The myth of metabolism
fteale
Posts: 5,310 Member
So we all know people who are skinny but appear to eat all the time, right?
Except...have you ever spent a few days with them eating exactly what they do? Do they really eat as much as you think? And those overweight healthy eaters....again, I have spent some time trying to match exactly what my larger friends eat, and I can't. I can't eat that much.
Sorry, but I simply don't believe the different metabolisms myth. I haven't seen a scrap of actual evidence for it, besides people's own word for what they are eating, which is notoriously unreliable, and I have seen a lot of evidence to refute it. I do think people get full at vastly different caloric intakes, so a thin person might eat until she is stuffed, but actually not have eaten much, whereas a bigger person might feel she is always starving herself and yet can't lose weight. I believe that is where the difference lies, in our biological propensity to feel full or not.
Except...have you ever spent a few days with them eating exactly what they do? Do they really eat as much as you think? And those overweight healthy eaters....again, I have spent some time trying to match exactly what my larger friends eat, and I can't. I can't eat that much.
Sorry, but I simply don't believe the different metabolisms myth. I haven't seen a scrap of actual evidence for it, besides people's own word for what they are eating, which is notoriously unreliable, and I have seen a lot of evidence to refute it. I do think people get full at vastly different caloric intakes, so a thin person might eat until she is stuffed, but actually not have eaten much, whereas a bigger person might feel she is always starving herself and yet can't lose weight. I believe that is where the difference lies, in our biological propensity to feel full or not.
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I disagree. I believe a persons metabolism plays a big part in how they lose weight or stay thin or big rather. However, I think exercise boosts metabolism too. If you exercise, not only do you burn calories, it gets your metabolism going. I say this from personal experience. I was once the skinny chic who could eat anything. However, I worked out alot and played alot of sports. Once that stopped of course I put the weight on. Over the last couple years I was dx'd with a GI disease and I get full VERY quickly. I'm lucky to get 800 cals in and most of that is in what I was drinking. I could only eat once a day and barely anything at one sitting. For example, I went from where I used to be able to eat a combo meal at mcdonalds, now I can't finish a small hamburger. Even with working out and never could lose the weight. I wanted to go in the Army a few years ago and worked my a** off with a recruiter and nothing. They were stumped. My best friend(the skinny one, I call her and she calls me the anorexic fat girl) can eat like a 400 grown man. She can eat an entire large pizza on her own and still be hungry and not gain a pound. I'm working on trying to get my metabolism going and its been VERY hard. My docs say my body is in starvation mode and storing everything, so I am trying to change that. I'm forcing myself to eat more times per day. Instead of not eating when I'm not hungry, I've had to force myself to eat. I get stuffed off an energy bar, like pukey stuffed. I am eating 3 small meals per day and am finally losing weight. It's coming off slow, but at least the scale has changed. Even eating the small meals, I'm still under my calories everyday that they say I should have. Docs put me on B12 shots and told me to take ginseng. Said it should help my metabolism. Hoping it works. But, we'll see. So, theres my story and I'm not one of those people that make excuses about why I can't lose weight. I've done everything right except apparently eat enough. So, theres my thoughts on metabolism lol0
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I am not sure about this one in relation to weight-loss, but I do think some people gain weight more easily and from a younger age. I don't know why that would be the case from an underlying scientific POV, but I think it's true. I think that some people just have a larger margin for error while others have to be literally perfect or they'll gain.
