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rgrove0172
Senior Member
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Posted: 7 Nov 2011 04:30 pm |
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I wieghed in at 270 lbs almost 2 years ago. I was seriously overwieght and was beginning to suffer unhealthy symptoms (high BP, high Cholesterol, Sleep apnea, lower join pain etc.)
I got motivated and went on a strict program (of my own design) of diet and exercise. I lost 60 lbs in about 5 months and have kept it off now for 18 months or so. I still work out like a madman but have increased my calories per day a bit in maintenance mode.
My complaint is that in nearly 2 years of weight loss and maintenance Ive found the industry standards, the info poured out of countless websites, is all #%@&!. I ate less than half the calories I was told to, below the "OH MY GOD YOUR GONNA DIE" level in most cases and did wonderfully, lost fat, gained muscle, got off all my medications etc. I worked out with a total deficit each day (eating about 500-600 calories daily, exercising to the tune of 1500 per day) which supposedly should have put me in the hospital, but I felt great, still do.
Im now 203, right at 6% body fat and feel better at 47 than I did at 27. I look better too, or so my wife tells me. (Six pack for the first time in my life)
Im just wondering, whats the deal? You go to these very reputable sources for help and evidently the facts are so absolutely individualized as to make any chart, any graph, or any program completely useless.
Anyone else have this kind of experience?
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Tankgirl
Distinguished Member
| Joined: | 1 Jul 2011 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 538 |
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Posted: 7 Nov 2011 04:58 pm |
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I just had to keep trying until I found something that worked for me, then tweaked it to make it as healthy as possible. Since "healthy" is always in debate I research as much as I can, but it's ultimately down to trail and error and how my body reacts.
Since you lost weight so quickly, have you had any skin issues, or did the working out prevent that?
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MichelleP
Distinguished Member
| Joined: | 25 Mar 2009 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 717 |
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Posted: 7 Nov 2011 06:09 pm |
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| I have recently been questioning the "industry standards" myself. Which by the way are different depending on where you are looking. It's freaking ridiculous. My doctor tells me one thing and countless other supposed experts tell me completely different info. Low cal, low carb, low fat, etc..... I don't buy any of it anymore. I'm still searching for my own sweet spot. All the fat loss calculators say I will lose weight at just below 1500 calories, which just isn't true. I'm so freaking sick of reading so called expert's advice about losing weight. I know that for me I have to eat well below my BMR to lose weight and exercise doesn't seem to make a difference. I guess I just wanted to say that I totally understand where you are coming from. Also, congrats on the weight loss, I'm happy for you and your wife. Yay, 6 pack abs!
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MichelleP
Distinguished Member
| Joined: | 25 Mar 2009 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 717 |
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Posted: 7 Nov 2011 06:11 pm |
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| @Tank - Ive lost and kept off over 70 pounds and the skin isn't as tight as I'd like it to be but I will say that the longer I've kept it off the tighter is has gotten. You are a rock star Tankwoman!
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Tankgirl
Distinguished Member
| Joined: | 1 Jul 2011 |
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| Posts: | 538 |
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Posted: 7 Nov 2011 07:27 pm |
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| Nice to see you again Michelle! Looks like JS got bored and left for a while. Ever notice how he only plays when he can upset people?
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MichelleP
Distinguished Member
| Joined: | 25 Mar 2009 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 717 |
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Posted: 8 Nov 2011 06:25 am |
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Tankgirl wrote: Nice to see you again Michelle! Looks like JS got bored and left for a while. Ever notice how he only plays when he can upset people?
I haven't been visiting the JS show in a little while. It's no secret what I think of him. I was fed up with his bs and didn't want to be a part of it anymore, too much negativity. You say he left for awhile, maybe he'll leave for good! I hope you are doing well Tank.
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Tankgirl
Distinguished Member
| Joined: | 1 Jul 2011 |
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| Posts: | 538 |
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Posted: 8 Nov 2011 06:54 am |
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Doing fine.
It was just getting interesting, too. I'd like to see him actually say some of the ideas he's been dancing around. In the end he's only happy if he's making someone upset.IF he can't cause a fight he goes off to sulk. I'm sure he'll come back - doesn't he always? Hopefully by then I'll have some warrior dash pics to post!
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rgrove0172
Senior Member
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Posted: 8 Nov 2011 08:51 am |
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I had a little bit of a skin issue early on (turkey goggle under the neck, some tummy fat, hanging but etc.) but it firmed up pretty well. I put on quite a bit of muscle which helped but Im left with a little extra around the lower abs (which drives me nuts) Its slowly improved but I think Ill have a little reminder there of my years of indulgence. It doesnt stop me from jogging without a shirt or anything but its not as tight as I would like.
Thanks for the understanding posts. Its terribly frustrating. Ive had several co-workers, church members and the like come to me for advice on their own weight loss after seeing my success. When I recommend a routine their eyes and mouths fly open in obvious shock from the conflict between what Im telling them and what they have read and even their doctors have advised.
Yes, I know - my doctor told me the same thing. No less than 2000 calories a day, gotta get a few carbs and a more protein or youll end up in the hospital.. blah blah blah. If I had followed the typical advise, Id still be fighting the weight, Im sure of it. I had regular blood work, ekgs and general checkups - not a hitch along the way, despite disobeying countless "rules".
Go figure
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 8 Nov 2011 08:59 am |
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It is a very serious and somewhat controversial issue. On the one hand I repeatedly see the physical results of consistent under-eating coupled with over-exercising (often by those people who could get a diagnosis for Anorexia without much difficulty) and on the other hand there are some great success stories posted by people who have not subscribed to the "slow and steady" route.
1) variability (genetic or otherwise) must play a part - it works for some people but not for others
2) the more fat you have to lose, the lower you could go. Look up "PSMF" (protein-sparing modified fast) and Lyle McDonald's "Rapid Fat Loss" eBook where he suggests this isn't the recommended route but if you've already decided you're doing it this way here is how to 'do it right'
3) it will work for a while. The trouble comes from over-using an over-large deficit, not taking periodic diet breaks (and back to #1 this will affect some more than others)
4) don't forget nutrition - the fewer calories you have, the harder it is to get in those vitamins, minerals, omega 3 fats and protein = and adequate protein intake is particularly key at a severe deficit
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 9 Nov 2011 03:52 pm |
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Not everyone has the same metabolism. That's why my 15 yr old son can eat 4 times as much as me, a lot of it being junk food and not gain any weight.
Hormones definitaley play a role in metabolism.
I've also experienced a dramatic slow down in metabolism from fasting, and even alternate fasting with days of high calorie intake did not stop the metabolism slow down. For me the metabolism slow down wasn't just a simple matter of not losing weight anymore, the big deal breaker for me were the symptoms that came with it of depression, weakness, being extremely cold and brain fog. The depression...Feeling like crying over nothing was the worst part for me.
There are some supplements (such as turmeric, quercetin, maca and other herbs) that can give a very slight boost to the metabolism, but I find they help more with the symptoms of body temp and blood sugar regulation than with actual wieght loss. In other words, they might help a person feel better while dieting, they might even give you energy to exercise and improve your performance, but alone they probably won't make you lose weight.
Everyone is different and what may be doable for one person may be extremely difficult for another.
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