Tips For Weight Loss When You Have Bipolar Disorder
It's that time of year again! The time for the traditional New Year's Resolution.
If you're considering making a resolution to fight some of the weight gain triggered by the medication you take for your bipolar disorder, but fear another year of not meeting your goals, take heart.
It's tough enough for any individual to lose weight, let alone battle weight gain brought on by the need to take prescription drugs for bipolar disorder medication. You can do it, though. All you need is a little dedication and exposure to a few secrets to help to keep you on track.
Below are some tips to help you achieve your goals in losing that weight related to your bipolar disorder medication.
1) Define your goals.
You'll naturally start with how much weight you'd like to lose. To decide on your ideal weight you can check the internet for those weight and height charts. That's not to say that your goal for losing your bipolar disorder related weight will be the ideal weight. Choose a goal you're comfortable. It may as few as five pounds or as many as 60.
Next, decide how you will lose that weight you've gained because you've been taking your medications for bipolar disorder. Is it through diet only? If so, what changes do you plan to make in your eating habits? If you plan to reduce your dependence on processed and packaged foods, write this down. Are you planning to reduce your consumption of salt? You can even jot down any strides you want to make in a planned exercise program to assist in losing some of the weight related to your bipolar disorder medication. Make a note of everything here.
At this point, don't worry about the number of your goals right now. Just write them down. Later, you're going to decide on a time frame for instituting them all. For now, just concentrate on how you're going to shed those pounds you've gained because of your bipolar disorder medicine.
2) Write your goals down.
Write them down. But don't just scribble them somewhere and stuff them into a drawer. Write your goals down in the form of a binding contract or a promise to yourself. Then put it in a location in your house where you'll see it everyday. Better yet, post it in several locations.
One of the best locations for goals related to weight loss due to bipolar disorder drugs is the refrigerator. This way you are reminded of your goals every time you reach for something to eat.
2) Set a timeframe.
Once you know how much weight you want to lose and how you plan to do it, set a timeframe. Don't try to change all of your habits at one time. Perhaps the first week or month you'll concentrate on eating five helpings of fruits and vegetables. Nothing more. Once you feel as if you have conquered one goal, go on to the next in losing the weight you've gained because of your bipolar disorder treatment.
Be open-minded about your time frame. If you miss a date, don't through your entire plan away. Just adjust it some. Remember that the weight you've gained is from your need to take your medications to successfully manage your bipolar disorder. Don't berate yourself if your progress is slower than you'd like. If you stick with it, the weight will come off.
3) Set intermediate goals.
Want to lose 15 pounds of that weight you've gained to your bipolar disorder medication medications? Break this weight down into smaller, more easily managed portions. Set a goal to have perhaps three or five pounds.
4) Make your goals reasonable.
The weight you're trying to lose - that related to the drugs you must take for your bipolar disorder - may be tougher to lose than most. But it can be done. Just set reasonable goals. Give yourself time. Weight loss - no matter the origin - doesn't happen over night.
