Mildly Triggering (ED) - Regulation not regimentation
Basically I've put on a bit of weight recently, enough so that I am now officially overweight, that may not be significant to a lot of people, but because of my past of having a restrictive eating disorder it does really matter to me.
The main reason is because of increased appetite due to my Amitriptyline (and also going home for Easter where my Mum always has loads of yummy food in!). Now I saw my psych today and I've been put on Quietapine aswell as the Amitriptyline, this also has side effects of weight gain.
He was saying that those who manage to control their weight when on medication are those who are really strict about avoiding carbs, those who plan their diets, those who count calories.
But I'm worried about doing that. Getting over my Bulimia is just about the only problem I've completely managed to do, the rest I'm still working on. But if I start making meal plans, counting calories and all that I worry that it would be far too easy to slip back into that restrictive mindset. Where I am at now I genuinely enjoy food and cooking and I don't want to lose that, however I don't want to continue to balloon.
I guess I'm wondering if anyone has any advice? How can I control my weight without becoming the food police? Or how can I be very controlling of my food intake without it becoming a problem again? It's a really difficult one as I know I have the propensity to fall back into old habits if I control my diet too much, but if I continue to expand then the temptation to heavily restrict will also increase.
I'm not sure what your meds are exactly for, but there are other meds out there for anxiety and BP (two main things Quietapine is used for).
Have you talked to your dr? Does s/he know about your past eating habits? Did you mention your concerns? if your answer is no-- change that. Tell him/her. Now.
Also, maybe look into other meds. I was on Zoloft & Celexa and gained a ton of weight (and now here I am on RYL because I wasn't as strong as you.) But, now I'm on Wellbutrin (which is also used for BP and anxiety like Quietapine, but also depression like Amitriptyline...) and it known to help with weight loss, naturally.
My point is tat there are tons of meds out there. Tell your psych, and consider a different med combo to help. Even if the meds don't help, maybe you can find ones that aren't making the issue worse.
*hug* I know it's hard when one problem gets fixed, but gets brought back as a side effect of other issues. Our minds are so, so tricky. :)
Would it be possible for you to speak to your doctor or see a dietician so that you can work to find a healthy balance? That way it wouldn't necessarily be you who has to count calories but instead find a healthy way to control your weight.
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I was going to suggest the same thing as Invert. But maybe talk to your doctor to get one specialzed in eating disorders because some dieticians can make you worse by restricting too much and not taking in count the fact that you have had eating issues.
As i think perhaps someone has said above maybe think about asking him to change it if this is really becoming a problem for you?
And maybe explain to him why.
In that you are scared where it might lead if you have to control your diet a lot cos of your meds since you have only just overcome an ED and dont want to go back to it and are worried you will if you have to do those things?
He should appreciate your honesty and as your psych im sure definitely wouldnt want to see you potentially going down that route again.
And especially with this especially when your medication is supposed to help you.
i do not always manage to be around but i wish you all the very best - love and luck to you all!
What about trying to reach your 10 000 steps a day, or a few hundred skips...build it up. Then its not a restricted eating pattern your getting into. And if you make an upper limit, make sure you dont go over it. x
Would it be possible for you to speak to your doctor or see a dietician so that you can work to find a healthy balance? That way it wouldn't necessarily be you who has to count calories but instead find a healthy way to control your weight.
This.
Maybe you could get a basic meal plan but not have calories or anything factoring into it. Then you know you're eating healthily without restricting calories?
