Is it true that it’s harder to lose weight a second time?

amrwills

I was always slim, going from 115-120lbs until I had my baby when I was 23. I overate during my maternity leave and reached 150lbs. I checked myself and got back down to 120lbs using MFP, but I’ve gained most of the weight back again in just over a year. Now that I’m back to work full time again I don’t have the time to eat like I was, I’m making time for 45 minutes exercise every week day and eating good. And I’m back on MFP too, logging every single thing that goes in my mouth!

Is it actually true that it’s harder to lose weight a second time? And if so, why?

kenyonhaff

Your mileage may vary... No one can predict how challenging your weight loss will be. There are so many factors including age, gender, stress, job and more.

Just start. It may be easy or hard but the hardest way is not starting at all.

brookekaczor

I lost 75 lbs 7 years ago and gained most of it back. I have now lost 50 lbs which I hope and plan to keep off and it has not been any more difficult than before.

Maxxitt

I found it harder. I don't conclude that it is a physiological difference, however, but rather a psychological difference. It has been kind of like the difference between the first cross-country road trip and the fourth one.

EatingAndKnitting

I'm not finding it harder. The only reason the weight isn't coming off as fast as it could be is because I'm not as strict as I could be. I log everything, but I have a lot of days where I'm not as close to my goal as I'd like. But as long as I'm in a deficit the weight comes off, and this is for the rest of my hopefully very long life, so I'm in no hurry.

I'd rather eat over now and then and have the weight come off slower, and enjoy life as it comes (messy and all), than stick super strictly to my plan, be inflexible when life's mess comes along, and be miserable.

nowine4me

For me it's been about the same, but intentionally slower. I lost 70# back in 2014 in under a year and gained it all back the following year. This time, same amount, but it took 2 years. 2018 will be the year when I lose the last #10.

Educating myself on nutrition, learning what style of eating works best for me and practicing patience have been the keys to my success. I'm hoping they will carry me through maintenance for the next 20 years and beyond.

timtam163

From what I understand, it's easier to lose muscle than it is to gain it, so going up and down generally means that you lose muscle on the downswings but don't necessarily gain it all back on the upswings, which lowers your BMR. If that's the case, maybe incorporate some strength training and make sure you're getting enough protein. And also be patient with yourself, it might take longer but it's still possible.

TimothyFish

No. A calorie deficit will always result in weight loss.

lorrpb

It doesn't matter. Just commit to your goals 110% and you will succeed.
Everyone thinks it's harder for them, look at all the threads, harder because they're in college, harder because they have a new job, harder because they get up early, harder because they work late, harder because they have kids, harder becsuse they're menopausal, harder because they have X medical condition, harder because they're alone, harder because they're married, in a relationship, harder because they have a lot to lose, harder because they have only a few lbs to lose. Managing your weight is hard, but it can be done especially with the tools and guidance on this site!
PS-Being overweight and out of shape is hard too.

SCoil123

I lost between 80-90lb the first time and 4 years later had gained 30lb back. I’ve lost 25lb of that 30 now in the same time it took me to hit goal the first time. It has been much slower this time for me and I’m working harder.

kristen8000

No. I lost 50lbs in 2011-2012. In the last 5-6 years I've been up and down about 10-15lbs depending on which way the wind blows (or lifestyle, whatever). Each time I've lost those 10-15, it's actually gotten easier. I know more now. I'm more knowledgeable about how my body works. Still learning how to keep it off though.

TriPaulCantRun

lorrpb wrote: »

Everyone thinks it's harder for them, look at all the threads, harder because they're in college, harder because they have a new job, harder because they get up early, harder because they work late, harder because they have kids, harder becsuse they're menopausal, harder because they have X medical condition, harder because they're alone, harder because they're married, in a relationship, harder because they have a lot to lose, harder because they have only a few lbs to lose.

I don't care what you say, Viagra definitely makes it harder...

PS. I know what you're saying, but I'm struggling to get anything out of my current diet. Two years ago I lost 30lbs, since then I've put back about 14 of them. I'm monitoring my calories exactly how I did the first time, if anything I'm actually eating less calories. I'm working out regularly, including some big bike rides and occasionally the scale dips down a couple of lbs, but a couple of days later it'll be back.

sijomial

It was easier for me as the tools, information and crucially, my commitment, all improved.

