I posted this in the "Dieting with Obstacles" thread but got no responses. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated!

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for 2 years and now that I am starting to understand my actions and habits I've noticed that some mornings I wake up feigning for food when really I'm not hungry at all. But unfortunately to get it off my mind so that I can move on with my day, I end up eating whatever looks appetizing as opposed to something healthier.

Some days it's the same but with exercise. I wake up, watch a little TV, do some homework for about an hour and out of nowhere I just jump up, change my clothes and take a 2 or 3 mile bike ride. It feels great but then I don't want to workout at all for the rest of the day.

Other days I just don't get hungry until late in the day at about 3:00 p.m. Then I pig out. Is this my bipolar disorder? Or is it all in my head? If so, have any of you dealt with this before? Or does anyone know how to deal with this?

Thank you all.

Before I get to your actual post, a couple of things about the above. I noticed that you posted it less than 2 hours ago. Since this is a forum (albiet a fairly active one) we often have to wait many, many hours for replies, sometimes even days. People may read it, and not have anything they feel will be helpful to your situation. Be patient If it's been a few days and no replies, then it may help to post it somewhere where it might get more attention.

I don't know all of the symptoms of bi-polar disorder. I can, however, tell you that some of the things you mention lots of people on this board have been through.

Planning your breakfasts each day, and having them mostly prepared will help out with two things.

1) The eating "whatever looks appetizing".
2) The not eating until 3PM & then binging problem.

Not eating breakfast & lunch lead to overeating later on. It's proven. And it only hurts us. Our bodies need fuel after sleeping. I've heard that if we eat within 2 hours of waking that it helps keep our metabolism up for the rest of the day. It need not be a giant meal, but even some oatmeal, fruit & a glass of milk could make a difference.

Riding your bike for 2 or 3 miles is exercise. If you ride your bike randomly, and then don't feel like doing "formal" exercise later on don't beat yourself up. You rode your bike earlier.

Well, as a both a person with some mental health issues in the past and as a person working on losing weight two things help both at the same time: 1) structure/ order and 2) discipline. I verified this with my DH (whom I love dearly) and who has had a 20+ history of mental illness and no eating issues but doing well now.

Your illness and your weight will benefit from implementing these two things into your life.

One aspect of both bipolar and eating issues is impulsiveness, as you shared.

So, at one of those moments when you are feeling centered and it does happen if you are taking your meds regularly (again key to saneness is discipline regarding that) that is the time to go grocery shopping and then cook when you get home. You can freeze up a lot of different foods that are both appealing and good for you which you can "nuke" or thaw out, ready in moments.

Buying food that is already cut up or in individual servings also is a boost to ease of food preparation and readiness. Single apples, grapes, pears, etc. are something that even the most impulsive person can grab and still be feeding their desire for something nutritious and tasty at the same time.

In the past few months, I have returned to stay with my elderly Dad who was clinically depressed since my Mom has been ill with multiple health issues for the past year. I took a wipe off magnetic calendar and put it on the refrigerator door. I marked several days during the week activities that he needed to do and things he enjoyed. This works because when your mind is scattered it is hard to focus. For example, Wednesday and Sunday was visit Mom day (she is in a nursing home 35 miles away). Monday and/or Saturday is wash day. Saturday was visit family or do a fun activity day.

This served a couple of purposes: one, you looked forward to the next day, which a lot of depressed don't, and you also could see that your life was filled with things you both enjoy and need to do. It also says to your subconscious: hey, I really do have a life, even if I didn't think I did before!

Within two months my Dad came back from the walking dead. He went from sitting at the table among a pile of bills and not moving--literally---to making plans with his two retired sisters to go pick apples in Wisconsin next week. He is now able to accept social invitations and able to deal with life easier. He walks with a cane but I have gotten him to use the electric cart when he goes to Wal-mart which again gets him out and to take longer and longer walks on his own. I was really pleased when he told me the other day that he felt he watched too much tv.

As a sidenote, he discovered that stomping on empty soda cans for recycling served another useful purpose: he helped him vent some of the frustration he has felt with Mom's long and slow recovery.

I would suggest that you buy a wipe off calendar and post your eating and exercise plans on that. Train yourself to look at it each morning and try to adhere to it as best as you can. Both your eating plans/exercise routine and your illness will benefit from it.

Structure/order and discipline. That will help you feel that you are in control of your life right now. Once you feel more in control of your life, the better off you will feel overall.

Good luck

SUCH a good idea. Thank you so much! I'm going to start using one tonight!