Anyone who cannot lose weight with dieting alone?

nehaad88

Hi people,

I am looking for those people who cannot lose weight by creating only dietary deficit (by counting food calories only).

I have been maintaining my calorie intake at 1200-1300 a day for a long time. But only when I work out do I lose weight. Technically speaking, at that intake, my age, height, weight etc, I should have lost weight.

I know I will get a run through regarding how my calorie counting is faulty and how I should be using a food scale.

Please treat this as a survey question only. I am not looking answers for any of my personal issues. Just trying to check a hypothesis with the fitness aware public on here.

Thanks.

kommodevaran

I like to know exactly what I'm doing when I need to do something that's important that I do right. Weight management is important to me, but also quite simple, so that isn't really anything to ponder.

For something not important, I like to just mess around.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

That would be maintenance. Drop calories and you will start to lose.

Every body who creates a deficit loses weight. Science.

__TMac__

I do lose weight with calories alone, but it's glacially slow. I have insulin resistance, so the exercise helps keep my blood sugar in line. I also have to restrict carbs; same reason.

gracemaryx

What kind of workouts do you do? I'm no expert but if you're doing cardio, you should consider strength training instead. Although cardio is great for your heart and can help increase your daily calorie expenditure, strength training builds muscle - and the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism will be which means you'll be burning calories faster for hours after your workout and at rest.

Mogan82

I lose weight by meticulously weighing food and counting calories alone, but not at the same rate as when I'm exercising even if I eat back my activity calories. I think it is because I have pcos and insulin resistance, the exercise helps my endocrine system operate properly.

Machka9

I can lose weight by diet alone ... but I'm miserable through the process.

I'm so much happier if I'm out there walking, cycling, climbing stairs etc. etc. etc.

nehaad88

gracemaryx wrote: »

What kind of workouts do you do? I'm no expert but if you're doing cardio, you should consider strength training instead. Although cardio is great for your heart and can help increase your daily calorie expenditure, strength training builds muscle - and the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism will be which means you'll be burning calories faster for hours after your workout and at rest.

I do strength training 3x a week and cardio 3x and I alternate between HIIT and LISS.

nehaad88

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

That would be maintenance. Drop calories and you will start to lose.

Every body who creates a deficit loses weight. Science.

Drop calories below 1200?

I don't think that's recommended or safe really.

nehaad88

kommodevaran wrote: »

I like to know exactly what I'm doing when I need to do something that's important that I do right. Weight management is important to me, but also quite simple, so that isn't really anything to ponder.

For something not important, I like to just mess around.

Well that's a matter of opinion. If I am doing something I like to get to the root of it and understand the process as thoroughly as possible.

Plus, I don't think weightloss or health in general can be managed with a "one size fits all" attitude.

Everybody and every body is different. So the processes are bound to be different.

MlleKelly

I don't lose just by diet/counting calories, or, like someone else mentioned, I do, but at an irritatingly slow pace. (1400 calories a day should be between 1.5-2lbs per week for me, but I'm lucky if I lose 1.5-2lbs per MONTH by diet alone).

It has to be a combination for me. Strength training 2-3x per week combined with walking/running/spinning at least 2x per week and yoga 1x per week seems to be my sweet spot: 5-6 days per week of exercise combined with calorie counting (and I'm really more interested in hitting my macros) is my happy place for weight loss.

sbrandt37

The simple fact is that there is nobody that cannot lose weight by creating a calorie deficit. There are only people that do not lose weight because they are not creating a calorie deficit.

You are eating more than you think. It sounds like you know that a food scale is recommended and choose not to use one anyway. You are free to do as you please, of course, but it means that you don't really know how much you are eating.

comeonnow142857

And no adult (without a severe, extraordinary disease, at any rate) is going to make themselves unhealthy by dropping a little bit below maintenance, just because their maintenance calories seem low to them.

If 1200 is really your maintenance (unless you're extremely small and/or bedridden, this is hugely improbable), 1000 calories is not going to hurt you. And on the much larger chance that you're merely miscounting, (and assuming that you are managing to be consistent) dropping to what you incorrectly count as 1000 calories is not going to hurt you.

nehaad88

sbrandt37 wrote: »

The simple fact is that there is nobody that cannot lose weight by creating a calorie deficit. There are only people that do not lose weight because they are not creating a calorie deficit.

You are eating more than you think. It sounds like you know that a food scale is recommended and choose not to use one anyway. You are free to do as you please, of course, but it means that you don't really know how much you are eating.

I am Indian and our food habits are significantly different and way more flexible than what I have seen here (no I dont eat the famous "Indian curry" and "naanbread" everyday).

I do count everything I eat. I cook it myself so I know the exact quantity and nutritional value of the food I make. I think this makes the point of using a scale rather moot.

