Has anyone had success losing weight while on AD's? I've gained an uncomfortable amount of weight since starting them and I have been trying to lose some of it since August and the scale.won't.budge. Is it a losing battle? Give me some hope!
I have had success maintaining my weight, but I have to be careful with my diet and disciplined with my exercise. If I let up I immediately start gaining weight. I haven't successfully lost weight yet, but I'm not going to stop trying!
I eat 1400 calories and do spin once a week, run twice a week and lift 1-3x a week depending on my energy levels. I will admit my sleep is all over the place. I don't limit anything, if it fits into my calories I eat it.
It's the same routine I was using two years ago and nothing moving is really disheartening some days.
I've recently learned that sleep is a very important part of a healthy diet. The human body actually burns more calories while sleeping than while sitting reading/watching TV. Everyone has different sleep needs. I try to get eight hours a night (I take Melatonin to help). Some people need more and some need less.
Also, @astrid makes a good point about water intake. Since I started ADs, I've noticed an increased thirst. I used to follow the eight 8-oz glasses of water per day rule, but now I would say I probably drink almost twice that.
I try to pay attention to the physical needs I sense from my body (since I turned 30, there have definitely been changes to what my body needs), and I always drink water before eating snacks or meals.
Post by lexxasaurus on Oct 19, 2014 12:35:24 GMT -5
Do you eat back exercise calories? You need to be eating enough when lifting so you can actually gain muscle. And lift heavy. High weight, low reps is far more beneficial in weight loss. It promotes muscle growth instead of endurance.
I'm on an AD that's definitely didn't make me gain weight, I actually think it controls my hunger. It's Pristiq but it's really expensive. I've also heard good things about Wellbutrin, I'm thinking of switching to it, actually.
When I first start on wellbutrin it's actually a side effect. I lose my appetite.
But yes, I've lost a ton of weight on Wellbutrin, even after the intial side effects wear off.
This was my experience with Wellbutrin as well. Complete loss of appetite when I first started taking it. It did return to normal over time.
I've been on Wellbutrin for almost a decade. If you decide you want to hear more about it, I'm happy to tell more.
I'd like to hear more please. My dr. Has always seemed anti Welbutrin. I asked for it 10 years ago to help with my libido and he said no. DH asked for it to help quitting smoking, no. I just went back on AD's in July and warned him I was hesitant because of the weight gain again (30lbs on paxil). He said we'd make it work. 1.5 months later on Lexapro and I'm up 10lbs. He wants to wait another month because Welbutrin is the only other option and it's "hard" to go off Lexapro and get on it? I don't know, but I was in a good place eating/exercising and I really don't want to change it, but I also don't want to gain any more, nor do I think going off AD's again is a good idea for my family or myself. I WANT IT ALL, IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
This was my experience with Wellbutrin as well. Complete loss of appetite when I first started taking it. It did return to normal over time.
I've been on Wellbutrin for almost a decade. If you decide you want to hear more about it, I'm happy to tell more.
I'd like to hear more please. My dr. Has always seemed anti Welbutrin. I asked for it 10 years ago to help with my libido and he said no. DH asked for it to help quitting smoking, no. I just went back on AD's in July and warned him I was hesitant because of the weight gain again (30lbs on paxil). He said we'd make it work. 1.5 months later on Lexapro and I'm up 10lbs. He wants to wait another month because Welbutrin is the only other option and it's "hard" to go off Lexapro and get on it? I don't know, but I was in a good place eating/exercising and I really don't want to change it, but I also don't want to gain any more, nor do I think going off AD's again is a good idea for my family or myself. I WANT IT ALL, IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
My dr. also seemed hesitant to prescribe Wellbutrin, but I just assumed it was b/c I was breast feeding at the time.
As as for going off of lexapro, I actually found that weaning off of lexapro was way easier than weaning off of Zoloft.
To OP, I've been on both Zoloft and lexapro and gained weight on both, seemingly no matter what I did. I have had friends who have not had that side effect though.
Thanks! I don't have any depression, but DH does, so maybe that's why he was told no? I can handle the short term side effects, I had really bad insomnia with the Lexapro, but the opposite (couldn't stay awake) with the Paxil. Overall though, I've liked the Lexapro, but this weight gain is the suck. I'd like to at least give this a shot and if it works, great, if not, I'll go back to Lexapro. I told DH last night that my quality of life is more important than being thin, but if I can have both, why not go for it?
My anxiety is definitely more irritability than situational. Snippy is an understatement and it's not fair to DH or my kids, whom I take most of it out on. But, if it increases at first to then get me to a better place, it'll be worth it. Thanks again!
Thanks! I don't have any depression, but DH does, so maybe that's why he was told no? I can handle the short term side effects, I had really bad insomnia with the Lexapro, but the opposite (couldn't stay awake) with the Paxil. Overall though, I've liked the Lexapro, but this weight gain is the suck. I'd like to at least give this a shot and if it works, great, if not, I'll go back to Lexapro. I told DH last night that my quality of life is more important than being thin, but if I can have both, why not go for it?
My anxiety is definitely more irritability than situational. Snippy is an understatement and it's not fair to DH or my kids, whom I take most of it out on. But, if it increases at first to then get me to a better place, it'll be worth it. Thanks again!
So you're taking ADs just for anxiety then? That is probably why your doc won't prescribe WB. It won't necessarily treat your actual symptoms and can make them worse, so I can see the hesitation.
Really? Well that sucks. He didn't mention that was the reason. Initially, in 2004, my therapist suggested both Paxil AND WB b/c of the libido issues I was having. So, I wonder if he'll consider just adding WB to my Lexapro regimen to help control the weight gain? I AM trying on my own as well, eating better, playing volleyball 2x a week, and looking into taking a class or two, but no one offers any at the time I need! Why can't it just be easy
I gained 80lbs on lexapro and could not lose a pound of it. I lost 50 in the year after I went off of it. I've been on zoloft for 8 months and haven't gained. I think everyone reacts differently to different meds and you just have to find the right one that works with your body chemistry.
Thanks. This worries me. I'm on cipralex (Canadian lexapro I think?) and I gained 30 very quickly. Now that I am dieting I am maintaining. This isn't good for me.