Gaining weight back - very depressed

I lost 25 lbs and since mid-summer, I have gained back 12 lbs. It is grey outside, snowing and I am very depressed. I stopped weighing myself and logging food and exercise. I know how to get back on track but just don't seem to have the past motivation. I tried my clothes on and they are all tight. I do not want to buy new clothes. Just ranting as I don't have anyone else to talk to about this. Thx for listening (or reading!!).

Replies

  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    My normal tactic is to set myself a 'goal' and plan it out.
    Ie, say - I want to make sure I'm in shape for Glstonbury festival, so I can wander around without my tshirt on.
    Thus, I need to do x exercise every week and eat y food to achieve it in the time scale.
  • 33Freya
    33Freya Posts: 468 Member
    It's your choice to give up or get back on track. Perhaps it's time to seek treatment for your depression. Talk to your doctor.
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    I'm in the same boat. I gained back about 15 lbs while dealing with work stress and planning a proposal (too much to do and fell off the wagon). I registered for a Tough Mudder in April to force myself to get back into shape or be thoroughly humiliated. I find that having a hard date as a goal is a great motivator for me.
  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,301 Member
    I get where you are coming from.

    I am fortunate, for the most part since I discovered salicylate sensitivity which drops my moods right back, for me it is very much dose dependant; with all the Christmas perfumes and cleaning products in the environment as well as salictylate in food it can get hard to counteract. Seeing a doctor might help but salicylate is in general the very last thing they learn about or think of in relation to weight gain and mood control yet they are common symptoms referenced to this toxin. Try a search for salicylate sensitivity, there is a web site, it might help.

    Try to get back to logging, put your self onto maintenance for a few days, may be till the turn of the year, just to keep you tracking then cut back again.
  • 1Lightstep
    1Lightstep Posts: 64 Member
    Hello

    You are in a position that a lot of us here can empathise with, having been on the upwards spiral ourselves.

    My advice is to do small things to get you back on track, if the bigger things seem to much. One less snack, one smaller portion, a short walk etc. are things that contribute to a healthier you. Try to look for the positives and don't berate yourself over the things that you are not doing. Each new moment is a new opportunity to make the healthy choice. If you miss one, you still have the next one.

    A lot of people feel a bit down at this time of year, with dark cold days and some people feel worse around Christmas. I think it is harder to diet when you want warm comfort food on cold days and harder to exercise when you want to stay in the warm rather than go out. Roll on summer, when salads are so much more appealing and walking in warm sunshine is a pleasure!

    If you feel that you are suffering more than you usually do at this time of year, or more than others do, a visit to a doctor who will listen to how you feel may help.

    Best wishes for a positive new year.
  • Retiredmom72
    Retiredmom72 Posts: 538 Member
    The holiday season can be a season for depression. It is easy to want to stay inside and eat comfort foods. Don't give up. Start small by logging food and water or taking a walk indoors if necessary. You are not alone.

    It is time to start again. Slow and steady wins the race. Take care.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
  • You can't expect 100% constant success. Backsliding happens. Just start thinking about what you want and let the motivation start coming back to you. Give it a day or a week or however long it takes to really feel ready to go full force again. It the depressed feelings don't let up then you might need some help, but a lot of people get a little depressed sometimes, and it is not always a chronic problem. Just try to get back into good habits within the next couple days or weeks, when you feel ready and don't beat yourself up for this hiccup! As soon as you start focusing with new energy again, you will start seeing success again!
  • Thanks everyone for the posts!! These really help. Nice to know there are others out there in same situation. Feeling better today.
  • I Love Lamb Chop! This is my recommendation! Go to the mirror, smile, and say: I am starting my life over NOW! Go outside and walk around the block. Tomorrow morning, weigh and START THEN. Don't look back! It is a new day!
  • Let it go--it's a process. People who have NEVER gained/lost weight still have weight fluctuations. Just get back on. 40 minutes of exercise a day is typical for people who maintain weight loss, by the way.
  • LaurieMellor123
    LaurieMellor123 Posts: 5 Member
    Today is a new day,just start over .Like you said,you know what to do .I just started logging in w/My fitness pal,and hope I can be accountable .I lost 45 lbs since I was hypnotized 1-18-2013,want to keep it off,and lose another 45 lbs!
  • matcartmill
    matcartmill Posts: 98 Member
    Get a gym membership. It can rain, snow, hail, whatever... you'll still get your exercise in and feel great.
  • I lost 25 lbs and since mid-summer, I have gained back 12 lbs. It is grey outside, snowing and I am very depressed. I stopped weighing myself and logging food and exercise. I know how to get back on track but just don't seem to have the past motivation. I tried my clothes on and they are all tight. I do not want to buy new clothes. Just ranting as I don't have anyone else to talk to about this. Thx for listening (or reading!!).

