Excited to start this new adventure, I want to live long enough to see my grandkids grow up!

abbycassidy1

My name is Abby, I have in the past four years gained 50 pounds, depression, and being bipolar has put me on some nasty meds that not only make me retain water, but gain weight. Depression alone makes one's activity from a little to none at all. I am looking forward to changing my life to become healthier and happier! I have had meds decreased as much as safely can be done, as mental health is equally important! I am hoping this site will help me with accountablility, also watch as others succeed will encourage my journey! I hope to talk with some here, so difficult finding weight loss buddies, hopefully this will help! (*)

Geekymonkey99

Welcome! You're on track with knowing you need weight loss buddies. If you can, keep searching for local friends to workout with to keep you accountable and give you a reason to get up and go, because I know from experience that depression makes it extremely hard to do the smallest tasks, and it's easy to make excuses to miss "just one" workout or go over on calories "just one" day. If I didn't schedule regular exercise with my friends, I would never do it. I understand your desire to decrease your meds, but keep in mind that the more mentally healthy you are, the more you will want to do what you need for your physical health. If you don't feel that what you're currently on is helping your mood, it's also possible that you might need to change them, so perhaps discuss that with your doctor.

Fifty pounds is very doable. Just take it one day at a time. Good luck!

abbycassidy1

Awe, your so so sweet, thank you! The truth be known 80 pounds is really the amount I would like to lose, but starting with the 50 pounds then seeing how well I keep it off, and to continue on the right path with lifestyle changes. You really sound like you know and understand the 'meds' end of the deal, and yes your so right, mental health is as important as physical health, my p-doc and I have already started to tweak the meds, he also said becoming more healthy will help change my moods for the better! thanks so much!

Geekymonkey99

Yep, they both go hand in hand! Exercise improves my mood, and meds improve my mood enough to give me motivation to exercise and make it so I don't turn to food for comfort a much. Thanks for the friend request! I hope we can keep each other motivated!

Italianoparmesano

I just started and am getting familiar with the app. I have done WW's before and made it to lifetime membership, only to gain it all back. Ugh! Tired of paying money to lose! I totally understand what you are going through with the meds! I suffer from schizophrenia, but am able to function and live a "normal" life with the help of medication. I have been up and down (mostly up) with my weight as a result of the meds causing increased appetite/weight gain. When I have a set-back I go into depression and food becomes a comfort. Right now my med cocktail is working and I have some motivation. This site is GREAT! It is similar to WW's online app, but better! The online food database is awesome! I haven't started moving yet, but for me its always the hardest in the beginning. I will get there eventually. I have about 100 lbs to lose, so I'm in the same boat with you! Small, realistic goals is key for me. Trying to figure the rest of this site out, as your post was the first I read. Hope to hear from you again, as we have a lot in common! We can do this!

abbycassidy1

Italianoparmesano wrote: »

I just started and am getting familiar with the app. I have done WW's before and made it to lifetime membership, only to gain it all back. Ugh! Tired of paying money to lose! I totally understand what you are going through with the meds! I suffer from schizophrenia, but am able to function and live a "normal" life with the help of medication. I have been up and down (mostly up) with my weight as a result of the meds causing increased appetite/weight gain. When I have a set-back I go into depression and food becomes a comfort. Right now my med cocktail is working and I have some motivation. This site is GREAT! It is similar to WW's online app, but better! The online food database is awesome! I haven't started moving yet, but for me its always the hardest in the beginning. I will get there eventually. I have about 100 lbs to lose, so I'm in the same boat with you! Small, realistic goals is key for me. Trying to figure the rest of this site out, as your post was the first I read. Hope to hear from you again, as we have a lot in common! We can do this!

'

Wow, lol, you and I definitely have much in common! Lithium, Serequel, Welbutrin, and a number of others, p-doc and I are tweaking the meds, so down on the main ones, and yeah, when I am depressed, I can stay in bed 24/7, but how unhealthy is that? Since on meds my bipolar has been kept pretty well even keeled ............ but no mania, no energy! Hopefully the lamotragine helps with that! I know about the spending money, first of all there is too little of it, lol. I am thinking about joining a She's Fit gym, $20.00 a month unlimited gym and tanning (I don't tan as a rule, but once a week would help with moods, our weather is rain rain rain all winter) No contract too, so if I don't go, I won't lose out! I have 80 pounds to lose, and feel both scared and excited. So thankful for your message, good to know someone else out their with similar problems, hope you don't mind if I add you as a friend, perhaps we can help each other