Weight Worries...

HouseHippo

I was going to post this in PI but I would prefer an all female perspective to my prob.

Recently this year I've started gaining weight quite quickly(I wouldnt say im fat just a little pudgy)

Lately I feel like im always hungry and food no longer satisfies me. I get very strong food cravings etc.

I am on the pill about a year and a half and I know it puts on weight, however I have discussed this issue with my doctor and he refuses to change my pill, give me tablets to stop cravings etc. I think this may be because he treated my mother for anorexia, also my nanny sees him and told him i have no appetite etc (not true)


Can anyone suggest a way for me to solve this problem,other methods of contraception etc. Oh and yes I go to the gym and try my best to keep to a diet with my bf's help and support.

Thanks girls.

Jules

Firstly your doctor should listen to you and not your nanny and you are also not your mother. You shoudl read the contraception thread, sticked at the top of this forum. As for weight gain maybe ask advice in the fitness/nitrution forums. I do thin kyou would get a much better response in PI. Plenty of girls post over there.

Moved from tLL.

Overheal

First and foremost thats unethical of your doctor to discuss your private medical issues with your aunt, in particular over the age of 18.

Erm other than that this might be just a pill thing, and not something I'd be very informed about

HouseHippo

tut tut condoms have a failure rate ya know

irishpacker

Find out what your BMI is, if it is under 24/25 you are find. If you are overweight (BMI 25+) Then there is only one course of action:

1 - Only eat when you are hungry, and stop when you are satisfied.
2 - Don't eat crap full of sugar and fat
3 - Exercise for at least 45mins a day (Jog, swim, cycle to work etc)
4 - Sleep properly. Get 8/9hours a night. Poor sleep patterns is a huge contributer to weight gain.

There is no magic pill or anything like that to loose weight. All it takes is dedication and sacrifice.

good luck!

HouseHippo

I didnt realise that about sleep.
I'm a terrible insomniac....thanks

irishpacker

Seriously people dont realise how big an impact lack of sleep has on body weight. Its a mixture of your brain not experiencing enough "deep" sleep time (rapid eye movement... dreaming in other words) and also the fact that if you are awake for long periods without sleep, your body stores energy because it doesn't know when it is going to get rest. If anything sleep patterns are more important that the amount of time spent asleep.

challengemaster

irishpacker wrote: »

Find out what your BMI is, if it is under 24/25 you are find. If you are overweight (BMI 25+) Then there is only one course of action:

1 - Only eat when you are hungry, and stop when you are satisfied.
2 - Don't eat crap full of sugar and fat
3 - Exercise for at least 45mins a day (Jog, swim, cycle to work etc)
4 - Sleep properly. Get 8/9hours a night. Poor sleep patterns is a huge contributer to weight gain.

There is no magic pill or anything like that to loose weight. All it takes is dedication and sacrifice.

good luck!

I'd disagree with the Bold-ed point.


Ideally, try to eat every 3- 31/2 hours of a smaller meal everyday. Not only will you feel less hungry but it will help boost your metabolism by constantly supplying your body with the adequate amount of Energy; Stay away from eating 3 larger meals and start eating smaller meals through out the day.

Consume an adequate amount of fat.

When I say fat, I meant the healthy kind of fat such as nuts and seeds, nut butters, olive oil, organic meats and eggs, virgin coconut oil, and avocados. Depleting yourself with the healthy fat can negatively affect your hormone levels that will only result to more cravings.

In addition, you want to limit the unhealthy fat (saturated fat) such as butter, margarine, and the fat around your steak. Avoid hydrogenated fat at all costs as they cause more harm than good.

taram

I had those problems and it turned out to be pre-diabetes due to polycystic ovaries. Not to scare you, but it's more common than you'd think.

You should try a different pill, different hormone combinations affect different women. People are paranoid about the pill making you put weight on, it hasn't been scientifically proven, anyway I lost weight on mine as it affected my water retention And I'd second the trying to sleep regularly and properly, makes a world of difference!

b3t4

The progestogen in the Pill can increase your appetite causing the weight gain. (lots of more info on the pill here http://www.womhealth.org.au/healthjourney/pill_myths_misconceptions.htm)

Your doctor should listen to you. Please go a different doctor.

A.

Miss Fluff

I know you have been bereaved recently OP, have your eating habits changed? Do you eat regular meals or do you not eat much and then eat at night? Are you eating more junk? How much weight are we talking here? People don't pile on pounds for no reason, it can be caused by a multiplicity of things, hormonal/diet/medical/not exercising etc.

It if is attributable to the pill, then there are plenty of others that you can try, it's a trial and error thing with most women and it can take a while to find one that suits you.