DX2JX2

I forget where I read it but there is some speculation that those who have lost a significant amount of weight actually see minor adjustments to their metabolisms such that their maintenance calories are lower than someone of similar stats. This causes a double-whammy, not only is it easier for the former to put weight on but it also makes it harder for that individual to lose the weight the second time.

Since I don't remember the source I'm not sure how solid the science is behind this. That said, IIRC the calorie difference wasn't massive (maybe on order of 5%) such that it wouldn't make a ton of difference to weight loss rates.

missevil

In my experience, it was/is harder, but for a very simple reason:
When I did my first round of weight loss in 2011, my diet was a disaster. I was eating fast food, convenience food, sweets, drank a huge amount of calories and so on.
So it was very easy, to get results, by not necessarily reducing the amount of food, but just changing the food choices. I lost 20kg pretty effortless, just by cooking myself with fresh ingredients, reducing sweets, kicking out all the high-calorie drinks and so on.

2012 -2016 I more or less maintained. I still had another 20kg to loose but felt ok and managed to keep this intermediate weight.
2017 my weight got up again and I decided to finally tackle the remaining 20Kg plus the newly gained 4Kg and started with MFP.

But this time, my diet was already ok. So there wasn't that much to optimize. I had kept most of the changes I did during the last time and besides from eating too many sweets and baked goods, there was not much to improve. So this time, I really had to cut calories and reduce my general food intake, which is so much harder and feels much more restrictive. This is my reason why it's much harder the second time.

lorrpb

TriPaulCantRun wrote: »

lorrpb wrote: »

Everyone thinks it's harder for them, look at all the threads, harder because they're in college, harder because they have a new job, harder because they get up early, harder because they work late, harder because they have kids, harder becsuse they're menopausal, harder because they have X medical condition, harder because they're alone, harder because they're married, in a relationship, harder because they have a lot to lose, harder because they have only a few lbs to lose.

I don't care what you say, Viagra definitely makes it harder...

PS. I know what you're saying, but I'm struggling to get anything out of my current diet. Two years ago I lost 30lbs, since then I've put back about 14 of them. I'm monitoring my calories exactly how I did the first time, if anything I'm actually eating less calories. I'm working out regularly, including some big bike rides and occasionally the scale dips down a couple of lbs, but a couple of days later it'll be back.

With only 15 lb to lose, you should aim for .5 lb per week. You don't have much margin of error in estimating or treats. Your logging needs to be really tight. Be sure you're weighing everything and using accurate database entries. Consider opening up your diary for insights from others. What are your stats, calories, etc?

Aerona85

I’m finding it easier. The first time I did I was in college, no scale, and had to eat buffet style in dining center for all meals. I remember being so, so hungry back then. I’m guessing the calorie estimates the dining center published weren’t quite right, or they were skimping on portions or something. I also walked a lot (I am guessing 5-6 miles a day, minimum, to get to classes and such) but fitbits and whatnot didn’t exist back then so I didn’t log general walking (I did log focused exercise though). Now I live by myself, cook my own food, own a scale, and can eat what I want, when I want. Not hungry at all this time around. The only negative is that the exercise and time to exercise aren’t nearly as plentiful :-).

sgt1372

brookekaczor wrote: »

I lost 75 lbs 7 years ago and gained most of it back. I have now lost 50 lbs which I hope and plan to keep off and it has not been any more difficult than before.

Ditto.

I lost 40# from 192 to 152 about 4.5 yrs ago. Stopped working out due to injuries & surgeries and then just fell off the wagon until my weight neared 200 again 17 months ago when I started working out again and lost 38# from 196 to 158 where I am now.

I think that 152 was too low and unsustainable for me. Although I've dropped as low as 154 this time around, 158 is a better and more sustainable weight for me. Been in maintenance at 158 +/-5# for about the last 8 months.

It wasn't any more difficult to lose the weight a 2nd time. It took the same amount of time, attention, dedication, discipline and determination to do it on both occasions.

The hardest part was getting over the psychological barrier to start doing it a 2nd time knowing how much time & effort it took to do it the 1st time.