Good morning all,

I've suffered with depression my whole life. Luckily, it went away for a few years... but now it's back. Very severe. It started a few weeks ago (I'm a graduate school student with a hectic schedule), and then hit hard with some recent events in my home. All in this week: my doctor called with some results and confirmed I have a health issue to be concerned about, my mom's doctor called with her MRI results and told us that her headaches have been mini-strokes, and my dog has been very sick and is going for surgery in less than an hour. I'm falling apart.

I know that if I stop following my diet (Weight Watchers) I'll regret it, but at the same time I'm finding it hard to give a damn about which things I can and can't eat at the moment when there are so many other important things for me to be focusing on. I've noticed that I've already started slipping with calculating and tracking my foods, which is a sure sign for me that I'm headed towards quitting... but I don't want to.

What do you do when losing weight just doesn't seem important anymore? In moments when the sadness is overwhelming, I'd rather grab a slice of pizza than a salad. My justification is this: "There are so many horrible things happening right now, do whatever you can to cheer yourself up." But I know I'll gain the weight back and it will only add to my depression. Ugh

Any tips or words of support and encouragement would be very much appreciated :/

I'm so sorry you are going through such a difficult time, sending you hugs.

One thing I tell myself during periods of high stress is that I need all the good, healthy nutrition I can get when things are so rough. And this happens to be true, too, it isn't just mind games! The last thing your stressed body needs is a bunch of highly processed, high-sodium, high-sugar, high-fat, high-chemical yuckety-yuck junk. You needs fresh veggies and fruit, and wholesome healthy foods (whatever those are in your book).

Eating healthy isn't just about weight loss and a "diet". It is about nutrition and giving your body the best things you can, particularly when times are tough. You want to keep your immune system working as best it can. You deserve to do that for yourself, you are worth it.

I'm sending you strength and good thoughts. I hope your sweet little pup's surgery is a success today!

Edited to add: Also, sometimes you just want a slice of pizza, and that's ok too. Have it, enjoy it, don't get all upset about it, it's just pizza, and move on. If you actually WANT the pizza that is ok in my book. There's alot going on! Don't get into the mode of berating yourself for eating whatever, it is just food.

Sorry to hear things are rough. Your avatar pic must be your dog - s/he looks really cute, and sweet. Hope all goes well with the surgery.

Do you have any tools at hand that can make it easier not to think about your diet plan, but still follow it? I think I heard WW has an app that can help you keep track of stuff, so just wondering if it's kind of like MyFitnessPal and lets you just search foods and add them. I think it's important to make it as convenient as possible to keep track, so it doesn't become just another task.

As well, I completely understand wanting to eat stuff you wouldn't normally eat. I think Mrs Snark had some great comments - you are worth healthy food, and you deserve to eat well and get the nutrients you need to function properly. But that doesn't mean you can't have pizza/cake/etc.

The main problem is feeling like a certain type of food will make you feel better. I still have to work on this sometimes. Even if I'm just feeling sorry for myself because I'm hungry (never mind when I've been actually depressed or had other issues going on), it's so easy to tell myself "It feels good to eat pizza. I just want pizza, and screw the long term effects. At least I'll feel good while I'm eating it," and any number of other things. Problem is, it ONLY feels good while I'm eating it, and afterwards I don't feel worse (it would almost be better if I felt worse, because then I could feel bad about it which would make it seem justified, if that makes any sense... I'm illogical sometimes). No, I feel EXACTLY THE SAME after eating a whole pizza. I feel exactly as despressed/sad/mad/whatever as I felt before I started eating. I would have to eat literally all day long for pizza to actually make me feel better in a real way, which I'm pretty sure is physically impossible (although I'm also pretty sure I've tried it before).

So I guess my advice would be: Think about how you will feel after eating what you want to eat (not during the eating process). Will you feel different? Or will nothing have changed at all?

It has been said that your body naturally craves bad foods like carbs during high-stress times. And this makes it almost impossible to stay away from them. That's why they call it "Comfort Food". It's not your fault.

Your doing the right thing by seeing your doctor. Stay with that.

I have gone through some rough times, as have we all. I found help by listening to a guy by the name of Anthony Robbins. If you haven't heard of him, he is a motivational speaker that has changed man lives for the better (mine included). You can find his books and CDs at your local library. Do yourself a favor and listen to him, you won't regret it.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

Hi all. Just an update: things have been much better lately. I stuck with the WW plan and was able to continue my weight loss. When I first posted this, it had only been a few weeks that I'd been back on WW. I suppose it was some sort of detox from junk food that contributed to my overall feeling of awfulness. Months later, that 'detox' is over and I've been doing fine with my plan... even through stress. Thank you all for your kind words and for helping me stick with it

That is so awesome to hear you are feeling better! Great job staying with it and on track, even when it gets tough!