I’ve gained 6 stone and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to loose it.

[sugarspicepea]

Last year I suffered terribly with anxiety and depression.

I don’t smoke or drink, and somehow I found comfort in food.

It brings me so much happiness, it’s like a drug.

I’ve gone from being 11 stone,
with a BMI of 25.6 to being 17 stone with a BMI of 39.6

Absolutely none of my clothes fit me and I’ve resorted to living in stretchy leggings and baggy tops.

I’m so exhausted all of the time, I get out of breath easily and I generally feel disgusting.
(I’ve had blood tests and all is fine)

I look nothing like I used to look and I’ve completely stopped socialising because I can’t bare the thought of anyone seeing me, plus I can’t bring myself to buy any clothes in my size( no idea what size I am but definitely not a size 10 anymore)

Everyday I start the day well, fresh fruit / cereal / eggs… but by lunch time I have such an overwhelming need to eat something to make me
feel better.

I really do not know how to break this cycle.

I’ve never struggled with my weight before and have always been really comfortable being 11stone.
I always used to have such a healthy balanced diet, but now I wouldn’t have a clue what balance is.

I mostly eat takeaways and most nights I have share size bags of crisps / chocolates to myself.

I’d love to get back in to my old clothes and not have such an issue with food, but I honestly don’t
think I’m ever going to.

Fantastic post by Amammi
Whenever I am depressed I put on weight, feel shit so don’t make an effort in my looks, so look like crap and end up comfort eating because of it.
When I make an effort and put on nice clothes and make up I feel a bit better which means I don’t end up bingeing on crap.

Some good advice I got was not to cut anything out else you crave it even more. Plan 3 x healthy meals and don’t have any crap in the house. But if you crave something walk to the shop and get just that eg a bar of chocolate but just one and not a multipack.
Also don’t stop. If you end up having a binge, or put on weight that week don’t let it put you off just carry on the next day.

You can do it op!

Just change one thing at a time and when you feel comfortable with that change, make another one.

Don't beat yourself up over a bad day, just start again with a new day.

That's how I'm doing it anyway, it's as much breaking the 'I'm not/never good enough' thought cycle as it is the food cycle.

Until your link to food equalling comfort is broken it will be hard, i found medication for my anxiety helped break the cycle along with talking therapy, but appreciate it is different for everyone.

You can do it though, some tips that helped me-

Finding tweaks for my favourite meals, pinch of nom has some really good ideas, so it doesn't feel like I'm on a diet as such, but am eating really tasty and comforting foods.

Hobby in the evening- I started crocheting, it meant that my danger zone which was the evening after dinner for binging I was distracted, I also made up snack boxes of around 300 calories, which meant I didn't go overboard and knew I always had something I could have; took a while to build the discipline not to eat them all at once though! I put my favourite things in like small bars of choc, popcorn, cereal bars etc.

Got moving more, even if it's just walking around whilst watching telly, or popping music on and having a stroll- it all counts

I found telling people helped as they were supportive and spurred me on, and it didn't feel like something to be ashamed of anymore, but something to be proud of

I had a takeaway every other weekend, if I had cravings between them I knew I could have one soon so it helped

Other 'treats' for bad days or celebrations when I'd usually turn to food- face masks, bath bombs, a new book etc :)

You are me in reverse.

Have spent my life overweight but finally been able to lose it and lost over 5 stone from a size 20 to a size 12. BMI down from 39 to 26.

Fast800 is how. Low carb and intermittent fasting.

Rooting for you OP 🙌🏻

Do you have medication for your anxiety and depression? Years ago, when I was struggling with PTSD, I was prescribed an antidepressant that certainly helped my mood but also made me very hungry. In the space of 10 months I expanded from size 10 to 18. Two years later my meds were changed and I dropped to size 14 effortlessly. However, I have never lost the last 10kg.

Just last week I saw a specialist who has prescribed a drug to counter the SSRI. The SSRI is great for reducing anxiety and improving sleep, and this other drug will help with motivation and to suppress appetite.

