Depression-induced weight loss. Help me return to my normal weight!
February 4, 2009 2:21 PM Subscribe
Depression-induced weight loss. Help me return to my normal weight!
So, I've been going through a pretty rough breakup. It was really rough on me for about a month. I was barely eating, barely sleeping, just basically a wreck. My stomach would churn all night when I did sleep, too. So I would wake up to an upset stomach when I did eat.
Well, I feel like at this point the worst is behind me. I'm getting ready to move to another state to live with a friend and get myself re-started (I've also been unemployed and going through a foreclosure.. yeah life's grand!). But I've lost 20lbs. I'm 5'7" and I was skinny to begin with. I weigh 120 now. I'm skin and bones, for real. My cheeks are sunken-in. I hate the way I look.
For the past few weeks, I've generally been eating 3 meals a day; pretty normal diet with a mix of fast food, cooked meals, salads, etc. I also eat meat, eggs, and dairy at least once a day. I also take a multi-vitamin daily.
I know that just like people trying to lose weight, there's a basic formula of calories in/calories out. At the moment it's still winter and I'm not very active, so I'm not burning much with daily activity.
So, I want to return to my normal weight. I think it only took me about 4-5 weeks to drop down this far. How quickly can I expect to re-gain it? What sorts of things can I do to help the process along? Is my face gonna return to normal?
I know that removing myself from the stress that caused this will probably be the biggest help. But I want my face back! Looking like I look now sure does make it harder to find a decent rebound relationship, too :).
I also do a few sets of push-ups daily. I'm not interested in doing a strenuous workout, mainly because I really don't want to burn off calories. Once I move, I'll probably begin a basic daily workout with my friend, as well.
Help, please! What else can I do? Like I said, my goal is to return to my normal weight quickly. If I have to ingest massive amounts of bacon, then that's what I'll do. I'm a 30 year old male, btw.
So, I've been going through a pretty rough breakup. It was really rough on me for about a month. I was barely eating, barely sleeping, just basically a wreck. My stomach would churn all night when I did sleep, too. So I would wake up to an upset stomach when I did eat.
Well, I feel like at this point the worst is behind me. I'm getting ready to move to another state to live with a friend and get myself re-started (I've also been unemployed and going through a foreclosure.. yeah life's grand!). But I've lost 20lbs. I'm 5'7" and I was skinny to begin with. I weigh 120 now. I'm skin and bones, for real. My cheeks are sunken-in. I hate the way I look.
For the past few weeks, I've generally been eating 3 meals a day; pretty normal diet with a mix of fast food, cooked meals, salads, etc. I also eat meat, eggs, and dairy at least once a day. I also take a multi-vitamin daily.
I know that just like people trying to lose weight, there's a basic formula of calories in/calories out. At the moment it's still winter and I'm not very active, so I'm not burning much with daily activity.
So, I want to return to my normal weight. I think it only took me about 4-5 weeks to drop down this far. How quickly can I expect to re-gain it? What sorts of things can I do to help the process along? Is my face gonna return to normal?
I know that removing myself from the stress that caused this will probably be the biggest help. But I want my face back! Looking like I look now sure does make it harder to find a decent rebound relationship, too :).
I also do a few sets of push-ups daily. I'm not interested in doing a strenuous workout, mainly because I really don't want to burn off calories. Once I move, I'll probably begin a basic daily workout with my friend, as well.
Help, please! What else can I do? Like I said, my goal is to return to my normal weight quickly. If I have to ingest massive amounts of bacon, then that's what I'll do. I'm a 30 year old male, btw.
Muscle weighs more than fat. Have you considered walks in the park as a regular exercise? I have found it to be very relaxing and have felt a great sense of peace (but I do live by the water, so I am sure that imagery helps). As far as weight gain, you do want to do it healthy, and it may be too cold for this right now, but depending on HOW cold it is for you, you could do protein shakes. They are healthy and offer you a good dose of vitamins from the fresh fruit. Also, the protein with the workout you do will help you gain that healthy weight back.
