Day 10 and I'm still hanging in there. Changed things up a bit and actually ate my super oats as oatmeal, lol! That was a nice change! Still haven't weighed myself, but at this point I'm just going to wait awhile until I do. Still having some personal issues which I think has thrown me over the edge and, unfortunately, back into depression. (Have had this on and off throughout my adult life, so I know what symptoms to look for). Don't want to go back on antidepressants as I've been off them for over a year. So I'm trying the herbal route with some St. John's Wort to see if that will help for now. On a positive note, I'm sticking with my Cambridge and that part is the easy part, lol!
Re: Day 10 done
Posted by Pam T on 6/28/2018, 5:58 pm, in reply to "Day 10 done"
That's actually funny to me Chris. I would do the same. I would use the Oats for everything but oatmeal, then remember that I could eat it that way too! lol
10 Days is great! I think it is wise to hold off on the weighing with what you shared. When you are already dealing with emotional issues, I think it could make you more vulnerable to possibly being discouraged if you don't see what you want, or make you over confident if you show a big loss and think it's ok to take a break. Our brains can play mean tricks on us! lol!
I'm sorry you are dealing with depression. I used to suffer from that too. The meds back then were nothing like they have today, fortunately. My daughter has also suffered from severe depression (suicide attempts and hospitalizations) for most of her life. She has finally been put on a medication that has literally blown the roof off of her depression! I am finally seeing glimpses of my daughter I remember from years ago. It is like watching her climb out of a pit and in to the sunshine. This is while dealing with her cancers. I am very grateful.
I hope the St John's Wort helps you. I've heard good things about it.
Re: Day 10 done
Posted by Chris M on 6/29/2018, 10:49 am, in reply to "Re: Day 10 done"
Thank you, Pam, for the encouragement. It helps to have somewhere I can "vent" and someone who understands, to listen. I'm so sorry that you and your daughter have both suffered from depression. It has been so misconceived over the years with people thinking that sufferers are "just sad" and "can get over it". When in fact it has to do with the chemicals in the brain. Yes, it is true that outside factors can make it overwhelming, but the underlying physical reason is always there. I'm glad that you have both found the correct meds and are doing well! I have had many different antidepressants on and off over the years. Unfortunately, when I was diagnosed about 29 years ago, the meds caused my initial weight gain. Before that I was at a healthy normal weight. I had tried a St. John's Wort combination herbal therapy years ago (between meds) with good results. Unfortunately I can't remember what other herb it was combined with and my chiropractor hasn't sold that brand for probably 20 years. But I am trying just the St. John's Wort to see if it is as effective as it was for me back then. The last time I was prescribed antidepressants was when my fiancé died four years ago. We had to try a few different meds to find the right one for me as previous ones ended up not being right for my system this time around. I was able to become "my normal" again with a combination of the antidepressant, counseling, and the song "Fear" by my favorite band, Blue October, (check it out below). All thoughts I previously had of suicide were behind me, thankfully. After being on this last antidepressant for three years I developed not only an inability to lose weight, but had developed such a dry throat and mouth it became unbearable. No matter what I tried or how much water I drank, the dry mouth wouldn't go away. Last year my psychiatrist retired, so I decided to try to wean off the meds not only to stop the dry mouth, but because I didn't want to seek out a new doctor. And my life has been pretty good, with occasional bouts of grief, but manageable. Unfortunately things changed three months ago when my Dad died and now, recently, other personal things have just become a little too much. I started the St. John's Wort on Wednesday, so it is too soon to tell if it will work. But, I have worked through the personal issues for the most part (I think) and am feeling better than I was a few days ago.
Here's the song "Fear". It kept me alive. I hope it is okay to post it here as it not only helped my depression, but is now a good motivational song on my journey to become healthy and lose weight at the same time. And maybe it can be for others, too.
Re: Day 10 done
Posted by Pam T on 6/29/2018, 7:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Day 10 done"
Wow! That song is amazing! Thank you for sharing that.
I have not been on meds for a very long time. But back in 1986 when my mom died, a friend that was a licensed clinical social worker suggested I try medication to get through it. I had grown up with panic anxiety disorder, but back then they did not have a name for it. I had just kept it to myself because I didn't understand what was happening to me. It shaped my whole life, basically. when I went on the amitriptyline it was like all the windows had been flung open! all the panic and anxiety was gone, along with the depression. But like you've experienced, the side effects can be very unpleasant. I used it for about a year and then I was better able to manage my issues on my own. After I lost my weight, I was so happy and active that everything kind of changed for me. I still have things that trigger my panic/anxiety, but I manage it pretty well now.
All thoughts I previously had of suicide were behind me, thankfully. 
