You’re about to enter a magical place. No, we’re not talking about Disneyland—we mean your birth control method’s official page.
It’s here where you’ll find all the information you need to have sex and enjoy your time without risking your health. Yes, that’s right. Your birth control method of choice might be able to help you reach your ideal weight. But did you know that it can also work in the complete opposite direction?
It depends on the type of birth control you and your doctor choose. But if you’re looking to shed a few pounds, you’re in the right place. We’re going to tell you everything you need to know about how to lose weight while using birth control, including which methods can help you achieve your perfect shape and what you need to do to prepare for surgery.
The Downsides of Not Taking Your Birth Control
Let’s be honest, no one likes getting their period. We all want to avoid it as much as possible, and some methods of birth control totally block your body’s natural hormones, preventing you from getting pregnant. But while there are many benefits to taking birth control, there are some serious downsides you need to be aware of.
One of the biggest issues is weight gain. As we mentioned above, some birth control methods can cause you to gain a lot of weight. The most common type of birth control implicated in weight gain is called the combined oral contraceptive pill. When you’re prescribed this pill, you’ll notice that your appetite increases along with your weight. It’s no secret that pregnancy is usually followed by weight gain. And it’s no secret that taking the pill makes you more prone to obesity. So while there’s no guarantee that taking the pill will make you fat, it definitely makes you more likely to be so. (1)
Not taking your birth control also means you’re more likely to get sick. Remember, your body needs natural hormones to function properly. When you don’t get them, you’re more likely to become sick. Certain types of birth control, like the pill, can also increase your risk of blood clots and stroke. These are both major concerns, especially since you’ll be more likely to experience them if you’re obese. (2)
Last but not least, not taking your birth control also makes it more difficult to shed the pounds you’ve worked so hard to achieve. As we discussed above, some birth control methods can cause you to gain a lot of weight. In some cases, this weight gain can be pretty significant. While you might not always be able to see the effects of the pill right away, keep in mind that your health is on the line here. This means that it’s not always about looking the same as you did before you got pregnant. It’s also about being as healthy as possible, which is why this is such a serious matter.
How To Lose Weight While Using Birth Control
Now that you’re aware of the risks and that this is definitely something to worry about, let’s talk about how you should approach this issue. If you’re determined to lose some weight while using birth control, here are some tips to help you do it effectively and safely.
First off, you need to determine which type of birth control you’ll be needing to take to lose the weight. If you’re not already taking it, you should talk to your doctor about whether or not you have a medical condition that prevents you from getting pregnant. It’s also a good idea to talk to your doctor about whether or not you’re at a healthy weight for your body type. If you are, you don’t need to lose any more weight—you’re perfect the way you are! But if you’re not at a healthy weight, then you need to find a way to get there. That’s where the exercise and the diet come in.
The Exercise Component
It’s a well-established fact that exercise helps you lose weight. It burns fat, releases endorphins, and gives you a happy, healthy glow. But it also depends on what type of exercise you do. If you want to lose weight while using birth control, then you need to do some research into what works best for you. There are some types of exercise that can cause you to gain weight, so you need to find out which ones are good for you.
If you are able to get to the gym regularly, then you should definitely be doing so. Especially since regular exercise has many other health benefits. But if going to the gym isn’t your thing, then you need to find an exercise program that works for you. If you feel that yoga is good for you and it makes you feel happy and relaxed, then by all means, do it! But if you feel that weight loss is more important to you, then you might want to consider something more traditional like running or biking. There are also home workouts you can do, like taking a yoga class with your spouse or listening to an exercise podcast while working out at home. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.
Whatever it might be, find an exercise program that feels good to you and stick with it. Don’t give up because you feel like you’re not losing weight fast enough. Every individual is going to lose weight at a different rate, so don’t be discouraged if the scale isn’t moving yet. Keep working at it and before you know it, you’ll be at your ideal weight. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want to be at their ideal weight?
The Diet Component
Now that you’re determined to lose some weight while using birth control, you need to turn your attention to the diet component. You need to figure out how much you’re eating and what you should be eating. Many doctors will recommend a low-carb diet to their obese patients. While there’s not much scientific evidence that supports the claim that carbohydrates cause weight gain, there’s ample evidence supporting the fact that excess carbohydrates cause blood sugar levels to increase. When that happens, the body activates an energy-consuming response called “reaction to insulin.” So while a low-carb diet might not be the best choice for everyone, if you’re looking to lose weight while using birth control, it’s a no-brainer. It’s also crucial that you figure out how much you should be eating. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a diet or not, as long as you’re aware of how much you should be eating and why. (3)
You also need to make sure that you’re actually absorbing the food you eat. If you’re not, then you’re simply creating a food coma and storing the calories as fat. Your body needs sufficient nutrition to function correctly. If you’re not getting the nutrition you need from the food you consume, then you’re better off choosing a diet that doesn’t include it. Most vegetables and fruits contain carbohydrates, which your body needs and will use as fuel. So if you want to lose weight while using birth control, then eat plenty of vegetables and fruits. (4)
There are also weight loss surgery alternatives, like the bandaid of obesity. The patch helps reduce stomach volume, which in turn reduces food intake. But still, you need to be aware of the risks before you opt for the surgery. Some of the risks include infection, pain, and uneven weight loss. If you’re looking for an easier way to shed those last few pounds before your baby girl arrives, then this could be your answer. But only you and your doctor can decide if this is the best option for you.
If you decide that surgery is the way to go, then you need to proceed with caution. Do your research and make sure that the surgeon is a respected one. Also, make sure to have realistic expectations about the results of the surgery. No surgeon can guarantee you’ll lose a certain amount of weight, no matter what method they use. But as long as you’re aware of the risks, surgery is a viable option for most people. (5)
Which Type of Birth Control Should You Take To Lose The Weight?
So you’ve decided that you want to lose some weight while using birth control. Great! There are many different types of birth control methods available, so you’re sure to find something that works best for you. As we discussed above, some birth control methods cause you to gain weight while using it, so you need to determine which type you’ll be needing to take to lose the weight.
If you’re not already on birth control, then you should consider using one of the following types: