Yoga body?
September 23, 2013 4:07 PM Subscribe
Since starting on birth control about a year ago, I have gained SO. MUCH. WEIGHT. (Almost 30 lbs) I want to look like a yogini. Hope me!
The situation:
I used to be a competitive athlete, and I am still fairly strong. I can run a 10k. I can bike 20-30 miles in a day. I am fairly active (no going to the gym but I walk/bike most places).
I used to be one of those people who could eat whatever they wanted (even after stopping competing). I don't like junk food so I eat fairly healthy. I don't drink soft drinks (or hard ones, for that matter). I don't eat chips or candy or the like.
Since starting on the mini-pill, I have gained 30 lbs. I don't like it at all. I can't take pills with estrogen because they make me depressed and often physically ill. I am afraid of the IUD (see earlier question), but open to it if it would make me stop gaining weight at an incredible rate. I have talked with my doctor about this and she says that it's just something that happens and just to deal with it.
But I want to look fit and healthy again!
So, I have a few questions:
1) Is there anything that has worked for you specifically to combat weight put on by being on the birth control pill?
2) I do yoga occasionally. I could be inspired to do more if I knew how hard it was to get from where I am (chubby) to looking like a svelte yogini. If you are one of those people, how often do you do yoga? Did you transform from a different shape?
3) Suggestions for easing into a more restricted eating plan. I've never really had to think about what I eat. I've looked at the S Diet (no Sugar, Snacks or Seconds, except on days that start with "S"), and I like extremely simple routines like that.
4) I realize these are a lot of unrelated questions, but I'd love to hear any answers you think might help!
The situation:
I used to be a competitive athlete, and I am still fairly strong. I can run a 10k. I can bike 20-30 miles in a day. I am fairly active (no going to the gym but I walk/bike most places).
I used to be one of those people who could eat whatever they wanted (even after stopping competing). I don't like junk food so I eat fairly healthy. I don't drink soft drinks (or hard ones, for that matter). I don't eat chips or candy or the like.
Since starting on the mini-pill, I have gained 30 lbs. I don't like it at all. I can't take pills with estrogen because they make me depressed and often physically ill. I am afraid of the IUD (see earlier question), but open to it if it would make me stop gaining weight at an incredible rate. I have talked with my doctor about this and she says that it's just something that happens and just to deal with it.
But I want to look fit and healthy again!
So, I have a few questions:
1) Is there anything that has worked for you specifically to combat weight put on by being on the birth control pill?
2) I do yoga occasionally. I could be inspired to do more if I knew how hard it was to get from where I am (chubby) to looking like a svelte yogini. If you are one of those people, how often do you do yoga? Did you transform from a different shape?
3) Suggestions for easing into a more restricted eating plan. I've never really had to think about what I eat. I've looked at the S Diet (no Sugar, Snacks or Seconds, except on days that start with "S"), and I like extremely simple routines like that.
4) I realize these are a lot of unrelated questions, but I'd love to hear any answers you think might help!
If you don't want to get an IUD, condoms also don't cause weight gain. (Disregard if you're using the pill for reasons other than contraception.)
posted by Asparagus at 4:18 PM on September 23, 2013
posted by Asparagus at 4:18 PM on September 23, 2013
Response by poster: Regarding condoms -- boyfriend has some unusual, er, features that make using condoms difficult (and yes, we've tried many kinds). Sadly, birth control has got to be me. And yes, I hate and resent that that's the way our medical system/options are set up.
posted by carolinaherrera at 4:20 PM on September 23, 2013
posted by carolinaherrera at 4:20 PM on September 23, 2013
The weight gain has definitely been a thing for me too. It's not a super crazy amount, but I'm definitely aware of just how little it takes to throw the numbers off balance. In my case, I've had to be a lot more mindful of what I'm eating - not just making healthy choices, but actively keeping track of calories. When I slip up and stop, the weight returns. Sucks!
I'm still struggling with this and I'm not yet where I want to be, but I've also had to up the intensity of my exercise to look and feel better. Weights/resistance bands along with cardio stuff, really. I think at some point yoga alone just isn't enough, and it sounds like maybe this is it?
I'm okay with having to work harder on this stuff and get the benefits of the pill in return, but the working-harder-than-before bit seems to be important.
posted by Tequila Mockingbird at 4:23 PM on September 23, 2013
I'm still struggling with this and I'm not yet where I want to be, but I've also had to up the intensity of my exercise to look and feel better. Weights/resistance bands along with cardio stuff, really. I think at some point yoga alone just isn't enough, and it sounds like maybe this is it?
