[CherryGlazer]

I need to add that it's taken me 3 months to lose 6 pounds on this kind of restriction. Ridiculous right?

Before, i did things the "right way" at 1000 calories for 3 months, and nothing happened.

I'm quite sedentary. I'm 5 foot 1. I take seroquel. My resting metabolic rate seems to be at around 1400, though i wonder how much that's offset by the meds?*

Does anyone have some crazy experience with this? >

___
*EXTRA:

There's a clinical study i've come across here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15800566

"When estimating energy requirements as part of a weight-management program in men who have been taking clozapine for 6 months, predictions of REE from the equations of Harris-Benedict and Schofield should be reduced by 280 kcal/day."

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Have you tried metformin? It's a diabetes drug that helps with weight gain from APs. I've only lost a few pounds on it but others have more success (my doctor is nervous about increasing my dose and sending my sugar too low so I'm not a good example).

[Wild Coyote]

You must feel very frustrated!


I've been having a positive experience keeping my calories below my basal metabolic rate. I am on a lot of meds, including an AP and daily prednisone, known to cause weight gain.

I measure (or weigh) everything to be sure I have the correct portion and caloric value. I do this with everything. Nothing is consumed without a caloric value being entered.

I also exercise. Walks.

What else can we do to lose weight?
I feel for you.

How is your thyroid functioning?
My thyroid functioning was low when I could not lose weight.

Have you seen an endocrinologist?
Have you talked this over with your GP or Primary Care Provider?

How discouraging!

WC

Seroquel made me hungrier but did not cause any weight gain because I was generally active and didn't eat ridiculous amounts (although I didn't eat super healthy either )

By eating less calories you are actually doing yourself a disservice: Your body will soon realize it's not getting the fuel it needs, and so will hold onto fat as a way to protect itself. Your natural metabolism will slow down and it will become harder to lose weight (even if you lose a few pounds initially).

My suggestion? Eat the right amount of calories for your weight/height (and make most of those calories healthy ones if you are able), and work on becoming less sedentary. Even starting with something as simple as walking can help. I have a forum on here where I keep track of my exercise and it helps me to stay motivated - you can definitely feel free to join me if you'd like! I mostly enjoy working out at home with Youtube workouts so I have no excuses. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I wish you all the best.

[Sunflower123]

I can understand how you feel. My doctor put me on zyprexa years ago and it did wonders for me but the weight gain just got worse and worse until my doctor said throw it away. That was too bad...I was totally stable on it.

That amount of calories is just way to low to sub stain. It's not reasonable on any long term plan. I'm so sorry you are battling this. Balancing physical and mental health is hard enough without these weight gaining meds. They really need to come up with better options. I hope it happens soon. (((Hugs)))

[wildflowerchild25]

I have gained 70 lbs due to high prolactin and insulin resistance caused by invega. I struggled with restricting calories and could NOT lose weight, and in fact continued to gain. The only thing that works for me is low carb. I lost almost 20lbs from low carb but fell off the wagon and have gained most of it back. I'm going back on low carb soon as soon as I can find the motivation. Low calorie just doesn't work at all for me.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

I have gained 70 lbs due to high prolactin and insulin resistance caused by invega. I struggled with restricting calories and could NOT lose weight, and in fact continued to gain. The only thing that works for me is low carb. I lost almost 20lbs from low carb but fell off the wagon and have gained most of it back. I'm going back on low carb soon as soon as I can find the motivation. Low calorie just doesn't work at all for me.

I am also doing low carb. It's working, thankfully.
I am watching calories, too.

If I were to have the same number of calories in a high carb diet, I'd feel like crap for sure. I also would have more difficulty losing weight.

WC

[wildflowerchild25]

Low carb also works for me because the high fat intake keeps me full, so I naturally eat fewer calories. When I just try to restrict calories I'm starving all the time and thus miserable.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

Low carb also works for me because the high fat intake keeps me full, so I naturally eat fewer calories. When I just try to restrict calories I'm starving all the time and thus miserable.

I use fish oil for the most of the fat. It's a healthy fat. It's supposed to have a lot of health benefits, including mood stabilization.


WC

[BipolaRNurse]

I've been able to lose 82 pounds in ten months, even on two APs. I lost my appetite when my husband died last July and have never been able to consume large quantities of food since then. I also don't drink soda of any kind---not even diet---and I do drink lots of water, which I swear has a lot to do with it. I watch my portions too, but eat pretty much whatever I want. I don't exercise, although I know I should. I have no idea of how many calories I consume each day, but it's safe to say that it's considerably less than 2000.

[rwwff]

Originally Posted by CherryGlazer

I need to add that it's taken me 3 months to lose 6 pounds on this kind of restriction. Ridiculous right?

Before, i did things the "right way" at 1000 calories for 3 months, and nothing happened.

I'm quite sedentary. I'm 5 foot 1. I take seroquel. My resting metabolic rate seems to be at around 1400, though i wonder how much that's offset by the meds?*

Does anyone have some crazy experience with this? >

First off, 2 lbs per month weight loss isn't inconsequential, its gentle. 1 pound per week is what most people will suggest is a legitimate, good target loss rate, eg, 4 pounds per month.

So, its not crazy, nor ridiculous really. 61" and sedentary, 1200-1400 is probably close to balance, eg, no weight loss. A pound of fat on the other hand, is 3500 kcal, regardless of your activity or height.

You're in a tough spot though, because your body also has tools to deal with things when it detects very low intake (sub 1200) where you may be at balance with the AP anyway. It can choose to protect fat tissue and break down muscle and even organ tissue for energy.

People hate relying on exercise to move that weight number, but I don't know that you have any other options that can work from where you are. All I can suggest is to walk several miles a day, each mile is about 100 kcal expenditure, is sustainable, and sometimes even pleasant.

I don't know that you can get to a pound per week, but you should be able to get above that output trap at 1200.