[mgran]

Hi All.
As some of you know, I'm trying to lose weight, and struggling. So, to cut out the stress of measuring portions, weighing ingredients etc, I ordered a hamper of low calory ready meals.
Well, today I spoke to my "diet advisor," and she told me that she wasn't sure I'd actually lose much, or any weight, because I'm on an anti psychotic. Is that true? I'm going on a diet 1200 calories a day... I'm a tall woman so that's a big gap between incoming and outgoing calories... Is it really likely that no matter how hard I try I'll not lose weight? Am I destined to be fat for the rest of my life?
I'm discouraged... still going to stick to it, but I'm really seriously disappointed. Is it possible this woman doesn't know what she's talking about?
Oh, and my pdoc is looking to increase my antipsychotic, it's not like I'm going to be able to come off it in the near future, or ever.

[lotusflames]

it's more difficult but it's not impossible

[mgran]

Thanks... since I've paid for two months worth of food I'll stick to the diet rigorously for the next two months, see if it was worth it. I'm just annoyed... I wish I didn't have to take "heroic measures" just to drop a few pounds.

[lotusflames]

if you exercise, which you should to lose weight healthily anyway, then as long as you aren't expecting to lose like 10lb a week, you'll be fine!

[lynn P.]

I agree with lotusflames - people have to exercise in combination with reduced calorie diet to lose the weight. I find weight lifting and cardio works the best. Be aware of what you're snacking on between meals and what you're drinking. Don't drink too much pop, even the diet pop. Exercising will will kick start your metablolism. Good luck.

[missbelle]

you still will loose. My meds do the same thing and I now definately need to loose. Also with these meals you are eating healthier.Try beefing up your exercise program as well. You will loose.....don't get discouraged and let me know because I too am in the same boat except due to my severe arthritis I am limited a little..
Thinking of you....

[DancingAlone]

actually, the best "diet" i was ever on was when i was taking care of my mom who was a diabetic and was put on insulin. i put us both on the standard American Diabetic Association "Diet" (meal plan--you can get printouts at your doctor's office).

i cooked us both three well-balanced meals a day. neither of us exercised although i was very active taking care of her. the key was the portion size. it's all on the list, i.e. 1/2 cup of beans, etc. and watch the salad dressing proportions, margarine, etc. and you just substitute the foods on the list for each food group to vary up the meals. i also used sugar-free chocolate pudding mixes, etc. for "desserts". surprisingly very good!

and i lost 20 pounds in just a few months! and felt very healthy too. anyway, moderation is best i guess, and you don't have to starve yourself!

[LiveNow]

weight loss requires exercise AND dieting at the same time. Having a good diet does not have to be so complicated. As long as you have the motivation and dedication to do it, you will be able to. PM me further if you need help with your diet. I'm quite the guru when it comes to fitness and nutrition if I have to say

[kathleen slattery]

A bit over a year and a half ago, I was 210lbs....now I've gotten down to 115. It can be done. If the combo is depakote and zyprexa, I'd ask to switch. I find that a low dose of depakote with abilify works. It hasn't put any weight on me since I resumed taking the drugs since last July....and to lose the weight I was on a 1,000 cal diet. I also heard that lamictal is the best for weight issues. You can do it!!!!

[splitimage]

It is absolutely possible to loose weight while on psych meds. I'm on an anti-psychotic + 2 AD's, and need to loose a lot of weight. I started working with a registered dietician early last Oct., and she put together a meal planner for me, and I followed that eating plan. Then I lost that insurance and had to stop seeing her, so I joined weight watchers at work. I've lost a total of 25 lbs. That may seem slow, but remember healthy weight loss is 1-2 lbs a week. I still want to lose another 50 lbs and I'm confident I'll get there eventually.

So far I haven't been exercising, but as I recently lost my job, I may start trying to get to the gym in the afternoons.

Good luck, you can do it.

--splitimage

I always found that no matter what I ate, whatever meds I was on, I still lost weight by walking everyday.

Here is where I met the only creatures on the planet I trust---my dogs--

they force you out--you can't be agoraphobic when you have a dog. You also have to walk them at least once a day--I miss my dog sooo much--but pets are costly--
I'll have to wait till I can afford another---keep up the good work!!!--theo

[lonegael]

I didn't lose until they put me on topamac but the p-doc who saw me most recently suspects that the lithium was starting to affect my thyroid in spite of the fact that the levels weren't showing much on the tests. He said even small changes can affect the weight in that way, and that is why excercize (I was doing 7 kilometers 4 times a week at one pont on the eclicycleand not losing) and diet control wasn't working. Normally you can keep it withing some bounds, but it is harder.

[eskielover]

Meds definitely have an effect on weight, but any effect can be overcome...it may take more work & determination, but it can be done. There also may be different meds that can have less effect on weight. I know that I found several that actually caused me to deal with anorexia (go figure).....but they were Prozac & Wellbutrin & a huge dash of stress.

As for foods to eat & not eat....remember that sugars go to fat if not exercised off.....also carbohydrates act like sugar in the body....cutting out sugar & carbohydrates is also a good thing to add to any diet you are on. What you eat is very important....if you cut back & still eat foods that are not protein....you will not loose weight successfully no matter how hard you try.

Just put all the loosing issues together & work with them along with EXERCISE.

You can get there with a lot of determination.....don't give up because it takes a lot of work.

[mgran]

Hey guys... I hadn't noticed this thread for a couple of days. Thanks for the new responses.

And guess what... the calorie restricted diet I am on actually is working! I've lost five pounds since I last posted on this thread. Can't wait to tell the dietician person I was speaking to... I started off with forty pounds to lose, or twenty kilograms, and have given myself a target of five months to get there. It's nice to have had a slightly quicker start than I expected.

I've been excercising when I can, which is when my mood permits me. Last week I was having bipolar symptoms, this week it seems I'm having more psychotic schizo symptoms. But they're "under control" in as much as I recognise them now as being false, and am not listening to them.

But yes, I'm really chuffed that this thing is working.

If you don't mind, I'll give you updates on this thread. It will help to keep me focussed.

[mgran]

Ha! One of my support workers came out today. She's not seen me in a fortnight, and the first thing she said was, "you've lost weight." I hadn't told her I was on a diet, and she's not the kind of person to make flattering small talk. She tells me I've lost it off my face.

Last time I weighed myself I was 15 stone 5. I started off 1.10

[whenwillitend]

I'm doing Weight Watchers, and so far I have lost 20 pounds in about 6 weeks. Yes, I do need to weigh and measure my food, but it's so worth it. and I agree with the others, exercise is very important.

Don't feel disappointed, it's not impossible to lose weight while on meds.