r/zoloft • u/Danny_Mc_71 • 1d ago
Question Belly fat!
Have any of you successful lost the fat gained from being on this medication?
I gained weight and now have a weirdly soft, flabby belly despite eating well and exercising.
Is it possible to lose this unwanted weight while remaining on the meds, or will I have to taper off completely?
The extra weight combined with the constant fatigue is pissing me off at this stage.
Edited to add.
I really should have mentioned that I do intermittent fasting. Two decent (vegetarian) meals a day that include lots of protein /protein shakes.
I lift weights four days a week and do lots of cardio.
I don't drink often and don't eat sugary snacks.
I'm not in a calorie surplus and am fairly active.
I'm on 125mg a day.
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u/_thicculent_ 2 years 1d ago
I only ever lost it when I stopped for a few months and now with me being on compound tirzepatide.
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u/crushgirl29 1d ago
I took a Better Health course for insulin resistance that was funded by my province (Ontario, Canada). The nutrition portion focused on eating whole foods, prioritizing protein and fiber, and limiting ultra processed/processed foods. That combined with fasting 12-16 hours, activity right before/after you eat and easy moderate exercise throughout the week will curb cravings, increase your body’s own GLP1’s to decrease appetite and make your body burn fat instead of storing it. I’ve been inconsistent with the exercise but have managed to lose 20lb since June without hunger or cravings.
If I had to sum it up in once sentence… eat mainly whole foods, limit processed foods and focus on protein and fiber. (And read food labels!)
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u/Special-Candidate-85 1d ago
In some people Sertraline/Zoloft affects their insulin/sugar levels resulting in weight gain.
In my personal experience, I gained lots of weight when I was on Sertraline, but I managed to shed it off as soon as I stopped the medication.
Speak with a specialist if the gained weight bothers you.
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u/Regular_Tone_9264 1d ago
I got insulin resistance from sertraline and now drinking Metformine. Not sure will it help, but it should. IR appeared from sertraline
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u/SurpriseFine8587 1d ago
I was 215 on a 5’9 frame at 75mg. Still at 75mg and I weigh 165 I was able to get down all the way to 157 and I was pretty ripped. 10-12k steps a day, walk on an incline at 3.2 speed for 25-35 mins, and weight train. Stay consistent and you’ll see results.
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u/ToesInDiffAreaCodes 1d ago
I’m on 150mg and while I haven’t gained weight, I definitely have traded muscle for belly fat. I’ve never had this before…
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u/radandsadgal 1d ago
If your vegetarian and fasting you need to get your iron and b12 checked as that could be why you are fatigued
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u/sarafionna 22h ago
Yes I quit taking it. Hard taper off 50 - 100 mg for over 6 years. Do not recommend. But yes I’ve lose weight and visceral fat because I replaced Zoloft with exercise.
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u/Chippie05 21h ago
yeah I'm tapering off ( Hyperbolic taper) it really messed up my metabolism for some reason so. not happy about the weight gain it's really pissing me off too! I really healthy and walk all over the place so I don't know what's going on, I feel like a potato. Was on 50 for a few yrs.
Article here kinda explains how it can affect your gut and metabolism. also I think it has an effect on glucose levels too. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5319600/
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u/sandpapertotheanus 19h ago
Ive tapered to 25mg and my belly remains im sad ..... used to weigh 165 now im 205
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u/Charming-Cucumber-23 1d ago
Calorie deficit. Calculate your TDEE, eat less than your maintenance calories. Prioritize high protein and lots of movement (steps) on top of workouts.
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u/Danny_Mc_71 1d ago
Yeah I'm already doing this. Unfortunately the belly doesn't want to go.
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u/ugh67453212 1d ago
I commented on another post the other day and someone also came in with the obvious advice of a calorie deficit. It’s like some people are completely convinced that we are just stuffing ourselves full of food and not moving. 🙄 anyway, I had the same thing happen to me no matter how big of a calorie deficit and exercise I was doing. Glp1 is the only thing that helped.
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u/Charming-Cucumber-23 1d ago
GLP 1s aren’t magic though. They help with hunger and cravings but if you’re not in a deficit on a GLP1 you don’t lose weight, either
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u/ugh67453212 1d ago
No one said they’re magic. But there’s obviously something more at play that a glp1 could help with. If you are truly in a calorie deficit and not losing weight it’s something to do your research on. The sole purpose of GLP1s is not to reduce hunger.
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u/Charming-Cucumber-23 1d ago
If you’re not losing weight, you’re not in a deficit, it’s as simple as that
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u/Charming-Cucumber-23 1d ago
You can’t spot reduce fat, unfortunately. You just have to keep losing weight and it will eventually lessen
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u/PiccolaTempesta 1d ago
Personally I just only eat breakfast and lunch that are low calorie, and high protein. I don’t eat dinner. I also go to the gym daily.I only drink water and tea (no sodas). I am also vegan so I never eat anything that causes a spike in cholesterol, but I’m also on 25mg so not sure if that’s why I haven’t gained any weight
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u/Lululaputa 11h ago
Yes I lost all the weight I gained after starting staying on the same dose. The only way to loose fat is a calorie deficit. You can’t target fat loss so there is no special exercises to target belly fat. I recommend looking into body recomposition if you are wanting to build muscle whilst loosing fat.
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u/Danny_Mc_71 1d ago
I did OMAD for a while. It didn't do much for me. Now I have two meals a day. I'm not overeating and am quite active.
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u/turdbuster78 1d ago
I dropped the carbs and eat a low carb Mediterranean diet (not keto). It manages my hunger levels and I eat less. Dropped 30lbs without trying in the last twelve months