Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

OT: anything goes!

Moderator: Edi

User avatar
Darth Wong
Sith Lord
Sith Lord
Posts: 70028
Joined: 2002-07-03 12:25am
Location: Toronto, Canada
Contact:

Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Darth Wong »

Well, I haven't talked about this on the site but I need to come clean: I actually became quite depressed after my dog Fuzzy died a year ago. His passing had more of an impact on me than I let on here, and I started compulsively snacking in the evenings after the rest of the family went to sleep, when I would normally have been playing with Fuzzy or taking him for a walk. My weight went up to about 195 lbs as a result of this compulsive late-night snacking.

This summer, we finally adopted a new puppy. Here he is, for those of you who have not seen his picture:

Image

I'm feeling a lot more upbeat and while we will never forget Fuzzy, it is nice to have a puppy in the house again. But the habit I built up over six months of compulsive late-night snacking was hard to crack, and my weight stayed at 195 lbs. At the beginning of December I almost hit 200 lbs, and weighed in at 198 lbs.

I decided that I'd had enough of this bullshit, so I called a family meeting and told everyone that I was planning to lose weight. I'm naturally a heavier guy for my height because I have a somewhat broad-shouldered muscular build by nature, but "heavier" means "170 to 175 lbs", not "pushing 200". It's important to make sure everyone knows that I'm trying to lose weight for the support factor.

Anyway, I started on December 7. It is now January 5, so I'm roughly 1 month in, and I'm down to about 183 lbs, so I've lost 15 lbs so far, which is pretty good for one month. Surprisingly, I'm not on any sort of crash diet; I'm still eating normally, I still make an egg omelette with cheese for breakfast, and I even had cookies, cake, hot chocolate with marshmallows, egg nog, and other snacks over the Christmas holidays. All I did was cut out the late-night snacking and restrict myself to a single plate of food at meal times (no more "going back for seconds" for me), which is a diet I could easily maintain indefinitely (that's why crash diets don't work; they're so harsh that nobody can stay on them for long).

Anyway, there's the personal update for 2009. The 2007 Christmas season was pretty much the worst one we ever had, but 2008 Christmas was a lot better and I'm going to get myself back in shape.
Image
"It's not evil for God to do it. Or for someone to do it at God's command."- Jonathan Boyd on baby-killing

"you guys are fascinated with the use of those "rules of logic" to the extent that you don't really want to discussus anything."- GC

"I do not believe Russian Roulette is a stupid act" - Embracer of Darkness

"Viagra commercials appear to save lives" - tharkûn on US health care.

http://www.stardestroyer.net/Mike/RantMode/Blurbs.html
User avatar
Ghost Rider
Spirit of Vengeance
Posts: 27779
Joined: 2002-09-24 01:48pm
Location: DC...looking up from the gutters to the stars

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Ghost Rider »

I'm glad to hear that it's getting better for you, the loss of a family member is devasting especially when the pet has been with you as long as Fuzzy was with you. Personally I was curious why the silence, but as things go, personal business is personal. Best of luck on weight loss.
MM /CF/WG/BOTM/JL/Original Warsie/ACPATHNTDWATGODW FOREVER!!

Sometimes we can choose the path we follow. Sometimes our choices are made for us. And sometimes we have no choice at all

Saying and doing are chocolate and concrete
User avatar
Qwerty 42
Jedi Council Member
Posts: 2008
Joined: 2005-06-01 05:05pm

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Qwerty 42 »

Best of luck, Mike. I know he can't ever be a true replacement, and I know that's not what you got him for, but the dog is adorable.
Image Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know, the piper's calling you to join him
User avatar
Coyote
Rabid Monkey
Posts: 12464
Joined: 2002-08-23 01:20am
Location: The glorious Sun-Barge! Isis, Isis, Ra,Ra,Ra!
Contact:

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Coyote »

What a cute little pup!

I've lost dogs over the years and it can be heartbreaking. The weight gain and depression make a lot of sense under such circumstances.

