I need help with weight loss!

Have a look at causes of obesity at:
The Insulin and Obesity Controversy

Also read:

Depression: a Nutritional Disorder

Hello!

Firstly, can I say I know exactly how you feel, I've been trying to lose weight since I was 14, and now I'm 32 and bigger than ever. I have days where I don't care, and other days where I feel disgusting and repulsive.
I've slowly come to realize though that I'm still the same person, no matter what my size/weight. My personality hasn't changed. I still derserve respect. And so do you. you deserve to respect yourself.

Look at what you've done - you've recovered enough from your depression to be able to carry on without antidepressants. Bloody well done, I say - that's not an easy thing to do (again, experience talking). Every day, you should remind yourself that you have climbed that mountain successfully.

To help with your self-esteem, look at yourself as a person - not at your body (which you should view as soft and warm and cuddly btw). List - on paper - every single nice thing you can think of that someone has said to or about you, and everything you've done that you're pleased with. Tell yourself every single day that you ARE worth it, even if that's not how you feel. Remember that your body does not define you.

I found reading 'Overcoming Overeating' really helpful. It doesn't tell you to go on a diet or do more exercise. Which I was thrilled with, coz I loathe exercise. It helps you to readjust your thinking a little. It helped me accept myself a bit more. I'm still unhappy with my size and plan to lose some over the next few months. But I'm not going to do it until I am mentally ready, and I'm not in that place yet. That is a hugely important point - don't try losing weight until you're 'in the zone', because it won't work and then you'll just feel even worse.

Another exercise - not physical, don't worry! - is to describe your body using ONLY positive terms. So, words such as 'soft', 'warm', 'welcoming', 'curvaceous', 'sensuous' etc etc. Focus on a part of yourself that you do like - hair, eyes, bust, bum, legs, little toes, whatever.

Remember hunny, the people who love you and care about you do so because of the person you are. Their love is not conditional on the size of your body. They love YOU.

I really do wish you all the very best hun x

Hi Clara,

What a kind person you are! I'm a real cryer, so of course, cried while reading all the lovely things you had to say. I was so blown away that someone could say such beautiful things without ever knowing me or meeting me, and you know what? You said exactly what I needed to hear. I didn't realise it until you wrote it, but I needed someone to just tell me that I'm okay just as I am. I only wish my family was like you - my mother likes to tell me how fat I am everytime she sees me, I can't put food near my mouth and she says, "you need to be careful about what you eat!" My sister always comments on how big I've got, and my father keeps saying, "you need to exercise!" Never have they said that I'm okay just as I am - because like you said, my size might change, but I don't, I'm still the same as I was when I was 30kg lighter. My battle continues, I like to term it "the constant struggle" but I'm pleased that over the last month I have managed to exercise 6 out of 7 days a week. Food is another problem altogether - but I'm sure I will get there.

I totally understand what its like to have been dieting / struggling with weight since I was very young. I hope your journey towards either losing weight or continuing to feel comfortable in your skin is a good one. Theres really no reason to lose weight if you can learn to love yourself as you are - and you seem like someone who deserves much love. Thank you xx

I find people who tell us if you eat <2500 calories per day you wont put on fat very patronising.

A list of known issues that can lead to weight gain where the 2500 calorie issue is less of a factor include:

Thyroid Disease
Diabetes
Pre diabetic Insulin resistance
Imbalanced estrogen
And deficiencies of the GTF mineral (so chromium, manganese, vanadium etc)
Overian cancer

Chromiim is useful for weight management. If your symptoms are associated with other clues like hair loss or poor hair quality, may lead you to want to get your hormones checked. I also read issues with seretonin and inflammed gut can affect your hunger, the later causing an issue known as leptin resistance.