Antidepressant weight loss

Sometimes weight gain instigated by medication will come off on its own when you’re no longer taking it, and other times it won’t. If not then I would probably approach that like any other form of healthy weight loss: focus on supporting the metabolism through adequate calories, plenty of sleep, addressing stress, etc. and incorporate some sane and sensible exercise. I would avoid any overly restrictive or overly exhausting interventions.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by Rob.

Big bird, I can share what I saw with a close friend of mine (and have heard similar things from others). She gained a bunch of weight on the anti-depressants, which she was on for 5 years – at least 20 lbs, which on a petite person was significant. She came off and EFFORTLESSLY lost it all within a few months (like 2-3). No purposeful change in diet or exercise. She looks fabulous now.

I agree with Rob, don’t do anything other than simply taking care of yourself. Coming off the drugs can be really difficult so I am sure stress management is of the highest importance right now. You’ll probably settle out weight-wise over the next few months.

@bigbird- glad to help. If exercise sounds awful to you now, just give it time. It’s often the case that when we give ourselves permission to do what we want (not exercise), that we create space for new possibilities to emerge organically. Letting yourself binge on junk food without guilt for a while tends to spontaneously create a desire for heartier nutritious food. Letting yourself chill out and couch surf a while, when you’re not investing energy in feeling bad about it, tends to incite a desire to move around for its own sake.

And yeah, like Amy mentions, coming off medications like this can sometimes induce weight loss without any active effort on your part. Just give it time and go easy on yourself, and see where it takes you.