Social Isolation

[JupiterinVirgo 846]

After losing a ton of weight I started to put it back on when some significant relationship and life changes happened. And only got worse from there, when my husband became very sick and I became a full-time caregiver, isolated in the country with a man who could not speak walk or even go to the bathroom by himself. That went on for two years before he died. During that time I put on more weight. In the aftermath, it got even darker still. Until I finally found myself in the 320s. I realized I was trapped in the cycle, where food was all I had, and I just had gotten so big that it was physically too painful and it took too much energy to cultivate new friendships and relationships that would help me break the cycle of depending on food to fill the void left by my dead husband. I had my surgery six months ago. Down a total of over 100 pounds, 85 of them since I had the surgery.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

One of the blessings of this site is that it does give many of us a regular opportunity to interact socially (even if it is virtually).

[Julie norton 2,850]

Yes. This is one of my favorite social sites. I like my own company, but I do fret a bit about spending much of my free time alone.

Especially now, widowed, and getting ready to retire even more from part time to almost no time.

Don't really want to be out much. Am I just a real introvert, or somewhat depressed and don't want to go out to bars and restaurants etc? Don't know.

[Anna Nim 196]

"Getting a hobby" may not be THE answer, but it can be an answer or at least a way to be involved in social interactions.

....but not wanting to go out is where the loop begins.