[bewise93]

I switched to diet pepsi, no fat milk, light mayo, Turkey for sandwiches, no eating out, etc but I'm still gaining weight. I'm not getting off zyprexa, that's for sure. I can at least function for the first time in 4 yrs. Did God make zyprexa to make me fat? I really don't want to exercise either. And I have been. But I hate exercise. Is there anything to stop weight gain or at least slow it down? Please help.

[BipolaRNurse]

You're on a whopping dose at 20 mg and it's no wonder you're gaining. It will probably level out though, you just have to give it time and keep watching what you're eating and when you're eating. Try not to eat after 7 PM, all those calories do is sit there since you're not likely exercising at that hour. And speaking of exercise, try to find something you enjoy, like dancing around the house to rock or hip-hop, swimming, just something you'll actually do. I'm like you, I'd rather be stung by 1000 hornets than work out. But I don't mind sweeping and vacuuming, and I can make exercise out of gardening, and those things count as movement in my book.

If that doesn't help control the weight gain, you can always talk to your pdoc about reducing the dose. Like I said, 20 mg is a LOT (the most common dose is 5-10 mg) and if you're in the middle of a crisis you may need it for now, but once you've settled down the dose might be lowered. Just throwing that out there...best of luck.

[Wild Coyote]

I do not have a good answer for you. Just wanted to tell you I am sorry you have to deal with this. I have gained on Abilify.


WC

[downandlonely]

I tried weight watchers, and it worked well for me. But you have to stay on it for the rest of your life. I stopped doing it and gained all the weight back.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I've been on a diabetes drug called metformin (Glucophage) since soon after starting clozaril which is known for heavy weight gain. The metformin seemed to stop my weight from going up any further and when I started trying to lose weight I have been able to do that too (and I assume the metformin helps). I agree with the other posters that being on the lowest possible dose is also important. You can always increase the dose if needed and stay at a lower dose when it isn't (I haven't succeeded at this myself but in theory it's a good idea).

[~Christina]

Cut out carbs, sucks but it will help . Stick to a 1200 calorie diet.

Try to find some kind of exercise you like or can at least tolerate.

As if we don’t have enough to deal with our bipolar , then toss us on weight gainers , it’s bull shyt

If your stable maybe a decrease can help things

[Moreta]

I gained 30 lbs in 3 weeks on zyprexa I had to go off it. All I wanted to eat was swiss rolls and cheeseburgers. No wonder I gained all that weight. Cause I literally ate a box of swiss rolls a day and a couple cheeseburgers and I didn't care cause I was so depressed. Then my clothes didn't fit.

But like christina said, cut carbs. Also cut sugar, eat more fruits and veggies, low cal soups, protein. If you ABSOLUTELY need carbs eat something with a whole grain tortilla. Have snacks of nuts, almond yogurt with organic baby food (omg it tastes horrible), cut dairy, cut potatoes, no white rice switch to brown rice or quinoa and a whole serving is a whole 1/2 cup. If you need a form of potato eat half a sweet potato. Berries are a good snack. a small amount Hummus and carrots or celery. celery with a small amount of peanut butter. stop drinking diet drinks they don't help with weight and there's studies they actually make you gain weight, make flavored tea with a small amount of liquid stevia (available at trader joes, whole foods, health food stores). don't get truvia it's got added chemicals to it. Stick to lean cuts of turkey, chicken, fish like salmon. One snack I'd always have was a can of tuna, half a diced avocado, half a cucumber, a little bit of olive oil, and lime juice. Cook your own food. Look up low calorie meal prepping recipes so you can make a lot at a time and have for the week. That's what I do. Processed stuff is full of crap and a lot of sodium. If you get prepackaged stuff look for things with the least amount of ingredients. Oh yeah, salads. I always forget salads cause I don't eat them. There's this salad dressing that has 0 calorie salad dressing from walden farms. I found the easiest one to eat was the italian. *man that's some bad flashbacks to 2014*

Stopping weight gain is hard and it isn't fun and I have ate some horrible stuff just because I had to eat and choked stuff down. All my weight does is go up and down if I don't eat right. After I get over these opiate withdrawals back to eating stuff I hate. Don't touch my homemade mac and cheese rn. I find when I load up on protein is when I have the most success with weight. ugghg the protein powder I have no is horrible and I have to retool everything listed above cause I'm allergic to a lot of it now. You have to retool everything. You can do it though. It's hard but doable. And no more mayo. Use mustard. Another thing I found recently is that if you make breakfast your biggest meal of the day weight is more friendly.

It's really hard to break years of engrained eating habits but it can be done just takes some time. Start slow. What is the saying? Takes 21 days to make a new habit?

Good luck.

I might have been sent to the nutritionist 1 too many times.

[eye2797]

Cut the carbs, you may need to cut real low on your carbs for awhile. Do your research on low carb diet. It was the only way I was able to get off weight.

When I stopped weight started coming back.
yeah it sucks but you can find a lot of diff low carb breads and such, there is even a real good low carb tortilla shell that I like.

If you research it you will find tons of sites and that list good low carb foods by catagories.

[Tucson]

Once you stabilize, you may be able to have your pdoc reduce the dosage. My only other suggestion is to exercise.

[catwalk69]

I suggest you go for the Organic process of dieting besides taking medicines. If you follow organic diet instructions though it will take much time to see results, definitely you will see drastic changes in your weight.

I agree with a few of the others that carb reduction could be helpful. I'm not at all fond of very low carb diets (especially those that encourage eating especially high fats), but lowering carbs is known to be helpful. I try to limit refined sugars to a good degree and meals where starchy carbs are the main course. I don't totally eliminate them, though, but when I have them I try to choose whole grains and eat only a small portion of them. I'm in favor of diet adjustments that help, but that I can live with.

I use MyFitnessPal's free features. I find them helpful enough for me. It certainly helps one realize what (and how much) you are eating. It gives recommended daily goals not to exceed. Goals can be adjusted slightly depending on a diet focus, i.e. to lower carbs or to lower saturated fats, etc.

Its mostly in your mind. After all even that the general idea messing with the nuts and bolts.

Find a passion for vegetables. Grow them, it's rewarding.

[bewise93]

Thank you all for your input. I will try low carb. There are Atkins diet frozen meals at Wal-Mart I think I will buy.

[Sometimes psychotic]

Try increasing fiber......a lot of this has to do with gut bacteria......

[Zigy]

Did you cut sugar, sweets, white breads, cakes, etc? Refined sugar is the worst. It's carbs that make you fat fast. I'm only om 5mg of Zyprexa but I actually managed to lose weight by cutting sugar intake.

And drop all soda and juices, diet or not, learn to drink water only.