I was fat from birth, I really can't imagine that I was managing to take in so much more calories from breastfeeding than the next baby??0 -
Here's an interesting post from earlier today that includes an article that includes the topic of metabolism. It is pretty interesting reading.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/691435-very-interesting-research-on-weight-loss-rate0 -
I believe that metobolism does to a point have an effect to a degree. Example I started this program an stuck to it like glue, logged every calorie intake and all excercise. never could loose more than a pound or two which would come back withing a few days. After serveral months of frustrated effort I went to the Dr. and had some test done. Turned out that I had Thyroid problems and my metabolic rate was almost non existent. Hypothyroidism I think it's called. He put me on prescription medication and I started loosing weight almost immediately. Eating the exact foods and doing the exact excercises I was doing before. It's been a month now since I started taking the medicine and I've lost 13.5 pounds. The thyroid gland secretes the hormone that controls your metabolic rate.0
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I believe that metobolism does to a point have an effect to a degree. Example I started this program an stuck to it like glue, logged every calorie intake and all excercise. never could loose more than a pound or two which would come back withing a few days. After serveral months of frustrated effort I went to the Dr. and had some test done. Turned out that I had Thyroid problems and my metabolic rate was almost non existent. Hypothyroidism I think it's called. He put me on prescription medication and I started loosing weight almost immediately. Eating the exact foods and doing the exact excercises I was doing before. It's been a month now since I started taking the medicine and I've lost 13.5 pounds. The thyroid gland secretes the hormone that controls your metabolic rate.
Yep, metabolism is real!0 -
I think you are right - this from the BBC backs you up too. However, I guess it only applies to normal healthy people - thyroid problems are a game changer. If you think your resting metabolic rate is a real issue, go and get it measured at your local university - it only costs about $100 and takes 15 minutes of sitting back and breathing into a mask where you O2 uptake and CO2 production is analysed precisely - you can have your exact personal number - no more worrying if the actual figures are right. I had mine done through www.newleaffitness.com and my RMR is over 2000.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTr1JUvEiUU 0 -
Metabolism would dictate how much energy you're using. And a lot of the time, people eat a certain amount for so long, that when it is lower, they are hungry, when they would not be if they ate less all the time. And if you don't eat much and then try to, it is very uncomfortable for a while, but you adjust.0
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I believe that metobolism does to a point have an effect to a degree. Example I started this program an stuck to it like glue, logged every calorie intake and all excercise. never could loose more than a pound or two which would come back withing a few days. After serveral months of frustrated effort I went to the Dr. and had some test done. Turned out that I had Thyroid problems and my metabolic rate was almost non existent. Hypothyroidism I think it's called. He put me on prescription medication and I started loosing weight almost immediately. Eating the exact foods and doing the exact excercises I was doing before. It's been a month now since I started taking the medicine and I've lost 13.5 pounds. The thyroid gland secretes the hormone that controls your metabolic rate.
This was my problem exactly.... before I was diagnosed (and put on meds) my exhusband and I went on a diet...eating clean and I was exercising (he was not)...at the end of 2 weeks he lost 10 pounds and I gained 5!!!.. After being put on a high dose of Synthroid I quickly surpassed him in weight loss. To me this proves that metabolism plays a big role in weight loss.0 -
So we all know people who are skinny but appear to eat all the time, right?
Except...have you ever spent a few days with them eating exactly what they do? Do they really eat as much as you think? And those overweight healthy eaters....again, I have spent some time trying to match exactly what my larger friends eat, and I can't. I can't eat that much.
Sorry, but I simply don't believe the different metabolisms myth. I haven't seen a scrap of actual evidence for it, besides people's own word for what they are eating, which is notoriously unreliable, and I have seen a lot of evidence to refute it. I do think people get full at vastly different caloric intakes, so a thin person might eat until she is stuffed, but actually not have eaten much, whereas a bigger person might feel she is always starving herself and yet can't lose weight. I believe that is where the difference lies, in our biological propensity to feel full or not.
Well start believing it because until age 30 I was living proof of it. I consumed 1600 calories a day in drinks alone. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted and how much I wanted. I didn't sit on my butt all day every day but I didn't exercise and wasn't particularly active.
Is it common? Probably not but I've known a few others like me through the years. I imagine next to none are above age 30. At 30 your metabolism starts to slow (at least it does if you're not active).
