Down 40lbs in 11wks

2»

Replies

  • Watch_Me_Rise
    Watch_Me_Rise Posts: 301 Member
    Congrats on the progress so far! I'm sorry some people choose to be rude but your accomplishments do deserve praise, so go you! Good luck in your journey ahead :)
  • oh_happy_day
    oh_happy_day Posts: 1,137 Member
    Watch_Me_Rise wrote: »
    Congrats on the progress so far! I'm sorry some people choose to be rude but your accomplishments do deserve praise, so go you! Good luck in your journey ahead :)

    People aren't being rude. They're telling him that he's under eating. If I came on here and said that I'd lost heaps of weight quickly by only eating 500 calories a day and running heaps, would you congratulate me or tell me to be careful? Because that's the equivalent of what he's doing. It's fantastic that he's committed but but he can get the same results by eating a more appropriate amount for his height/frame.
  • Watch_Me_Rise
    Watch_Me_Rise Posts: 301 Member
    oh_happy_day wrote: »
    Watch_Me_Rise wrote: »
    Congrats on the progress so far! I'm sorry some people choose to be rude but your accomplishments do deserve praise, so go you! Good luck in your journey ahead :)

    People aren't being rude. They're telling him that he's under eating. If I came on here and said that I'd lost heaps of weight quickly by only eating 500 calories a day and running heaps, would you congratulate me or tell me to be careful? Because that's the equivalent of what he's doing. It's fantastic that he's committed but but he can get the same results by eating a more appropriate amount for his height/frame.

    I didn't say everyone was being rude, its fine to offer constructive advice. I saw a few comments in particular that were not helpful at all.

    Also, I think you're over exaggerating his deficit. I don't know if OP weighs all of his food or not but a big concern on MFP is underestimating calorie intake and overestimating calories burned so maybe his deficit isn't as big as you think it is.

    It is fantastic that OP's committed, that's where a LOT of people struggle, so yes I still think he deserves congratulations.
  • bpaolina
    bpaolina Posts: 36 Member
    Watch_Me_Rise wrote: »
    Congrats on the progress so far! I'm sorry some people choose to be rude but your accomplishments do deserve praise, so go you! Good luck in your journey ahead :)

    Thank you :)
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    edited September 2015
    To the OP:

    If you truly are eating around 1200 cals per day, you are robbing your body of vital energy and nutrients. As others have stated, 1500 is the lowest recommended daily caloric intake for males. The 1200 you're apparently currently eating is the minimum recommended *for women.*

    Please reconsider what you're doing. Why are you in such a rush when it will cost you in the long run? You didn't get overweight overnight, and it's unreasonable to expect it to come off that quickly. :)

  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    bpaolina wrote: »
    xcalygrl wrote: »
    bpaolina wrote: »
    Hey everyone! I don't like the direction this going. I just posted this to be positive :) I appreciate all advice and criticism and knowledge anyone can share! I'm no health expert but I'm just doing my thing and will adjust as I learn.

    Thanks for anything you want to share :)

    They're just trying to inform you so you can make wiser choices.

    The MINIMUM recommended amount of calories for a guy is 1500 calories. That allows you enough calories to get adequate nutrition for your body to perform its basic functions (breathing, digestion, etc.). Eating below 1500 is not healthy and can cause you to lose muscle mass.

    As for the gaining muscle: highly unlikely. To build muscle, you need something to build it out of. Eating in a deficit (which is required to lose weight) does not give your body the "something" (AKA calories) it needs to build muscle. Your body needs an excess of calories to build muscle, which is why people bulk when they want to build muscle. You may be looking leaner and like you're growing muscles, but this can be attributed to the loss of fat. When you have less fat on top of your muscles, you look like you have more muscle.

    Congrats on your loss so far.

    I am glad they are informing me, believe me I need it.
    I very much appreciate it!
    Thank you

    Since you've stated you need some help, this is a great starting place:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    And congrats on your success so far!
  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    Awesome job. I also think you should eat more though. I'm all for losing weight fast, but you don't want it to be too fast either.

    I was 220lb at 5'11". I ate 1720 calories/day and did a poor job eating back exercise calories. My goal was 2lb/week, but I ended up doing ~2.3lb/week for 2 months. I'm stronger than when I started, but was starving at a little over 2 months in. I'm now eating 1860 and doing a better job of eating back exercise calories. My goal now is 1.5lb/week, but I'm still losing faster. I think my activity level has gone up (outside of exercise) and I haven't accounted for it yet. I actually think that I'm near the peak for squatting until I start eating at a surplus. I can probably go up a tiny bit more, but the gains aren't coming like they did when I first started (I'm doing 5x5 with 1.2x my current weight)

    I would probably go with a goal of 2lb/week and eat back exercise calories since you still have a decent way to go. It would be 1/2 the rate you going now, but you would lose less muscle. As you continue to drop weight you can drop it to 1.5lb, then 1lb and finish out the losing weight portion.

