New Here and Frustrated

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2004
New Here and Frustrated
4
Tue, 05-03-2005 - 8:37pm
Hi! First of all thanks for reading my post. I am 29 years old and suffer from Bipolar Disorder and hypothyroidism. I weigh almost 400 lbs. I have been trying to lose weight off and on for about 5 years. I have followed almost every diet out there and I can lose weight, but not as fast as I can gain it back and then some. I am confused and frustrated. I don't know which diet to follow and when I ask my doctors they say oh just pick one and follow it and you'll see success. Well, that doesn't help me all that much. I know I am not going to be able to lose this weight without hard work and getting real about my weight. I don't want to do anything too drastic. Like I do not want gastric bypass surgery. Not only can I not afford it, I don't want to take the risk. Does anyone here have any words of wisdom??? Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2005
Tue, 05-03-2005 - 9:03pm
Hi, welcome to the board. We will give you unlimited support. Diets are different for everybody. Some do low carb, some count calories. Me? I'm right now just trying to control portion sizes. I used to eat about a quadruple portion of everything. Now, I'm at about double portions. I try to add one good thing each week--this week, I'm adding water. I have never drank water but I got a monster water jug for work. I added exercise last week--am doing about 2 days per week--maybe next week I'll try to increase that. I've been trying to lose for about 3 weeks and have lost about 5 pounds. I have 115 more to go. What kinds of diets have you lost weight on before?
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2003
Wed, 05-04-2005 - 11:11pm
Hi and Welcome. I am also hypothyroid and know how frustrating that can be. I think the key is finding something that you know you can follow for the rest of your life. I am currently doing weight watchers. I haven't had much success recently but I think that is because my thyroid is low again. My Dr. upped my meds so hopefully I will start having some success. The thing is you just can't give up. Every morning you have to wake up and say today I am going to eat well and exercise. If you have a bad day or week that is okay. Just start over again in the morning. Good luck and let us know how we can help. It is difficult, but I truly believe it is worth it in the end. sharla
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2004
Thu, 05-05-2005 - 1:25am

Hi!

SussieQ here,,,,I weigh 303 down from 312...and I have done low carb for dummys and WW is what I am currently doing....I too have not lost much...but that is my fault.

Currently I am having trouble controlling what I eat. I got the portions to the right size even thou I want to cut what I currently eat in half...

I think since you haven't really decided what diet to do yet maybe you should start with your portion sizes. Cut what you currently eat by half for a few weeks or even months. Rememmber it takes 21 days to make a habit.

One thing I have learned is that the only way to lose weight is portion control, exercise, and learn to eat more veggies and just a small portion of meat, chicken, etc.
Some of the ladies here can fill you in on more detailed menu.

Good luck...visit often for support and ideas.

SussieQ

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-14-2005
Thu, 05-05-2005 - 5:37am

HI newbie!

I too am hypothyroid and am bipolar. I gained weight because of my meds originally when I was diagnosed 5 years ago and it has put terrible strain on my weight. this is what worked for me then, Atkins /low calories 1200-1500 daily plus exercise 5 days a week(not at first mind you) So if you cut your carbs and count your calories , up your activety level It should work. I had tried Jenny Craig and only lost 6 pounds in one month. Doing it a la Atkins /lo cal made me lose 45 pounds in 60 days. Now that I am hypothyroid I am
going to do a less severe carb cut back and watch my calories and exercise for now because I have been so sick. I just want to take it slower this time around.. P.s Would you like to be my buddy? I know I feel a little intimadated but we do have a lot in common? Caudette

OH I forgot.I also got Fiber tablets before each meal to take with water to feel full. Completeley safe and good for you too. There is also GLUCOMANNAN which is also a fibre supplement but will bulk up to 50 times its volume when taken with a glass of water thus supressing appetite. In research people lost 5.5 pds more than those not taking it. Good stuff . BE care careful Never take 1-2 hours before your medications. It will interfere with the absorption. Hope to hear from you...

Edited 5/5/2005 8:44 am ET ET by marieriver

Edited 5/5/2005 8:45 am ET ET by marieriver




Edited 5/5/2005 8:46 am ET ET by marieriver