I'm okay with having to work harder on this stuff and get the benefits of the pill in return, but the working-harder-than-before bit seems to be important.
posted by Tequila Mockingbird at 4:23 PM on September 23, 2013
Vasectomy? They're reversible. ;)
posted by airguitar2 at 4:23 PM on September 23, 2013
posted by airguitar2 at 4:23 PM on September 23, 2013
Ok, wait, turns out reversal isn't always successful. Disregard.
posted by airguitar2 at 4:25 PM on September 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by airguitar2 at 4:25 PM on September 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
Yoga is better for toning your muscles than it is for losing weight. To drop pounds/inches you really need to do cardio, and unless you're doing serious power yoga, 30 minutes on a treadmill a couple of times a week is probably a better time investment. Both would be even better.
I have the Mirena IUD and while I love it, I've gained a very stubborn 10 lbs since it went in. Maybe I'm just getting older and my metabolism sucks now, maybe it's the hormones in the IUD, who knows, but it's led me to care about what I eat for the first time ever. If you have an obsessive personality, this is probably not the best route to take, but I found downloading the free MyFitnessPal app on my iPhone and using it to track calories to be helpful -- turns out my "normal" caloric intake was really high for my height/weight, and my metabolism just took care of the surplus until last year. Realizing that I was eating so much more than I needed to made it pretty easy to cut down on the extra snacks, drinks, and portion sizes, and to go for salads instead of burgers at restaurants. So if you're like me and just ate whatever you wanted (and lots of it) until now, educating yourself on your caloric needs and portion sizes could help a lot. But like I said, don't go down that route if you expect that you might get obsessed with calories and eating only the minimum you need to survive -- that way lies misery.
posted by oinopaponton at 4:30 PM on September 23, 2013
I have the Mirena IUD and while I love it, I've gained a very stubborn 10 lbs since it went in. Maybe I'm just getting older and my metabolism sucks now, maybe it's the hormones in the IUD, who knows, but it's led me to care about what I eat for the first time ever. If you have an obsessive personality, this is probably not the best route to take, but I found downloading the free MyFitnessPal app on my iPhone and using it to track calories to be helpful -- turns out my "normal" caloric intake was really high for my height/weight, and my metabolism just took care of the surplus until last year. Realizing that I was eating so much more than I needed to made it pretty easy to cut down on the extra snacks, drinks, and portion sizes, and to go for salads instead of burgers at restaurants. So if you're like me and just ate whatever you wanted (and lots of it) until now, educating yourself on your caloric needs and portion sizes could help a lot. But like I said, don't go down that route if you expect that you might get obsessed with calories and eating only the minimum you need to survive -- that way lies misery.
posted by oinopaponton at 4:30 PM on September 23, 2013
If I were you (and I sort of was you) I would do anything you can, now, to either go off the pill or switch to a different one. Because this weight gain might have nothing to do with what you do (exercise, diet, etc) and it might be permanent. It took me something like a year (I'm guessing, don't remember exact dates) of being off the pill to lose half the weight I gained while on it, and now several years later, I'm still working to lose the rest. But I didn't gain weight on the pill I was on prior to the bad one. They're not necessarily all going to have this side effect for you. I would also stop going to a Dr who is all "Whatever" about this. I did, but I wish I'd done it much sooner.
posted by DestinationUnknown at 4:51 PM on September 23, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by DestinationUnknown at 4:51 PM on September 23, 2013 [4 favorites]
I've been using a diaphragm for years and am very happy with it and no unplanned pregnancies. Cervical cap could also work for you.
posted by brookeb at 4:54 PM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by brookeb at 4:54 PM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
I can't pinpoint specifically what caused my weight gain (pill, SSRIs, stress, aging, etc.) but Weight Watchers helped me lost 50 lbs. Bottom line you need to make sure you're taking in fewer calories than you're expending. Yoga is great for your health, and some of it is very athletic but in a strength/toning way, not in a weight-loss way.
posted by radioamy at 4:59 PM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by radioamy at 4:59 PM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
My bf and I did a month of yoga (one of those $x for 1 month unlimited deals) and we went to class 3 times a week. By the end of the month I was looking noticeably slimmer but also had muscular definition, so I got skinnier but I also got stronger. My bf also noticed the body transformation before I did. However, I am quite short and on on the lower end of the BMI scale, last I checked, only 1 number above underweight. And I'm also in the early 20s. Now I do yoga only once a week (so expensive) and the results are not as impressive but still go a long way toward developing that kind of body.
Someone mentioned up top that you need to do cardio to lose the weight. For me, yoga IS cardio. There's a lot of sweating involved (not Bikram but baptiste/power/flow yoga) and I pretty much consider it a cardio and body weight class.
posted by driedmango at 4:59 PM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Someone mentioned up top that you need to do cardio to lose the weight. For me, yoga IS cardio. There's a lot of sweating involved (not Bikram but baptiste/power/flow yoga) and I pretty much consider it a cardio and body weight class.
posted by driedmango at 4:59 PM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Copper IUD all the way. My periods are mildly heavier and occasionally involve a touch of cramping, but no other side effects. I'm super wary of hormones too.
posted by Go Banana at 6:00 PM on September 23, 2013
posted by Go Banana at 6:00 PM on September 23, 2013
I'm really disappointed to see multiple "yoga is good for toning" responses here. "Toning", as a concept, is a COMPLETE MYTH. There is no such thing. I'm assuming as an athlete, you probably already know this.
