What exactly is going on here?
try2again
Posts: 3,565 Member
So, my husband and I started on MFP about the same time, me needing to lose 70-80 lbs, him wanting to lose about 10 and just get in better shape. He's always been active and is a lifter. I think he was about 187 when he started (5'10"). 40 days in for me, 37 for him, I've lost about 8 lbs (my goal is set at 1.5/wk) and he's lost 14 (also set at 1.5)! This morning's weigh in showed him 3 lbs down for the week! I would say it's just a fluctuation, but it never seems to be. I thought at his weight, 1.5 was pushing it and more would be impossible. His calorie limit is around 2300 and he eats to the max most days and eats back most exercise calories as well. I told him this morning I wasn't sure his numbers were healthy and he said I was just mad, and he's right 
Now, I'm happy with my rate of loss, but what is going on? Is he burning lean muscle mass?
Now, I'm happy with my rate of loss, but what is going on? Is he burning lean muscle mass? 0
Replies
-
From what I've always understood at the start men tend to lose weight faster than women. But you've done damn well yourself. You should be proud!0
-
He's a man
. This happened with my husband, too. You're doing great, so don't compare yourself with others! 0 -
He's a man, has more muscle mass so of course he will lose faster...not sure why he set it at 1.5 a week should be 1/2lb a week.0
-
hes a man.
so.... yeah.
you cant compare yourself to him. you are doing very very well!0 -
He's a man, has more muscle mass so of course he will lose faster...not sure why he set it at 1.5 a week should be 1/2lb a week.
I don't think anyone needs to go that slow unless they feel deprived and not exercising or they're trying to get to 7-8%BF (Men) or 15-16% (women). 1-1.5/week is perfectly fine for the last 10 pounds for most people.0 -
He's a man. Men have far more muscle, require more calories and burn more calories than women do. If my husband skips lunch, he loses at least 5 pounds.0
-
No need for comparison. You are both different people!0
-
Everyone saying "He's a man" is missing the part where he has his goal set to 1.5lb/week also has his gender set to male (I'm assuming). MFP gave him calories to lose at the same rate as OP, but he's losing almost twice as fast. It's not because he's a man, it's because the calculation is only an approximation, especially the activity factor.
OP what's your activity factor set to? Your husbands?
0 -
My guess is that he is more active than what he has told the tools that estimated how many calories he should be eating.0
-
My husband has more muscle and a much more active job than I do, so burns more calories per day, so he always loses faster than I do. I can relate to what you are saying because it can feel unfair sometimes. But, on the other hand I also have genetically very high cholesterol and triglycerides, and he doesn't. That feels unfair to me when compared to my husband and siblings who do not have these high levels, that I have to take special medications to stay semi within a healthy range, and they don't. But, I can't get angry about it because it isn't anyone's fault, it just is what it is. Basically, as others have said, we cannot compare ourselves to others, because we aren't all handed the same cards in the game.0
-
Mine is set to "lightly active", I think his is the next level up (he is on his feet w/some lifting throughout the day.)galgenstrick wrote: »Everyone saying "He's a man" is missing the part where he has his goal set to 1.5lb/week also has his gender set to male (I'm assuming). MFP gave him calories to lose at the same rate as OP, but he's losing almost twice as fast. It's not because he's a man, it's because the calculation is only an approximation, especially the activity factor.
OP what's your activity factor set to? Your husbands?
TimothyFish- he logs his activity religiously, even if it's just a few minutes of something.
0 -
Maybe he's not counting that accurately. But I'd have to say +1 on he's a man and also was already a lifter so most likely he's got some good muscle there. I'd be a bit sour too he's well past goal now :laugh:0
-
Mine is set to "lightly active", I think his is the next level up (he is on his feet w/some lifting throughout the day.)galgenstrick wrote: »Everyone saying "He's a man" is missing the part where he has his goal set to 1.5lb/week also has his gender set to male (I'm assuming). MFP gave him calories to lose at the same rate as OP, but he's losing almost twice as fast. It's not because he's a man, it's because the calculation is only an approximation, especially the activity factor.
OP what's your activity factor set to? Your husbands?
TimothyFish- he logs his activity religiously, even if it's just a few minutes of something.
