BEST weight loss advice!!!!! Simple & easy
Replies
-
why do you think you would not lose weight eating 500 a day? Even seen pictures from concentration camps, how many calories per day do you think those people ate? Could not tell you, I am not a medic, nor was I there to keep trackPretty strong words coming from someone who has a baby pig as a profile pic. LOL.
In most cases it might be that simple, but weight loss is not a black and white issue. It is different for every person.
at the end of the day it all boils down to calories in vs calories out. So, no it is not different for every person ..
Now, the amount of calories you need to lose, maintain, gain will be different….but the concept is the same for all of us ….
This is barring any medical condition ...
So what your saying is, If I only at 500 calories a day, I should see the scale go down.
you wanna make a wager on this?
yes, on a 500 calorie diet you will lose weight. It will be a lot of muscle and what not, but you will lose weight.
why do you think you would not lose weight eating 500 a day? Even seen pictures from concentration camps, how many calories per day do you think those people ate?
If what you are suggesting is true, then mass starvation would not be possible and everyone in Africa would be fat and happy …
so how much are we betting on this..10k?
are you saying on 5000 calories a day you will lose weight?
so how much are we betting on this..10k? -- Really.. you have 10 grand laying around o.k.. I will bet your 10k vs me starting a post every day that says your the greatest. Deal
are you saying on 5000 calories a day you will lose weight? -- Interesting.. look at Hugh Jackman, when he did his last Wolverine movie . He ate 6000 calories of chicken meat. now compare him with other movies he has done.
I measure everything, I keep track of everything..
-- I started out at 1700 calories in and 500 calories out - Nothing
1500 calories in 500 out - No weight loss
1200 calories in 500 - 1000 KC out - no weight loss
1500 KC in - 1500 KC Out - no weight loss
Wait.
Under no circumstances were you only burning 500 calories out. Even if you were in a coma, you were expending more than 500 calories per day because your BMR is certainly above that. Do you mean you were burning 500-1500 calories from exercise?0 -
It's not always so simple.
I had successfully lost 91 lbs by eating at a calorie deficit (1200 cal a day). I faithfully logged everything I ate and drank into a desktop program similar to MFP. Suddenly I stopped losing. I kept adhering to the diet, even trying various approaches such as calorie staggering, lowering carbs, etc., and logging in everything I ate, but I didn't lose one ounce in an entire year. Due to being disabled, I was unable to increase my exercise.
At that point, after researching, I decided to switch to a vegan diet. I lost 35 more pounds for a total of 126 lbs. I was able to eat 1300 to 1400 calories a day on the vegan diet and still lose. The diet was so restrictive, that I couldn't stay on it beyond the 6 month period, though. So, I went back to the original diet plan's maintenance program and kept off the weight for a few years until I had a two year period of steady illness and injuries, and I put the weight back on.
This time when resuming my diet, I spoke to a diet doctor who advised me that the reason I stopped losing before was that my calorie deficit was too low, which caused my metabolism to slow down, which in turn caused me to stop losing weight. He said switching to a vegan diet reset my metabolism and caused weight loss to start again. So, the doctor told me that this time, I must eat 1500 calories a day. He said as my weight lowers, my ideal calorie deficit amount will lower and at those intervals, we can drop my calorie intake accordingly.
The body is very complex, and weight loss can be just as complex.
None of what you said invalidates the equation of 'eat less than you burn'. You just posted a bunch of reasons why either input or output can effect either the rate or direction of the equation. That doesn't make it invalid! Weight loss is simple. What takes people time is figuring out how to accurately track their calories and burns, granted. But the equation is SIMPLE. :flowerforyou:0 -
SailorKnightW -- Yes.0
-
That is insensitive to say, they are not posting stupid stuff!!!! Some people dont know that if you work out at all especially with weights that muscle will weigh more and when you jump on the scale it will not budge but when you measure yourself the inches tell a different story. Some people do not weigh the food they estimate or guess or don't haul in the boxes and cans to make sure its all going in the food log right. It takes time but once its done right then its better. Some things you have to find on the web to make sure the info is right then input it in. Some people dont know that they may carry water weight and taking a diuretic may help a little but please make sure its ok first, some people dont know about a colon cleanse that helps clean out the colon. Some may need a new scale , theirs might be off becasue its been round long time. Don't depend on doctors scales as they are always off unless new. I just like to test the jeans as if they are loose Im doing good and I weight once a week in the morning, right after I wake up and then let it go for the week. I had to learn with weighing my food as before I never did and I was eating more then my share and I bag servings of snacks so I know how much I can eat. I keep alot of fresh fruit and veggies and we are on a low histamine diet due to my daughters condition. Instead of calling their post stupid help them out in a nice informative way-0
-
….now they get slightly snarky
Only slightly.
