Fitness Goals Support Group

Hi there. Any weight gain of more than 5% of body weight after starting pills may be a signal of a woman's tendency toward insulin resistance or abnormal glucose metabolism. With this amount of weight gain associated with an oral contraceptive, it maybe that you need to be evaluated for possible insulin resistance. If this condition is present, you'd be better to adopt a lower carbohydrate diet. Simple sugars in any amount and high carbohydrate only snacks or meals will negate all other dieting efforts on a daily basis and frustrate any long term ability at weight control. It may also be something as simple as fluid retention. Whatever the cause, I'd be inclined to consult your health practitioner about this. Peace LV

Thank you, LV. This is the first time I've experienced this, so I think it's the pills and not insulin resistance, but that is an interesting reference that I've never heard of - has that been your experience in the past?

I spoke with my doctor, today and I plan on completing this pack and going back to my previous one that has lower hormones. I'm getting a plethora of side effects, it seems, although none of them serious, yet. However, when I work out I get winded very easily. I'm getting juggles in my legs (water retention?) that I did not have before, fatigue, sporadic break outs that last 1-2 days. This pill sucks! I thought it would be better, but it is not.

Thanks again for the advice. I try to eat well and exercise, but I think this pill makes it hard to stay committed and progress.

So, I'm still completing this pack and I've come to the conclusion that I am probably not gaining much weight... I'm losing muscle. My muscles are fading and as a result I seem to be expanding in some way, which is why some of my jeans appear to be tighter and I look heavier in my hip & thigh area. I'm not sure how these effects can happen so quickly and I have never experienced this in the past. Its very odd.

Even though my scale says I am not gaining weight, I honestly believe it's because I am losing muscle and fat weighs less.

Last year I was also on birth control and not only did I gain like 20 pounds from being on it, but it also made me go BLIND! It was crazy and I had to stop taking it,. Although I got my eyesight back with just a little bit of damage, I still haven't been able to loose the weight I had gained. I am going to start running though and have joined the Starting line group as well so hopefully with support I can cut some lbs.

There is a ring that you can have inserted that is hormone-free. It's expensive though.
I was on the pill and I think it contributed to similar effects, loosing muscle even though I was aggressively strength training. I stopped taking it. There were a couple other things going on at the time, so I'm not sure I can blame the pill, but my guess is it at least helped.