Hello Charlene~
Weight Watchers is the very best eating plan there is. Not just for weight loss, but for maintenance. It's something we'll do a lifetime. In March 2002, nearly 5 months ago, I joined. I have shed 62# during this time. I was 140# overweight, plus I'm 5.10" so the loss isn't too fast for me.
I have a history of depression and anxiety, in fact, bipolar disorder for past 40 years. During those 40 years have been on every single antidepressant. They all were effective for 3-5 months, then I began developing adverse side effects and had to be taken off of them. There are several new ones since the last time I took them, but psychiatrist won't put me on them due to my history, as the side effects are worse than the depression. I do have medication for the times the anxiety just hits like a bolt of lightening. Luckily for me, it's lasts only a few days, and haven't recorded the frequency, a few times a year with nothing outward going on.
Perhaps this will help you. First of all......nothing, absolutely nothing is off limits with Weight Watchers, as long as you are willing to spend the points on it. That piece of cake, or candy bar often will cost me the points of a meal, and it's just not worth it.
In the frozen section. Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine and WW offer Pizza's. No, they aren't like the Pizza Parlor ones, but they aren't filled with fat and oil and are much, much less. I don't know what foods it is you crave, but probably you can find an alternative.
As far as I'm concerned what helps me the most is I have 3 meals and 2 snacks, every day. I start my day with a 32 oz glass of ice water with lemon, and then fix coffee. Used to be one of those that believed there was no life until I drank a cup of coffee. Then, I'll eat breakfast. Oatmeal with rasins, Splenda and Apple Pie Spice, a 2Point Bagel or English Muffin and some sort of fruit.
Lunch is usually a sandwich with Pita Bread, or reduced calorie bread and raw veggies, and I count out FF chips or reduced calorie ones. For snack, usually have yogurt and count out 12 almonds, or my favorite is an Apple sliced really thin and 15 pretzels. Dinner is some sort of meat/fish/poultry a huge salad with FF dressing or Reduced calorie and a veggie, plus a small baked potato, sweet potato or rice. Night snack is usually Sugar Free Jello and a dallop of FF Cool Whip. I prepare and eat the entire 3oz box which is 40 calories (1 point), just for me. It's better than icecream to me now.
In the evening, after dinner, I Journal what I will have for meals the next day and point them. Usually I leave a few points over in the event I want something else, otherwise, they are banked for another day if I need them.
Don't know what type of depression you have, but mine and that of countless others will be with us a lifetime. It is imperative you find a food plan that will let you shed weight and keep it off for the rest of your life. Otherwise, you will find yourself as I did, at 320#, still suffering depression and experiening a lot of other problems due to the obesity.
I cannot do anything about my depression, except make the most of it and use all the advice and "tricks" to keep it at bay. Having suffered the pains of being morbidly obese, it is something I have control over. Many women can develop a healthy attitude about being overweight/obese. I tried and bought some very expensive clothing for Big Beautiful Women to contribute to sense of well-being, but it didn't work. I never, ever want to experience the health problems I had or be so ashamed of my body did not want to be out in public. I never, ever want to forget that.
If I can help you in any other way, feel free to eMail me:
[email protected]
You can be as successful as you choose to be.
Darlene
I am new to your forum and just thought I would quickly introduce myself before I head out the door to work.
.......sorry for babbling, I will end here and catch up with you all in the daily tomorrow!!
Lysa
