Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below i have a question for you ladies who take birth control or have in the past...i have been on the pill since i was 18...am 24 now...so almost 6 years continuously...i never noticed the "weight gain" that a lot of people say they experience with the pill...i have however gained about 10 lbs since high school...i never really related it to the pill that much but am wondering if it is hindering me in reaching my fitness goals now...i'm 5'7'', weigh 129 lbs and i would approximate my bf % at around 22%ish...my goal is 16%...could the pill be what is holding me back? has anyone gotten off the pill and noticed it was easier to get rid of bodyfat? i'm just curious as to what other people's experiences have been...thanks so much...katie
get off the pill?
- Thread starter LaDyBuG
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Sassy69
New member
At 129 lbs and 22% bf, I would guess you can change that bodyfat by increasing your muscle mass. I'm als 5'7" but 30 lbs heavier. I expect I have a different muscle mass than you (I've been in lifting for several yrs), but first the diet, then the training will get you down further.
As far as the impact of your b/c on your body's inability to drop bodyfat, if you haven't noticed an increase in weight, I'm guessing you have a low dose estrogen / progesterone pill. I had been on a low dose pill for about 15 yrs and never really noticed any weight gain. I assume you are on the pills for the purpose of birth control (unless you 've been prescribed from painful menstrual cramps, etc) so if you go off, you are looking at the extra responsibility and sometimes inconvenience of other methods of birth control. Most BB competitors who go off B/C will pursue an alternate non-hormonal form like an IUD, however that is rather extreme for someone in your situation.
Personally I woudlnt' get worried about your b/c. You can check with your OB-GYN about the dosage of your script, but also if it works well for you (no cramping, breakthrough bleeding), then there's little reason to change. I would first look to my diet & training to get to a lower bodyfat. These are things easily manipulated with no major inconvenience.
If you want to post up what you are eating (Daily meal plan & schedule) and training / cardio, we can probably provide some suggestions for tweaking to get you to your goals. I'd also suggest reviewing the stickies at the top of the board about "Shadow's Project" and "Project Summary" -- these are programs that seveal of teh girls have been following with excellent results since New Years with no manipulation of hormones.
As far as the impact of your b/c on your body's inability to drop bodyfat, if you haven't noticed an increase in weight, I'm guessing you have a low dose estrogen / progesterone pill. I had been on a low dose pill for about 15 yrs and never really noticed any weight gain. I assume you are on the pills for the purpose of birth control (unless you 've been prescribed from painful menstrual cramps, etc) so if you go off, you are looking at the extra responsibility and sometimes inconvenience of other methods of birth control. Most BB competitors who go off B/C will pursue an alternate non-hormonal form like an IUD, however that is rather extreme for someone in your situation.
Personally I woudlnt' get worried about your b/c. You can check with your OB-GYN about the dosage of your script, but also if it works well for you (no cramping, breakthrough bleeding), then there's little reason to change. I would first look to my diet & training to get to a lower bodyfat. These are things easily manipulated with no major inconvenience.
If you want to post up what you are eating (Daily meal plan & schedule) and training / cardio, we can probably provide some suggestions for tweaking to get you to your goals. I'd also suggest reviewing the stickies at the top of the board about "Shadow's Project" and "Project Summary" -- these are programs that seveal of teh girls have been following with excellent results since New Years with no manipulation of hormones.
toitasatiger
New member
I agree with Sassy.
I'm 24 and i've been on ortho tri cyclen since i was 18. I am in the same boat as you. I gained some weight (about 10lbs) about a year or 2 ago and I lost it with no problem even while I was on the pill. It was all my diet and once I changed it, it really helped a lot. I went from a size 10/11 down to a 4 and now I'm just working on that last little bit of fat while consistently taking the pill. Don't worry, you'll get great results if you try out some of the plans here. I'm doing Shadow's plan and it's amazing. I've never felt better. Good luck!!!
I'm 24 and i've been on ortho tri cyclen since i was 18. I am in the same boat as you. I gained some weight (about 10lbs) about a year or 2 ago and I lost it with no problem even while I was on the pill. It was all my diet and once I changed it, it really helped a lot. I went from a size 10/11 down to a 4 and now I'm just working on that last little bit of fat while consistently taking the pill. Don't worry, you'll get great results if you try out some of the plans here. I'm doing Shadow's plan and it's amazing. I've never felt better. Good luck!!!
I was on BCP for about 15 years.
