I never had a weight problem before taking antipsychotic medication. Promptly after taking antipsychotics and neuroleptics, I gained 10 lbs a month until I had ballooned 90 lbs. I have only been able to lose 15-20 lbs since despite great discipline and my exercise program because I cannot adequately curb my appetite. That weight was shed after taking Geodon, an atypical antipsychotic which has been shown to not cause weight gain.
In my closet I have clothes ranging in size from 4 to 22. I almost hate the idea of losing all of the weight right now, because I have invested so much money in plus-size clothing. As I am not yet able to return to work full-time, I fortunately do not have a complete wardrobe in every size. Just a few pieces to get me through, and then I resort to black jeans in three seasons, and khaki shorts in the summer most days of the week.
The only thing I like about being heavy is that I am no longer being pestered by men. I couldn't even walk down the corridor at work, get into my pew at church, or walk down the sidewalk to mail a letter without men coming up to me—either trying to attract my attention, or outright assaulting me. I used to dread leaving home because I am a shy and quiet young woman with only one man in her life and that for more than two decades. Being fat has only one distinct advantage—it repels the kind of man that every girl should avoid.
When you are thirsty, it is torture not to drink something. When you are hungry, you want to eat something. It is easy for a few hundred calories on top of three balanced meals to put on pounds. Antipsychotics, for some reason, increase appetite. I never had a problem with appetite until I started taking them for my bipolar II disorder. The lithium, which I originally took alone until my diagnosis was confirmed, did not cause my weight gain. One of my doctors assures me that Depakote and Zyprexa (both mood stabilizers) also cause heavy weight gain and even encourage diabetes.
My weight has made climbing stairs and such intensive athletic activities as dancing, jogging, hiking, and cycling impossible for me. For years, I have had to resort to strolling around town, walking on a treadmill, or swimming for exercise.
My blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other blood work all remain, thankfully, very good, because I exercise and eat a good, balanced diet. My problem is that I eat too much healthy food.
My internist finally referred me to a nutritionist. Going to a nutritionist was the best thing I have done in my life, after getting treatment for my mental illness. My nutritionist put me on the "United States Recommended Daily Allowance (USRDA) Diet" with an allowance of 1600 calories per day. I was given a log sheet to photocopy for charting the foods and liquids consumed daily. A "Daily Meal Planner," "Combination Food List," and "Food Group Exchanger" would help with the charting.
I was permitted six ounces of protein (1 ½ times the palm of one's hand), two dairy portions, seven starch portions, four vegetable portions, four fruit portions, four fat portions, and at least eight glasses of water each day.
I noticed when charting my food groups that in the past I had been making the mistake of eating too much starch (i.e., carbohydrate) and fat (indeed, twice the amount of starch and fat advised), and too little protein, vegetables, and fruits. As I increased my protein, I noticed immediately that I had better immunity from viruses and that I felt stronger, more solid, and more "well." As I increased my vegetables and fruits, I noticed their antipsychotic effects—they calmed, sedated, and "grounded" me. The starches that I had been gorging on were but empty calories—they made me gain weight and never made me feel full. I would be hungry again soon after eating them. Lowering carbohydrates further to a mere 4-5 servings a day helped me to take off more pounds.
The protein, however, made me feel satisfied and full. With more protein, I craved far less carbohydrates and fat. My cholesterol went down a bit (10 pts.) with this diet, even though I was consuming a lot of dairy, fat, and meat. My hemoglobin was up 2 ½ points in four months.
It is best, if one must go over, to eat too many vegetables and fruits, not protein and fats. You can keep a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter. Dried fruits and canned fruits are also handy in case there is nothing fresh at the market. Canned, or frozen vegetables are great when you cannot find anything fresh, or don't have the time to cook fresh produce. Vegetables and fruits are like medicine—they help us to stay balanced.
If you must have something sweet (starch), then buy one portion only (such as one cookie, or candy bar), instead of a whole box to minimize calories and avoid having to finish it all off later. Drink only diet drinks, unsweetened tea, or coffee, and water. Sodas and fruit juices are full of calories. A small portion of fruit juice (4 ounces) can be considered as one serving of fruit.
Try to avoid fatty fried foods such as: hamburgers, French fries, and fried chicken. Roast, bake, boil, broil, or sauté with a small amount of olive oil instead of deep fat frying, and steam your salmon fillets. Fish oils (omega three fatty acids from salmon, mackerel, and tuna) help to reduce bad LDL cholesterol. Fats and starches really add up, if you don't watch them. They provide energy, but they do not fill us up, and they affect cholesterol and weight.
Be sure to eat your servings of dairy to get your daily calcium for the benefit of your bones. Dairy also helps to soothe your stomach lining which may be irritated from the medication.
Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily to flush out toxins and help with appetite. Our bodies are 90% water.
Vitamins were recommended by one of my best psychiatrists. He said that a good USRDA multivitamin, 500 mg of vitamin C, 200-400 I.U. of vitamin E, and omega 3 fatty acids taken daily have been shown in research to reduce depression. I find that when I take multivitamins, I feel calmer. I also think they help with the immune system. Have a happier, healthier life!