Depression and weight loss

It can be really really tough.I have been on daily medication for years, and probably always will be. It can be hard to stay positive, especially on those down days. All you can do is take a deep breath and keep pushing through. You will get there, I promise

I easily could have written this post! I have been dealing with weight issues since I was like 9. Pretty much depression set in around then too. I've been on an anti depressant for the last 10 years. Dosage going up and then down the last couple of years. A few years ago I also ended up adding an anti-anxiety. I'm an emotional/comfort eater/drinker as well. It's how I've been dealing with anything (especially any kind of loss - death, relationships, family moving, etc...) since I was 9.

A year ago a light bulb clicked on and I finally decided things HAD to change. I started working out 5-6 days a week. Started tracking my food and eating better. Cut out all fast food, soda, beer, and crap. Lost 41 lbs (it was 50...the last couple months after a 2 week vaca I've been struggling to get back on track until this week...I'm refocused!!!). I started seeing a therapist a few months in to try to get over the trauma I suffered when I was 9 (dad died in car wreck I was also in the car...can you say survivors guilt?!?) Here it is a year and 3 months later and 10-11 months since I had started therapy. I'm feeling soooo much better. I praise the changes that I've made and my therapist for this. Now I still struggle with emotional eating...I'm in the process of "losing" my brother (my bff) and my niece since they are moving to Arizona. They just got back here from living in Ireland for 2 years. Losing them the first time was hard enough, I visited them this year and leaving them when I came back here is probably part of why I've been slack when I got back.

It's really hard and it is a balance, but the trick or key is...to know that you CAN do this!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!! I say that to myself often. It's simple, but how easy our brains will tell us no, or put in some self doubt bs. Also, if you do have a "bad" day do NOT beat yourself up. It's OKAY!!! You are allowed to have those moments. Every meal, every day is a fresh start. Just make sure you learn from your experiences. If you start with the self doubt, negative self talk because you "gave in" and had something "bad" then it's a vicious cycle that spirals quickly. There really is no bad food, I don't deprive myself of anything, it's all in moderation.

I'm here for you. If you need to talk/vent/rant. I'm a message away.

I think what also helps, is knowing that you are NOT alone. Trust me.

Suffered depression for years. I tried all things to conquer it.

Thing I found that worked in the end was quitting drinking which I did about 10 months ago. I"ve been much happier in myself since then. I used to "comfort drink" when down. It takes some effort to face the world instead of hiding behind drink or in food, but it makes you a more emotionally strong person if you can.

That said I also found that not drinking enough water made me very down( a dehydrated brain is not a happy brain).

You would probably find exercise will help (due to the endorphins) and also working on your self esteem. My self esteem sucks utterly (putting my current profile picture up was and is not something I am doing easily) and I am working through a CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) book on overcoming it.

FR sent and feel free to add me anyone.

I had a habit of binge drinking when I went out because of the confidence boost it gave me, but being empowered by alcohol is BAD. Numbing my brain to the anxiety and self esteem issues felt good at the time but the next day I crashed something awful. And probably ate a few bars of chocolate and whole loaf of bread in some kind of desperate attempt to feel better. I just got fat, though. Go figure.

I'm actually starting to enjoy exercise...it's fleeting, but it's there. I still find myself wanting to stop but that urge is getting easier to overcome.

Drinking. Yup. I know that feeling also all too well. I have definitely in the past used that to cope and last year I did give it up for several months. I'll have a beer or two every now and again, but will NOT let myself get back to using that...

Enjoying exercise...after awhile your body will crave it and you'll feel weird if you don't do it! Just make sure you find things you enjoy doing. Also changing it up helps. Last year I started with a Wii game - The Biggest Loser Challenge...it changed the exercises up and progressively got harder as I got better/stronger/more capable.

I'm on daily medicine for "situational depression," which basically means my situation is making me sad. But mainly I think I was depressed from losing my hair and dealing with some family issues! Go figure. Anyway, I'm only on a very small dose but it keeps me balanced. It makes me less anxious and makes me MORE goal oriented. I would suggest doing it!

Also, I blog almost every day, and I list out my goals for the week. Here's an example:

http://www.lululandadventures.blogspot.com/2013/07/goals-for-week.html

I found "writing" down my goals helps me immensely! Then the next week I'll check off my goals. This has helped me in writing, weight loss, basically anything I'm working on!

Feel free to add me as a friend for motivation.

First, welcome to the site. There are a lot of supportive people on here.

Second, you remind me of myself. I have highs and lows, and while I should be on medication, I'm not. I had to take myself off of my last anti-depressant because it made me suicidal (Sounds crazy, but its true). I have 100+ that I want to lose all together. I want to get into oneder land.

Just keep pushing, and if you do get into a low, and you do eat bad, do not beat yourself up over it. Just keep moving forward.

Thank you -- everyone in this thread -- for posting so candidly. I have been dealing with depression for eleven years now (realizing that is really frustrating) and today is one of those days where even basic goals seem unattainable. Depression is such a huge obstacle when it seems to weigh down your limbs, dull your mind, and squash your motivation. I'm not really sure how to push through in moments like these, but it's heartening to know none of us are alone.

I feel the same way alot of times...up and down...I'd love to support you and make it through this journey together