Donna's fighting depression and weight diary!

Hi all, I have done loads of diet - Slimming Magazine (Calorie Counting), Weight Watchers, Slimming World, Weight Watchers, Slimming World, Slimming World...I was most successful on Calorie Counting and Weight Watchers, I have decided to try Calorie Counting and I feel for the first time since I did joined Slimming Magazine Clubs 20 years ago that I am in control (lets hope it lasts).

I am also battling depression, I was diagnosed with SAD last year and as yet have not found the correct medication to keep my depression controlled enough for me to lead a normal life but after another increase in dosage I am finally starting to feel better albeit very anxious...enough!

So I have 2 children, daughter (12) and son (3), we live in Essex, I have really let my daughter down and let her gain weight, so I have all three of us me, husband and daughter on healthy diet

I have previously used Minimins when i followed Slimming World and loved the support and encouragement I received.

I also bought some Slimfast that were being sold very cheaply on Approved Foods before I decided to calorie count - so you might see them pop up from time to time as a meal (esp breakfast which I have problems with cos I find it really hard to eat in the morning)

I also intend to up my water intake - have gone from 0 glasses to 6 glasses/mugs in 3 days, hope to hit 8 from today

And increase to exercise!

Well done on taking the plunge. You never know as you get your weight under control it might have a knock on positive effect on your depression.

Hi Lass321 - thanks for your support - I am hoping so too x

Day 1-3

Monday 25 February 2013
B: 40g Shreddies, 125ml Semi Skimmed Milk = 209 cals
L: Slice Toast & 200g Baked Beans = 270 cals
D: Roast Lamb & Roasted Carrots in honey & mustard = 433 cals
Snacks:
Medium Banana = 105 cals
3x Tetley with semi skimmed milk = 45 cals
1 cup sweet seedless red grapes = 104 cals
500mls Coke Zero = 0 cals
= 1,166 / 1426
*************************************************************
Tuesday 26 February 2013
B: oops!
L: Slice Toast & 200g Baked Beans = 270 cals
D: Chilli, Wedges, Cheese, Sour Cream = 505 cals
Snacks:
5x Tetley with semi skimmed milk = 75 cals
1 cup sweet seedless red grapes = 104 cals
Sugar Free Orange Jelly = 9 cals
Tesco Cream Cake = 258 cals
= 1,228 / 1426
*************************************************************
Wednesday 27 February 2013
B: Vanilla Slimfast, Tea, Apple = 323
L: HM Veg Cous Cous, 2x tbsp Chunky Guacomole, 2x Ryvita, 5x cherry tomatoes = 254 cals
D: Spaghetti, Tomato Sauce, Meatballs = 557 cals
Snacks:
4x Boiling Water & Lemon = 0 cals
1/2 cup sweet seedless red grapes = 52 cals
Sugar Free Orange Jelly = 9 cals
205ml Pepsi Max Cherry = 2 cals
= 1,197 / 1426

Chilli Con Carne
3 large portions = 183cals per serving

1 large onion chopped .
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped .
3 finely grated carrots
1 red chilli
2 tsp (or fresh if you have it)
Fry Lite
500g lean beef mince
1 tsp ground cumin .
2 tsp sweet paprika .
1 tsp dried oregano .
Tin chopped tomatoes
100-200ml chicken or beef stock .
3 tbsp tomato puree .
2tsp cinnamon
1 bay leaf .
400g kidney beans, drained and rinsed .
Salt and pepper .
Optional - chilli flakes (we like it hot!), 1tsp cocoa powder or 1tsp sweetner

Brown mince, drain fat
Frylite onion, garlic, chilli, carrot and thyme
Add dried spices to the onion mixture and cook until they release their aroma
Stir in the beef and mix well.
Add tinned tomatoes and leave to cook down a little for about 5 minutes.
Add stock and tomato puree to taste.
Add bay leaf bring to the boil and leave to simmer.
Once the sauce is beginning to thicken add the kidney beans and leave to cook for another 5-10 minutes to allow the beans to soak up the flavours

Hi Donna
dont know what made me open your diary but glad I did

I have suffered from depression for years (on and off) and have recently been diagnosed with bipolar so am on a med and need to keep increasing the dose to get the right amount for me - its very frustrating waiting for that sweet spot to be hit

I have used a light box to great effect with the SAD aspect - that could really help you

I too am CCing and notice you are on mfp will click on your link and meet you there

there is a link in my siggy on here to my diary if you want to read about my med issues etc etc
I often put down my food - but not always

good luck on your journey try to get out for a walk if you can (although the depression can make that difficult)

H xx

HI Donna and welcome. You seem really positive and focused on making a change. I love that you are doing it for yourself and also to help your family. Calorie counting is perfect because it isn't an obvious "diet" which could have negative connotations for your daughter but more reeducation on the nutrition and energy different foods can provide. Your chilli recipe looks amazing, I absolutely love chilli and its such a good low cal recipe that is warming and filling and you can get tons of vitamins into it by upping the veg content- I have swapped my sour cream blob on top for total 0% yogurt or cottage cheese both lower cal and higher protein and you can't really tell the difference I will definitely give your tip of 1 tsp cocoa powder a try as I know its meant to improve the flavours

