I've only been doing the Weight Watchers' thing for a few weeks, and it's been quite a learning experience.

But, one of the biggest problems I have is when I'm depressed (which is often). I'm more likely to binge-eat when I'm depressed. Does anyone have this issue too? If yes, how do you deal with it?

I am overweight, Im the biggest I have ever been I have always been a big guy though but not this big! I guess because I am so un-happy with things I dont have the motivation to loose weight. I have been thinking about doing weight watchers again. I did it a couple of years back and lost four pounds in a week. I guess I am looking for major weight loss, but I know its not going to happen that way. I do binge eat alot when I am depressed. I love food and could never starve myself because I wanted to be thin. But when I am really stressed I hardly eat at all.. Im not that stressed alot of the time. I guess I just need someone to help me though it some support, but none of my friends need to lose weight or want to so it sucks!

I know how diets are and how boring they are, weight watchers has to be the only half decent one! I would excerise more but I cant run and my bike is broken and I tried to lift weights but my wrist caved in again like I thought it would have and that sent me back into a new low!

A long story short, I do binge eat when depressed yes.

My reaction to depression goes the other way and my appetite tends to vanish into the night mists. But... the number of calories you consume isn't really a huge deal if you can burn them off.

Diets are okay, but there's no substitute for exercise. It doesn't have to be anything uber-strenuous, just going for a brisk walk for an hour or so every day will do wonders. And, the upshot of that is that exercise can help with the feelings of depression, too. Getting fresh air into your system, a release of endorphins, it all helps. You'll feel better, and when you notice the weight start to come off, that will help even more. You'll have more energy, more confidence... there really isn't a downside. If you have a dog, take the dog for a nice long walk before you turn in for the night. If not, think about getting one.

The best time is in a morning, before you've eaten anything, it can increase your metabolism so you can assimilate more of what you do eat. So if you can, get up half an hour earlier and take a morning constitutional.

I lost 70lbs through doing nothing more than walking a few miles every evening and going for a swim at the weekends. It does work.

Also, keep plenty of fresh fruit around so if you do feel the need to snack, you can have a banana or something (also believed to help with depression). You don't have to starve yourself or massively change what you eat, just try and be more active in addition to what you eat.

Quote from: Leiandra on September 25, 2008, 02:40:15 PM
Diets are okay, but there's no substitute for exercise. It doesn't have to be anything uber-strenuous, just going for a brisk walk for an hour or so every day will do wonders.

That's why I like the Weight Watchers' thing, as it's more than just a diet. They do emphasize exercise, too.

I walk to work; it's currently just under a mile. But, we're moving and it will be just over a mile by this time next week. So, at least I get that. My bike is messed up and I won't be able to replace or repair it anytime soon. So, it's walking for now.

Although I do have problems all year round, my main problem is winter. When my SAD kicks in, I don't want to exercise, and I crave comfort foods that are high in carbs (I don't tolerate carbs well, and they make me gain weight like crazy). So I wind up eating all sorts of vile things, usually in large amounts.

For the last couple of years, I've been trying to train myself to be fully aware of everything I eat and to make conscious decisions to eat or not eat anything at all. Right now, if I feel like eating, especially something I shouldn't, I try to do an internal Q&A: why do I want this food? am I hungry or just looking for comfort? what will happen if I eat it--what are the consequences? do I REALLY want to eat it?

Maintaining awareness does help. The self-interrogation helps. But we'll see what happens in another six weeks or so when I run into the blues again.

My main motivator right now is that I want to transition, but I don't want to go on T until I've gotten my weight down. I've completely connected transition with losing weight. And I really want to start T next year. So in my mind, if I want to transition, I have to become thinner. This kind of thinking has been enormously helpful with exercise, too. If I want to become the person I think I really am, I have to watch what I eat and get exercise six days a week.

I don't know whether you can find a hook like this. It works for me, so far. But if you stay aware of EVERYthing you eat, not just the bad stuff, then you might be less likely to binge. Have you consulted any sites about binge eating? I'll bet they have lots of tips.

My reaction to depression goes the same way as Leiandra, I just stop eating. It's been that way from the
time I was very young. And I have to agree with Leiandra, for me exercise is the best way to fight it. A few months
ago I got really depressed about how slow things were moving and some other things that I talked about here and I
stopped exercising and I stopped eating and I lost about 25 pounds in about a two month span (this was on top of my
healthy weight loss up till that time). It was scary how fast it happened and how depressed I got. The thing is I just did
not realize it as it was happening but after the weight loss. So I started exercising, which brought back my appetite
and cleared the depression. I have regained most of what I lost and the depression is gone. Good luck Shades