Posts by mom2zs

SSRIs such as Zoloft are notorious for weight gain.  There are worse meds for weight gain than Zoloft but just Google "Zoloft and weigh gain."  You'll see it's very common. I've been on Zoloft for 10 months now for post partum depression.  I saw an initial dramatic weight loss--8 pounds in 10 days.  Now my weight is back around to what it was pre-Zoloft, but I'm not overweight.  I would suggest reading the web page for the Serotonin Power Diet, it talks about the relationship between SSRIs, serotonin, appetite and weight gain.  I've been following the principles of the diet for months and it seems to have helped in both stabilizing my moods and controlling my appetite. Another thing about the meds is that there are many contributing factors that can combine to result in large amounts of weight gain.  I don't think weight gain on Zoloft or any other SSRI is necessarily a foregone conclusion, but it's good to go into it with your eyes open.  

Lauramanners-((((((((((big hugs!)))))))))))))  I'm so sorry to hear you're going through such a difficult time.  I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your son as well as your grammie.  I have two sons myself and my biggest fear is losing one of them.  Several years ago my dad went through a situation similar to your husband's.  He was a firefighter and hurt his back carrying a rather large woman down a flight of stairs during a fire.  But the city kept refusing to pay and said he hurt it off the job.  After a very long battle he did finally end up getting what he was entitled to, but things got really bad for a long time. We kept gettting final notices for utilities and my mom would have to pick and choose the most important bills to pay each month.  I really don't know how they managed to take care of us and keep a roof over our heads during that horrible time. Now my dad has cancer and is undergoing chemo and radiation daily.  Sometimes it seems like life just won't cut you a break.  

The only consolation I can offer you is that you are not alone. People here will lift you up and help you on your way to a healthier, happier you.  Getting healthy is difficult even in the best of circumstances, given what you're going through sometimes just getting dressed in the morning is an accomplishment in itself.  I went through a very difficult period of depression myself, I still struggle with it, especially now that my dad is sick.  But I'm trying very hard not to let it get the best of me and I try to take pride in even the smallest accomplishments. And I try to remember that progress is not measured so much in the pounds I lose, but in the healthy habits I'm building each day.  Stay positive and be kind to yourself!

I can definitely see where you all are coming from, no one should be told they shouldn't try weights, I think they're great.  And I hope to work my way up to heavier ones as time goes on.  As for those who lift with one arm and talk on the phone with the other, OK well, I can't take up for them! :-)  Obviously I'm a bit sensitized to this, the thought of slipping my chicken legs into a pair of shorts and hitting the weights for the whole gym to see..?  Sends me into a cold sweat just thinking about it!

But since I have the attention and input from some seasoned "ironettes" here, I'll pose a question I asked earlier in another thread.  I'm looking to increase my muscle mass, I'm slim but soft.  I can definitely feel my muscles working during and after my work-outs, but I'm wondering if I'm not taking in enough calories to build muscle.  According to the CC calculator I burn anywhere between 2100-2300 cal/day and my average calorie intake is usually right around 1600.  I'm not losing or gaining weight, just maintaining.  I think maybe I'm shortchanging myself and my body's hanging onto the fat.  I never thought this stuff could be so complicated.  If anyone has any input (besides throw away the pink dumbbells-LOL!!) I'd love to hear it!

Olivia-I can totally relate to your feelings, though for different reasons.  I had post partum depression after the birth of my second son and he was seven months old before I sought any outside help.  I felt I knew what I needed to do; exercise, eat right, think positive, etc.  But it wasn't enough and I finally had to go on medication, something I hated to do. I'm not saying that's what you need, just letting you know I've been there.  

I did really well for a long time, then my dad got diagnosed with cancer and I lost all motivation (I actually posted about this recently).  One thing I would suggest is reading the book "Serotonin Power Diet" by Drs. Judith Wurtman and Nina Marquis.  It's all about eating to stimulate serotonin production in your brain.  The serotonin is not only the "feel good" chemical but it also acts as the appetite control switch for the brain. Women naturally produce less serotonin than men, then when you begin feeling depressed or anxious your brain produces even less serotonin. Thus the vicious cycle of emotional eating, loss of energy, etc.  I won't try to go into all the stuff it says in the book but I find the eating plan to be just what I need to feel better.  

Most people tsk, tsk me when I tell them the way I eat because carbs (even simple carbs) are a big part of my daily diet.  But not only is my hunger and appetite under control, but my moods are a lot more stable and I just feel calmer when I eat this way. I really just can't say enough how much it's helped me, I'm a big believer in it, despite what the skeptics say.  If you want to know more about it let me know and I'll outline the basics for you.  Good luck to you, I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it.  

Makettle, it sounds like our situations are very similar.  Funny we both woke up today thinking we've got to make a change.  I went grocery shopping today and got all my healthy foods I'd been eating before and didn't pick up any of the junk this time.  At least now I'll have the right foods in the house.  I would have liked to get in a work-out but it seems the baby has other plans for me today!  We should be diet buddies, maybe having some accountability will get me back on track!