Hello Leigh and welcome!

I do not have any experience with the medications you’re taking but I can share that when I follow the South Beach plan, I lose weight AND I feel much better about myself. I have been following the south beach lifestyle since 2009 and I have had some times where I have strayed off plan a bit. I get back on the plan and I have never regained more than 10 pounds. If I have gained, by getting back on plan I have been able to get back to ground zero. I noticed that if I have eaten poorly for a few days, that just one day back on plan makes me feel so much better about myself. Perhaps that would help you a bit with the depression, as well. I have had many stressful events in the past few years with my family. I have gotten through them mostly on plan and without a big regain.

Since you have followed South Beach before, you know the importance of getting through the first two weeks on phase 1 then working in to phase 2. This forum has been very helpful for me to check in every day. It helps keep me on track. I don’t have those five or six or seven months where I stray off plan and gain a bunch of weight. These chicks here have become my friends and we chat a bit every day. With our monthly thread, it would be easy for you to jump in even from Australia. Anything you feel like talking about is OK.