Posted: Nov 10, 07 1:35am
Jdg 5:7 Warriors became fat and sloppy, no fight left in them. Then you, Deborah, rose up; you got up, a mother in Israel. (MSG)
A common concern about medications and a real conversation:
Since I started lexapro for anxiety my self image and esteem has gone down. I think and feel so UGLY and GROSS! I have gained 40 lbs and am trying so hard to lose it. Heather
I had an exchange decision to make. I traded in my life long depression for weight gain. You have a choice to make. Learn to know the new you, or get off meds and regain the anxiety. The choice is yours to make. I am not going back. I do know I can lose the weight, but I also know I can not have that dark cloud over my head again. It is a no brainer. I hope that you do realize how freeing it is not to be plagued with a mental illness. editor
Thank You for what you said to me. I really appreciate it. You helped to put things into perspective. I definitely would rather be heavy and not have anxiety. I will just continue to exercise and eat right and do what I can. Heather
The greatest stumbling block to people staying on psychiatric medications is the frequent accompaniment of weight gain. That is also a personal issue and why I started a diet ministry almost eight years ago. Once in a great while I am privilege to meet those that do stay on their medications long term and work out the issue of a sluggish metabolism and moderation with food so that they might experience the mental health benefits. Whatever our aversion to medications are, it must be surmounted and overcome.
Our Scripture above, in modern terminology, is explicatively descriptive of weight gain, as if our mental affliction wasn't insulting enough. When both body and mind betray us, we must do as Deborah did and rise up, get up, rally ourselves on as we give a refreshing vision and exhortation to others.
The choice is always yours. No one can recover for you. No one can want it for you as much as you have to want it for yourself. There is work ahead for you, yes, but there is also opportunity to rise and conquer. Your decisions will follow you.
