Hello everyone, I am in need of help. I am 45 year old female who was recently diagnosed with depression and hypertension. Prior to this I was always able to maintain my weight farely well, by no means was I a skinny minny, but I was comfortable with my body. Since starting my anti-depressant meds I have put on quiet a few pounds. I mentioned to my doc that I have cravings and think it is the pill doing it but she said it will subside. Well it has been 3 months and I am still starving and I have no motivation to exercise...depression wise I do feel better, but at what cost? My question is....what can I eat that will fill me up and take care of my cravings? I feel like I have no control of my eating and dont know what to do...help.
Downward Spiral...
- Thread starter Trishta
- Start date
FleurDeLis1
New member
I know how you feel in regards to depression. I was diagnosed my sophemore year in highschool. I'm not a Junior in college. Whether I gained weight because of the medication or my own laziness I'm not sure. But I will tell you that suffering with depression to remain thin is no way to live. Take your medication. I've recently began my weight loss journey and have found that through counting calories and exercise I'm losing weight. I've had some bad times even while on my medication. Feeling terrible about myself and being angry for gaining the weight. Now that I'm losing weight, I'm so much happier.
I also didn't have the motivation on my own to exercise, but becoming a member of this forum and starting a diary really helped me realize how crucial exercise is. I'm feeling like a new person with each pound I lose and it's wonderful.
Make sure you drink lots of water as that can help fill you up. When you have a craving try drinking a glass of water wait 10 minutes and then see if you still want what you craved. You don't need to banish the things you love to lose weight, just learn to eat a smaller portion of it and incorporate it into your daily calories (if calorie counting is the path you choose.)
Goodluck and Welcome!
I also didn't have the motivation on my own to exercise, but becoming a member of this forum and starting a diary really helped me realize how crucial exercise is. I'm feeling like a new person with each pound I lose and it's wonderful.
Make sure you drink lots of water as that can help fill you up. When you have a craving try drinking a glass of water wait 10 minutes and then see if you still want what you craved. You don't need to banish the things you love to lose weight, just learn to eat a smaller portion of it and incorporate it into your daily calories (if calorie counting is the path you choose.)
Goodluck and Welcome!
chelsea_morning
New member
Whenever I don't have a lot of calories to spare, I eat something like fish or a vegetarian option like tofu or Quorn products, because you get that crucial protein that keeps you fuller longer, and I pair it with lots and lots of fresh veggies. Tonight I made tofu burritos, sauteeing the tofu in a little peanut oil with taco seasonings (chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, salt, red pepper flakes) and onions and bell peppers. If we had more veggies (gotta go grocery shopping) I would have used squash, zucchini, eggplant, tomato, sundried tomato, etc. You could just keep adding veggies to a nonstick pan with a tiny bit of oil and make a whole PAN for 100 calories, as long as it's not a starchy veggie. Then I had two tortillas with the veggie fajita filling and a tiny bit of cheese. Instead of using high calorie sour cream, I use greek yogurt. It doesn't taste the same on it's own, but as soon as you mix it with other stuff, it tastes JUST LIKE sour cream. So weird. A way to make this less caloric would be to use pam instead of oil, don't use tortillas and just eat it by itself, or get ice burg lettuce and wrap the filling in the ice burg lettuce pieces instead of a tortilla (like Jimmy Johns does). So basically whenever I'm super hungry I use a ton of veggies in my cooking to make sure I don't over-consume.
One thing I always recommend is actually succumbing to the cravings. Now, I'm not advocating going crazy on some ben & jerrys... more like, portion control. Anticipate what things you have cravings for and pre-package those items into small packs so that you won't blow your calories, but you get that *whatever*. So if you love ice cream (just an example, I must be having a craving of my own...), go buy some, but also go buy some of those little tupperwares that you can put a half-serving into. Remember, the goal is to have a healthy relationship with food, not a war.
As for the 'starving', look for some high nutrient, low calorie foods to start your meals with. Eat a good romaine salad before dinner, and eat more fruits and vegetables. You can also drink green tea (which supresses hunger a bit) and drink lots and lots of water. Keep a food journal and write down what you eat.
Good luck, I know from personal experience about depression and the nasty spirals that can occur. Keep checking in with us, we'll be glad to give you advice!!!
As for the 'starving', look for some high nutrient, low calorie foods to start your meals with. Eat a good romaine salad before dinner, and eat more fruits and vegetables. You can also drink green tea (which supresses hunger a bit) and drink lots and lots of water. Keep a food journal and write down what you eat.
Good luck, I know from personal experience about depression and the nasty spirals that can occur. Keep checking in with us, we'll be glad to give you advice!!!