Hi all,

I am back after almost 2 years away.... I had been doing the Ideal Protein diet and lost 135 pounds and then had a problem with the anti-depressant meds I was taking. They sent me into a depression and then progressed to suicidal. I struggled with those feelings for about 7 months before I went to the doctor and said I needed help. Took 6 months to wean off the meds,so from the time the depression hit - which I can pin point now- to when the weight gain stopped... I put back on 95 pounds. I went from 165 to 260 in less than 9 months.

So now along with my health challenges (rheumatoid arthritis, Fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism) I have 140 pounds to lose.

I have not yet been able to get myself to want to lose the weight - even though I am miserable both physically and emotionally. Hoping that coming back to the group where I found so much support previously will help me want to lose weight again.

All my best,
Kat

Peak: 300
Current 255-260, the scale bounces daily
Short Term Goal: 200
Long Term Goal: 120

You can do it! You've done it before, so you already know you can do it. Glad you asked for help with the depression and meds. And glad you're back here for support. Good luck!

What an immensely difficult thing to have to go through. Depression is so hard. I'm glad you were able to get the help you needed. Congratulations on overcoming that; that is a huge accomplishment in itself.

In my experience, I have to be in the mindset. It's almost like a switch for me. It happened three years ago and I was doing really well, then I got into a relationship and I started slipping. I ended that two months ago, and two weeks ago that switch got flipped again. I'm starting to recognize what is switching it on and I am focusing on me right now. Recognizing what helps you get into the mentality to reach this goal is a big step, I think. Some people have a switch and other people have to work at it until it's a habit. I think mostly, you just have to want it. As you say. I hope coming back her helps you to pursue your goals.

This.
I have found that wanting to lose weight and wishing to lose weight isn't enough. It takes that "switch". And you know, because you have already done it.

I think losing and keeping weight off is just a battle we will live the rest of our lives. I think (and have seen on myself) that once one's body has "been" at a certain weight, it can always easily drift back there. I don't know if that's because fat cells can shrink but never dissappear or what. But being a healthy weight just becomes a life long commitment. Your body always easily goes "back" to being fat at the least slip up. You just always have to be in control.

Congratulations on that huge weight loss and on overcoming depression. Now you KNOW you can do it again.

Just do it.

I'm sorry to hear about the struggles you recently went through! I am on meds and my poor Dr. is trying to find the right ones and the right dosage for me. We decided I need to get help from a psychiatrist to find out where my real issues lie(?)-are the problems the depression or the ADHD, cuz they seem to go hand-n-hand!

You lost weight before so you know you can do it! Problem might be, you know how hard it was to lose the weight and maybe, right now, especially with the pain your body goes through, you're not sure you're ready for the challenge.....

I don't know anything about you really and I am totally new to this site, I hope there is nothing offensive in my message. Sometimes we just need that 1 person to say the right, or wrong, thing at the right time!

Good luck and I will pray that your difficulties leave you so you may focus on a more healthier you!!

Thank you for such kind words Pumpkin. You said nothing offensive at all so please don't worry about that. I appreciated seeing your post.

this is a great site with fantastic people. When I was losing I would check in 2 - 3 times a day (before work, lunch and after work) and found that besides the companionship and get support and advice from others, it was extremely helpful being around (even in a virtual way) people who were of the same mind set, that are so willing to share ideas, struggles, compassion, honesty.

I started using 5HTP and L-Tyrosine - which are both naturally occurring amino acids. The 5HTP has been better for me than any anti-depressant with virtually no side effects. The L-tyrosine helps support your adrenal glands, giving you a bit of energy and most importantly helping support cognitive function and focus. I am less "squirrel" brained now than before. Also make sure you are getting enough healthy fats i.e. olive oil, fish oil, flax or even black currant oil. Your body needs good fat to help hormones and everything else cross the blood-brain barrier.

For anyone reading this - if you are taking an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication DO NOT use these products - it will do serious damage to your brain. On their own they are fine but they have a bad reaction when mixed with any of the antidepressants or anti anxiety meds

You will find this site is a great resource during your journey. Just like I did before, and am doing so again!