You can believe its just a myth if you want to but I have 1st hand knowledge to tell me it is not.0 -
Good topic....0
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Metabolism definitely varies from person to person. There are many factors at play ranging from hormonal variances to LBM differences.
2 people weighing exactly the same...one has a slightly higher level of T3 (thyroid hormone) will likely be thinner than the other all things kept equal. One with more Testosterone will likely have a larger muscle mass, and therefore higher metabolic activity. If I recall correctly, every pound of muscle burns approx. 50 kCals/ day additional calories.0 -
So we all know people who are skinny but appear to eat all the time, right?
Except...have you ever spent a few days with them eating exactly what they do? Do they really eat as much as you think? And those overweight healthy eaters....again, I have spent some time trying to match exactly what my larger friends eat, and I can't. I can't eat that much.
Sorry, but I simply don't believe the different metabolisms myth. I haven't seen a scrap of actual evidence for it, besides people's own word for what they are eating, which is notoriously unreliable, and I have seen a lot of evidence to refute it. I do think people get full at vastly different caloric intakes, so a thin person might eat until she is stuffed, but actually not have eaten much, whereas a bigger person might feel she is always starving herself and yet can't lose weight. I believe that is where the difference lies, in our biological propensity to feel full or not.
Well start believing it because until age 30 I was living proof of it. I consumed 1600 calories a day in drinks alone. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted and how much I wanted. I didn't sit on my butt all day every day but I didn't exercise and wasn't particularly active.
Is it common? Probably not but I've known a few others like me through the years. I imagine next to none are above age 30. At 30 your metabolism starts to slow (at least it does if you're not active).
You can believe its just a myth if you want to but I have 1st hand knowledge to tell me it is not.
Ditto0 -
good topic0
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So we all know people who are skinny but appear to eat all the time, right?
Except...have you ever spent a few days with them eating exactly what they do? Do they really eat as much as you think? And those overweight healthy eaters....again, I have spent some time trying to match exactly what my larger friends eat, and I can't. I can't eat that much.
Yes..yes I have. My boyfriend..130lbs at the same height as me. The reason i am here is because I WAS eating exactly the stuff he was. For about 3 years I have been eating everything he ate - actually less because he eats more then anyone I have ever seen and in 3 years he has gained - 0 - (he's lost actually) I on the other hand have managed quite handily to put on at least 20 more pounds from where I was when we met.
He has not stopped eating.. for a 'snack' a couple of days ago he ate an entire BOX of KD and then polished it off with a peanut butter, jam and honey sandwich (about 700 calories) and a huge glass of milk. He had already eaten Pork chops, pasta and broccoli for dinner, a huge bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, chili for lunch and god know what else I didn't see.
Metabolism is quite real..0 -
So we all know people who are skinny but appear to eat all the time, right?
Except...have you ever spent a few days with them eating exactly what they do? Do they really eat as much as you think? And those overweight healthy eaters....again, I have spent some time trying to match exactly what my larger friends eat, and I can't. I can't eat that much.
Sorry, but I simply don't believe the different metabolisms myth. I haven't seen a scrap of actual evidence for it, besides people's own word for what they are eating, which is notoriously unreliable, and I have seen a lot of evidence to refute it. I do think people get full at vastly different caloric intakes, so a thin person might eat until she is stuffed, but actually not have eaten much, whereas a bigger person might feel she is always starving herself and yet can't lose weight. I believe that is where the difference lies, in our biological propensity to feel full or not.
I spent a summer with my cousin and ate everything that she ate, did every activity that she did. I gained 30lbs. She gained nothing. She is the same height and body frame as me.0 -
So we all know people who are skinny but appear to eat all the time, right?
Except...have you ever spent a few days with them eating exactly what they do? Do they really eat as much as you think? And those overweight healthy eaters....again, I have spent some time trying to match exactly what my larger friends eat, and I can't. I can't eat that much.
