Birth control pills give women the power to control when they become pregnant, but some women may also experience side effects. Hormone changes caused by estrogen in the pill may cause bloating and an increase in the size of fat cells, according to the Mayo Clinic, which can appear as weight gain. Once you stop taking the pill, losing weight is possible with diet and exercise.
Step 1
Choose lower-fat alternatives, eliminating mindless snacking and reducing portion sizes to reduce the total number of calories you consume. Opt for a combination of whole grains, low-fat meat and dairy and fruits and vegetables.
Step 2
Move more with aerobic exercise and muscle-building strength training. Building muscle can help you lose more weight because muscle burns calories even at rest. If you cannot complete 60 minutes of exercise in the beginning, do as much you can; your strength and endurance will improve.
Step 3
Drink more water throughout the day to increase feelings of fullness and reduce unnecessary eating. A study led by Jodi D. Stookey at the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, published in 2007, showed weight-loss benefits when dieters replaced sweetened, high-calorie beverages with water.
Tips and Warnings
- Always eat a healthy breakfast, preferably with protein. Eating breakfast makes your metabolism start working each morning. It takes 3,500 calories to gain or lose a pound. The recommended amount of safe weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds per week; to lose this amount you need to cut 500 to 1,000 calories each day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting 60 to 90 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week when you want to lose weight.
- Do not skip meals to try to lose weight more rapidly. This makes your metabolism slow down because your body believes you may be starving. Read labels of "diet" foods carefully, as some may have more sugar and calories even though they are low in fat.