I'm guessing that you probably should be at sedentary, or that there is inconsistencies in your weighing. Are you guys both weighing your food? are you eating the same things?0 -
Just to clarify, I'm not actually upset or stressed out about this. I'm perfectly happy with my weight loss. I was just looking for ideas as to why my husband's loss has been freakish 0
-
Judging by the fairly high calorie allowance, this probably is a no, but is he low carbing? Are you?0
-
We have just started to utilize the food scale and he often copies meal info from my log. I am on track for 9 lbs/6 weeks- I am right on targetgalgenstrick wrote: »
Mine is set to "lightly active", I think his is the next level up (he is on his feet w/some lifting throughout the day.)galgenstrick wrote: »Everyone saying "He's a man" is missing the part where he has his goal set to 1.5lb/week also has his gender set to male (I'm assuming). MFP gave him calories to lose at the same rate as OP, but he's losing almost twice as fast. It's not because he's a man, it's because the calculation is only an approximation, especially the activity factor.
OP what's your activity factor set to? Your husbands?
TimothyFish- he logs his activity religiously, even if it's just a few minutes of something.
I'm guessing that you probably should be at sedentary, or that there is inconsistencies in your weighing. Are you guys both weighing your food? are you eating the same things?
0 -
The opposite situation is going on at my house. I disagree that it is a male/female thing. I am "busier" than my husband. I have a lot more nervous energy and tend to be busy tidying things, putting away laundry etc.
So for him he gets in the shower, washes himself and dries himself. For me I generally polish or clean the shower, dry all the water off the glass, fold all the towels, put the wash clothes in the laundry room, dry may hair...this goes on all day..making meals, doing laundry, unloading the dishwasher, taking the dog out.
0 -
If both of you were the same height and weight and did the same things, he'd burn moresnowflakesav wrote: »The opposite situation is going on at my house. I disagree that it is a male/female thing. I am "busier" than my husband. I have a lot more nervous energy and tend to be busy tidying things, putting away laundry etc.
So for him he gets in the shower, washes himself and dries himself. For me I generally polish or clean the shower, dry all the water off the glass, fold all the towels, put the wash clothes in the laundry room, dry may hair...this goes on all day..making meals, doing laundry, unloading the dishwasher, taking the dog out.
0 -
We have just started to utilize the food scale and he often copies meal info from my log. I am on track for 9 lbs/6 weeks- I am right on targetgalgenstrick wrote: »
Mine is set to "lightly active", I think his is the next level up (he is on his feet w/some lifting throughout the day.)galgenstrick wrote: »Everyone saying "He's a man" is missing the part where he has his goal set to 1.5lb/week also has his gender set to male (I'm assuming). MFP gave him calories to lose at the same rate as OP, but he's losing almost twice as fast. It's not because he's a man, it's because the calculation is only an approximation, especially the activity factor.
OP what's your activity factor set to? Your husbands?
TimothyFish- he logs his activity religiously, even if it's just a few minutes of something.
I'm guessing that you probably should be at sedentary, or that there is inconsistencies in your weighing. Are you guys both weighing your food? are you eating the same things?
Since we're guessing his calorie allowance is much more than yours, where is he eating the food to make up this huge difference, and is he logging accurately? If he's eating the same things you are and no more, then perhaps he's creating a much bigger deficit?
0 -
Oh no... he eats the same dinner I fix, in greater quantities, and eats seemingly non-stop throughout the day.
We have just started to utilize the food scale and he often copies meal info from my log. I am on track for 9 lbs/6 weeks- I am right on targetgalgenstrick wrote: »
Mine is set to "lightly active", I think his is the next level up (he is on his feet w/some lifting throughout the day.)galgenstrick wrote: »Everyone saying "He's a man" is missing the part where he has his goal set to 1.5lb/week also has his gender set to male (I'm assuming). MFP gave him calories to lose at the same rate as OP, but he's losing almost twice as fast. It's not because he's a man, it's because the calculation is only an approximation, especially the activity factor.
OP what's your activity factor set to? Your husbands?
TimothyFish- he logs his activity religiously, even if it's just a few minutes of something.
I'm guessing that you probably should be at sedentary, or that there is inconsistencies in your weighing. Are you guys both weighing your food? are you eating the same things?
Since we're guessing his calorie allowance is much more than yours, where is he eating the food to make up this huge difference, and is he logging accurately? If he's eating the same things you are and no more, then perhaps he's creating a much bigger deficit?
