Seroquel is an anti-psychotic drug usually prescribed to treat psychotic conditions. Among the side effects of Seroquel, weight gain is not uncommon. When taking Seroquel, it is important to lose the gained weight in a safe, healthy manner by making some basic lifestyle changes. The lifestyle changes are the same for basic weight loss, including changing your diet and adding exercise to your daily routine.
Step 1
Talk with your doctor about your weight gain concerns. Discuss altering your Seroquel dosage or changing the medication to something that has been shown to cause less weight gain among users, such as Zydis, Risperidone or Abilify. You may also want to look into medications that combat weight gain, which your doctor can prescribe for you.
Step 2
Exercise as a way to combat weight gain, burn off gained weight and increase energy. Exercising can be difficult since the symptoms being treated by Seroquel, such as depression, can make finding the will to get up and get moving very challenging. Use the power of positive thinking to make yourself go for even a 10-minute walk around the block. Exercise can also have an antidepressant effect, improving some of the symptoms you may be suffering from. Any physical activity is better than none, so find something you enjoy and get moving.
Step 3
Focus on healthy eating. Being on Seroquel will affect the hormones in your body, which can contribute to poor eating habits. Avoid continual snacking throughout the day, which can cause overeating and unnecessary calorie intake. If you'd like, eat five or six small meals throughout the day, which can help you feel fuller and eat a healthier diet. Eat only when you're hungry, and pay attention to the signals that your body is sending to you.
Step 4
Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. Include a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Choose healthy sources of protein, including beans, eggs, nuts and lean, white meats. Cut back on the amounts of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats that you eat.
Step 5
Limit the consumption of alcohol, since alcoholic beverages are often very high in calories. Alcohol may also serve to worsen the symptoms that Seroquel is treating. Instead, drink more water throughout the day, which is a great way to help your body feel fuller and prevent overeating. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water each day. Other healthy alternatives include juice, diet soda, or flavored water.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk to your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise regimen to determine what is safe for your personal health.
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