This attitude is all I am talking about. Do you know any more about being healthy than "calories in/out?" Is it valuable relevant knowledge? (I am guessing the answer is yes)
That's all I am saying. There is more to healthy weight loss than in/out.0 -
For anyone who doesn't believe the OP is true, please feel free to start a thread about your situation and PM me a link to your thread and I will help you figure out what is barring you from losing weight according to this simple formula. I will have other smart friends of mine help chip in. We can help.
I am not going to go through this thread, though, and address people's specific issues, but we're here if you want help getting on target.0 -
Okay, see, that changes everything. There's a misunderstanding here.SailorKnightW -- Yes.
Your body burns a certain amount of calories just by being alive. It's called your Basal Metabolic Rate, or BMR. You can calculate a reasonably accurate number here, though there is always room for error because our bodies don't have a handy calculator output display: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
That's the basis of the calories out equation. Add to that your daily activities (standing, walking to the bathroom, etc) and any exercise you do and that number increases. Again, you'll never get a 100% accurate number but you'll get a good basis to start your trial and error for.
I'm a 26 year old woman, 5'8" and 139lbs. I burn approximately 1450 calories just by being alive.0 -
SailorKnightW -- Yes.
I'm sorry, but your numbers just don't add up. You are either wildly over estimating your calorie burns, wildly under estimating your calorie intake, OR (most likely) doing both.
Can you open your diary so we can help?
ETA: I checked your diary. You have days that look incomplete. Did you stop eating, or stop tracking? How are you calculating your exercise burns?0 -
What's worked for me is weighing portions of food and eating plenty of vegetables. I eat fruit, but don't overload as it's full of natural sugar. Exercise....if I don't exercise I don't lose weight no matter how well I'm eating. Hope that helps...
0 -
There are some people who have medical issues or are on meds that mess with their ability to lose weight... However, I think most people don't lose because they are underestimating the number of calories they consume. It's easy to do!
Actually, I've always wondered about the meds thing. It seems that people say "LAW says: calories in vs. calories out, no exception" UNTIL there's talk of certain birth control pills or oral steroids, etc. So, what happens with those drugs--do they just cause the people to eat more without them knowing it, or does it make them sit on the couch more without them noticing? (Serious question; no snark)
Calories out > calories in - it's not that simple.
Steroids and birth control pills are actually made of hormones which cause the body to store fat. Some medications also cause the body to retain water, salt and fat, all of which will cause weight gain, or at least an inability to lose.
I haven't noticed anyone mentioning age, either. I don't care what the commercials say, as we age our metabolism slows. We can combat it to some extent with exercise - but ask any gerontologist - it isn't a perfect solution. As we age our ability to taste food changes as well, which is why a 40 y/o will typically want more spiciness than a 20 y/o (of course, the taste buds may crave it but it doesn't mean the stomach will tolerate it - lol.) Really elderly people usually eat very little because food does not taste good to them anymore. Because of the metabolism slowdown, though, they have increased body fat.
Women, regardless of age, typically have a more difficult time losing weight than men, because female hormones are made to hold on to fat. This prepares the body for childbearing. For some reason, the female body goes into fat accumulating/muscle wasting/bone squandering overdrive when women go into menopause.
Type 2 diabetics, because of the insulin resistance, also have a harder time losing weight regardless of calorie intake - output. Insulin is a hormone.
