How to lose weight with the Depo shot

The main thing it does is make you more hungry. Focus on fluids, and low calorie snacks if you're a volume eater.

Also if you haven't already, try out different macros to see what satiates you the best! It seems to vary from person to person. Doing so should help with appetite control as well.

Have you considered an alternative to depo? If you feel as though you have significant increased hunger on it, perhaps another option will work better for you. Otherwise, keep in mind that depo itself doesn't cause weight gain, just that some people experience increased hunger and water retention while on it.

And yes, weight loss will take time, but there is nothing you can do to jump start it. You just have to start and go one day at a time.

Jdavis, I completely know where you're coming from! I just stopped taking the depo shot last month (technically, I just never got my last shot that was due a couple weeks ago). I have been on multiple types of birth control (spanning from Ortho tri cyclin to Mirena IUD)---never had one weight gain side effect. I have been taking the depo shot only since June and have gained 10 pounds. I work out 4-5 days per week (3 days are always weight lifting) and am health conscience with food. In other words, I didn't change a thing in my routine. As soon as I realized I was gaining this weight due to the depo, I immediately made the decision to stop the injections. I am wondering how long system will take to regulate back to normal, and when I will start seeing this abnormal weight gain go away! Let's keep each other posted!!

Girl, I've been there done that with different methods of BC. Many (thousands) of women are going through unexplained weight gain caused directly from the depo shot. Added to that now are studies that are now being conducted. Every woman reacts differently, plain and simple. Just because you haven't gained weight, doesn't make it any less real for another woman.

I got the depo shot in March 17, I gained 40lbs! I totally think the depo contributed towards my weight gain. I decided NOT to go back for my latest shot, I'm working on getting it out of my system whilst controlling what I eat then when I have reached my goal weight I will consider a different method of contraception.

It baffles me that women can be so nasty to one another. These threads are not meant for women to spout rude comments to one another. But rather, for women who are truly experiencing REAL issues seeking other women going through the same thing. You cannot tell a stranger that they are not experiencing something... How do you know?

All I know, is that I am an athletic woman who works out consistently and eats a healthy consistent diet. And over a 7 month period of time experienced a 10 pound weight gain doing nothing differently... Except taking the depo shot.

Yes, eating less while on Depo, will still allow you lose weight. I think that is not really the point of OP's question though, . Even though it is worded jumo start, I'm guessing she's actually trying to figure out how to work around the handicap of increased depo induced hunger to still be able to lose weight.
Literally out of 20 replies, only one offered tips on how to keep the hunger under control in order to be able to actually keep her calorie count under her target. Most of the rest either told her to stop taking the shot (not your business) , stop eating so much food (duh), or argued about whether or not depo causes weight gain (not the point). How about some of you actually come up with some helpful ideas instead?





Jdavis7622, Unfortunately there really aren't many supplements that are both effective and safe, and most of the "jumpstart" plans are either useless, a scam or downright dangerous. The only way to really get things going is to figure out where you can cut more calories, and make your body work harder with some exercise. Logging and weighing everything with a scale will help you keep track of how much you are actually eating. Logging religiously, (even a couple weeks before actually cutting out food), including why you are eating, and how you feel before, during and an hour after eating will help you see what foods help you feel satisfied and good, which make you feel bloated or hungry again in an hour, and where you are eating out of habit instead of hunger. Once you do that, you can start playing with different foods, cutbacks and alternatives that will fit into your calorie budget. Lots of high fiber vegetables and lean protein might help curb the hunger cravings. The important (and hardest) thing to remember is that a jump start is basically useless in the long run. It is much more important, and easier to slowly work your way into changes that are actually sustainable.

asheffield13 wrote: »

Here's what's going to happen: in 1 month I will report to you all on my weight. That will give my body enough time to adjust without the depo. I will continue doing the same exact regime I've been doing. This will hopefully help the women on this feed that are truly seeking help and wanting to know the same thing I'm wondering: how long will it take for our bodies to come back to normal after stopping the depo.

Anything else doesn't matter to me at this point. I know my body more than anyone else in this world. I've had two babies and have been through more hormonal crap than I care to truly know!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this wasn't your thread? I'm asking because it can be confusing sometimes to follow when threads go off in an unintended direction. When you update, you might want to start a fresh post so it's easier for those who are interested to follow it.

I'm interested in hearing your results, but everyone here should keep in mind that one person's experience doesn't necessarily have any bearing on someone else's.

What I'd really like to see are some published, peer-reviewed scientific studies to back these claims. Otherwise, it's difficult to take it as anything beyond anecdotal. Also, it's important to keep in mind that correlation doesn't not equal causation.

We would all love to see some scientific results regarding depo prevera and "published, peer-reviewed" science studies. But since there is hardly any of that for whatever reason, desperate women like me are seeking other women's experiences and what they are going through. That's why there are a million blogs out there on this topic! Again, none of us want to hear from women who have never been on depo, or who are/have been on it and haven't experienced any adverse effects and only want to be negative and opposing on these types of sites....I digress...

Update from 10 days ago:

I finally started my period for the first time after stopping depo, and within a week I have lost 3 pounds literally doing nothing. In fact, I ate like crap today and weighed myself at my 'heaviest time of the day', which is the end of the day. More to come ladies!

And by the way, blogs don't have to be formal and official and by the books. They can stray off course and gain insight for some people. I hope I don't get a spanking by the blog cops...

Hi ladies! Nutritionist here. Unfortunately, it’s harder to lose weight gained by birth control because hormones slow your metabolism but making a few changes like always eating breakfast, only eating nutrient dense food, never eating before bed, etc. are a few ways to boost your metabolism. Hope this helps!