Bipolar Support Group

I was on Depakote for 3 years and I blew up to a magnificent 226 pounds. I am 5'10" and I have never weighed this much. I gained a total of 50 pounds.

In Janauary I started a diet plan that was very effective. I bought my favorate yoplait yogurt with fresh strawberrys in it which costs $.60 and a box of fred meyer brand oatmeal for $1.78 per box. The oatmeal is peaches n cream, banana's n cream, blueberry's n cream and strawberry's n cream. The flavor of the oatmeal is important because its easy to get sick of oatmeal.

Fred Meyers sells Michelina's Budget Gourmet meals for $1.00 a piece and they go on sale for $.88 sometimes. The meals on average are 280 calories and they have a big variety of different meals so you dont get sick of any of them. All of the food tastes outstanding.

I was off of depakote for 6 months and now taking Lamictal and my weight didnt budge. So I made a plan to start losing weight in mid January.

In order to maintain your weight you must eat 2000 calories a day. My plan was to eat 700-1300 calories a day depending on how hungry I was on any given day. The interesting things about dieting is that when you start eating less your stomach shrinks. Now this plan is for you to take advantage of.

I eat to yogurts in the morning followed by two packages of oatmeal. I am very full and I do not eat until 2-3pm. The I eat a Michelinas for lunch. When dinner comes I eat another michelinas and sometimes I may add a piece of bread or a bowl of oatmeal with my meal. After its all chalked up, you ate about 1300 calories and you did not starve to death. Believe me, this really works.

If you dont like michelinas you can always fix smaller portions for lunch and dinner. Stay away from fast food. I have it 3 times a months and thats it.

In 5 months Ive lost 33 pounds. I weigh 194 pounds right now and my target weight is 175pounds. Just another 19 pounds and I will have my 6 pack back. Im very excited.

Please put a sticky on this post so other can try this diet. The great thing is you can eat what you want on this diet. You just got to keep the portions down to about 300 calories. The hardest part about this diet is that you have to count your calories everyday.

I guarantee you that you will lose weight in no time. I should hit my target weight by the start of summer just like I planned it. Good luck to you. I know you can do it!

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/bipolar-support-forums/ lounge/491823-weight-loss-support/limitstart/660

Just want everyone to know that we have set up that thread to give one another support in trying to lose weight gain from medications and depression related eating. Join us there for the support you are seeking. The more that post there the better.

I went about it a different way, I worked out. I kept eating about the same, no huge meals, but I cut out drinking any regular sodas and always had diet soda. That can save hundreds of calories a day right there.

When I went to the gym, I would run a quarter mile on the treadmill at a 5.5 speed, then I would hit the weights pretty hard. I would lift 2 arm lifts everytime and 2 leg lefts. My thinking was if I increased my muscle, my body would burn more calories to maintain that muscle. It worked pretty good. I lost several pounds every month without having to give up any of the good tasting foods I loved.

Presently though, I'm trying to work off 7 pounds I put on in a big hurry recently. This time I'm trying to do it without going to the gym. I can't afford the gym anymore with a baby coming so I'm figuring long walks may have to come to the rescue.

Post edited by: Elmstreet007, at: 05/13/2011 06:44 AM

Congrats again!!!! Keep up the great work!!