How Can I Lose Weight On Beta Blockers? Help?
Meeva87
Posts: 57 Member
I feel like I've started to pile on the pounds lately, and it's starting to get me down, and I suffer with depression already so this is very hard.
About 6 months ago, I had a very bad breakdown over the loss of a friend, and my health anxiety came back like a fireball out of the sky, and catapulted me into my anxiety again. About 3 months ago, my doctor put me on Propranolol 80mg slow release, a type of beta blocker that stops the adrenaline and helps calm you down without being addictive. So far, it's really REALLY helped me relax, too much in fact, as I feel pretty tired everyday, no energy to do anything, and well, just feeling very down.
To add to that, I also have Hypothyroidism but am medicated on Eltroxin 50mcg for that. However, even having that, I was able to lose 10lbs back in August and September of last year, before my anxiety returned.
I'm 30 year old female, 5'5'', and 165lbs at the moment and my waist is 32-33 inches (not sure what time to measure). So, I am classified as overweight. I'd be happy just to get back in the healthy weight range, not looking for some mad weight loss in a week (I'm an adult, not an instagramer lol), I know it's going to take time, and because of being so drained and lacking any energy, I'm trying to do the steps thing? 10,000 steps. The most I'm achieving on most days is about 4-5,000. On a good day, it may be 6-7K.
In the future, I'd like to be about 140lbs would be my ideal weight, and about 5 years ago, I was 145lbs, so I'd like to get back to that while I'm heading into my 30's and not spiral. I also know though, I need to stay on these Beta Blockers for a while until my mental health is back to normal, as I had to stop working last year, and have been working at home since, which is a struggle to be healthy.
Sorry for rambling, I just wanted to know if anyone had any experience losing weight on Beta Blockers or being Hypothyroid? Or anything like that, because I feel like I'm getting fatter, and lazier and no energy, and feeling miserable and it is weighing me down mentally. I'm very restricted in what and where I can go at the moment because of not only the anxiety, but where I live, so things are awkward but I am willing to put in some effort to get back to a normal, healthy weight. I also have IBS and that is making things hard too.
Something I could do at home, I use to with dieting stick to 1200 calories plus walking an hour a day, and that was how I lost weight before, but I don't know if that will work this time around with the medications? Just any little tips and advice would mean so much to me right now. Thank you.
It would be nice to get a few pounds off before October for my birthday, and also a little more by Christmas is possible.
About 6 months ago, I had a very bad breakdown over the loss of a friend, and my health anxiety came back like a fireball out of the sky, and catapulted me into my anxiety again. About 3 months ago, my doctor put me on Propranolol 80mg slow release, a type of beta blocker that stops the adrenaline and helps calm you down without being addictive. So far, it's really REALLY helped me relax, too much in fact, as I feel pretty tired everyday, no energy to do anything, and well, just feeling very down.
To add to that, I also have Hypothyroidism but am medicated on Eltroxin 50mcg for that. However, even having that, I was able to lose 10lbs back in August and September of last year, before my anxiety returned.
I'm 30 year old female, 5'5'', and 165lbs at the moment and my waist is 32-33 inches (not sure what time to measure). So, I am classified as overweight. I'd be happy just to get back in the healthy weight range, not looking for some mad weight loss in a week (I'm an adult, not an instagramer lol), I know it's going to take time, and because of being so drained and lacking any energy, I'm trying to do the steps thing? 10,000 steps. The most I'm achieving on most days is about 4-5,000. On a good day, it may be 6-7K.
In the future, I'd like to be about 140lbs would be my ideal weight, and about 5 years ago, I was 145lbs, so I'd like to get back to that while I'm heading into my 30's and not spiral. I also know though, I need to stay on these Beta Blockers for a while until my mental health is back to normal, as I had to stop working last year, and have been working at home since, which is a struggle to be healthy.
Sorry for rambling, I just wanted to know if anyone had any experience losing weight on Beta Blockers or being Hypothyroid? Or anything like that, because I feel like I'm getting fatter, and lazier and no energy, and feeling miserable and it is weighing me down mentally. I'm very restricted in what and where I can go at the moment because of not only the anxiety, but where I live, so things are awkward but I am willing to put in some effort to get back to a normal, healthy weight. I also have IBS and that is making things hard too.
Something I could do at home, I use to with dieting stick to 1200 calories plus walking an hour a day, and that was how I lost weight before, but I don't know if that will work this time around with the medications? Just any little tips and advice would mean so much to me right now. Thank you.
It would be nice to get a few pounds off before October for my birthday, and also a little more by Christmas is possible.
1
Replies
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I would stop worrying about medications and illnesses, and focus on the things you can control.
You're only overweight (not obese), so the most you can lose per week is around 1.5 pounds. This means an appropriate calorie goal for you is around 1310, not 1200 - a small difference, but it can help you be more consistent - the most important thing is to not expect unrealistic results and try to force a process that can't be forced.
