Quote Originally Posted by limewave View Post
Hi Everyone,
Is anyone else on an anti-depressant and having problems with weight gain? I have been on Lexapro for four years and have put on 35 lbs. I went off the medication while I was pregnant and only put on 20 lbs then subsequently lost 25 lbs after delivering. But, once I went back on the medication a few months later, the weight packed back on.

Over the last year, I took the medication irregularly and managed to maintain my weight. 2 months ago I started taking it regularly again. I have been counting my calories 1600-2000 a day. I run 20 miles a week, bike 50, swim 2 nights, and do pilates 3x a week too. And somehow I've managed to gain 6 pounds in 7 weeks

So, I have decided to take myself off the meds and try a holistic approach to treating the depression. I was just wondering if anyone else is doing this. I'm interested in some good resources that could help me with recipes and the like.

Thanks!
Limewave -

So many of us are struggling with balancing our lives - and depression is a major challenge. I salute your strength and hope that you are finding answers.

I was struck by a couple of things in your first post: your training volume, first. Is this your typical schedule? Do you periodize/taper? Forgive me if you have posted elsewhere on this as I am sort of new here, but, assuming that you have a child and probably a paying job, you are expending a HUGE amount of energy. 1600-2000cals doesn't sound like enough, and I wonder if you are confusing your body into starvation mode. If your training volume has been heavy for months, is overtraining playing into the weightgain and mood stuff? How's your sleep? So many mothers give up sleep hours to cram in chores/me time/etc that the lack of sleep can add to the weight gain (by adding more stress and adrenal exhaustion). I know I neglected sleep.

As for antidepressants, I know firsthand that they can cause 30 pounds to be gained over a few years. I had a bear of a time with it, including some nasty tapering side-effects when I was ready to stop, but with talk therapy and a more balanced training schedule (less and better, not more), I lost the extra weight in a year.

Personally, I feel better without the Celexa now, but I certainly needed it to work through some trauma in therapy and to just deal with the day to day functioning of job/family responsibilities.

Preach time: Holistic treatments - whatever route you go - will only work if you start with balanced sleep, diet, training - and achieving that alone is no easy task in this modern world!

I think you are going to get there, though. Please share with us what works for you because we can learn something from your quest.