Hi

[Rajeevjd]

I am depressed. Unable to walk due to sciatica. But eating 3times a day middle snacks and drinks.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, Rajeevjd

Take a look at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), read the Welcome Newbie thread, then move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you.

Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news.

Take a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as a lot of people have been successful with it, making sure to enter your details into the BMI calculator, to get a calorie allowance tailored to your personal requirements. Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate.

We run daily weigh-in's and you'd be very welcome to join us. The threads can always be found in the Events section, to the right of the home page, bottom on a mobile.

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We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too.

It's only left for me to wish you well on your journey

[DartmoorDumpling Restart Feb 2024]

I had a trapped nerve recently and found some excellent stretching exercises which help tremendously. Google "exercises for sciatica", and once you are feeling strong enough, you can carefully try them to aid the healing process. Whilst you are resting, fill up on fruit teas and fresh fruit snacks, high veg meals with small portion of protein, and keep the carbs and sugars low. Hope you feel better soon!

[Julie910]

It's easy to eat a lot more when you're depressed - not least because it's harder to remember what you've had! I put on lots of weight when I was recovering from depression and anxiety, and until I started here, I wasn't losing any of it. I would recommend buying plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and NOT buying any chocolate, crisps or other sweet or fatty treats - I keep some corn or rice cakes and a jar of hazelnut and cocoa spread in the cupboard in case I feel a desperate need for chocolate - but the less I eat, the less I crave it.

Also, if you use an app (I use MyFitnessPal, for example) to track what you've been eating - or even just write it all down on a piece of paper, working out the calories as you go - it takes up some of the time you might otherwise have spent eating (works for me!) and helps you plan your calorific intake as you go. Don't be too hard on yourself if the first couple of days comes out with a sky-high calorie intake! Just use it as a learning experience, and note the things that filled you up, or that had lower calorific value. And don't be tempted to eat diet foods that have no substance or nutritional value! Better to eat a handful of nuts and a banana with a glass of milk, and feel properly full.

Stay in touch, Rajeevjd. There are plenty of us on here that have struggled / are struggling with mental and/or physical health problems - you are definitely not alone, and I hope that talking to people on this forum will help you to be kind to yourself.

[Loseweightnow]

Hi Rajeevjd lots of good suggestions about how to limit food intake . Also the stretching exercises for sciatica wil definitely help I also suffer with lower back issues have felt incredibly frustrated at how little I can physically do due the intense pain but you have to keep moving. The only way to help yourself is to slowly, gently work through the pain to help, stretching & strengthen your core will alleviate the pain . Pilates & yoga are also forms of exercise that will help both mental & physically without impacting your body too much.. I know it easier for others to say do this, do that but I do speak from experience.. Good body massage will also help to release pressure lower back as well . Ask your go for a Physio referral. Good luck 👍

[Loseweightnow]

Ask your GP for a Physio referral