Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Anyone else experience low mood at beginning of diet?

22 replies

rocky1914 · 12/01/2022 22:44

I decided to start dieting about 4/5 days ago and I'm actually doing really well and already starting to feel better within myself.

However, I've noticed this evening that my mood is extremely low. I keep crying for no reason. I also stopped drinking on New Year's Eve but I don't think it's that. I was just irritable for a few days after and also experienced terrible insomnia and sweating.

All of that has passed now though. I'm also not due on my period for another 2 weeks so it's definitely not that either.

Anybody else experienced this or similar?

OP posts:
whattodo2019 · 12/01/2022 22:56

No because I take lots of vitamins and supplements jnc B complex and chromium

onedayoranother · 12/01/2022 23:00

Not really. I've started a few days ago and feel better - I'm actually doing something about my weight.
Could it be that you are just hungry and it's annoying that the weight hasn't t instantly melted away? I have a lot to lose and as I said I feel better psychologically, but then I look in the mirror and of course it will be months before I see any change and that's a big downer.

Original poster
rocky1914 · 12/01/2022 23:04

@onedayoranother it's weird because I actually started crying after we had dinner, not before. I wouldn't say that I feel sad when I'm hungry, I feel more annoyed and somewhat irritable when I'm hungry, but never sad. This is genuine sadness that seems to have just come from nowhere. Only thing I will say is that yes, psychologically I think I'm sad that it's not as simple as "stop eating for a few days and the weight will just melt off". It's such an odd feeling, I'm having difficulty even describing it in words as I type this. Oh and constantly standing on the scales. I really need to stop doing that. 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
rocky1914 · 12/01/2022 23:05

@whattodo2019 interesting. Thanks for this, I didn't even think that I should be taking vitamins. Just bought these meal replacement sachets and assumed they had all the vitamins I'll need but I'm going to buy some proper vitamins when we next do our weekly shop. Thanks

OP posts:
VolvicHenry · 12/01/2022 23:06

I get this. I've put it down to the fact that I binge eat as a coping mechanism in my life. Without it, I really do struggle. As ridiculous as that sounds.

VolvicHenry · 12/01/2022 23:07

Sorry cross posted, are you doing a meal replacement? You're probably hungry.

HelloBunny · 12/01/2022 23:10

Have you gone straight from nice Christmas food to meal replacement sachets? It’s a big adjustment mentally & physically, going on a diet. I find easing into it works for me, as my mood would definitely be affected by what I’m eating (we eat every day, so it makes sense).

Original poster
rocky1914 · 12/01/2022 23:49

@VolvicHenry

Sorry cross posted, are you doing a meal replacement? You're probably hungry.
Yes but I'm only using the meal replacement to cover breakfast and lunch, I'm still having a normal full dinner. But I genuinely don't think it's that I'm hungry. I don't feel sad when I'm hungry. I just feel annoyed and irritable. Not actual sadness.

But yes I was binge-eating for most of 2021. I was definitely comfort eating. So, is it perhaps that, much like a drug taken for depression for example, that without my drug (food), I am feeling sad/depressed?

OP posts:
Original poster
rocky1914 · 12/01/2022 23:51

@HelloBunny yeah I went straight into it, I didn't trust myself to ease myself into it because any opportunity I would just go straight back to binge-eating. On day 2 I had to literally get DH to change my password to my PapaJohn's account so that I couldn't order from them. It sounds funny but my eating problem is really, really bad and equally embarrassing. I just couldn't live like that anymore. So I know I'm doing the right thing, no doubt about that, but I feel really, really sad. Such a weird horrible feeling. 😔

OP posts:
ilovegreen · 13/01/2022 19:41

Alcohol and comfort eating squash emotions, so it could be that when you stop doing those things you start to be more aware of your emotions. If you are feeling sad here’s a virtual hug from me - o

MakkaPakkas · 13/01/2022 19:50

If you've been a big binge eater it's probably that you've just lost a big coping mechanism. You'll need to find other less maladaptive ones, a big hug, exercise, watching comedy, massage, 'flow' activities etc...

