cognitive behavioral therapy can be very effective. and exercise, too, of course! sounds like you are on your way to a happier, healthier you.

antidepressants can also be a great tool. i was very reluctant to start them (stigma, guilt, etc) but i'm so glad i did. for *me* it is necessary. but the therapy part has been the most crucial in managing my depression.

thank you for sharing your struggles- it's a lot of work but it is so rewarding. best to you!

I'm glad that I am doing this for me... I think that the therapy and (possibly) antidepressants will be my ticket to getting to goal weight AND STAYING THERE. I cannot regain the 180 pounds I lost. I just can't.

Gaining it back is NOT AN OPTION. Going off plan is NOT AN OPTION. I'm going to deal with both the mental and the physical and get this done. I'm feeling very positive.

Thanks for everyones advice and support.

HUGE HUGS and even bigger KUDOS for #1 going to a therapist, and #2 being brave enough to share it with others. I can't tell you how many people have asked me "how'd you lose the weight" and i'd say "Well, I saw a therapist and...." and they jump in with "hypnosis???" Ummmm NO lol. ISSUES. Dealing with things. Learning HOW to deal with things instead of shoving a cupcake in my face. All the seemingly endless diets I've tried were all doomed to failure had I but known it at the time

And therapy isn't just for hardcore issues like CFMAMA is dealing with, some are for sure, but other issues contribute to bad patterns being repeated over and over again and someone on the outside of your life can help break that loop. I thought about it for years (and i AM a psychologist lol talk about head in the sand) but figured I had no 'trauma' per se, no abusive relationships, no real hardship of any kind so what the heck did i have to talk about??? A LOT actually, and once you pick at that scab it can heal properly and life can be different **ok soapbox over lol**

Good for you mama, all the best

CF Mama it is so great to see you here and to know that you are working it. I have ever confidence that you will get off those seven pounds and more!

The therapy approach also seems very smart to me. For us big losers it is all a lot more complicated than we probably realize.

Heya cf, just wanted to say hi, I miss you, I have been gone far too long. I regained 25 or so of the 40 lbs I'd lost back, and am here (and back on spark) trying to start over.

I am also finally trying to deal with the mental issues (I binge. I'm also an emotional eater and had such a hard time admitting that. Somehow it's easier to say "Food is tasty" than, "I'm eating my feelings..." meh. feels like a defeat.)

Anyhow, I missed you! I thought of you often and wanted to offer some *hugs* along what is surely to be a mess of a mental journey for us both.

you can do it!

I was just thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you were doing. I'm glad to hear you are still 'fighting the good fight' and it sounds like you are doing what you need to do, physically, mentally and emotionally - to make it through, finish getting that weight off and live the life you deserve. I think it takes great courage to examine your life and your past like that and give you major props for it. An inspiration as always.

I'm off to the doctors this morning to discuss antidepressants or (my preference) natural therapies. Wish me luck!

Luck and hugs!

Thinking of you!!

Is it too late to add my hugs here? I hope not.



I hope things get better for you soon. I know they will. You are awesome

Big Hugs!!! I am also working on losing some re-gain. Gosh...it is harder the 2nd time! Ugh! I just posted on your other thread too...we are in a similar boat right now. Here's to hoping we both turn things around soon!

Thanks everyone (and Barb it SUCKS don't it!!!!)

I'm on two weeks of totally on plan. It feels so great to be back there in that head space. I can't control my depression but I CAN control my food.

CfMama, I applaud you for trying to get to the bottom of your struggles. This journey is much more an emotional journey than anything else--at least it was and is for me. (((((hugs))))))