Depression and weight loss

I have PTSD (which has led to depression, although I don't have depression all the tme) and have found that after counselling, the thing that has helped the most is very strenuous exercise. As much as it can be really hard to motivate myself to do it - especially when the PTSD was really bad - the exercise really helps. I'm in a good routine where I'm doing weight lifting, bodyweight exercises (the same intensity as lifting) and circuit training four days a week, and also eat a lot of healthy food, and this has kept me in a good frame of mind for a while.

The only time my healthy eating lifestyle caused me problems was that I stayed in a calorie deficit for too long after getting to a healthy body fat percentage. My deficit wasn't that big (though it may have been bigger than I thought it was at the time) but do be careful.

Eating enough healthy fat is really important for mental health. Lack of carbohydrates can cause issues too. So it's a really good idea to stick to a very balanced diet. I eat 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat, and make sure the fat includes enough healthy fats (omega 3, fat soluble vitamins)

Vitamin D insufficiency may make depression worse. I make sure I get sunlight on my skin, I have to be careful about this as I have pale skin and live in a hot country, but I still do this. I also eat dairy products with fat in (sometimes full fat, sometimes half fat) because that's a source of healthy fat and also vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements may be helpful to some people with depression.

Generally focusing on eating a healthy diet is important, there may be other nutrients that could make things worse if you don't get enough.

That said, the number 1 thing that helped me is therapy. All of the above help, but it's in addition to the therapy.

I think weight loss (if overweight, obviously, lol) and healthy eating are massively important if you experience depression.

I'm not trying to minimise the extra difficulties of achievement if have severe depression. However the benefits are well worth the struggle. There's lots of studies on the importance of exercise and good nutrition. It gives you something you CAN control in your life, when depression makes everything feel beyond you. That feeling, getting a sense of achievement, increasing your self worth (you ARE worth the effort you're making), improved self esteem and confidence, positive feedback from others, (maybe) not needing the drugs anymore... what's not to like?

I'd suggest doing your research about what's best for depression, start with small goals that feel doable, and if you're going to use MFP then make some friends!

The hardest thing is the repeated habit of giving up in despair - trust me I know. I've been on this site over a year. I've lost weight sure, but my progress report looks like a seismograph! I've fallen off the wagon more times than I care to count. However I have made real progress; in weight loss, in eating much better, in reducing how much I drink, in doing activities I was incapable of not that long ago, on faster and better recovery from relapse.

I think of it as like snakes and ladders - the ladders are hard work but rewarding. The snakes are slippery blighters and can be devastating. But over time there is a great gain in well-being; it's just not linear progress.

Best of luck to you - feel free to friend me if you like.

Sorry about the depression- I have suffered most of my life with it- the tips received are great
I really have a hard time actually getting up and out to do anything- its hard to get motivated when you are depressed- you kind of get stuck, sometimes I force myself out- but its much easier said than done-
I did get a dog so that I have to go out for walks- that has helped

good luck!

First of all just let me tell you that you are not alone. I too suffer from depression and i cope my eating. like anything i have mym good days and bad days. Recently more bad than good haha. Over the past year and a bit my depression got that mad that i started suffering from really bad anxity and panic attacks, and had to take 5 months of work (i should add however that last year i suffered from 3 miscarriages which made my depression worse) when i'm having my ggod days i'm usually working out which makes me feel good about myself. I too have around 80lbs i am wanting to lose. Please feel free to add me as a friend i would love to help and support you on your journey. Good luck i know your going to do great. xx

right there with you, I've struggled with it since my teens.

regarding motivation... here's one mind trick I used: We can handle almost anything for a few minutes. I would convince myself to go outside for a walk by telling myself I was only committing to 10 minutes, and I know I can do that. More often than not, 10 minutes out, I feel 100x better and I decide to walk for longer. As someone else mentioned, getting enough sunlight is essential.

Similarly with food, I know that physically I can go without eating for a few hours. So, when I get one of those urges to overeat, I tell myself to hold out for 15 minutes; if I really can't handle it after that point, I can have some of what I want. Once I realize I can go 15, i realize I can go more and it becomes a challenge. I worked up to waiting 2 hours or more with this same strategy, and it helped me to get out of the habit of just reaching for food when it wasn't time to eat.

I was diagnosed with depression many years ago
I self medicated with alcohol and nicotine and gave both those up
went on meds and started to comfort eat
I have recently been diagnosed with bipol - losing weight is difficult but it is coming off - try to plan your foods with some of your comfort foods in the mix just to keep you going
calorie cycling can also be useful
take your weeks calories and some days do 200 more some days 200 less (or however you want to do it) that allows for treat days
also exercise is REALLY good for depression
get an mp3 player and go out and walk it will help the weight loss your stamina and your overall health