Appetite Suppressants

sydneymae20

layla17cc2 wrote: »

I'm not sure if you take any medications, but hunger and weight gain can be side effects of certain meds, especially antidepressants.

That was one of my first thoughts. I've been on different medications in the past, but finally have been able to stick with Effexor and Wellbutrin for the past 2 or 3 years. I don't think hunger or weight gain is a side effect of either of them. Weight loss and loss of appetite is actually a side effect of Effexor. >.< Thank you though.

TheVirgoddess wrote: »

At the beginning of this journey my doctor gave me phentermine (I didn't know until I picked up my prescriptions). I figured I should take it - as my doctor gave it to me. So I did. For about three days. I realized that regardless of what my doctor thought, it wasn't the way *I* wanted to lose weight. I wanted to do it right, so I did. I'm losing weight at a really good pace on my own (208 days, 58 pounds lost - 25% of my original body weight - gone). And knowing that I've created my own success is really, very empowering.

So my advice? Don't do it. You've got this all on your own.

Also: water. Drink a glass, wait 30 minutes. If you're still hungry, eat a small something.

You'll get there.

Congratulations!! I'm sure it is a lot more rewarding knowing you have been able to lose the weight yourself rather than with the help of a pill. Thank you so much.

stellamozzarrella

Just thought I'd add in my 2 cents. I'm 23, 5'4, and 138 pounds. For most of my life I've dealt with being constantly hungry. I struggle with disordered eating, and I've spent a lot of time beating myself up for feeling hungry. I'd think, "You CAN'T be hungry. You just ate. You're just greedy." People would tell me that I was just thirsty, so I'd choke down litres of water before and after every meal. And you know what? I'd feel bloated, sick - and hungry. I went to the doctor and got blood tests ("You're as healthy as can be!"), I tried "natural" appetite supressants like cinnamon and peppermint tea, I tried supplements, I tried those weird wheat pills that blow up inside your stomach to make you feel full. Nothing worked, and I was miserable.

And then I discovered VEGETABLES. Well, I didn't discover them, exactly. I'd been eating them in relatively moderate amounts my whole life. But I discovered that I could eat crazy, completely un-moderate, (near) endless amounts of vegetables until I was full and happy and giddy and I wouldn't come anywhere near my calorie limit. I didn't even replace my normal meals with vegetables - I just started bulking everything up with them. Add a three or four whole zucchinis to my pasta sauce. (Seriously. They're only, like, 30 calories each.) Four heads of bok choi to my noodles. Half a head of broccoli to my frittata. A whole bowl of iceberg lettuce on the side of my chicken.

Eventually, once I got used to most of my meals being bulked out with vegetables, some of the other elements started to fall back. I used to eat 250g (DRY) of pasta for one meal. Now, there just isn't enough room in my bowl because it's full of mushrooms, zucchini, tomatos, onions, broccoli, spinach, carrot - you name it. I'm lucky if I eat 80g of pasta, and I don't have to cut down on food. In fact, I even allow myself seconds sometimes, and my calorie intake is LESS than what it used to be.

I still deal with cravings - for candy, fries, soda, cookies - and my cravings are what are currently holding me back in terms of my end weight loss goals, but for me cravings are different from being really, truly hungry. And when I'm really, truly hungry, no amount of water or internal scolding will do. But veges help.

MissJay75

OP - love your attitude! Your willingness to listen and learn is refreshing. All the best to you.

floridagirl7264

I'm like this too, but found that I'm not actually hungry. I just want to keep eating. I make myself wait at least 30 mins before eating something else. After waiting 30 mins, I don't want to eat anything else. I think it just takes me that long to make the connection from my stomach to my brain that I'm not hungry anymore.

popsicklestar

I feel the same way, and I'm mostly just trying to maintain now, not even lose. Eating more fiber and protein and filling up on high volume veggies and water and tea does help, but it doesn't completely stop the problem in my case either. Hunger is caused by ghrelin and leptin levels, and certain people are genetically and hormonally more disposed to hunger like myself. I've found that to maintain the weight that I want, sometimes I just have to be a little hungry, and I just have to accept that. Working out helps also. As far as appetite suppressants, I once tried Meridia, and it works, but it's something you only take for 3 months and then stop, not something you take continually.

cristina115

OP, I understand your pain. The previous poster has it correct. I have leptin resistance, which means that the signal in your brain that tells your body it is full, is not working. If you try to restrict food/calories as leptin resistant person, your body actually confuses it for starvation, thus making the weight loss process even more difficult. Leptin resistance goes hand in hand with other hormonal issues. So, even if I eat a protein packed meal, I am still hungry 1-2 hours later. One way to tell if you are leptin resistant is to test your fasting glucose level (related to insulin). Normal people should be around a value of 5.

1) One way to conquer this is to start eating Paleo. Paleo eating forces you to fill up on veggies and ensures you eat protein, which is satiating, and not gorging on sweets, rice, bread, potatoes, pasta or other filler food. It'll keep your blood sugar level too. 2) Another way is to talk to your doctor and try phentermine or another prescription appetite control drug, under their care of course, to stop the hungry messages and allow you to have a clearer way to approach food. You won't be hungry as much but you have to commit to use the time on this drug to re-evaluate how you eat, and take advantage of not feeling frantic about being hungry. Great for approaching food with better clarity. Will also give you energy to workout.

For now, I'd recommend glucomannan pills (konjac root aka fiber) that fills you up. Or what works for me is a glass of water with chia seeds (I also add lemon juice)....stir and voila, chia seeds will fill you up (it's a protein).

For depression, Wellbutrin is also used off label for weight loss. So, that is another way to kill two birds with one stone.

The good news is that leptin resistance goes away once you hit an ideal weight...your body will start to react to leptin and tell your brain that you are full. In the meantime, see a doctor for some labwork and best of luck to you.

AllOutof_Bubblegum

Exercise. Not kidding. On days I work out I have next to no trouble staying within my range. On rest days, I am a raging hangry beast. Go figure.

middlehaitch

And now for something completely different.

Try taking your time while eating, chew your food, a lot. This will give your stomach time to recognise it is being fed, and help stimulate that full feeling.
( I take 20 minutes to down .5cup cottage cheese, 2 slices of toast, and 1-1/2cups of fruit and veg for lunch, and feel much fuller than when I used to just wolf it down)

Eat with a knife and fork ( avoid eating with your hands) putting your cutlery down between small bites.

Don't stand in the kitchen or by the open fridge door and snack. Take what you want put it on a plate then sit down to eat.

These are old fashioned ways of curbing ones appitite, but they have worked for me. I am much more aware of what I have eaten and enjoyed the flavours more.

Cheers, h.

lingo10

100 cal yogurt, upping your protein a bit, eat your heavier meals earlier, eat more slowly, eat every 3-4 hrs of low cal mini meals, there is a ton of different things to do. I find spices are great as well like cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne etc, great when you make snacks or foods with them. Also water dense veggies are awesome to help fill you up! App pills don't work

jjsilcox96

ninerbuff wrote: »

It's more a habitual and mental issue than an actual physiological one (unless of course you're actually eating too little for your body).
Appetite suppressants aren't the answer. They teach your body nothing about how to adapting to eating less naturally because you're ingesting a chemical to deter hunger. Once you get off them, then your body will respond differently and weight regain is likely.
Since you've mentioned issues, it might benefit you to speak with professionals to identify your problem and an RD to help you figure out an eating plan you can sustain for life.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Thats what i was thinking

FedGirlUSA

I so feel your pain. I deal with depressive episodes, and with eating issues. I read a really, really interesting book by Julia Ross, a nutritional psychologist. She addresses not just food addiction, but others as well. She really emphasizes the importance of clean eating for ANYONE who deals with addiction, regardless if it's food, alcohol, drugs...she even mentions pornography. She says studies confirm that proper nutrition is critical for long term successful rehabilitation. Staying away from processed foods, include 4 cups of vegetables daily, and incorporate amino acid supplementation.
She runs a couple of eating disorder clinics. One book is 'the mood diet.' Also you can search her on iTunes and there are a few free podcasts. Good luck!