Looking for a few close friends who understand the struggles of a lifestyle change and depression

All the best !! You have taken your first step..that requires applause!!
We all have our down and up days, but we must reach the goal - that's what is important!
BTW, I am not an emotional eater but an emotional-No-eater - I get angry on silly things and show it on DH and food by avoiding both!!

I am all for you. Lets get it!

I've made big changes in my life but still struggle with depression and anxiety every day. Feel free to add me.

Hey buddy... I guess we struggle with the same. Depression and anxiety here. Totally sucks, but I've survived a couple of years with it so far. So... I guess I'm adding you :-)

Hi! I actually just posted a blog post about how my bipolar and my physical health are closely related. I understand the struggle of having your mind take control of you. Feel free to add me, I love supporting others in their journey.

i totally understand ur statuation.I m in for u to support u.Take care

It always amazes me, when somebody posts something like this, and so many can weigh in that they too suffer from the same issues. And are so willing to open up with that fact that they too suffer from depression, bi-polar, anxiety ... and are willing to help someone else that also suffers. This is SOOO unlike most of society today. And THIS is why I am so happy I found this site. I too have suffered for most of my life, but it was only diagnosed about 6 years ago. And yes, finding the eating plan that I was able to stay on and that worked to lose weight, has helped. It's all a life struggle. But finding people that know and understand is a Godsend. Friend request sent. And for anybody else as well. AND Katiedoo ... I luv your pups. I would steal them, except my little devil would disown me

*pokes head in door* Mind if I chime in? I totally understand the weight loss / depression thing. I got down sixty pounds and then a whole bunch of things in my life sort of went sideways and the black dogs got me. I'm back up to 215 (about 35 lbs gained back) and sitting on a lot of shame and frustration and general exhaustion. At one point the shrink had me on a one month leash because I was so messed up, which was really disheartening, since I haven't had to come in that frequently in years (probably since my last really major depressive episode in 2003).

I know what I need to do, but it all seems so hopeless and pointless. I had a minor depressive setback in May and I'm still trying to recover from that little explosion and all the side effects in terms of my work and personal relationships. My doctor has encouraged me to work with the Mindful Way book, but it's been a little stop and go. The nature of my work is emotionally exhausting and as much as I enjoy it, sometimes I really do feel like there's nothing left to invest in all that hard work of going to the gym and parceling out my food, especially since I can't seem to lose at all unless I'm 1600 calories or less, which I have a hard time managing without constant (nearly obsessive, really) vigilance and a constant awareness of food that sometimes makes me feel like I am missing out on my life.

There's been a sort of nasty spiral of poor food choices, then injury (I had to get a DonJoy ACL brace and adjust to that, since I'll likely have to fight for years to get my knee replaced - long story), then the gym dropped off because of the exhaustion and I know I'm self-medicating with food. I know exactly what I'm doing, I described it to someone else as "putting food in my mouth so I don't have to open it and ask for what I need", which, while it was sort of a profound revelation, hasn't yet led to me figuring out what in the hell it is that's stopping me from getting back on the horse. Other than feeling like a failure, of course.

I need a new GP, as I think my thyroid may have finally just rolled under the couch like a kicked puppy and abandoned me, which is not helping. I don't know if it's the thyroid, the depression, or the anemia (I've had problems with traditional anemia and pernicious anemia), but the exhaustion, congestion, acid reflux and teeth chattering bone deep cold spells are looking like thyroid.

None of that really excuses my poor choices, and even if my thyroid or my iron levels get corrected, I still need the willpower to get back into the game, and right this second, I don't really have it, since I'm fighting off those black dogs everywhere I turn.

I just spent some time reading the Just for Today thread, and perhaps I'll start with that idea tomorrow and try not to worry so much about the months of hard work I have ahead of me. Perhaps starting a journal, which I've never been all that good at, so I can figure out what's so wrong that I'm so afraid to speak up about.

