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I will not regain the weight that I lost, because...
jxspxr
Posts: 150
Ok, I read that 90% of the people who lost a significant amount of weight regain it all back in a few years, or gain even more. The reasons for this is basically that the body does not want you to lose weight - when you lose, your body will keep encouraging you to gain it back. Your appetite will be bigger and you'll burn less then other people of the same weight who've always been on that weight.
So, it's not easy, but apparently 10% did it. Now, since we all think that we are the exception (I do think so :P), complete this sentence for me:
"I will not regain the weight that I lost, like most people do, because..."
My answer: because I don't view weight loss as a temporary project, but as a lifelong thing. This means that I will keep educating myself about healthy living, monitoring my weigh/health regularly and I'm always prepared to take action to protect my health - I'll do this early.
In practice this means that when I weight 80 kg, every month I'll check on my weight and during the following days I'll get it back to 80 if the difference is more than 3 kg. Sometimes this means that I have to gain weight, sometimes lose.
Every year I'll get a full checkup on my health at the doctor I'll use what I learn from that to adjust my goals and activities.
I am curious what you have to say. Try to be honest and realistic. And I encourage everyone to judge the people who've answered before you: are they in the 90% or in the 10%? Do you think the method the person proposes is realistic? Effective? Sustainable? Does it take into account different scenarios? Of course only judge if you have constructive criticism. I trust that you can do this in a positive way - please just ignore those who don't.
Why do I ask you to judge each other? Not to start fights, but because it's really unhealthy to yoyo with your weight - so it's nice to get this on the table while you are losing weight and plan in advance how you'll deal with it. Discussion with constructive criticism can greatly improve your plan. Of course you're welcome to judge me.
So, it's not easy, but apparently 10% did it. Now, since we all think that we are the exception (I do think so :P), complete this sentence for me:
"I will not regain the weight that I lost, like most people do, because..."
My answer: because I don't view weight loss as a temporary project, but as a lifelong thing. This means that I will keep educating myself about healthy living, monitoring my weigh/health regularly and I'm always prepared to take action to protect my health - I'll do this early.
In practice this means that when I weight 80 kg, every month I'll check on my weight and during the following days I'll get it back to 80 if the difference is more than 3 kg. Sometimes this means that I have to gain weight, sometimes lose.
Every year I'll get a full checkup on my health at the doctor I'll use what I learn from that to adjust my goals and activities.
I am curious what you have to say. Try to be honest and realistic. And I encourage everyone to judge the people who've answered before you: are they in the 90% or in the 10%? Do you think the method the person proposes is realistic? Effective? Sustainable? Does it take into account different scenarios? Of course only judge if you have constructive criticism. I trust that you can do this in a positive way - please just ignore those who don't.
Why do I ask you to judge each other? Not to start fights, but because it's really unhealthy to yoyo with your weight - so it's nice to get this on the table while you are losing weight and plan in advance how you'll deal with it. Discussion with constructive criticism can greatly improve your plan. Of course you're welcome to judge me.
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Replies
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I am curious what you have to say, I think this may lead to an interesting discussion...0
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No offense, but my opinion of "your body wants to gain it back" is an excuse.
A better way of putting it would be, "people who are overweight have a history and a tendency to over eat and/out under-exercise. It is highly likely that if you were once in a lifestyle that made you fat, you will enter that lifestyle again, especially after you complete a diet program."0 -
simple - I will not regain the weight that I lost because I will weight myself every week and if I see the scales go up I will immediately address the issues causing this. In other words constantly monitor it.0
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Actually I think there is some science behind it. There is a weight our bodies become comfortable with and/or if we were overweight for a long time there is a weight our body wants to get back to. It's more of a fight than someone who was always thin. (This may not be 100% accurate I just remember seeing a doc on it)
I won't regain it because that isn't me anymore. I don't own those clothes. I don't live that way anymore. That's not how I eat. Totally different person. It's now my profession! I'm a group fitness instructor now, and I am aware of what I do and put into my body.
I also have a fear of people seeing me after some time and thinking, "Oh she put on WEIGHT" LOL. It's a healthy fear. :laugh:0 -
Sorry, but this is such crap. I lost 90 lbs and have maintained it very easily for a year and a half now. I'm not hungry, I eat well, and I make sure what I eat are quality, nutrient dense foods.
Yes, most bodies may have a set weight they want to stay at. However, I guarantee that 99% of people's bodies "set point" is not above a normal BMI.
