meds/weight gain- can't lose weight on keto

Hi All,

Lovin' remission so I haven't been around

I've gained 40lbs over the last 2.5 years on Stelara. I was a sickly skeleton prior to this. As Stelara kicked in I was able to eat things I couldn't eat before and I admit to overindulging out of shear joy and the love of food! An apple was as exciting as was brownie - GF of course. Last spring/summer I decided to calorie count to lose 10 lbs and even things out. I probably lost 5lbs before I started nortriptyline for depression. Since then I've packed it on. I have rolls and those wobbly arms that women get, the shape of my calves has changed and I'm so uncomfortable with the weight.

Grateful! So grateful for remission however, I'm actually fat for the first time ever and can't find clothes etc.

I started a strict keto diet on Jan 2. I love keto food and am surprised that I can use almond flour when I couldn't digest it before on SCD. I haven't lost a lb. Not 1 lb. I would have thought just by cutting out sugar and sticking to a reasonable diet I would have lost something. In addition I don't eat after 8 pm until noon the next day. I should be down at least 10lbs on my strict keto plan by now. I still have fat sticking out over my pants and I may have GAINED weight.

I obviously was under weight prior to remission and I'd like a good buffer incase I flare again. I'd like to lose 10-12lbs.

My thyroid is fine so I'm thinking that the meds are causing the weight. If that's the case is there a way to lose weight while on weight causing meds?

Thank you.

It's tough I'm in the same camp in a remission and over indulge a bit. In denial until my pants and shirts were getting tight and had to up my sizes and buy new... I could stand to loose 10-15 pounds.

You mention dieting which is a good start. Doing any light excercise, jogging, gym etc? If not then might add that back in.

Not sure if meds are causing it. Look up the side effects if you haven't already.

Kinda in the same boat — about 7-10 lbs more than I’d like but so happy to be in remission.

I know someone (non UC-Er) who lost a lot of weight by not eating Anything after 4 pm.

I’d agree that maybe stopping the antidepressant might help with weight loss. But depression coming back wouldn’t be a good thing!

Calories are important with Keto too. A lot of people say you can eat as much as you want, as long as it is mostly fat with some protein. The experience of my wife and I is that you have to limit calories too. Probably less than 1500 for a female, and less than 2000 for a male, give or take. I eat a big lunch, and then a small dinner with no snacking the entire day. That is the only way I can lose weight. I probably get 70 to 100 grams of (IBD AID Friendly) carbs a day which is high for keto, but I can still lose weight. Prior to keto, I was probably getting 350 to 400 grams of carbs, so it's still a big change. My wife limits carbs to around 10 grams.

For breakfast, one of these:
Bacon and eggs
Keto pancakes with sugar free syrup
Special recipe keto chocolate muffins (very delicious, feels like cheating)

She usually doesn't eat anything during the day, but sometimes a low carb bar, a piece of aged cheddar, macadamia nuts, or some other small keto friendly snack.

For dinner she usually has roasted chicken with vegetables or Greek Salad.

Those chocolate muffins are made with almond flour, grated zucchini, maple syrup, and low carb chocolate chips. 2 smallish muffins have about 10 grams of carbs in total. They keep in the fridge for weeks. I can post the recipe if anyone is interested.