Unemployed and have gained 15.5 since - need help

Hi! Is anyone else out there job-seeking and having trouble with their weight?

I was laid off from my job in late June and since I've packed on a whopping 15.5 lbs. :( I went through the 2nd-worst depression in my life for about two months and have struggled to keep my chin-up since.

I'd appreciate any tips people have on keeping the pounds off while you're job-seeking (or folks normally working from home). I know that taking my laptop to the library (where they don't have a refrigerator/cupboards) is helpful but being home most daytimes with all that food is BAD news... And it's depressing as hell when you live alone, you're in a new town where you don't know many people, and you don't have a place to "fit" in yet.

So any advice on how to keep my chin up and avoid over-eating would be most helpful!

Replies

  • blueakama
    blueakama Posts: 399 Member
    I know how it can be tough, I've been there and done that. I find keeping myself busy helps. Look for inexpensive community classes that you could attend and perhaps think about volunteering.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Get up, force yourself to move and get walking. Exercise can help you feel better. If you have a smart phone or an iPod, download free books from the library, fiction, non-fiction, self-help, whatever, and get moving. If it's cold out, go to a mall and get walking. Find a cheap Y and get moving. Something. Work a bit, walk a bit. And good luck finding work!
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    If you dont have a gym, then use something like videos on youtube or try fitness blender.
    Walking was a good start, it gets you moving, burns useful calories off and getting out and about will help uoi feel more a part of things.

    If you live alone and you cant moderate then its your responsibility for what food you have in your own house, so you can learn about eating more healthily and shop accordingly. If you wnat to lose weight then its going to mean you consistently meeting a calorie deficit. You will find it easier if you shift part of your consumption to fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.

    In terms of looking for a job I rate What colour is your parachute, get a 2nd hand copy from ebay they are cheap it doesnt matter if its the latest, becayse the message is the same. It explains what you need to know about job hunting and is also very supportive.

    As part of improving your employability you need to be able to convince someone else to hire you. If you wnat a job then you will need to rise above the depression to increase your chances. 15lbs you can get rid of reasonably in 2-4 months imo depending the effort you putin. Maybe make your weight loss and exercise part of your overall job search and self improvement plan.

    Ibe thing you should consider is volunteering, it will help your resume, help you socialise, help the charity and give you more structure.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    edited December 2014
    bhenchey wrote: »
    Hi! Is anyone else out there job-seeking and having trouble with their weight?

    I was laid off from my job in late June and since I've packed on a whopping 15.5 lbs. :( I went through the 2nd-worst depression in my life for about two months and have struggled to keep my chin-up since.

    I'd appreciate any tips people have on keeping the pounds off while you're job-seeking (or folks normally working from home). I know that taking my laptop to the library (where they don't have a refrigerator/cupboards) is helpful but being home most daytimes with all that food is BAD news... And it's depressing as hell when you live alone, you're in a new town where you don't know many people, and you don't have a place to "fit" in yet.

    So any advice on how to keep my chin up and avoid over-eating would be most helpful!

    I'm home as well most days.
    Planning what I will eat the next day and logging it all in advance is helping me.
    Don't bring stuff you go crazy for that is loaded with calories into your house. Spend your money on food you have to prepare and fruits and vegetables instead of packaged stuff.
    Drink mostly water.
    Get busy with something. Clean your house. Start a hobby. Do some repairs. Go for a walk, run, bike ride or drive. Volunteer somewhere. Try meditation. Join a group or organization- maybe you'll see something at your library. If you are interested in games visit your local comic book/game store- you might find a gaming group to join. Take a class or teach yourself something new. Paint, draw, sing, dance, listen to music, or write.
    Try to keep up a routine. Eat at the same times. Go to bed and get up at the same times. Shower and get dressed even if you don't go anywhere. Exercise around the same time every day.
    Maybe you could try a temp job?

