Merry Christmas everyone, I have got a dilemma my way if someone could give me some advice on how to get back on track. I had my surgery 3/4/09 and have lost 70lbs. In the last month I have moved from Virginia Beach va to Blue Hill Maine. Its such a stressful time because I have lived in Virginia for 26 yrs and the military moved us to Maine. Anyways financially I dont have the money to buy the healthy food I need and the stress and boredom has led me to eat the wrong things. What do I do? I'm homesick, dont feel like doing too much I guess in a depressed state. Never been like this before. Please someone give me some advice to get back exercising and eating right. I hate that I am like this. What is a girl to do? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hey, sorry to see you're having such a terrible time. I know what it's like to move away and get off track of your goals. I know this is cliche but I always tell myself that I won't let something control my emotions. Example, something like moving, or whatever is bothering me.

As far as exercising; maybe you can go exploring. Go to a mall and walk up and down, or find a cool park and go jogging with other people. You can make the best of your new city by exploring and staying active. Thats what I'm doing right now.

I hope this helps! Good luck, and congratulations on your losing 70lbs!!!!

Hey, congrats on 70 pounds! I know how you feel about the move. Been there, done that too. This is a time for you to get out of the house, explore the city, libraries, museums, etc. Find yourself a church of your choice and meet people. Involve yourself in a new hobby, volunteer some where. Shake off the depression and don't let it rule your life. I know you're homesick but this is your home for now and you have to make the best of it. You love that husband more than you do a place that you call home. Buck up and start all over again. You can do it. You deserve to be what you want to be. Now go for it!

What the other posters said about the exercise is great advice. As far as the food goes, if you handle it right, it can actually be cheaper to eat healthy than it is to eat crap. If you choose, good healthy veggies and lean meats, prepare and cook them and then package the leftovers for future meals by freezing or refrigerating depending on when you will be eating them, you can save money. If you go onto the food network website there is a section about that and it may help you with choosing foods and preparation. I have moved many times with my husband and we are getting ready to move again. I so love where I live now and I just got used to everything and made a couple of friends. It is discouraging to move somewhere where no one knows you and you don't know the lay of the land yet. Hang in there. It will all come together.

I'm sorry you are going through this.It will get better, trust me. Sometime it helps to help others when you are going through a rough patch. Can you volunteer at a soup kitchen or work for a crisis line? You are in our thoughts.

It sounds to me like one of the issues you're facing is a loss of a familiar support group, and that can be so important. Also, moving to a rural area can make you feel so cut off and alone -- I know a thing or two about that!

In addition to the great advice you've received about exercising, I would suggest finding a support group in your new area. I found this one, which is in Portland and probably a few hours drive from you, but when you're rural everything is a few hours drive, isn't it? And it wouldn't hurt you to get away for a few hours once a month -- in fact, it would probably help your depression a great deal to get to a larger city once in a while. Here's the info:

Bariatric Surgery, Maine Medical Center - Support Groups

Another thought -- look for some groups or clubs for an activity that you and your husband can participate in together and meet other couples. Geo-caching, for instance, would get you outdoors and walking around together, and a geo-caching club would mean interaction with others (see: potential new friends).

If you cannot seem to lift the depression by your own means, absolutely see your doctor and tell him or her what is going on. There is no reason for you to suffer like this.

Best of luck to you - let us know how it goes! This can be such an exciting time for you! New beginnings are always full of promise -- you just need to find your way clear to seize the day!