Is it really all about calories?
JustDoIt987
Posts: 120 Member
I 've been in a calorie deficit and I did Lose the weight but I still have an ugly looking stomach. I am thinking its because , even though I lost weight , I ate whatever I wanted ( mostly junk food).
So my question is ; Does it make a difference whether you eat a chicken salad of 200 calories and a packet of crisps for the same amount of calories?
So my question is ; Does it make a difference whether you eat a chicken salad of 200 calories and a packet of crisps for the same amount of calories?
0
Replies
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Yes because one is nutirent dense and other has nil, id recommend training your core and practice vacuuming to tighten your stomach3
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Not really. Whether or not you exercised is more likely to impact your appearance after losing weight.13
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For weight loss yes. Macros count for health and fitness. Your stomach looks the way it does based on how much body fat you have.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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In terms of pure weight loss, calories are indeed all that matter. In terms of body composition however, calories, macronutrients, micronutrients, training, hydration, sleep, stress, and a whole host of other things matter. Eating chicken vs crisps might be calorically equivalent so they will not make a difference in weight loss but they have different macro/micronutrients and therefore will have a different effect on body composition.9
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Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.1 -
Is is it loose skin skin you are talking about?1
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To some extent getting proper nutrition is going to play a roll in body composition...this doesn't mean that you can't eat less nutrient dense things, but the bulk of your diet should be nutritionally solid.
Beyond that, regular exercise and resistance training is going to be the biggest factor in body composition. You're not going to have that "fit" look if you don't actually get your fit on, and cardio, cardio, cardio, and more cardio isn't going to cut it.0 -
I have a flat stomach/25 inch waist, with no stretch marks/cellulite etc and I lost my extra weight eating all sorts of processed 'diet' foods, chips/sweets, fast food etc, just in the correct calorie amounts for my weight loss goals. Body composition comes down to genetics, what shape you are (I'm pear shaped) etc. And then exercise can changes things as well, after you get to a lower bf%.
Also, it took my body about a year after I had hit my goal weight to finally settle down, (I lost another jeans size during that period, while not losing any more weight). You may just need to give it more time as well.
eta: I've had 3 kids too and I don't have one stretch mark on my stomach. My genetics/shape is what dictates my stomach appearance, not what kinds of foods I eat, (which has been all over the place over the 5 years that I've been at this whole thing).
eta: for grammar/clarification6 -
livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.
Its still not flat and kind of has a lot of fat0 -
JustDoIt987 wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.
Its still not flat and kind of has a lot of fat
What's your current bmi?0 -
crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.
Its still not flat and kind of has a lot of fat
What's your current bmi?
200 -
JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.
Its still not flat and kind of has a lot of fat
What's your current bmi?
20
Since you're at the lower end of a healthy bmi range, it might be a good idea to start strength training if you haven't already. I don't exercise usually but every once in a while I get the bug and do body-weight strength training. With my lower bmi (also around a 20), that really makes my abs and such 'pop'-it may help you as well.3 -
crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.
Its still not flat and kind of has a lot of fat
What's your current bmi?
20
Since you're at the lower end of a healthy bmi range, it might be a good idea to start strength training if you haven't already. I don't exercise usually but every once in a while I get the bug and do body-weight strength training. With my lower bmi (also around a 20), that really makes my abs and such 'pop'-it may help you as well.
I was actually thinking of starting the gym tomorrow
I already do some crunches but I have a poor diet
0 -
The chicken salad is more nutritionally diverse, the crisps have a lot of oil so you aren't eating enough potatoes for the calories to get a decent nutrient density. Chicken salad is also more filling for most people if compared calorie per calorie.
Now there are situations where eating the crisps is better for your diet than the chicken salad:
- You aren't hungry and you feel like having crisps, and not having them would make you feel like your diet is limited.
- You aren't hungry and you are consistently low on calories. Introducing more calorie dense less filling foods in this case is more beneficial.
- You've already had chicken salad and have enough calories for a snack.