So if you are struggling with anxiety and motivation, it may be that your GP could help you.

@PrettyLittleFlies what drug are they prescribing alongside your SSRI? I have been on antidepressants for 6 months and gained 4 stones in that time. My GP said switching SSRI is worth a try but I'm scared to go back to that dark place I was in at the end of last year. A counter drug sounds great - any info is very much appreciated.

OP - I feel for you and completely understand. I have been avoiding seeing my friends also, which is very upsetting. I find intermittent fasting alongside a high fat low carb diet has worked great for me in the past. Time for me to start again.

@charlielimacharlie
oh I do feel for you, it's such a trade off 😔

I've been prescribed bupropion which I am to take alongside the SSRI. Will gradually reduce SSRI dose but not come off it completely. Haven't started it yet, am on a short course of melatonin first, and of course it may not answer my prayers but here's hoping...

Good luck. Can I ask what AD you're on?

@PrettyLittleFlies
Thank you for this information. I really hope it works for you. I'm currently taking 100mg of Sertraline daily.

@0None0

This was me a year ago. Now I’m back to 11 stone.

Yes you can loose it!

Read ‘why we eat (too much) by Andrew Jenkinson.

Basically cut out sugar, artificial sweeteners, bread, margarine, vegetable oil, pasta, pastry, and processed food.

I k ow it’s hard. I messed up regularly. But the book helped me hugely, and these days, when I feel like treating myself, I don’t even fancy the chocolate and crisps I used to reach for. My favourite treats are savoury now

Good luck - you can do it.

I have do many lively new clothes I can’t decide what to wear in the morning.

This will be your problem by this time next year too xx

Thank you for this book recommendation.

@sugarspicepea we can do it

How did you get on with cbt?

I'm on the last day of a Noom trial. I don't think it's necessarily worth paying for, but the fortnight is really useful as kind-of virtual coaching that uses cbt.
It builds a routine and talks you down from being too hard on yourself.

Changes are always easier if you break them down into smaller bits.
Just not gaining weight will be progress compared to your current situation.

If you can afford it, get some comfy nice-looking leggings or something so you smile when you put them on.
You're allowed to be happy now, on the way towards your goal, as well as once you get there.

I'd really recommend the Fast 800. It's tough just for the first few days but the simplicity is great and you lose sooo fast that it keeps you completely motivated. Devised by a doctor and tons of medical evidence quoted in the book. I have found it a breath of fresh air. Just think how good you'll feel when you've lost your first stone!!

Agree with pp Andrew Jenkinson book is a game changer. Also The Obesity Code by Jason Fung. I have lost 6 stone since lockdown in march 2020 and as I don't feel deprived I'm confident I can continue to lose the last 2 to goal and then maintain. Calories in/calories out is nonsense for weight loss. The human body is so much more complex than that.

I agree with previous pp, for me it worked to to replace the sugar/fat combo high with exercise. I put on many, many stone and am in the process of slowly losing it. If I exercise first thing (I use Les Mills online at the moment) and drink lots of water while doing my exercise then I feel so much better for the rest of the day… and that impacts what I eat. The different between eating enough to gain a lb, stay the same weight or lose a lb is in reality small. Each time my target is to lose 1lb. When I’ve lost that, I work on losing the next one. To begin with I yo-yo-ed up and down that lb, then I lost and kept it off and now I lose it, keep it off then slowly lose another lb. it’s happening slowly but the scales are heading down.
I exercise before eating and then exercise after I’ve finished eating for the day too. Not always a workout, walking counts for me, but once I’ve done that exercise in the early evening then I have nothing but water till the next day.
There are lots of different ways of doing it, it’s about picking the way that works for you. Something needs to change for you to lose weight rather than gain weight but it doesn’t have to much of a change to make an initial impact. All the best.

Aw I'm almost certain you can, as this is where I want to be too x

I don't have scales in my house as I don't want my girls getting into that relationship with weight so early on, but when I was last weighed, I was 17st 6lbs, I nearly cried!