-B-

I have suffered with depression in the past and found myself emotionally eating and then feeling worse and worse and repeating the pattern, gaining more weight, feeling worse, and so on. I had a light bulb moment about my weight about 3 1/2 years ago, took my eating under control added exercise and you know what the black dog left! He does visit from time to time but i now hit the gym and really eat healthy when i feel my mood shifting downwards. I cannot bear the thought of feeling like i used to either emotionally or physically. It wasn't easy and some days are a real struggle food wise but for me taking control of what i feed my body and how i exercise and look after my body has helped the battle with depression. At least on my low days i can now do something positive for myself and it helps the self esteem. There is no simple cure for depression, it is debilitating and i wish you every success in your efforts to move forward. You should be proud that you have reached out for support. My advice would be to make small changes to begin with, like having a healthy and nutritious breakfast as you begin. Don't put yourself any under pressure and other changes will follow. it takes time to establish new habits and thought processes. All the best.

I can totally relate to the depression and feelings of overwhelming hopelessness that comes with it. I went through a hideous spell last year, just about pushed me over the edge that time. This year I am in a much better space, personally. That has taken some massive changes in my life and my lifestyle and diet, but I feel I am finally getting free of the demons.

One of the most important discoveries I made about myself and how I deal with stress and guilt came about when I made the decision to cut carbs right back. After a lot of research and years of yo-yoing, not understanding what it was that was constantly sabotaging me, the penny finally dropped. I am a Carb Addict. I am Carb Intolerant. That was the key for me. I made a pact with myself that this crazy roundabout of weight-loss / weightgain / weightloss had to stop. I had an incredible fear of ending up like my mother, who fought diabetes and a bunch of related conditions for half her life. I promised myself that this same thing would not happen to me.

Now that I am on a strict regime of less than 30g carbs a day (yes that's radical, but I'm fighting hard now) and got myself into a state of ketosis, just the fact that I know that I'm burning fat instead of carbs/sugar to fuel my body and brain, I'm so much happier, vibrant, alert and mentally capable. The more I learn about this lifestyle, the more I understand why and how I ended up 34KG overweight for my size, despite trying all this time to achieve a weight and level of fitness appropriate for my height and age.

I know that most people on here will not agree with me, when I say to you, cut back your carbs and introduce more healthy fats into your diet. This is exactly what I have done and it has allowed me to peel off 13kg, or almost 29 lb since the beginning of 2014. I'm only 4'11", and that is a lot for me. I have 46lb to go, but I am not one bit concerned that I might not get there. I've found what works for me, and that's what matters.

And yes, I am definitely here for you, and for others who want to give mutual support and celebrate the little wins along the way. Cos that's what a community does If anyone wants to send a friend request, please do so, I would love to connect with others.

I hear ya! I have been struggling with mild-moderate depression/anxiety issues the last couple years. Even though I've managed it, and have been in a better place now, stress will trigger it and I'm stuck. For example, an accident happened at work almost 4 weeks ago, and I was so affected by it (guilt, anxiety, stress, etc.) that I was on this binge eating fest the last couple weeks since it's happened. So this stress triggered my depression about my health, diabetes, and now I'm dodging my doctor. I want to snap out of it and get back to regular exercise and eating better. Hence the reason I'm up at 2 am, debating whether to purchase T25 (exercise program) online, and coming back to My Fitness Pal.

Please add me (and anyone else that can relate). I know that I have very few close friends that I can share this with so it'll be nice to have a support group that can truly relate.

Would love to connect!

I am right here with all of y'all- some days are better than others for me. I have been through a lot but have really struggled since my divorce in 2008 to overcome my depression and become a happier healthier person so I can enjoy life with my kiddos. I am trying to stay focused. If anyone wants to add me and let us encourage each other - please do. I am trying to not give up and give in - taking this day by day. Will add those I can and the rest please add me. I need friends who understand depression and can relate to having a bad day and not tell me to just suck it up like others have.