I could use some support

Janellew86
Janellew86 Posts: 50 Member
in Motivation and Support

I'm 38, female. 5'8 and weigh 270 pounds. Short term I'd like to get down to 230. Longer term I'd like to get down to 205 or back to 150 pretty much my lowest adult weight. I have schizophrenia so I take psych meds including haldol injection, duloxetine, and buspar. I struggle with eating a lot and also with alcohol addiction. I've been consistently tracking what I intake. I also drink sodas, but if it will help me lose I will kick them to the curb again. It's hard because I live with my mom and brother so I can't control everything food that comes into the house or is cooked. Brother recently moved back in...and he buys sodas. If I can just tell myself those are his and my mom's not to drink them maybe I will have success. I buy some groceries too. I just binge drank last night after a month and a half sober. I gave into cravings drank a pint of whiskey a weekend ago then I drank a tall smirnoff screwdriver Friday and I guess that set me off into drinking again. I've been binge eating ever since I started on buspar. Instead of just the weekends it's been all week. I can't get full. I also think I'm about to start my monthly again. I did a short walk this morning after my hangover this morning. Also did a 10min beginners walking workout. I'm thinking about buying some fitness equipment so I can workout from home like resistance bands, pilate type stuff etc. I'm extremely limited on space. Just need some advice from someone who either started out heavy, on meds, dealing with substances, out of shape, etc. I work 40 hours a week on my feet in a factory. Monday-Friday. Have time after work to workout or before work if I get equipment.

Replies

  • totameafox
    totameafox Posts: 1,278 Member

    It is possible to drink soda and lose weight. You just need to switch to zero calorie sodas. I drink coke zero and water with a berry flavor added to it. I think you have alot going on. It might get to be overwhelming. Just make simple changes. One or two each week. That will give you time to learn about what you need to do and to get used to them without having to juggle so much at once.

    If you have a therapist, I would suggest talking to them about life skills that you can use not to go back to drinking when you are stressed out. But the biggest thing is not to give up. One bad moment doesn't have to cascade into a bunch of them.

  • Mardes23
    Mardes23 Posts: 7 Member

    You're On heavy meds and holding down a full time job. That is amazing. Way too go. DBT therapy is helping me with my addiction. Just don't give up. You messed up that is OK. Get back on track one step at a time. Buspar is a pain. The trick I used is the tried and true method of Mindfulness and putting utensil down between bites. Taking time to pick all the flavors out in each bite. Also use 8in plate and allow yourself seconds only if you are less than half full. I am not good at this yet but it does help a lot.

  • SwankyTomato
    SwankyTomato Posts: 444 Member

    I am trying to cut back on the diet soda. I have figured out if my ice water is super cold with ice, it is easier to drink. Picking 1 thing to work on at a time can simplify your journey. I quit sugar soda and didn't lose a pound. I quit those because it is 58gram of sugar and I am 60yo. I would rather eat CAKE, lol.

  • lilpoindexter
    lilpoindexter Posts: 1,123 Member

    Track everything that goes into your mouth religiously. Everything, every ketchup packet, every drink, everything. I understand as I have people that bring in bad foods into the house…it would be easier if I lived alone, I just wouldnt buy junk foods, and just not have them in the house.

  • csplatt
    csplatt Posts: 1,279 Member
    edited March 29

    Is there a way to cook for yourself instead of eat family meals? If it would interrupt quality family time, you could cook your meal side by side with family members as they cook theirs, then you can eat together but separate dishes. Have you tried switching to La Croix? Once I got onto those, regular sodas actually didn’t even taste good to me anymore. Try pre logging everything you plan to eat for the day either in the morning or the day before. Then you’ve already done all the decision making so you won’t need to make a snap decision when you walk through the kitchen. You just look at your plan for the day and pick something from the log.

  • Janellew86
    Janellew86 Posts: 50 Member

    Down to 265 today. I've just now switched from lightly active to sedentary in my goals. Joined the gym Friday. Going to search for workouts. Planning to go before work in the mornings.

  • Mercenna42
    Mercenna42 Posts: 12 Member

    Hi👋 Just wanted to give you a big congrats on working on your drinking. Addiction is a tough beast especially when it’s combined with other life stressors including mental health struggles. I hope you have lots of support. Of course counseling and self help groups can be great resources.

    For limited space, I recommend YouTube walking workouts - I love Grow with Jo and The Body Project! ☺️

  • x4pqp7fyvh
    x4pqp7fyvh Posts: 2 Member

    My heart goes out to you! Please, please, please give up the soda and the alcohol. They are appetite stimulants and even worse they are KILLING your metabolism and therefore your brain. Metabolism simply put is they way your body uses energy. Your brain is only 2-3% of your body weight yet consumes 20-30% of our energy needs. If your body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs to support healthy metabolism, your brain definitely isn’t. There is a high probability your mental health issues will improve by doing so. I’m a family nurse practitioner and I have a child who struggles with severe mental illness and the change in diet has changed her world! She works part time and is looking forward to a promotion as assistant manager, she’s a full time college student and on the Dean’s list and most importantly she’s happy and clear! Big change from multiple hospitalizations, not being able to get out bed and maniac rages. We have long known ketogenic diet have a direct affect on the brain and improving its function. Most notable are the studies done on drug resistant seizure disorders that our resistant to medication that resolve or dramatically improve with ketogenic diet. Please take a look Christopher Palmer MD and Georgia Ede on YouTube. Please share with your family so they know the harm this garbage is doing to you and them. Also El Susto was a great movie and you can find it on YouTube. Made me so mad I finally gave up soda after 40 years!!!

    Good luck to you love!

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