Life is full of difficult choices. Take tonight for instance. The cold weather necessitated me pulling out all the workout pants I’d packed away in the spring that, courtesy of my I’m-totally-trying-not-to-obsess-about weight gain, don’t fit like they used to. But I figured anything made out of 7% spandex can accommodate a few more curves so I threw them on (without looking in the mirror) and left for Turbokick. A few minutes of good hard kicks to imaginary heads suddenly had them riding up into places where 7% spandex does not belong. So I pulled them down – just a tad, I try to never intentionally moon people (and yes, I have unintentionally mooned someone at the gym before, don’t ask) – only to discover this gave me a wicked muffin top. Thus the dilemma: camel toe vs. muffin top? Which is worse?
Seasonal Affective Disorder
With that uncomfortable segue (you can all stop picking mental wedgies now), I am currently faced with another difficult dilemma and one I’d love your input on. In addition to depressing me with my wardrobe, fall just plain depresses me. See, when the light fades, I fade right along with it. Like Mama Sweat, I am extremely sunlight sensitive. As long as I get adequate daylight I retain my usual cheerful disposition. But put me in the cave of a Minnesota winter and I literally curl up in a ball next to the heater on my kitchen floor and stare at the wall for hours.
Last winter I went on the antidepressant medication Wellbutrin to combat this. It kinda worked – it’s a stimulant so it sure got me off the kitchen floor – but it had side effects I couldn’t handle, specifically anxiety. Being already prone to anxiety this pill pulled me off the floor only to put me through the roof. My children were not amused with their new pitbull for a mother. (Also, the much-touted side effect of weight loss that Wellbutrin is famous for? Not a single pound lost here, in case you were curious. Although I did gain 5 pounds when I went off of it.) As soon as the light returned, I chucked the pills and have been downright gleeful ever since.
But alas, the winter of my discontent speedily approaches and I find myself again feeling withdrawn and panicky at sunset. My therapist suggested I try a different antidepressant this winter, Cymbalta perhaps, and while I am not opposed on principle to antidepressants – they do a lot of good in many situations – I am dubious about starting the serotonin rollercoaster all over again. Especially as they tend to mess around with one’s weight and I’m already feeling a little fragile in that area.
Vitamin D
Enter the newest wonder vitamin that has the health industry all breathless and blushing: Vitamin D. You have probably read about it in the news as it has been on every website and in every publication as of late. The trick about Vitamin D (why am I capitalizing that??) is that the body can only make it in the presence of sunlight. Experts say 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight exposure (i.e. not through a window) a day is enough for most people to prevent a deficiency. And yet they estimate that nearly 50% of women of childbearing age are deficient. Researchers chalk this up to a variety of factors including skin color (the darker your skin the less ultraviolet light penetrates your skin), latitude, excessive sunscreen use, and the prevalance of an indoor lifestyle.
“All along the northern United States, where we have long winters, a lot of snow, not much sunshine all winter, there is endemic vitamin D deficiency,” said Paresh Dandona of the State University of New York at Buffalo, who treated six patients disabled by misdiagnosed vitamin D deficiencies.
What are some of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency? The most obvious ones include bone and muscle problems such as rickets and osteoporsis. However, recent research has also linked a deficiency with “an array of more serious illnesses, including many forms of cancer, high blood pressure, depression, and immune-system disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.”
But does it help treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (a.k.a. the winter blues, a.k.a. the banish-Charlotte-to-the-corner illness)? The venerated Mayo clinic says that preliminary studies have shown that it works better than light therapy, the current form of treatment, although more research is needed.
So how does one get it? In addition to sunlight, you can get vitamin D through some foods like fatty fish and fortified milk but according to the scientists people actually get very little from their diets. They recommend that if you are deficient (and apparently there is a simple blood test to check) that you take a supplement. The current RDI of Vitamin D (there with the almighty capitalizing again!!) is 400 international units a day but many experts say that is too low. The new suggestion is closer to 2,000 IUs a day. Thankfully this is one vitamin that doesn’t have a toxic limit so all you Courtney Love wannabes can just step down now.