    There are lots of free workout videos on You Tube.
  • Hugs, this is hard - I feel so awful for your situation. BUT, congrats, you took the first step and reached out to all of us. You fit in here, so we can be your people until you find some "real" ones. :)
  • RiseandGrind77
    RiseandGrind77 Posts: 54 Member
    I have been there my friend. I put on double that when I was unemployed!
  • fitcrt
    fitcrt Posts: 76 Member
    999tigger wrote: »
    What colour is your parachute

    Go to the library & check this book & others like it out for free + the library often has free computer classes, resume classes, etc. that will at least keep you active even if you don't learn anything new.
    999tigger wrote: »
    thing you should consider is volunteering, it will help your resume, help you socialise, help the charity and give you more structure.

    Definitely find a volunteer position, or a holiday position, or go to a temp agency - you never know who you will meet while volunteering & with a temp agency you may be introduced to new jobs & companies that you had not thought of before. Plus, if you are on unemployment (here anyway), you can work temp jobs - report your income & that it is a temp job, you won't get paid unemployment but you still do weekly check-ins & keep your unemployment claim active while working temp jobs.

    When I was unemployed in the past I had a schedule for myself, wake up at 5 am just like as if I had a job & get ready for the day - spend X number of hours searching for & applying to jobs - usually by the afternoon all the new positions had been applied to so then I would get in a good at home workout & prep healthy food, clean & organize my home, etc.

    Keep reading & learning, keep active and eating healthy, find all the free activities you can, keep as busy & involved as possible. These things will make you more attractive to employers.
  • RoseyDgirl
    RoseyDgirl Posts: 306 Member
    Ok, I work as a contractor, and so my assignments end, and I have to start looking again for work. During the down time, I spend between 2-3 hours in the gym. it's easy to do. I belong to the Y, and I go early, do an hour of laps, followed by an aqua-aerobics class... then I go change - and go do a little bit of weights, or elliptical. You can change up your routine to match the class-schedules.

    Best to get out of your house. Commit to exercise, so that when you return home, the food doesn't come with the same 'pricetag' to the waistline. And, it will help you to re-commit to eating healthier while you are home, too.

    The longer you 'just' stay home, you'll be depressed. But if you turn the down-time into an exercise "almost" retreat - then you will find that it isn't so bad, job-searching, as long as you have other commitments to keep you focused on you, and sane.

    good luck!
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    I just came off of the exact same thing - I guess my advice would be do everything the opposite of how I did it lol!!! I just wanted to post to say, keep your chin up and you'll get through this.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    Oh, I've been there. Thankfully it's been a few years and I found a great job at the end of it but what an emotional rollercoaster it was. It's amazing how much of our self-worth we can tie into how we earn our paycheck. It's also tough when we need to look our best and the pounds start piling on to the point where the interview clothes get tight. You're doing the right thing by seeking a change and help.

    You've already received some great advice so I won't just reiterate what has already been said. I wanted to add that walking or running is a great workout that will get you out of the house for awhile and it's cheap. Also be sure to get rid of the problem food in the house and stock up on lower calorie snack options; if it's not there you can't eat it.
  • SingRunTing
    SingRunTing Posts: 2,604 Member
    I've been there. Got laid off with a friend. I gained weight because I was so depressed. I was using wine as a sleep aid. I was filling my day with binge eating while browsing job postings. Wish I had taken all the free time I had and used it more productively, but depression will do that to you. I found a great job at the end of it, but the depression lasted a while. Finally about a year into the new job is when I decided that I should do something to make myself happy and do something about the weight.

    My friend did the opposite. He used all of his free time to exercise and focus on nutrition. Seriously, he got into triathlon training and spent 6 hours in the gym everyday. He actually is now in the national rankings for triathletes. He dropped 60 lbs because of it.

    I'm not saying that my friend did the right thing, but there's a healthy balance between the two. Try to find some time to go workout during the day. Exercise will do amazing things for your mood and outlook. Also, gyms tend to be less crowded during the day, so double bonus.
  • shadowloss
    shadowloss Posts: 293 Member
    I've been in your situation 3'times in the past 10'years. Unemployed for over 2 1/2 of those years and it sucks!

    The first time I was already overweight and considered that my weight might be affecting my opportunities. Not that I wouldn't get job offers because of my weight, but because my confidence was in the toilet and it came across in my interviewing. So I deducted that weightloss and exercise was part of my job search routine. It made me feel better about myself, I was able to hold my head high.

    I truly believe the confidence was the key, but that's not to say it was the only thing. The process of finding work when you've been laid off is more stressful then people can imagine. Having to worry about paying bills, and supporting yourself/family, the worthlessness you feel when you don't get the job offer, the frustration of boredom you feel every day, your inability to do all those projects you now have time for, but you can't afford.

    It will come to an end, I guarantee it, you just have to keep working at it. This is the best time of your life to start to focus on yourself, so take full advantage and make you a better person. Good luck!
  • bhenchey
    bhenchey Posts: 9 Member
    Thanks everyone for your responses! I'll respond in detail when I'm behind a physical keyboard.

    And if anyone else has advice for me, please share!

    Best,

    -Brian (original poster)
  • MissClarajo
    MissClarajo Posts: 3 Member
    I can relate! It's super tough to motivate yourself when your sitting at home and tougher when your feeling down. What helped me was making out a schedule and sticking to it! example: set alarm 6am drink protein shake do work out video. 730 shower.8 job hunt 10am fruit as a snack 1030 take a walk....blah, blah, blah... you get the gist. Good luck!
  • Some things that can help:

    Volunteer- it will help to give you a sense of purpose and can help you get exercise

    Take advantage of your local library- you can learn something new, join book groups or job search clubs, and check out workout videos so you can get your exercise on for free

    If religious, check out a church/temple/mosque/etc - there are always many ways to get involved

    I was out of work for a year during the recession and became an expert on coming up with things to do for free. Unfortunately I had a hard time overcoming guilt if I didn't apply to at least X number of jobs per day, so I spent pretty much 50-60 hours per week applying.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    My thoughts were walking and friends. It's tough; no way around that. I hope you find employment soon.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    If it works for you to go to the library, then go everyday.
    Also, the library will have ebooks you can download from home electronically. See if you can get free music also.
    Find a meetup.com group or two with people of similar interests.
    You have time on your hands, so you can make little grocery shopping trips three times a week. (in other words, you do not have to keep much food in the house.)
    Get enough sleep on a regular schedule. Try to keep other activities to a schedule as well.

  • TahoeSki
    TahoeSki Posts: 69 Member
    When I was unemployed, I lost some weight. I walked a lot just to clear my head and keep a positive outlook. Sometimes I'd walk up to 90 minutes a day, always outside. Remember to tell yourself that how you pursue health (or not) is a choice and you have complete control over that choice-- no matter what your mood or situation. Good luck to you! I know it's hard.
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    I work from home a lot of the time. Here's what helps me: I don't let myself eat anything between breakfast and lunch; I can go into the kitchen for more water, or to make a cup of tea, but not to eat. If I'm truly hungry after a glass of water, I'll have a pickle or a couple of celery stalks. I have a sensible lunch, and then no snacks until at least 4 pm.

    I also get up and move every 45 minutes. (Usually my coffee, tea, and water consumption ensures that I will do this without setting a timer!) I'll do some stretching or a couple of burpees when I get up, especially if I feel lethargic.

    Basically I treat food as fuel during the day, and consume only what I think I need. I find other rewards: e.g., if I work for 50 minutes straight, I can spend 5 minutes on the MFP forums. :D
  • softblondechick
    softblondechick Posts: 1,275 Member
    Been there, done that. I was so depressed when unemployed, I could barely get it together to get out of bed. Odd, you have plenty of time, but can't get it together.

    I started by getting a new suit, new haircut, and cleaned the house, top to bottom. I worked on always looking classy, and sharp. Hanging out in sweat pants and old tank puts you in a depressed mood. I got up at 5 am and got a shower, make up, full hair, jewelry, and ironed my clothes. Had a great breakfast, and went to yoga at the gym.

    I looked so good, I got a job within a month of my new attitude. And there went all my time for yoga...good luck!
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Get into the habit of pre-logging your diary so you have your whole day planned out. Also, get out there and move. Best of luck!