Gaining Weight... how do you stop yourself?

Question

I've been going through some serious depression and really rough patches in my life. Im putting the pounds on like nothing else and now that I realize this I want to start dieting. But to diet you need to tell yourself your ready, etc. I dont know what to do because I still am depressed... and I need to do something. If its not food its smoking... and that makes my throat hurts. I need something to fall on... I dont know what to do...

And don't tell me a hobby, I am broke right now. We can barely afford bills.

Answer 1

So been there and I can understand your struggle, food becomes a comfort when you are depressed and before you know it - your clothes don't fit anymore!

For me it was about admitting the problem - that has to be the first step, and it sounds like you are there. After that, you have to know it won't be easy. Depression is very scary in how differently it manifests itself, so you must understand your disease. Try to talk to people who are also depressed, friends or family, for help. Try to get to a therapist just to get a handle on what is bothering you and ways to deal with it. Also get to your regular doctor for a check up and find out if medication might help you, even in the short term.

As far as the weight loss, you have to find something to replace the food. That could be some form of exercise: working in the yard, going for a walk, wash the car, clean out a room in your house, whatever - just get some activity.

Drink lots of water. It sounds so cliche, but it really works. I put lemon in mine so that it tastes like something. . .

Let yourself celebrate the little victories, even resisting the super-sized combo at the drive-thru is a reason to be proud of yourself.

Good luck and know that it does get better and easier as you get started.

Answer 2

Dear Poestalker,
I know exactly what your going through, I am in the same situation & need to stop eating all the bad stuff. I am a diabetic & just am so addicted to all the wrong foods. I have lost weight in the past & I do know it made me feel better from the depression. I have noticed some people have given you answers about walking, I do have to agree with them. When I go out for a walk & build up to at least 20-30 minute brisk walk I am a new person. I don't feel depressed & in turn want to do something nice for myself & suddenly find some self control I didn't have. I am talking to myself when I tell you these things because I need to get out now that the weather is cooling down & get moving. Try & not bring into the house the things you depend on, for me it's chips & candy. I will be thinking of you & maybe together we can change a few things around for the good for the both of us.
Good luck sweetie !

Answer 3

Eat healthier. I lost 50 lbs in about 9 months last year. I started training for a job and realized that I was losing weight so I kept it up. I would go for walks and run and go to the gym. I also limited my daily calorie intake and, ate things that we better for me like whole foods. I still ate pizza and cheeseburgers but, RARELY. You need to give into what you want once in a while or you will just have such a big craving you will give up and just binge. That's what happened to me the first few times that I tried to lose weight before I did it accidentally. Major thing. Stop drinking soda. This is the biggest thing. Diet soda is WORSE for you than regular because it has so many more preservatives and so much more salt that it will bloat you and make you more thirsty. Start moderately doing exercises. Do a few sit up and crunches every night. Run once around the block a few times a week. You will be surprised how just a little bit of exercise will make you feel. I always felt like I wanted to do more. Drink lots of water. Your body needs it anyway. If you start moderately and see results, you will want to do more and eventually you will be able to run a mile or two (if you can't already). It is also a mindset. You have to set your mind to it. Sounds tough but, if you want it bad enough you can do it. One thing that gave me motivation; I bought this extremely cute pair of jeans from Victoria's Secret, two sizes too small. In about 4 months, I fit into them. Good luck and hang in there.

Answer 4

Oh my have I been there and done that!

What you are getting from food and smoking are endorphins which are a chemical your brain makes that elevates your mood temporarily. The trouble with eating or smoking like any addiction is that your brain wants more so you eat more and smoke more and you just get bigger and cough more and become more depressed. Sound familiar?

The hardest thing to do but the best thing to do is exercise. Exercising also makes your brain produce endorphins but the good thing is that they last longer from exercise and when your brain wants more, it's doing an addiction that's good for you.

But the hardest part is starting and then continuing. You can make an excuse every day and talk yourself out of it, or like the Nike commercial says, just do it.

Get up and go outside right now and walk.

Answer 5

first of all, no body said hobbies had to involve cash. i would suggest you get a job. if you already have one, concentrate on it more. if you own a business, spend more time improving it. if you work for someone else, it is always better to work in a corporate or a large business where you can work and move your way up. because In your case, i believe, you need to give yourself a far but reachable goal. setting up a diet plan is a very smart idea too. what ever thats going on in your life, you need to set it aside and restart. it's never too late for anything and it might be hard in the beginning but once you get the hang of your newww daily routine, you'll feel better in no time. especially when you step on that scale you begin to see your weight drop. thats rewarding, it will then continue to motivate you more and more. try walking or jogging three or four times a week. i'm on a diet myself right now and i find it VERY VERY important and HELPFUL to count your calories. i try and keep under 1000 calories a day.. and just by doing that, my weight drops, not to mention i always exercise daily. anyhow, count your calories, and choose your food right. trust me, there are ALOT of healthy and delicious food out there. it's not all about the snicker bars and the fatty chocolate cake that is a good 500 calories a piece. if you think of it this way... lets say you're aiming for 1200 calories a day. You can go ahead and eat that piece of cake but just remember you'll be left with only 700 calories to eat. that's not much if you're gonna have that last throughout the day. burn more calories than you eat is the main thing. it works and i hope the best luck for you. oh yeah one more thing, pick smart snacks.. ruffles came out with a ruffles light. you can get it in the sour cream cheese flavor or whatever flavor you want it in, and it is only 75 calories for 15 delicious potatoe chips.. it's half the calories but tastes EXACTLY the same. miraculous but it exists, go to your local grocery store and shop around, you'll be suprised at how determined companies are trying to make their foods healthier. try and go to a bigger super market. for example, ralphs has their different branches, some are bigger than another but the point is, the bigger ones usually have more variaty. if you need any help please feel free to email me. my email is the same as my sn @ yahoo . BEST OF LUCKKkk oh yes, and feel free to eat what you like at times. for example, give your self SUNDAY to eat a nice cream pasta. treat yourself once in a while and you'll be less likely to give up.

Answer 6

If you decide to eat 5 to 6 times a day but in very small portions, it would really help you shed the pounds and save the money you are spending on food. Since you'll be eating small portions and more frequently, your metabolism will speed up. Also thinking about meal time will also occupy your mind. Good luck

Answer 7

Where to begin.

If it's a problem with depression (or anything else described here) then anything anyone suggests for weight control etc won't help you.

It begins in the mind. My only suggestion is take the energy thats keeping you depressed and focus into productive energy to jog/run/anything.

You get excercising, and the urge to smoke will dissappear.

Answer 8

Bothg work together.

Is there a nearby school or a jogging trail?

Good. Run laps. Or just walk laps.

between getting out in the sun, getting the endorphans flowing and working up to something a bit more pulsde-raising, it will work against the depression

Answer 9

get off the computer, and go for a walk. at least a mile a day. it will make you sleep better, give you more energy, and you will start to lose weight. you will feel so much better. If you can get a friend to walk with you, it helps even more.

Answer 10

the best way to lose weight and drop to your natural body size is to have your biggest meal in the morning and then lunch have a good full meal and in the evening have a lite meal. if at anytime during the day u need to snack , eat fruit, and always remember the golden rule do not eat three hours before bed.
like a king for breakfast, like a prince for lunch, and a pauper at supper .