Losing 'Grief Weight'.

Hi There-you need to try and channel your grief in a new direction. Start with a short walk, ask a friend to go with you, go to a mall etc. Losing someone is very sad but you don't want it to spiral out of control. If food is your choice of comfort then at least start resetting your mind to eating healthier options. Small steps will get you there faster than you think!

I'm sorry to hear about your mother. It's normal to use food to cope, and it's also healthy to realize that it's time to change that. You're going to do great

I'm going to add you. I'm a full-time student, too. Undergrad, but hopefully will be starting grad school full-time in 5 months.

Does the GF in your username stand for gluten-free?

I totally understand! My mother died when I was 18 & I gained 30 pounds. Now I'm trying to lose it 5 years later..

Very sorry for you loss. Great decision to come here though! Losing my mom is what brought on a lot of pounds for me too and one of the main reasons I came here to track & find support to get fit again. Exercise has helped me a LOT and getting healthier is making me start to feel more sane also. Good luck in your new start!

Sorry about your Mother's passing. My Dad died February 2011 and I ate my feelings like there was no tomorrow for the rest of that year. I decided in Jan 2012 that I was going to make my Dad proud and lose the weight. I lost 30 pounds from Jan 2012 to Dec 2012. Would have been more but I wasn't fully committed. I have really buckled down this year but with the 2 year anniversary of him being gone coming up, I feel myself slipping back into old habits. Losing a parent sucks.

I am very sorry for the loss of your Mother. I know what it is like to be an emotional eater. We just need to remember how good we felt when we previously lost weight. And make this the last time for this type of struggle. You will do it!

Hi,
Today is my first day on this site. I am very sorry for your loss and for the loss of all the others on this site. To the gentleman who lost his wife in his 30's, I lost one of my best friends six years ago and I know from watching her husband and young children how devastating losing a partner is. I also know that losing a parent is devastating. My father passed away almost two years ago and I put on about 20 pounds during my most intense time of grief. I was 46 when he died but no matter what age you are, when you lose someone you love it's very difficult. I also put on 20 pounds that I never took off when I started having miscarriages, the first when I was 28 and the last of seven miscarriages when I was 42. I have two wonderful boys who are 9 & 11 and very active and I don't think they really believe me when I tell them I was thin and a decent athlete myself through college. I really want to keep up with them, play basketball and soccer, run and hike so my motivation is multi-level.

I have been on and off the weight loss wagon now for about 15 years and really think it's time for me to make a permanent change. My father died of obesity related issues at the young age of 68 and I know he does not want for me to have to face the same sorts of challenges he did as he grew older. His death gave me the courage to quit my full-time job and work only part-time (with the support of my husband) so I could pursue my dream of finishing my novel and adopting a career as a writer. I know it's quite a goal but I've been taking writing courses, networking with other writers and most importantly, writing almost every day. I am now also a regular contributor to a Northern California business magazine and that has helped boost my confidence.

My novel centers around a woman and her mother and how they regain their lives after the death of their father/husband by starting a kimchi making business (I am Korean and Scottish/Irish). It centers around healthy food and positive life changes that must be made in the face of adversity. In some ways my desire to lose this weight and get in shape is life imitating art because I have learned so much about myself writing this story. I am currently working on the second draft and hoping by the sixth draft, with help from my writing community, the story will be ready to be sent to literary agents. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for that moment.

One important thing I have learned from writing is that mine is much better when I have help. Mentors, critique partners, friends who will take the time to read my work and give me feedback. After many solitary attempts at weight loss, I am wondering if losing weight would also be easier with support from others who understand where I am coming from who would support me as I support and encourage them. I picked this thread to respond to because everyone seems so compassionate and motivated. I picked MFP because it's free and looks like it offers a good product.

I'm not sure what the next steps are to get involved with a group of people but would welcome any advice.

I'm sorry, I know you miss her. I lost my husband last May. In the same breath I bless and curse the things that remind me of him and the fact he's gone. The love is still there, and they only want the best for us and us to be our best. In this regard, it's okay to be selfish and take care of yourself. If you need a friend feel free to add me.

35 pounds is a lot of weight lost. Such a great job. I am sure your dad is looking down proudly

I think I was meant to find this thread today.
Thank you to all of oyu who have posted about their losses I am so sorry you have been through all this.
I lost my Dad in Jan this year. He struggled with his weight for as long as I can remember but he got there although it seems it was too late.
Going through birthdays especailyl for my kids is hard as was Easter as it was a special time for all of us.
I tried to do well in his memory but I think I tried too soon and needed to put some grief weight on as coping with any tasks was too much. I have just now started the 5:2 fast diet and it does seem to help. I have to focus for 2 days which I can do and then not pressure myself as much the rest of the week (although I am trying to be good then too). I think we all deal with grief in different ways and it was always be painful so now I have realised this it does make it a bit easier to try to focus on me and not on the grief and loss.
I am 40 next March and my little brother has challenged me to a 10k so that is what I will do in Dad's memory.
Its a long road but at least we've all made the first step
thanks again all for inspriing me on what for no particular reason has been a hard day
x

I'm so sorry for your loss. My Mom died almost 5 years ago and I ate my way through my grief too. A lot of emotions to work through, and it takes time. It's a roller coaster. Would love to support you.

As so many people have said already... my commiserations for your loss.. I know how hard it can be..

I lost my Mother to Cancer when I was 16 years old (16 years ago this year) the pain never really goes, but I found after a few years I wasn't thinking about the negatives of my mothers death quite so much, but was focusing more of the fun we had (which made it easier)

When mum died I hit a long patch of depression (didn't know it at the time as no one put a label on it... I was just described as a messed up kid, my mood swings were put down to being an obnoxious child)
It was only after 13 years of suffering like this, and a long term relationship, of 20 years, breaking down that put me over the edge.

Rather than go for the comfort eating, I went for comfort drinking... I was very close to becoming an alcoholic within 4 months.
My roller coaster stopped spiraling when a doctor finally diagnosed depression and Ive never looked back since.

It will be a hard slog for you, but you can get through this bump in your road, it just may take a little time.

You have certainly come to the right place, since I started using this app properly (almost 2 months ago) i have found no end of supportive people here.

Good luck with you journey, I know you can do it

Feel free to add me if you wish
xx

I understand grief weight. I lost a friend 4 + years ago. First I lost 20 pounts -- suddenly -- sallow. Then gradually over the months that followed, I put on and put on and put on. 4 and 1/2 almost years ago, I am forty pounds too heavy. I am beginning the healing road back.

Thanks for sharing your journeys. My deepest sympathy to you as you heal from your grief.

I'm so glad Edena. It will be ok. That's the most important thing to remember.