Losing weight due to stress/feeling down

[anonymous-user]

Hi all, I don’t post in here very often but dip in and out for the excellent general knowledge that floats about.

The last 6 weeks since lockdown have coincided with several personal issues covering pretty much all the bases of job, home, financial, relationship and yesterday my daughter had an accident resulting in permanent facial injury.

I’ve always been a hard gainer and managed at 5,8 and 45yo to get up to the heady heights of 11st 5lb by mid March.
With all the above and the lack of gym, lack of appetite, home training only I’m losing weight rapidly (to me) so that I’m now 10st 7. I’m currently dropping about a lb a day last few days.
I’m trying to eat healthy but not sleeping great as per this early post and feel pretty down with no positives to look forward to.

Is there anything I can eat/do that will keep the weight on?
Thanks in advance.

[Benrad]

I don't have much practical advice. The only way I put on weight with food is to eat a load of carbs or just huge amounts of food but that normally makes me feel worse, especially if I'm not getting any exercise.

Perhaps focusing on your state of mind would be more worthwhile. Not trying to fix your stresses but trying to respond to them differently, try a course of meditation with the Headspace app?

If your feeling more settled the weight would come naturally

[anonymous-user]

Benrad said:

I don't have much practical advice. The only way I put on weight with food is to eat a load of carbs or just huge amounts of food but that normally makes me feel worse, especially if I'm not getting any exercise.

Perhaps focusing on your state of mind would be more worthwhile. Not trying to fix your stresses but trying to respond to them differently, try a course of meditation with the Headspace app?

If your feeling more settled the weight would come naturally

This is true and I’m trying not to focus on the negative but having so much time on my hands it’s difficult. I managed to buy a multi gym last week and put it up to use, it went well for first few days now I’m having to push myself to train whereas normally I like it.

[AI1694]

Stressful times will impact your appetite and sleep so it’s fairly normal I would say. Also worth mentioning body weight fluctuates, so weigh yourself once a week/fortnight.

[Skyedriver]

Muscle weighs more than fat apparently
Bananas are good for energy and for adding weight apparently

[dmahon]

My wait goes up and down like a yoyo with carbs. I’ve gained and lost the same 2-3 stone at least 10x as I dial carbs up and down in line with my prevailing mood.

[didelydoo]

More Calories.

You gain weight, or lose weight depending on positive or negative energy balance. More carbs= more calories. It’s not the carbs that make you gain weight, it the excess calories. Like wise more fat leads to the same result. (Water & glycogen weight may go up a little with more carbs- but that isn’t body fat)

Best advice is to keep your protein high, and eat calorie dense foods. If you’re desperate to gain, don’t always stick to ‘clean’ eating either. But if you have time, eat whole, healthy foods.