Depression, weight loss, and recidivism
 

I've noticed a pattern to my weight loss that definitely worries me, especially since it could very well be a lifelong tendency. When I have a bad time over something, or circumstances are bad, depression can set in for me, and when that happens I couldn't care less what I eat. I'm not under particular stress when it occurs - it's a depression-hole (those of you who experience it know what I mean).

I'm going to have to devise a plan to follow for when these moments come - and they will. I'm not sure that any amount of pep talk or logical reasoning will be able to halt this trend, but I have to come up with some sort of plan or I'll just lose and re-lose the same pounds over and over without ever reaching my ultimate weight goal.

I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but if someone has I'd be interested in knowing how you deal with it.

I've experienced the same thing, but with cigarettes rather than food. Although I no longer smoke, when I have a serious setback I'm vulnerable to restarting. I haven't figured out a foolproof way to deal with this tendency yet, so I'm right there with you.

F.

I eat when I'm sad, I eat when I'm happy, and I MOSTLY eat when BIG stressful events arise. I have recently RE-gained over 30 pounds. I've lost more than 16 of those since March 19. All I know that for ME, is that I can't control stress that life throws at me and I can control my weight. But often times I don't and I get off track and gain weight, feel teribble about it, then get RIGHT back on the weight loss train. Re-gains happen, it's just part of the process. I used to weigh 256 pounds--I'm at 170.2 right now and working back toward 150 again. Hang in there--Best of luck to you!!

You have to find other things to comfort you when you're feeling depressed, it's a process that takes time, but you can do it. It's also not something you can just jump right into, but you can gradually replace food with something else, some sort of physical activity would be great. I have a friend who has gone through the exact same thing and she found refuge in swimming. Simply taking a walk while listening to your favorite music, or calling your best friend for a chat could potentially work, if you manage to distract yourself for long enough.