MFP only works if you really eat the amount of calories you think you are eating, so you need a food scale, verifying food entries, using the recipe builder, and logging everything that passes your lips, and sticking to that calorie target.
MFP is not designed to use exercise to create a calorie deficit, so don't fret over walking and workouts.3 -
kommodevaran wrote: »I would stop worrying about medications and illnesses, and focus on the things you can control.
You're only overweight (not obese), so the most you can lose per week is around 1.5 pounds. This means an appropriate calorie goal for you is around 1310, not 1200 - a small difference, but it can help you be more consistent - the most important thing is to not expect unrealistic results and try to force a process that can't be forced.
MFP only works if you really eat the amount of calories you think you are eating, so you need a food scale, verifying food entries, using the recipe builder, and logging everything that passes your lips, and sticking to that calorie target.
MFP is not designed to use exercise to create a calorie deficit, so don't fret over walking and workouts.
Yeah, I'll probably be able to do 1400 a day, and add in an hours walk and because I work at home all day, I will do little chores around the house as extra. Thank you.0 -
kommodevaran wrote: »I would stop worrying about medications and illnesses, and focus on the things you can control.
You're only overweight (not obese), so the most you can lose per week is around 1.5 pounds. This means an appropriate calorie goal for you is around 1310, not 1200 - a small difference, but it can help you be more consistent - the most important thing is to not expect unrealistic results and try to force a process that can't be forced.
MFP only works if you really eat the amount of calories you think you are eating, so you need a food scale, verifying food entries, using the recipe builder, and logging everything that passes your lips, and sticking to that calorie target.
MFP is not designed to use exercise to create a calorie deficit, so don't fret over walking and workouts.
+1. In fact, if you are struggling, you can go even slower. You have to find the balance between losing weight and feeling as good as you can. There is nothing wrong with setting your goal to 1 lb or even 0.5lbs per week if it means staying on plan and feeling well. The key is to be heading in the right direction and forming good habits that will carry you through maintenance once you get there for the rest of your life.
Hang in there and good luck!2 -
kommodevaran wrote: »I would stop worrying about medications and illnesses, and focus on the things you can control.
You're only overweight (not obese), so the most you can lose per week is around 1.5 pounds. This means an appropriate calorie goal for you is around 1310, not 1200 - a small difference, but it can help you be more consistent - the most important thing is to not expect unrealistic results and try to force a process that can't be forced.
MFP only works if you really eat the amount of calories you think you are eating, so you need a food scale, verifying food entries, using the recipe builder, and logging everything that passes your lips, and sticking to that calorie target.
MFP is not designed to use exercise to create a calorie deficit, so don't fret over walking and workouts.
+1. In fact, if you are struggling, you can go even slower. You have to find the balance between losing weight and feeling as good as you can. There is nothing wrong with setting your goal to 1 lb or even 0.5lbs per week if it means staying on plan and feeling well. The key is to be heading in the right direction and forming good habits that will carry you through maintenance once you get there for the rest of your life.
Hang in there and good luck!
I'm not rushing, and that is what I'm aiming for is a pound or a little less is enough for me weekly to lose. I just want to know if it is possible while I'm on this medication that I will be able to?
Thank you.0 -
Yes, you are able to lose on beta blockers. I also want to correct myself - thanks, kimny72 - with "appropriate", I meant, or should have said, appropriate in order to to lose 1.5 pounds per week. Your 1200 calorie target indicated to me that you were in a hurry. If you have the patience, and there is no urgent, medical reason to lose weight, slower is always - always - better.4
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kommodevaran wrote: »I would stop worrying about medications and illnesses, and focus on the things you can control.
You're only overweight (not obese), so the most you can lose per week is around 1.5 pounds. This means an appropriate calorie goal for you is around 1310, not 1200 - a small difference, but it can help you be more consistent - the most important thing is to not expect unrealistic results and try to force a process that can't be forced.
MFP only works if you really eat the amount of calories you think you are eating, so you need a food scale, verifying food entries, using the recipe builder, and logging everything that passes your lips, and sticking to that calorie target.
MFP is not designed to use exercise to create a calorie deficit, so don't fret over walking and workouts.
+1. In fact, if you are struggling, you can go even slower. You have to find the balance between losing weight and feeling as good as you can. There is nothing wrong with setting your goal to 1 lb or even 0.5lbs per week if it means staying on plan and feeling well. The key is to be heading in the right direction and forming good habits that will carry you through maintenance once you get there for the rest of your life.
Hang in there and good luck!
I'm not rushing, and that is what I'm aiming for is a pound or a little less is enough for me weekly to lose. I just want to know if it is possible while I'm on this medication that I will be able to?
Thank you.
