Weight Gain! Now That's Depressing!

I have never been thin. Nor overly large (I hate the word "fat"). I'm 49 years old, I'm in perimenopause and lately, it seems like everything I put in my mouth ends up as another half pound on the scale. It's so depressing!

In truth, I don't actually weigh myself. Step on a scale? No way! Talk about a depression trigger. I don't need to step on the scale to know I'm gaining weight - a woman just knows - it's all in the jeans. What used to be my comfy, roomy jeans, are now very tight around my belly.

It's hard enough keeping my depression at bay but this added weight is really getting me down. Of course, exercise is the very last thing on my mind right now (ok... ever!) though I know that would help - in more ways than just the weight gain. Exercise helps to combat depression, I know this. But getting up enough energy to exercise is very hard. Let's face it... getting up enough energy to get out of bed and go to work in the morning is very hard. I could try another diet. I've been on several and have lost weight, then, of course, I gained it all back.

I try to eat healthy foods, eating lean meats, very little pasta or bread, and I don't eat any fried food at all. I know that I don't eat enough vegetables or drink enough water in a day. If I had a vice it would be potato chips and while I eat them frequently, it certainly isn't enough to account for all the weight gain.

[caption id="attachment_1767" align="alignleft" width="224" caption="By Ohmega1982, courtesy of freedigitalphoto.net"][/caption]

When I realized I was in perimenopause, I knew I would be gaining weight. When the weight gain started, I figured I was fighting an uphill battle. So as not to put too much added pressure on myself, I decided that I would just keep on eating right, have a few treats here and there (and here and there again - grin), and try not to let it stress me out. But this is ridiculous.

So, what can I do?

Well, I've got to do something. I am going to try going back to the gym. I am going to make a commitment to myself to go twice a week. I'm still not going to go on a diet but I will eat more vegetables and drink more water. Then we'll see, I guess. Maybe this really is out of my control. Could it be my depression meds? I haven't changed those (brand or dosage) in two years.

Weight gain can really be a strong trigger for depression. I have enough triggers without this one teasing me every time I walk by a freakin' mirror. Weight gain can be so depressing. I have to try really hard to just take it all in stride.