    As for building muscle, you may have (you can build muscle due to newbie gains or being obese with fat to spare), but if you continue to eat at that big of a deficit you will lose muscle.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    snickerscharlie wrote: »
    To the OP:

    If you truly are eating around 1200 cals per day, you are robbing your body of vital energy and nutrients. As others have stated, 1500 is the lowest recommended daily caloric intake for males. The 1200 you're apparently currently eating is the minimum recommended *for women.*

    Please reconsider what you're doing. Why are you in such a rush when it will cost you in the long run? You didn't get overweight overnight, and it's unreasonable to expect it to come off that quickly. :)

    ^^^This.

    At your Age/Ht/Wt and eating only 1500-1200 calories, you're at TDEE -60 to -65%. It doesn't matter what you're eating or lifting, you're going to run into issues with lost LBM at such a drastic cut. And honestly...honestly set yourself up for a crash.

    Good luck in your endeavors.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    edited September 2015
    Congratulations on your success so far!

    It's generally safe for some people paying a close eye to nutrition to lose at an accelerated rate of 1% of bodyweight per week, and your loss exceeds that.

    The concern is that one's body can only oxidize so much fat at a time, and when you lose too quickly, what's lost above that threshold is muscle mass.

    The other concern is a far reaching one. Most of the research done on adaptive thermogenesis showing such drastically reduced maintenance calorie needs vs. predicted outcomes for the formerly obese has been done on subjects who lost weight using very low calorie approaches. Fast doesn't always equal smart.

    It's most important when you're dieting to pay attention to getting enough protein - .6 to .8 grams per pound of bodyweight a day, and fat - .35 to .45 grams per pound of bodyweight a day. The rest of your caloric intake can be filled in with carbs. A diet based on these criteria and a fitness regimen that includes some sort of resistance program will help you preserve muscle mass.

    Since your current weight is 245, slow down your loss so you're not losing more than 2 pounds or so a week. That's still a pretty fast clip, but it's safe if you're getting really top notch nutrition.

    Good luck!
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    I'd second what Carol says, above. Weight loss can be very quick at first, when you have a lot to lose. After a while, to stay on the track to safe, healthy weight loss, it's a good idea to slow it down to 2 lbs. per week.
    Congrats on what you've done so far - now it's time to slow it down a bit and get on the lifelong road. Remember, it's not a race, it's a journey. Do it the right and safe way and you'll always be glad that you did.
  • Edjeep
    Edjeep Posts: 65 Member
    Great job, and you are to be commended on your attitude. What you've been doing is working, but always room to learn what you can do better. I'm kind of in that same boat, I have lost 50+ lbs, it's been working, and I hope to learn how to to better every day.
  • happygalah
    happygalah Posts: 343 Member
    Congrats and great job! Obviously what you're doing is working, I would keep it up. If your doctor is happy with your progress and you are, that's all that matters. People here are well meaning with their unasked for advice, but none of them have an MD behind their name.
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    happygalah wrote: »
    Congrats and great job! Obviously what you're doing is working, I would keep it up. If your doctor is happy with your progress and you are, that's all that matters. People here are well meaning with their unasked for advice, but none of them have an MD behind their name.

    Didn't see anywhere that the OP mentioned that this is a doctor supervised and/or recommended diet plan. Because any doctor that would do this to one of his/her patients unless there was an urgent medical need to do so should have their licence pulled.

    FYI, most doctors receive *very* little instruction regarding nutrition in med school. It's just not a focus of the curriculum. So many physicians are woefully uninformed in this area. :)
  • bpaolina
    bpaolina Posts: 36 Member
    snickerscharlie wrote: »
    To the OP:

    If you truly are eating around 1200 cals per day, you are robbing your body of vital energy and nutrients. As others have stated, 1500 is the lowest recommended daily caloric intake for males. The 1200 you're apparently currently eating is the minimum recommended *for women.*

    Please reconsider what you're doing. Why are you in such a rush when it will cost you in the long run? You didn't get overweight overnight, and it's unreasonable to expect it to come off that quickly. :)

    Since my original post, I am now between 1500-1800. I definitely received some much needed input!

    Thanks for your post :)
  • bpaolina
    bpaolina Posts: 36 Member
    Edjeep wrote: »
    Great job, and you are to be commended on your attitude. What you've been doing is working, but always room to learn what you can do better. I'm kind of in that same boat, I have lost 50+ lbs, it's been working, and I hope to learn how to to better every day.

    Great job on your weight loss! I am new to this and losing weight, my diet and exercise has all been quite a learning experience. I am so glad I posted on here. One day at a time one pound at a time and I'll get there.

    Thanks for your post
  • bpaolina
    bpaolina Posts: 36 Member
    mccindy72 wrote: »
    I'd second what Carol says, above. Weight loss can be very quick at first, when you have a lot to lose. After a while, to stay on the track to safe, healthy weight loss, it's a good idea to slow it down to 2 lbs. per week.
    Congrats on what you've done so far - now it's time to slow it down a bit and get on the lifelong road. Remember, it's not a race, it's a journey. Do it the right and safe way and you'll always be glad that you did.

