Depression and Weight IssuesHave you been diagnosed with depression, are possibly on depression medication, and find it affects your weight loss efforts? Post here for support!
Already fat, recently dx bipolar, meds s/e weight gain
I've gained 100 pounds in 2 years. It all started the first time I was put on ADs, but got noticeably worse in the past year when things started to go downhill emotionally for me.
To make a long story short I've been diagnosed bipolar and they've finally got me on a medication combo that has me stable. So far I've not gained any weight but the side effects of the drugs include weight gain.
I currently take Depakote, Lamictal, Seroquel, and Wellbutrin. Lamictal and WB are supposed to be weight neutral but Depakote and Seroquel can really pack a punch from what I hear. I hesitate to change the medication because they seem to be working very well for me.
I've just started South Beach and I'm exercising to lose all this weight b/c I know it's not healthy at my short height but I'm afraid I'm fighting an uphill battle.
Do you guys have any tips, tricks, encouragement to help me out?
There's no way that I'd stop taking my meds. I rarely get manic and being miserably depressed is awful.
I've started walking 15 minutes on the treadmill every day. Mind you it's not a fast 15 minutes but I'm starting slow so that I don't get discouraged at how out of shape I am. I've also started a new way of eating. So far it's the South Beach Diet (I'm on day 2) but I'm thinking of going to Sugarbusters.
I figure if I eat healthier foods than I was before (McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and such) then it should come off.
See, I know all this stuff in my head it just gets discouraging sometimes.
Please don't panic or get discouraged. Stay with your meds, stay with your treadmill, and stay with a healthy diet. Give it some time to see how it all works together. Now that you've switched to doing all these positive things for yourself, you'll probably see it start to pay off before too long.
bravo nicolee! yer showin' smarts.
The whole thing is move more and eat less.
15 minutes a day of any kind of walking is a faulous way to start!
I get my SB diets mixed up, but actually, I think I'm pretty SBish too. I keep my overt carbs to a minimum. Love protein. Lots of veggies and fruit.
Hang around!
Tips huh hmmmmmmmmm..... keep all junk out of your house. When you go shopping don't go hungry. Don't watch to much TV. I find that the commercials make me crave things. Go to bed early if your a late night eater. Set a time where you won't eat past. Like for me its 7 pm (well I try anyway). Drink lots of water. If you go to a fast food place try to get a salad w/light dressing. Have stuff in the house that you can eat like light popcorn, stuff like that. Hot soups help me inbetween meals (watch the calories).
We're all fighting that uphill battle with you so here's a big ol hug... we can do this.
i agree with leenie - keep junk food out of the house. that's one of my big mistakes. i buy it convincing myself i can make it last a week and eat it in a day hehe
i have been on depakote and seroquel. i found it hard as they made me tired so i think your approach of starting to build up slowly is an excellent one. 15 mins on a treadmill is a great start. you don't need to up it very much. even just increasing it to 18 mins or doing the same amount of time at a faster speed (when you're ready). my tip is don't overdo it. i know when you're manic it's easy to get all excited and plow ahead and then collapse later. sounds to me though that you're being very sensible about it and that you are stabilised - all good
If you get discouraged, just make small goals and small improvements. FWIW, I gained 50 lbs. on meds and am taking it off very slowly. Yeah, the weight won't be off overnight, but measure your success relative to the big hurdles you face and what could be worse -- you could be off meds or still gaining.
Thanks for the tips and encouragement guys. It's nice to have people around that know what you're going through cause they've dealt with it themselves. I'm glad I found this little section of the forum.
yup it's great that 3FC have set up this separate section. it's has a big impact on eating and weight
some of the pills i was on e.g. the antipsychotics put on weight like you wouldn't believe, yet it doesn't seem to come off when you stop. jolly annoying
Already fat, recently dx bipolar, meds s/e weight gain