But it sounds like you're coming out of it and getting back on track; so that is good news. Keep it up and we're all here for you, which may or may not be comforting! :wink:

Good luck with getting the lifestyle back on track, and with the new doggie!
Last edited by Coyote on 2009-01-05 05:25pm, edited 1 time in total.
Something about Libertarianism always bothered me. Then one day, I realized what it was:
Libertarian philosophy can be boiled down to the phrase, "Work Will Make You Free."


In Libertarianism, there is no Government, so the Bosses are free to exploit the Workers.
In Communism, there is no Government, so the Workers are free to exploit the Bosses.
So in Libertarianism, man exploits man, but in Communism, its the other way around!

If all you want to do is have some harmless, mindless fun, go H3RE INST3ADZ0RZ!!
Grrr! Fight my Brute, you pansy!
User avatar
RazorOutlaw
Padawan Learner
Posts: 382
Joined: 2006-06-21 03:21pm
Location: PA!

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by RazorOutlaw »

It always amazes me that slight modifications to diet ultimately produce better results than any kind of water-diet, pills, or starvation (I've heard the last one so many times especially amongst girls and especially with my own girlfriend). Sometimes you don't need a well-planned diet, just a smarter one. Even with my own diet I realized I was eating too late in the evening and I cut back on doing so. I'm not tracking my weight to say that, yes, it had an impact although I think it did.

Anyway I've never had a dog, thanks to my father and his personal reasons, so I've never had to deal with the loss of a beloved pet. The closest I ever came to being mildly upset was with my sister's guinea pig and, well, they don't really follow you around or greet you when you enter a room (unless they are hungry). I'm glad things have gotten better, Mister Wong. Your new pet is a cute one.

Edit: I wasn't drunk and that was a poorly written post so I made a few adjustments.
Last edited by RazorOutlaw on 2009-01-06 01:49am, edited 1 time in total.
Sig.
User avatar
Davey
Padawan Learner
Posts: 368
Joined: 2007-11-25 04:17pm
Location: WTF? Check the directory!

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Davey »

Well, happy New Year Mr. Wong!

The new puppy's pretty cute, I'm sure you'll have a great time with him. He looks like he has a moustache, heh.

Good luck with the weight loss; perseverance and willpower is the key, so keep at it. My dad's tried a lot of different methods, but the main thing that's helped is sticking with it and pushing the limits, and yourself, not the latest miracle exercise machine on TV or the latest fad diet or plan. Hey, and if you have the time, when summer comes around, I suggest trying out skateboarding; I swear by it, it'll really help with getting fit, just be safe and you're looking at a whole body workout while you're going places.
"Oh SHIT!" generally means I fucked up.
Image
User avatar
Wicked Pilot
Moderator Emeritus
Posts: 8972
Joined: 2002-07-05 05:45pm

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Wicked Pilot »

So what's the little one's name and when can we expect him to start making post. I know being a dog and all he's at quite the disadvantage on an internet message board, but I'm sure he could still outwit a creationist or two.
The most basic assumption about the world is that it does not contradict itself.
User avatar
tim31
Sith Devotee
Posts: 3388
Joined: 2006-10-18 03:32am
Location: Tasmania, Australia

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by tim31 »

Re: crash diets, even if you do stay on them for long enough to lose 20kg(44lb), unless you're maintaining a high level of activity you start putting it back on as soon as you go off the diet. Not everyone can swing that with a job/young family to deal with. I found this out the hard way.

