weight loss on birth control

hollylovesaaron · November 2010

Is anybody else having trouble losing weight because of birth control? I am on the NuvaRing, the only hormonal birth control that doesn't make me feel crappy, and despite a very strict diet (Paleo diet--it sucks) and working out like mad (5-6 days a week, 50% weights, 50% cardio) my weight is not budging. Yes, some of it is new muscle, but I still have about 5 pounds of fat to lose, and my trainer thinks it's because of the birth control. It's making me really discouraged and today I gave in to temptation and ate 8 cookies with breakfast, because my thought was, well my weight is going to be the same no matter what so I might as well enjoy! Any advice or moral support would be appreciated. Thanks!

tinydancer842 · November 2010

I was able to lose 25ibs on the pill. I would put it out of your mind -- I don't think it has too much to do with it. You may have hit a plateau & you need to switch some things up i.e. your food/exercise routine.

FutureMrsKSchwoeppe · November 2010

When I first started Nuva RIng I gained 30 lbs! Ijust went off it a month ago and I am just now starting weight watchers. I have heard of other ppl with the same problem with Nuva Ring and the Depo shot. I will let you know how my weight loss progresses to see if its really the ring. I've lost 5lbs so far! fingers crossed

Kate504 · November 2010

I've not had the problem of losing weight on the pill. I've lost weight on the pill. gained it back and i'm in the process of losing it again. I was on Ovcon 50 and now I'm on Seasonique.

I run and am on Weight Watchers.

ashleybeth1588 · November 2010

I'm in the same boat you are. I gained 40 pounds with my Mirena IUD and once it was taken out the weight gain stopped... now losing that weight, on top of the baby weight is a harder task than I ever imagined. I'm trying weight watchers and going to amp up the exercising. With my wedding 8 months away I'm anxious to get losing.

Cristine2011 · November 2010

I didn't experisnce any weight gain with nuvaring nor did I have a problem losing weight when I was trying to. As someone said earlier, it could be a plateau. If this 5lb is the "last 5lb" then your metabolism is going to slow quite a bit when it comes to fat burning as a protective measure. People often forget that our bodies evolved to hold on to excess energy in the form of fat back in the day when we had to chase our food because calories didn't come as easily as they do now, so when your energy stores get low your body will slow your metabolism to hold on to the last of its energy stores.

That being said, I think the only way for anyone to lose those last few lbs is to kick the workout intensity up a notch and be very disciplined with your diet.

Becca0517 · November 2010

I went on the Nuva ring about a year and a half ago, previously I was on the pill for about 5 yrs. I never really saw a correlation between my weight gain/loss with my birth control. I've actually lost about 20 lbs in the last year just by changing my diet and exercising more. I'm to the point that I'm on the 'last 5 lbs' as the PP mentioned, it has become a lot harder to lose.

I know that each person's body is different, but I never have had a problem with weight and the supplemental hormones that BC has given me.

raynes · November 2010

Everyone's body is different. I lost a bit of weight when switching from Alesse to the Nuvaring, and now that I'm off hormonal birth control all together I haven't really seen any changes.

I would say that you should make sure you're eating enough. And, find a lifestyle (not a diet) that you actually enjoy. If you hate paleo there's no way you'll be able to stick with is successfully for the long term. Diet's don't work, lifestyle changes do.

ambermorley · November 2010

I have been on Nuva for almost 5 years and didn't gain weight due to it. I lost about 5 pounds when I was on WW, over a 4 month period, and gained it back in about a year of inactivity.

I have to ditto raynes. A strict diet is not always the best answer. I learned that on WW. I had never binged or had emotional eating issues until I started my diet. I had a super frustrating time, only lost about 1.25 lbs a month (average) and was obsessed with food. My boyfriend (now fiance) had to have an intervention and ask me to stop. I know some people can have a lot of success with strict diets, but they are not sustainable. This isn't just about your weight, it is about your heath (physical and mental.) Focus on working 5 servings of fruit and veggies and drinking lots of water. Make good choices. That is my advice.

melissary · December 2010

This is a little off topic, but what do you guys recommend snacking on throughout your day? I'm a student, so throughout the day it's much easier for me to grab fast food or something from a vending machine than to cook something. Anything you guys would recommend that I can carry on me throughout the day? I already have cut soda/pop and caffeine but I don't have the healthiest eating habits!

bwalsh15 · December 2010

I started Nuvaring in May 2009 and changed off of it in August 2010. I gained about 20 lbs after a few months on it - and I was actually eating healthier than I ever did before that. Even after days and days of working out, I continued to gain.

I changed off of it in August and have not gained a pound since. Hoping it stays that way and even starts falling!

cherrymariachi · December 2010

This is why I'm going to try going on a non-hormonal birth control when I get married, because I'm worried about the weight gain. I'm going for the Copper IUD Paragard, so hopefully that will not affect my weight and still be effective! hehe

weight loss on birth control

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