100 lbs to lose and severe depression

Been there! I know it hurts right now, and I know that making the fundamental decision to create optimal health in your life seems like an overwhelming task/project right NOW, but I recommend that you pick a program that will fit with your lifestyle and your goals and commit to it. Line up on plan days day after day and eventually you can be AT your goal, LIVING your healthy life! If you can dream it, you can achieve it! You've picked a great community to be a part of! I lost over 150 pounds so when I say I've been there, I HAVE BEEN THERE. The depression (which was largely obesity-related), the low energy, the not wanting to see people I knew, ALL of it.

Hey Heidi!

The fact that you eat healthy is already a great start. I'm only 21 years old and I need to lose 130lbs to be my goal weight because I allowed myself to gain 80lbs since High School. Be happy that it took you almost 17 years and 4 children to pack the weight on. I also found it hard to go out because I didn't want anyone to see me, even cancelled a few trips back home because the last time I went, everyone of course noticed. It's not a good feeling, it hurts, it's hard,and it takes time. The thing that has gotten me motivated is upbeat music, throwing on some headphones and going for a walk around the neighborhood...i turn it up so loud that I don't even notice anyone around me. I also put my dream body as my screen saver for motivation. We only live once, people that weigh over 400lbs lose hundreds every year...what's my excuse? That's the mind set I'm in. Do it to look sexy naked, do it so you get your pride and confidence back, do it for your kids so they can see a happy, healthy mom, and do it so the next time people see you, they can't NOT recognize you...do it because you owe it to yourself to love yourself! I'm facing the journey with you!

-Lacey-

Actually, you do not have to exercise to lose the weight, although it is helpful. You have to eat at a calorie deficit. Weight loss is done in the kitchen. Figure out how many calories you need to eat to be at a deficit to lose a pound or two a week. Either use this site to set it up for you or calculate your TDEE.

Once you recognize you are in a depression it is easier to start to do the things you need to do to come out of it. If you are not feeling like getting out of bed and are devoid of energy it is counter productive to think you will be able to lose weight without coming out of the depression first. Have you talked to your doctor about the depression? Do you have a plan to help you come back into the light of a joyous life? I was fortunate that I did not need medication to overcome my depression. I use exercise and healthy flavorful foods that make me smile as 2 of the cornerstones to keep my depression at bay. I hope you are get the help you need and are surrounded by love and support from your family and friends. If you need a friend who has successfully battled depression just drop me a line. Good luck!

I'm still suffering from anxiety and depression, so I think I know a little how you feel. Everyone one is different, but I started to eat a gluten free, lower carb diet with minimal sugars and NO fake sweeteners, I started to feel better. I only drink water. Also, I found out that those sugar substitutes were causing me to have panic attacks- aspartame and caffeine are the worst. I'm still depressed, and I'm not ashamed to say I sought help from a professional to deal with it and to have someone to talk you through it. I'm not on any antidepressants, but I'm learning to take responsibility for my own happiness. I hope you can find your own inner happiness soon, and god bless you on what will probably be a very emotional (but necessary) journey. Good luck!!

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Every day, you only need to focus on getting through that day.
Big pictures are for two things - planing your general direction (so you don't get lost along the way) and to feel good when you look behind you and see how far you traveled already (great for self esteem, almost addictive, and in a good way).
Once you plan out the general direction, you just need to get through one day at the time... one hour at the time.

I am friending. you sittin

I also have depression but exercise helps this tremendously!!!! Okay, so big deal you are fat, so am I. My body size does not define who I am. I have to lose an enormous amount of weight as well and people say they would have never guessed that someone that was as skinny as I would have a weight problem. Well, I don't have a problem because I can fix this and will fix this.

As far as people go....I don't care what they think but I do care what Jesus thinks after all I will be spending eternity with Him. So I pray for help to lose weight, I pray for help with my depression.

I also am grateful for all the wonderful things in my life and realize I do not have anything to be depressed about. I am not dying, my husband and children are not dying so all is well with the world.

Medication, exercise, and the power of prayer!!!!

When you start moving around you will be more energized just go slow a little at a time and be kind to yourself. Your weight is not your identity!