Hello Donna!! I have battled with depression also but have come out the other side. Still have my off days but on the whole am a lot happier. Wishing you luck and success on your journey

hi hunny will follow ur progress, hoping u will give me some incentive lol good luck xxx

Aaleigha said:

Hi Donna
dont know what made me open your diary but glad I did

I have suffered from depression for years (on and off) and have recently been diagnosed with bipolar so am on a med and need to keep increasing the dose to get the right amount for me - its very frustrating waiting for that sweet spot to be hit

I have used a light box to great effect with the SAD aspect - that could really help you

I too am CCing and notice you are on mfp will click on your link and meet you there

there is a link in my siggy on here to my diary if you want to read about my med issues etc etc
I often put down my food - but not always

good luck on your journey try to get out for a walk if you can (although the depression can make that difficult)

H xx

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Thank you for your lovely message - I am glad we found one another lol! I have just invested in a sun lamp - it comes on an hour before I wake up - only problem is since i bought it I have been waking at 5am an hour before it comes on ... I have it on now as I am feeling v low today because I have come down with flu like virus - do you find that when you are at your lowest you pick up bugs easily?

Off to read your diary ...

BerryBerry said:

HI Donna and welcome. You seem really positive and focused on making a change. I love that you are doing it for yourself and also to help your family. Calorie counting is perfect because it isn't an obvious "diet" which could have negative connotations for your daughter but more reeducation on the nutrition and energy different foods can provide. Your chilli recipe looks amazing, I absolutely love chilli and its such a good low cal recipe that is warming and filling and you can get tons of vitamins into it by upping the veg content- I have swapped my sour cream blob on top for total 0% yogurt or cottage cheese both lower cal and higher protein and you can't really tell the difference I will definitely give your tip of 1 tsp cocoa powder a try as I know its meant to improve the flavours

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Thank you BerryBerry - I certainly feel more in control of the calorie counting its the first diet I ever did with the best result and longterm staying off power too!

The chilli recipe is amazing its a gordon ramsey recipe but obviously fat has been removed and the carrots I include as hidden extras - husband is not a great veg eater, DD follows suit, the funny thing is we have this extremely skinny 3 year old boy. The cocoa powder adds depth to the chilli and removes that tinned tomato taste you get sometimes in slimming recipes - sometimes I add a bit more as I double up this recipe as we eat it every week

Rather than soured cream - I have the Discovery Mexican Soured Cream Topping its 62cals per tbsp, you have to give it a really good shake tho or it runs out like water

Lady_Amalthea said:

Hello Donna!! I have battled with depression also but have come out the other side. Still have my off days but on the whole am a lot happier. Wishing you luck and success on your journey

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Hi Lady_Amalthea - thanks for your support - depression is a nasty illness, I always think people think I am pretending so I am always trying to justify what is wrong with me or on down days being overly bubbly so that people don't suspect - if that makes sense? I hate being mentally challenged, it is hoped that I can return to work the week after next but I just feel sick at the thought of it, but only been on increased tablets for 2 days so will hopefully be back on my feet for then as i love my job!

valerie11 said:

hi hunny will follow ur progress, hoping u will give me some incentive lol good luck xxx

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Hi Val - thank god you are still around, i now have so much weight to lose but the good thing is the new tabs have almost curbed my sweet cravings, you were flying on weight watchers last time i was here - you back on slimming world then? must admit I love this calorie counting - no free, speed or A and Bs to wade thru!

I see you have found me on here too I was just reading your message on mfp and was going to tell you it was me )

donnajt said:

Hi Val - thank god you are still around, i now have so much weight to lose but the good thing is the new tabs have almost curbed my sweet cravings, you were flying on weight watchers last time i was here - you back on slimming world then? must admit I love this calorie counting - no free, speed or A and Bs to wade thru!

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Hi Hunny I calorie counted today was ok till 7.30 then ate 4 fruit buns & 2 weetabix smothered in sugar there's no hope for me, wish my tabs stopped my sugar cravings ;-( I like sw cause u can still have something to eat if u still feel hungry but I still can't even follow that at the moment lol .
Hope u have a good day tomorrow love val xx

Sent from my iPhone using MiniMins

Morning all, not a very good day foodwise, very low calories and to be honest only ate about 2/3 of my kebab, my throat is killing me, my ears are throbbing and i ache from head to foot, new washing machine arrived yesterday got two loads done last night going to concentrate on towels and bedding today

feeling very low, could quite easily have cheated and binged last night...thankfully felt so poorly fell asleep in front of tv

sorry its such a bad day for you
any chance of a short walk I know you are ill but it might help your mood
good luck with catching up with the laundry

Oh no sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. Hope you can get some relaxation in on the weekend.

Aaleigha said:

sorry its such a bad day for you
any chance of a short walk I know you are ill but it might help your mood
good luck with catching up with the laundry

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at this moment i am stuck on sofa - am going to have a cuppa and attempt to sort myself out - tablets will kick in shortly so fingers crossed my mood will lift