Imposter

If this was on the fitness or the diet/nutrition forums people would ask you to post a typical days diet. What you eat and drank and when and then they'd analyse that and give you pointers. If the doctor thinks the pill isn't the problem then i'm guessing we should be thinking the same. If you don't agree with that then get a second opinion off a different doctor.

Regarding the diet - if you are not prepared to post your diet up here at least read the stickies on the fitness and Nutrition forums. There is a lot of very good info there - some of which others have already given.

Marksie

Miss Fluff wrote: »

I know you have been bereaved recently OP, have your eating habits changed? Do you eat regular meals or do you not eat much and then eat at night? Are you eating more junk? How much weight are we talking here? People don't pile on pounds for no reason, it can be caused by a multiplicity of things, hormonal/diet/medical/not exercising etc.
.

Stress, particularly long periods of stress may in some cause weight gain (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress/AN01128).
It has been a difficult time for you this year. This may be another possibility. See if you can find ways fo reducing the stress on you at the moment

Canis Lupus

Like challengemaster said ignore Irishpackers advice about eating only when hungry and then till you're satisfied (If I did that for example I'd be the size of a house, eating when hungry means you'll be much more likely to eat more and be more tempted to make something comforting ie bad etc)

Eat small amounts often is the key and really upping your fruit and particularly veg intake.

For proper advice go post in the fitness forum. You'll get much better advice but in general:

Eat less crap and eat more good stuff

Exercise 2.5 hours a week at least (including a proper weights plan, not just messing about with girly pink coloured weights). Perhaps set a goal of a 10k race or something similar and get out there training.

Best of luck.

barbiegirl

I had a similar experience, and when I came off the pill and combined it with ww the weight has been going down, very slowly but getting there, 1.5 stone in 9 months. I like you watched what I ate, was very careful, ate roughly 1400 calories a day, did 4 hours really hard work outs in the gym. At the gym I went to classes as it's must harder to slack off, you have to keep up and keep going, and the weight just kept piling on. It would make me want to cry when people said oh you must be eating too much or not exercising enough, cause I knew I was doing everything right.
Thankfully 9 months ago my oh and I made the decision to come off the pill in preparation for trying for a baby, I also cut out any foods that I knew gave me heartburn or upset my tummy, like yogurt, banana's etc (these are just my problem not everybodies) and as I said joined ww.
The reason for ww was I once let myself become obsessed with my weight and fat etc. and ww work with you to keep you within healthy limits of weight loss and goals.
Go to a different doctor if this guy won't listen to you. My big kicker to lose weight came when I mistook myself for a sofa in a picture. I kept saying what am I behind, there are no sofa's there. Nope it was just an extra sized me.

Hansel

Change your doctor. He should not be discussing your health with your gran. Highly unethical.

hunnybunny

I am on the pill about a year and a half and I know it puts on weight, however I have discussed this issue with my doctor and he refuses to change my pill, give me tablets to stop cravings etc.

The pill making people put on weight is a myth. My doctor has also rubbished this claim. Its amazing the amount of people who believe this. Some women report an increase in appetite but if they are eating the wrong things of course they are going to put on weight. Its a no brainer.;)

If you experience an increase in appetite, indulge in fruit, water and vegetables and you shouldn t find the weight gain massive, according to my doctor.

I have been on the pill for 6 years. I am happy with it as it stops my acne and heavy periods. Any weight gains I have made have been caused due to bad diet and lack of exercise. I have lost the weight by increased exericise and eating fruit and veg and cutting out crap.

There really is no magical potion to lose weight. Eat well and exercise - oldest rules in the book and from my own experience the only ones that work.

With regards to other contraception, I think there is a link on this website.
The pill is nearly 100% effective IF used correctly. I wouldn t change from it myself. I can t imagine going back to heavy irregular periods and acne.

starlight07

I have a friend who experienced the same as yourself, basically she started on the pill (Yasmin) and 2 weeks into it she was eating rings around herself. Constantly hungry and asking if anyone wanted to go for food. She was by no means an anorexic before this but just had a normal apetite, so it was out of character.

This had happened to me previously the year before, Im not giving medical advice here but maybe if you change what time of the day that you take your pill. I take mine at 11pm now and have noticed a difference, my apetite is much smaller. Basically the pill can regulate your apetite, if you take it in the morning you will eat during the day and it can increase apetite. If you take it at night you are going asleep straight after so thus chances of increasing your apetite are lower. Worked for me but you should go see a different doctor to get a second opinion and advice on how to change the time you take your pill in order to do it safely without wrecking your cycle.

