Weight gain is nearly always a challenging issue. When the weight gain is due to health issues, your medication may affect your appetite and metabolism. Lithium is a medication used to treat bipolar disorder. While lithium is effective when taken as prescribed, all too often weight gain is a side effect. You can take steps to not only stop the weight gain, but also lose those excess pounds.

Step 1

Stop drinking calorie-laden beverages such as sodas, energy drinks and specialty coffee drinks. In a 1976 study conducted by P.B. Vendsborg and reported in "Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica," patients taking lithium reported increased thirst. It was determined that their weight gain was directly related to their intake of beverages. Drink water or sugar-free beverages and use sugar substitutes to decrease the number of calories in your coffee, tea or other drinks.

Step 2

Change your eating habits. Increasing your consumption of vegetables and fruits and reducing the amount of fatty foods in your diet is the first step in a healthy eating plan. The USDA MyPlate graphic is a good example of a healthy diet plan. One-half of the plate is used for fruits and vegetables, one-quarter for protein and one-quarter for grains. By following a simple eating plan that incorporates the recommendations of the USDA and avoiding excessive amounts of sugar and salt, you can reduce your daily calorie intake and lose weight.

Step 3

Increase your activity level. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 300 minutes a week of physical activity for weight loss. That's only 43 minutes a day or four sessions of an hour and 15 minutes each per week. To increase your exercise level, squeeze three 15-minute walks into your daily routine or take up a sport that you enjoy, such as swimming, bicycling, roller blading or ice skating. If none of those appeal to you, consider taking a dance class, water aerobics or a combination of activities that add up to 300 minutes over a week's time.

Step 4


Step 5

Document your progress. Writing down your exercise minutes and calorie count on a daily basis helps keep you on track toward your goals. The ability to see your progress on a daily, weekly and monthly basis is encouraging as you begin to lose weight.

Step 6

Discuss your diet and exercise regime with your doctor. As you lose weight, your medication may need adjustment so the lithium levels in your bloodstream remain at a consistent level. Lithium is known to cause a reversible form of diabetes and hypothyroidism; your doctor may prescribe additional medications to control other medical conditions caused by your illness and lithium.


  • Always consult your physician before embarking on a diet or exercise plan; he may have specific recommendations that will help you reach your goals.
  • Use measuring cups to measure and track your portion sizes. Even a healthy diet can cause weight gain if your portion sizes are too large.

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