HELP! Depression is starting to kick in!

Teppanyaki77
Teppanyaki77 Posts: 7
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey all. My name is Bryan. I'm a 25 year old guy, I'm 5'9, and I weigh between 145-150 and I've been struggling with my weight all my life. As a kid I was always the "fat" one. In high school I was at my worst. Over 200 pounds. It got so bad that I ended up dropping out. Let's just say I don't have the best self esteem. Then I heard about this low carb diet. I did it. Lost 30 pounds very quickly, but then it stopped. For the past 6 or so years I've always watched my carb intake and kept my weight at at around 160. 4 months ago I decided I wanna tone up and loose that "softness" I decided to cut the calories which I never really payed much attention too and still kick back the carbs. Hit the elliptical daily and was making sure to burn at least 500 calories on it. Bam, lost weight! Then... It stopped. I went into panic mode and now for the past 2 months I've dropped my calories even more. Here's an outline of my day.

Wake up... Half hour on the elliptical before breakfast.
Breakfast. 4 egg white omelet with a string cheese, handful of baby carrots and 8 oz of broccoli.
Lunch. once again 4 egg white omelet with a string cheese, handful of baby carrots and 8 oz of broccoli.
I'm a chef, so at work I'll just snack on raw carrots and zucchini.
Dinner. Another 4 egg white omelet but this time no string cheese, but a handful of baby carrots and 8 oz of broccoli.
Weight training. One day I work on arms, back, and biceps. Lots of curls! Day two I work on chest, back and I do that ab ripper x. Lots of push-ups! Most of the time I'm working out between 45-60 minutes. That's usually 5 days a week. After my workout I make a 2 scoop whey protein shake along with another 4 egg white omelet with a handful of baby carrots and 8 oz of broccoli. That's my diet for 3 straight days. Comes out to around 1300 calories. I've just starting this calorie/carb shifting diet. So for those 3 days I stick to that diet. The next 2 days I add 2 fiber wraps, 2 apples, and strawberries. I up the calories by 500. Then after Those 2 "high" days I start back on the "low"

As much as I'm cutting back, and working out I'm just not seeing the results. I know I'm not obese, but these love handles, belly, and overall "softness" just isn't going away. I get 8 hours of sleep, drink at least a gallon of water a day, but yet... Nothing. I'm not sluggish really though out the day. I have energy and all. It's just got to the point where It's just really frustrating. Now I'm reading that maybe I'm not taking in enough calories, which is my diet mindset head just doesn't add up! To think I need to eat more to loose weight is something I can't get my head around. If anyone has any thoughts please please please give me your input! Why are those last 10 pounds to hard to get off?!
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Replies

  • missfluffyuk
    missfluffyuk Posts: 245
    It looks to me like you're maybe not eating enough... Make sure you log EVERYTHING, and open up your food diary so we can see exactly what's in what you're eating & how much you're burning.
  • SassyJuliana
    SassyJuliana Posts: 96 Member
    If I ate the same thing three times a day, everyday, I would be depressed, too! You are a chef, come up with some healthy delicious meals!
  • PinkEarthMama
    PinkEarthMama Posts: 987 Member
    1 ) I don't think you are eating enough.

    2 ) If you are exercising, you need to eat MORE. And more protein.

    I think you need to ditch the cardio and start some weight training!
  • bluefever
    bluefever Posts: 93 Member
    You need some muscle on your body to "tone up" and you are not gonna do that while eating at such a deficit. Do you work your legs? Check out Bodybuilding.com for some workout program ideas. Eat protein and "CARBS" and you will start to "tone up".
  • Cadori
    Cadori Posts: 4,810 Member
    You're 5'9" and 145 and want to lose more? Sounds like you're at your target weight. I wouldn't be panicking at the lack of weight loss.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    I have two suggestions that might just change your life.


    1 consume more calories- 1500-1700 a day, hell atleast your BMR!

    2 lift weights. Strength training is what you NEED if your goal is to LOOK good. Quit that elliptical and get on a lifting program.

    I believe you are the definition of skinny fat. A decent or even light weight, but a high amount of body fat. You need to gain muscle and cut FAT. Not pounds.

    Weight means absolutely nothing!!! Track your body fat percentage instead. Trust me you'd be surprised how much better you look and feel with a body that is strong and getting enough nutrients.

