Hi girls, I have been very reluctant to come back to this board (I was prncssrachel), but I am posting because I'm at my absolute wits end. I suffer from really bad seasonal depression, and every winter I have a pattern of gaining weight. I've gained 8 pounds since Christmas, and I am SO disgusted with myself. I feel like I have zero self control, and I am so afraid of gaining back all of my weight. It's like when I'm motivated, there's no stopping me, but times like now I feel so awful that I just don't know what to do. I can't even get my body up to exercise. I go to work, come home and that's it. And the more weight I gain, the worse I feel, the worse I feel, the more I eat. I am so embarrassed that this is happening to me, but I am having such a hard time that I don't want to keep it in. Does anyone else suffer from something similar? What do you do to combat it? I really need to get myself out of this rut. Thanks girls
ikasse02
Posted:
Member since
Re: Seasonal Depression and weight gain.....
I sort of understand. I have done some strange things to get it to go away this winter. If it worked this winter, it really works for me!
1. I got full spectrum bulbs for the house. They are not as great as light boxes but they are much cheaper for seasonal depression. You can find them anywhere and they advertise them for plant growth!
2. I exercise first thing in the am (5am) right next to one of those lamps. Exercise is a proven depression fighter that can be as effective as meds.
3. I exercise outside when it is warm enough - whether it be a walk, shoveling snow, going for a run.
So, I guess my point is find as much natural light as possible and try to get some regular activity. It really helps!
And if the depression is affecting you, could you see a health professional? It is a common syndrome that you do not have to suffer with!
Hold on and don't worry! Spring is coming!
Feel better!
prncssrachel
Posted:
Member since
Re: Seasonal Depression and weight gain.....
Thanks so much for responding. I have been so against taking medication for my depression my whole life and I just hang on until it goes away, but lately I have been thinking I really should try taking a small dose at least. I have an appointment to see my doctor, so hopefully she can help me clear some things up. It just really sucks feeling this way Thanks again
BriBri529
Posted:
Member since
Re: Seasonal Depression and weight gain.....
Good luck Rachel! I can relate to some extent~ this has been a pattern for me for years until this year. Joining WW and attending meetings has kept me in check, since I am unable to do it on my own. Def. go to the doctor and let them put you on a low dose of something to help you. I will tell you that there are more people than you realize that have to take meds for depression or other emotional situations. (For me it is anxiety/panic disorder.) We are here to support one another, so don't be hesitant to come back!!!
BTW: Why did you change your name?
Best wishes and Good Luck . . . Keep us posted on how you are doing!
ikasse02
Posted:
Member since
Re: Seasonal Depression and weight gain.....
Please let us know what happens at the doctor's appt.
I feel like this when I go to the doc sometimes...
I thought about your situation some more and noticed that a lot of my past relationships started in spring/summer and end in fall/winter. Hmmm...is there a link?
azoodie
Posted:
Member since
Re: Seasonal Depression and weight gain.....
rachel...don't be upset!
i too suffer from seasonal weight gainl. in fact, the seasonal doesn't really have to do with the seasons it just depends in what sort of mood ihappen to be in.
i too have lost a lot of weight but i'm not afraid of gaining it all back. you've come too far to let yourself do that. just know that this IS a rut, but you're going to have to bring yourself out of it, and eventually you will!!
i was in a rut from sept till this past new years. i stopped dieting. i stopped excercising. not working out made me not care about what i ate etc etc.
but i gave myself a deadline. i said that by new years i would stop. i don't know how it works for you, but i need to let myself go every now and then because it takes A LOT of dedication and energy and sheer willpower to keep going like that.
after the new year, i went to weight watchers. i didn't want to but i did. i knew i gained and i did. but it's only feb and i've managed to lose what i've gained plus some!!
so don't give up!! ride it through. you'll survive!! and you'll get back on the right track!! i have faith in you, because i myself have been there many many many a time, and i've always come back and i know you will too!!
let me know if you need anything!
Anniegrl
Posted:
Member since
Re: Seasonal Depression and weight gain.....
My sister took medication for seasonal depression. Don't feel bad! You know you have a problem, you CAN control it. It's all about the frame of mind that you're in. If you're mentally strong, you can get out of this rut. Maybe medication will help you, maybe you'll find that you can beat this thing without it. Take control! Good luck!
Julybaby
Posted:
Member since
Re: Seasonal Depression and weight gain.....
Posted by 121502
I suffer from really bad seasonal depression, and every winter I have a pattern of gaining weight. I've gained 8 pounds since Christmas, and I am SO disgusted with myself. I feel like I have zero self control, and I am so afraid of gaining back all of my weight. It's like when I'm motivated, there's no stopping me, but times like now I feel so awful that I just don't know what to do. I can't even get my body up to exercise. I go to work, come home and that's it. And the more weight I gain, the worse I feel, the worse I feel, the more I eat. I am so embarrassed that this is happening to me, but I am having such a hard time that I don't want to keep it in.
This sounds like me. The one thing that helps me go to the gym is to bring my gym bag to work and then work out on the way home. If I stop at home, then I will never work out. I force myself to go, even when I'm feeling at my worst, and tell myself that I will work out for 20 minutes and see how I feel after that. Usually, I end up working out for another 20-30 minutes. I understand how you feel awful about not working out and feeling bad - I get that way as well. But as Woody Allen once said, '80% of working out is getting to the gym.'
Hope you feel better!
ETA: Why is my stuff in italics? I can't figure that out!
prncssrachel
Posted:
Member since
Re: Seasonal Depression and weight gain.....
Thank you girls so much! I have been doing better the last few days. I've been off from work all week and I have tried to get up and out of the house real early so that I can keep myself busy. I keep asking myself before I eat something, 'How am I going to feel after I eat this?' And most of the time I can put it down, sometimes I said to hell with it, though I managed to lose 3 pounds this week, which was probably mostly water, but it still made me feel better. Thanks so much and I will let everyone know what happens with the doc!
