[Formerlybrilliant]

So I finally took the next step in attempting to lose the crazy pounds I gained after starting my BP meds and consequently other meds with weight gain side effects for conditions I developed as a result of becoming overweight.

I got my exercise primarily from walking but that wasn't cutting it so I joined a gym a week ago and changed my diet (no more regular runs to fast food). I know that my meds are not totally to blame; too much food and not enough activity share in the blame, as well. I got information on weight loss from another BP site and it had a lot of bogus information. Just wondering if there are any good weight loss strategies you might be able to offer. What to try, what to avoid. I appreciate your insights.

[sugahorse1]

maybe see if there aren't some other meds you can take. My mood stabiliser is sodium valporate and I have possibly even lost weight.
Try get a friend to help motivate you and go for walks together
Try cut down carbs in your diet, especially not eating them after 2PM

[Fresia]

I too started walking, it has helped some so I joined the gym too. I have been doing weights 2x a week with better results. I started to swim 1x a week and I found I have more energy now to do all of the above.

After seeing a nutritionist, she pointed out my biggest problem wasn't that I wasn't eating healthy but my portion sizes were way to big. Do you know how small the actual recommended portions are? Oy. So I cut them in half which sounds drastic but to get them to the recommended sizes it was necessary. The weight is coming off a lot now. I have to use a smaller plate now though to trick myself into thinking I am eating a normal amount until I am retrained. LOL

The nutritionist did say, you have to have carbs for your brain to function and not to cut them out but cutting them down is ok. Vegetables should be the majority of your plate (1/2) followed by, 4-6 oz of meat (the size of a deck of cards), and carbs the size of a deck of cards. And to snack between meals with a protein w/ a grain and/or fruit or all three. Treats are important just to find a lower cal alternative to the things you enjoy and if you just HAVE to have something, have it, but try having a small amount before going for your normal portion. And go on. We all have cravings and will drive yourself nuts if don't indulge in them once in awhile but make it a treat.

Lots of water too and flavored water with no sugar is helpful.

I have not been hungry doing this which is shocking and I am losing 3-4 lbs a week which the doc says is healthy in the 2-4 lb range.

I wish you much luck. If you want to swap tips or for support, I know I am struggling at times too, feel free to PM me.

[Baaku]

Hi Formerlybrilliant, et al,

I can really identify.... years ago, when I was in my early 30's I took an executive position and within 9 months had gained about 30-35lbs, going from 205 to 240 (also at 5'11")-- I was completely miserable. I became depressed over my clothes not fitting, my poor shape, my belly sticking out, being out of breath quickly, and just about everything seemed to center on my weight-- it became the lens thru which I viewed the world-- and it was dark and dreary. Even going out was a psychological chore, equivalent to running an emotional triathlon!

As you well kinow, science has been studying this for years and no meds have emerged as safe, although some MD's will prescribe stimulants (such as Ritalin, Concerta or Adderral), but this a potentially dangerous practice. and hardly holistic

But, not to be outdone by reality, I decided to try an experiment published in the Journal of Medical Economics in which they ran a fascinating study with interesting results. Here's how it works:

1) Pick a buddy or series of buddies who also want to lose weight.

2) Make a bet (no less than $100, but to make it stick and if you've been down this road in a severe manner, I would recommend $200) to lose at least 4-5 lbs per month, pick a start date and end date, and use an one accurate machine (avoid using different machines to maintain consistency) on a bi-weekly or weekly basis.

3) The person who does not lose that weight forfeits his money and the others split it. If everyone makes the new weight, another $100 is added to the kitty and 4-5 more lbs are added for the next month. The person who does who does not lose the weight adds another $100 to the kitty to remain in the game.

4) The process goes on for 6-12 months and the money simply remains in the kitty. By that time there will be anywhere between $500-1000, a sizable reinforcer and motivator for anyone except Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and T. Boone Pickens.

5) If you want to maintain your motivation, keep the money in the kitty for an another year, it will linger in the back of your mind every time you reach for that extra slice of Pizza or Key Lime pie.

What the researchers discovered was that people will not lose weight for their health, to look good, to pick up a new gf/bf, to get a new job, etc..... but, they will for money!!! Go figure. One caveat, what you're looking for is not simply weight loss, it's to become healthy, and a slim body doesn't always spell a healthy person.

Finally, do see a nutritionist and/or your PCP before starting. I think Fresia's suggestion would be an excellent way to do this, with money serving as an added moyivator. I know also, that in my country we don't eat big meals/portions (supersized) like many Americans do, we eat 4-6 times per day, portions are small, people walk everywhere and body image issues are not as pronounced.

Try this out and let us know how it works. Good Luck!
Baaku

[Ygrec23]

Hello!