Good to see you back, Mike.
lol, opsec doesn't apply to fanfiction. -Aaron

PRFYNAFBTFC
CAPTAIN OF MFS SAMMY HAGAR
ImageImage
User avatar
TrailerParkJawa
Sith Acolyte
Posts: 5850
Joined: 2002-07-04 11:49pm
Location: San Jose, California

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by TrailerParkJawa »

Best Wishes to you Mike. Its not easy to lose a pet and depression isnt easy to deal with either. Glad to hear you have a plan of action and are sticking too it!
MEMBER of the Anti-PETA Anti-Facist LEAGUE
TempestSong
Youngling
Posts: 67
Joined: 2008-12-29 05:26pm

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by TempestSong »

New pets really do bring out the joy in you when an old one dies... I had two of my cats die within the past 3 years, with the third being lonely when the second one died. Not to mention me and my mom feeling the sudden void that was left.

Now, by complete accident, we have 3 more cats in the house, bringing the total up to 4. The third cat now has more on his paws than he can handle (on the cat hierarchy, he seems to be the grand emperor of the house), and the aforementioned void is suddenly gone. Of course, we cannot forget the other two, but when a new life enters yours, all those negative feelings seem to magically...disappear.
User avatar
Rye
To Mega Therion
Posts: 12493
Joined: 2003-03-08 07:48am
Location: Uighur, please!

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Rye »

I've always found the dogs and cats helpful whenever I've been in a funk. In fact, one of the ways I determine if I'm going off the deep end is if I keep myself away from them to make myself suffer more. Nice going on the weight loss, eating well is a good means of stabilising moods and reducing the temptation for snacking, and it should make you feel better in yourself.

I found, rather unexpectedly in its sentimentality I might add, that while I've been here less with work, women and uni, I missed reading your posts. It's good to know things are on their way to cool again.
EBC|Fucking Metal|Artist|Androgynous Sexfiend|Gozer Kvltist|
Listen to my music! http://www.soundclick.com/nihilanth
"America is, now, the most powerful and economically prosperous nation in the country." - Master of Ossus
User avatar
Stark
Emperor's Hand
Posts: 36169
Joined: 2002-07-03 09:56pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Stark »

Shit, Mike, I'm really sorry to hear that. I'm glad things are getting better now - but this kind of depression can easily get a lot worse if you ignore it. I'm glad you've got a new dog and such a supportive family. Good luck!
User avatar
TithonusSyndrome
Sith Devotee
Posts: 2569
Joined: 2006-10-10 08:15pm
Location: The Money Store

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by TithonusSyndrome »

I've dealt with my share of depression and arguably more - you're fortunate if it is in fact as mild as you say. I also went from having the company of two docile, gentle old pets to none in the span of a month, and that's no picnic either. Stay focused and remember where your priorities are, and the rest ought to follow from there. Given that, luck ought not be required. ;)
Image
User avatar
Havok
Miscreant
Posts: 13016
Joined: 2005-07-02 10:41pm
Location: Oakland CA
Contact:

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Havok »

195? Wanna trade? :D

Good job with the weight loss. I have always found that it isn't hard to lose weight, so much as it is just tedious and fucking boring. And yeah, cutting out on the late night snacks is one of the best things you could have done. Actually not eating 5-4 hours before you sleep does wonders for most people. Also, you didn't say, but have you been taking the new puppy for the walks at night? Less food and more exercise means you lose weight? Who knew. :lol:

Cute new puppy. Question though, because Jenn wants one; Did you always like/want a small puppy like that or was it a compromise? I feel like I would kill a little dog like that on accident just playing with him or getting up at night to pee and stepping on him.
Image
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses.
Hit it.
Blank Yellow (NSFW)
"Mostly Harmless Nutcase"
User avatar
Kitsune
Sith Devotee
Posts: 3412
Joined: 2003-04-05 10:52pm
Location: Foxes Den
Contact:

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Kitsune »

Take the Puppy for many walks...good exercise.....
I take my dog to the park almost every day the weather permits
"He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."
Thomas Paine

"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten."
Ecclesiastes 9:5 (KJV)
Fleet Admiral JD
Jedi Master
Posts: 1162
Joined: 2004-12-27 08:58pm
Location: GO BU!
Contact:

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Fleet Admiral JD »

All best, Mike. It hurts losing a pet--when I was young we lost two cats, and I'd never known life without them. It's really rough.