Now what I mentioned above has to do with health and dieting practice, but has nothing to do with the theory of weight loss. If you eat the same amount of calories from both your weight loss will be practically the same. I don't like these comparisons, though. Food to food comparisons are not fair. People don't usually live on chicken salad alone or crisps alone. Looking at the diet as a whole is more productive, and if the rest of your diet is nutritious and fits your goals, those 200 calories are just a drop in the bucket and wouldn't really make that much of a difference.4 -
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JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.
Its still not flat and kind of has a lot of fat
What's your current bmi?
20
Since you're at the lower end of a healthy bmi range, it might be a good idea to start strength training if you haven't already. I don't exercise usually but every once in a while I get the bug and do body-weight strength training. With my lower bmi (also around a 20), that really makes my abs and such 'pop'-it may help you as well.
I was actually thinking of starting the gym tomorrow
I already do some crunches but I have a poor diet
If you want a good home program You are Your Own Gym by Mark Lauren is a great book/program. It's body weight strength training and you don't need any equipment. I did most of it at a local playground, using playground equipment
After doing it there was very noticeable differences, but my hubby didn't like the more defined/muscular look (bless his heart lol), and since he's the only one who sees that much of me, and I was pretty neutral about how I looked, I dropped it. It may be what you're looking for though?
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Your-Own-Gym/dp/03455285811 -
crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.
Its still not flat and kind of has a lot of fat
What's your current bmi?
20
Since you're at the lower end of a healthy bmi range, it might be a good idea to start strength training if you haven't already. I don't exercise usually but every once in a while I get the bug and do body-weight strength training. With my lower bmi (also around a 20), that really makes my abs and such 'pop'-it may help you as well.
I was actually thinking of starting the gym tomorrow
I already do some crunches but I have a poor diet
If you want a good home program You are Your Own Gym by Mark Lauren is a great book/program. It's body weight strength training and you don't need any equipment. I did most of it at a local playground, using playground equipment After doing it there was very noticeable differences, but my hubby didn't like the more defined/muscular look (bless his heart lol), and since he's the only one who sees that much of me, and I was pretty neutral about how I looked, I dropped it. It may be what you're looking for though?
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Your-Own-Gym/dp/0345528581
Aa cool! But did you follow a particular diet?0 -
JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.
Its still not flat and kind of has a lot of fat
What's your current bmi?
20
Since you're at the lower end of a healthy bmi range, it might be a good idea to start strength training if you haven't already. I don't exercise usually but every once in a while I get the bug and do body-weight strength training. With my lower bmi (also around a 20), that really makes my abs and such 'pop'-it may help you as well.
I was actually thinking of starting the gym tomorrow
I already do some crunches but I have a poor diet
If you want a good home program You are Your Own Gym by Mark Lauren is a great book/program. It's body weight strength training and you don't need any equipment. I did most of it at a local playground, using playground equipment After doing it there was very noticeable differences, but my hubby didn't like the more defined/muscular look (bless his heart lol), and since he's the only one who sees that much of me, and I was pretty neutral about how I looked, I dropped it. It may be what you're looking for though?
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Your-Own-Gym/dp/0345528581
Aa cool! But did you follow a particular diet?
Nope. He does have a food plan in the book, but I didn't use it and just ate how I normally ate.1 -
crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.
Its still not flat and kind of has a lot of fat
What's your current bmi?
20
Since you're at the lower end of a healthy bmi range, it might be a good idea to start strength training if you haven't already. I don't exercise usually but every once in a while I get the bug and do body-weight strength training. With my lower bmi (also around a 20), that really makes my abs and such 'pop'-it may help you as well.
I was actually thinking of starting the gym tomorrow
I already do some crunches but I have a poor diet
If you want a good home program You are Your Own Gym by Mark Lauren is a great book/program. It's body weight strength training and you don't need any equipment. I did most of it at a local playground, using playground equipment After doing it there was very noticeable differences, but my hubby didn't like the more defined/muscular look (bless his heart lol), and since he's the only one who sees that much of me, and I was pretty neutral about how I looked, I dropped it. It may be what you're looking for though?
