Help with Aggressive Weight Loss Contest

jdouglasj99

I am 58 years old, 6'3" 237 lbs, and I'd say I'm 35 lbs overweight.

Twice before in my life I have a lot of weight. Once I lost about 20 lbs, and once I lost 35 lbs. I achieved this very quickly by setting up a chart pushing for 3.5 lbs per week, and in the past I really pushed it on the treadmill 5 days per week.

This time I am skipping the treadmill. But I walk 10,000+ steps and climb 14 flights of stairs each day.

I achieved my previous weight loss by calorie counting. This time I'm shooting for 1,000 cal per day and really high protein. Once I lose 20 or 30 lbs I'll switch up to a more sustainable plan, but right now I just want to win.

I would like to hear from anyone who has thoughts on what I might do to step on the gas.

cmriverside

Well - what you're doing isn't really a very smart thing...and myfitnesspal has a Guideline against Very Low Calorie Diet discussions.
See #6 https://www.myfitnesspal.com/community-guidelines

I won’t use any aspect of our service to promote anorexia, bulimia or any unsafe dieting practices.

I won’t promote very low-calorie diets.

So.

You're on your own with your gambling.

Lietchi

Well, you've lost weight twice before, and seemingly gained it back (unless you've been coming down from a higher weight?).

If 'shooting for 1000 calories per day' means an intake of 1000 calories, combined with a high activity level, you do realize that is super unhealthy? I'm 5ft5 and female and I wouldn't dream of eating that little, I lost weight eating 1700+ calories per day.
Is winning a weight loss contest more important than achieving a healthy weight long-term?

You'll get no pointers from me 'to step up the gas', sorry. Only the advice to put your health and muscle mass above a weight loss contest...

herringboxes

Your body can only metabolize so much body fat per day. If you lose more aggressively, it will metabolize your muscle mass to make up the difference.

That means you will be weaker, and also look it.

Furthermore, this increases your already high chance of regaining the flab, as you will be lowering your BMR that much more.

If you want to win, channel your motivation into a lifting program and a reasonable 500 calorie daily deficit. Get strong, don’t turn yourself into a slightly smaller marshmallow.

KickassAmazon76

I say throw on the brakes and focus on your health and longevity of your weight loss goals. Fast and restrictive is often a recipe for failure. Eat slightly below your maintenance, increase your activity and focus on the long haul.

AnnPT77

Like they said, bad plan: Excess muscle loss, general undernutrition, higher health risks, maybe appearance consequences like hair thinning/loss, and more.

Not going to help someone do something I think is risky and inappropriate.

P.S. Most (maybe all?) of the people who've replied, including me, have lost substantial amounts of weight, and remained at a healthy weight for a good long time after. In my case, 50-some pounds lost, still at a healthy weight 7+ years later, after 30 previous years of overweight/obesity. Possible that we maybe have some insights.

Maybe you're wired differently from us, though. Never know. Maybe doing something similar to what you've done before will work better this time. I hope so, for your sake.

kshama2001

You are seriously undereating. That's going to set you up for malnutrition / hair loss / muscle loss.

What Are the Risks of Rapid Weight Loss?

Rapid weight loss creates physical demands on the body. Possible serious risks include:

• Gallstones, which occur in 12% to 25% of people losing large amounts of weight over several months
• Dehydration, which can be avoided by drinking plenty of fluids
• Malnutrition, usually from not eating enough protein for weeks at a time
• Electrolyte imbalances, which rarely can be life threatening

Other side effects of rapid weight loss include:

• Headaches
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Menstrual irregularities
• Hair loss
• Muscle loss

PAV8888

I am not sure why you're bothering to spout all that reason and health stuff @kshama2001 -- reason and health stuff don't win aggressive weight loss contests

Gambling with your health and cheating is the way to win aggressive no rules fights

Let's see.... make your own water sausages with pork casing (biodegradable---probably avoids dying in case things don't quite flow--make sure they're individually small enough to swallow unbroken) now stuff yourself with extra weight before the first weight in..... instant losses in a few days.... probably!

And don't forget to whack any opponents on the shins before the final weight in (casts and inflammation will increase their weight)

Oh, and who cares about ethics or risks: Aggressive my friend.
Aggressive.