The problem is the addictive nature of low quality, high calorie, low nutrient foods that are so abundant in our culture. Avoid those foods, replace them with healthy ones, practice portion control, and you won't have to worry about gaining it back.0 -
I plan on living out my life with proper fitness and eating. Period. I know how I screwed up my body, won't happen again.0
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I plan on living out my life with proper fitness and eating. Period. I know how I screwed up my body, won't happen again.
Same here - I gained the weight I did because I was completely uneducated about proper nutrition. Now that I know where I messed up, I am never going back!!!0 -
Thanks for reply. I agree this *could* be used as an excuse, but I don't agree that I use it as an excuse, for 2 reasons. The first reason comes from science ( read http://www.nbcnews.com/id/36716808/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/when-you-lose-weight-gain-it-all-back/#.UerZmGT884Q). The article in the link says that the body may perceive weight loss as a threat to survival, thus working against you. So, am not just talking about lifestyle/habits here, I am talking about your body having a lower metabolism and more hormones that stimulate you to eat - not just for some months or weeks, but scientists are discovering that this effect is for the long term.
The second reason is that I don't need an excuse. I've never really lost weight, and now that I am trying, I have successfully lost weight the last 6 months. I just know that in reality most people gain it back, both from science as well as from the people around me, so I just presume that I have to prepare myself for this; that I shouldn't think I am somehow better than this, but that I have to make an extra effort to make sure that I .
So, it's no excuse, it's learning from other people's experience and actually putting in more effort to prepare myself for this phase and accept that I'll have to stay on guard for life. How do you plan to do this?0 -
Wow a lot of posts - my reply was directed at thepiratemd0
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This statistic scares me and as I am close to my goal weight, I often think about how I will maintain my new weight, once I get there. I hope that I've been on this journey long enough (20 months) that is has become habit. I hope that my husband continues on this journey with me, because he is so supportive of our new lifestyle. I hope that I continue logging my food everyday and being active.
This is an interesting topic, and I'm interested in reading the responses.0 -
I won't gain the weight back because I love buying smaller clothes than I've ever worn before and I think I'll always see my body as a work in progress so they'll always be something I want to work on and that could be diet or fitness wise0
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Sorry, but this is such crap. I lost 90 lbs and have maintained it very easily for a year and a half now. I'm not hungry, I eat well, and I make sure what I eat are quality, nutrient dense foods.
Yes, most bodies may have a set weight they want to stay at. However, I guarantee that 99% of people's bodies "set point" is not above a normal BMI.
The problem is the addictive nature of low quality, high calorie, low nutrient foods that are so abundant in our culture. Avoid those foods, replace them with healthy ones, practice portion control, and you won't have to worry about gaining it back.
I am glad that it works that way for you, but that your case is different does not proof that this is crap. I base my hypothesis that most people gain their weight back on science - check it if you want. So, I don't agree with your comment that 99% of the people have a "set point" at a normal BMI. I think this can change, and in general this means that this point easily goes up, but it's hard to get it down.
But, again, good that it works that way for you! There are always exceptions and I guess it must be great to be in the exception group!
Since this is the first time I try to lose weight, I have no experience yet with maintaining weight at the lower level. I hope I am an exception too! But I prepare myself for the situation that it'll require some constant effort. 0 -
Ok, I read that 90% of the people who lost a significant amount of weight regain it all back in a few years, or gain even more. The reasons for this is basically that the body does not want you to lose weight - when you lose, your body will keep encouraging you to gain it back. Your appetite will be bigger and you'll burn less then other people of the same weight who've always been on that weight.
So, it's not easy, but apparently 10% did it. Now, since we all think that we are the exception (I do think so :P), complete this sentence for me:
"I will not regain the weight that I lost, like most people do, because..."
My answer: because I don't view weight loss as a temporary project, but as a lifelong thing. This means that I will keep educating myself about healthy living, monitoring my weigh/health regularly and I'm always prepared to take action to protect my health - I'll do this early.
In practice this means that when I weight 80 kg, every month I'll check on my weight and during the following days I'll get it back to 80 if the difference is more than 3 kg. Sometimes this means that I have to gain weight, sometimes lose.
Every year I'll get a full checkup on my health at the doctor I'll use what I learn from that to adjust my goals and activities.
I am curious what you have to say. Try to be honest and realistic. And I encourage everyone to judge the people who've answered before you: are they in the 90% or in the 10%? Do you think the method the person proposes is realistic? Effective? Sustainable? Does it take into account different scenarios? Of course only judge if you have constructive criticism. I trust that you can do this in a positive way - please just ignore those who don't.
