Hi there!

The tight chest throat and lungs and difficulty breathing on the background of stress and feeling low is likely to be panic attacks. Take some time to relax and treat yourself.

THis will definitely affect the way you see your body. FIrst of all get some objective measurements of your tummy and hips etc. Also there might be some changes in fat distribution, relative or real, that will all settle once you reach goal.

Speak to a friend (or us!) about your recent stresses etc, and if those tight feelings persist then see a doctor, other problems that cause those symptoms are asthma and allergies.