What are the specific steps you took to overcome depression and or overeating?

Question

What did you find most beneficial? What didn't work? Did you find that certain treatments went hand in hand and were more beneficial togehter?

Answer 1

Good question. I am definitely an emotional eater too. But I allow myself once a week to eat Popeye's (#3 spicy, red beans and rice etc!) and finish it off with some ice cream and cookies (and I'm small - if you saw me you'd be amazed I could eat that much). Then I sit at home in my pj's and watch tv. The rest of the week however, I get up at 4:45 to do cardio before work. I do weights on my lunch break. I eat oat bran, lean protein, and other foods that are good for me and give me energy. What I'm trying to say is - let yourself eat bad once in a while (no more than once a week) and enjoy it. But you must eat well and exercise the rest of the week! Easier said than done, yes. The key is not being in denial like most people - people who are always looking for a magic pill, etc. There is no magic pill, and there is no quick fix. Exercise has been shown through TONS of research studies to be an effective way to treat depression. If you want to change your life, you have to change the way you live. And it won't be easy. Why do you think so many people are overweight and depressed - because it is easier to eat junk food and not accomplish the things that would make you happy in the long term. That's easy! What is hard is doing the opposite. So if you want to be happier than other people, and if you want to be in better shape than other people, you have to do what they won't. You have to work harder than them and try harder than them. Don't live in denial of the things I've just said, or you will never be able to change. Good luck.

Answer 2

I have been suffering from depression for years, however, after the birth of my first child last year the depression deepened. At first I just thought it was post-pardum (and it probably was) but after 8 months and still suffering from SEVERE depression I began to wonder. My doctor's answer was to place me on medication but I refused because I've had bad experiences in the past with meds. I was also overweight and that was adding to my lack of self esteem,which was adding to my depression, which added to my emotional eating, which added more weight, etc. In July I heard about the Cambridge Diet, a nutritional supplement that can be used to augment a normal diet or as the sole source of nutrition to lose weight. Because it was affordable I figured I'd try it. It claimed to provide 100% of the body's daily nutrition and I was already spending $50 a month on liquid vitamins so I figured I had nothing to lose. The weight immediately began to melt off and I noticed after the first week that my energy levels were increasing. There is a strong support system because if you order through a Cambridge distributor they become your personal "cheerleader" and can really help break the addiction of emotional eating. As I lost weight and my energy increased I found I could easily throw in a little exercise. Losing the weight in combination with getting some good exercise and great nutrition seemed to be the answer to my depression. I'm a Cambridge user for life now because I feel so good! I'm not at my ideal weight but I really like myself now and I've broken the emotional eating too. In answer to your question, I would say getting the proper nutrition along with losing weight eliminated the depression. That might explain why the medications never worked properly for me. It wasn't a chemical imbalance, it was a nutritional imbalance.

Answer 3

First, i tried to find another medium to get out my depression. Art, movie marathons, etc. Second, whenever I opened that frige or pantry i'd ask myself these questions: "Am I really hungry?" "do i just want some flavor in my mouth?" Those questions usualy got me to shut those doors. I also bought gum and things like baby bottle pops. They give you the flavor crave you need and they come in low fat/sugar free. Lastly, Work to notice when you feel full. Being aware can stop a snack attack from becoming a binge.

Answer 4

Personally I sought help I see a pshychiatrist monthly and take medication daily....try to determine why you are over eating the cause of that may or may not be part of a mental illness... too many people are blaming lack of control will power and many other things on a mental illness...like moodiness...some people blame this on "bipolar" when in reality they are just bitchy and moody anyways...

Answer 5

i have one small dish that i use. if the food doesnt fit on there i dont need to eat it. try getting in to spiritual or artistic work.

Answer 6

1. Stop eating so much
2. be happy

repeat as needed

Answer 7

I really hope you get a decent answer instead of ignorant answers!!

Answer 8

Medicine & Spirituality... but what that means for you is up to you.