and I think I have a handle on a direction to take this. It is really important for me to bring this person to a better life than is there. This person is my best friend.
Peace,
Dave

I have also been diagnosed with anxiety disorder and also Depression and fibermyalgia.
I take Prozac and clonazepam for the restless sleep. I raley take the prozac anymore and but I still take the clonazepam. I have never had any problems, thank God with my workouts or wanting to workout. maybe because I am inspired and self motivated to do it as I have a passion for fitness, but I think as Paul said :
There is a world of difference between Motivation and Inspiration

Motivation is the impetus to DO more
Inspiration is the impetus to BE more

Maybe your friend needs more motivation or more inspiration, Just a thought, have her send me a message, I will be happy to help give her some ideas to help get her started

Love, Linda