Saturday, May 18, 2019

Mindful Eating for Bipolar Disorder & Exercise

"How do different foods affect mood? It’s an important question when you are trying to keep bipolar disorder in balance, and one that science has been striving to answer—with varying results.
"The current consensus seems to be that no one food is as important as good eating habits overall." 1.


This is the way I am getting back into shape.  Back around 2004, I started a diet not unlike what's described in the link above- salmon, whole grains, natural peanut butter, lots of fruit smoothies, no alcohol and very little caffeine.  I rode my bike every other day and lost 60 pounds.  Now, I am on the same track to lose the Zyprexa (and Depakote) weight.  So far, from my highest, I've lost 15 or 20 pounds.  I've been walking and riding my bike this Spring- and what a gorgeous Spring it has been!

As much as I would like to eat salmon and/or take fish oil supplements for the Omega-3's, I have developed a seafood allergy since 2004: even the smallest amount that touches my lips or tongue and I immediately swell up.  I have an epipen and benedryl just in case.  Why do I say 2004?  Well, that was about the time that I not only lost weight, but 2005 is when I had elective surgery and ended up with multiple pulmonary emboli- blood clots in my lungs.  I was told I couldn't take judo anymore, and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and started on Depakote.  I have a vivid memory of taking my first pill- a large, gray-blue-ish oblong tablet- and thinking "Once I take this, I'm going to gain weight..."  I tried jumping back into judo a year ago, but I was too out of shape and everything felt wrong with the large amount of extra weight. 

Now, I hope to lose the weight first and then go back, brisk walking and bike riding.  What's more, I am doing all this to cure myself of fatty liver disease.  I have an appointment in August for a check-in.  So far, my clothes fit better but the scale won't budge.  Time to step up my game!

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