Weight loss/depression..

[JennaLee]

I have been heavy since my son was born in 2003. I was always thin within the 115-125 range(i'm 5'1") and when my son was born, I went up to 185. I was 183 in April of this year, my husband left, I got depressed, stopped eating much, and went down to 170 by May. Yes, that's extremely unhealthy, I know. I started eating again as time went on, got happier, etc.. I am still losing weight, just at a slower, more steadier pace. I am 161 now.

 

Before my husband left, I tried everything to lose.. exercise( although with my current heart condition, I am advised against much physical activity), dieting, and nothing worked. I always stayed the same. I joined curves and lost a few inches, but that was that. Anyway, my question is.. can depression halt weight loss?

 

Also, I can't get out of the 160s. I was 159 for a short period of time but it went back to 161. How do you break free? LOL.

[Daniel89]

I'm no fitness guru but I know exercise is the best thing for weight loss. Diets don't work for me either, but I'm always trying new ones lol.

[Enchanted Girl]

Is your heart really so bad that you can't even go for walks? Ask the doctor about it. Walks should probably be okay and will speed up your metabolism and help you lose some weight.

 

Depression, in and of itself won't make you stop losing weight, but it does make you lethargic and eat more, so that might be related to why you aren't losing anymore weight.

 

Either that or you hit a plateau and need to switch your diet around and things to lose any more weight.

[xpaperxcutx]

Usually depression makes you eat more. If anything, try to get out more even if it's for a little walk. Build a habit of incorporating some type of exercise in your daily routine and find relaxing methods to ease stress and calm your moods.

 

If you can't exercise, try to build a healthier diet and eat right. For most people who want to lose weight, 90% of weight lose ( especially stomach fat) comes from a clean diet. So no skipping meals. Eat more organically and more frequently ( try to a keep a food diary to calculate your calories).

 

If your current weight is 161, then your resting metabolic rate (RMR) is 1610.

 

Since you exercise you're moderately active, so multiply your RMR by 20% = 322 ( which is your daily activity burn)

 

Try to go with a 500 caloric deficit a week

 

So adding you your RMR with DAB minus caloric deficit= 1432 calories

 

So you should be eating about 1500 calories a day.

 

This is just an estimation. If you're exercising more( Daily Exercise ( DE)) just add the calories you burn to your RMR and daily activity burn.

[kiss_andmakeup]

If I might ask, what is your heart condition and how much physical exercise are you capable of without having a heart problem?

 

I ask because exercise can be a great combatant to depression. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) when I was in my teens and for years I took medication for it. However, after making certain improvements to my life (getting out of an unhappy relationship, becoming more physically active, changing careers) I've found I do just fine without the pills. Doing things for YOU, of which exercise is definitely one, are a great way to lift your spirits.

 

As far as dieting goes, extreme diets and fad diets definitely don't work. You literally have to just re-vamp how you eat. If you go on a diet that is extreme of course you will lose weight fast, but there is no way you will keep it off because it's impossible to stick to an extreme diet forever. Figure out what healthy foods you LOVE. Buy a few cook books. Experiment in the kitchen. Look for recipes that feature lean protein such as fish or white meat chicken.

 

Another tip I have is to buy a food scale! My boyfriend recently lost a lot of weight and using a food scale was his idea and it worked wonderfully. He had no idea how big of portions he was eating until he measured them.

[spirowilliam]

No need to worried about it. To reduce the weight there is not only require to follow the diet but also require to follow the schedule of the exercise as your comfort like swimming, heavy weight exercise, Yoga, walking, Aerobics and so on.

[laRubiaBonita]

symptoms of depression can be either weight loss or gain.

 

are you drinking enough water? 6 8 oz. glasses a day, minimum?

[GrayClouds]

Are you on any meds for your heart or depression? Most anti depression meds generally results in weight gains.

 

But like many have said mood often affect eating patterns and choices negatively. When depress most people will turn to high calorie, simple carbohydrates items that offers a temporary emotional lift from the sugar rush and a sense of contentment from fullness. Often these choice are not conscious.

 

While limiting calorie intake in generally the most effective tool to reduce weight, exercise can help. But more important exercise has been proven to be the most effective tool in improving depression symptoms.

Edited August 5, 2010 by GrayClouds