Orangesandlemons77 · 13/01/2022 20:05

There's something about carbs and serotonin, not sure but think I get the same sometimes when dieting. Tryptophan.

Original poster
rocky1914 · 13/01/2022 20:07

@Orangesandlemons77

There's something about carbs and serotonin, not sure but think I get the same sometimes when dieting. Tryptophan.
Hmm.. I honestly wish I'd done a bit more research before throwing myself headfirst into this diet. Not to say I'm regretting it because I'm actually not, I feel better each day I wake up, it's just the low mood that's getting the better of me right now. Need to do some more research in regards to what I've been putting into my body all this time. Thanks for the heads up
OP posts:
Original poster
rocky1914 · 13/01/2022 20:09

@MakkaPakkas

If you've been a big binge eater it's probably that you've just lost a big coping mechanism. You'll need to find other less maladaptive ones, a big hug, exercise, watching comedy, massage, 'flow' activities etc...
You're absolutely right, it's been my biggest coping mechanism over this past year, I had quite a major surgery last year too that has definitely triggered my depression so eating was something I could do without feeling guilty, I genuinely didn't think it was such a bad thing until I saw myself piling on the weight. It is definitely an addiction much like nicotine or alcohol. Scary concept.
OP posts:
KateMiddletonsBodyDouble · 13/01/2022 20:09

OP are you doing any exercise? Even just getting yourself outside for a 20 minute walk in the day can make a big difference.

Original poster
rocky1914 · 13/01/2022 20:11

@ilovegreen

Alcohol and comfort eating squash emotions, so it could be that when you stop doing those things you start to be more aware of your emotions. If you are feeling sad here’s a virtual hug from me - o
Definitely. I really wasn't expecting my brain to react like this tbh but a part of me is glad too as it means the toxins are coming out of my body at the same time. Today wasn't much better in terms of my mood, the morning/afternoon was awful but this evening has been a bit better. Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it ☺️
OP posts:
Original poster
rocky1914 · 13/01/2022 20:13

@KateMiddletonsBodyDouble that's exactly what DH said, he said that I should be coupling my diet with exercise. I wasn't for the first few days but today and yesterday I went on a long 40 minute walk with DD instead of just taking her to the local park and sitting there. Feel a bit better for it, don't get me wrong, but still early days to feel any noticeable change. I'm not giving up though.

OP posts:
Arucanafeather · 13/01/2022 20:17

I would definitely try exercise. Especially first thing in the morning. For me, if I exercise first thing, even a quick 20 min walk, my desire to squash emotions by comfort eating massively reduces.

KateMiddletonsBodyDouble · 13/01/2022 21:35

That's great. Don't forget it doesn't have to be all or nothing - it's not a 1 hour intensive Hiit session or don't bother. Even a short walk 10 mins just get a bit of fresh air will help Smile

Original poster
rocky1914 · 13/01/2022 22:35

@Arucanafeather

I would definitely try exercise. Especially first thing in the morning. For me, if I exercise first thing, even a quick 20 min walk, my desire to squash emotions by comfort eating massively reduces.
Interesting. Okay, thank you for this info ☺️
OP posts:
Original poster
rocky1914 · 13/01/2022 22:36

@KateMiddletonsBodyDouble

That's great. Don't forget it doesn't have to be all or nothing - it's not a 1 hour intensive Hiit session or don't bother. Even a short walk 10 mins just get a bit of fresh air will help Smile
I see. I thought it had to be a longer walk in order to burn off more calories but okay, will bear this in mind. Thank you so much
OP posts:
Gwenhwyfar · 15/01/2022 21:52

@ilovegreen

Alcohol and comfort eating squash emotions, so it could be that when you stop doing those things you start to be more aware of your emotions. If you are feeling sad here’s a virtual hug from me - o
Doesn't alcohol intensify emotions rather than squash them?
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread