Low Vitamin D and stubborn weight.

Dawn410

Hi all. As i've posted before, I have had the hardest time getting the scale to budge. I thought it was just me not doing enough,or maybe it was my thyroid (I've been hypo for 19 years). I recently had a slew of labs checked and found out my vitamin d levels are very low. Upon researching, I found several studies that conclude Vitamin D deficiency makes it difficult to lose weight, particularly stubborn belly fat. By bringing D levels up to optimum, study participants lost a huge amount of weight when on their diet and exercise program.

Anyone have any experience with vitamin for and weight loss? I know I have to keep on working hard and eating healthy, but I'm excited to have a ray of hope for seeing the scale move!

jgnatca

I have found I get sick less often with my vitamin D levels up. I can't credit it for my weight loss.

Kalikel

When my vitamin deficiencies were fixed, I had more energy.

I don't know if the D helps with weight loss, but if someone isn't deficient in the first place, it couldn't help with anything at all.

ndj1979

vitamin d does not nothing for weight loss.

but here is my standard advice…

This is my standard advice:

1. Enter stats into MFP and set for x amount of weight loss.
2. Eat to the number that MFP gives you.
3. get a food scale and weigh all solid foods, and as many liquids as possible.
4. log everything
5. make sure that you are using correct MFP database entries
6. realize that there are no bad foods and that while the majority of foods should come from nutrient dense sources, there is nothing wrong with having pizza, ice cream, cookies, etc, as long as ones micro and macro needs are met.
7. macro setting are typically .85 grams of protein per pound of body weight; .45 grams of fat per pound of body weight; fill in rest with carbs.
8. find a form of exercise that you like and do it < not necessary for weight loss, but is for overall health and body comp.

couple stickies I would recommend:

Recomposition:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/33125652#Comment_33125652

sidesteels guide:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

how to:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1290491/how-and-why-to-use-a-digital-food-scale

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1234699/logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide

galgenstrick

I have been hypo thyroid and low D on and off since I was diagnosed in 2000. I was stupid as an early adult and went on and off the medications, as a result I have been extremely hypo at times.

That said, I was able to lose weight just fine and never noticed substantial weight gain from being hypo. I am now properly diagnosed and medicated for both Vitamin D and my thyroid and still have a pretty easy time losing weight. I lost 40 pounds since February of this year with ease. I lost the weight exactly how @ndj1979 suggested in his above post.

usmcmp

I had low Vitamin D through my competition prep. It didn't keep me from losing weight. Adding in Vitamin D after my competition prep was over didn't make it easier to lose weight.

Maleficent0241

As mentioned, Vitamin D level itself shouldn't really affect weight, but what it can do when it is low is bring down your energy levels, which in turn can affect your TDEE as you may be moving less. I have fought with extremely low vitamin d levels for a few years and I'm definitely sluggish when I drop too low.

Dawn410

Hmm. I wonder why the published studies showed a greater weight loss in the group that was supplemented with vitamin D vs placebo, given that all other factors ( calories and activity level included) were accounted for.

I do workout. I track my calories. I stick to 1200-1500 per day depending on my activity level. And the weight is hanging around.

I'mean glad to hear the vitamin D will give me more energy. I feel extremely fatigued most of of the time, I have to really force myself to get up and get moving.

queenliz99

Do you use a food scale?

usmcmp

Dawn410 wrote: »

Hmm. I wonder why the published studies showed a greater weight loss in the group that was supplemented with vitamin D vs placebo, given that all other factors ( calories and activity level included) were accounted for.

I do workout. I track my calories. I stick to 1200-1500 per day depending on my activity level. And the weight is hanging around.

I'mean glad to hear the vitamin D will give me more energy. I feel extremely fatigued most of of the time, I have to really force myself to get up and get moving.

Between June 29th and today you logged your food on only two days. Start logging. Log every day. Weigh absolutely everything you eat ( 0.01 servings of Snickers bars doesn't exactly look accurate).

Dawn410

I found an app I like better for tracking. The 0.01 servings was because I preloaded for the day and the didn't eat it, I couldn't figure out how to delete

usmcmp

Dawn410 wrote: »

I found an app I like better for tracking. The 0.01 servings was because I preloaded for the day and the didn't eat it, I couldn't figure out how to delete

We can't help you if we can't see your food diary. It's great that you said you are working out, but the key to weight loss is food intake. If you aren't losing weight currently accuracy is the most likely problem.

Dawn410

queenliz99 wrote: »

Do you use a food scale?

No, I don't use a food scale. I don't ever remember to buy one when I'm out!

strong_curves

Dawn410 wrote: »

queenliz99 wrote: »

Do you use a food scale?

No, I don't use a food scale. I don't ever remember to buy one when I'm out!

You should try to remember, a food scale is one of your best friends in the weight loss journey.

queenliz99

strong_curves wrote: »

Dawn410 wrote: »

queenliz99 wrote: »

Do you use a food scale?

No, I don't use a food scale. I don't ever remember to buy one when I'm out!

You should try to remember, a food scale is one of your best friends in the weight loss journey.

Yep watch this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY

tomatoey

Just by the way re the vit D - it takes a while to get it back to normal. Best way is through the sun, 15-20 mins / day of exposure to uncovered arms and legs will help. Go for D3 (more easily metabolized than D2) and sublingual drops are better than pills

Dawn410

tomatoey wrote: »

Just by the way re the vit D - it takes a while to get it back to normal. Best way is through the sun, 15-20 mins / day of exposure to uncovered arms and legs will help. Go for D3 (more easily metabolized than D2) and sublingual drops are better than pills

I spend a ton of time outdoors, so I was kind of surprised that my levels were low. I didn't know they made drops. I bought pills but I will look for drops.

poppyjune

Have you tried Spatone? It's a iron water sachet that I drink every morning. Though I don't find that low vit d affects my weightloss I think iron deficiency makes me more tired and therefore want to snack more.

I really recommend getting some if you want to boost your vit D. And also as mentioned here: a weighing scale is essential - you are probably under calculating your kcal intake. Good luck, hope it shifts x

richln

Your dietary fat goal is pretty low. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. I spent a long time on a low-fat diet and was eventually diagnosed with very low vitamin D levels. I do think it made it harder for me to lose weight because I was tired all of the time and had trouble recovering from my workouts (my joints were always sore and I got frequent injuries). Low light in the winter made it even worse as I would get Seasonal Affective Disorder really bad and the depression and cold weather made me want to skip workouts.