    Ok, this is me...Im where you were when you stopped doing the "right" things...I started a similar thread, Im 80 lbs down with 30 to go, but Ive been maintaining for about a month AGAINST MY OWN WILL LOL. I keep trying and failing to have the same motivation I had in the beginning. I keep eating crap when i should eat right and I keep not going to the gym (even driving all the way there one day, sitting in the parking lot and then leaving). And so the result of this new (less than healthy behavior) has led me here: depressed, scared, angry...

    So what now? well, someone told me I know what I need to do, I just need to DO IT. Others have said start pre-planning my meals. Another said try mini exercises in my house. Another said go look at old fat pics. Another said not to quit now. And I realized Im just scared. Im scared that I cant make it to my goal. But I can. I made it this far. And you lost a lot of weight. YOU DID THAT. You fought, you sweat, you logged. And you can do it again. I believe in you. We didnt give up or we wouldnt have asked for help. Now we need to both take the suggestions and get back on the horse. FOR US. xox
  • Abi198111
    Abi198111 Posts: 76 Member
    Don't get too discouraged! Try setting yourself very small goals to start with, just 1-2lb loss and keep doing that. Otherwise it can seem like a much bigger problem. I want to lose at least another 30lbs but I just set myself a 5lb goal at a time, then when I have reached it, another 5lb. Remember the tortoise and the hare? Slow and steady wins the race! Keep going! :)
  • PROTIEN, PROTIEN, PROTIEN IS THE KEY..
  • doctorsookie
    doctorsookie Posts: 1,084 Member
    This is what I tell myself: Nothing to but to do it.
  • lharrop1669
    lharrop1669 Posts: 28 Member
    I am with you too !!!! I think that Sisterhoodoft put it best. I am going to take her words and the advice of other too.
    I had to look twice because I thought, did I write that? Lamb Chop, you are not alone. I can be your 'start over" pal and we start today.
    I too lost weight, gained it back. Every 6 years I put back on the weight that I took off. Usually about 25-30lbs.
    I was a die hard gym goer. The post, in which, someone said to join a gym was heartless. I joined a new gym. I do not go. I have pulled up to the parking lot and left too. My drive, from the past, is gone,.

    Lets make a pledge to start over right now. Today.... I am ready if you are!
  • busybrown72
    busybrown72 Posts: 11 Member
    I am absolutely in the boat with you! I feel like such a failure, having gained back weight I'd worked SO HARD to get off! Thanks for your post, somehow feels better not being the only one.
  • beattie1
    beattie1 Posts: 1,012 Member
    I lost 25 lbs and since mid-summer, I have gained back 12 lbs. It is grey outside, snowing and I am very depressed. I stopped weighing myself and logging food and exercise. I know how to get back on track but just don't seem to have the past motivation. I tried my clothes on and they are all tight. I do not want to buy new clothes. Just ranting as I don't have anyone else to talk to about this. Thx for listening (or reading!!).

    Ok, this is me...Im where you were when you stopped doing the "right" things...I started a similar thread, Im 80 lbs down with 30 to go, but Ive been maintaining for about a month AGAINST MY OWN WILL LOL. I keep trying and failing to have the same motivation I had in the beginning. I keep eating crap when i should eat right and I keep not going to the gym (even driving all the way there one day, sitting in the parking lot and then leaving). And so the result of this new (less than healthy behavior) has led me here: depressed, scared, angry...

    So what now? well, someone told me I know what I need to do, I just need to DO IT. Others have said start pre-planning my meals. Another said try mini exercises in my house. Another said go look at old fat pics. Another said not to quit now. And I realized Im just scared. Im scared that I cant make it to my goal. But I can. I made it this far. And you lost a lot of weight. YOU DID THAT. You fought, you sweat, you logged. And you can do it again. I believe in you. We didnt give up or we wouldnt have asked for help. Now we need to both take the suggestions and get back on the horse. FOR US. xox

    This makes three of us! * I'm almost the same,but instead of maintaining, I've gained over the last 2-3 weeks. I'm aiming to maintain instead of gaining until Christmas, then get back on track after the holidays.

    I think I've been looking for comfort foods (homemade soup is a good one here), not doing as much exercise (weather's just HORRIBLE here, pouring with rain and blowing a hooley). Add in the odd Christmas party (cooking tempting party food PLUS eating up the leftovers) and ANYONE would gain...

    So let's just get on with it!! Get up off our butts and stop eating the wrong stuff!

    * Edited to add, that makes DOZENS of us!!
  • gypsyGIRL159
    gypsyGIRL159 Posts: 78 Member
    WELL..... My advice to you is to PICK YOURSELF UP! MOVE IT!!!! MOVE IT!!!

    Please STOP saying you are depressed.

    Speak ONLY positive..... it may take awhile, if you tend to focus on the negative.

    It takes as long as it takes!!!

    You are worth the POSITIVE DECLARATIONS THAT YOU MAKE!!!!

    WHATEVER YOU SAY OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART, MIND, SOUL, AND SPIRIT........ SO (NEWS FLASH) THATS WHAT YOU HAVE AND BECOME.

