From: "Pete" <sharkman@a...>

Date: Wed Feb 27, 2002 10:32 am

Subject: Weight Gain & Benzo Belly

Without a doubt, withdrawals can reek havoc on our percentage of body fat. During the first few weeks of withdrawals, I slipped from a comfortable 185 pounds to a mere 167 pounds. As my body adjusted to the recovery process, my weight ballooned to 216 pounds very quickly. I think that the stress of withdrawals force our bodies to store whatever fat it can as a means of survival. I also noticed a huge fluctuation in my appetite, and I suspected some sort of change in my ability to maintain a constant blood-sugar. Blood tests proved this to not be the case, but none-the-less I sure had sudden urges to eat when I least expected them.

The latter part of my recovery produced increased fatigue, along with an insatiable appetite. Sugar no longer had adverse affects, and I ate it fiendishly. Not only did I have a lack of exercise to offset the increased caloric intake, but the complex carbohydrates and sometimes fats began to pack on the weight. At some point you have to accept the changes in your behavior and body shape as you finish your healing. While my diet back then was far from healthy, I took solace in whatever comfort I could find. If it was food, then so be it. Things weren't back to normal enough for me to exercise any more than I already was.

Shortness of breath was a problem, and frankly I think my body was still in the "Survival Mode" and it wanted to maintain it's fat supplies. As the withdrawals recede further, you will be able to address the issue of increased weight. The symptoms can't keep a grip on you forever. As soon as I noticed that I could live without the sugar, I held back on it. When I could go longer than 3 hours without eating. I avoided snacking. For what it's worth, I almost had an opposite reaction to the previous experience of my body wanting to put on weight. The food cravings seemed to be reversed for a while, and I could function well with less food than ever.

The weight won't come off by itself after your recovery is complete. You'll need to keep a log of what you eat, and change your habits accordingly. Each pound of fat contains 3,500 calories. If your body requires...say...2,500 calories to sustain a constant weight, you need to create a deficit of calories based upon the figure of 2,500. Eating 2,000 calories of food each day will create a deficit of 500. 3,500 divided by 500 = 7. That means you'll lose a pound of fat per week. If you burn extra calories through exercise, that number of calories will be added to the daily deficit. Exercise will also speed your metabolism, and make you lose weight even faster. It really boils down to recording your food intake, and adding up what you put in yourself. I was surprised the first time I did that, and how much I was eating without even realizing it. I also avoided things like sugar which does not get processed by the body very easily. A calorie is not just a calorie. There are both good and bad sources of calories. Hopefully this answers some of your questions.

Don't get down on yourself because of increased weight. The withdrawals will do this to many people, and you're no more responsible for it than you are for the other effects you're experiencing during this. Just know that it will eventually come to an end, and you can deal with it just as anyone else can deal with it.

Take care, Pete