Supplements come in two forms: Vitamin D2 and D3. The former is what plants manufacture, the latter is what human skin manufactures. Most milk and other fortified foods contain the former. And so I have started taking a 1,000 IU D3 supplement in addition to my normal all-women-with-the-potential-to-get-knocked-up-must-must-must-have-folic-acid multivitamin. I’ll let you know if it helps.
Although the truly difficult part about all of this is that I probably won’t know if it doesn’t help. True to depressives everywhere, I have a hard time spotting it in myself, even when I’m cheek-to-the-pergo on my kitchen floor. So now I’m asking you guys for your advice: any of you have experience with Cymbalta? Any of you try Vitamin D supplements? Anyone else out there have Seasonal Affective Disorder? And lastly, which is the lesser of two evils: camel toe or muffin top?
Ooh that’s a toughie Charlotte, I think I’m gonna say the camel toe in this instance, cos you’d be moving so much it would be tough for people to see, although… if it’s making you uncomfortable and hindering your workout…. oh what a dilemma!! :o)
I hear you on the NEED for Sunshine. I actually don’t need warmth at all, just the sun. Today it’s a lovely, fresh, cold yet sunny morning in Ireland, so I may be able to avoid the medication for a bit! :o)
I think I suffer from SAD to some degree anyway… will now look in to the Vit D option especially as I rarely drink milk and don’t eat fish either 😐 I guess I’ve never felt bad enough or justified enough to look for medication. However it’s possible I’m being unfair to myself in that regard.
Now as for camel toe or muffin top I think muffin top is the most psychologically damaging… for me anyway 🙂
I’m afraid I can’t comment on the SAD. I’m no medical expert, or nutritionalist.
I can comment on the camel toe vs muffin top though and I’d say go for the muffin top everytime!
Camel toe = uncomfortabe, not very pleasant for others to see.
Muffin Top = a wee bit self concious
Muffin Top everytime.
I know that is one of the seasons Ill take the heat of the summer where I live…since I moved from one of the SADdest places in the usa.
(and cameltoe? seen the movie The Weatherman?)
I think I’d rather have the muffin-top…I can’t stand the feeling of something riding up in places where it shouldn’t.
I will be right there with you on the SAD wagon as soon as it gets cold in the south. That is my one saving-grace living in Georgia. It’s been chilly here the past week, but sunshine can still be found…around January is when the cold-cold stuff hits and it gets to me every year. 🙁 Sorry, I’ve never taken anything for it, so I can’t help you in that regard. The one thing I always do to self-medicate is to get exercise, it seems to help somewhat. For some reason if I’m feeling down the first thing to go is my exercise. I don’t let that happen anymore.
Oh, and I just thought about it…I exercise outside in the afternoons (mostly), so perhaps the Vitamin D does help?
My husband and I both deal with seasonal blues. Mine hit after the Christmas season. I keep myself busy enough to avoid it until after then.
My best found therapy so far is a combination of scented candles, comfy sweats, Shephen’s Hot Sipping Mint Cocoa and Peter Brienholt CDs…and I must leave the house every day. This is going to sound canned and corny, but the more involved I am in something (especially some form of charity or service for others) the longer it takes to hit.
I am going to try the Vitamin D thing this year – and urge my hubby to do the same.
My problem area is my stomach. Therefore, I hate the dreaded muffin top, especially if I’m wearing any sort of form fitting workout top. Thank goodness for all those old race t-shirts!
Charlotte, have you ever tried any kind of natural anti-depressants like Sam-e? I work for an integrative MD, and he has helped plenty of people with the blues get off of any prescription meds. You can check out the American College for Advancement in Medicine Website to find a medical doctor with a more natural approach in your area: http://www.acam.org.