Most medications that are said to "cause weight gain" really cause increased appetite or affect impulse control. If you are logging accurately you can avoid that. Thyroid problems can make weight loss more difficult if not well controlled, but once medication is on point, you'll lose weight like anyone else. I'm not familiar with side effects of beta-blockers so I can't comment on that.
Don't let thinking your medications will make it tougher for you be a self fulfilling prophesy! Know that you can do this, start logging and doing what you can do, and tweak your calories if your progress after 6-8 weeks isn't as expected.
1 -
As mentioned regarding some med's making you more hungry, and hence potential weight gain, some also like yours will cut down on your daily burn somewhat, depending on how active you need/want to be.
Fidgeting type stuff might be dropped, but you decide if you get up for those chores, or walk as long as before, ect. So good plan on your part.
So still control over it - but fighting a medicine reaction that can easily be making it harder to do so.
Just keep those goals you try to reach even if you think you feel tired.
Because even with walking, you could have literally not slept well all night long and really be tired, and the walking won't be that bad to do anyway.2 -
Do you feel like you can maybe deal with your past issues about your friend now? Maybe it is time to revisit the beta blockers. I took them for years due to migraines, and I really disliked how much they slowed me down and I too believe they contribute to depression. I just didn't want to do anything at all besides eat and sleep.
I got off them and life was so much better for me, I wasn't depressed and I had energy again. I'm just saying, maybe if you can find other coping techniques then the beta blockers won't be necessary. I strongly disliked how I felt on them.
Talk to your doctor and tell him/her your concerns.0 -
Do you have a counselor/therapist to discuss alternative coping mechanisms? Perhaps as you move into a different head space, the medications can be revisited. The others have covered anything else I would have to say.0
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kommodevaran wrote: »I would stop worrying about medications and illnesses, and focus on the things you can control.
You're only overweight (not obese), so the most you can lose per week is around 1.5 pounds. This means an appropriate calorie goal for you is around 1310, not 1200 - a small difference, but it can help you be more consistent - the most important thing is to not expect unrealistic results and try to force a process that can't be forced.
MFP only works if you really eat the amount of calories you think you are eating, so you need a food scale, verifying food entries, using the recipe builder, and logging everything that passes your lips, and sticking to that calorie target.
MFP is not designed to use exercise to create a calorie deficit, so don't fret over walking and workouts.
+1. In fact, if you are struggling, you can go even slower. You have to find the balance between losing weight and feeling as good as you can. There is nothing wrong with setting your goal to 1 lb or even 0.5lbs per week if it means staying on plan and feeling well. The key is to be heading in the right direction and forming good habits that will carry you through maintenance once you get there for the rest of your life.
Hang in there and good luck!
I'm not rushing, and that is what I'm aiming for is a pound or a little less is enough for me weekly to lose. I just want to know if it is possible while I'm on this medication that I will be able to?
Thank you.
yes I have a friend on here who is on that medication and she is losing weight with it and a few other meds she takes. I lose weight using corticosteroids for asthma which makes me retain water longer but you can lose taking any medication but some meds may make your weight loss slower due to some can cause a slight modification in your BMR (some will lower it and some will elevate it). so that may mean less calories(shouldnt be a whole lot) than before the meds to lose weight. But logging and weighing everything should help with that0 -
I've been taking beta blockers for about a year and this has had no effect on my weight loss at all.
It does makes me sleepy, and so I take it at bedtime. I have no adverse effects from it during the day. What time do you take yours?
I'm taking half of a 25 mg Metoprolol. I tried to compare the two but seems like using beta blockers for anxiety is an "off label" (not approved by the FDA) use, so there wasn't anything useful.
If your doctor insists that you take it during the day, how about discussing your lethargy with him/her - perhaps you need a lower dose. My brother is on a lot of medication and they are always tinkering with his doses to get him dialed in as optimally as possible.0 -
cmriverside wrote: »Do you feel like you can maybe deal with your past issues about your friend now? Maybe it is time to revisit the beta blockers. I took them for years due to migraines, and I really disliked how much they slowed me down and I too believe they contribute to depression. I just didn't want to do anything at all besides eat and sleep.
I got off them and life was so much better for me, I wasn't depressed and I had energy again. I'm just saying, maybe if you can find other coping techniques then the beta blockers won't be necessary. I strongly disliked how I felt on them.
Talk to your doctor and tell him/her your concerns.
That is very much how I feel most days. I have no motivation to do anything, socialize, shopping, I even get bored half way through watching a programme, like my attention span is just not into it. I have suffered with depression for years, so probably isn't helping it either but it is immensely helping my anxiety which is very severe. I can't even go out on my own it's that bad. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow as well so will discuss over it as well. Thank you!0 -
kommodevaran wrote: »I would stop worrying about medications and illnesses, and focus on the things you can control.