Also as previous posters have said that it also depends on what food you are eating.

mel(",)

Hey OP,

i know you say you have quite a healty diet but have you looked into how big your portions are. i have been doin w.w for 2 years now and although i was about two stone over weight i ate well (or so i tought) until i started to learn about portion sizes..for example a "large" portion of pasta is 60g when i weighted this out i was stunned! i was having double at least! might just be something to look into! mel x

HouseHippo

hunnybunny wrote: »

The pill making people put on weight is a myth. My doctor has also rubbished this claim. Its amazing the amount of people who believe this. Some women report an increase in appetite but if they are eating the wrong things of course they are going to put on weight. Its a no brainer.;)

If you experience an increase in appetite, indulge in fruit, water and vegetables and you shouldn t find the weight gain massive, according to my doctor.

I have been on the pill for 6 years. I am happy with it as it stops my acne and heavy periods. Any weight gains I have made have been caused due to bad diet and lack of exercise. I have lost the weight by increased exericise and eating fruit and veg and cutting out crap.

There really is no magical potion to lose weight. Eat well and exercise - oldest rules in the book and from my own experience the only ones that work.

With regards to other contraception, I think there is a link on this website.
The pill is nearly 100% effective IF used correctly. I wouldn t change from it myself. I can t imagine going back to heavy irregular periods and acne.

The thing is I dont eat ****. I eat rice cakes, pumpkin seeds, yogurts, garlic bread,Cous Cous,Tofu,Veggie burgers(im a veggie by the way) Loads of fruit, herbal tea, Occasional curry(once every two weeks when i hadnt time for dinner before work)

Thats whats getting on my nerves so bad.There is no reason for me to be putting on weight. I bought a gym membership today so hopefully i will be able to go more often.

b3t4

hunnybunny wrote: »

The pill making people put on weight is a myth.[/B] My doctor has also rubbished this claim. Its amazing the amount of people who believe this. Some women report an increase in appetite but if they are eating the wrong things of course they are going to put on weight. Its a no brainer.;)

Your doctor is aware that eating too much of anything will lead to weight gain? You can eat as much healthy food as you want but if you're eating too much of it you will gain weight.

A substantial increase in appettite is not something that a woman should have to put up with and if this is a case for a woman then her doctor should suggest that she try a different pill with reduced progesterone.

A.

hunnybunny

Your doctor is aware that eating too much of anything will lead to weight gain? You can eat as much healthy food as you want but if you're eating too much of it you will gain weight.

A substantial increase in appettite is not something that a woman should have to put up with and if this is a case for a woman then her doctor should suggest that she try a different pill with reduced progesterone.

yeah too much of anything aint good, but if you have to binge choose healthy foods. Im amazed at the amount of people i know who stuff themselves themselves with junk food and blame the pill for making them do it!!!!
But an appetite increase shouldn t be soo large that it would cause even a binge of healthy food to become harmful.
I personaly have never experienced that despite my 6 years on the pill.
I just know that the Pill is often used as a scapegoat to cover an eating disorder.
It definately does not make a person fat, The eating does. If the appetite increase is sooo much try another pill or come off it!!

Macha

HouseHippo wrote: »

The thing is I dont eat ****. I eat rice cakes, pumpkin seeds, yogurts, garlic bread,Cous Cous,Tofu,Veggie burgers(im a veggie by the way) Loads of fruit, herbal tea, Occasional curry(once every two weeks when i hadnt time for dinner before work)

Thats whats getting on my nerves so bad.There is no reason for me to be putting on weight. I bought a gym membership today so hopefully i will be able to go more often.

Rice cakes, garlic bread, cous cous are all high in carbs. Veggie burgers can be high in carbs. Fruit has a lot of sugar. Sugar and carbs (all glucose) are big factors in weight gain. I suggest you post your diet on the Nutrition & Diet forum.

Also, what sort of exercise are you doing at the moment? Again, post it up in the Nutrition 6 Dietee forum.

RentDayBlues

Bear in mind that some weight gain can be medical, perhaps a general blood screening might be advisable

Overheal

HouseHippo wrote: »

The thing is I dont eat ****. I eat rice cakes, pumpkin seeds, yogurts, garlic bread,Cous Cous,Tofu,Veggie burgers(im a veggie by the way) Loads of fruit, herbal tea, Occasional curry(once every two weeks when i hadnt time for dinner before work)

Thats whats getting on my nerves so bad.There is no reason for me to be putting on weight. I bought a gym membership today so hopefully i will be able to go more often.

Stress and insomnia tbh. I'd have gray hairs too if I was on such a freaky diet :pac: I say you are what you eat, and Im a lazy bastard, so I like to look the part.