I suppose it boils down to the fact that he is so muscular to begin with (muscle burns more calories than fat, right?) and even though he logs thoroughly, he must be burning more than is accounted for. Personally, I feel he has no business setting his goal at 1.5/week- I think for him .5 would be plenty- and even though he met his original goal weight, he has since decided to go for another few lbs. I suppose he'll reach that some time next week *eye roll*
0 -
galgenstrick wrote: »He's a man, has more muscle mass so of course he will lose faster...not sure why he set it at 1.5 a week should be 1/2lb a week.
I don't think anyone needs to go that slow unless they feel deprived and not exercising or they're trying to get to 7-8%BF (Men) or 15-16% (women). 1-1.5/week is perfectly fine for the last 10 pounds for most people.
not really...the faster the lost the greater the chance you are losing muscle as you have to cut 500-750 calories a day to lose at that rate...it is easier to lose that fast when you are bigger as you have a bigger allowance but the smaller you get the smaller the allowance.
As well it makes it easier to ease into maintenance without issues...reverse dieting starts during the weight loss phase.
I have 10lbs to lose give or take and if I chose 1-1.5lbs a week MFP would give me 1200 calories a day which isn't nearly enough for me...my TDEE currently is about 2100 given my total activity....I can't imagine eating 1200 calories a day even if I did eat my exercise calories back...1600 calories a day...no thanks...I couldn't be as active as I am.0 -
My father in law started my weigh loss journey by paying us $2 per pound. We set our goals and a deadline. If we reached or passed our goal he gave us $4 per pound. For him, he earned hours of our time to help him with his business. We had weekly weigh ins. HE lost 11 pounds in a week but just not drinking soda. No exercise or any other diet changes. *sigh*
0 -
galgenstrick wrote: »He's a man, has more muscle mass so of course he will lose faster...not sure why he set it at 1.5 a week should be 1/2lb a week.
I don't think anyone needs to go that slow unless they feel deprived and not exercising or they're trying to get to 7-8%BF (Men) or 15-16% (women). 1-1.5/week is perfectly fine for the last 10 pounds for most people.
not really...the faster the lost the greater the chance you are losing muscle as you have to cut 500-750 calories a day to lose at that rate...it is easier to lose that fast when you are bigger as you have a bigger allowance but the smaller you get the smaller the allowance.
As well it makes it easier to ease into maintenance without issues...reverse dieting starts during the weight loss phase.
I have 10lbs to lose give or take and if I chose 1-1.5lbs a week MFP would give me 1200 calories a day which isn't nearly enough for me...my TDEE currently is about 2100 given my total activity....I can't imagine eating 1200 calories a day even if I did eat my exercise calories back...1600 calories a day...no thanks...I couldn't be as active as I am.
Like I said, If you feel deprived then it's not a good idea to eat less. But looking at your diary, I can see ways you can improve your diet to feel satiated on 1200-1600 calories, and not lose muscle at the rate you're suggesting.
Also, for people (especially men) trying to put on muscle, suggesting cutting at 0.5/lb a week is a bad idea given that they will spend much less time bulking and much more time not making any significant progress.0 -
37 days, he's roughly found his TDEE which is around 1250 above what he's currently eating
If he only wanted to lose 10lbs isn't he done?0 -
So, my husband and I started on MFP about the same time, me needing to lose 70-80 lbs, him wanting to lose about 10 and just get in better shape. He's always been active and is a lifter. I think he was about 187 when he started (5'10"). 40 days in for me, 37 for him, I've lost about 8 lbs (my goal is set at 1.5/wk) and he's lost 14 (also set at 1.5)! This morning's weigh in showed him 3 lbs down for the week! I would say it's just a fluctuation, but it never seems to be. I thought at his weight, 1.5 was pushing it and more would be impossible. His calorie limit is around 2300 and he eats to the max most days and eats back most exercise calories as well. I told him this morning I wasn't sure his numbers were healthy and he said I was just mad, and he's right Now, I'm happy with my rate of loss, but what is going on? Is he burning lean muscle mass?
Men are just better than womerns at doing things. It was shown in one of those State University of Michigan studies.0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 394.9K Introduce Yourself
- 44K Getting Started
- 260.6K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.2K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.7K Fitness and Exercise
- 444 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.2K Motivation and Support
- 8.2K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 4.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 16 News and Announcements
- 1.3K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.8K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions