Learned helplessness

(Richard Brazier) #1

Hey,

Sorry if this is the wrong section, I wasn’t sure where to put something about mental health issues. Anyway…

I came across the term just yesterday, I think from one of Jimmy Moore’s podcasts, called “learned helplessness”. When I looked it up I realised that I have very much been suffering from it. I’ve been a lifelong low cal dieter which, as always seems to be the case, led to a few years of success followed by prediabetes and weight gain at a rate that would make a blue whale’s mother proud!

I finally understood what was actually going on (thanks Gary Taubes, Tim Noakes, et al), but only figuring that out at the point where im the heaviest I’ve ever been along with all the physical and motivational issues that come with that.

I’ve been dabbling when and where I can with low carb for about six months but I’ve found it so much harder to stick to that previous diets I’ve tried. But im pretty sure it’s not the actual diet that’s the issue. Just my mental state. When I’m on it I feel all the benefits and my carb addictions fade away but then my motivation collapses like I know it’s not going to help, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

So I was wondering if any one had suffered from this and had any tips or resources for addressing it?

Cheers

Rich

(Allie) #2

There’s a Shawn Stevenson podcast that addresses this exact thing, The Model Health Show. Can’t remember which episode but they’re all listed on his site -

I think this is something that most, if not all, have experienced to some degree. I know I have been there but not sure my method of enforced fear facing and kicking the heck out of comfort zones is suitable for everyone else :joy:

(Richard Brazier) #3

Oh awesome, thank you. I needed a new podcast to listen to now that fasting talk has ended so you just solved two of my problems with one answer :slight_smile:

#4

Helps to learn enough about LCHF/keto to feel inspired about it, and to know enough about metabolic healing and neuroplasticity to feel self-compassion for both the old you and the new you. Food is very mental & emotional (some have described food preferences as religious even, in their fervor) - changing our dietary way of winning (WOW) in ways that heal our metabolisms is a powerful act that addresses root causes of things. The feeling of helplessness that comes up is a sign of battle in primal terrain - and uprooting addiction and/or old trauma patterns in general can be a wonderful feeling of freedom & empowerment after you’re fully keto-adapted.

I really enjoyed the Ketone Power: Superfuel for Optimal Mental Health and Ultimate Physical Performance by Cristian Vlad Zot (a Romanian who wrote it in his late twenties) - he focuses on the power aspect via science and personal stories about his body recomposition, encouraging!

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #5

Some of the techniques for staying sober, especially in early sobriety, can help. The idea of taking things one day at a time is important. Also, I have found it very helpful not to trap myself; for instance, if I thought I’d sworn off alcohol forever, I’d have gone out and gotten drunk, just because. Instead, I tell myself that I can always drink tomorrow, but just not right now. It’s the same with keto: I can always have that dozen glazed doughnuts or that bag of chocolate candy tomorrow, but for right now I’ll stick to bacon and eggs. I find that once I get clear about how my current situation of what feels like deprivation is actually a position of freedom, then that trapped feeling subsides and I’m fine. For now, anyway.

#6

There’s an old adage: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

I break big goals​ into smaller goals and then into even smaller, easily accomplishable tasks that are measurable. The measuring gives me feedback and that’s what keeps me motivated on a day to day basis. The first successful​ly completed task makes me feel good, which encourages me to do the next task. It’s successful completion makes me feel good which encourages the next one. It’s a self propagating positive feedback loop. Most tasks will be successful (they were intentionally designed to be easy) but the occasional failure is taken in stride because I’ve been built up by all the successes.

You may want to consider learning how to fast. Extended fasting builds discipline, self control, and will power, all useful tools for life in general. Beyond the character development attributes, it’s also effective at fixing metabolic issues, weight loss, and can be employed to allow greater flexibility in diet.

There are lots of people on this forum to be help, support, and encourage you. You’ve come to the right place.

(Richard Brazier) #7

Thanks. One step at a time is definitely a better way to look at it. Lots of small, achievable goals. Combined with the, you can put that off till tomorrow, but the carbs not the diet:slight_smile:.

Thanks to your advice I just did a short 18 hour fast, my first since spring. You’ve definitely got the cogs turning again. Also decided to start binging on Tim Noakes YouTube vids. A much healthier thing to binge on I recon :smiley: