Weight Gain

[ThousandMiles]

Hey again,

Is anyone else having problems with food as a result of depression + the treatment of it? The medication that I'm on apparently causes weight-gain in many patients, and I think that is the case with me. 

At the same time, the depression is increasing my appetite and making me extremely tired 24/7, so it's really hard to exercise. I wouldn't say I self-medicate with food, exactly, but sometimes I find comfort in it, and most of the time I am just constantly hungry. 

I won't say what my weight is now, all I'll say is that I have gained 8kg in only a few months, and though I am still in the "healthy weight range", I am near the top of it. And I am scared that I will become overweight again, as I used to be when I was younger. I also suffer from mild BDD, so I find myself very preoccupied with my weight yet I feel like I cannot do much about it 😞

I am trying to exercise for at least 20 minutes every day, and to eat healthier foods + less food, but I feel that I'm only motivated some days. My parents also don't support me wanting to lose weight (they think I look fine and that I should be focusing on my mental health and my education right now), so it's hard to eat less when they give me such big portions. And if they've given me that much food, I still want to eat it, because I'm hungry and it's nice :'D It's not that I have no self-control, my self-control just isn't that great the moment.

So, any similar experiences? Or advice? This weight gain is making me feel even more depressed 😞

[the_motorcycle_boy]

Hi ThousandMile's,

I too have a problem with my weight and have for quite a while. The depression slows me down and I'm also on a medication that causes weight gain. I have tried to go off this particular medication a few times but each time my sleep quality became very poor so I had to start taking it again. I am not terribly overweight but would like to lose maybe 10kg.

I find it hard to exercise too but for the last 2 months I have gone for a 30 minute walk most mornings as soon as I get up. It really helps me by getting rid of the cobwebs and by waking me up a bit more for the rest of the day. And, my weight has come down a bit.as well. I use to swim years ago and found that to be a great exercise when depressed.

Other things I try to do include avoiding food between meals and eating lite foods wherever possible. Big portions is a hard one! It's very hard to say No. Maybe you could help out in the kitchen and have a say in what portions you want.

I know it can be depressing worrying about one's weight. Sometimes it gets to me too. What helps me is saying " I accept myself just the way I am".

All the Best

Henry

[Neil_1]

Hi there 1000Miles;

Good to hear from you again ... and I'll say that Henry has chipped in with some good advice as well.

Gaining weight or simply being a little bigger than what we would ultimately like can definitely have an effect on depression;  I believe it can be a definite trigger.  With that in mind, it was good how your parents said that you should be looking after your mental health.  So 1000Miles, I would encourage you go to them and share with them that with you gaining weight, it ISN'T currently helping your mental frame of mind and so would it be possible for you to receive slightly smaller portions.  Just a thought.

As Henry said, if you can get out first thing of a morning that is the absolute best time to exercise for achieving weight loss.  Out of bed and onto the pavement or where-ever you might go, and you'll then be burning off the excesses in your body because you haven't fuelled your body after your sleep.

I can't emphasis enough the drinking of water either.  Water has got to exit your body and when it does it does take unwanted body parts (fat stores) with it, especially if (a) you've been working out and (b) you've been drinking enough.  OR green tea is probably better if you can manage to drink lots of that.

Kind regards

Neil

[vip]

Hello thousand miles I gained 24kgs being on my medication im off it now and lost 10 of it but this was by joining a gym. The medication definitely makes you more hungrier I would suggest to get an exercise plan going as well to stop this from happening.

[Schmara]

Hi there thousand miles,

I've recently been told I'm suffering from depression, anxiety & stress but haven't gone on medication just yet. But I am overweight & have been wanting to lose 15 kgs. And I know being overweight hasn't helped my mental state.

I agree with Neil1 about talking to your parents so they're aware of what you want to do & how it is affecting you. I'm sure they would be more than happy to help you & they would be a motivational tool for you too. When it comes to weight loss it is so important to have the right people around you who encourage & support you to achieve your goals. If they still serve larger portions, maybe before you sit down, divide it into half & then you have lunch for the next day!

 Even though snacking doesn't help, it has shown that eating smaller portions, more often (5-6 times a day) increases our metabolism therefore increasing fat burning. As humans we are not designed to eat large meals and are designed more to 'graze' throughout the day, you will find after a few days of eating this way you will have constant energy throughout your day. And water is very important as too is cutting out sugary drinks. So stick to water if you can.

Keep us up to date with your progress & wishing you all the best xx

[Jo3]

Hi ThousandMiles

There have been some great responses to your post. 

I have suffered depression, anxiety and BPD for the past 4 yrs and I can say that I too have put on weight.  I have put on about 15kg, although now I have lost about 5kg.  I do walk the dog every day and I am trying really hard to watch what I eat.  But it is the medication I am sure that contributes to the weight gain. 

But like my psych said to me once - "would you prefer to be skinny and a terrible mental state or would you like to be happy and stable and a little bit of weight on".

I tend to agree with him - at the moment I would prefer to have my mental state at a stable level and not worry so much about my weight.

Because worrying about my weight only contributes to the depression even further.

Good luck and let us know how you go

Jo