Dropping 10 pounds

etoiles_argentees

Jof, you need a cleanse!

yo_andi

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this site to help and SUPPORT each other?

I'm much more interested inlearning from others, dispelling bad information, busting myths, and giving solid fact-based advice than being anyone's weight loss spanx buddy.

AMEN.

doorki

Jof, you need a cleanse!

cmcollins001

I assume you mean, wasted a minute of your life.

On what? Reading his original post or coming up with your obviously rude answer?

Attacking someone for wanting to have an honest rational discussion, no matter how YOU mis-interrupted the post, is not cool.

It's an honest question, why should he change what he's doing now and drop down to 1200 cals? Is there an honest benefit to creating such a large deficit when it isn't really needed. There are posts all over the forums that defend this position....but not a whole lot of rational discussion as to why someone should do it.

To answer the original post, if what you're currently doing works for you, continue to do that. If you start to stall or gain, then tweak a little...and wait more.

Or just cleanse like everyone else said.

BrownEyeAngel

I gave up soda and dropped 10 lbs. like over night! I am currently on a 1200 calorie diet too hoping to drop 15 lbs. by the end of February. Good luck!

VorJoshigan

I am on a 10 pound cut (having intentionally added 20ish pounds during the past year). Started by dropping 250 every couple of weeks from my previous bulking calories of 3000 to the point that I'm now at 2250. Am going to try from 2250, but may drop as low as 2000 if necessary. (I believe my TDEE is around 2500-2700.)

But from reading the MFP forums recently, I believe I have a much quicker/easier/better plan. I'll just drop my calories immediately to 1200. With that deficit, I'll hit my target in 20-25 days. Brilliant!


Are there any reasons why I wouldn't want to do this? Conversely, are there any arguments for my initial approach being better?

Using this as a starting off point for a serious discussion, here are some thoughts:

-I always found this kind of either/or thinking to be an unsuccessful strategy for me when attempting to lose weight.

-drawbacks for option A could include
--loss of motivation when progress is slow
--possible overestimation of TDEE, though you have demonstrated willingness to adjust based on biofeedback

-benefits for option A could include
--retention of lean body mass
--might be able to stick with your lifting regimen
--slow and steady might be more sustainable over a long period of time (though I do worry about your ice cream deprivation)

-drawbacks for option B could include
--harming your metabolism
--losing more lean bodymass than fat, slowing long-term fat loss
--inability to stick to plan & subsequent loss of motivation
--weight lifting workouts might be difficult/non-productive under such a deficit
--might become irritable/hangry

-benefits for option B could include
--quick weight-loss might be motivational, keeping you going after the first few weeks
--pretty confident this will produce a deficit

It is my belief that if you were carrying around a LOT of extra fat, or were tiny/female/old, you might be able to get away with option B without harming your metabolism.

Since I know that you are neither tiny nor fat nor female nor old, I would highly recommend against a 1200 calorie diet.

VorJoshigan

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this site to help and SUPPORT each other?

I'm much more interested inlearning from others, dispelling bad information, busting myths, and giving solid fact-based advice than being anyone's weight loss spanx buddy.

Not sure what a spanx buddy is, though it sounds fun.

I'm all about helping and supporting others. Some good ways to do that:
-learning from others,
-dispelling bad information,
-busting myths,
-giving solid fact-based advice

DEFEAT THE TYRANNY OF THE "OR"

I also like the concept of encouragement, but not blindly doing so.