Obesity and weight loss

I gained 130lbs while on an antidepressant. It became difficult to walk so I stopped med, with my doctor’s advice, and started counting calories. Put myself on a 1200cal per day diet. I have lost 75lbs, so far. It’s not easy, but I eat healthy food and when I reach 1200cal I stop. It’s free, no drugs or side effects. Slow and steady is the best way. Of course, like me, do this with the advice of your doctor.

@pattic
Thank you for responding. I asked monitor if we could start a new discussion on weight loss and obesity without the biatratic surgery beginning. I think many like me do not want to have that surgery and or have not had the surgery and the obesity discussions would really helped many.

I have gotten many responses and all have helped me. I do think the antidepressants do cause weight gain along with some other medications I take for my heart. What I am reading is quit hoping for something other than your own commitment plan to lose weight.

I also see do what works for you but do see everyone is citing eating healthly.

Have you been able to return to your walking? Keep up the good work!

I am winning the battle now lol… but took years…. All I can say is don’t ever give up ….the awesome thing is there are so many products to utilize to help fight obesity you don’t have to do alone …: let’s face it if it were just a will power thing we would all be thin … but you have to work with the medication and not find ways to cheat your way through…. I seen some people do this with the sleeve and they gained their weight back ….my surgery was over ten years ago and I have never had a carbonated beverage lol … my thing is it stretches your stomach not sure if it does but have not drank soda …..this is a life journey at first it is very conscious in all your food decisions , but once you retrain your mind and body than your on auto pilot …. Don’t get me wrong I have a goodie now and than but now its portion and quality over quantity….so everyone out there this struggle you can win but you have to do your part and there are no short cuts …. So work with whatever diet you choose, exercise and make smart choices and in 10 years you will be here encouraging others ….

I will share what I have experienced, but everyone is different. I do get your frustration though. Been there before. There are multiple people in my family who have weight issues. It is complicated.

Maybe you’ll see a change when the dose of Wegovy is increased. Do you have diabetes or any other medical conditions that might impact your weight loss struggle?

Most of my life I was thin to average size, but always struggled to stay that way. I joined Weight Watchers once, joined 3 different medically supervised diet plans. All worked somewhat.

I gained a lot of weight during covid. I attended a retreat with friends at a magical Lake near a mountain in NC last summer It was a special time that changed my life. It helped me change my internal dialogue. I needed this, since my overeating was rarely due to being hungry. It was about something else. I also began talk therapy. Yes, joining a gym, meeting with a nutritionist, following strict calorie intake, etc. are helpful, but for me it was more about me and my life. I don’t know how to explain it. Oh, I also think I got scared of poor health, pain, disability and early death, if I didn’t get my health to an ideal place.

@celia16
Love the idea of retreat to take time to work on yourself. I am curious if this was just group of friends that got together or a retreat that offered classes, etc to help you change your thinking.

If formal retreat, are you willing to share the name of the place?

@misssuezq
If I did the shopping I don't think it would helped as it is my wife that likes to buy and try different snacks.

Did Ozempic put you on a low dose to begin with? If so did it work at the low dose?

I am an emotional eater as well. But I also snack when bored, tired, sick (to feel better). I do see a psychiatric PA medicine. I take escitilopram (spell) and several other medications. The PTSD had developed into anxiety/panic disorder. With the medication the PTSD really diminshed and came off XNAC and Trazadone.

I added a lot of exercise and regrettfully snacks in my battle to beat the PTSD.

It was a planned get together with a few close, longtime fiends, as well as some other friends and a couple of new friends! Men and women. We rented a house right on Lake Lure next to Chimney Rock, NC. I hadn’t been there since I was a kid.

Oh, I was impressed that this is the lake where the movie Dirty Dancing was filmed! The cast stayed at the local Hotel during filming where they still provide a tribute to the film and cast. The boat tours will point out famous sites from the movie. I took some photos.

We had our own itinerary that included hiking, boat rides, outdoor lakeside dining, local flower garden, etc. Plus down time to reflect and breathe deeply. Plus, sharing our feelings with our friends. It didn’t hurt that most of my friends were very health conscious . Some are vegan and they all are very active. It was the most memorable vacation in the US. Photos below, The bear near the boat was taken from our dock!

ADDITIONALLY, I later discovered that there are professional resorts at that location that offer what I experienced! It’s described as a place where there’s a portal to a place of transformation! I had no idea when I went. Therefore, I think it’s real. To each his own, but I’m a believer. 😉

@celia16

Thanks for sharing, it does look like beautiful spot to regenerate. I have friends in NC, would be great get away. Love the movie Dirty Dancing !