I used to be a massive gym rat and I was in amazing shape (really) before my first episode and meds. Now, after being on meds and gaining 30 pounds (I’ve lost 15 since my meds were reduced) and having low energy, I can barely drag myself to the gym twice a week. I am nowhere near as strong and my workouts are more obligatory and less fun. I would like to get back to being a healthy gym go’er but I’m struggling. Do you work out? How often? Is it hard to get yourself to go?
I was in decent shape until meds packed about 20lbs all into my belly. I have been getting back on track working out and such but some days I am just too tired. I am doing a forum fitness challenge and trying to workout every day starting now. However in the past probably twice a week. During the gain I never worked out…
I try to get myself to hear an audio book or something when I work out, it makes me more likely to do it again.
2 Likes
Before I became ill I was a bit of a gym rat. I’m trying to get back into jogging, i’ve been out 4 times now in the past week and a half. It’s kind of difficult and part of me is saying whats the point in doing this.
I have a massive elliptical machine sitting in my bedroom and I don’t want to get on it at all. Hopefully when I start working full time I will be more determined.
I mostly bike. Sometimes I do HIIT workouts on the elliptical.
Literally in the same boat as you. I used to go to the gym 5x a week. Now i’m just too fatigued, low energy to even think about working out.
I’m lowering my Abilify dose to 5 mg so i’m hoping I can get my energy back , atleast enough to hit the gym again.
I used to work out 7days a week but the medication and the condition have made it impossible.
I also seem to have put a lot of weight gain on to my stomach.
A lot of the time my stomach sticks out more/past my breast so people have asked if im pregnant.
I usually go to gym once a week for 2 hours.
Ride once week.
dance one week.
3x exercise a week.
Gym can be awsome but i prefer classes with music and instructors pushing you on and showing moves.
I do pump and a type of aerobics similar class.
I want to do more but even when i was jogging app 8 km to wiifit 4 times a week i still did not lose weight.
I might like to start yoga, spinning and should jog along beach followed by dip but some thing keeps me from it.
I would love to start the day with jog n dip n then healthy breakfast.
When my mum visited she would do yoga on the beach early morning. she drove down.
I dont know what times they do this and if i could be welcome in group to participate but could be nice way start day.
1 Like
I have the same issue. I suck mine in to prevent people from thinking I’m pregnant as that is embarrassing. The belly has given me back pains that I should not have at this age and made it hard to find fitting clothes. My waist is now at least 40 inches around the belly button. Did yours start after what meds? My meds are abilify and Zoloft.
Apparently it is more common than I thought from Stomach Weight Issues
I work out ever so little - probably 15 min. every three weeks. I used to work out a lot more than that, but the med’s keep me from working out even a fraction of what I did then. I messed up my knee, and that makes it even harder to work out. I did some rope jumping, and when I quit my right knee suddenly got very stiff. I didn’t feel anything happen in my knee - like a ping, or a shift in cartiledge, but when I quit the knee really stiffened up. Also, I have back problems, which makes ordinary chores like mowing and cleaning the bathrooms much harder, but I bought a bunch of generic Aleve - Naproxen, and that makes it easier to do those chores. I’m turning into a Naproxen junkie.
1 Like
My weight is all over. I went to the gym today after posting the question. Did about 30-40 minutes of a marginal workout but it’s better than nothing. I weighed myself too and I am up 3 pours over the last time I worked out. Argh… I am up exactly 20 pounds from when I was first hospitalized. I was 122 with my clothes on and now I am 142. Sucks.
I meant my weight gain is all over my body. It’s not just in one place. Not ‘my weight is all over’
Never used to work out and was a physical specimen at times in my life, thanks to sports and a job that kept me in great shape. Since not working for about 2 years now and the effects of the meds i originally gained 35-40 lbs all in my stomach and ass. Trying to get back to my former self but motivation is very difficult. Last week just picked up a heavy bag (have yet to hang it tho) and yesterday grabbed some of my old weights from high school at my parents house. Next week i hope to be on a solid regiment and on my way to thin and trim. Im so tired of my clothes not fitting that i am forcing myself to get in shape. We will have to see how i respond i guess. Time will tell.
My work is my work out, been moving heavy stuff for 20 years now, everyday mostly. I laugh when I say how stiff and sore I am, then people suggest I work out, even though I have already moved 5 to 7 tons in the day. Most just don’t get how hard that is.
Days are numbered though Arthritis setting in, 3 torn tendons in my shoulder and a hernia, living the dream…
3 Likes
It does suck. I went from an average 147 to a slightly overweight 167 at my highest. Now I’m 163 and dieting. Not fun at all. I’m 5’8 btw and a girl
1 Like
@Mountainman my work used to be my workout as well. Never lifted weights or even been to a gym since high school. Work was all i needed, besides just situps and pushups for maintenance.
Now i dont have that and i dont know how to work out, and even better, i feel dumb when i do. Like i should be chopping wood or carrying things or digging holes instead.
My shoulder is also torn in a few spots, so you have my sympathy. Keep on living the dream big guy!!
1 Like
@Sharp I’m 5’5" and I am a girl too. I have a whole wardrobe of expensive designer (size 25) jeans that I can’t wear. I lost everything during my mental health spiral down and I am poor now so I can’t afford to replace them. I have to wear cheap clothes in bigger sizes. I keep hoping to get back into them but I dunno…
I should… I kinda feel too depressed to do anything other than go to school and practice piano right now though. I used to get up every morning and do yoga and go running.
Im on olanzapine. 
Hey 47, that’s pretty rough. What meds are you taking? I’m currently trying to loose weight with myfitness pal and exercise. I am waiting to see how that goes. I think there is hope yet for us to lose weight. I’m not sure how, but I have hope. What meds are you taking? I am sending good wishes your way.