    I couldn't advocate these tips any more.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    You're 5'9" and 145 and want to lose more? Sounds like you're at your target weight. I wouldn't be panicking at the lack of weight loss.

    this
  • badgerbadger1
    badgerbadger1 Posts: 954 Member
    I <3 trolls
  • keeponkickin
    keeponkickin Posts: 1,520 Member
    You want to lose weight? 5' 9" and around 150?? Seems you need to bulk up some muscle and not lose weight. Eat more protein, more calories and pump some iron.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    I <3 trolls

    ya...a verbose one at that
  • silvercat64
    silvercat64 Posts: 25
    I concur that you probably need to eat more. You can't build lean muscle if you're starving yourself!

    According to the measurements you gave, your BMI is actually within the normal (not overweight) range. It sounds like your goal is building muscle mass and definition, so I question whether you should even bother worrying about "those last ten pounds". Just keep working out and focus on eating healthy--which includes eating enough calories to to fuel your workouts. (You can use MFP's food and exercise diaries to get an estimate of how much you need to eat for your routine.)

    Good luck!
  • halfasandwich
    halfasandwich Posts: 11
    Is there a reason you eat such bland food? What's with the egg whites?
  • mattandresen
    mattandresen Posts: 2
    Bryan,

    It sounds like the problem is almost all mental. I usually weigh in at around 195 lbs and I am 5'10" I lift often and play a lot of basketball. 2 years ago I decided to test my will power. I switch from heavy lifting to crossfit exercises, did a lot of cardio and used the fuel and fire method. This is where you find out the calories you need to maintain your current weight. After you figure this, you confuse your metabolism. One day you eat 150% of your the calories you need to maintain and the next day you eat 75% of that. Your body fights to find a normal state so your metabolism can slow down, but with the fuel and fire method there isn't a normal state, so your metabolism speeds up. I create goals week by week, because a day isn't long enough to see a pattern and a month is too long and it is easy to get discouraged. I lost 40 pounds with this method, but eventually it became hard to lose weight because my body found the new normal and went into fat conservation mode. Just cardio alone can't really help you lose weight, weight lifting heavily supplements this effort. Crossfit is a good combination of cardio and weight lifting. Let me know what you think...
  • calliope_music
    calliope_music Posts: 1,242 Member
    my guess is you need to eat more.
  • kirstand
    kirstand Posts: 76
    :smile:
  • kirstand
    kirstand Posts: 76
    If I ate the same thing three times a day, everyday, I would be depressed, too! You are a chef, come up with some healthy delicious meals!
    i was thinking exactly the same thing
  • Lozze
    Lozze Posts: 1,917 Member
    Hey all. My name is Bryan. I'm a 25 year old guy, I'm 5'9, and I weigh between 145-150 and I've been struggling with my weight all my life.

    Uh, that's not unhealthy? Your top healthy weight range is 170lbs. You're WELL under that.

    In fact this book will change your life if you want to bulk up. New Rules of Lifting

    If you're not a troll I think you need to talk to someone. Your weight battles are all in your head now.
  • onedayillbamilf
    onedayillbamilf Posts: 662 Member
    I <3 trolls

    They are cute, aren't they?!
  • jessicajoy87
    jessicajoy87 Posts: 905
    Dude eat more!
  • auntiebabs
    auntiebabs Posts: 1,754 Member
    Get some *Happy Fats* in your diet Avocado, Olives, Olive oil, other plant based fats, and a variety of fish.

    The purpose of getting in shape is to live a life you love... not to punish yourself.
    Your body is a vehicle that's got to get you through the rest of your life, make it strong so that you can do stuff.

    I dunno being a chef do you think of food as work, is that why you don't incorporate variety into your own diet?
    I bet you'd never feed your guests that way...
  • jessicajoy87
    jessicajoy87 Posts: 905
    I <3 trolls

    They are cute, aren't they?!


