My weight loss journey truly began at age 36 but it had been a struggle my entire adulthood while I was in an emotionally abusive relationship with my ex military husband who came home 100% disabled after serving in Iraq. I had done EVERY diet imaginable, tried every product and saw any professional i could think of desperately seeking what to do.
Finally, I found a therapist that helped me process the trauma that was at the root of my depression and anxiety which drove my food addiction. Food was comfort, until I started to seek other healthier coping and slowly started to forgive myself for all the regret and self blame I held because I married someone that hurt me so deeply and ultimately left me childless and the heaviest I’d ever been at age 36.
Today I am 42, not the skinniest I’ve ever been but I’m the fittest and most importantly the strongest. For me, my weight isn’t about food, it’s about how I feel on the inside and not hiding all the secrets I was ashamed of. I work on finding my joy everyday, living with depression and anxiety, managing my symptoms. I still struggle and I know my fitness and nutrition are a part of lifelong changes I will have to make a priority, but I’m here hoping to find support and motivation 😊
I am enjoying the benefits of my weight loss, so many of the changes that I have made are now a normal part of life I exercise for an hour most days, eat bread, pasta and rice rarely and eating out is a rare treat.
Excellent 😊. Welcome to the best support forum there is
If you haven’t already then please read the Pinned Posts here healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... Please read it carefully so you can find all the information you need to find your way around.
As a peer to peer support group we rely on mutual encouragement, and nothing beats joining in, reading posts and replying to others. Our group Weigh-in and the Daily Diary are probably the best places to start.
Thank you. I stopped weighing over a year ago for my own mental health and motivation but I look forward to reading and posting. I feel welcomed already 💛
I agree so much! Feeling fit and energised is so important, if you look slimmer too then that’s a bonus! It’s about so much more than the numbers on the scales, 😊
Your progress is beautiful. Amazing how being self vigilant works especially when the new results show.
Depression and weight have been a battle all my life. Plus I was raised in a family that rained candy and all sorts of food all over the place.
I’m 5’7” (1.7m) which is relatively short for a man. At 49 I was 225 lbs (102 kg). And I was pushing a 40” (102 cm) waist. I was a BIG boy. And after a physical pretty much declared a cardio-on-a-stick by my doctor. Aside from being put on BP and Cholesterol medicine I had to make changes. With a lot of walks and diet change, I lost 75 lbs and went down to 150. I had actually fit into my high school clothes!That was 12 years ago. Depression and weight continue to be a challenge. And my weight has fluctuated. But the difference is that I know if my body is out of balance I must do something about it.
So I very much get your ongoing challenge. Stick to it hun. We’re here to continue praising your healthy successes and help you when you’re feeling blue and need to reach out for support.
Thanks MrZee! Congrats to you!! I don’t post my weight because I don’t weigh. I’ve learned to redefine what I feel is my goal. I go off how I feel and look. My clothes are absolutely 5 sizes smaller but it just reminds me of where I have been. No goal weight anymore. Just health. Some days are hard but it’s nice to know I can post and people here will get it. Congrats again on your health! I know what that takes. I’m here if you need me 💛
I too don’t weigh. My doctor does. Being in my 60s now, and because of one of the meds I’m on, I see my doctor 4 times a year. She does the weighing. I love when she’s happy with my weight and slaps me a high 5.
I’m sure that you can relate that our clothes tell us when we lose or maintain weight they’re much more comfortable.
I will admit I do have “food slips.” When the Holidays came, I let it rip and ate all sorts of junk. I put about 10 pounds back on. Now they’re slowly coming back off.
I can also empathize that stress can be the hand that wants to toss me candy. When I’m stressed I crave food. Instead I do the best I can to think of the consequences and drink water to fill me up. And with Spring and warmer days approaching, walking weather will be back... that’s the form of exercise that I adhere to. Walking on a nice day is one of the best treatments for depression.
So yes, body maintenance is a challenge. And thank you for being there. If I feel an uncontrollable binge coming on, you’d better believe I’ll reach out to you. And vice versa.
Good job. I know how it feels to get fit, specially after 40 is harder to lose weight. I lost 40 pounds and was feeling so happy and good with my self, exercising, healthy diet. I fall off the wagon in the last 2 years, since my anxiety came back and I have gained about 15 pounds but I am determined to go back where I was and lose all that weight, I am exercising again and starting to eat healthy again. Keep up the good work
Thank you for sharing your story, it’s very inspiring, you’re so strong and extremely charming, I’m sure you’ll get even more better!
You Gave me so much hope, I Wish you well❤️
Thanks Sonia. It feels good not to be isolated and ashamed anymore and that has nothing to do with my size. I just think now my strength shows on the outside. It was always there but I had to rediscover it. You inspired me to share 💛
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I exercise for an hour most days, eat bread, pasta and rice rarely and eating out is a rare treat. 
No idea where to start!
50 but no longer frumpy
Advice Needed.
Hello
Emotional Eating - when to ask for more help 
