I've been doing ok on my weightloss so far...down about 28 total, about 103 to go. I worry about the fact that winter is coming. I've been told before I get seasonal affective disorder. Along with the grumpy depression, I get carb cravings like nothing else. It's like my body demands it, seriously,and I just can't stop eating.

I am going to try popping out the light box this year. Has anyone else found ways to keep going with exercise and not chowing down on everything in the friggin house? Thanks

I don't have any other suggestions, except maybe adding fish oil as a supplement? (which also helps me for my occasional sciatica pain)

I also have SAD, my antidepressant (Wellbutrin) surely helps, along with using the light box and forcing myself to exercise almost every day. I also turn on just about every light in any room that I'm in I don't care what the electric bill is!

and I guess cutting back severely on sweets and empty carbs, the less one has the less one craves (eventually).

best wishes!

I also get SAD and have found that if I avoid carbs from the start of each day, I don't crave them. If I do start the day with something sugary, then I'll want to eat sweets all day long. As far as exercising, when our weather turns bad and we can't go outside to walk, which will be in about another 2 weeks, I just walk laps around Walmart whenever we get to town. It's nice and bright and I get to say hi to all the salespeople-doesn't say alot for my social life, does it, but it does help alleviate some of the blues.

Maybe you can help me with a question too? I'm finding my symptoms starting much earlier this year-possibly due to our short, cool summer and the gloomy weather we've had the last 2 weeks. I've not been able to get a light box even with the diagnosis years ago as our insurance considers that "experimental". Is there a place to get one for a reasonable (cheap) price?

I have read that since we don't get as much sun in the colder months we need to make sure we get enough Vitamin D.

Ronni When I followed atkins I remember not hitting SAD during the winter months, it was prob the best I had ever felt so there's something to be said about the carbs in my case.

I agree with Holly... Fish Oil on days your not eating fish is wonderful.

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ronnnie - hmm, I don't know if you can get one 'cheap' - mine was the same list price of the Verilux Happy Light, $189. It was pricey but I was desperate for any more help.

I don't know how you feel about this, but I always goto a tanning salon in the winter. It really does make a HUGE difference.

jefferzzzz, that is true for me too! and .... call me crazy ... but I will slather myself with highest sunblock; so I can lay and relax in the warmth, and not worry as much about harm and future wrinkles.

I get carb cravings something fierce in the winter too. I don't have an answer, but just wanted to let you know you are not alone.

As far as exercise, what about joining a gym? Or like someone mentioned, mall walking or one of our arenas here has a walking track. Maybe you could do DVD's in your home, or get a treadmill? I know here there is a company that lets you rent them to see if you like it, and then some of the rent can be applied to the purchase price if you decide to buy. Just don't stick it in the dark basement. Put it in a nice sunny room and crank up the tunes.

Congrats on your weight loss so far, you are doing awesome!

Hi everyone. I'm new on 3 Fat Chicks and have gotten SAD every winter since I was a teen (I'm 47 now). I've never taken anti-depressants, but have noticed that as I'm getting older, it's getting worse, and like Ronni62, I've noticed that this year it has already started! Yikes! I am looking into a light box and found small portables on Ebay for around $60 - $70. I'm wondering if they work as well as the larger ones. Has anyone used a smaller one?? I'm also thinking that this might be the year I have to ask my doc for anti-depressants, but first, I'm going to try to help things with fish oil, vitamin D and exercise.
Good luck to us all as the days get darker

Hi, there,
I don't have SAD, but I do have clinical depression. I also work for a drug company, and the drug Wellbutrin XL is now recommended for SAD - at least here in Canada. For me it's been a life saver - literally life changing. Maybe ask your dr for a rx for the winter.

I also second the vitamin d thing. That's HUGE in the treatment of SAD.

Lastly, if you're finding carbs are a problem, how about doing the carbohydrate addicts diet - no carbs for two meals a day, then a regular carby meal for dinner. While you should try to make that reward meal a balance, healthy diet, it has to have carbs in it. I find the diet totally wipes out my cravings, and low blood sugar, and I know if I want something sweet (chocolate or ice cream) I just save it for my reward meal.

Hang in!!!

I don't know that I have ever had SAD, up until the last few months, I had such severe clinical depression that I don't think I would have noticed seasonal changes. My depression has always been worse in December and January, but I believe it was more because of the holidays (both my absolute favorite time of the year, and my most depressed time of the year, go figure). What did make a difference last year (I started following a program set up by an ND) was to get outside regardless of the weather or temperature. Of course I wasn't getting as much sunlight because I would have to wear so much clothing, but as long as it wasn't pouring or ice on the sidewalks, I was still outside for at least half an hour. It really helped my depression. The fresh air, the natural light, the exercise all helped relieve a lot of stress and anxiety. Making sure you are eating a very balanced diet that provides you will all your necessary vitamins would help also, especially make sure to get your vitamin D.

Well, you do live in a human body and every other animal is effected dietarily by winter. Seriously. I'm a vegetarian, and about this time, I switch from salads and rice mixes to beans and heavy stews. We all eat differently when the seasons change. There is winter food and summer food. If you are eating a lot, I suggest beans. Also, something to look up, you use more energy in the winter than in the summer. Yes, the mammel body is heat regulating. We treat ourselves like lizards by turning on the heat, but really, you use more energy if you keep things a little cold. I think you are kind of fighting the body's unconsious effort to start feeding for staying warm in the winter.

I also have depression and take 450mg of Wellbutrin XL. I notice in the winter that I feel more depressed. I don't feel that Wellbutrin makes me gain weight. I thought it helped take the pounds off? I know that it helped me quit smoking a few years ago so that was an added bonus and surprise! I don't know if anyone has tried Omega 3 Joy supplements by Greens but I really liked them except for the fishy burps after, yuck!

I signed up for ice skating lessons, in the hopes that this will help me "enjoy" more of winter? Very basic classes so I can skate without holding onto the boards as I move LOL
I'd rather curl up on the sofa with a stack of books, but that ain't gonna get the pounds off me....

I think that is a great idea! Part of the 'fake it til you make it', pushing yourself to do something even though you feel you'd rather be solitary. Good for you!