Losing Weight: Success Stories?

Hi

I am 21 and BP II. I was diagnosed at 14 and off meds (lithium-with supervision) at 16. Afterwards, I lost 60lbs through The South Beach Diet and exercise. Just before my 20th birthday I had another episode and was put back on Lithium,Risperidal,Effexor,and Ativan (doctor did not know what he was doing). In the process of getting the wrong care I also regained all of the lost weight. Now I have a new fantastic doctor, but I am on Epival,Effexor,and Risperidal--doses much less then what they were. I see her every 3 weeks and I trust her care. But, regaining the weight has been so frustrating to me. It seems that no matter what I try, I cannot seem to lose more than 5-10lbs. I have tried Weight Watchers, a nutritionist, and Herbal Magic and they are all expensive and I hardly get results.

Has anyone successfully lost weight on a BP Med Regime?

My doctor says to value physical health over mental health, which I agree with. I am doing so much better under her care. I am going into Teachers College and I am on the Deans List. But the weight is affecting my self esteem and confidence. I feel fat, bloated, and frustrated.......

I am planning on restarting the South Beach July1st after some weddings I will attend.

Does anyone have any suggestions or stories to share?

Thanks!

A good psych doctor will work with you to deal with side effects.  I lost a lot of hair and gained a lot of weight on depakote after about 6 months.  I'm now on tegretol and lamictal and lost most of the weight.  However, I've also been working out and eating right.  It's a combo.  Getting discouraged about your appearance only seems to dampen weight loss efforts.  In my experience, working out is way more important than dieting to lose weight.  Diets don't work anyway, and usually just make you gain more weight in the long run.  I work out hard, lifting and running. 

I gained 20 lbs, but I was still only 135.  Thats nothing to sacrifice mental health over.  Usually its just the relative weight gain that upsets you.  You just have to learn that lots of things are going to change when you are diagnosed with a mental illness.  Me trying to constantly squeeze in my size 2's and xs shirts over and over again made me feel crappy.  But how many people can fit in that stuff anyway.  I should have just bought clothes that fit my new body and felt comfortable, as if a size 6 made me fat.  No big deal, the weight gain usually levels off anyway.  Besides, curves are better anyway!

I just finally stopped feeling bad for myself and decided I'm going to make better food choices while still allowing myself treats here and there (the only way to stick to a healthy eating schedule for life), and decided to go back to my old workout schedule I neglected with my deteriorating mental health.  I also decided that since that's all I can do, I would accept it if I couldn't get back to the old me all the way.  I would just buy clothes that fit to avoid the daily battle.

Oh, okay. I was perfectly willing to believe it -- it just hasn't been my experience. Good luck with the weight. Believe me, I really really can sympathize.