Depression and Excess Weight
Depression is a common and serious mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. Excess weight and obesity can be a significant contributing factor to the development and exacerbation of depressive symptoms.
At Harvey Brooker Weight Loss for Men we have helped thousands of Toronto men lose weight in a natural way and improve illnesses like depression.
Common Issues Associated with Depression
Depression and obesity can create a vicious cycle, with each condition exacerbating the other. Some common issues associated with depression related to obesity include:
- Emotional eating: Depression can lead to emotional eating, where individuals use food as a coping mechanism to deal with negative emotions, resulting in weight gain and potentially worsening obesity.
- Decreased motivation: Depression can cause a lack of motivation and energy, making it challenging for individuals with obesity to engage in regular physical activity and adopt healthier eating habits.
- Social isolation: People with obesity and depression may withdraw from social situations due to feelings of shame or embarrassment about their weight, exacerbating depressive symptoms and leading to further isolation.
- Body image issues: Negative body image and self-perception can contribute to depression in individuals with obesity, as they may internalize societal stigma and discrimination related to weight.
- Reduced quality of life: The combination of obesity and depression can significantly impact a person’s overall well-being, affecting their physical health, relationships, and ability to enjoy life.
Depression in Men
Men with obesity-related depression may face unique challenges, including:
- Societal expectations: Men often face societal pressure to conform to specific body standards, which can contribute to increased feelings of self-consciousness and depression for men with obesity.
- Physical activity: Men with depression related to obesity may feel particularly self-conscious about exercising in public or participating in sports, leading to decreased engagement in physical activities that could improve their mental and physical health.
- Emotional expression: Cultural expectations around masculinity may make it more difficult for men to express their emotions, making it harder for them to seek support or address their depression.
- Help-seeking behavior: Men may be less likely to seek professional help for mental health concerns, including depression, which can lead to a lack of appropriate treatment and support.
How We Support Men With Depression in Toronto
Seeking professional help, engaging in therapy, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with obesity-related depression. We provide professional help through several different methods:
Personalized Support: We offer both online and in-person weight loss support, as well as group and personal coaching. No matter the format, our members receive the motivation, support and guidance they need to succeed.
Unique Eating Plan: Our easy-to-follow 20/20 Healthy Eating Plan™ is tailored just for men and it uses a calculated unit system that will help you understand portion control and make better eating choices without going hungry. Everything can be purchased at your local supermarket.
Accountability: Our program helps members stay on track through regular check-ins and support.
Proven Success: We have helped thousands of men regain their health since 1985. Take a look at our Google reviews!
Book your free assessment and see why our program has provided consistent and lasting success for our members.
If You Could Do It Alone, You Would Have Done It Already.

Toronto Men Who Have Lost Weight with Us
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I tried several different programs prior to Harvey Brooker. I had success, but ultimately failed. Once I lost the weight I wanted to, I gained it back. Quite a normal... read more thing I learned. At Harvey Brooker, I learned to take the weight off and keep it off. The presentations and meetings are very informative and supportive. Having all men at the meetings is a bonus for me. We all have the same challenges and issues. I'm glad I started at Harvey Brooker (May 2018), and would recommend the program to anyone. Please check it out, you will not regret it!
Chris Page
November 11, 2023
I lost 50lbs and have kept it off for a while now, and am 100% sure they won’t creep back in. Why? It’s not a diet, it’s a permanent... read more lifestyle change. Once I got that through my fat head, it all clicked. It’s proven, balanced, logical, flexible, so damn smart. Speaking exclusively for myself (not for this product), I stopped 3 med prescriptions along the way, sleep way better, never have heartburn, dropped 2 sizes and love my clothes again. Is it cheap? No, nothing of real value is. Was it worth it? Hell ya. The only losers are MacDonald’s, Tim’s, Pizza Pizza and the Beer Store. Harvey was a genius, and I’m so grateful for the existence of this program.