BTW, I'm a registered nurse an have been almost 20 years now, and a former diabetes educator.0 -
In my experience (kidney disease runs in my family), people who under medical care and are on high does of corticosteroids get puffy.
Their doctors should tell them to expect that.
I would think it would be a bit odd for them to post on a forum that they are having trouble with fitting into their skinny jeans, knowing full well that it's a side effect of their medication.0 -
You started lifting heavy things while still eating at a deficit and stopped losing weight? Forever? Really?
Well gosh, it's only been about a month since I started, but even after a month one might start to wonder why the calories in/out thing has "stopped" working. That equation didn't mention anything about plateaus, did it?
So, maybe it isn't just as simple as the OPs equations. There are more ifs, ands, or buts (butts hurt apparently) to the equation.
I am not saying the basic equation is wrong. But there is more to know than just that.
Would you not agree?0 -
There are some people who have medical issues or are on meds that mess with their ability to lose weight... However, I think most people don't lose because they are underestimating the number of calories they consume. It's easy to do!
Actually, I've always wondered about the meds thing. It seems that people say "LAW says: calories in vs. calories out, no exception" UNTIL there's talk of certain birth control pills or oral steroids, etc. So, what happens with those drugs--do they just cause the people to eat more without them knowing it, or does it make them sit on the couch more without them noticing? (Serious question; no snark)
Calories out > calories in - it's not that simple.
Steroids and birth control pills are actually made of hormones which cause the body to store fat. Some medications also cause the body to retain water, salt and fat, all of which will cause weight gain, or at least an inability to lose.
I haven't noticed anyone mentioning age, either. I don't care what the commercials say, as we age our metabolism slows. We can combat it to some extent with exercise - but ask any gerontologist - it isn't a perfect solution. As we age our ability to taste food changes as well, which is why a 40 y/o will typically want more spiciness than a 20 y/o (of course, the taste buds may crave it but it doesn't mean the stomach will tolerate it - lol.) Really elderly people usually eat very little because food does not taste good to them anymore. Because of the metabolism slowdown, though, they have increased body fat.
Women, regardless of age, typically have a more difficult time losing weight than men, because female hormones are made to hold on to fat. This prepares the body for childbearing. For some reason, the female body goes into fat accumulating/muscle wasting/bone squandering overdrive when women go into menopause.
Type 2 diabetics, because of the insulin resistance, also have a harder time losing weight regardless of calorie intake - output. Insulin is a hormone.
BTW, I'm a registered nurse an have been almost 20 years now, and a former diabetes educator.
But non of that invalidates the equation of eat less than you burn to lose weight, does it? No.0 -
You started lifting heavy things while still eating at a deficit and stopped losing weight? Forever? Really?
Well gosh, it's only been about a month since I started, but even after a month one might start to wonder why the calories in/out thing has "stopped" working. That equation didn't mention anything about plateaus, did it?
So, maybe it isn't just as simple as the OPs equations. There are more ifs, ands, or buts (butts hurt apparently) to the equation.
I am not saying the basic equation is wrong. But there is more to know than just that.
Would you not agree?
Uh...none of what you said invalidates the equation at all. It is a simple equation. No one said it is necessarily EASY to figure out your calories in calories out.0 -
I agree that the formula is simple, but I think it can be complicated for each individual to figure out his or her own weight loss "sweet spot" because the calculations are estimates. Just because scooby says you should lose weight on 1700 calories per day doesn't mean that you will.0
-
You started lifting heavy things while still eating at a deficit and stopped losing weight? Forever? Really?
Well gosh, it's only been about a month since I started, but even after a month one might start to wonder why the calories in/out thing has "stopped" working. That equation didn't mention anything about plateaus, did it?
So, maybe it isn't just as simple as the OPs equations. There are more ifs, ands, or buts (butts hurt apparently) to the equation.
I am not saying the basic equation is wrong. But there is more to know than just that.
Would you not agree?
The scale doesn't just show fat loss, but it includes water weight changes which vary based on sodium intake and retention for muscle repair. As much as you want to complicate it, and get frustrated at the scale (everyone does at some point), the formula works. Just stick with it.0 -
You started lifting heavy things while still eating at a deficit and stopped losing weight? Forever? Really?
