[simplydivine1030]

Anyone have luck losing weight on their meds? Any special diet that seems to help/work? How much do you all work out. I need to do something as I keep gaining from the millions of meds I'm on/been on.

[Crazy Hitch]

My weight gain / loss is relatively pendent on the ratio of mania to antipsychotics.

When I'm flying high in Mania Land, my antipsychotics increase. However, I don't necessarily put on that much weight when dwelling in Mania Land because I'm too busy running around doing nothing.

As I'm plateuing down from Mania Land heading towards Stabilityville, there's a cross over with my reduced energy levels and antipsychotics, that can make me typically put on a few kgs.

Once I'm stable, my antipsychotics basically taper right off (my pdoc's goal is always mood stabiliser only once I'm stable) ... and that basically drops off the remaining kgs I might have put on hitch hiking the ride to Stabilityville.

Hope this makes sense

PS: I have intentionally left exercise out of my response, simply because I'm too erratic when it comes to any form of commitment, including exercise, and usually when I'm hypo I'll be running around like a mad hen anyway burning excess kilos.

[Soupe du jour]

There are various meds that are weight neutral. For me they were Lithium, Lamictal, Tegretol XR, Navane, and Geodon. [Could be others I haven't tried.] I know that some other meds I was on did seem to really encourage weight gain it's hard. I'm on Seroquel XR now and that gives me trouble. But I could lose weight if I really wanted to. The hard part is finally getting that motivation to really do it. Being serious about dieting or even maintaining takes careful attention to your food input. The amount and type. Counting something is usually recommended. It hardly matters if it is points, calories, fat grams, or carbs. Most of the well-known diets work if you work them. Getting some exercise helps too. That can even help to reduce the appetite a little bit.

I don't want the above to seem like it would be "easy". It's not. Getting that motivation is hard. It's a real commitment.

[Row Jimmy]

I find my overall arrogance helps me because now I focus on ME. For me, it's a simple formula. I just hit the gym a few days a week and take it easy so I don't get hurt. I also quit booze - high calories and sugars that have no benefit. I've heard all sorts of horror stories about people gaining weight when they take Depakote (my prescription), but IMO, it isn't the medication per se. Since Depakote makes me tired, I NEED to get up and get going. I find some enjoyment in getting out there and doing my thing.

[Cocosurviving]

I gained 25 lbs from my meds. Then as my meds increased my weight started going up more. I was like Hooligan had the commitment issue. Plus a few of my meds were known for causing weight gain so I saw it as point less. Well I started pushing 200 and let me tell u something I was going to do something. In 2012 before taking meds I loved my body. So I decided to start eating healthier. My mom joined a local Y and added me. I sad ****yes! I might not make it there 6 days per week like her. I've been going since the end of April this year. I use Nike Training App on my iPhone to track the days I go, my calories I burn and how long I work out. So far I've lost abt 10 lbs. I had to fit working out in my routine and you don't have to go to a gym. Go walking. Some people go walking in the morning in their local malls. U can start out with short walks like 15-30 mins once or twice a week. And if the weekdays are bad for you workout on the weekend and if you work in a office at take the stairs instead of the elevator. Pack your lunch (healthy) and don't eat out. I cheat on pay day. LOL.

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[~Christina]

Cut out any and all carbs, No processed foods. Avoid Sweets and increase water intake.

[BlackSheep79]

When I was on Seroquel I could not lose weight caused by other meds no matter what I did. The first time I came off Seroquel I dropped 30 lbs. As soon as I went back on it, had not changed any of my healthy lifestyle, and instantly I could not drop anymore weight. Over the past three months I have been slowly coming off it again and I have lost 9 lbs. Tonight will be my first night without it, so I know the weight will keep dropping

I have one small suggestion. I couldn't lose the weight when on Seroquel, but in order to not gain weight I would not have any sweets in my house because I would sleep walk and eat and I have no control. If I really want something I have to make the decision to drive to the gas station and get something to ease that craving, and it is always a smaller portion at the gas station. Other than that good luck, because I truly believe that with some of these meds you truly cannot lose the weight.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I've lost 60 lbs on a basically diabetic diet (Reaer's Digest Magic Foods diet). Then I gained it back when my Seroquel dose when from normal to high and I quit working and the same diet doesn't work as well now because I can't have a lot of the foods on it because of my MAOI (no cheese or soy products and I used those a lot). I also get migraines now from things I didn't used to.

I am actually losing weight on this new-to-me AP, loxapine. I'm down a shirt size in 10 days on it, not sure of the pounds yet, but I've visibly lost weight. It just stops me from being hungry between meals and most meals I just want something small. Hopefully it continues.

[cashart10]

I'm currently on the "I'm really ****ing depressed, eat what ever the hell I want and exercise daily (fingers only, actually, on the PC)." Plus, gain weight on meds. Plus, I've decided if I gain too much, it will be the end of me, "wink, wink." That wasn't a self-absorbed answer at all, ha! Your profile pic is beautiful, btw.

I used to go to the gym all the time and watch my carb intake and it helped immensely. It wasn't until I had to take lithium in my last pregnancy that I started gaining though.

[Blue_Bird]

I'm working on trying to lose the weight I've gained on meds. I have really bad eating habits that have contributed to it too though.

It's hard to change how you eat, but it gets easier with time. Try increasing your daily activity, even a short walk is good for you.

Having stuff to drink is important too, stay hydrated with water and other zero calorie drinks, that helps with cravings too.

[emptyspace]

I am on some of the same meds as you. Lithium can cause people to gain weight, although I did not.
Abilify is supposed to be weight neutral, but I don't believe that ANY antipsychotics are weight neutral.
They all fvck up metabolism.

Someone told me to focus on eating protein to keep weight off AND to help improve the Vyvanse.

I try to exercise 3-5 times a week, nothing major because I hate it. I usually walk/jog or do a workout tape.
Exercise is supposed to be good for the mind too, so my pdoc and T recommend it. I just find it boring.

Watch how much you eat out. Nothing is healthy, even if it says it is. Stop eating fast food/take out and watch what you drink.
I used to eat out all the time, then I got broke and stopped. I dropped some weight just by doing that.

Go see a nutrionist. I went and thought it was a really good education about food and weight gain/lose.
I actually learned stuff and they can take into account the foods you like, your meds, etc.
You health insurance might cover it.