Andy Frank
July 11, 2024
I have thoroughly enjoyed my 7 month experience at Harvey Brooker. I have lost over 30lbs and feel I am being educated and supported to be successful at not gaining... read more new weight back. It takes effort but the results are well worth it. I would recommend to any man looking to achieve a healthier weight and lifestyle!!
Norman Shiner
November 11, 2023
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I joined Harvey Brooker 6 years ago and have maintained my loss for 5 years. Quite simply, this program changed my life. I recommend it for any man who needs... read more to lose weight and - most importantly - maintain their loss. The physical and psychological benefits have been incredible. My only regret is not having done it sooner!
erez blumberger
November 11, 2023
A supportive environment with structure. The education and knowledge shared by members is invaluable in my journey to a healthier lifestyle. I appreciate having the support of the in person... read more meetings to learn and stay on track.
Bob McMahon
August 11, 2024
I run a YouTube channel that involves aviation, and I always found it challenging to stand outside for long periods of time taking pictures and videos. After getting healthy with... read more Harvey Brooker, I now find it easier to do outdoor activities, and I even decided to sign up for flight lessons, now that I can easily fit inside small airplanes. I really don't think that I'd be able to do this without the program. Obviously, it has helped me out physically and medically, but the confidence I have gained in my accomplishments thanks to Harvey has been fantastic. Embrace the journey!
Wake Turbulence
April 11, 2024
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For me, Harvey Brooker Weight Loss for Men is the only program that is designed to train you to keep the weight off after you have lost it. Many weight... read more loss programs help you shed the pounds. HB helps you achieve this too, but goes much further. It teaches and conditions you to change your relationship with food in a healthy way. The program is either zoom or in person based, is rich with health information and recipes. Most importantly, it is a supportive and safe environment. I enjoy attending the weekly "Power Hour".
John Becevello
April 11, 2024
I began my weight loss journey at the beginning of July. So far I am down 25lbs and counting! This has been a lifestyle change rather than a... read more diet. It’s wholesome, sustainable and easy to follow. I highly recommend this program to any man who wants to lose some unhealthy body weight. Thank you Noah and HB Team!
Glenn Reid
September 11, 2024
Once my husband joined Harvey Brooker, we were in it together! From January until August 2019, between him, our son (who started on our eating habits in May)... read more and myself we lost 125 pounds - practically a person in weight! The program provided, if you stick to it, is easy to adjust to. For example, I switched from about 4 coffee double-doubles per day to black green tea. Imagine how much sugar that is out of your diet in a week (at least a cup and a half). COVID did a number on my husband and I, but our son has maintained his weight loss and my husband is back in the program, well on his way to his pre-COVID weight. I would recommend this program to any man who wants to lose weight. The groups are supportive of each other and the men who share their stories are inspiring.
Trish Waters
September 11, 2024
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Joining Harvey Brooker, you get the support from dedicated staff and support from fellow members who have joined to lose weight. Harvey Brooker is all about eating the right foods... read more to get you on a path to lose weight in a healthy way. It's not a diet. It's just a better way to eat.
Gino Ingriselli
August 11, 2024
The program has been fantastic! Since starting in December of 2022, I have been able to start eating healthier and I find I have way more energy, sleeping better and... read more just an overall better person! Harvey Brooker has changed my life. I have lost 50lbs and still going, the support is outstanding and it feels like you’re part of a family!! I cannot say enough about Harvey Brooker
Jason MacDonald
March 11, 2024
I don't normally review things, but I gotta give 5 stars to the Brooker program. I joined in 2015 and lost 160 lbs thanks to their fantastic approach to helping... read more me understand my relationship with food. I saw lots of other guys during my weight loss who were able to go off their diabetes medication, and honestly, it just works. If you've tried other programs (as I had and gained the weight right back), I urge you to check Brooker out and see what they're all about. The people there are fantastic and they help motivate you on your journey. Thanks to the program, I was able to get off my CPAP machine and my family is very happy to have their husband/dad still around. <3 <3 <3
Foreshots Photography
April 11, 2024
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I've been with Harvey Brooker for several years and I've lost 70 pounds so far and am just under 10 pounds to my goal weight. The HB team has... read more never given up or shamed me on my journey. They've always been encouraging and very good at answering questions quickly. The weekly Zoom meetings made these meeting so much more accessible and you still get the great community experience you do when attending in person meetings. Couldn't recommend this program highly enough. It's worth every penny!