Why do I ask you to judge each other? Not to start fights, but because it's really unhealthy to yoyo with your weight - so it's nice to get this on the table while you are losing weight and plan in advance how you'll deal with it. Discussion with constructive criticism can greatly improve your plan. Of course you're welcome to judge me.
That's a load of crap. People gain it back because they "diet" (action verb) rather than taking a look at their "diet" (noun) and learning or re-learning how to eat and what to eat...what a portion of something looks like, etc. When people diet, they tend to deprive themselves of everything...so they never learn moderation...you should never completely eliminate anything when you're "dieting" unless you intend to never eat that particular thing ever again.
Also, when people stop their dieting they also tend to stop exercising...this is largely because people fail to set independent fitness goals for themselves...their exercise is completely focused on calories burned because that is their only obsession...they fail to see the bigger picture. They fail to see that proper diet and fitness have to be an integral part of their life FOREVER.
I will not gain weight back because I view my diet as a noun...I'm maintaining currently (and don't log) and I eat the same kinds of foods that I was eating at deficit...I just throw in an extra handful of nuts or whatever here and there to get my calories up to maintain. Also, I don't "workout"...I "train" and I'm addicted to fitness...I could give a rats *kitten* about "burn"...I just want to run further and faster...lift heavier...swim faster and harder...cycle hills better, etc. Someday I want to look back on my first sprint triathlon and say, "LOL"...I'm an Ironman"...I want to leave everyone in my wake to stare at my *kitten* in wonder.0 -
@cwolfman13 - the same answer for you: I am glad that your personal experience is different, but you are the minority. So, I don't agree that my hypothesis is crap, go read the science. You do have some excellent points and I think that with your method you can effectively keep your weight off - I think the key thing is to have a healthy relationship with food and exercise, or training as you call it. My compliments!0
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@cwolfman13 - the same answer for you: I am glad that your personal experience is different, but you are the minority. So, I don't agree that my hypothesis is crap, go read the science. You do have some excellent points and I think that with your method you can effectively keep your weight off - I think the key thing is to have a healthy relationship with food and exercise, or training as you call it. My compliments!
LOL dude...that's not science. If that were "science" then that would mean that I would not be able to eat what I currently eat (2700 - 3000 calories per day at 5'10" and 180 Lbs to maintain). You posted a "news" article, not a scientific paper. Just because it has the word "study" in it doesn't mean it's actually science and stuff.
Again...people gain the weight back because they go back to their old habits and old ways of doing things. About the only thing I would possibly agree with is that some people go on VLCD and jack their metabolisms...and in those cases, yeah...they've done metabolic damage so they can't eat as much as someone of equivalent stats. But actually, even that can be fixed...I've seen anorexics fix metabolic damage.0 -
I love the clothes I can wear now. I love that I have choice and that I can shop in 'normal' shops0
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This "science" ranks right up there with "stoking the fires" of your metabolism by eating 6 meals per day....Don't eat after 6 PM or whatever arbitrary time someone said in some study somewhere...breakfast is the most important meal of the day, etc....0
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The way my body lost and maintained weight does not make me special snowflake, or the exception. I reduced my calorie intake to a deficit while still getting adequate nutrition. There are HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS of success stories on MFP with people who have had the same result doing the same thing. Again, I am not special.
Learning maintenance is crucial in order to maintain the loss. It requires thought and effort. If you do not do this, you are pretty much guaranteed to gain the weight back. If you do learn the proper way to maintain, and then make it a habit, you will be successful for years to come.0 -
I got as bad as I did through lots of denial. Honesty and accountability is what's going to stop that from happening again.0
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The way my body lost and maintained weight does not make me special snowflake, or the exception. I reduced my calorie intake to a deficit while still getting adequate nutrition. There are HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS of success stories on MFP with people who have had the same result doing the same thing. Again, I am not special.
Learning maintenance is crucial in order to maintain the loss. It requires thought and effort. If you do not do this, you are pretty much guaranteed to gain the weight back. If you do learn the proper way to maintain, and then make it a habit, you will be successful for years to come.
QFT, thank you for your common sense...0 -
maybe the people who gain it back lost their weight by going on a diet, but if you made it into a lifestyle i dont think it will come back.0
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Let's answer the question instead of arguing about the premise, huh?
"I will not regain the weight that I lost, like most people do, because..."