Well, I believe you've now heard from a number of medically and scientifically approved methods of losing weight. All I can now present to you is a completely home-made, self-devised method that just happens to work (for me, and maybe for you).

When I needed to lost weight I started with all the big name, published diets, including McDougal, South Beach, Atkins, etc., etc. None of them worked for me. I also read plenty on nutrition, went to a nutritionist, etc.

So finally I just decided to throw them all out, including the nutritionists, and set up my own diet plan based on my own ideas as to what would work.

1. My first rule was NEVER to eat if I wasn't hungry. Even if it was meal time. And even if the meal had already been cooked.

2. My second rule was NEVER to eat to please someone else, meaning my wife. And I told her of this so she wasn't taken by surprise.

3. My third rule was NEVER to eat any snacks between meals.

4. My first PRINCIPLE was that however hungry I might be, if I waited twenty minutes the hunger would go away.

5. My second PRINCIPLE was to alternate one and two meal days: on day A I'd skip breakfast and lunch, eating only dinner; on day B I would eat lunch and dinner, skipping only breakfast. (The first principle worked very well for skipping lunch on A days.)

6. My fourth rule was never to have second helpings of carbohydrates.

7. My fifth rule was to eat only as much as it took to be basically satisfied, even if that meant leaving something on the plate. This meant eating very slowly so that I'd have a chance to know when I was satisfied instead of overshooting the goal.

And that was it. In two months I'd lost thirty pounds. I went back to two meals a day to maintain it. And it worked.

This diet was inspired by that Japanese nutjob responsible for the cult that sprayed poison gas in the Tokyo subway. He was terribly overweight and decided to diet by fasting every other day. And that worked very well, apparently.

[RRU96]

My sisters first husband used to be extremely overweight, him and his mother. They both lost a tremendous amount of weight, but not so much by cutting carbs or anything else. Their number 1 rule they followed was that if they ate protein, they didn't eat carbs. If they ate carbs, they didn't eat protein. You had to have like a 2 hour wait between protein and carbs. This is all I was told that they did. Maybe there was something else I wasn't told, but from my best memory, that was it. I have never tried, I have never been bothered much about my weight though I could afford to lose 50 or 60 pounds. Something about the protein helps convert the carbs to fat quicker or something like that. Without the 2 together, your body uses them all as you eat instead of storing some for later.

Just a thought. Don't know how correct the science is, but hey, for people who are struggling to lose weight, it could be one more thing to give a shot. I know that I would have a hard time. If I eat a burger, I want it on a bun. If I eat eggs, I want toast. Anyways, I wish you luck on whatever route you take.

[Fire_Star]

I'm currently on Lithium and Zyprexa so weight gain is fun. >_> I do want a lot of the others mentioned.

I go on the treadmill for 30 mins everyday, and some days go on long walks also. It's winter here so I can't go swimming at the moment. I don't snack between meals anymore and change my portion sizes. Have been losing weight so far.

Thank you formerlybrilliant for posting this thread, as I have been struggling with some weight gain due to being on 600mg of Seroquel XR, which has increased my appetite significantly. Thanks to everyone who has replied.

[rcsweep]

for exercise check into a program called cross fit. it can offer a diverse workout where u don't get bored doing the same thing everyday. and it is quick most workouts last 30 -40 mins, 2-3 times a weak for me. i'm down over 60lb
eating right is just as important, eating less overall but more often through out day kicks your metabolism up. i know a couple pro boxers that cut weight for fights, Ive seen them drop 30-40lb in 2 months and they both say you have to eat to lose weight. if you don't eat your body goes into starvation mode, metabolism tanks and every calorie is stored.
i witness one of them weigh in on thurs morning and by fight time fri night he gained 18lbs, talk about a yo-yo.

[Formerlybrilliant]

Wow! What a lot of great advice. I'm definitely going to be using what I learned. In particular I was inspired to find someone to make a wage about losing the weight. I'm looking forward to posting news of the weight I've lost in a few months. Thanks for the help all.

[BlackPup]

more than anything else, you have to want to do it. I have lost lots in the past but couldn't lose a pound at the moment, my heart is not in it... Timing is really important.

When I do, I look at the things that I like to eat that are high in calories (fried food, fast food, cakes, bread, chips, junk food...) and limit them, there is no point in me going on a low fat diet, coz I don't eat fat anyway... but cutting out chocolate and soft drinks...

[sittingatwatersedge]

Apart from exercising, I have resolved to ask a blessing for whatever it is, before I take a first bite. If I can develop this habit, I have a feeling this will really be a help for me. The idea came from a no-shoplifting sign I saw in a religious bookstore: You can fool us, but you can't fool HIM !

best of luck to you.