Sorry, but I simply don't believe the different metabolisms myth. I haven't seen a scrap of actual evidence for it, besides people's own word for what they are eating, which is notoriously unreliable, and I have seen a lot of evidence to refute it. I do think people get full at vastly different caloric intakes, so a thin person might eat until she is stuffed, but actually not have eaten much, whereas a bigger person might feel she is always starving herself and yet can't lose weight. I believe that is where the difference lies, in our biological propensity to feel full or not.
Well start believing it because until age 30 I was living proof of it. I consumed 1600 calories a day in drinks alone. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted and how much I wanted. I didn't sit on my butt all day every day but I didn't exercise and wasn't particularly active.
Is it common? Probably not but I've known a few others like me through the years. I imagine next to none are above age 30. At 30 your metabolism starts to slow (at least it does if you're not active).
You can believe its just a myth if you want to but I have 1st hand knowledge to tell me it is not.
Same thing for me. Until I was about 25 I ate all the time, very unhealthy foods, and couldn't gain a pound. Then, age kicked in and I no longer had that issue.0 -
I'm 5'11, 145, 10 pounds south of my goal weight. People consider me a Skinny Person. I eat ALL THE TIME. But I eat the right foods. If I go out with friends I guarantee I'll eat more than my "larger" friends, only because I'm not eating crap.
It's not the amount you eat, it's what you eat that matters.0 -
.. sorry double0
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I have hypothyroidism too. I've followed my boyfriend's naturally thin extended family around for days during Easter holidays. Yes, they do out-eat me. They never stop eating. Ever. And we're not talking celery and carrots. We're talking cheeses, desserts, etc.0
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It's not a myth. Hormones play a big role in them. So does age. This is why practically everyone here had a much higher metabolism when they were younger and slows down as you age. Also the amount of muscle and activity (sedentary vs active) will definitely have an effect of how metabolism rate runs.
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I have hypothyroid, which messes up metabolism so badly. I laugh in the face of the "metabolism myth". My SO literally eats junk all day and never exercises and he is 145 lbs. I look at cake and gain weight. People are very different- that's why some of us are brown, some of us are more of a cream color, some of us are tall, some are short, some are pear shaped and some are apple shaped...its because we have different genes and different genes means our bodies work differently.0
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Different metabolisms is definitely not a myth. And by definition, people with higher metabolisms need to intake more calories to operate. The "real myth" about metabolism is that it increases significantly when you increase your muscle mass.
Someone's metabolic rate may be genetically higher, but save any sort of medical condition, it's probably not what's really accounting for the ability for them to eat more.
People who can eat a LOT more are probably exercising more (and therefore the reason they can eat so much more is because of the calories burnt during exercise-and after exercise depending on the type of exercise done) and/or they are eating foods that are less dense (less calories per unit volume).0 -
I understand why you would feel that way... but I think you are wrong. I had a friend growing up who was always tiny. We worked at McDonalds together and she would eat Big Mac meals supersized with a side of big mac sauce to dip her fries in. She ate little debbie cakes for breakfast. She sat and played video games with her brother all of the time. Did I mention she was tiny?! I can remember her coming over to our house and looking at what my whole obese family was having for dinner and saying.. "is that it? I could eat that by myself." And she could! Her activity level wasnt super high and her calorie intake was probably off the charts...and yet she was tiny. Which is why skinny doesnt necessarily mean healthy...and why I think metabolism and genetics have a LOT to do with body type. HOWEVER, that doesnt mean that we cant all reach a healthy weight..it just means we have to work harder at it.0
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Read this: http://body-improvements.com/resources/eat/#metabolism
The fact is, metabolic rate does not vary drastically between matched populations. But I suppose that depends on your definition of drastically. I'd say that it certainly can vary meaningfully... in the tune of 30% differences between the slowest and fastest.
You better believe that someone who's 15% above average is going to have an easier time controlling weight than someone who's 15% below the average.