Well gosh, it's only been about a month since I started, but even after a month one might start to wonder why the calories in/out thing has "stopped" working. That equation didn't mention anything about plateaus, did it?
So, maybe it isn't just as simple as the OPs equations. There are more ifs, ands, or buts (butts hurt apparently) to the equation.
I am not saying the basic equation is wrong. But there is more to know than just that.
Would you not agree?
When you start lifting your muscles store water within the muscle tissue to aid repair of the tissue which causes the scale to stop moving. It's not a true plateau, it's just water weight masking losses. It usually takes 4-6 weeks to resolve for people who are doing a serious heavy lifting program. Your situation should resolve soon.0 -
Oh my gosh, someone finally understands what we're trying to say. :flowerforyou:I agree that the formula is simple, but I think it can be complicated for each individual to figure out his or her own weight loss "sweet spot" because the calculations are estimates. Just because scooby says you should lose weight on 1700 calories per day doesn't mean that you will.0 -
There are some people who have medical issues or are on meds that mess with their ability to lose weight... However, I think most people don't lose because they are underestimating the number of calories they consume. It's easy to do!
Actually, I've always wondered about the meds thing. It seems that people say "LAW says: calories in vs. calories out, no exception" UNTIL there's talk of certain birth control pills or oral steroids, etc. So, what happens with those drugs--do they just cause the people to eat more without them knowing it, or does it make them sit on the couch more without them noticing? (Serious question; no snark)
Calories out > calories in - it's not that simple.
Steroids and birth control pills are actually made of hormones which cause the body to store fat. Some medications also cause the body to retain water, salt and fat, all of which will cause weight gain, or at least an inability to lose.
I haven't noticed anyone mentioning age, either. I don't care what the commercials say, as we age our metabolism slows. We can combat it to some extent with exercise - but ask any gerontologist - it isn't a perfect solution. As we age our ability to taste food changes as well, which is why a 40 y/o will typically want more spiciness than a 20 y/o (of course, the taste buds may crave it but it doesn't mean the stomach will tolerate it - lol.) Really elderly people usually eat very little because food does not taste good to them anymore. Because of the metabolism slowdown, though, they have increased body fat.
Women, regardless of age, typically have a more difficult time losing weight than men, because female hormones are made to hold on to fat. This prepares the body for childbearing. For some reason, the female body goes into fat accumulating/muscle wasting/bone squandering overdrive when women go into menopause.
Type 2 diabetics, because of the insulin resistance, also have a harder time losing weight regardless of calorie intake - output. Insulin is a hormone.
BTW, I'm a registered nurse an have been almost 20 years now, and a former diabetes educator.
All of the above only affects the numbers in the formula, not the formula itself.0 -
Yup.There are some people who have medical issues or are on meds that mess with their ability to lose weight... However, I think most people don't lose because they are underestimating the number of calories they consume. It's easy to do!
Actually, I've always wondered about the meds thing. It seems that people say "LAW says: calories in vs. calories out, no exception" UNTIL there's talk of certain birth control pills or oral steroids, etc. So, what happens with those drugs--do they just cause the people to eat more without them knowing it, or does it make them sit on the couch more without them noticing? (Serious question; no snark)
Calories out > calories in - it's not that simple.
Steroids and birth control pills are actually made of hormones which cause the body to store fat. Some medications also cause the body to retain water, salt and fat, all of which will cause weight gain, or at least an inability to lose.
I haven't noticed anyone mentioning age, either. I don't care what the commercials say, as we age our metabolism slows. We can combat it to some extent with exercise - but ask any gerontologist - it isn't a perfect solution. As we age our ability to taste food changes as well, which is why a 40 y/o will typically want more spiciness than a 20 y/o (of course, the taste buds may crave it but it doesn't mean the stomach will tolerate it - lol.) Really elderly people usually eat very little because food does not taste good to them anymore. Because of the metabolism slowdown, though, they have increased body fat.