    TURN IT ALL AROUND!!!

    OMG!!!!! You will see such an OUTSTANDING DIFFERENCE, my friend!!!!

    You, my dear..... Can do exploits!!!! There is No expiration date on You and your GREATNESS!!!!

    I SEE YOU SOARING LIKE AN EAGE TO NEW HEIGHTS!!!!

    The POWER is in your mouth!!!! Your tongue!!!!

    SPEAK YOUR DREAMS INTO LIFE..... SPEAK YOUR PASSION AND HOPES, AND YOUR VERY DESTINY INTO REALITY.....

    Be aware of all your Words..... for they are Powerful indeed!!!

    You can BLESS or CURSE yourself!!!!

    Do NOT hang around negative people....
    Do NOT talk to them at length on the phone!!!!
    Set a stop watch if you have to..... but refuse to allow negative trash in your life....

    I suffered from a deep, dark depression (once upon a time) and this is the TRUE TRUTH.....

    I Have the VICTORY now...... because of my actions!!!!

    I SPEAK what I want to see..... and it is possible to do anything, if you have the fire in your belly and dedication to make it happen! I was 400 pounds - about to be fitted for a scooter..... and now I walk like I'm getting paid for it!!!!

    Oh yeah!!!!!

    Speak movement..... AND SEE IT!!!! ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS!!!!

    Speak depression - and see depression. Feel worthless by speaking that curse.

    SPEAK MOBILITY, SPEAK JOY!!!! SPEAK COMPLETE CONTROL OVER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE IN THIS LIFE..... AND SEE THAT!

    EXPLORE WHAT YOU NEVER DARED EXPLORE BEFORE!!!!!

    WHY!?

    BECAUSE IF YOU CAN DREAM, AND BUILD IT IN YOUR MIND..... THAT MEANS YOU CAN STEP OUT ON IT SOON..... YOU CAN SPEND IT.... YOU CAN DRIVE IT.... YOU CAN OWN IT.... YOU CAN BE IT.

    START TODAY, DEAR HEART!!!!

    DO NOT PUT IT OFF!!!!!

    YOU ARE WORTH IT...... SEARCH YOUR SOUL.... AND GIVE YOURSELF A PEP TALK, MEDITATE, PRAY, WRITE DOWN YOUR ASPIRATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS..... SET THE BAR HIGH!!!!!

    JUST DO IT!!!!!!

    SOAR LIKE THE EAGLE YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE!!!!!!!

    YOU ARE THE HERO OF YOUR STORY....

    THIS JOURNEY IS WHAT YOU SPEAK IT INTO BEING!!!!!

    I CONGRATULATE YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR EXPECTED, AND SOON COMING VICTORIES!!!!!

    LIVE LONG, AND PROSPER!!!!

    MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! (((LOVING SISTERLY HUGGZZ)))
  • The best thing that I have done for myself is to work with a registered nutritionist. I have been a lifetime Weight Watchers member for about 25 years. When I joined Weight Watchers the first time, I weighed 127 lbs. (can you imagine) The last time (about 1 year ago) when I joined for probably the 10th time, I weighed 217 lbs. Of course many years had gone by and two children, divorce, development of psoriasis on my hands which put me off work for 16 months all contributed to this weight gain. I have a friend who is a registered nutritionist who I signed up with 2 months ago and honestly, for the first time in my life, I am actually learning how to eat. I was a chip lover and for the first time in my life I can actually walk by a bag of chips and not feel like I want to eat the whole bag. She has taught me what foods to eat and how often to eat so that my body is continually in a fat burning mode. I eat at least 6 times a day and I don't feel that I'm deprived because I have found new foods that satisfy me. The weight loss isn't as quick as on Weight Watchers, but quite honestly, I feel so much better that now that isn't my number 1 worry. I know that I am finally in control of food....the food is no longer controlling me. Believe me, I totally know what it is like to be depressed about my weight....I have felt this way for most of my life, but for the first time, I actually feel that I am doing something good for my body and at the same time, I am learning about what foods you should eat together to maximize how your body burns fat and this doesn't mean that you have to stop living! I always comment to my nutritionist that sometimes I can't even believe it is me making these better food choices.
  • TNM2014
    TNM2014 Posts: 40 Member
    The holiday season can be a season for depression. It is easy to want to stay inside and eat comfort foods. Don't give up. Start small by logging food and water or taking a walk indoors if necessary. You are not alone.

    It is time to start again. Slow and steady wins the race. Take care.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    ^^^^^THIS :flowerforyou:
  • Try not to let it get you down. I had lost 45 lbs from 8/12 to 8/13, then I went on vacation. I was not nearly as active on vacation so naturaly I gained some, but I still ate pretty good, but the difference was obvious, to me any way. when I got back things changed at work, that didn't help. slowly but surely i'd gained 15lbs, so definitely get feeling down , and it's hard to get going again. Just remember how proud you felt when lost it before. Also remember, 1.you did it before 2. you know how great it feels when you did it.