cocoa8488,

Weight loss can definitely be frustrating.  The first thing you want to do is ensure that you are eating the appropriate amount for your current size.  Based on your weight and height, you should be eating 1700-1900 calories per day.  Eating too little can hinder weight loss.  Also, be sure to eat breakfast within an hour of waking up, and then continue to eat every 2-3 hours from there.  This helps to keep your metabolism moving, and also helps to control hunger and overeating later on.  The other item you want to focus on is exercise.  I know it is hard to create a routine and stick to it, but it is important to make the effort to see if the weight loss is truly hindered by your medications, or if you just need to adjust your diet and exercise.  Now that the summer is here, try to go for those walks that you love.  If you can just get in a small walk each day, that will help. 

Finally, you may also want to talk to your doctor.  Perhaps your doctor can suggest another medication that could help you without the weight gain side effect.

Sincerely,

Ali Auerbach, MS, RD

Registered Dietitian

I am 51 years old, I am 5ft. 8in, and weigh approx. 209lbs..  For years (decades) I have had the problem of really trying hard to lose weight and then finally losing one or two pounds only to gain back three the next day.  I should mention also that I take divalproex sodium (depakote- an antiseizure medication with the side effect of weight gain) at a dose of 750mg./day- I've taken it for 25years.  Recently I went through a major bout of severe depression for about the last 18months (as a result I gained 20 lbs.) but now I feel that is behind me and I would like to shed some of this extra tonnage.  Nothing I am doing seems to work.  It's the same old story.  I lose a couple of pounds only to gain it all back unexplicably.  I would really like to lose weight, can you please give me some good, practical advice.  I usually drink a S-F shake for breakfast, eat a weight-loss bar at about noon and eat another at about 4:00, followed by a regular (small portions of what I fix the rest of the family) dinner.  I am not good about drinking water but the pop I drink is always diet pop.  If I am going to drink water it is usually water with flavoring added.   I try to exercise but am not real good about doing it regularly.  I live in MN so there is precious little time to do what I love, which is to walk outside.