    WTH?
  • struggeling53
    struggeling53 Posts: 36 Member
    Yes I think you need to rearrange your diet and do some weight training...good luck i know how hard it is to hit a plataue.
  • Teppanyaki77
    Teppanyaki77 Posts: 7
    Honestly I don't mind how much egg whites I eat. Spices are a way of life for me, so I can incorporate them in all types of ways. No salt or other sodium filled spices though. There's enough out there that you can bypass those sodium ones. I think I'll experiment. Try upping the calories. I'm quite active. I bike back and forth to work which is a good half hour away. Then when I get home I hit the weights. My biggest concern now is that maybe I'm in starvation mode? And that now if I up my calories to 1700-1800 I'm just gonna gain weight. Even though that's what my BMI (I think that's what its called) is saying I could eat and just lay in bed all day and be fine. I'm consuming A LOT of protein with the eggs and whey shakes. So you're there's no chance I'm gonna tone up if I stay with all this protein and lack of carbs and calories? It just feels so unusual to eat more is all. Hahaha, man, maybe I'm just crazy!
  • escadachic
    escadachic Posts: 395 Member
    I personally recommend reading 'The False Fat Diet'

    As you might be holding onto False fat, due to eating reactive foods, which the books explains all about and once you work out what your reactive foods are and avoid them. Any bloating, swelling (otherwise known as false fat) will disappear, as will those last few pounds.

    It explains SO much, this book. I've not finished reading it myself. But from what I have read. I recommend everyone who has the time read it. You won't just lose weight and false fat. But your health will improve, in so many ways. As will your mood.
  • DeBiKin
    DeBiKin Posts: 107 Member
    As I was reading, my exact thought was that you are not eating enough. Also, variety is the spice of life and while egg whites don't have all the cholesterol I almost think it would be better to throw a yoke in here or there instead of the string cheese. Google calories and protein there's lots of info to help you find what's right for you... Hang in there.
  • Meginsky
    Meginsky Posts: 2
    Brian, make sure you are incorporating adequate, DAILY exercise into your regimen. I recently noticed a drastic difference for the worse in my psyche when I went dormant with exercise over the holidays. I was in hibernation mode, and was indulging in all the holiday goodies. While my sweet tooth was satiated, my lack of activity had me down in the dirt. I recently started exercising again and I have noticed a dramatic increase in my well-being. As monotonous as the saying goes, even "20 minutes a day" of walking helps tremendously. Try to push it to 25-30 if you can. But 20 minutes alone will do wonders for your depression. Trust me. I have been there. And while I am a female and three years your senior, I have always been an above-average lady. So plug in your favorite tunes, and get out in the fresh air! Tonight on my walk I noticed all the beautiful constellations, as I try to find joy in every day. Find something you are grateful for every day along with exercising (and eating the best that suits your lifestyle). You were able to type this post. So start there. Be grateful for the hands and fingers that enabled you to type. Hope this helps! You can do it! You are in charge of your success and your happiness! 8)
  • hausofnichele
    hausofnichele Posts: 531 Member
    I agree with everyone else --- consume more calories!

    Maybe your body is used to all the same foods all the time? Try switching up your sources of protein.

    I have to eat lower carb so I understand not wanting to eat them but your body probably really needs them. Especially when you're working out so much!! So I would suggest upping your carb intake as well.

    Take lots of vitamins!!

    Yes, I also agree with concentrating on lifting and toning up.

    Also, with carbs being low perhaps your blood sugar is low? That could be a huge source of your depression right there. I know it is for me. Hang in there. It's great that you work so hard to keep yourself fit.
  • beduffbrickie
    beduffbrickie Posts: 642 Member
    This is not depression! depression is an illness, change the title of your thread, what you are suffering from is plateu
  • Teppanyaki77
    Teppanyaki77 Posts: 7
    I know I know. I'm not literally depressed because of this. It just brings me down a bit that's all. I'm just gonna stick with the calorie cycling, keep up the half hour elliptical every morning before breakfast, still bike back and forth to work and work out my back, chest, biceps, and abs hard for a month. With all the protein I really hope I see some results! By the way. Thank you everyone for your responses. I really truly appreciate it =)
  • escadachic
    escadachic Posts: 395 Member
    This is not depression! depression is an illness, change the title of your thread, what you are suffering from is plateu

    I don't think you can actually edit the title. And yeah, it may not be 'depression', but feeling over it all, can feel depressing.

    I suffer from depression and I'm not bothered that the word 'depression' was used to describe how he feels. He's was just using the word to describe how low he felt, that's all.
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