Anyway, we test almost all of our patient’s vitamin D levels, and I’d say about 95% of them are low. My own levels were in the very low range although I’ve always taken a multi-vitamin with D. So, I began taking a pretty high dose of vitamin D3 drops until my levels rose, and now I just take 2,000 I.U. daily. I’m feeling much better. I struggle with SAD every winter as Nashville is plenty gloomy in January and February. Not much snow, but plenty of rain and cold temps. I was on the Vitamin D last year and honestly, I did feel better.
I’m glad you’re giving the Vitamin D a try, and I hope it keeps you off the kitchen floor! That image made me so sad.
Muffin top is my choice for lesser evil!
And I take vitamin D-3 supps just on general principle, even though I don’t have a SAD problem. But since I do tend to get sun and drink lots of milk, I just do 400 a day as a bit of a boost. Low Vit D is linked to so many serious health problems.
Plus I saw a study once of people in Hawaii who didn’t wear sunscreen… and some of them were still vit D deficient! Made no sense, but if it’s true it means the sun is not a foolproof method either.
Hope it’s a much better winter for you this year!
My sister has SAD really bad every year. But I’m not big on pills; I think that they just hide the symptoms a lot of the time and often have side effects that’ll be even worse than the initial problem.
Every year we try to look for ways to make my sister feel better in the winter, and that’s part of the reason I’m living with her now… because being alone is a BIG part of the issue. Having someone else around helps both of us deal with any depression.
We’ve also been doing things like cooking together, going for runs on weekends together, and trying to get plenty of sleep to keep energized. Also keeping the place clean is important for keeping our moods up. But the biggest thing is being with people you love to comfort you and to have good times with!
PS You know how I feel about supplements. I’d eat lots of foods that naturally have lots of vitamin D in them and see if that helps:)
I just want to crawl under a blanket and sleep all winter. When it’s dark (especially cold and dark) I want to sleep, that’s just the way it is.
I have no experience with anti-depressants, but I think I will try the Vitamin D thing. Can’t hurt, right?
One thing that has made my life easier in the winter is my dawn simulator alarm clock. I don’t depend on it to wake me up, mind you, I still have my clock radio, but the dawn simulator starts lighting up the room about a half hour before my clock radio goes off and it makes it so much easier to wake up. Makes for a crowded night stand, but definitely worth it for me.
As to the last question, I think my vote is for the muffin-top…or new workout pants. 🙂
Muffin top is more damaging to the ego, whereas camel toe makes everyone else uncomfortable.
Oh and just for a laugh- I have a pair of panties that create muffin-top on me. The real kicker? It has a cupcake (or muffin) on the back and says YUM! in superbig font! I would throw them out because they create muffin top, but I keep them (and wear them) because they make me laugh! Maybe you should get some iron-ons for your workout pants? 🙂 Sorry everybody if that was TMI.
I’ll pass on the fashion accessory question 🙂
Whee I was in the Northeast for medical school, I was pretty depressed during the winters, but hey, it was medical school, I was always depressed! Sometimes I would stand in front of a sunny window, even though it was -10 outside. I don’t know if it helped, but I felt I was doing something!
Now that I’m back in Florida, SAD is a non-factor. I always lean toward the natural way, so I’m not a fan of Vit. D supplementation at this point. Anyway, Charlotte, I hope you do all right this winter! If needed, bring the family and visit, and hey, Spring is just around the corner 🙂
I have struggled with SAD for many years, all up until 3 winters ago. I was going through an EXTREMELY difficult time and it happened to be during the winter. My doctor put me on Zoloft (actually, the generic – score!) and I took it for about 6 months, then slowly weaned myself off. I haven’t had a problem with depression since…not even on the gloomiest day (like today: rainy and 52 degrees). My doctor told me studies have shown that approximately *70% of people who are depressed no longer need meds or suffer from depression after their serotonin levels are normalized. (* = I am horrible at remembering percentages, but it was purty dang high). 🙂
I definitely agree that alternative medicine is best when it works, but I’m also VERY glad I took those meds a few years ago.