Women, regardless of age, typically have a more difficult time losing weight than men, because female hormones are made to hold on to fat. This prepares the body for childbearing. For some reason, the female body goes into fat accumulating/muscle wasting/bone squandering overdrive when women go into menopause.
Type 2 diabetics, because of the insulin resistance, also have a harder time losing weight regardless of calorie intake - output. Insulin is a hormone.
BTW, I'm a registered nurse an have been almost 20 years now, and a former diabetes educator.
All of the above only affects the numbers in the formula, not the formula itself.0 -
When you start lifting your muscles store water within the muscle tissue to aid repair of the tissue which causes the scale to stop moving. It's not a true plateau, it's just water weight masking losses. It usually takes 4-6 weeks to resolve for people who are doing a serious heavy lifting program. Your situation should resolve soon.The scale doesn't just show fat loss, but it includes water weight changes which vary based on sodium intake and retention for muscle repair. As much as you want to complicate it, and get frustrated at the scale (everyone does at some point), the formula works. Just stick with it.
Hey Guys,
I am aware of this, because I do a lot of reading (and I do use the search function). I am not worried about the number on the scale. But for someone who doesn't, you can see how that equation might be a bit simplified.
I definitely would not say it is incorrect, but can you all not see that it is too oversimplified for people who obviously don't "get it"?
Weight loss is dependent on calories in/out, BUT there might be times of plateau when you need to readjust AND there might be reasons that the scale doesn't show a loss, and IF you have a medical condition you may get different results from the scale than you might be able to normally expect.
There was an ex-marine lady who posted a blanket info thread not too long ago. Can't remember her name but she has awesome abs. That thread had SO much helpful info and really broke things down to the basics, and somehow she managed not to call anyone stupid or minimize the difficulty people have with losing weight.0 -
When you start lifting your muscles store water within the muscle tissue to aid repair of the tissue which causes the scale to stop moving. It's not a true plateau, it's just water weight masking losses. It usually takes 4-6 weeks to resolve for people who are doing a serious heavy lifting program. Your situation should resolve soon.The scale doesn't just show fat loss, but it includes water weight changes which vary based on sodium intake and retention for muscle repair. As much as you want to complicate it, and get frustrated at the scale (everyone does at some point), the formula works. Just stick with it.
Hey Guys,
I am aware of this, because I do a lot of reading (and I do use the search function). I am not worried about the number on the scale. But for someone who doesn't, you can see how that equation might be a bit simplified.
I definitely would not say it is incorrect, but can you all not see that it is too oversimplified for people who obviously don't "get it"?
Weight loss is dependent on calories in/out, BUT there might be times of plateau when you need to readjust AND there might be reasons that the scale doesn't show a loss, and IF you have a medical condition you may get different results from the scale than you might be able to normally expect.
There was an ex-marine lady who posted a blanket info thread not to long ago. Can't remember her name but she has awesome abs. That thread had SO much helpful info and really broke things down to the basics, and somehow she managed not to call anyone stupid or minimize the difficulty people have with losing weight.
USMCMP. She is incredible.
We all tend to complicate things, and when things go off and we do hit a plateau, patience is often the best advice. These "simple" reminder threads are good for hammering that home.0 -
You started lifting heavy things while still eating at a deficit and stopped losing weight? Forever? Really?
Well gosh, it's only been about a month since I started, but even after a month one might start to wonder why the calories in/out thing has "stopped" working. That equation didn't mention anything about plateaus, did it?
So, maybe it isn't just as simple as the OPs equations. There are more ifs, ands, or buts (butts hurt apparently) to the equation.
I am not saying the basic equation is wrong. But there is more to know than just that.
Would you not agree?
The equation doesn't stop working, the numbers do. The equation remains the same. The issue is that most people think that they can just use the same numbers the whole way through and it's going to work, without considering that the factors used to determine the deficit have changed.
For example, as you lose weight, your BMR lowers. You also burn fewer calories during exercise because there's less mass to move around, and your body has adapted to the routine and become more efficient. You also have to decrease your deficit as you lose weight, because you can only have so much of a deficit before you risk screwing up your metabolism.