Glad to hear you're back on the road towards healthy living. Good luck. :)
Parrothead | CINC HABNAV | Black Mage In Training (Invited by Lady T)

The Acta Diurna: My blog on politics, history, theatre tech, music, and more!
User avatar
Darth Wong
Sith Lord
Sith Lord
Posts: 70028
Joined: 2002-07-03 12:25am
Location: Toronto, Canada
Contact:

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Darth Wong »

Thanks for the encouragement and support, everyone. As for those who had questions:
Wicked Pilot wrote:So what's the little one's name and when can we expect him to start making post. I know being a dog and all he's at quite the disadvantage on an internet message board, but I'm sure he could still outwit a creationist or two.
His name is "Razor", although we call him "Ray Ray". He was already 8 months old when we adopted him. And he can do basic tricks, like sitting and lying down and urinating outside, so he's already well above the average creationist in terms of mental development.
havokeff wrote:Cute new puppy. Question though, because Jenn wants one; Did you always like/want a small puppy like that or was it a compromise? I feel like I would kill a little dog like that on accident just playing with him or getting up at night to pee and stepping on him.
He's not as small or fragile as those Taco Bell dogs that women keep in handbags. He weighs in around 15 pounds and he's big enough and strong enough to jump up from the ground to the bed. I've never hurt him (nor did I ever hurt Fuzzy) by accidentally stepping on him, falling on him, or kicking him. Not to be overly glib, but it's not a problem if you look where you're going. Seriously, people raise human babies; how could they do that if it was so hard to avoid injuring a small dog?
Image
"It's not evil for God to do it. Or for someone to do it at God's command."- Jonathan Boyd on baby-killing

"you guys are fascinated with the use of those "rules of logic" to the extent that you don't really want to discussus anything."- GC

"I do not believe Russian Roulette is a stupid act" - Embracer of Darkness

"Viagra commercials appear to save lives" - tharkûn on US health care.

http://www.stardestroyer.net/Mike/RantMode/Blurbs.html
User avatar
Gandalf
SD.net White Wizard
Posts: 16284
Joined: 2002-09-16 11:13pm
Location: A video store in Australia

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Gandalf »

I'm glad to hear that you've identified a problem before it gets worse. I recently found myself in a similar weight based bind, so I've got some work to do.

Also; cute puppy. :)
"Oh no, oh yeah, tell me how can it be so fair
That we dying younger hiding from the police man over there
Just for breathing in the air they wanna leave me in the chair
Electric shocking body rocking beat streeting me to death"

- A.B. Original, Report to the Mist

"I think it’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately."
- George Carlin
User avatar
Havok
Miscreant
Posts: 13016
Joined: 2005-07-02 10:41pm
Location: Oakland CA
Contact:

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Havok »

Darth Wong wrote:
havokeff wrote:Cute new puppy. Question though, because Jenn wants one; Did you always like/want a small puppy like that or was it a compromise? I feel like I would kill a little dog like that on accident just playing with him or getting up at night to pee and stepping on him.
He's not as small or fragile as those Taco Bell dogs that women keep in handbags. He weighs in around 15 pounds and he's big enough and strong enough to jump up from the ground to the bed. I've never hurt him (nor did I ever hurt Fuzzy) by accidentally stepping on him, falling on him, or kicking him. Not to be overly glib, but it's not a problem if you look where you're going. Seriously, people raise human babies; how could they do that if it was so hard to avoid injuring a small dog?
Well, I don't imagine little babies are crawling around on the floor in the middle of the night when you get up to go pee. Or that i would be rolling around on the floor playing with them. :lol: I had a cat, when I was a kid that I stepped on one time doing just that and broke it's leg. He was just sleeping in the middle of the hall way. I haven't had a dog since I was really little and he was bigger than I was, so it was never a problem, but I also have hurt grown men just wrestling around and rough housing on accident on account of my size. I guess I just want to lessen the chances of that happening. 15lbs is quite heavier than I thought that dog would be.
Image
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses.
Hit it.
Blank Yellow (NSFW)
"Mostly Harmless Nutcase"
User avatar
Pablo Sanchez
Commissar
Posts: 6998
Joined: 2002-07-03 05:41pm
Location: The Wasteland