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Your-Own-Gym/dp/0345528581
Aa cool! But did you follow a particular diet?
Nope. He does have a food plan in the book, but I didn't use it and just ate how I normally ate.
And how do you normally eat? If you dont mind me asking of course0 -
JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.
Its still not flat and kind of has a lot of fat
What's your current bmi?
20
Since you're at the lower end of a healthy bmi range, it might be a good idea to start strength training if you haven't already. I don't exercise usually but every once in a while I get the bug and do body-weight strength training. With my lower bmi (also around a 20), that really makes my abs and such 'pop'-it may help you as well.
I was actually thinking of starting the gym tomorrow
I already do some crunches but I have a poor diet
If you want a good home program You are Your Own Gym by Mark Lauren is a great book/program. It's body weight strength training and you don't need any equipment. I did most of it at a local playground, using playground equipment After doing it there was very noticeable differences, but my hubby didn't like the more defined/muscular look (bless his heart lol), and since he's the only one who sees that much of me, and I was pretty neutral about how I looked, I dropped it. It may be what you're looking for though?
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Your-Own-Gym/dp/0345528581
Aa cool! But did you follow a particular diet?
Nope. He does have a food plan in the book, but I didn't use it and just ate how I normally ate.
And how do you normally eat? If you dont mind me asking of course
At the time I was doing the strength training program I was eating a lot of low calorie frozen entrées, (Lean Cuisines etc), low calorie soups, fast food 3-4 times a week etc. Diet wise I was just focused on my calorie intake.0 -
JustDoIt987 wrote: »I 've been in a calorie deficit and I did Lose the weight but I still have an ugly looking stomach. I am thinking its because , even though I lost weight , I ate whatever I wanted ( mostly junk food).
So my question is ; Does it make a difference whether you eat a chicken salad of 200 calories and a packet of crisps for the same amount of calories?
So let's apply some context to that question: Are you talking about eating a packet of crisps for every meal (or the majority of your meals), every day, or eating the occasional packet of crisps within the context of an overall reasonably balanced diet? Because there's a difference, and the difference matters. In the first scenario, yes, it makes a big difference and is not a good idea; in the latter scenario, there's nothing wrong with it and it doesn't hurt anything.
As to the original question: speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. Speaking in terms of health, adherence, satiety, body composition and workout performance, macros and overall nutrition matter greatly.1 -
JustDoIt987 wrote: »I 've been in a calorie deficit and I did Lose the weight but I still have an ugly looking stomach. I am thinking its because , even though I lost weight , I ate whatever I wanted ( mostly junk food).
No, but it might be because you didn't do things that help maintain muscle (eat enough protein, exercise adequately, not have too aggressive a deficit). It also could be because you are someone who just loses weight there last.
I'd focus on eating enough protein and the right exercise (recomping).
Eating a nutrient-rich diet is always good, though!2 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »I 've been in a calorie deficit and I did Lose the weight but I still have an ugly looking stomach. I am thinking its because , even though I lost weight , I ate whatever I wanted ( mostly junk food).
No, but it might be because you didn't do things that help maintain muscle (eat enough protein, exercise adequately, not have too aggressive a deficit). It also could be because you are someone who just loses weight there last.
I'd focus on eating enough protein and the right exercise (recomping).
Eating a nutrient-rich diet is always good, though!
Aaa makes sense !How much is too much deficit?0 -
JustDoIt987 wrote: »I 've been in a calorie deficit and I did Lose the weight but I still have an ugly looking stomach. I am thinking its because , even though I lost weight , I ate whatever I wanted ( mostly junk food).
So my question is ; Does it make a difference whether you eat a chicken salad of 200 calories and a packet of crisps for the same amount of calories?
