Kirstie and Maks: Bipolar Disorder Weight Loss Inspiration!

Sometimes a picture does more than any book:  Kirstie  Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy on Dancing with the Stars. I know she doesn’t have bipolar, but… she has had a lot of very honest conversations about her weight issues. I admire that.

Kirsty looks great- and of course, Maks never needs to change! (Yes, I’m a DWTS geek!)  

So many of us with bipolar disorder, myself included struggle with our weight. I like looking at pictures of someone who is doing something about it! We probably can’t dance for a zillion hours every day- but we can walk and do all of the other good stuff!

Julie

Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy





A medications and weight gain newsletter is coming soon!

My counter once looked like this! Just kidding.

Yes, after a brief hiatus the newsletter will be out soon. This is a great one: a four part series on bipolar disorder medications and weight gain. What a topic. I know it has been a serious worry of mine since I started medications in 1995.

The newsletter series explains the ins and outs of the weight gain, tells lots of stories and offers ideas on how to stay on bipolar meds and maintain a healthy body. I also cover the topic of metabolic syndrome. It is for those with the illness as well as family members, partners, friends and health care professionals.

Let’s work together on this. It’s a serious issue in so many ways. We need a plan that covers all areas of bipolar disorder management- and an essential part of the plan is [ Read More ]





Posted on November 3rd, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: Medications

Reader Question: The Bipolar Antipsychotic and Weight Gain Dilemma

Here is a question about the antipsychotic Seroquel and weight gain.

Hi Julie,

I have been on Seroquel for over 5 years now. I have Bipolar with psychosis. I am tired of the weight gain fight. Seroquel has been very affective in controlling the psychosis which I have frequently. Is there anything that can replace the Seroquel in controlling the psychosis without the weight gain?

Stinker

Hi There Stinker,

Here is a short answer to your question:

Maybe.

Everyone responds differently to antipsychotics.  Most gain wait on them, but some don’t. It’s very, very well documented for example that Zyprexa has an average 20 lb weight gain.  Seroquel, Risperdal, and the other atypical antipsychotics are known for weight gain around the stomach. This leads to a complication called Metabolic Syndrome- I wrote quite a great article on this last year for www.healthyplace.com if you want to read more about it. Just type in Julie Fast [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder and Weight Gain: Reader Story

I just received the following comment from Suzanne:

Hi Julie,

Like everyone here who has responded I’ve gained weight on my meds–50 lbs. in about 12 yrs. & now am on meds for high blood pressure & high cholesterol & am testing in the diabetic range (both parents were diabetic). I actually had a very bad relapse 3 yrs. ago (suicide attempt) when husband told me he no longer found me sexually attractive due to weight gain (well, duh, it was pretty obvious & since my self-esteem has pretty much always been in the gutter, that remark put me into the sewer system w/the rats). Have been in individual therapy & DBT since then & husband didn’t know my reaction would be so dramatic & self-destructive (as he is “normal”) & he has much remorse & is being very supportive & helpful in repairing our relationship (just celebrated 36 yrs. of marriage). Weight gain is [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder and Weight Management Group

I am testing out a four part weight management plan for people with bipolar disorder. It’s a comprehensive program that covers management of the illness, medications, lifestyle choices and actual diet. All of the stuff that gets very negatively affected  when we have mood swings. 

I will start the pilot program in May. Please send me an email through the comment button if you would like to know more.  I will read all of the comments, but will not post them.

I know there is a way for us to manage our weight while we manage bipolar disorder. And it’s not only about the food we eat.  There are so many ways the illness and the medications affect our bodies- from metabolic syndrome to using sugar as a treatment for depression- I am going to find a way to make us all healthy and lean. 

Julie

PS: I have received  many replies to this post. I [ Read More ]





Posted on March 25th, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: Uncategorized