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Pablo Sanchez »

havokeff wrote:And yeah, cutting out on the late night snacks is one of the best things you could have done. Actually not eating 5-4 hours before you sleep does wonders for most people.
Another thing is that eating food and then laying down can harm you medically. My mother has acid reflux problems from a lifetime of doing that; the doctor says her lower esophogeal sphincter is basically gone.
Image
"I am gravely disappointed. Again you have made me unleash my dogs of war."
--The Lord Humungus
User avatar
Ford Prefect
Emperor's Hand
Posts: 8254
Joined: 2005-05-16 04:08am
Location: The real number domain

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Ford Prefect »

Darth Wong wrote:His name is "Razor"
That is like the exact wrong name for a dog that looks like that. :wink: In any case, having lost 15 pounds is quite the achievment for just under one month. That's what, six or seven kilos? Nicely done.
What is Project Zohar?

Here's to a certain mostly harmless nutcase.
User avatar
tim31
Sith Devotee
Posts: 3388
Joined: 2006-10-18 03:32am
Location: Tasmania, Australia

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by tim31 »

But don't you think it's rather a fitting counterbalance to 'Fluffy', Ford?
lol, opsec doesn't apply to fanfiction. -Aaron

PRFYNAFBTFC
CAPTAIN OF MFS SAMMY HAGAR
ImageImage
User avatar
Dark Flame
Jedi Master
Posts: 1009
Joined: 2007-04-30 06:49pm
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Dark Flame »

Ford Prefect wrote: That is like the exact wrong name for a dog that looks like that. :wink: In any case, having lost 15 pounds is quite the achievment for just under one month. That's what, six or seven kilos? Nicely done.
My little cousin recently got a new dog, weighs maybe 10 lbs, it's name is Brutus. :lol:

Glad to hear you identified the problem, and are working to fix it, Mike. Like many others, I know how hard it is to lose a pet. It's not an easy thing to do, and food is often an easy way to find comfort. I'm one of those people that eat when I'm upset, but I have the advantage of age. It's a tough thing to get over, but I'm sure you can do it.
"Have you ever been fucked in the ass? because if you have you will understand why we have that philosophy"
- Alyrium Denryle, on HAB's policy of "Too much is almost enough"

"The jacketed ones are, but we're talking carefully-placed shits here. "-out of context, by Stuart
User avatar
Edi
Dragonlord
Dragonlord
Posts: 12457
Joined: 2002-07-11 12:27am
Location: Helsinki, Finland

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Edi »

Glad to hear things are going better for you, Mike. Good luck on keeping it headed that way! :D

The year 2008 was generally an all around year of shit until December for me personally, so I can relate and 2009 is looking a lot better already.
Warwolf Urban Combat Specialist

Why is it so goddamned hard to get little assholes like you to admit it when you fuck up? Is it pride? What gives you the right to have any pride?
–Darth Wong to vivftp

GOP message? Why don't they just come out of the closet: FASCISTS R' US –Patrick Degan

The GOP has a problem with anyone coming out of the closet. –18-till-I-die
User avatar
Vympel
Spetsnaz
Spetsnaz
Posts: 29299
Joined: 2002-07-19 01:08am
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: Personal update (mild depression and weight gain)

Post by Vympel »

Wow, I'm sorry to hear you got so depressed, but it's good that you're not taking it lying down and are bouncing back. I was pretty overweight for my whole life up until 10 years ago, so I know what it's like - I'm sure you'll lose all the excess real easy.
Like Legend of Galactic Heroes? Please contribute to http://gineipaedia.com/
Post Reply