Bipolar and Weight Loss Comment from Lyn

This reader comment from Lyn is so helpful, I had to put it up top! Thanks Lynn- these are great suggestions.

Julie,

I have always had a weight problem, I am very large, but I gained 40 pounds when I finally got diagnosed and put on meds, and played with them until they got it right. This year so far I have lost 30 pounds. I did just a few things differently and it seems to have had a ripple effect. I stopped buying sugar in bulk and changed to packets, and started using a sweetener. I add a small amount of sugar to the sweetner when I add it to something hot since heat makes the sweetner taste flat unless I do. This way I feel like my hot cocoa and homemade puddings are still tasty treats. I also stopped buying butter/margerine. I used this in baking and I did a lot of that, and now I can’t. I have found I eat less bread now, who knew I only like butter on my bread! The last change is I put my upbeat music in my MP-3 player and I move a bit faster, and sometimes even dance about. (upbeat music is very irritating when I am depressed but I do it anyway) I do not have rules like diets, I just changed the 2 things; not buying those two things has made a difference. No guilt, since no rules. Guilt kills self-esteem and promotes depression. I have slowly seen a change in my eating habits, portion sizes, and junk food purchases. My doctor wants me to loose 10 pounds a year, and no pressure. That really helps too, she accepts slow loss. And I always remember, you cannot lose weight if you do not eat. So even when I do not want to eat, I do.