I am so Depressed Right Now!

My name is Brittney, I am 19 years old and I'm at college student at Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX. I finally made up my mind, after being overweight since the age of 12, that I was overweight and wanting to lose lots of weight to get in shape for the future. Also to cut down the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems that tend to fester in my family's history.

So to get right down to it, I started my diet and lifestyle change on last Monday and found CalorieCounter yesterday afternoon. I weighed myself yesterday and found out that I weigh 210! Only to found out that that scale was broken, so I went to buy a new one today; and I found out that I actually weigh 216! I go to the doctor for an annual check-up on tomorrow and I am so afraid for what she is going to say.

I have known that I was a little overweight, but not that much. I suppose that the college eating style really did take a toll on me...

I just need some encouragement. Not many people know how it feels not to be able to tell your family about your weight and its problem. You just don't know how bad it feels to actually weigh over 40 pounds more than your own mother....I feel like crying right there, because that is the first time that I have actually admitted it.

The CalorieCounter is helpful. I just don't want to eat anymore. My calorie intake is over 1000 points less than what I am suppose to be intaking....maybe that will help me to lose sooner and more! Because I burn over 2000 more than what I intake now.

I have all my healthy food now purchased and I've been exercising like never before. I just need some encouragement to stay on this movement for a healthy change.

Thanks for reading

Wow.  Brittney!  You are such an open and honest young lady.  And judging by your picture, you look kind of happy!  So sad to hear that you're depressed.  With so much ahead of you, I hope you can change that outlook and soon!  You are DOING SOMETHING sweetie.

I am a Mom and would be so incredibly proud of my daughter (she's 15 right now) if she were to come to grips with an issue (ANY issue, not just weight loss) the way you have.

Keep believing in yourself, okay?  You CAN do this.  Your family will love you either way, but will be so much happier for you if you do it for you!!

Best Wishes,

Laura

Hey Brittney,

    I think that you have taken a huge step by wanting to lose weight and Congrats on that!!! I too was feeling pretty depressed about my weight and decided to do something about it. When I first started my diet I was 205 and the bad thing is that I'm only 5'1. I was able to lose a lot of weight but I gained most of it back. December 07 I was up to 185 and decided it was time to really make a change. I am now 139! =D and plan on losing 19 more pounds. Anyways, I get depressed a lot not really because of my weight but because of other factors but I also tell myself that I am pretty any way I am.

I know that you can do it. It will take some time, trust me, but you seem very determined!!! Don't think about the weight you have to lose but about all the good things that you will gain, like a good health!Don't let your weight discourage you but let it help you reach your goal! Just think that every day that goes by is a day closer to your goal!

Best of luck in your goal and we can stay in touch here in CC if you want . I can always use some support myself!

Hi Brittney! I agree with what Laura is telling you - you CAN do this. You are so young and have your whole life ahead of you.  Taking a new path (the healthy one) can be a little scary, but think of the quality years you are adding to your life as a result of your healthy choices. I am also a mom, and I would be so proud to see my children doing what you are, on top of going to University, which can be stressful! My advice to you is to not go to extremes with the dieting, make sure you get at least your minimum calories every day. In your picture you look like a very confident and happy person. When you feel low think of  what you were feeling when the picture was taken, and I'm sure you will feel better! Best of luck to you! (Oh yeah, and if your Dr. gives you a hard time and no support, get a new Doctor!)

Brittney-

I have two kids (14 & 15) and I hope you can find it inside of you to talk to your mother. I hope she is the kind of mom that can listen and offer the support YOU want and need. If she isn't then perhaps you can find someone at your school, a counselor, or a friend to help you with your goals.

My heart goes out to you and I wish I could help. Keep reminding yourself you are doing this for you, for your future, for your health. I don't know about you but I've found setting small goals and then giving myself rewards is beneficial. After I lost my first ten pounds I got new shoes. Find what works for you.

And please remember, it's not about the number on the scale because I can personally verify that all scales lie, especially the ones at the doctor's office!! What it's really about is being healthy, weight loss is just a small part of that so keep at the fitness and eating right too.

Good luck Brittney,

stumbles

Brittney, you'd be amazed to find out you have a lot more in common with your fellow CC members than you think.  We have joined this site to seek support and committment to live a happy and healthy lifestyle.  I have 40 pounds to lose, according to what my ideal weight is, and I'm 37.  So look at that, you're way ahead of the game.  I only wish I would have taken control at such an early age.  Like you, I was overweight all my teenage years.  I was happy, so losing weight and living that healthy lifestyle was not as important.   You're way ahead of the game. 