Do not binge on fast food. You will end up feeling like crap and may actually lose more weight since the bad food may go right through you and only raise your cholesterol levels. I am not much of an exercise buff either, but if you are staying active and want to know what to eat, I suggest protein bars and protein-induced foods.
posted by penguingrl at 3:02 PM on February 4, 2009
Do not binge on fast food. You will end up feeling like crap and may actually lose more weight since the bad food may go right through you and only raise your cholesterol levels. I am not much of an exercise buff either, but if you are staying active and want to know what to eat, I suggest protein bars and protein-induced foods.
posted by penguingrl at 3:02 PM on February 4, 2009
This happened to me too, about a 15 lb weight loss (I weighed 108 when the whole thing started). I put it back on without even having to think much about it. I just consciously tried to eat a few times a day and loaded up on comfort food--pasta, lots of bread. It probably took me a month before people stopped asking me if I was really sick and two months for my clothes to start fitting right again. You'll get there. The body likes to put weight on!
posted by fiery.hogue at 3:41 PM on February 4, 2009
posted by fiery.hogue at 3:41 PM on February 4, 2009
I lost about 30 lbs due to depression a few years back, and unlike you, I sure wish I would have kept it off!
I gained a lot of weight back by returning to a crappy diet after the bulk of my emotional trauma had subsided. I was plagued by illness and chronic pain that winter due to crappy diet + lots of couch sitting. Don't do this. Rather, keep going with a return to some "normal" and healthy eating habits. Going from not eating (and it my case, barfing) to eating again will help with your weight gain regardless of how much you eat. Adding something like a protein shake will add some extra calories and help you regain the weight a little faster.
Keeping up with the regular exercise will also help you regain strength and become a healthier, more muscular dude once this is all over. Just look at Lance Armstrong -- he was weakened due extensive chemo & radiation, yet he built himself up from scratch to become damn near superhuman. Not saying you have to shoot for that, but it is better than regaining the weight in a non-healthy fashion ;) Anyways, hang in there.
posted by sararah at 4:02 PM on February 4, 2009
I gained a lot of weight back by returning to a crappy diet after the bulk of my emotional trauma had subsided. I was plagued by illness and chronic pain that winter due to crappy diet + lots of couch sitting. Don't do this. Rather, keep going with a return to some "normal" and healthy eating habits. Going from not eating (and it my case, barfing) to eating again will help with your weight gain regardless of how much you eat. Adding something like a protein shake will add some extra calories and help you regain the weight a little faster.
Keeping up with the regular exercise will also help you regain strength and become a healthier, more muscular dude once this is all over. Just look at Lance Armstrong -- he was weakened due extensive chemo & radiation, yet he built himself up from scratch to become damn near superhuman. Not saying you have to shoot for that, but it is better than regaining the weight in a non-healthy fashion ;) Anyways, hang in there.
posted by sararah at 4:02 PM on February 4, 2009
Response by poster: Try to get 2500 calories a day, at least. Eat lots of peanut butter and cook your things in olive oil--fat packs in more calories than anything else. The weight will probably come back on very quickly if you lost it quickly.
posted by Anonymous at 5:21 PM on February 4, 2009
posted by Anonymous at 5:21 PM on February 4, 2009
Switch to full-fat dairy products, and add lots of the "good" fats like peanut butter, avocados, and olives.
posted by susanvance at 5:30 PM on February 4, 2009
posted by susanvance at 5:30 PM on February 4, 2009
Some exercise might be good. When you lose weight, I think it's generally 80% fat and 20% lean muscle you lose in weight, so you'll want to get some muscle back and not just fat. And like others have already mentioned, I want to repeat that things like avocados and nuts are tasty and full of nice calories.
posted by bjrn at 2:10 AM on February 5, 2009
posted by bjrn at 2:10 AM on February 5, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Seriously, daily exercise and a return to your regular eating habits are the healthiest way to get back to your normal weight and it will only take you another month. Be good to yourself. Lots of healthy food, no empty calories, and moderate exercise, and your body will go back to its natural balance.
I'm glad that the worst seems to be behind you, and hope that you continue to do better and better.
posted by different at 2:38 PM on February 4, 2009