Depression from weight loss?

D

Dan Frederiksen

New member
Hi
I have lost about 10-12kg depending on muscle mass over about a year but I keep encountering what I perceive to be the body shutting down in response to it, both dipping into some depression but seemingly also a physiological reaction where the body 'shuts down', doesn't regenerate adequately during sleep, not enough stuff being released in the body to function, eye strain, stress like symptoms and the weight loss grinds to a halt. It feels like the stupid autonomous system says this far and no further. I was content with running 3km per day and lately I've tried walking the same distance instead to circumvent the stupid body but to little avail.
I eat more than the minimum required so I'm not starving myself. I have been a vegetarian for over 10 years but I supplement with milk and vitamin/iron. And I have been filling up on additional greens and water.

Is this common? what can be done? I've tried a bit of muscle training, no obvious change. Any solution?
 
10 - 12 kg doesn't seem like much to generate such a negative response, but it depends. How much do you currently weigh and how much did you weigh when you started?

How much did you train? Did you run every day (no rest)?

If you're feeling this way, I think you should consider taking a little break. Take 2 weeks (you could do 4 if you want) and eat at your maintenance calories, and cut down on the exercise a bit. Do relaxing things such as walking or yoga, and if you're doing weight training, cut down on it to the minimum.

Read this;

As a vegetarian, are you supplementing b12? In the long term it can be a problem, and that could be a reason too.

Good luck!
 
I was ~95kg, now around 83 (175cm tall). Nowhere near anorexic.
I eat dairy so B12 shouldn't be an issue.
I ran maybe 5-6 times a week but that's long ago now.
It's clear that when I rise 1-2kg it improves and when I push for a new record low (very slowly) the body starts fighting back again.

When I first started running to lose weight a couple of years ago I would get throat irritation from acid reflux when sleeping after about 3 weeks of good weight loss results and I had to stop. That happened twice before the dumb body accepted a long stretch of 10kg loss, at the end of which the 'body depression' would be fairly evident.

I'm surprised this is not more commonly experienced. It sort of makes sense to me that comfort eating would work the other way around as well. Weightloss depression.

Maybe you have to be in a somewhat good mood to lose weight. Stupid body :)
 
It isn't uncommon to have a lower mood when losing weight. You most likely are making some errors or leaving some things out that are causing you to be deficient in nutrients.
 
Hey dude! Not to worry about weight loose because I have a better solution for loose weight without any exercise is to use , because it's made up of pure coffee beans and have no side effect with in weeks... You can buy it any where from Australia!
 
I have battled low level, persistent depression all my adult life. All traditional modalities as well as nontraditional therapies failed to make better. In my eternal search for relief swim found and tried Thai kratom caps and to my astonishment found that low doses completely alleviated my symptoms! Last time I have bought it online at kratomunderground.com and it was really comfortable. Hope this helps others suffering from this terrible condition
 
This is an interesting topic. It is normal for anyone to have depressive symptoms at points and as said above, nutrition plays a big role and some great advice was give by AthalaRanger. I am curious about you stating that you "eat above the minimum required." Could you elaborate on this?

The aerobic exercise you described that you're doing may have an impact as well. While many studies say say that exercise intensity is inconclusive on for comparisons to be made on effectiveness on depression reduction, one more recent study showed different.

This study followed people (women) in three different groups: stretching control group, a low intensity aerobic exercise group, and a high aerobic exercise group. While all three groups showed a reduction in depressive states, the high-intensity showed significantly lower depressive symptoms then the other groups (Chu, Buckworth et al., 2009).

Try mixing up your workouts some. Find ways to challenge yourself other than the walking and running. Also, ensure that you are getting the proper amount of nutrients, water, and rest. Take the suggestion above and give yourself a little break and plan to mix it up and hit it after a week or two off.
 
Dan Frederiksen,
I've experienced the exact same symptoms with my weight lose. Depression, fatigue, even eye problems and insomnia. In my case the symptoms don't go away until I've gained all of my weight back. The longer I go the worse I get until I can no longer function and can barely leave the house. I still haven't found an answer. Good luck.
 
Interesting. I can make it better by gaining just a bit and holding there.
But I managed to drop 5 kg more and building muscles by switching to P90/p90x rather than running. It seems that a varied exercise can work better.
I have since reached a plateau again but I don't have dry heaves or vision issues.
I speculate that improving psychology in other typical aspects of life like romantic partner and job situation will make dieting dramatically easier.
Dieting seems to impact psychology negatively and if it's already strained it can tank in a physiologically significant way.

So it seems varied muscle building exercise combined with general healthy psychology is a good way. Also watch your lower back if you sit a lot, sit up straight, do exercises to strengthen lower back muscles if necessary. Maybe learn chiropractic tricks to straighten back.

Also P90 includes a high protein diet.

Beekeeper said:
Dan Frederiksen,
I've experienced the exact same symptoms with my weight loss. Depression, fatigue, even eye problems and insomnia. In my case the symptoms don't go away until I've gained all of my weight back. The longer I go the worse I get until I can no longer function and can barely leave the house. I still haven't found an answer. Good luck.
Click to expand...
 
Hi. I have no detail of your program but it seems you have "lost too much", not in terms of body fat or weight, but in terms of nutrients. The aim of weight loss programs is not (or at least shouldn't be) leaving you with an out of balance body. Besides, weight management needs a huge mind effort and you may needs a mental support. I help people not only by a well balanced nutritional/activity plan, but also the coaching support they need. I would recommend you seek mental support, and a review of your nutrition plan. Hope it helps.
 
very nice thanks
 
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