Yoga can be just about any type of exercise you want it to be, with the exception of a replacement heavy weight lifting (BUT you can still gain a lot of strength doing yoga anyway, just not as much or as efficiently as you would lifting weights). You simply have to find the right kind of yoga for what you want to achieve. It doesn't have to be an hour of gentle, laying on floor poses or even moderately paced sun salutations. There is huge variation between styles and teachers. I do yoga every day, and most of my practices are rigorous, fast-paced workouts that leave me drenched in sweat and very fatigued. It absolutely IS cardio in this case, as well as an endurance workout with some strength elements included.
I really like yogaglo.com for this, since they have a fair amount of power classes that offer this amount of rigor (search for "continuous flow" to find them).
To answer 2) above, I was fit before I started practicing yoga every day, but I did lose more weight when I developed a regular practice.
I hope this is helpful. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.
posted by wansac at 7:48 PM on September 23, 2013 [5 favorites]
Yoga can be just about any type of exercise you want it to be, with the exception of a replacement heavy weight lifting (BUT you can still gain a lot of strength doing yoga anyway, just not as much or as efficiently as you would lifting weights). You simply have to find the right kind of yoga for what you want to achieve. It doesn't have to be an hour of gentle, laying on floor poses or even moderately paced sun salutations. There is huge variation between styles and teachers. I do yoga every day, and most of my practices are rigorous, fast-paced workouts that leave me drenched in sweat and very fatigued. It absolutely IS cardio in this case, as well as an endurance workout with some strength elements included.
I really like yogaglo.com for this, since they have a fair amount of power classes that offer this amount of rigor (search for "continuous flow" to find them).
To answer 2) above, I was fit before I started practicing yoga every day, but I did lose more weight when I developed a regular practice.
I hope this is helpful. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.
posted by wansac at 7:48 PM on September 23, 2013 [5 favorites]
Yoga certainly changed my body when I was doing it for 5 hours a week over 6 months and it was very good for me mentally, but I didn't lose weight. Cycling 50-60 miles a day on holiday did make me lose weight, but I doubt that's realistic for you!
However, the best way for dealing with weight gain, no matter what sparked it, is to reduce your portion sizes. I'm surprised to hear you're on the mini-pill because since I switched to that, my time of being ravenous-could-eat-the-whole-world have faded away.
Be slightly careful with exercise, there's research now indicating that the increase in appetite related to exercise (especially intense exercise) makes you eat more calories than you have burned unless you are strictly controlling your intake (i.e., weighing portions etc). Exercise is more important for body shape/composition and for maintaining a weight.
posted by kadia_a at 11:06 PM on September 23, 2013
However, the best way for dealing with weight gain, no matter what sparked it, is to reduce your portion sizes. I'm surprised to hear you're on the mini-pill because since I switched to that, my time of being ravenous-could-eat-the-whole-world have faded away.
Be slightly careful with exercise, there's research now indicating that the increase in appetite related to exercise (especially intense exercise) makes you eat more calories than you have burned unless you are strictly controlling your intake (i.e., weighing portions etc). Exercise is more important for body shape/composition and for maintaining a weight.
posted by kadia_a at 11:06 PM on September 23, 2013
I really urge you to do whatever you can to find a new doc, who does regard a 30lb weight gain as just "something to live with" and/or a new pill. Not all of them will cause the same side effects.
posted by pixiecrinkle at 7:52 AM on September 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by pixiecrinkle at 7:52 AM on September 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
I can't pinpoint specifically what caused my weight gain (pill, SSRIs, stress, aging, etc.) but Weight Watchers helped me lose 50 lbs. Bottom line you need to make sure you're taking in fewer calories than you're expending.I track everything I eat & drink using MyFitnessPal. (There's even a MeFite Cheering Squad.) The weight is coming off slowly, but it's staying off. MFP shows me the big picture and keeps me accountable.
[T]he best way for dealing with weight gain, no matter what sparked it, is to reduce your portion sizes.
posted by editorgrrl at 9:58 AM on September 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'd just like to say that I have never been the type of person who could eat whatever they wanted to and not gain weight, and I am definitely the type of person who gains hormonal weight (I gained 10 lbs with the Mirena IUD, although I also loved it).
I always assumed that since my diet was pretty decent (vegetarian, rarely eat junk) that I just needed to do a lot more cardio exercise. Yet even doing running several times a week wouldn't make a dramatic change for me, although it helped a little bit.
