<p>Congratulations for facing your issues and wanting to change.
I agree with the suggestion of mental health, but therapy, not drugs.
Another good thing to try would be Overeaters Anonymous. It is a twelve step program that guides people toward healthy eating and living, and also provides group support.
And, exercise! Start by walking for an hour a day, or swim. Drink water frequently while you exercise. You will be able to build up your exercise tolerance as you lose weight.
You should be losing one to two pounds a week. Any more and you risk doing it in an unhealthy manner and gaining it back more readily.
I have to admit that when I first saw the title of your post you were going to say that you took Depo-Provera. This drug works well for birth control but also works well for packing on the pounds for some, not all, women. I personally think that the risks outweigh the benefits, as alternatives for birth control exist. I have to wonder why it is still on the market. Stay away from this drug!
Other drugs that are causing a lot of weight gain these days: so-called second generation antipsychotics, which are also being used off-label for a number of other behavioral issues. If they are absolutely necessary it is one thing, but sometimes there is another way.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Regain healthy habits, of course, but in the meantime watch Drop Dead Diva. The main character is a formerly thin model who returns to earth (complicated) in the body of a an overweight lawyer. The lawyer is played by a lovely overweight actress who obviously values herself at her current weight and looks adorable.</p>
<p>It will raise your self-esteem as you return to your former healthy way of life.</p>
<p>Don’t let your parents’ fanaticism ruin your self worth. Be gentle with yourself.</p>
<p>Several key things happen in college that lead to weight gain - we’ve mentioned easy access to poor food, drinking, and changes in exercise habits (especially since you were active in HS) but, in addition, your body has finished growing and needs fewer calories in general. The great thing is that, after years of extremism, you can now adopt more moderate habits that will suit you for a lifetime.</p>
<p>Add a morning walk or stretch, switch to zero calorie beverages (except for the valuable ones like skim milk and orange juice), make leafy salads your best friend, hang out with like-minded people, stay sober at parties. Get enough sleep, because we often eat the worst stuff when we are tired. Do get yourself checked out for thyroid, vitamin deficiency, and other problems.</p>
<p>Emmaheevul, great advice, my compliments to you!</p>
<p>One more piece of advice: Alcohol increases cravings for food, so if you’re going to drink, make sure you eat something (preferably healthy) before you start so you won’t feel the urge to eat as much later.</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking about your posts and here is my advice. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Because you were raised in a very health conscious household, you obviously know which foods are nutritious and which are not. Make a list of your very very favroite healthy foods. Don’t even think about lo cal right now, just healthy. If it’s cold chicken breast and fresh rasbperries, whatever. Persuade whoever does the grocery shopping to buy what is on your list. Hopefully, you will enjoy your favorites a lot and eating them won’t leave you feeling deprived.</p></li>
<li><p>Choose the one kind of exercise you like (or tolerate) best. Do it. If finances permit, buy a new outfit and/or shoes for whatever it is and do it.</p></li>
<li><p>Read some of the “Eat This Not That” books. That way, if you find yourself at a fast food or other restaurant, you will be knowledgable enough to choose the lesser of the evils.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>My guess is that if you do this, you will lose 5 lbs, and after you lose 5 lbs you will start feeling in control.</p>
<p>Synec****** "as far as the impulse control thing, I’d say that i guess I have some small problems with that… </p>
<p>“I did kind of have an eating disorder in high school. I wasn’t terribly unhealthy but I did skip meals very often or throw away food and a few times and got obsessed with reading pro-anorexia websites (yes, they exist unfortunately) and looking at “thinspiration” (i.e. pictures of stick-thin models and celebrities).”</p>
<p>" i know I’m in control here and can’t let food control my life like this."</p>
<p>Check out whether your college campus has any resources to help students deal with eating disorders. Just eating bad foods isn’t going to make you gain 45lbs in one year. If you had gained that weight over ten years then I could understand needing to re-educate yourself on a healthy lifestyle. I don’t think you “kinda” had an eating disorder for a few months. I think there’s a high likelihood that you had a full blown one that can repeatedly manifest itself if you don’t deal with the mental issues. Moving away to college may have been stressful and made it easier for the eating disorder to reappear.</p>
<p>Physically, you know you can solve the 45lb issue. Your Dad as a trainer and health nut can easily show you how. But he can’t do anything about the mental part.</p>
<p>Good luck</p>