So let's apply some context to that question: Are you talking about eating a packet of crisps for every meal (or the majority of your meals), every day, or eating the occasional packet of crisps within the context of an overall reasonably balanced diet? Because there's a difference, and the difference matters. In the first scenario, yes, it makes a big difference and is not a good idea; in the latter scenario, there's nothing wrong with it and it doesn't hurt anything.
As to the original question: speaking purely in terms of weight loss, calories are all that matter. Speaking in terms of health, adherence, satiety, body composition and workout performance, macros and overall nutrition matter greatly.
Im talking about most of the time.
This is my usual routine of what I what during the week - breakfast : 60g Cereal ( 240 cal) , lunch 2 packets of crisps ( 200 cal) , dinner 2 small wholemeal wrapd and 200g chicken breast ( 700 cal) and a pack of chocolate chips ( 200 cal)
On weekends , I eat out and eat junk fooda0 -
crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Does it make a difference to what? Calories for weight loss, focus on macro/micronutrients for health and body composition.
How is your stomach still "ugly looking"?
Id guess to say your issue is muscle loss during weight loss? Or lots of loose skin? This would be due to insufficient protein and no resistance training. Or losing weight rapidly.
Its still not flat and kind of has a lot of fat
What's your current bmi?
20
Since you're at the lower end of a healthy bmi range, it might be a good idea to start strength training if you haven't already. I don't exercise usually but every once in a while I get the bug and do body-weight strength training. With my lower bmi (also around a 20), that really makes my abs and such 'pop'-it may help you as well.
I was actually thinking of starting the gym tomorrow
I already do some crunches but I have a poor diet
If you want a good home program You are Your Own Gym by Mark Lauren is a great book/program. It's body weight strength training and you don't need any equipment. I did most of it at a local playground, using playground equipment After doing it there was very noticeable differences, but my hubby didn't like the more defined/muscular look (bless his heart lol), and since he's the only one who sees that much of me, and I was pretty neutral about how I looked, I dropped it. It may be what you're looking for though?
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Your-Own-Gym/dp/0345528581
Aa cool! But did you follow a particular diet?
Nope. He does have a food plan in the book, but I didn't use it and just ate how I normally ate.
And how do you normally eat? If you dont mind me asking of course
At the time I was doing the strength training program I was eating a lot of low calorie frozen entrées, (Lean Cuisines etc), low calorie soups, fast food 3-4 times a week etc. Diet wise I was just focused on my calorie intake.
So you just focused on calories , ate at maintenance and you still built muscle ?0 -
JustDoIt987 wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »JustDoIt987 wrote: »I 've been in a calorie deficit and I did Lose the weight but I still have an ugly looking stomach. I am thinking its because , even though I lost weight , I ate whatever I wanted ( mostly junk food).
No, but it might be because you didn't do things that help maintain muscle (eat enough protein, exercise adequately, not have too aggressive a deficit). It also could be because you are someone who just loses weight there last.
I'd focus on eating enough protein and the right exercise (recomping).
Eating a nutrient-rich diet is always good, though!
Aaa makes sense !How much is too much deficit?
1% of total weight is usually a good rule of thumb, but it should be decreased if you are really close to goal/don't have much body fat. I'm only 5'3 and for someone my size I wouldn't aim for more than 1 lb/week if within the healthy weight zone or under 1200+exercise calories. For you the focus might be better on recomping, which means eating around maintenance and doing a progressive weight program (bodyweight works too, although I think weights are more fun).0 -
To a point yes, but I think that our bodies use the calories from real whole food differently than they do from processed, sugar filled foodstuffs0
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To a point yes, but I think that our bodies use the calories from real whole food differently than they do from processed, sugar filled foodstuffs
You know that not all processed foods are "sugar-filled" (or have any sugar at all), and that plenty of homemade (and whole foods) have sugar, right? There's no inherently connection between sugar and processing.
Added sugar is inherently processed, so maybe you just mean "foods with added sugar"?
I am just trying to clarify what you are referring to here.2 -
This discussion has been closed.
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