antidepressants and weight loss struggle. talk to me.

There is always hope. The question is how bad do you want it, and what are you willing to do about it. I hope you get motivated.

im on antidepressants and have lost 9lbs in the past 6 weeks. work hard and eat right and you will get results. feel free to add me

Change meds. Welbutrin has a neutral weight effect. Prozac is supposed to help you lose weight. Talk to your doctor and see if switching would be good for you. I was on Lexapro and despite working out 5-6 days a week and never meeting my calorie goal, my scale would not budge. I stopped taking it and switched to another medicine (you should actually taper it off to avoid withdraw symptoms) and have already lost 6 pounds in 2 weeks. Trust your instincts. If you feel that the meds are making you gain weight/ not be able to lose despite your best efforts, you are probably right. There are other choices. Don't give up until you have found a good one for you.

When I get depressed I stop being depressed and start being awesome instead. True Story.

I just posted a similar thread this morning. I am taking Cymbalta and have been beyond frustrated. I've gained 20lbs in the past three months. I just try to remember that when you're on these things, you're not in control of your metabolism. Consider talking to your doctor/therapist about how frustrated you are with the weight gain. Just continue to work hard to look and feel your best.
I am also hoping to be able to overcome this.

ME TOO! It's so frustrating! It is comforting knowing that I'm not the only one taking this medication and having the weight gain. Feel free to add me.

When I get depressed I stop being depressed and start being awesome instead. True Story.

That's not how depression works. Nice idea though.

I had similar issues. Depression causes weight gain, the medicine causes weight gain. My doc switched me to Wellbutrin, and a lot of weight dropped off, as well as the incessant carb cravings. What helped even more was when she decided that maybe depression wasnt my only issue, ran some scales, delved into my personal history, and decided that I probably have co-morbid ADHD. She put me on Adderall along with the Wellbutrin. she also prescribed a minimum of 30 minutes/day of exercise. I know that is something we should all do anyway, but having it on a scrip sheet on my fridge has made a lot of difference in how my family and I view my need for exercise.

I had to get myself off of those all together for numerous reasons. I switched off the prozac, namely because of the weight gain. (My youngest is six, I couldn't blame it on her anymore)! I went on Welbrutrin which is known for weight loss, however, it can make you agitated and more irritable, but you will be motivated. Since I was so on edge, I got off them with lots of prayer. I am now on a strict calorie counting regimen and working out whenever I can.

Just know you can do this! Don't let those pills run you, run them. Take control of your body and do what you have to do. Those pills are designed to help you as long as they are needed. Now, help your body out and exercise. Eat your proteins in the morning, get that workout in, but have fun with it. Zumba (if you have a Wii, I recommend doing it with the kids, mine love it).

Praying for you!

I'm on 30mg of Prozac currently and while I haven't lost weight, I also haven't gained any. So essentially I'm at a standstill. My doc is hinting towards switching me to another med, can't remember the name...possibly Wayfarin? I also am on 1/2-2mg of Xanax per day as needed. How long have you been on it? I've been on and off anti-depressants since I was 13 and the combo of Paxil and Risperidal made me pack on 60 pounds at that time, in about 3 months. My eating habits hadn't changed and I rode my bike everywhere, but I still packed on weight. Ever since I haven't been able to get rid of any good amount. The 12lb weight loss you see on my ticker below has happened over the course of the last year and a half. I cut nearly 600 cals away from my BMR and have become slightly more active. Now that my meds are successfully treating my depression, I'm finding that I'm motivated to do a lot of things I used to. For example... I just blew $700 on items to redecorate my bathroom and kitchen. I love redecorating and remodeling and moving rooms around. I also want to crochet more and do more crafts like I used to, and I've been dying to get a good bicycle but I'm having a hard time finding one that will hold my weight (I'm at 328lbs) and having it cost less than $350. I miss having a bike and if I had one I'd make the effort to go out and ride to the corner store to get a drink that I want or on a day off from work, ride up to the nearest breakfast place and grab breakfast (though that's about a mile from my house and downhill so until I get stronger, I'd have to take the bus back home, lol). But yeah, Prozac hasn't essentially done anything to hurt my weight loss except make it happen a little bit slower. But I have gained ZERO pounds while on it.

Get off the med's and work out instead. That's what I did. It was really hard the first three months with the withdrawals, but now I'm antidepressent free and rarely get depressed anymore. You need to do what's best for you, but with me I was more depressed being fat and hateing myself because I was so fat.

Twice on the last decade I have lost weight on antidepressants. And I too had children.I believe its just the combination of lots of excercise ( which is a natural antidepressant) and calorie counting. Excercise has always been the key for me. A long brisk walk is what I am able to do now d/t arthritis, but it makes me feel good. Makes you more aware of your body and you feel muscles being used. You can overcome the anti-depressant effect I promise!! Keep trying!!!

I have been on Celexa or Lexapro for the last ten years! I manged to lose 50-60 lbs last year. I gained it back but it wasn't due to the anti-depressants, just due to getting comfortable and then getting lazy! I know you can do it!

When I get depressed I stop being depressed and start being awesome instead. True Story.

Haha, I do love me some HIMYM!

To the OP: talk to your doctor. Feeling hopeless even on anti depressants is never a good thing. It may be time to switch brands. Also, it's hard but FORCE yourself to exercise more. You mental and physical health depend on it.

Good luck, keep fighting. x