Now for the important issue at hand: Muffin top is MUCH worse, IMO. If another lady (or man, I guess) is checking out my hooha hangover, I would totally be grossed out and all, “Well, you shouldn’t have been looking, perve!” But a Muffin top? Well….those just kind of jump out at you, ya know? I can’t hear the song “Muffin Man” without getting a mental picture in my head. 🙁
I totally feel you, less and less sunlight each day is depressing!! I need sunlight and lots of it to be fully happy. 🙂
http://www.nutricise4u.blogspot.com/
Char – I was in the back last night as I snuck in 30 minutes late!! But I saw neither a camel toe or muffin top on you at all! I also am worried about both. Camel toe is worse though.
In the clothing dilemna, muffin top over camel toe. It’s just a bit of vanity. Camel toe? Uncomfortable for everyone.
About the Vit. D thing. Have you considered getting the light? It’s worked for a number of friends, and I’m wondering if it doesn’t help make some of that missing vitamin D. (we always capitalize vitamins…).
It makes sense to increase one’s intake during the darker days of winter, but if you know that light is your heart’s desire, why not give light therapy a try? It could be new experiment, right?
I also get a touch of SAD in the winter, especially come January and February. I take 400IU of D a day, but I should probably supplement that. One of my coworkers has a light lamp that she says works really well too. I’m not a big fan of pills, but my multivitamin is chewable, kind of like healthy Smarties, so it’s not so bad.
And for me, muffin top is much worse!
in the age-old camel toe vs. muffin top debate, camel toe is far worse. Settled.
Hmm… looks as though most of the people who responded “muffin top is worse” were thinking of it from their perspective, while everyone who responded “camel toe” were thinking of looking at it from everyone else’s perspective… 😉
I just wrote about this a little yesterday (www.adjustedreality.com/blog), I think most people have a touch of the SAD. I’m a big fan of trying the natural-ish stuff first so hopefully the vitamin D works for you. Oddly enough, I don’t find that I need much in the way of direct sunlight to stay in a good mood, but going home from work when it’s already dark just depresses me.
And I vote on new workout pants that give neither a camel toe or muffin top!
Camel toe is worse b/c it is just uncomfy and leads to chafing (probably just shared too much info).
As for SAD, I don’t suffer from it but the programmer does. Will definitely suggest the vitamin D to him and let you know if he thinks it helps.
I got hit with a major case of SAD when I moved up from California to Oregon. The light therapy makes a huge difference. I’ll try adding vitamin D supplements, but it would be interesting to see whether a combination of both was more effective than either solo.
I get migraines when I am deficient in Vitamin D. I have a light similar to this: http://www.litebook.com/?s=gaw&kw=light%20box
Which I have found to be helpful for my office in the dreary winter months.
btw, muffin top is way worse than camel toe.
1 – depends on your weight. If you’re quite heavy, muffin top is worse. If you’re muffin top is a mini, one-bite muffin sort of thing, and I suspect yours is, then camel toe is worse.
2- Try this light : http://acaciacatalog.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_51251
It’s supposed to emit rays that simulate the sun and is designed for those who suffer from SAD. I live in florida, so we don’t have much use for such things, but even down here there are folks who use it and say it helps. I suspect these particular people would perish in a Minnesota winter.
Hey Charlotte,
It’s your Stillwater friend!
I swear by St. John’s Wort – honestly I DREAD Feb. and March, but last year I took SJW and it made a HUGE difference. Also, MAKE yourself go for a walk 10-15 minutes in the afternoon to get some natural sunlight – this has been shown to be just as effective as antidepressants.
It has been a tough fall with the gloom/overcast days.
Oh, and muffin top ALL the way. Camel toe makes me, um, uncomfortable, for all involved.
Take up snowboarding. Now, when it’s getting dark and cold out, I console myself with thoughts of getting out and riding. It’s amazing how effective an antidepressant adrenaline can be. Plus, I’m actually looking forward to winter for the first time since I was a child.
Oh, and sunburn can be a real concern on the mountain.