Mackenzie
August 11, 2024
The process works! Unlike diets and fads it's nothing more than a lifestyle change of eating right, no expensive foods, no starvation (quite the opposite really). If you... read more have seen or heard the ads but are not sure about joining, do it, you owe it to yourself. Whatever the cost is in the long run you will save money. Update... over 2 years in and still working. Great group of guys, very supportive and informative team.
Rich T
April 11, 2024
My son and I joined the Harvey Brooker program on July 11, 2023 and to date each of us has lost over 25 lbs each. The group meetings are... read more very positive and Noah has helped watch that my son has attended the weekly meetings online since returning to University away from home. I can say if you follow the program you will definitely lose at least 2 pounds per weak…..that is without any exercise……put in some exercise and that goes up to 4 to 5 lbs per week. Save your life or Join up with a loved one and save 2 lives…..If you could have done it alone….you would have done it already…….. March 3rd update. Thought I should add an update to my last post. My son, Andy, and I have now lost 38 and 48 lbs respectively. Success cannot be bought it can only be rented and the rent is due everyday….Harvey Brooker’s team helps you to pay that rent. 21 August 2024 update. Well Google only allows 1 review per person so I will just keep adding to it. I hit my maintenance weight of 150lbs awhile back that is a loss of 41 lbs and Andy is now at 188lbs a 67 lbs loss and is addicted to the gym and is squatting and deadlifting 350 lbs. If you are reading this you must be thinking about it…so take the next step.
Grant and Joyce Hayward
September 11, 2024
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They deliver on value and commitment to help achieve my goal of living a healthy lifestyle
Fortunato Pitaro
August 11, 2024
I have been attending meetings since 2019 and being with a group of guys with the same destination is why its so successful. We make friends, tell jokes and learn... read more how to be consistent with our eating and in the endgame...our lives. We are what we eat. At Brooker we learn alter that for the better. As Harvey said " If you could do it alone, you would of done it already"
Jeff Waters
August 11, 2024
“If you could do it alone, you would have done it already”…..With this mantra, Harvey Brooker captured the essence of our weakness. We don’t read instructions; we don’t ask for... read more directions, and we don’t like to ask for help. Harvey’s insight into how we think resulted in the creation of organization that has helped men regain their health by replacing unhealthy practices with a simple easy to follow dietary program that we can choose to follow for the rest of our lives. Make the decision to discover how men like you can succeed on your weight loss journey. You will be inspired by individuals who have who have lost staggering numbers of pounds with the support of the Brooker team and with the support of individuals like you in attendance at weekly meetings. Whether it is your goal to lose 20 or 200 pounds, you will be welcomed by a community of like-minded individuals, who realize that regardless of your situation…..”If you could do it alone. You would have done it already.”
Allan West
November 11, 2023
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The 20/20 Plan, online resources and the support at regular meetings are what make this program so effective for anyone trying to get control of their eating habits.
Mark Chambers
April 11, 2024
I joined the Harvey program last fall. It's not a trendy diet thing, it's a bunch of guys getting together to deal with a common issue. The leaders... read more / speakers are all program members, and the success stories are very inspiring! It's the first time I've actually been able to change my lifestyle in a healthier direction that I can maintain. There's no hype or 'get skinny quick' nonsense here, it's the opposite of that. I'm down 25 lbs and I'm not done yet. It's a journey, with ups and downs 'cuz we're all human, but this has been a game-changer for me. Excellent, supportive group of guys to help you deal with weight issues. Highly recommend. "If you could do it alone, you would have done it already."
North GTA
March 11, 2024
Great place Down 30 + It’s the right place for me
rob thompson
November 11, 2023
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