This doesn't seem normal.

piratemerdi
piratemerdi Posts: 212 Member
edited January 8 in Motivation and Support
Usually, up until I was put on anti-depressants, I never weighed more than 125, while eating pretty much whatever I wanted. However, I was on Zoloft for a few months, and noticed rapid weight gain, which put me up to about 140-150. I have since then switched off of Zoloft, and have been exercising and counting calories, and have gotten down to 141. However, for a week, I took off of exercising to visit my fiance, and still kept my calorie intake relatively low, (not over 1500, and only one day did it go over 1200), however, when I got home, I had gained another 6 pounds, and I was only away from exercise for about 6 days. This doesn't seem normal. I'm only 21 years old, and according to the calculator on this site, if I ate 1500 calories daily, it would take me 5 weeks to gain 3 pounds. I'm not sure how my metabolism is this slow. Help?

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Could just be water - did you eat a lot of salty (like frozen or restaurant) foods while you were gone? Were you drinking? Is it near your time of the month? Is it possible you underestimated food? You would have to have over ate by 21,000 calories to actually gain 6lbs.

    Don't worry, a few days of healthy eating, and it will drop back off.


  • piratemerdi
    piratemerdi Posts: 212 Member
    None of those, really. I've tried to figure out what I've been doing wrong, but I really can't figure it out. I drank a lot of water while I was gone, and I'm not due for my time of the month for another 2 weeks. I had a little champagne on New Years', but that's all the drinking I did. It's really weird.
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
    sometimes we are holding water, and we don't know why. try not to make it a big deal in your mind, give it time. will prob. go back down in the next few days. you could have also had some carby meals while you were gone, like pasta.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    Just in case can you go to the doctor and get your metabolism checked? Antidepressants have been known to screw with thyroid function anyway.
  • Project_Jodie
    Project_Jodie Posts: 171
    Antidepressants are known to mess with your metabolism but also it could be that your getting older as well and you can't just eat what you want and stop exercising...I know that happened for me!

    Oh how I wish I could go back to 18 - eat as much as i wanted and not gain anything! *sigh*
  • piratemerdi
    piratemerdi Posts: 212 Member
    I think it's the meds. I know my metabolism is going to slow down gradually as I get older, but it shouldn't have just slowed down to this point so rapidly. That's the part that doesn't make sense. This past summer, for example, I worked at Subway, and ate a sub and several cookies every day, and didn't gain an ounce. Then all of a sudden, when I went back to school and switched to Zoloft, I gained weight, after actually beginning to eat healthier. I'm on Welbutrin now, but my metabolism doesn't seem to have gone back to normal. :/
  • aryastark8
    aryastark8 Posts: 57 Member
    When you travel, especially on an airplane, but also long trips in a car, your body retains more water. It is not uncommon to put on a few pounds of water weight due to travel. Give yourself a few days, and try checking your weight again.
  • denezy
    denezy Posts: 573 Member
    Are you SURE about the calories you logged? As in, did you prepare all the food yourself? Measuring, etc. Restaurants are usually far too generous with portions?
  • NerdyTXChick
    NerdyTXChick Posts: 155 Member
    I would check in with your doctor as soon as you are able. Sudden weight gain can be a symptom of different medical problems, so it would probably be a good idea just to be on the safe side.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,077 Member
    It's your fiance.:laugh:

    I kid. Body weight often fluctuates up to 7lbs. for a myriad of reasons. Just get back to correct calorie deficit and it will go back down.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • piratemerdi
    piratemerdi Posts: 212 Member
    It was only an hour and a half long car ride, so I don't think that has much to do with it. If it was a longer trip, that would make sense.

    I didn't really eat in restaurants while I was away... his parents did most of the cooking, so I'm PRETTY sure about the calories I logged. Even if it was a little off, it shouldn't have made that big of a difference.

    Also, I tried explaining this whole thing to my parents, and how it's been proven that it's unhealthy to go below 1200 calories a day, and they don't seem to believe me.
  • lisadiane41
    lisadiane41 Posts: 141
    It is definitely the meds. My daughter is also on Zoloft and gained weight. She was 114 pounds and now weights 170 pounds. Unfortunately, due to her mental condition she has to stay on her medication. We have tried other medication like Saphris, Geodon and Abilify and they all made her gain weight. Talk to your doctor. It says right on the label that it could cause weight gain. It does mess up your system. Best of luck and hang in there.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    .
  • LilacDaffodil
    LilacDaffodil Posts: 148 Member
    Prozac made my weight sky-rocket, screwed my metabolism up totally :grumble:
  • piratemerdi
    piratemerdi Posts: 212 Member
    I'm hoping that I can get off anti-depressants completely eventually. Right now, they're helping me to get through school, but I'd like to start going off them slowly after I graduate.

    Thanks, everyone, for the support and advice. It means a lot. Glad that there are so many friendly, supportive people on this site. :)
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