Yes, I know you aren’t in the ideal location for winter sports, but it’s still much better than where I used to ride: Ohio.
i think i’d rather have a muffin top … but i probably only say that because i’ve got a small one. meh.
the great state of colorado has a ridiculous amount of sunshine (more days than florida!) so i’m usually fine in the winter months.
however, i took a nutrition class in college in boston, and the professor said that in places such as beantown, you need to get more vitamin d in your diet because the sun just won’t cut it (no duh, we all thought, as you don’t see the glowing orb the entire month of february).
Vitamin D and loads of fresh chill morning air does the trick for me 🙂 also never ever sleep with the radiator turned on- then you’re just asking for it 😉
I was just talking about SAD this morning with my husband. It isn’t even really winter yet and I’m already feeling “it”. It seems worse this year, I guess because I know i will be spending a lot of long days indoors with two active boys while my husband travels about the country. I’m sick just thinking about it, so at this point I am ready to take whatever someone suggests.
even a lightbox, I heard that works too?
or maybe I’ll just hop on a plane and go visit Dr. J? 🙂
and I add to the votes of muffin top being the lesser evil.
I live in London where winter days are SHORT – sun rises after 9am and sets before 5pm, which means you leave work in the dark, and come home in the dark. How SAD is that?! We have a lightbox, but I don’t use it very much. What REALLY helps is just going outside in the afternoon for about an hour’s walk. It’s a simple thing, but it makes the world of difference.
Camel toe vs muffin top. Tough question, they are both pretty bad! I’d just get some new workout pants. =)
I take muffin top for the lesser of the two evils, with the camel toe why would you ever want to draw attention to THAT area!?
Moving from sunny Texas to London, the weather has definitely been the biggest challenge. What keeps me going during the winter months when the days are like…3 hours long (or so it seems anyway) is the fact that I have to leave the house to take the dog for walks, it helps to see how others cope/continue their lives regardless of weather conditions. Good Luck!
I know St. John’s Wort works wonders for lots of people, and I keep trying to get my mom to try it, since she’s spending ridiculous amounts of money (no insurance) on anti-depressants that aren’t helping anyway. I must say though that SJW didn’t seem to help me at all, and might have even made my depression worse.
As far as SAD, I haven’t noticed myself having a problem, but I also didn’t even know it was a problem until I moved here, where yesterday I spent hours in the sun wearing a tank top and shorts, and got a slight sunburn on my shoulders. So, I’m not terribly worried about it here, and I’m guessing my Vit D is mostly okay.
I do know it is a real issue for people. I have a friend in Canada who says it’s been a huge problem for her since she moved there. I’m remembering my winter in Alaska, where we would get 3-4 hours of almost daylight, and it always seemed to have the opposite effect on me – I’d think it was getting close to bedtime, then I’d look at the clock, see it was only 4 o’clock, and feel rejuvenated because I had so much more time!
Oh, and I’d vote for camel toe being worse!
First of all, I seriously doubt you have a muffin top, but that is a good question- I think camel toe is worse (as far as subjecting others to it. I’d rather see a muffin top. But I would trade my muffin top for the other any day). Anyway, thanks for your openness on depression. I hope you find what works for you!
Char,
I am starting to have the winter blues with you since moving from Texas. I am starting to get a little anxious about the winter and don’t want the depressive feelings. Never had them when I lived in the south.
So, we will just have to curl up on your kitchen floor with gym buddy Allison and have some warm hot chocolate (diet kind of course) and talk our way out of the blues!
I HATE having camel toe-makes me very uncomfortable on the weight floor, expecially since there are soo many guys out there.
Candice
I always tell people I have SAD. the weather really affects my attitude.
suicide rates shoot up like crazy during fall and winter in seattle. SO DREARY.
Kelly Turner
http://www.groundedfitness.com
For what it’s worth, I have family members who’ve had success with SAD lights.
Is seasonal affective d/o related to V-D? Um, IMHO – Yes. Here’s my data. I lived in England for 2 whole years. a move I made for an academic position, which ended up being one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Here is what I observed – loads of peoples down and out about everything, except beer and drink and bad food.
I’m just saying, it’s bloody shady over there and people are, or were to us, miserable.