I went on it at 15 years old. Since high school, I lost weight - even while on the pill. Of course, I gained weight too (when i stopped wokring out and ate crap all the time). The pill I was on for about 13 years was a high dose (Ortho Novum 777). I switched to a low dose pill (Loestrin Fe) and still noticed no difference in fat/muscle loss or gain.
Recently went off it. I notice NO difference in weight loss or gain. Of course, I am not trying to get to very low BF levels. if your desire is to compete, that you might want to think about stopping BCP.
I LOVED the BCP when I was on it, but I have to tell you, I really love being hormone free.
I went on it at 15 years old. Since high school, I lost weight - even while on the pill. Of course, I gained weight too (when i stopped wokring out and ate crap all the time). The pill I was on for about 13 years was a high dose (Ortho Novum 777). I switched to a low dose pill (Loestrin Fe) and still noticed no difference in fat/muscle loss or gain.
Recently went off it. I notice NO difference in weight loss or gain. Of course, I am not trying to get to very low BF levels. if your desire is to compete, that you might want to think about stopping BCP.
I LOVED the BCP when I was on it, but I have to tell you, I really love being hormone free.
tequilasue
New member
Sunday is my last day on my BCP, Alesse, and it couldn't come any quicker. It's not the 5 lbs so much as the lack of definition, fatigue, and delayed onset muscle soreness that lasts for days. I usually have so much more energy, and going off the pill will really help me isolate what is really going on. Not to mention the mood swings. I am on a low dose pill, but everyone reacts differently. Never liked being on something that made me feel different in any way, especially when it's not for the better. I'll miss "the girls" though. They got nice and full.
I've been on the pill since I was 20 and Im 43 now. I've taken Loestrin for as long as I an remember -- I may have tried other brands when I was younger. Anyway, I'm doing contests at the end of the summer for the first time and am getting off of the pill as of this month. I just figure the less estrogen the better for my hips and legs. Hopefully, it won't totally screw up my system.
I'd been on Demulen for a long time and tried Alesse and Yasmin (both were absolutely horrible for me) and while I don't really believe the correlation between "the pill" and weight gain I did gain weight (fair amount of water and bloat) during the time I tried Alesse and Jasmine.
Almost two months ago I decided I was done and needed a break. I also suffer from migraines, some cycle related others not and the OC are complicated some can make you better and others worse. Honestly, I'm just so tired of be pumped full of hormones and maybe I'm just imagining it but after a few really bad week I feel better.
My cycle doesn't appear to be off other than a little shorter than while on but I'm still watching to see how it goes. I have a script for Mircette as back up if I change my mind but right now I'm fairly happy.
Errrr yah, I'm noticing some "shrinkage" myself.
Almost two months ago I decided I was done and needed a break. I also suffer from migraines, some cycle related others not and the OC are complicated some can make you better and others worse. Honestly, I'm just so tired of be pumped full of hormones and maybe I'm just imagining it but after a few really bad week I feel better.
My cycle doesn't appear to be off other than a little shorter than while on but I'm still watching to see how it goes. I have a script for Mircette as back up if I change my mind but right now I'm fairly happy.
tequilasue said:
Errrr yah, I'm noticing some "shrinkage" myself.
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T
The Shadow
Guest
velvett said:
Blame it on the cold water......seems to work for me....
I think......
maybe?
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Funny, when I went OFF the pill my boobs got bigger ......
LOL .... sorry Vel .... 
The only thing I can come up with is that I have high estrogen in my body. When I was on the pill, they were putting my body into a false lower estrogen state. Now that I am off, my naturally high estrogen is taking over????
Just a theory from a non-scientific person. Not sure if that is even in the ballpark.
The only thing I can come up with is that I have high estrogen in my body. When I was on the pill, they were putting my body into a false lower estrogen state. Now that I am off, my naturally high estrogen is taking over????
Just a theory from a non-scientific person. Not sure if that is even in the ballpark.
well if you guys don't think it is a big hinderence to weight/ fat loss, i'll stay on...i mean i do like the regular periods, no cramps, and clear skin...as far as my diet and workouts go i just started hardcore 2 weeks ago...i've worked out my whole life but the past eight months i've really been slacking...working out an average of 2 times per week and would sometimes go a week without working out at all...even in my laziness i still eat pretty healthy, i would have the occasional splurge but nothing crazy...i've also been drinking more than normal for the past several months...i'm sure that's added to my 7 lb weight gain and move from a size 4 to a size 6...2 weeks ago i decided to stop fooling around and get serious AND consistent...here is my diet and workout plan...