And I agree,in an ideal world, dietary deficit should lead to standard weight loss pattern.

I would like you to answer this then- why isn't weight loss linear? I am cutting 3500 calories, I should lose 1 lb of pure fat every week. Why doesnt this happen?

I am not trying to argue just for the sake of argument here. I have seen people getting mocked for their desperation. I have seen threads where people are asking for help and all they are being told (rather rudely) that they are eating more than they should. Most of those advising are not ready to accept that there might be other factors for consideration.

PaulaWallaDingDong

nehaad88 wrote: »

sbrandt37 wrote: »

The simple fact is that there is nobody that cannot lose weight by creating a calorie deficit. There are only people that do not lose weight because they are not creating a calorie deficit.

You are eating more than you think. It sounds like you know that a food scale is recommended and choose not to use one anyway. You are free to do as you please, of course, but it means that you don't really know how much you are eating.

I am Indian and our food habits are significantly different and way more flexible than what I have seen here (no I dont eat the famous "Indian curry" and "naanbread" everyday).

I do count everything I eat. I cook it myself so I know the exact quantity and nutritional value of the food I make. I think this makes the point of using a scale rather moot.

And I agree,in an ideal world, dietary deficit should lead to standard weight loss pattern.

I would like you to answer this then- why isn't weight loss linear? I am cutting 3500 calories, I should lose 1 lb of pure fat every week. Why doesnt this happen?

The fact that you made those two statements in the same paragraph tells me that you don't actually know the point of using a food scale.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

nehaad88 wrote: »

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

That would be maintenance. Drop calories and you will start to lose.

Every body who creates a deficit loses weight. Science.

Drop calories below 1200?

I don't think that's recommended or safe really.

Drop below what you believe to be 1200 calories yes.

If you are maintaining and want to lose you need to drop calories. It really is that simple.

nehaad88

comeonnow142857 wrote: »

And no adult (without a severe, extraordinary disease, at any rate) is going to make themselves unhealthy by dropping a little bit below maintenance, just because their maintenance calories seem low to them.

If 1200 is really your maintenance (unless you're extremely small and/or bedridden, this is hugely improbable), 1000 calories is not going to hurt you. And on the much larger chance that you're merely miscounting, (and assuming that you are managing to be consistent) dropping to what you incorrectly count as 1000 calories is not going to hurt you.

Thanks for your insight but you got it wrong.

Please read the original post. I have explicitly mentioned that I do not need any advice regarding food scales or counting or deficit.

All i want is some data.

Thanks anyway.

I have realised that one cannot post anything on MFP without it becoming something regarding weighing your food.

nehaad88

Well. I want this thread closed. I didn't want this to get about my weightloss story and that's what it's becoming.

Does anyone know how to get it closed by the mods?

PaulaWallaDingDong

nehaad88 wrote: »

comeonnow142857 wrote: »

And no adult (without a severe, extraordinary disease, at any rate) is going to make themselves unhealthy by dropping a little bit below maintenance, just because their maintenance calories seem low to them.

If 1200 is really your maintenance (unless you're extremely small and/or bedridden, this is hugely improbable), 1000 calories is not going to hurt you. And on the much larger chance that you're merely miscounting, (and assuming that you are managing to be consistent) dropping to what you incorrectly count as 1000 calories is not going to hurt you.

I have realised that one cannot post anything on MFP without it becoming something regarding weighing your food.

True. When someone mentions "can't lose weight," people tend to want to tell you how you can.

comeonnow142857

nehaad88 wrote: »

I do count everything I eat. I cook it myself so I know the exact quantity and nutritional value of the food I make. I think this makes the point of using a scale rather moot.

This makes no sense whatsoever.

nehaad88

PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »

nehaad88 wrote: »

comeonnow142857 wrote: »

And no adult (without a severe, extraordinary disease, at any rate) is going to make themselves unhealthy by dropping a little bit below maintenance, just because their maintenance calories seem low to them.

If 1200 is really your maintenance (unless you're extremely small and/or bedridden, this is hugely improbable), 1000 calories is not going to hurt you. And on the much larger chance that you're merely miscounting, (and assuming that you are managing to be consistent) dropping to what you incorrectly count as 1000 calories is not going to hurt you.

I have realised that one cannot post anything on MFP without it becoming something regarding weighing your food.

True. When someone mentions "can't lose weight," people tend to want to tell you how you can.

I think people should at least read the post and not start firing away on their assumptions.

This went way off topic.

Thank you for your insight.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

nehaad88 wrote: »

comeonnow142857 wrote: »

And no adult (without a severe, extraordinary disease, at any rate) is going to make themselves unhealthy by dropping a little bit below maintenance, just because their maintenance calories seem low to them.