I have SAD bad! I have been doing light therapy for 2 years now and it makes a huge difference! I went from cloudy Seattle to cloudier and way colder Columbus, Ohio. We’re getting an early start to winter here this year and it feels like it will be forever before spring rolls around again. Must start the light therapy again NOW!
I’ve got S.A.D. too (boo!), and have good results with Celexa – haven’t tried Wellbutrin or Cymbalta. (I’m in Canada though, so maybe Cymbalta and Celexa are actually the same thing?)
But I’m with you on avoiding SSRIs whenever possible – I think I’ll try the Vitamin D too! Whee!
my husband doesn’t necessarily suffer from SAD, but he does notice a difference in his mood during the winter. last year, i brought home vitamin D supplements only because i had heard that most people in the northern hemisphere are deficient, so we both took them through the winter. husband said that it was the best winter he’s had in years in terms of mood. i was mentioning this to a friend of mine the other day who’s a registered dietician and she said that vitamin D also acts more like a hormone than any of the other vitamins. that seems like it could explain any affect on depression.
Thank you Thank you Thank you! you hit the nail on the head.! Sorry i had been scratching my head for a while trying to figure out how to explain to Therapist I am seeing tonight about my moods in winter (last year particularly bad) and you reminded me that it is not just the winter. If i live in Basement Appt or dark room or work inside and never see the sun or work midnights I get down right nasty. getting off the Kitchen Floor LOL I know what you mean. THANK YOU!! my brain had lost that vital piece of info. I am so going out to buy paint right now. My office is a dark wood and dark green basement with a beautiful south facing window, but when the sun is out full force i have to close the blinds with yellow walls it will help reflect the sun. You are amazing thank you.
oh and I found Vit D works, I take 2 1000 mgs a day. also Evening Primrose to even out the lady hormones and St John’s wort for the Anxiety that sometimes comes from life.
I grew up three miles south of Canada in northwestern Washington–SADD was an inevitable part of my life for ten years. My dad installed full-spectrum lights in the house, but I sincerely wished we had tried light-therapy and vitamin D. I would recommend those two above any anti-depressants; at least, if they don’t work for you, you won’t suffer any crazy-ass side effects. I hope this winter is better for you!
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So did the vitamin d work?
You know, I am still taking the D supplement but I can't say I've seen a difference from it. But I didn't do the shots or the liquid version and I hear those are better.
I just started using vitamin D specifically for SAD. In addition to that, I am using a lizard lamp instead of regular full spectrum lighting. I know it sounds crazy and there are warnings that it should only be used for lizards, but I am careful to avoid staring directly at the light. My main reason for using it is that it emits ultraviolet light, which will help with vitamin D production.
http://blog-stalk.com/showpost.php?ID=1102
I live in the north of England and slide into depression every year at the end of Sept, since i was around 14 years old. Seroxat sends me nuts, light box doesn’t help much either. But around 1st March each year I have a period of hypermania for a couple of weeks, then I return to myself, with bags of energy until Sept. So today I’m very happy to be alive and kicking, and doing all those things I’ve put off all winter. Im very interested in the vitamin d suggestions, and will ask my doctor about a blood test. Any further assistance or suggestions gratefully received
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I came to see if anybody felt the same way I do about taking vitamin d. I’ve suffered from SAD for years now but this was the first year I’ve been to the doctor and started taking vitamin d. I’m supposed to be taking 2000 iud of D3 in the morning and at night. When I first started taking it I felt a noticeable difference and I felt so free… But as time went on it didn’t always seem to have the same effect and I stopped taking it because I started to believe when I had taken it I was annoying. That was a noticable difference in my attitude too. I’m not sure if it was the product of my vitamin but I stopped taking it and I only take it when I have chest pain, can’t sleep or simply feel like I can’t go throughout the day. Medical marijuana is legal in my state and I’m also looking into that because I find it is also effective and for some reason I feel depressed even though it is summer. I’m considering taking my vitamins regularily again and when I do I will see if if makes me feel free again.
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