Why am I gaining weight

determinedgirl1

I lost 60 lbs between Aug 2012 - Aug 2013 but cutting calories and working out a few times a week. I had not really lost any weight between August 2013 & March of this year but I did not gain any either. In March my doctor prescribed Prozac and almost immediately I started gaining weight. I gained 15 lbs between 3/24/14 and 5/15/14. My diet and exercise routine had not changed so the only thing I could really "blame" for the weight gain was the Prozac.

In May I started to keep better track of my intake / output and I was still gaining weight. I stopped taking the Prozac on July 20 (cold turkey but that's another topic)...So it has been over a month and I am still gaining weight (an additional 10 lbs since May).

My diet is not perfect, but I try to stay around 1200-1500 calories. The only beverage I drink is water, sometimes flavored with 0 calorie drops. There are days that I go over my calories...but not enough to cause weight gain. What the heck is going on with me???

astroophys

You may want to talk with your prescribing doctor about the side effects of Prozac and medication similar to it. They do tend to affect the way your body burns and stores the food you eat. While on such drugs, you will probably have to eat less and/or workout more in order to maintain your previous weight loss. Do talk to your doctor.

I have a friend who was put on a similar kind of drug. She wasn't too keen on eating well to begin with. First, she gained 80 lbs in a year. Now, I am unsure as to how much she weighs, but the last time I saw her, she definitely gained more weight. She blames it all on her medication. But, it is not only her meds. Her meds make it more likely that she will gain weight if she eats and exercises as if she is not on the meds. But, the weight gain is due to her lifestyle choices.

My brother had a classmate with tourettes and was on a medication that increased her chances of becoming overweight. Her choice was to exercise every morning, no matter how early her classes started, and eat consistently well. She is, last time my brother saw her, in good shape and healthy.

I see that you are no longer on Prozac, but I'm sure it takes some time for the medication to fully leave your system. Again, talk with your doctor. I'm just a stranger on the internet. Look at where you can increase your physical activity. And perhaps talk with a registered dietitian.