Losing Effexor weight gain

I was put on Effexor for Depression 75 mg for 2 1/2 years/It has been fantastic!  I am calm, reliable, responsible, almost robotic!!ha!ha!..the perfect Stepford Wife! Except that I have gained 16lbs. It just slowly crept on. I was underweight, (Welbutrin made me lose almost 16lbs, too skinny!)  so the first 8 lbs was fine, then slowly drifted up to 140 from 124. May not seem much, but I am disgusted by my fat, wobbly, bulging mid-section, back and bra fat!!  I have been an athlete my whole life, more comfortable in a swimsuit than clothes!!  Now, I am sluggish, and feel like hiding. My self esteem has tanked. I weaned myself off Effexor. Will the weight come off?  I have been eating properly always, and exercise 3-5 times a week. Has anyone managed to lose the weight. I was hoping to be back to normal by July!! ie lose 10-12 lbs!

[M4Y0U]

If you keep eating normally (I'd suggest a low calories diet until you reach your perfect BMI) and exercise you will lose that weight. If you want to be back to normal by July then maybe you would need liquid diet or more exercise. Maybe you can reach your goal the way you are doing it right now... Who knows?

M4

[mammo]

If the Effexor put the weight on, then being off of it should make you lose it.  Cut out the bad carbs in your diet and eat sensibly and you'll be bikini ready real soon.

[leeland86]

If you are clearly sure that it was the Effexor that put the weight on and you got off of it and you exercise frequently, then it all comes down to dieting and watching what you eat. unfortunately there isnt much more i can say that already hasnt been posted already. Less carbs and lots of protein. Liquid diets are good also. There are also health supplement stores where you can get some better advice on what to take and offer health supplement to quicken the process.

[mammo]

Don't diet, because as soon as you stop, the weight will come back.  Start a healthy way of eating that you can stick with the rest of your life.  Whole grains, fruits, protein, etc. think lean and low carbs.

[M4Y0U]

Well you can diet but getting back on your normal eating habits should be a really slow process as you metabolism get used slowly to the intake.

Low cards is good but it's not really carbs the problem but more the simple carbohydrates vs the complex ones. Try to cut on simple carbs like refined sugary stuff like candies and cake and go for the complex carbs like sweet potatoes and whole grains stuff. The change in eating habits should not lead into malnutrition. You still need vitamins, minerals and phychemical elements from various food source. Restricted calories is a good way to go and it promotes health and detoxification. If you think you are not eating enough you can try supplementing with vitamins and minerals to be sure you give your body what it needs.

M4

M4

[Honeysucklerose]

Thank you for taking the time to help and share advice. I guess my next question would be: Have any of you lost the weight from Effexor? I have read that it cripples one's metabolism. compromising the enzymes used by the Liver to metabolize fats. My diet has been the same for about 20 years, and I always maintained at 128. I thought I was going crazy,as the weight slowly crept on, did liquid diets, no bread, no dairy, no sugar, no white flour..nothing budges that disgusting fat. As the mother of 2 young active boys, I want to be able to participate in all our summer activities.Feeling heavy, fat and slow... My internist said the Effexor is definitely the weight gain culprit. Have now been on a strict diet with exercise for the past 7 days..only to gain 2lbs...SO do you know anyone that managed to lose this weight?