However since May, I've lost inches of the regions that matter & I'm hoping next time I go to the doctor, I've lost lbs too x

I put on a LOT of weight when I was pregnant with my first, then more again with my twins. I just couldn’t shift it, and I became depressed and of course, I put more on. My 30’s and half of my 40’s I was grossly obese. My health suffered and so did my self-esteem and mental health. I had a huge health scare at 46 and saw a neurologist who put me on a healthy version of the keto diet (not the weird, butter & coconut oil in your coffee version - yuk, or all you can eat bacon, but one where you combine intermittent fasting with a sensible serving of protein and veggies, no sugar/grains/root veggies, etc.) I lost 10.5 stone very quickly. I’m 49 now and it’s stayed off. I look and feel younger than I did at 35 when I was fat. I lost all that weight in less than a year. I am a gym-dodger. The photos below are me definitely not at my fattest, I think around 38, and the next photo was taken at Christmas (Australia) so nearly 11 years apart.
Hope it shows you that you can do it.

OP I’m in the same boat as you - even same amounts of weight to lose

I float about in flowery tents head held high but deep deep down am absolutely dying of shame

I’m starting a diet tomorrow and will be trying to love on fruit and vegetables as far as possible

I’m also cracking open the antidepressants which I think as prescribed a few months ago and never took (cos like eating is more fun) 🙄

The list of repercussions on my health is enormous- I’m going to try and bear that in mind

If you want a diet buddy. - let me know

@Namelessnancy

Agree with pp Andrew Jenkinson book is a game changer. Also The Obesity Code by Jason Fung. I have lost 6 stone since lockdown in march 2020 and as I don't feel deprived I'm confident I can continue to lose the last 2 to goal and then maintain. Calories in/calories out is nonsense for weight loss. The human body is so much more complex than that.

Can you give some more info about what you've done?

I find it really motivating to read about other people who were in a similar situation...

I've just bought the recommended book!

You can do it OP. I have lost 3 dress sizes after gaining weight with meds (don't weigh myself). Myfitnesspal is a godsend, as is low carb (currently loads of salads with veggie protein, yogurt, berries) 16:8, drinking loads of water, 15+k steps a day and weights workouts on YouTube. You just need to get into the habit, you'll need less willpower after say, the first week or so.

For me the best approach has been time restricted eating (usually a 4-6 hour window in the evening). If I stick to quality, minimally processed ingredients and eat to satiety during this time I don't find I get excessively hungry the rest of the time. No low fat versions or calorie counting. Avoiding highly processed carbs is really important for me. They make me crave more of them and pile the weight on.

I did low carb too-i tried to consider it as a money saver-my phone app told me id spent$1200 in one month on food&along with feeling exhaused &sleeping badly plus nearly needing a size20,it was all the incentive i needed.Im almost down4stone &swim/treadmill incline walk and lift weights now too-allof which is giving great toning results..the 1st 2weeks were hard,just getting out of the habit of always grazing and getting food at drive thrus to&from work..but thinking of how much money i was spending to fast track an early grave..its a no brainer! we are in winter here so im eagerly anticipating whipping off my kit at the beach in4 months

@Polkadots2021

OP I'm not saying this is easy, not by a long shot, but my clients (I'm a PT) who are addicted to fat and sugar and carb hits of serotonin and dopamine like you no doubt are, are dealing with addiction so you need to replace the addiction if you want to stop the eating. It sounds boring but exercise is the best replacement as it'll give you an amazing natural high.

Here's the kicker though, it takes around 6 weeks of very regular exercise for the high to really start coming, then the longer you do it the more awesome the high. But that's why the first few weeks can be absolutely miserable boring hell but you have to stick with it. Also your brain will be used to immediate gratification with the food whereas with exercise it's delayed a bit and you just need to give your brain the chance to get used to that.

So replacing the high is what you need to do. It's super hard at first but know it gets so much easier if you do stick with it.

This is really useful information.

You could consider therapy again to help you find alternative ways to cope with the feelings. Talking therapy rather than CBT. If you learn to express the feelings then they don't require so much comforting or suppressing with food.