<Sigh> Let's Talk about Depression
Winter months, especially the time following the holidays, are known to be a season for depression for many people. Depression affects our ability to focus on weight loss as we try to replace the sad feelings with things that make us feel better. For those of us who have weight issues, food is one of those things that make you overeat. Developing skills to cope with depression are important for health and for weight loss.
This week I ran into problems as I struggled with depression brought on by work and family pressures. I turned to old “tried and true” methods to “pacify” myself and to make me feel better. Food was there to soothe me in this period of sadness. However, eating made me even more upset as I had great anxiety over what I ate and how much I was eating. I worried more about how much weight I was going to gain than focusing on the reason for my sadness.
At the end of the week, I learned that I did not gain weight, but I didn’t lose any either. I was a net zero for the week. While I would have preferred to lose weight, the fact that I didn’t gain was a big win for me and I realized that I wasted a lot of energy worrying about the weight loss. The lesson that I learned, and what I continue to reinforce, is the need to get back on track after over indulging. Don’t allow one mistake to roll into another until you have gotten so far off track that you don’t want to attempt recovery.
One sure way to get over depression is through hope. If you have hope, you can see that there is a reason to move forward. In my case, I focused on why I was sad, developed a plan and moved past the things that I could not change. I rejoiced in the weight loss result and recommitted to the program with the very next meal. I also resolved to increase my exercise which will also aid in weight loss.
In the end, these are the tools that we all need to master to have a happier life. We need to embrace the depression so that we can learn from it and move forward, wiser for the effort.
For ideas on how to get back on track after a major depression, check out our Skinnythick Six ideas! If you feel that you have a greater need, check out my link to a 21-day anti-anxiety challenge. [put link here] If you have more profound depression, speak to a therapist. Allow them to help you to get back on the right track.
All the best!
Cynthia
