Weight Gain

Ah, the perfect place to come for help! Go easy on me Charlie! 3 weeks ago I weighed 143 pounds. #1 Started birth control (the patch) #2 Started working out in a gym lifting weights I gained 10 pounds! I'm hoping most of it is water weight because for some reason my calves are swelling horribly daily. (Calling the doc tomorrow) And my lower stomach is swelled, too. I have to lose this weight by the 20th. Have to be under 155 for a test to try to get into the FL Hwy Patrol. I've upped my protein and water. And I'm swearing off all snacks, including the 100 calorie snack packs Charlie C. What else can I do? Bothered, but not too noticeably, yet Gisela

To gain that much actual weight (not simply transien****er weight), you would have really had to wear out both your teeth and your elbow. 10 pounds of actual gain would require a caloric surplus of >35000 calories. For that reason, I suspect you are looking a****er weight. Remember, a pint = a pound. An easy way to gauge edema (retained fluids) is press down hard on your shin and see how deep is the indentation and how long it takes for it to disappear. While it is counterintuitive, do not reduce your fluid intake. The body wants fluids and will retain them if thinks it needs them. Giving you body the fluids it wants gives it permission to let go of them. Reducing intake can cause real damage in the long term. It just might mean that you are sodium-senstive. As a first thing, go to a low-sodium dietand see that gets you. While we often equate sodium with salt, there are other sources of sodium, all of which have the same effect. Avoid espcially prepared meats and foods (canned veggies are as bad as salt pork). Scour food labels for sodium content (for example, cottage cheese often has high sodium content). Make it at home for yourself and watch sodium like a hawk. The only hazard with a extreme low sodium routine is potential electrolyte imbalances, but these seldom happen with healthy persons, but do happen with diarhea, nausea, or persons with chronicly conditions that impact intake. Natually occuring sodium in many foods will suffice to ensure good health. So hide your salt shaker, some of your spice blends, and foods that come in boxes and cans. Cook it fresh and see what that yields. I would not take more drastric steps like diuretics without giving this a shot first. Still Living in my NowhereLand... NoWhere Man

Hey Gisela, Good for you on starting a new workout routine! That toning will help you tremendously. As far as the weight gain, I doubt seriously you've truly gained the pounds, only fluid, as referenced in your swelling. Definitely talk to your doc, bet the culprit is the pat*****rease your fluids since you are working out too! Wendy

Dr. told my daughter the the patch will make you gain.

I asked to be put on the nuvaring, but he told me that that would definitely make me gain. Hence, the patch. He said that I wouldn't, but I guess everyone is different. I definitely gained! G

I went on the patch at about 6 months out from surgery and while that was still in my losing stage, I noticed a stop in my weight loss. I got off the patch because of it. It might be totally psychological, but I got off of it anyways. Michelle 8/3/04 294/150