1. I don't want to have to get my other knee replaced for as long as possible.
2. I want to postpone having my 2 artificial hips replaced again as long as possible.
3. I want to be as sexy and desirable for my partner as possible.
4. It took me too damn many years to come out of the closet. I want to have as many years out of the closet as I possibly can and I need to be as healthy as I can to do that. And maintaining proper weight is a key to that.0 -
"I will not regain the weight that I lost, like most people do, because..."
It is not a diet...it is a new way of life. I will log EVERY day! Forever!!! I will not get complacent. I'm in it for LIFE, how I feel.
I do believe that there are certain things...such as (eat less, exercise more), that universally work.
I do believe that there are certain things...such as (Atkins, eating more, etc) that work for some but not others.
We are alike...and yet no one is the same.0 -
when I get back to a normal weight I will not gain again because I know the damage Salicylate has done to my body over the years and this includes becoming incredibly bloated and racked with pain to the extent I needed a walking stick, had problems breathing and every day was such an effort. I have a life again and I will hold on to it .
Salicylate is in aspirin and foods such as broccoli, oranges, apples, herbs spices there is more I avoid than I can eat and I avoid perfumes and washing powders in order to have a life worth living and nothing will take that away from me again.
Oh, the medics and diet specialists never tell you about it because they do not consider it to be a problem!!! it is for me and will be for others. If you have weight issues yo-yo dieting and more, and hand on heart you know you are eating healthily, look into it
all the best to everyone0 -
Simple answer from me. This was never a diet...it has always been a lifestyle change. I enjoy what I eat and I never feel deprived. I love to exercise and plan to do so forever. So to me it is routine and not a quick fix thing that I will stop.
People gain weight because they go back to bad eating habits and stop exercising. Simple as that.0 -
I just started my second full year of maintenance. I haven't regained the weight that I've lost nor will I because I use my newly developed skills of portion control and mindful eating to ensure that I stay on track. Plus, I weigh myself regularly and up the exercise/reduce my calories slightly when my weight exceeds a 3 pound threshold. That's only happened twice since I switched to maintenance.
I have a system that works for ME. My health is excellent and I feel terrific. No way am I going back to the old me.
Sorry, I'm not interested in judging anyone else. I don't presume to have all the answers or know what would work best for others. Anyone interested in research based findings of successful weight "losers" and long term maintainers should check out the National Weight Control Registry (http://www.nwcr.ws/)0 -
I believe, and even the new article the OP posted agrees, that most people gain the weight back because they are on too restrictive of a diet and they want instant results. IF someone plans on losing weight in a slower more manageable fashion and understands that weight loss is a process, they would be more likely to keep it off. Slower weight loss not only teaches someone how to eat properly, it also gives the body time to adjust to the changes and "accept" them as the new normal.
It's taken me about a year to lose the 83 lbs I've lost, and I could have lost a whole lot more in this past year, but I'm not in some major hurry, I'm enjoying the foods I like, and I'm not depriving myself. I know that I will continue on this path until I get to the shape and fitness level I want to be..not to some number on a scale. I get asked all the time how much more I want to lose or what do I want to weigh...my answer is always..I don't know yet, I haven't made it there yet.
I don't expect to regain the weight because by the time I reach where I want to be the way I eat and exercise will have become my new habit, it will be what I know.0 -
I hope not to regain the fat I have lost (again ... been here before) because:
1) Maintenance won't be very different from fat loss (nutrition and exercise wise) and I don't feel much deprived
2) I will be mindful about what I am consuming
3) I have put a lot of mental effort into this, the mind is right now, the foundations are good
Why did I slip in the past?
1) I didn't track
2) I let my mental state wander, I was not focused, I let external influences dictate, I was not responsible0 -
Ghrelin, the hunger stimulating hormone is a big reason for people gaining back weight they have lost. Your body doesn't realize it has lost the weight and therefore needs less calories for quite some time after you've been at this smaller weight. Hence why people tend to gain back weight. It happens when you are feeling hungry all the time...No offense, but my opinion of "your body wants to gain it back" is an excuse.
A better way of putting it would be, "people who are overweight have a history and a tendency to over eat and/out under-exercise. It is highly likely that if you were once in a lifestyle that made you fat, you will enter that lifestyle again, especially after you complete a diet program."0 -
i'll never be able to go back to the way i ate before because through wanting to loose weight i've learned so much about foods, nutritions and moderation. These forums have also been such a great help to me regarding info, its what thought me this is a lifestyle change and not a diet.0
This discussion has been closed.
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