You're only overweight (not obese), so the most you can lose per week is around 1.5 pounds. This means an appropriate calorie goal for you is around 1310, not 1200 - a small difference, but it can help you be more consistent - the most important thing is to not expect unrealistic results and try to force a process that can't be forced.
MFP only works if you really eat the amount of calories you think you are eating, so you need a food scale, verifying food entries, using the recipe builder, and logging everything that passes your lips, and sticking to that calorie target.
MFP is not designed to use exercise to create a calorie deficit, so don't fret over walking and workouts.
+1. In fact, if you are struggling, you can go even slower. You have to find the balance between losing weight and feeling as good as you can. There is nothing wrong with setting your goal to 1 lb or even 0.5lbs per week if it means staying on plan and feeling well. The key is to be heading in the right direction and forming good habits that will carry you through maintenance once you get there for the rest of your life.
Hang in there and good luck!
I'm not rushing, and that is what I'm aiming for is a pound or a little less is enough for me weekly to lose. I just want to know if it is possible while I'm on this medication that I will be able to?
Thank you.
Most medications that are said to "cause weight gain" really cause increased appetite or affect impulse control. If you are logging accurately you can avoid that. Thyroid problems can make weight loss more difficult if not well controlled, but once medication is on point, you'll lose weight like anyone else. I'm not familiar with side effects of beta-blockers so I can't comment on that.
Don't let thinking your medications will make it tougher for you be a self fulfilling prophesy! Know that you can do this, start logging and doing what you can do, and tweak your calories if your progress after 6-8 weeks isn't as expected.
I'll definitely make small changes, try relax and take it easy I think is my main thing. I'm not looking for miracles, however long it takes is fine with me, I don't have a date in mind, so slow wins the race for me! Thank you!1 -
As mentioned regarding some med's making you more hungry, and hence potential weight gain, some also like yours will cut down on your daily burn somewhat, depending on how active you need/want to be.
Fidgeting type stuff might be dropped, but you decide if you get up for those chores, or walk as long as before, ect. So good plan on your part.
So still control over it - but fighting a medicine reaction that can easily be making it harder to do so.
Just keep those goals you try to reach even if you think you feel tired.
Because even with walking, you could have literally not slept well all night long and really be tired, and the walking won't be that bad to do anyway.
I'm actually noticing because it's zapped my energy, all I want is chocolate, I think it's like an energy boost, so looking into vitamins maybe like Magnesium and B vitamins maybe to help my energy levels and try avoid sweets. I'm probably overeating without realizing I've had an extra bite to eat. I'll be sure to track all of it from here on in. Thank you!0 -
nutmegoreo wrote: »Do you have a counselor/therapist to discuss alternative coping mechanisms? Perhaps as you move into a different head space, the medications can be revisited. The others have covered anything else I would have to say.
I'm actually starting my CBT this week, so that will help my anxiety anyway, hopefully! I am seeing my doctor tomorrow as well, so will talk to him about all of this and progress from there. Thank you!2 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »I would stop worrying about medications and illnesses, and focus on the things you can control.
You're only overweight (not obese), so the most you can lose per week is around 1.5 pounds. This means an appropriate calorie goal for you is around 1310, not 1200 - a small difference, but it can help you be more consistent - the most important thing is to not expect unrealistic results and try to force a process that can't be forced.
MFP only works if you really eat the amount of calories you think you are eating, so you need a food scale, verifying food entries, using the recipe builder, and logging everything that passes your lips, and sticking to that calorie target.
MFP is not designed to use exercise to create a calorie deficit, so don't fret over walking and workouts.
+1. In fact, if you are struggling, you can go even slower. You have to find the balance between losing weight and feeling as good as you can. There is nothing wrong with setting your goal to 1 lb or even 0.5lbs per week if it means staying on plan and feeling well. The key is to be heading in the right direction and forming good habits that will carry you through maintenance once you get there for the rest of your life.
Hang in there and good luck!
I'm not rushing, and that is what I'm aiming for is a pound or a little less is enough for me weekly to lose. I just want to know if it is possible while I'm on this medication that I will be able to?
Thank you.
yes I have a friend on here who is on that medication and she is losing weight with it and a few other meds she takes. I lose weight using corticosteroids for asthma which makes me retain water longer but you can lose taking any medication but some meds may make your weight loss slower due to some can cause a slight modification in your BMR (some will lower it and some will elevate it). so that may mean less calories(shouldnt be a whole lot) than before the meds to lose weight. But logging and weighing everything should help with that
Yeah? Oh right. Im going to start tracking every little crumb I eat as I haven't been doing that. I need too, and yeah definitely taking my time with losing the weight, calorie control but not in a silly way, I'm in no rush to force a time period on when I should get such and such amount of weight off. Slow and steady from now on, and make improvements to my diet in all. Thank you!1
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