If 1200 is really your maintenance (unless you're extremely small and/or bedridden, this is hugely improbable), 1000 calories is not going to hurt you. And on the much larger chance that you're merely miscounting, (and assuming that you are managing to be consistent) dropping to what you incorrectly count as 1000 calories is not going to hurt you.

Thanks for your insight but you got it wrong.

Please read the original post. I have explicitly mentioned that I do not need any advice regarding food scales or counting or deficit.

All i want is some data.

Thanks anyway.

I have realised that one cannot post anything on MFP without it becoming something regarding weighing your food.

You want data that doesn't exist. Every body loses weight whilst eating at a deficit. Simple science.

nehaad88

comeonnow142857 wrote: »

nehaad88 wrote: »

I do count everything I eat. I cook it myself so I know the exact quantity and nutritional value of the food I make. I think this makes the point of using a scale rather moot.

This makes no sense whatsoever.

Do you know how Indian food is cooked or for how many people I cook? Or how many portions i cook? Or how many times a day, week, month i cook?

Don't be judgemental about things you don't know.

nehaad88

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

nehaad88 wrote: »

comeonnow142857 wrote: »

And no adult (without a severe, extraordinary disease, at any rate) is going to make themselves unhealthy by dropping a little bit below maintenance, just because their maintenance calories seem low to them.

If 1200 is really your maintenance (unless you're extremely small and/or bedridden, this is hugely improbable), 1000 calories is not going to hurt you. And on the much larger chance that you're merely miscounting, (and assuming that you are managing to be consistent) dropping to what you incorrectly count as 1000 calories is not going to hurt you.

Thanks for your insight but you got it wrong.

Please read the original post. I have explicitly mentioned that I do not need any advice regarding food scales or counting or deficit.

All i want is some data.

Thanks anyway.

I have realised that one cannot post anything on MFP without it becoming something regarding weighing your food.

You want data that doesn't exist. Every body loses weight whilst eating at a deficit. Simple science.

That's the whole point of asking.

I want to know what other factors are at play.

I came to know 2 from initial points before this thread got out of hand.
1. Insulin resistance
2. 2. PCOS
3. Boredom of the slow pace of weightloss by counting calories (may be)

comeonnow142857

nehaad88 wrote: »

Thanks for your insight but you got it wrong.

No, I said what you didn't want to hear, but everything I said was completely right.

Please read the original post. I have explicitly mentioned that I do not need any advice regarding food scales or counting or deficit.

I read this and understood you said it. But you don't get to post preposterous myths on a subject on a forum specfically about that subject AND only get the response you want to hear.

If I go onto historum and say "now I don't need any advice regarding ancient near eastern history/logic/historical methods, but I just want to know is anyone else descended from the nephilim aliens that were in Babylon, that's the only data I want" I am not going to get the response I'm looking for, and rightly so.

All i want is some data.

You only want data to confirm what you already believe. You don't want data that engages head on with claims that you made.

I have realised that one cannot post anything on MFP without it becoming something regarding weighing your food.

You absolutely can. You just can't make a post stating erroneous ideas on weighing food and magically expect everyone to not respond to them and keep the subject to only what you want to talk about.

fatblatta

Yes. I had to find a hack to break the cycle. I'm someone who has gone from morbidly obese to close to normal weight with all kinds of calorie restriction diets, including Medifast. Sadly, I've done this 4 times. It fails every time. Your body gets really tuned to know when it's time to conserve fat. Cut your calories, and your body slows down to match what's going in. Plus, almost everyone will revert back to their old habits after suffering for months.

I adopted LCHF with intermittent fasting. This keeps the engine burning fat for fuel...I think. I don't weigh my food and I don't count calories. I log my food so I can keep my fat, carbs, and protein ratios where I want them. Tough to argue with 40 pounds in 12 weeks!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24945404-the-obesity-code
https://www.dietdoctor.com/how-to-lose-weight

Good luck and I hope you find success too!

comeonnow142857

Do you know how Indian food is cooked or for how many people I cook? Or how many portions i cook? Or how many times a day, week, month i cook?

Don't be judgemental about things you don't know.

Do you know what I even wrote? Do you have the slightest idea what I said about anything?

No I don't know the answers to those questions, but the argument you provided makes no sense. Here it is: "I do count everything I eat. I cook it myself so I know the exact quantity and nutritional value of the food I make. I think this makes the point of using a scale rather moot."

Cooking food yourself does not = knowing the exact quantities and nutritional value of food you make. It just doesn't.

There could be stuff you're NOT telling us that means you do somehow know the exact quantity/nutritional value of what you're eating, but you left it completely out of your statement (and every other post), which in itself makes no sense.

nehaad88

comeonnow142857 wrote: »

nehaad88 wrote: »

Thanks for your insight but you got it wrong.

