Depression And Anxiety In Obesity
Which Comes First?
Depression Or Obesity?

Depression and Anxiety in Obesity, are they Linked Somehow?

Does it really matter?

Anyway, several studies seem to conclude that obesity can make you (and me) more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.

I don't want to bore you with all those scientific findings.

Here's the simplified version - if you and I are obese, we're more likely to feel isolated and feel tougher climbing the career ladder, regardless of our capabilities.

There's a connection between mood (feeling) and weight as obesity causes an imbalance in chemicals that control how we feel.

However, there's this "chicken and egg" thing that's still full of argument -

Which comes first? Obesity first? Or depression (and anxiety) first?

We become obese because we're depressed (and anxious) and feel less motivated to exercise?

Or

We become depressed (and anxious) because we're obese?

A matter of logical argument, I personally would think depression and anxiety in obesity surface since we become depressed (and anxious) because we're obese.

Who wouldn't?

I can imagine this.

If I put on extra 40-50 lbs, I would definitely feel depressed (and anxious).

Depressed because of the way my body shape and size have gone out of control and "worked against" me:

• I won't be able to fit into any dress
• I won't feel sexy and attractive anymore - I feel more like a sack of potato
• I start to think my friends and peers would jeer at me and shun me because of my plus size
• I would feel being discriminated in work place or in jobs because of my obesity
• Because of my size, I avoid all kinds of social activities and functions - literally become a social outcast

And blah blah blah blah.........

And then I'm anxious because I don't know how to handle it, don't know how I can become like that and worse still, scare stiff when people cast a look at me - I want to flee.......

The major anxiety bombshell - I'm anxious lest people think I'm greedy and glutton for food.......

It's my real life story. I was excessively overweight (not yet obese), in my teens.

When being overweight, I was already on an emotional roller coaster - what about being obese?

The feelings I've had - depression and anxiety in obesity, were real.

In fact, one of the realities of obesity is depression and anxiety.

OK, whether you're depressed because you're obese or you're obese hence you're depressed, it doesn't really matter.

What does matter is you get help fast.

To battle obesity plus depression and anxiety in obesity, on your own, is tough, tough, tough.......

I suggest you join a support group formed by obese people who're also battling the same issues like you.

The support group can provide the information, assistance and counseling that can help you to alleviate your feelings of hopelessness and despair plus giving right advice on how to exercise and eat healthy.

That taken care of, I think the next step is really an individual initiative.

Erm.......The issue of weight loss.

It's easy to say: "Lose 30 lbs, 40 lbs, 50 lbs......"

But when it comes to the real crunch of doing it.... Bang! You struggle like crazy.....

Been there. Done that. I can tell you - you don't want to know the "hardship" involved.

I wanna share with you what's the most practical thing you can do to lose weight, so you won't even know you're on a weight loss mission......

First, ditch the so-called "dieting" thing. The more you "diet", the fatter you can become because restricting your food intake to say 1 meal per day, makes your body think that it's starving.

This induces stress and stress increases cortisol (a hormone produced by the adrenal glands to keep us awake and alert and to mobilize sugar for energy).

The increased cortisol shutdowns your metabolism and thus increases your food store because your body thinks that it's under attack and need to store more food.

The result? You start to absorb many more calories than you normally would with a regular working metabolism.

All your extra energy is stored as fat because cortisol has turned down your metabolism.

You become even more sluggish and the "doom" of depression and anxiety in obesity seems to hang heavier and heavier.

O-o-o-o....

Shrug it off!

Just eat a well-balanced, healthy, nutritious diet and gradually change your eating habit and your relationship with food in such a way that you won't feel deprived or guilty about what you eat.

Second, move your butts from the couch and exercise!

When you exercise, especially cardio exercise , you actually kick start your metabolism into higher gear so it has higher fat-burning capacity, to burn off excess body fat from your body.

Your success and sustainability in an exercise program depends on choosing exercise you like and have interest to do.

If you love running, run then....

If it's jogging, swimming, biking, rope jumping, walking , go ahead and have fun while doing them!

If you approach exercise like that, you'll stay long in the program and see results!

Just 3-4 times per week for at least 30 minutes per session will make a whole lot of difference to your weight and your body size.

When your body's more acclimatized to the workout, increase your duration to 45 minutes per session but still keep to 3-4 times per week.

When your body's ready for full blast workout, go for 60 minutes per session and 4-5 times per week.

This combo - exercise and eat healthy, works. Moreover, exercise elevates your mood and can lift you out from the "dark hole" of depression and anxiety in obesity.

Believe me. I'm the "shining" example.

Keep doing the combo. You melt away the lbs, you slim down to several dress sizes and you feel good about yourself.....

Depression and anxiety in obesity? They just quietly slip away, having lost their grip on your life......

Hooray! Time to celebrate your victory!

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