Set point theory

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Replies

  • WorkerDrone83
    WorkerDrone83 Posts: 3,195 Member
    edited May 2019
    Thread (temporarily) closed for moderation.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    It's not a thing that exists.
    What makes you say that? I’ve been talking to an eating disorder psychotherapist who has 15 years experience who says it does

    Well, logically, then people wouldn't starve to death. So, obviously, you can go below your "set point" if it exists. You can maintain at any weight you choose doing what your therapist says. It is seen as an excuse more than anything.
    What do you mean it’s seen as an excuse more than anything what is?

    I mean that other threads on MFP have mentioned it and people usually say it's just an excuse to stay overweight (my body likes this weight). You'll find that your body will tend to arrive at another, even higher "set point" if you let it. Choose what weight you like for yourself and try to stay there, within a healthy weight, of course.

    A set point weight is suppose to get you to a healthy weight not keep you overweight

    Supposed to, but doesn't always. I really wish you luck, but encourage you to keep learning and asking questions.
  • gavinw123
    gavinw123 Posts: 1 Member
    Calories in, calories out
  • yuko0407
    yuko0407 Posts: 67 Member
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    Has anyone heard of set point theory? It Is a set point weight. When you get enough nutrients for your body and you don’t starve and don’t over eat and drink water and your body goes to a normal healthy weight and maintains that weight for the rest of your life. I’m learning about it with my therapist. I also googled set point theory and apparently it’s the fat loss no one talks about

    If you don't starve yourself (which would make you underweight) or overeat (which would make you overweight) you will maintain a healthy weight, yes.
    However, this isn't the fat loss no one talks about. It's really just another way of phrasing what just about everyone on this forum talks about...CICO (calories in, calories out). If you eat only as many calories as you burn, you will neither gain nor lose weight. Eat less and you lose. Eat more and you gain.

    This also isn't quite what people in the fitness industry are referring to when they speak of "set points."

    Say you're obese and you reduce calories by 500 a day by cutting out your daily two bottle of Coke. You'll lose a pound per week this way (probably some water weight on top of that). However, as you lose weight, the amount of calories you burn decreases unless you also increase your activity. So eventually, your calorie burn is also lowered by 500. Once you've lowered your calorie burn by the same amount that you reduced your intake, you're no longer losing weight.
    Some people will call this a set point. Really, it's just equilibrium. Reduce calories again or increase your exercise and the weight loss will continue.

    That said, there's also a whole different side to the idea of set points involving not just habits, but a lot of neurosciency stuff as well. If your body becomes accustomed to a certain lifestyle (for many people, this means overeating) and you begin to deviate from that lifestyle (say a morbidly obese, sedentary person joins a gym and starts cutting way back on calories), the brain will start sending signals in an attempt to return to "normalcy" (because even if "normal" isn't healthy, it's what feels safe because it's familiar). This could mean increased appetite as the brain tries to get you to eat more (even though you're deliberately trying to eat less), cravings for high calorie foods, lethargy...
    None of this negates CICO. You will still lose weight if you eat less than you burn and vice versa. Your body won't just gain weight or lose weight on its own to get to your "set point" because that's your "natural weight."
    However, your habits, lifestyle, hormonal swings and even neurological processes can make adhering to a calorie deficit easier or harder so it's worth taking into consideration. This is why a more moderate approach to weight loss is often the best approach, tackling one issue at a time, taking baby steps towards better fitness. Reduce calories a little here. Increase exercise a little there. Take a diet break for a couple weeks. Reduce calories again...

    This! Very meaningful!