Why do I want what's bad for me

Yes, maybe I am a European trapped in a Canadian's body!  Well, my family background is actually indeed European, as it turns out!  (Ukrainian, Slovakian, German & Polish).  Luckily my immediate family has no mental illness or drinking problems, and can enjoy alcohol in a healthy way.  My husband doesn't drink hardly at all, alcohol nor coffee, and his family, too, is very healthy and moderate (they like the sweets better).  My friends don't drink much at all.  So I am mainly surrounded by good influences.

I had some trouble as a teenager and occasionally as an adult with over-doing both, but I am generally in the healthy range for years now, which is a relief.  Just gotta stay that way.  I have learned over the yrs that it is best to listen to my body as best I can, but sometimes I resent being so 'sensitive' to everything - I feel like the princess and the pea in her mattress.  I feel too high-maintenance with having to watch my sleeping habits, eating, drinking, socializing, working etc and not overdoing it.  I think having Bipolar makes us even more sensitive, and even though it may look like I am in healthy range, I have to curtail it even more to accommodate my illness.  Yet having Bipolar also makes us more drawn to extremes, which is so ironic.

Thanks for your comments!

You are a sweetheart!  Thanks!

I mix half decaf with half regular coffee, which helps, and Rooibos tea is a great non-caffeinated but hearty tea. 

With alcohol, I 'ration' my supply & only buy so much at one time. 

Back on the diet this week & I recognize it just takes some time to readjust.  Dieting really is an artform & is best done as a complete lifestyle change rather than a temporary fix.  I have a dietician that I am seeing again, to help me be more accountable for my progress.  Though I have learned I can't be too strict, or else it gets too hard.

So it's all coming together!  Thanks again.

Sharon

We've kind of been forced into this lifestyle change by my husband's doctor.  It's not too bad.  I'm eating lots of fruit and veggies and we're eating wheat pasta and whole grain bread.  Biggest challenge is making turkey, chicken, or fish in new and exciting ways.  I don't really miss sweets because I'm eating so much fruit.

It's like you said, it has to be a way of life for forget it.

Thanks Angie - lots of food for thought.

I have heard that drug & alcohol abuse applies to around 60% of those with Bipolar.  No surprise, eh?  I have showed some of the 'signs' of overuse, at times, but I think I am in healthy range for the most part.  Definitely if I lived in England. LOL

The diet that helped me lose 30 lbs I gained from Zyprexa is a low sugar, low starch diet.  No pasta or bread (have spelt bread instead), or sugar/junk food (obviously).  No rice or potatoes (though I can have a very little bit).  No more than 2 fruits a day but no bananas, and no juice or dried fruit.  Limit alcohol to 5 max per week.  If you must have cereal (my weakness), have just a small bowl of HIGH fibre cereals only ie. 10+ grams of fibre per bowl.  Can go crazy with the milk products, though.  Meat & vegetables are also staples (except for starchy/sugary peas & corn).  Can also try nuts & seeds and eggs (and other proteins) to help curb your appetite.  Soups and salads are freebees, even with higher fat dressings - as long as the carbs are low, it's ok to have the higher fats. 

Most hospitals have dieticians on staff who can help guide you - I definitely needed one to keep motivated.  I was guided by my psychiatrist's dietician on staff, who specializes in 'metabolic weight gain' induced by meds and/or involving diabetes. 

Good luck to you!