I feel you completely! I am just getting back on a program and have a ton of weight to lose. I also just changed up my anxiety and depression meds because I fear that sticking to this 'lifestyle' losing weight so slow (I also have diabetes and PCOS) will be too hard. It is now affecting my daughter who is 6 and overweight. One previous poster said pretty much to take care of yourself first...and it is so true. Everyone gave some really good advice, but let me tell you something...just start exercising. Just do it. I did 20 minute slow walk the first day. I looked up walking in place by Leslie Sansone on youtube (Free). Now I am riding a stationary bike 4 miles a day. The thing is I feel so much better when I exercise. It helps curb the appetite, I drink more water...it helps create that negative calorie effect to lose a little quicker. I am motivated now, but I have the meds to help keep me that way...and that is okay. Being a mom is rough at times, but to be the best mom we have to be the best us first. Good luck! and JUST DO IT. You don't need a fancy gym membership. My 6 year old does the videos with me.

Years ago a wise nurse told me that if I'm feeling depressed, one of the first things to do is to cut out sugar and alcohol. FWIW! I wish you the best! You CAN do this! :flowerforyou:

I have depression and severe anxiety. Here's some hope: ever since I started a healthier lifestyle it has gotten better! I was also using food to self-medicate, and counting my calories really made me more conscious of emotional eating. My symptoms haven't gone a way, and I still manage with prescriptions from my doctor, but I have way more energy and self-love.

Hi Heidi
Not much more to add to the sage advice already posted.
I just wish you all of the very best...I know how hard depression is to cope with.
Hope you find your way out of this..... You have taken the first steps....

Jan xxxx

Hello!
I have Bipolar Disorder (Type 1) so I know exactly what you're going through. When I was first diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, I was 14 - which is when I was gaining weight at a pretty rapid weight. Unfortunately, endless medication exacerbated the issue for me (Fluoxetine, Quetipaine, Risperidone, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Sertraline, Citalopram, Propanalol, other benzodiazepines and sedatives of which I can't remember because they were used against my will during psychiatric ward admissions).

Luckily, I've found that Fluoxetine, Sertraline and Citalopram didn't cause much weight gain (if any) and that was in fact caused by a lack of motivation to do anything and a close friend in fattening foods. Who needs to get out of bed and cook a meal when they have a cupboard full of chocolates and cakes? Your medication may, however, be a contributing factor - discuss this with the doctor or psychiatrist that prescribed your medication.

If you're still lacking motivation to the extreme of not really wanting to do much at all, your medication obviously isn't helping and therefore you may need a higher dose, different medication and/or therapy (CBT, DBT, Counselling, Mindfulness etc) in addition to any medication you may be taking.

Next you need to find a form of exercise that suits you. It doesn't necessarily have to be high-intensity cardio, but walking at a moderate speed for an hour or partaking in some form of Yoga can be beneficial in terms of both burning calories and boosting your mood (exercise releases endorphins and I always feel better after a bit of exercise). I find Yoga to be quite relaxing. When I lost 7 stone before my most recent relapse into a psychotic manic episode, followed by a depressive episode, I did it by simply eating healthily, walking and doing medium-low intensity short workouts at home.

You need to get into the mindset of realising that exercise can be both fun and beneficial to your mental state. The more physically fit and active you are, the more your mind benefits from the hormones and chemicals released by the physical activity.

As others have said, losing weight isn't all about exercise. Making healthier choices in your eating habits is a huge change which can also increase your mental Wellbeing along with your physical Wellbeing. To lose weight you need a 'calorie deficit' - you need to burn more calories than you consume. The amount calories you need to consume is based on your BMR, activity levels and any exercise you may do.

I said earlier on in this post about doing an hour of walking. Well, it doesn't even need to be that long. Start by going for a short 15 minute walk every day and slowly build it up. Eventually you'll find that you're actually enjoying walking and you'll most likely WANT to increase how long you walk, along with increasing the pace. You don't need to run a marathon, at all. Just start off slowly and you will be burning calories, even though it won't be a huge amount. I'll repeat: combine this exercise with a healthy diet.

You'll notice that once you start eating healthier and exercising, the low periods caused by Depression won't be so low and you'll have positives to focus on - increased cardio performance, weight loss, healthier eating and discovering tasty yet healthy foods.