WALKING! I think it's the best. I've put on 40 pounds on Seroquel and then it just makes depression worse and harder to get motivated. Don't beat yourself up over the weight gain. It's pretty common with these medications. You are not alone in this.

big hugs to you...

Thank you! It's SO frustrating but it always makes me feel better knowing I'm not alone. Has the walking helped with weight loss or just generally feeling better?

Nah, I haven't lost weight but it's just a good way to clear the mind. I'm still working on an exercise regime...I'm uncomfortable in gyms!

I detest gyms. LOL
My issue is finding the right motivation and keeping energy to actually exercise. I'm frustrated with it yet I continue to do nothing.

Lithium.... I put on 80 pounds in 3 months.
My diet didn't change, I was working and very active.

I lost some weight when I was put on Topamax ...but got so stupid I couldn't function.

I now take Depakote..the weight came back, but it has leveled off.

I do the On Line YouTube Video

Walking Away The Pounds With Leslie Sansone

That keeps me weight level, and a bit more fit.

But yea, the motivation is hard to muster up

Do you like workout videos? A friend lent me Valerie Bertineli's and it was really fun and low key. I'm not a big workout video person since I don't really have the space but there are some good ones. How about laughing with Richard Simmons Sweatin to the Oldies?

Lithium is one that's definitely known for weight gain. It can be a great drug for people, but everything has a downside too, right?

I've been trying to get back into exercising as well, and starting out walking has been good. I don't mosey, I go as fast as I can if I maintain it for the whole walk (does that make sense? Don't start out fast and slow down, choose a pace that you can keep). You don't have to walk miles either, start out just around the block and increase the distance when you're ready. As long as you do it most days you should see some results.

I lost weight on Lithium and soon as I stopped Depakote the pounds came off in 3 weeks. I gained like 10# in a month and said no more! Then went to Lithium. I am on Lamictal no side effects and helps me concentrate!

Yes, I gained some weight on lithium-let's see, between Depakote and lithium, maybe about 45 pounds. I am now on mirtazapine, and even though the scale says about the same, I feel a little more motivated, I seem to walk faster and want to walk some more, and I feel like some water weight (I was retaining water kind bad) has left, and my stomach feels flatter, more comfortable, and fingers, and feet feel less puffy.

Yes, depression can make it hard to do anything and I have times like that each day still...

hope this helps, good luck!

Yes it happens slowly though, not like antipsychotics.. its easy to keep on top of it if you try.. but if you dont watch it - yep it will creep up on you.. (it has on me too..) blah.