7 am: 1) either cream of wheat (plain) or quaker oatmeal w/ cinnamon, splenda, and pecans--both made w/ water and 2) a protein shake w/ skim milk
945 am: 1) 2 tbsp natural peanut butter 2) everyonce in a while i'll have a small apple or nectarine here
1230 pm: 1) 6 oz can of albacore tuna 2) salad made with baby spinach, bacon bits, lo-cal parmesan viniagrette dressing (50 cals/ serving) 3) 1 boiled egg and 4) 3 whole wheat crackers
330 pm: 1) fat free/carb free beef jerkey 2) fat free string cheese
630 pm: 1)beef fajita strips (low fat) 2) 1/3 c. lo-fat cottage cheese 3) handful of grapes
9 pm: IF i'm still hungry, i'll have another small protein shake or a scoop of peanut butter
*i drink about 1 gallon of water per day
as for the workouts...i lift 4-5 times per week...usually doing bis and tris together, shoulders and chest together, back and calves, and then legs...i try to do abs twice weekly and get in at least 4 cardio sessions in per week...my resistance training usually takes about 40 mins and cardio 30-45....please get back to me with suggestions
7 am: 1) either cream of wheat (plain) or quaker oatmeal w/ cinnamon, splenda, and pecans--both made w/ water and 2) a protein shake w/ skim milk
945 am: 1) 2 tbsp natural peanut butter 2) everyonce in a while i'll have a small apple or nectarine here
1230 pm: 1) 6 oz can of albacore tuna 2) salad made with baby spinach, bacon bits, lo-cal parmesan viniagrette dressing (50 cals/ serving) 3) 1 boiled egg and 4) 3 whole wheat crackers
330 pm: 1) fat free/carb free beef jerkey 2) fat free string cheese
630 pm: 1)beef fajita strips (low fat) 2) 1/3 c. lo-fat cottage cheese 3) handful of grapes
9 pm: IF i'm still hungry, i'll have another small protein shake or a scoop of peanut butter
*i drink about 1 gallon of water per day
as for the workouts...i lift 4-5 times per week...usually doing bis and tris together, shoulders and chest together, back and calves, and then legs...i try to do abs twice weekly and get in at least 4 cardio sessions in per week...my resistance training usually takes about 40 mins and cardio 30-45....please get back to me with suggestions
T
The Shadow
Guest
....OC's shluld not be dteermined based on whethere you are losing fat at a certain rate
Sassy69
New member
Your diet & training look good so I think you answered your own question about impact of b/c -- your lifestyle has gone a bit to the sloppy side which isn't always a bad thing because life is meant to be lived, but ALWAYS look to the things that DON"T artificially impact your hormones or your natural metabolism first. I.e. diet & training. Juggling different pills can just throw your body into a tailspin and get you results that you totally weren't looking for.
makes sense...thank you guys...i'm just kinda bummed i guess b/c i'm not seeing results yet...i guess you could say i'm a bit on the impatient side...lol...also was going to ask what you thought about the occasional glass (or bottle) of wine...oops..did i say that? haha...anyways, i really love wine and i have absolutely no clue what the caloric content is...anybody know?...anyways, i'm going to keep up with the diet and training ...give it some more time, if i don't go crazy first...haha...thanks for the support! keep it coming, i need all the encouragement i can get...i gotta look good for my first day of medical school...i start in august!! woohoo...
Per Fit Day 1 wine glass (3.5 fl oz) REDLaDyBuG said:
Calories 74.16
Total Fat 0g 0%
Sodium 5.15mg 0%
Potassium 115.36mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 1.75g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Protein 0.206g 0%
Alcohol 9.58g
WHITE Amount Per 1 wine glass (3.5 fl oz)
Calories 70.04
Total Fat 0g 0%
Sodium 5.15mg 0%
Potassium 82.4mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 0.824g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Protein 0.103g 0%
Alcohol 9.58g
*****everything in moderation******
It is my understanding that alcohol is metabolized like sugar .... so the carb/sugar might eb low, but the alcohol metabolizes like sugar - fast and detrimental to weight loss.
thanks so much for the awesome replies...another question about my diet though...do you think i should add some more carbs in early in the day...i've noticed a lot of you ladies have some rice, a sweet potato, or some other complex carb in meal 2 or 3...should i do the same?---katie