Stick with it.  Make it a pemanant way of life.  Don't cut your calories too much.  Your body could go into that "starvation" mode and you won't burn the fat that you want to burn because your body will store it.  Eat the recommended amount and exercise as often as you like.  You're doing fine!       

Congratulations on wanting to make a lifestyle change.  Just a little info from my own journey.  I started in April of 2006 and have lost 76+ pounds.  Right now you are probably thinking OMG!  I tried the Atkins plan for about 8 months. hit a plateau and ended up gaining 20 pounds back.  In September of 2007 I decided to make a lifestyle change I could really live with.

I keep track of my input and output and average 6331 calories per pound lost.  I have hypothyroidism so that is a factor.

I was like you at your age.  I spent a lifetime of Yo-Yo ing.  Losing the same 20 pounds every year.  A lifestyle change will stop the crazinesses.

So it's a new day and a new attitude, Brittney!  I really identified with your post (een though I'm 40) cause I saw myself in you.  I was overweight and people pointed it out to me.  Even my mom. 

But, I couldn't go to college.  There wasn't any money or support for it and I had no idea how to get scholorships etc.  Went into work world, blah, blah, blah.  Depression builds over time.  Be careful not to give yourself in to it, ok?  You should ENJOY college cause I hear they're the best times of your life!

My oldest son is starting 2nd year at UCF in Orlando.  I'm so proud of him.  Your mother feels the same way about you -- so, as hard as it seems, focus on that sometimes when you're down.

You can do this!

Best,

Laura

THANK YOU GUYS (WOMEN, I'M Used to the college language) FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT!  You all ROCK and made me feel so much better last nite about myself.  Thanks for even taking the time out to read it and for becoming my support friends on the website.

I'm glad that I have finally found some people who understand how I feel and where I'm coming from.  I THINK THAT I'VE LOST SOME INCHES...now off to the doctor's office I go

TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GOD BLESS YOU ALL

wow, it feels like i'm reading about myself when i read this.  i hopped on the scale a week ago after not being on one for three years, and nearly had a heart attack at the number on the scale...224?  since when?  this is crazy!  i too am in college (i'm 20) where it's really hard to eat healthy and find time to exercise and still focus on what we're there to do (learn) and what we need to do to improve our chances for the rest of our life.  so if you ever wanna talk, drop me a message, and we can try and get in shape together :)

as for the doctor, well, he or she better be supportive.  their job is not to judge, but to help you in the process.  i'm sure they've seen people who are underweight and more overweight than you are, and they'll see many more after you, so i'm sure you'll be fine. 

as for your family, well, if you don't want to share this with them, you don't have to, but you might be surprised at how supportive they can be. 

good luck!

~mimi

Hey Britteny, as all the others have so rightly said, don't give in to the depression. Think positive! You have made the right start in that you identified that you are overerweight and that you needed to do something about it. Now you have already started your diet and exercise, which means you are actually doing something about your weight issue. Just continue on that path! I had similar feelings myself, my two sisters are really slim and trim, most of my coworkers are in great shape, so i basically felt uncomfortable in my skin. I knew i had to do something about the weight. But not only that, I started reading up on the dangers of obesity, and what can happen definitely is not appealing.

So think about it, as you lose the weight the results are a hundred fold - better health, a leaner more beautiful you, higher self-esteem etc, etc......

So don't be depressed, we are all in this together, i myself recently joined CC and from what i've seen the support group is excellent, so you'll have plenty of that.

I need your support too - two weeks ago, just before i decided on diet and exercise i weighed 196. Last sunday i was down to 190 and have lost 11 inches altogether. My goal weight is between 125-130.

Keep us posted on your progress!

All the best!!!!

Hey Britt,

Your not alone here that's for sure. I, to, have made a commitment to losing the weight. I just signed up and am loving the atmosphere here already. I am 22, in school, and seriously over weight. I started out weighing 315 at 5'4. That's right over 300 lbs. (you guys are the first to "hear" me "say" that) talk about a freak out. I was absolutely disgusted with myself. I've always been over weight, but to be that obese OMG. I made a commitment last year to get my weight down. I lost 65  lbs. in a summer, great right? Wrong, shame on me I lost to much to fast, and guess what? Allot came back, back up to 280 in just 2 months, and than slowly back down to 260. So here I sit now making a commitment to lose the weight the right and healthy way. The point is, you're not alone there are allot of similar people here, and trust me you haven't hit rock bottom. You're lucky to figure out you needed to do something while your young, and trust me your really lucky you have recognized your weight problem before it took over your life even more. So, on a happy note you can do it and you have plenty of support.   :)

Ang