Obesity

[rs929]

Any tips for tackling obesity while on drugs? I'm on SSRI's, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics (lol). I don't know, walking? Another med?

 

[Bat 17]

I'm on the same 3 types and it's made me put on a lot of weight. I've had to really watch the sugar cravings that some antipsychotics can give you (olanzapine was the worst for me for that). Generally I'm trying to watch what I eat, try not to oversleep and get as much activity as possible. Yes walking would help but running would be even better

sometimes a switch of antipsychotic is tried and aripiprazole is commonly used, although it didn't agree with me.

 

[Bootleg Astolfo]

I'd say the usual combination of eating better, watching calories and doing as much cardio as reasonably possible should work, might want to get your thyroid gland checked, if it's not working well it's gonna make loosing weight a loooooooot harder (and it's easy to fix, they just give you a smoll pill to make it work gooder). I'd also recommend seeing a nutritionist to help you with the whole food side of things, if you're in Canada you can ask your family doctor and he'll happily send you to one.

If you're feeling extra, join an MMA gym, lost 120lbs in a schoolyear's time that way lol.

 

[WornOutLife]

I'm gonna follow this thread because I also need help with this.
Don't wanna get any fatter at all but I don't even feel like going for a walk lol.

 

[saltshaker]

Change your meds or just stop taking them. The limited relief they provide isn't worth the weight gain imo.

 

[ExhaustedExistence]

As for me I lost 20 kg (from 75 kg to 55 kg) without any exercise or physical activity. I've just stopped eating unheathy and junk food. Although my BMI is normal (less than 20), I would like lose another 5 kg, so 50 kg would be my ideal weight. I'm quite small (only 1,65 m), so I could have less weight. But it probably requires some work out and I'm too lazy and weak.

I'm not an expert, but my advice would be change your eating habits and what is more important have a self control and strong will. You can do whatever if you really want. I know it sounds like a cliche, but if I could do that, everybody can.

Funny thing: When I was 15 I had bigger boobs than now at 20 lol.

 

[rs929]

Change your meds or just stop taking them. The limited relief they provide isn't worth the weight gain imo.

Even if I wanted to.. stopping psych meds cold turkey is extremely dangerous. Put multiple medications on the table and I should be in hell in a short time.

 

[Tiredofhurting]

Start with diet and light weights. Losing weight is a long process.

 

[saltshaker]

Even if I wanted to.. stopping psych meds cold turkey is extremely dangerous. Put multiple medications on the table and I should be in hell in a short time.

Stopping benzos cold turkey is dangerous, the rest of them not really. If you've been on them a long time you can still taper if worried. You might end up feeling better too.

 

[killedbypsychiatry]

Stopping benzos cold turkey is dangerous, the rest of them not really. If you've been on them a long time you can still taper if worried. You might end up feeling better too.

Not really SSRIs can also cause hellish withdrawal even if tapering for some people (not everyone tho)

 

[http-410]

This is really a question you should discuss with a doctor. Maybe you can change something about the medication or leave something out, but on your own I wouldn't experiment.

As a layperson, I don't think it's a good idea to suddenly stop medication. Sure, a healthy diet and more exercise is a good basis, but some medications (especially antipsychotics) affect the metabolism in such a way that even with the same diet you gain a lot of weight so it can be difficult to lose it. Antipsychotics also increase the risk of diabetes. Have you always been overweight? Maybe you should also have your blood values (especially thyroid) checked.

As a small start, it might be helpful to avoid every drink that is not water. I would also avoid fruit juices.

 

[JustLosingMyself]

Keep a log of everything you eat,
Check portions
Cut out all added sugars
Cook fresh stuff
No junk food.
If you're already overweight, a decent ebike does wonders: builds fitness without straining the joints, and with time you can cut out the assistance.

 

[timf]

Sugar can be pretty harmful. Being overweight already taxers one's insulin resources. Extra sugar can result in the sort of damage one sees with diabetes.

You may wish to allow yourself to eat all the vegetables you want. Carrots aren't too expensive and can be filling. They can also provide the fiber to keep things moving.