RIGHT HERE....WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT....YOU ARE VERY BRAVE TO SHARE WITH US...THATS A GOOD START...FIND SUPPORT GROUPS NEAR YOU...ANY WILL BE FINE....ON LINE IS GOOD TOO......HANG IN THERE....ASK, VENT, SHARE ALL YOU WANT TO.. IF YOU WANT TO BE FRIENDS THATS OK WITH ME,,,
ALICE

hi zeebee

i am sorry you're going through so much right now.

i think, like anything, you have to start small. start a routine that counts calories, and try to start an exercise regime. doesn't matter if it's five minutes of leg lifts, just something to get a rhythm established. increase by small amounts, and never do too much at once.

some members here swear by weight watchers. maybe it's something to look into.

the pill addiction needs professional help. talk to whoever's prescribing them and voice your concerns. start to ween.

i don't envy the work it's going to take, but it is not an impossible thing to achieve. just do it slowly and safely.

((((hugs))))

(((Hugs))) Baby steps...just a tiny bit at a time...Sometimes, I'll start to go outside for my usual smoke, and just once I'll pop a gum. So really I only cut out one smoke but its a start..

You can do it : )

Whenever I had the urge to eat, I went for a walk instead. I lost weight fast that way.

Also, if you seek in-patient treatment for the pills, not only will you be forced to go off the pills, but the time in the rehab will leave you with plenty of boredom to walk off. I lose weight every time I'm in the mental hospital because all there is to do is walk or exercise, and there is little access to snack foods.

Good luck! I bet if you stick to it, you will feel like a new woman in less than a week!

Start with the little boy in your avi. He looks like he could give someone a good workout. Do start slow - 15 minutes a day - play with him. Laugh and have fun. Dance.

If you don't smoke around him that would cut your smoking way back.

I realize it's easier said than done. But, if you are having a good time with it you are more likely to stick to it.

Oh Man!! Now, I need a kid to work me over. That sounded like fun.

I am trying to make some changes and I backslide occasionally. With food I try to be strict with myself M-F. If I want to treat myself on a weekend it is o.k. once in a while. Back to the grind on Monday.
Sounds like someone is already trying to help you budget your money. Stay away from the middle isles if you ever do get to shop. Or instruct the person shopping to start in the produce section first and shop the perimeter of the store. Stay away from processed foods of all kinds. No boxes and bags bottles or cans. I started swimming. It is something I loved in my youth. First I walked. Walking only requires shoes. It is cheap and that is the way I started. Chin up and best of luck to you.

Start with writing down changes..then do one.. one that you believe you can succeed at. Then the next. Its a journey.. go easy on you.. you've been thru a lot.

For the smoking have you tried the smokeless cigarette? Love that thing.. nicotine and no smoke. It takes just a little getting used to.. but once your on it. You don't even want a real cig..

Awww sweetie.. I'm sorry you've been struggling so much... Are you able to go for treatment?...
If not NA could help.. it will help with addictions period .. I have a really good friend in AA and it helped her with smoking as well..It's free there are meetings pretty much any time so it could be fit in to your schedule if you're interested in trying it..
I agree with the others try and work on one thing at a time and take baby steps so it doesn't overwhelm you..
Love and a huge hug for you sista..xo

hi, sorry about your troubles. If you have health insurance then I would suggest you look into something like a gastric band? Somehow I believe that would be most effective to get your health back.

Bump you know what I think hon.

Hang in there. You have a lot on your plate right now, and you cannot tackle everything at once. Small changes can make a big difference, though. And we are here to listen, support, and commiserate. I have a bunch of stuff going on right now too, and I love the support I get here. It is a special place. Putting yourself out there is a big first step, and i am proud of you for taking it!

Hey Chelle! :):) So glad to see you today.

Sorry things are getting more and more difficult for you - the older we get, the more we realize we Just Can't "let things go" and still have any sort of life left...I know, very well.

Whom are you seeing for your bipolar? A regular pdoc, and maybe a therapist too? If you are like me, you have some obsessive things going on in the mix, and the addictions you are describing are part of that.

Like, why chewing gum won't help, and just starting to exercise or cut down doesn't always work. I Get that, but there are ways to retrain your brain as well as the body to go a different direction.

I actually agree with SunCloud - those 12-step programs give some Good information and life skills that can help with mind-over-matter so that you become Strong enough to change your ways in real life!

I hope you can discuss these things Honestly with your doc/therapist, if you have ones that work with you as far as "symptoms" of bipolar, and ways to combat them.

Many hugs and love today -

Mary Anne

check also with a clinic about diabetes and thyroid issues

cute and burly men also get thyroid and diabetes issues when reaching the 40's mark

Chelle, you are going through a lot right now. My thought is that you need to start a monthly mood chart, and start keeping track of weight, exercise, triggers and progress with the getting off nicotine. Print up one, keep it in a handy place and start keeping track of everything and find the patterns.

When I started losing weight, I was 100 lbs overweight. All I could do was a few leg lifts on the bed. After a month, I started riding an exercise bike for 1 minute and it just about killed me. It took a while, but I lost 80 lbs, and now I ride 17 miles every other day, stretches daily and weights on alternate days. I have been doing this through thick and thin for 7 years. It also helps my mood, like no med ever did. Even though I still need to lose a few more pounds, the exercise alone has kept me much healthier than I was before.

It sounds like you have developed an addictive personality, which is impacting your health. I understand about the food thing. I only shop in the morning, when I am not craving, and buy healthy foods. So when I start thinking about sugar at night, there is none in the house to eat.

Definitely start with small steps - Do not smoke in a car or your home. Then find other places to restrict yourself. If you are extremely overweight, can you get help through the health department where you live? Menu planning and some coping skills when the cravings come.

Another thought that comes to mind about the overeating, is the meds might be triggering it. I take Imovane to sleep, a hypnotic like Ambien, and that is when I get up in the night to eat. So talk to your pdoc about a med change, if necessary.

Glad to see you back again.

Hey chelle!! I've missed you sweetie!!!

I wished I had some great words of wisdom but the only thing I can think of is also another 12 step program for over eating which is OA-Overeaters Anonymous to help with your food issues.

I lost a large amount of weight in the year before moving back to Florida in January, but have been slowly putting it back on. I know most of it is because of my depression from not being able to find a job and get my own apartment.

I have been considering OA and will let you know what I find out about it when I go to check them out.

I love you Chelle and am here if you need to talk, take care of yourself.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))