How Depression And Emotions Cause The Weight Gain
Depression begins with disappointment. When disappointment festers in our soul, it leads to discouragement.
Joyce Meyer ‧ American Charismatic Christian author and speaker
Living with depression can simply be a real challenge. This may involve not wanting to do anything or may even escalate to the point when you don't wish to leave the house. Many people turn to eat too much rather than too little in this situation. This may be because life holds little to no hope and you seek comfort in food.
Depression affects people differently. While some people experience an appetite loss and a weight loss, others may actually gain weight. If you're depressed and struggling with the weight gain and the inability to lose excess pounds, there are reasons behind it. The difficulties of living with depression are many and apply for help. However, being aware of some ways that this emotion contributes to the weight gain can be helpful.
Less Motivation
Feeling depressed may decrease the amount of motivation you have. This means you may be more content to stay at home rather than getting out and about each day.
Only sitting around will not allow you to burn the most amount of calories you can to lose weight, and you will start putting on more weight each day.
Depression may rob you of your ability to enjoy life, and this should be treated. However, failing to engage in normal day-to-day activities will cause you to gain weight over time when left untreated.
What Is Depression?
TIP: Feeling depressed may decrease the amount of motivation you have. It may rob you of your ability to enjoy life, and this should be treated.
Not Exercising
Being depressed may decrease your desire to exercise regularly. Regardless, if you typically take a walk around the block or go to the gym when you feel well, this can help burn calories.
Failure to engage in exercise may force you to stay in the house and not do many of the things you'd regularly do. It's ideal to consider exercise if you're severely depressed, because doing so may help you feel better.
Consider talking to your doctor beforehand to ensure you're healthy enough to engage in an exercise program if you wish to combat depression.
TIP: Failure to engage in exercise may force you to stay in the house and not do many of the things you'd regularly do.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a stress hormone that is supposed to help in times of stress by giving you energy. However, if cortisol is released at high levels for extended periods of time, as with depression, it can cause problems, including weight gain.
Cortisol makes you crave foods high in calories and carbohydrates with low nutritional value. This is exactly what you don't want to have in your diet if you want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
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Depression Medication
Those who take a depression medication may gain body weight. Medications work well in helping those suffering from depression, but one of the pesky side effects is often a weight gain. You can discuss the weight gain with your doctor and decide if switching to another medication can help.
Gaining weight and being depressed is not fun at all. It's important to find ways that can assist you in getting past this stage of life, if at all possible. One effective way to do this is by strongly considering the benefits that accompany taking medication.
TIP: Those who take a depression medication may gain body weight. Medications do work well in helping those suffering from depression, but one of the pesky side effects is often a weight gain.
Nutrition
People suffering from depression are often low in certain nutrients. These include omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins that are important in metabolising food you eat. Taking vitamin supplements and eating a diet rich in these nutrients may help.
The Bottom Line
While depression can bring on weight gain, you can take steps to prevent it. Discuss all medication side effects with your doctor. Eat a balanced diet and have healthy snacks on hand so you don't reach for the sugar and carbohydrate-laden foods that cause weight gain.
Meditation can be helpful in preventing the body from releasing too much cortisol. It can help you relax and better handle a stressful situation. Other relaxation techniques can help as well. Exercise is also important because it not only makes you feel better, but it also helps you burn off calories and fat.
As with anyone battle excess weight, it takes a multifaceted approach to lose or maintain a healthy or desired weight. Food, nutrition and exercise all play a crucial role, as does learning to relax by better handling stressful situation at home or at work.
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FAQ
Gaining weight solely in your stomach may be the result of specific lifestyle choices. The two S's — stress and sugar — play a significant role in the size of your midsection. Certain medical conditions and hormonal changes can contribute to abdominal weight gain.
The body has a system of hormonal checks and balances that may actually promote weight gain when you're stressed out. Therefore, chronic stress, or poorly managed stress, may lead to elevated cortisol levels that stimulate your appetite, with the end result being weight gain or difficulty losing unwanted pounds.
Some foods lead to the most weight gain or weight loss. Potato chips top the list of foods that cause weight gain, followed by potatoes, sugar-sweetened beverages, unprocessed red meats, and processed meats. Foods that lead to weight loss include yogurt, nuts, fruits, whole grains, and vegetables.
In the context of dieting and weight loss, this means that if you restrict your food intake too drastically, your body will simply decrease its metabolic rate, so it is burning fewer calories. One of the biggest reasons people gain weight is simply NOT eating enough food!
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I really loved this article because being a coach in the health and fitness industry for over 16 years, it’s literally last year I discovered the link between depression and weight gain. Since tackling the depression and emotional triggers first I’ve found I can deliver results way faster than before. Great article 👍🏿
Thank you, Rasheed. I hope it helps!