Most of the people complaining about plateaus or stalled weight loss haven't looked at the input/output numbers to make sure they are accurate. Then we end up with a huge special snowflake argument because the person wants to say the formula is wrong instead of looking at the data to pinpoint the problem.0 -
When you start lifting your muscles store water within the muscle tissue to aid repair of the tissue which causes the scale to stop moving. It's not a true plateau, it's just water weight masking losses. It usually takes 4-6 weeks to resolve for people who are doing a serious heavy lifting program. Your situation should resolve soon.The scale doesn't just show fat loss, but it includes water weight changes which vary based on sodium intake and retention for muscle repair. As much as you want to complicate it, and get frustrated at the scale (everyone does at some point), the formula works. Just stick with it.
Hey Guys,
I am aware of this, because I do a lot of reading (and I do use the search function). I am not worried about the number on the scale. But for someone who doesn't, you can see how that equation might be a bit simplified.
I definitely would not say it is incorrect, but can you all not see that it is too oversimplified for people who obviously don't "get it"?
Weight loss is dependent on calories in/out, BUT there might be times of plateau when you need to readjust AND there might be reasons that the scale doesn't show a loss, and IF you have a medical condition you may get different results from the scale than you might be able to normally expect.
There was an ex-marine lady who posted a blanket info thread not too long ago. Can't remember her name but she has awesome abs. That thread had SO much helpful info and really broke things down to the basics, and somehow she managed not to call anyone stupid or minimize the difficulty people have with losing weight.
I definitely never said it wasn't oversimplified. It's true (with the exception of people with metabolic diseases), but it's meaningless to people until they understand how the intricacies apply to their own situation. This is why I invited people to start their own threads to help them figure out what is standing in the way.0 -
Yep, problem solved. MFP can shut down the forums now that they are no longer needed.Calories out > calories in ---> Weight loss
Calories out = calories in ---> Maintain weight
Calories out < Calories in ---> Weight gain
That's all. This should get rid of 99% of stupid posts of people complaining they are not losing weight even though they are at a deficit....0 -
The issue is that most people think that they can just use the same numbers the whole way through and it's going to work, without considering that the factors used to determine the deficit have changed.
For example, as you lose weight, your BMR lowers. You also burn fewer calories during exercise because there's less mass to move around, and your body has adapted to the routine and become more efficient. You also have to decrease your deficit as you lose weight, because you can only have so much of a deficit before you risk screwing up your metabolism.
So, you're saying that there's a little more to know than calories in/out. Got it!Then we end up with a huge special snowflake argument because the person wants to say the formula is wrong instead of looking at the data to pinpoint the problem.
I understand for sure. This site is swarming with people with one post asking the same questions over and over again. And the world is filled with people who think that they are special snowflakes ("delicate flowers" as I refer to them) that laws, rules and equations don't apply to. Those aren't really people you can help anyway. Those people won't even look at this thread.
This thread was about making a point and the point wasn't to help anyone. I get it.0 -
I definitely never said it wasn't oversimplified. It's true (with the exception of people with metabolic diseases), but it's meaningless to people until they understand how the intricacies apply to their own situation. This is why I invited people to start their own threads to help them figure out what is standing in the way.
You're another one I have learned a lot from. Thanks for taking the time to "complicate" things a little in your posts. :flowerforyou:0 -
The best analogy to describe the oversimplification of this OP is that it's like the laws of physics. You go to college, sit down in your freshman lecture, and are given these simple, immutable laws on the first day. They explain everything and nothing at the same time. If being given the law was enough, that would be the end of the physics courses...but instead you spend 2 or 3 semesters figuring out how these simple laws actually apply to everything.0
-
USMCMP. She is incredible.
Yes, that's her, and I agree.0 -
The best analogy to describe the oversimplification of this OP is that it's like the laws of physics. You go to college, sit down in your freshman lecture, and are given these simple, immutable laws on the first day. They explain everything and nothing at the same time. If being given the law was enough, that would be the end of the physics courses...but instead you spend 2 or 3 semesters figuring out how these simple laws actually apply to everything.
Perfect analogy.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions