Depression - This is my story and this is why I am here

I just want to give you a big hug! I thank God for people like you, who are brave enough and open enough to share their story and their feelings. I also had a major life collapse a few years ago, some details different but very similar nonetheless. I also used my anger at my situation to fuel my weight change, and I even got down to my goal weight. But I found that as soon as life started easing up on me I went straight back to my old habits and old weight because the negative emotions that had sustained me weren't as strong any more. Since then I am trying to learn to let go of negative emotions completely and embrace hope as a motivation, most of all the hope I have found in Christ. It's made such an internal change in my heart that I now want to look and feel as wonderful physically as I do on the inside. I wish you success and hope in your journey ahead. And to close I'd like to share a Bible verse that got me through some very tough times ...
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Courageous!
You have your life back. Rock it.

Thanks for sharing your story. I've suffered from depression off and on in my life, and I know what it's like to face losing your Mom as I lost mine to cancer when I was 29, after watching her suffer for two long years. It's these heart wrenching events that life hands us that often make it hard for me not to just give up and say, 'WTF.. it's not worth the effort'. But I too have decided to get my life back and never be in this place again. I wish you well in this journey we are all taking.. together. :-)

You have gone through a lot in a short time and while my situation isn't close to the same, the motivation you have gained is what I now feel for the first time in years. Lose weight, gain weight...it never mattered to me. I always believed that no matter how I looked, you should love me regardless. That's changed. While I will never wish anything that has happened to you to happen...to anyone, I am glad that it has given you the strength and determination to make yourself healthy again. You're already halfway there, whether you've lost any weight or not. Keep it up. You've got this.

wow, Thanks for sharing your story. I have been through divorce, The loss of my mom to Cancer and a year later the loss of my brother to a motor cycle accident. I know the depression you are talking about, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and you can be happy agian. Good luck and you will be in my prayers!

I would like to be your MFP friend.
Please feel free to add me.
It sounds like your on the right road to making changes in your life, You dont need to do it alone.

That had to been awful hard for you to share that with total strangers, but that my friend is the best way to heal. God only hands us things that he knows we can handle, it is what makes us who we are. I am a firm believer of that. Many years ago I to had a horrible experience, luckily i had my daughter to take care of or I might have given up but you would not believe my life now ...I found the love of my life, I have two beautiful grandsons and life is good.. Good luck to you in all your journeys. You may add me as your friend if you would like.

Wow... You have been through A LOT! Good for you for wanting to reclaim your life and be healthy and happy again. You can do it! I too suffered from severe depression and anxiety and am on the road to recovery. If you would like to, please add me as a friend. Maybe we could motivate each other? :-)

Saw this article today, and thought it might interest you.

'It’s not easy to stop unhealthy thought patterns, but we have a lot more control over our state of mind than we realise

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/01/11/happiness-and-choices/

Feel free to add me as a friend if you wish.

Mark Green
Personal Trainer, Exercise Referral Instructor and
Specialist Exercise Instructor (Diabetes & Obesity Management) - REPs Level 4
Based in Bristol, UK

Thank you so much for sharing your story in such a sincere and honest way. People definitely respond to truth and there was a lot of truth in what you wrote. You touched many of us and also provided a reminder that life is so fragile and that as human beings we are all in this together. I can also sense (as another poster mentioned) a deep and profound strength in you and I know you have what is needed to climb out of this dark place. I also lost a very dear friend this year (similar to the woman you knew, she was not taking care of her body and it lead to her death - at 34 years old). I think about this loss often and it is an integral part of my journey to a healthier body. I wish you all the best in your journey as well, you can do this! x

Your story moved me so much, and made me appreciate that although I have had a rocky few years there is always strength and help out there, and inside as well. Your sister sounds wonderful.
My husband lied to me for over 3 years about an affair, and continues to do so now. We are moving rapidly towards separation, and I am trying to come to terms with moving house, settling children and seeing a future where only emptiness is visible. I didn't think I was depressed until work colleagues pointed out that 3 stones weight lost and real mood swings were not normal, and now I am learning to get on with a healthier, forward-looking life.
I would love to have you as a friend, please add me if you want. And thanks for sharing.

I'm so sorry that you have had such an awful time - I hope it gets better for you, and I admire your determination and strength of spirit.

Wow! Thanks for sharing your story. It is very hard to put yourself out there like that. I believe that admitting our problems is the first step in the right direction. I am very sorry for all that you have been through, but glad to see you standing up and reclaiming your life. I will be cheering for you!

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

What a touching story, it gave me goosebumps. I am happy for you that you have decided to overcome what you can. I too seem to go through these up and downs with my weight. I've lost over 100 pounds 3 times. Every time a trauma comes along I gain it all back and revert back to old habits. What I have learned is there's only so much you can control in yoour life and you have taken the first step. You have made yourself important, which will make you strong for your family when they need you the most and will give you the strength and confidence to continue on your journey. I hope that we are all here to share in your journey, you've already made the first step! I so appreciate your honesty and putting yourself out there! We are all here for you!

Fair play to you. I completely understand the amount of mental strength it takes to pick yourself up.

I've struggled with weight and depression too, and still do at times. I left my husband last year, he cheated on me when our son was 10 weeks old. My son was also born with club foot so had lots of hospital treatment so it was a very trying time. He was also the sort of man that I wasn't allowed to show any emotion so I surpressed everything but then turned it all internally.
I've been overweight for a long time, have tried many times to do something about it but he would always put a stop to it, for whatever reason he wanted to me to stay fat and unhappy.

Last year after 2 1/2 of plucking up the courage I left him. I struggled to keep it together for about 9 months but now I've decided to put all my energies in making myself feel better about me. I'm not thinking of this as going on a diet and exercise plan but more along the lines of that I'm taking care of myself for me and my boy because I've finally realised that I'm worth it.

Good luck and keep at it!