No, I said what you didn't want to hear, but everything I said was completely right.

Please read the original post. I have explicitly mentioned that I do not need any advice regarding food scales or counting or deficit.

I read this and understood you said it. But you don't get to post preposterous myths on a subject on a forum specfically about that subject AND only get the response you want to hear.

If I go onto historum and say "now I don't need any advice regarding ancient near eastern history/logic/historical methods, but I just want to know is anyone else descended from the nephilim aliens that were in Babylon, that's the only data I want" I am not going to get the response I'm looking for, and rightly so.

All i want is some data.

You only want data to confirm what you already believe. You don't want data that engages head on with claims that you made.

I have realised that one cannot post anything on MFP without it becoming something regarding weighing your food.

You absolutely can. You just can't make a post stating erroneous ideas on weighing food and magically expect everyone to not respond to them and keep the subject to only what you want to talk about.

Those were some big words there.

I think you read what you wanted to and responded how you are programmed to without understanding the requirement of the situation.

If I explicitly asked that I don't want any advice then why would you go on bombarding me with your science?

And I would like to know what "preposterous myths" I am spreading? Where in the entire earlier post did I say that dont count your calories or it doesn't work?

I am asking if despite doing everything people are not losing then there has to be some other factors. Hormonal imbalances are the most well known factors off-setting your weight loss.

All I wanted to know if people were trying something adjunctive.

If calorie counting only works for you then I am happy for you.

There are people like me who are prediabetic at 27 with underactive thyroid. And calorie counting sure as hell does not work for me.

Don't answer if you don't understand the question.

PaulaWallaDingDong

fatblatta wrote: »

Yes. I had to find a hack to break the cycle. I'm someone who has gone from morbidly obese to close to normal weight with all kinds of calorie restriction diets, including Medifast. Sadly, I've done this 4 times. It fails every time. Your body gets really tuned to know when it's time to conserve fat. Cut your calories, and your body slows down to match what's going in. Plus, almost everyone will revert back to their old habits after suffering for months.

I adopted LCHF with intermittent fasting. This keeps the engine burning fat for fuel...I think. I don't weigh my food and I don't count calories. I log my food so I can keep my fat, carbs, and protein ratios where I want them. Tough to argue with 40 pounds in 12 weeks!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24945404-the-obesity-code
https://www.dietdoctor.com/how-to-lose-weight

Good luck and I hope you find success too!

I don't think this is on topic, but I just want to point out that fats/carbs/protein=calories. If you're accurately tracking those things, you know how many calories you're taking in. Also, if you're losing weight, you're consuming fewer calories than you need to maintain, regardless of whether you're counting them or not

VintageFeline

nehaad88 wrote: »

comeonnow142857 wrote: »

nehaad88 wrote: »

I do count everything I eat. I cook it myself so I know the exact quantity and nutritional value of the food I make. I think this makes the point of using a scale rather moot.

This makes no sense whatsoever.

Do you know how Indian food is cooked or for how many people I cook? Or how many portions i cook? Or how many times a day, week, month i cook?

Don't be judgemental about things you don't know.

Nobody is judging you, just stating that what you think you are eating is not necessarily reality. There are many many people here who cook for their families, large and small, who still lose weight.

nehaad88 wrote: »

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

nehaad88 wrote: »

comeonnow142857 wrote: »

And no adult (without a severe, extraordinary disease, at any rate) is going to make themselves unhealthy by dropping a little bit below maintenance, just because their maintenance calories seem low to them.

If 1200 is really your maintenance (unless you're extremely small and/or bedridden, this is hugely improbable), 1000 calories is not going to hurt you. And on the much larger chance that you're merely miscounting, (and assuming that you are managing to be consistent) dropping to what you incorrectly count as 1000 calories is not going to hurt you.

Thanks for your insight but you got it wrong.

Please read the original post. I have explicitly mentioned that I do not need any advice regarding food scales or counting or deficit.

All i want is some data.

Thanks anyway.

I have realised that one cannot post anything on MFP without it becoming something regarding weighing your food.

You want data that doesn't exist. Every body loses weight whilst eating at a deficit. Simple science.

That's the whole point of asking.

I want to know what other factors are at play.

I came to know 2 from initial points before this thread got out of hand.
1. Insulin resistance
2. 2. PCOS
3. Boredom of the slow pace of weightloss by counting calories (may be)

IR just means dietary tweaks.

PCOS just means dietary tweaks.

Boredom is behavioural and/or unrealistic expectations and possibly inaccurate logging.

Nobody is special. Science and physiology dictates that if you are eating under your maintenance calories your body absolutely must use stored energy (from fat and muscle) to fuel daily processes. This is inescapable fact.

If someone isn't losing weight, exercise or not, they are eating too much. Science.

comeonnow142857

repost