Trying again - MFP and Mental Health

clobrett

Hi all,

I first used MFP about, I don't know, maybe 5 years ago. As soon as I started seeing results on the scale I dove off the deep end. I was working out 60 to 90 minutes a day, weighing myself every day, going way under my caloric intake. Basically, I got very disordered about it. I lost 17 pounds in the span of three months, but I was always hungry and could see how mental unwell I was getting.

I live with depression and anxiety, I knew that the last time I was on MFP pal but I didn't have nearly the understanding of my own mental health as I do know. Among other things my mental health effects my diet and sleep quite a bit, I tend to sleep terrible hours if I don't have to get up for work the next day, I binge, I eat when I'm bored, etc.

I'm nowhere near overweight, but I'm definitely am carrying around more weight than I need to be and I really want to give this another shot, but in a healthier way than the first time around. This time I want my mind to catch up with my body, so I can feel positive about how I'm changing and not cringe everytime someone asks if I've lost weight.

Things I'm hoping to do differently this time:

-Not over exercise. Stick with the current exercise I get (lots of walking, cycling)
-Slowly introduce low impact exercise when I feel ready (stretching and yoga)
-Remeber that feeling hungry ISN'T A GOOD THING
-Have lots of fruit, salad, etc. on hand for when I'm snacky
-Remeber that it's okay to not count every single crumb I eat (I used to literally count out chips)

I'd love to hear about from others who have faced similar challenges and/or people who are currently dealing with the same thing. How did you step back and remind your self to take it easy? How does your mental health effect your diet and health (doesn't have to specifically be anxiety and depression)? Feel free to friend me (is that still a thing on here?) if you want to support one another.

-Chloë

joanna_82

Hi!
I’m a bit the same, I have anxiety and have had depression in the past.
I’ve had a few eating issues too so I’m very aware that this can be quite harmful in terms of obsessing over numbers etc.
But I want to eat back into a better routine and rely less on junk food so I’ve got my settings on the lowest rate of weight loss and am also doing lots of walking in addition to my weekly run and a bit of gym time.
I want to lose a bit of weight but most of all I want to feel stable and together and not anxious, and eating healthily, frequently and not relying on sugar is part of that!!

Good luck
Jo

Smile418

My anxiety tends to make me go the opposite direction in terms of eating and working out, but I think what's important that you're doing this time around is going in knowing where your weakness is and what went wrong last time. I know everyone gets motivated differently, but what helps is having a constant visual reminder. Perhaps writing out that list you just made on paper and placing it somewhere where you can see it every day (computer, fridge, etc.) will give you that daily reminder to stay on track. Best of luck!

DaisyHamilton

Hi. I had the same problem. I ended up with eating disorder tendencies and it was not fun. Today is my "official day one" of trying over again to see if I can keep myself on track without going overboard. It helps to talk to my best friend and husband about it. But I also feel like if I go to close to the disordered eating again, I just completely fall off the wagon and say everything and anything . I'm trying to find my balance. Feel free to add me if you'd like