Anxiety/weight loss question

Shaky Susie · Post by **Shaky Susie** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:26 am

I've been struggling with pretty severe anxiety for 2 months. I've lost 10 pounds. The weight loss scares me b/c I keep asking myself "what if" it is something else even though I've been to the dr. several times.

I can't seem to put the weight back on no matter what I eat now. My question is...does anxiety speed up your metabolism? I've been at this same weight for a month now and even though I am eating more I can't gain it back.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:06 am

SS-

I have lost close to 10 pounds also since January. My anxiety is under control now, but the weight has not come back, in part because I "ramped" up my exercise and adjusted my eating to help with the anxiety. I'm not concerned about it and like the fact I can enjoy a bowl of ice cream if I want and not have to worry. Also, shorts and swimsuit season are just around the corner. I see it as my "reward" for the two months of hell I went through !

renee29 · Post by **renee29** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:47 am

When my anxiety/panic were really bad and before I started the program and paxil, I lost about 10 lbs. in a couple weeks. I just lost my appetite because of the anxiety. I ate something at least once per day cuz I knew I should, but never really was hungry.

Now that I am feeling better, my appetite is back but I;ve only put on some of what I lost. I suppose it's because I started exercising regularly and I changed some of what I eat, when I eat, etc.

I wouldn't be worried about it SS. You say you have leveled off now for a month.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:00 am

Thank you both. I tend to be a hypochondriac. Anxiety makes you feel like a hamster on one of those wheels going round and round and getting no where.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 1:10 am

I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I lost 20 pounds in about 6 weeks and when I finally realized it, it sorta scared me. But, since I've been going through the program i've gained a little back and I think you probably will when the anxiety calms down. That is a good question though about anxiety and metabolism.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:07 am

I don't know if anxiety speeds up metabolism but I also have the problem with weight loss. Several years ago when I first had an experience w/ anxiety related issues, I actually lost down to 92lbs. I have always been a petite person but when I lost the weight I felt horrible. Now that I am dealing with issues again I have also lost weight. I do not have an appetite when I am all worked up and anxious and I sometimes just make myself eat. The difficult part is alot of people don't understand how hard it can be to gain weight back. I have actually had coworkers ask me what I am doing to stay so small. When I tell them nothing that I have just been dealing w/ some some "health issues," they have actually said that they wish they had what I had, it would be worth it to lose weight. I Don't agree!!!

*Francesca* · Post by ***Francesca*** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:37 am

It's funny how everyone is different. I wish I had your problem

I have gained weight since my anxiety started. When my physical symptoms act up- I eat something. It makes me feel better for the moment. Of course, this has caused me to gain 20 lbs in the last 2 years

I am working on trying to find other ways to find gratification when I am uncomfortable.

So, I know you might not feel so great about the weight loss- but others are not happy about the weight gain.

I would definitely be happier with the weight loss. I would trade with you in a minute- but i understand your feelings. As you continue the program, you'll get better and then you will put some weight back on. It won't be forever

Carolyn Dickman · Post by **Carolyn Dickman** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:45 am

The first battle I had with anxiety (8 years ago), I lost over 30lbs in a very short period of time. I looked great, but felt horrible. Went on Zoloft gained it all back and then some. About 2 weeks ago my anxiety started to come back and I've lost 13 lbs already. For me it's kind of a blessing under this torture, but I know it's just nerves and it's not healthy. Just the smell of food makes me nautious. I do force myself to eat at least 1 a day. Also keep in mind when we are going through this we are mentally and physically exhausted from beating ourselves up. We need to put healthy food into our bodies to help get stronger. We can make ourselves more tired by not eating and then not stay as strong when anxious moments arise. My motto over the last years of being anxiety free is "I'd rather be happy and fat than anxiety ridden and thin". Stay strong, this is just a temporary place that we are in!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:08 am

Shaky Susie - I read somewhere that people who are nervous and have a lot of anxiety tend to move around a lot and they found that "fidgety" people tend to burn off more calories than other people. I know that when my anxiety was really bad I couldn't sit still for very long and just had to keep moving. So I guess this would tend to burn more calories and increase the metabolism. If you've also increased your exercise you may want to up your calorie intake - you may need more than you did before.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 06, 2008 12:00 pm

Hi everyone! Let me first say that I am glad someone else is going through this too. I am a hypocondriac and stopped having panic attacks about 1 1/2 years ago after a health scare. I'm fine. But recently people started to tell me about their illnesses and back came the panic attacks. It's been nearly a 3 weeks since I'm back in hell. And last week I weighed myself and found that I had lost 5 lbs. in two weeks. I freaked out, and fell into a panic attack I thought for sure I was terminally ill. I'm VERY afraid to see a Dr. I've decided that I'm not going to wieght myself for fear of what I see. I too cannot eat when I fall into a panic attack. And it's odd becuase I can be starving one minute then when the panic attack hits, I can't eat. I'm doing the opposit though, I'm trying to eat fattening food, so I won't loose the weight. Everyone thinks I'm crazy and in fact tomorrow I have an appointment with a therapist.

I know a lot of you will say go see a Dr. for piece of mind, but I can't, I'm terrified for the moment. I'm just glad that it could be simply the anxiety.