Lifting/Circuit Training and Anti-depressants.

melancholyjen

First time posting my own thread. I have been on MFP for a year and a half and I really love this site. It's done wonderful things for me.

Anywho... to the topic. A few years ago I was put on the generic of Celexa for PMDD and anxiety. I have always had issues with anxiety and even though birth control helped some with the PMDD, I still struggle with the hormonal changes. I was on 20 mg a day and within 5 months had gained 20 pounds. I'm 5'2 so that' a BIG increase! I was pretty active and a lot happier/less anxious but I also know I wasn't regulating my foods/putting things into a journal. I weened off the pills way to keep and a few months later started training for a half marathon and lost all of the added weight. I looked great, but just because you look great doesn't change the hormonal issues. My anxiety and PMDD exploded so I went back on the meds, but a smaller dosage and continued logging my food.

This worked great for the first 6 months until about 3 months ago when I noticed that I was gradually starting to gain, even with logging and exercising/training for a second half marathon. I have put on about 8 pounds that I had lost. I know that doesn't sound like much but on a small frame when you are doing everything that you are supposed to its frustrating.

Anyway... has anyone had this type of experience and had success with losing the weight with adding boot camp type classes or heavy lifting? I LOVE running and won't give that up, but I did recently start boot camp. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Bufite

Hey, I posted a thread like this quite a while ago, and was told in no uncertain terms that anti-depressants don't make you put on weight.

I don't think that's true! I've been on and off them for about 10 years and the only time I've ever managed to lose weight consistently was when I was off them.

For what it's worth, I think changing up the exercise will always be a good thing. particularly if you are doing weights, I have found that has started to change my shape. I think you have to just keep going - it will work eventually!

good luck

melancholyjen

Thanks! I have spent hours going through the search looking up any/all information with regards to this topic. I hate when people say "they don't make you gain" period. I don't think that's completely true, either. For some people it is, but not for everyone. Everyone's body and hormonal/chemical make up is different and when something is changing your chemical make-up, especially at an unknown level, your metabolism can be compromised.

It's frustrating, but I'm going to just keep doing what I am doing and hoping the change in exercise helps.

Mamalea32

I was on welbutrin.. A stimulant/antidepressent. Due to my E.D. The doc made me switch to lexapro.. An antianxiety/antidepressant. I feared gaining weight and was upset to switch. I kept a healthy diet and continued to exercise. My weight did not change. The meaning of good health is internal and external. Communicate with ur doc and try his advice for a few weeks before giving up on it..

squirrlt

I was on Celexa several years back, and I swear it made me pack on the pounds! Just an idea to keep in your back pocket, if you don't see the results you are looking for with the changes you plan to make in exercise: You may want to consider a ketogenic diet. Not only do you lose body fat, but it has been shown to have antidepressive properties by acting as a mood stabilizer. Who knows, maybe you could get off the Celexa in the future! If the diet seems too extreme, supposedly a "modified Atkins" type diet has shown similar effects.

If you feel like reading about it, here's a place to start. You could also google "depression" and "ketogenic diet".

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15601609

Sweet_Pandora

I suffer from PMDD and hypothyroidism. Weight has been an issue I have had to be aware of all of my life. Also being 5'2" I know exactly what you mean about 8-10 lbs making a huge difference on your body.

I believe my issues are all hormonal related. Over the years I have tried different ways of eating healthy and have always been active. The conclusion to almost all of them for me is that my body does not tolerate wheat/flour and sugar well. I can eat it occasionally but if I have it at more than one meal a day or a few days in a row I balloon up. As soon as I cut it out the bloat and pounds start to go away.

For me it's finding a balance and trying to stay with what is working. I know this and I try to follow it but every once in a while I binge and end up back where I started.

All the best, don't give up. I know for me it's not the anti-d's causing the weight issues it's hormonal.

Feel free to add me.

Karen