I lost a ton of weight when I went on a low carb diet (not extremely low carb, just much lower than what I used to eat) with my only exercise being walking and yoga. The yoga was intermediate power yoga and I did it 2 or maybe 3 times a week. I went from 130 something and on the upper end of the normal BMI down to 118, back to my high school weight - and I actually looked awesome. It was incredible, the weight just melted off and I did not feel like I was doing strenuous exercise at all. So yes, I absolutely found that the combination of a low carb diet and yoga changed my body immensely. I also loved yoga for the positive effects it had on my stress level. I encourage you to give it a shot.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 10:28 AM on September 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
I always assumed that since my diet was pretty decent (vegetarian, rarely eat junk) that I just needed to do a lot more cardio exercise. Yet even doing running several times a week wouldn't make a dramatic change for me, although it helped a little bit.
I lost a ton of weight when I went on a low carb diet (not extremely low carb, just much lower than what I used to eat) with my only exercise being walking and yoga. The yoga was intermediate power yoga and I did it 2 or maybe 3 times a week. I went from 130 something and on the upper end of the normal BMI down to 118, back to my high school weight - and I actually looked awesome. It was incredible, the weight just melted off and I did not feel like I was doing strenuous exercise at all. So yes, I absolutely found that the combination of a low carb diet and yoga changed my body immensely. I also loved yoga for the positive effects it had on my stress level. I encourage you to give it a shot.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 10:28 AM on September 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
My very first gyno told me to tell her if I gained or lost more than 10 pounds. As far as I know the rule is still a 10-percent + weight change is a reason to review meds.
Seconding the idea that this isn't something you should just live with. Especially since you had difficulty with another bcp.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 12:10 PM on September 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Seconding the idea that this isn't something you should just live with. Especially since you had difficulty with another bcp.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 12:10 PM on September 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Exercise is great, and important, but you have to be aware of what you are eating, and eat at a calorie deficit to lose weight.
Yoga, running, bicycling, avoiding sugar, those are really all just ways to make sure you are eating less calories than you are burning daily. So start by tracking your calories, get a kitchen scale and weigh your food, and see how many calories per day you are consuming.
posted by inertia at 12:20 PM on September 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yoga, running, bicycling, avoiding sugar, those are really all just ways to make sure you are eating less calories than you are burning daily. So start by tracking your calories, get a kitchen scale and weigh your food, and see how many calories per day you are consuming.
posted by inertia at 12:20 PM on September 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
p.s. My source for all this is that in the past year I lost 65 pounds while on 2 or 3 different birth control pills. It's entirely possible, and there's no magic formula for losing weight while on the pill.
posted by inertia at 12:21 PM on September 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by inertia at 12:21 PM on September 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
I had the same issue with hormonal birth control pills: gained about 15 pounds, which would not budge at all. Got off the pills and the weight disappeared immediately. Some people do just fine on hormones, but I don't. Maybe you're like it, and it would be worthwhile to look for different options. Find a gyno that will address your fears about the IUD (it's not as scary as it sounds). Contrary to what some gynos say, weight gain IS a side effect of birth control, and the health information that comes with the pill says to see the doctor if you gain weight.
I guess I have a yoga body: I go five days a week for an hour or an hour and a half, plus some sun salutations at home. I do credit yoga with making me strong, fitter, more flexible, and happier. However, diet is a much bigger piece of the puzzle than exercise, and I would not have the results I've had if mine wasn't great. I do primal, which pretty much means lots of delicious protein from well-raised animal sources, healthy fats (butter, avocado, olive oil, lard, duck fat), and organic, full-fat dairy.
posted by therumsgone at 12:22 PM on September 26, 2013
I guess I have a yoga body: I go five days a week for an hour or an hour and a half, plus some sun salutations at home. I do credit yoga with making me strong, fitter, more flexible, and happier. However, diet is a much bigger piece of the puzzle than exercise, and I would not have the results I've had if mine wasn't great. I do primal, which pretty much means lots of delicious protein from well-raised animal sources, healthy fats (butter, avocado, olive oil, lard, duck fat), and organic, full-fat dairy.
posted by therumsgone at 12:22 PM on September 26, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
I just read your earlier question and I'd still urge you to try the copper IUD. I hate hormones, hate hate hate them. I dislike what they do to my body and I resent the fuck out of having to take them while men don't. And now I never have to take them EVER again.
Yes, it hurts- in my case, not terribly badly, but it hurts. And yes it made my periods heavier and gave me my first-ever cramps. It is completely, totally worth it to me.
I have talked with my doctor about this and she says that it's just something that happens and just to deal with it.
Do you otherwise really like this doctor? Because if not, I might start asking your girlfriends for referrals to a doctor who will take your concerns more seriously.
posted by showbiz_liz at 4:13 PM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]