    Thanks for your post! I have raised my calories but still eating very healthy and exercising. I've lost another 3 pounds since my original post so I'm glad I took everyone's advice and appreciate all the concern. This is a great group of people on here!
  • bpaolina
    bpaolina Posts: 36 Member

    I am glad they are informing me, believe me I need it.
    I very much appreciate it!
    Thank you[/quote]

    Since you've stated you need some help, this is a great starting place:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    And congrats on your success so far![/quote]

    Thank you! I will def check it out.
  • bpaolina
    bpaolina Posts: 36 Member
    nordlead2005 wrote: »
    Awesome job. I also think you should eat more though. I'm all for losing weight fast, but you don't want it to be too fast either.

    I was 220lb at 5'11". I ate 1720 calories/day and did a poor job eating back exercise calories. My goal was 2lb/week, but I ended up doing ~2.3lb/week for 2 months. I'm stronger than when I started, but was starving at a little over 2 months in. I'm now eating 1860 and doing a better job of eating back exercise calories. My goal now is 1.5lb/week, but I'm still losing faster. I think my activity level has gone up (outside of exercise) and I haven't accounted for it yet. I actually think that I'm near the peak for squatting until I start eating at a surplus. I can probably go up a tiny bit more, but the gains aren't coming like they did when I first started (I'm doing 5x5 with 1.2x my current weight)

    I would probably go with a goal of 2lb/week and eat back exercise calories since you still have a decent way to go. It would be 1/2 the rate you going now, but you would lose less muscle. As you continue to drop weight you can drop it to 1.5lb, then 1lb and finish out the losing weight portion.

    As for building muscle, you may have (you can build muscle due to newbie gains or being obese with fat to spare), but if you continue to eat at that big of a deficit you will lose muscle.

    Congrats to you! And thanks for sharing! Like I've been telling everyone posting on here, I am so thankful for all of the input and advice. I am not in a hurry as much as I am just excited for the journey ahead... I know it's going to be hard but being overweight is even more difficult in its own way.

    Thank you :)
  • bpaolina
    bpaolina Posts: 36 Member
    PeachyCarol wrote: »
    Congratulations on your success so far!

    It's generally safe for some people paying a close eye to nutrition to lose at an accelerated rate of 1% of bodyweight per week, and your loss exceeds that.

    The concern is that one's body can only oxidize so much fat at a time, and when you lose too quickly, what's lost above that threshold is muscle mass.

    The other concern is a far reaching one. Most of the research done on adaptive thermogenesis showing such drastically reduced maintenance calorie needs vs. predicted outcomes for the formerly obese has been done on subjects who lost weight using very low calorie approaches. Fast doesn't always equal smart.

    It's most important when you're dieting to pay attention to getting enough protein - .6 to .8 grams per pound of bodyweight a day, and fat - .35 to .45 grams per pound of bodyweight a day. The rest of your caloric intake can be filled in with carbs. A diet based on these criteria and a fitness regimen that includes some sort of resistance program will help you preserve muscle mass.

    Since your current weight is 245, slow down your loss so you're not losing more than 2 pounds or so a week. That's still a pretty fast clip, but it's safe if you're getting really top notch nutrition.

    Good luck!

    Thank you so much and good luck on your own goals!
  • bpaolina
    bpaolina Posts: 36 Member
    bpaolina wrote: »
    This app is a life changer! I'm 27 and started on June 8th, 2015 at 285lbs. Now 11wks later I'm now 245lbs and haven't been in the 240's since high school. My goal is 5lbs at a time until I get to where I feel I'm healthy! I've never felt so good. You all are a true inspiration to me and I hope I can inspire others also! Keep up the good work everyone! #MFP44ysc2lthbou.jpg

    Down to 242 now and have been taking everyone's advice and eating more calories! I want to change the name of this discussion to "one pound at a time, one day at a time" that's my new motto lol

    So excited to be in the 230's in the not so distant future.

    And thank you all for the support and good advice!
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    edited September 2015
    bpaolina wrote: »
    bpaolina wrote: »
    This app is a life changer! I'm 27 and started on June 8th, 2015 at 285lbs. Now 11wks later I'm now 245lbs and haven't been in the 240's since high school. My goal is 5lbs at a time until I get to where I feel I'm healthy! I've never felt so good. You all are a true inspiration to me and I hope I can inspire others also! Keep up the good work everyone! #MFP44ysc2lthbou.jpg

    Down to 242 now and have been taking everyone's advice and eating more calories! I want to change the name of this discussion to "one pound at a time, one day at a time" that's my new motto lol

    So excited to be in the 230's in the not so distant future.

    And thank you all for the support and good advice!

    Awesome, this approach is much more sensible. :)
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    bpaolina wrote: »
    mccindy72 wrote: »
    I'd second what Carol says, above. Weight loss can be very quick at first, when you have a lot to lose. After a while, to stay on the track to safe, healthy weight loss, it's a good idea to slow it down to 2 lbs. per week.
    Congrats on what you've done so far - now it's time to slow it down a bit and get on the lifelong road. Remember, it's not a race, it's a journey. Do it the right and safe way and you'll always be glad that you did.

    Thanks for your post! I have raised my calories but still eating very healthy and exercising. I've lost another 3 pounds since my original post so I'm glad I took everyone's advice and appreciate all the concern. This is a great group of people on here!

    Awesome, so glad to hear it.
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