More interestingly is the concept of spontaneous physical activity or non-exercise activity thermogenesis. Some people are high responders while others are not. What I mean is, some people, when faced with a surplus, will automatically expend more energy through activity to defend against the surplus. This activity can be mostly unconscious, such as fidgeting and such. This can account for 600+ calories worth of expenditure per day.
Think about that for a second.
Chances are, the people you know who can't gain weight no matter what they eat aren't working with super fast resting metabolic rates. Rather, it's more likely dealing with the fact that they have very high SPAs or NEATs in the face of overfeeding.
On the flipside, some people, in the face of a calorie shortage, overcompensate their SPA/NEAT by unconsciously expending substantially less energy via activity, which is likely one of the primary culprits making lasting weight loss so challenging.0 -
So we all know people who are skinny but appear to eat all the time, right?
Except...have you ever spent a few days with them eating exactly what they do? Do they really eat as much as you think? And those overweight healthy eaters....again, I have spent some time trying to match exactly what my larger friends eat, and I can't. I can't eat that much.
Sorry, but I simply don't believe the different metabolisms myth. I haven't seen a scrap of actual evidence for it, besides people's own word for what they are eating, which is notoriously unreliable, and I have seen a lot of evidence to refute it. I do think people get full at vastly different caloric intakes, so a thin person might eat until she is stuffed, but actually not have eaten much, whereas a bigger person might feel she is always starving herself and yet can't lose weight. I believe that is where the difference lies, in our biological propensity to feel full or not.
Judgmental aren't you?
Speaking as someone who messed up her metabolism royally, I was one of those skinny person that ate everything.
I was known for it in fact, which is why a lot of people made fun of me now that I'm 30lbs overweight. I packed on 30lbs in 2 years while eating a lot less than I eat in my younger days. I know I was eating less because I was broke. Completely. No money. I bought groceries which was mostly cabbage, carrots, and other cheap veggies to cook at home because I can't afford to go out and McDonald is gross. I couldn't even afford any protein other than eggs and tofu once in a while. So, yes, 30lbs in two years.
And now, if you ate everything I ate within a day, I'm sure you'll feel very starved. I think I gained a pound this last two weeks.0 -
Interesting post.
First of all, hormones can effect expenditure so I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's a "myth". But I would also add that people tend to use "metabolism" as a big excuse when either justifying their own inability to lean out OR when looking at another person's physique and pinning it on their "super high metabolism".
I read a post a few days ago where a friend of mine posted her pics and she eats what most people would call "junk food", and a few people immediately chimed in with ridiculous claims of "you must be lucky to have that metabolism" and "lets see you do that when you get older". They completely glossed over the fact that she isn't over-consuming calories. She's creating a deficit like the rest of us should be doing when trying to lean out.
Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis is gives a very big contribution to TDEE, and in addition to this, I absolutely agree with the OP that in just about all cases, "you don't know how much that other person really eats".
Typically people who are overweight are over-estimating their deficit or under-estimating their food intake. Hardgainers typically over-estimate their food intake and simply don't eat as much as they think.
All of the above factors play a role in this.
So are different metabolisms a "myth"? Of course not. But it sure is a good excuse.0 -
I understand why you would feel that way... but I think you are wrong. I had a friend growing up who was always tiny. We worked at McDonalds together and she would eat Big Mac meals supersized with a side of big mac sauce to dip her fries in. She ate little debbie cakes for breakfast. She sat and played video games with her brother all of the time. Did I mention she was tiny?! I can remember her coming over to our house and looking at what my whole obese family was having for dinner and saying.. "is that it? I could eat that by myself." And she could! Her activity level wasnt super high and her calorie intake was probably off the charts...and yet she was tiny. Which is why skinny doesnt necessarily mean healthy...and why I think metabolism and genetics have a LOT to do with body type. HOWEVER, that doesnt mean that we cant all reach a healthy weight..it just means we have to work harder at it.
Xactly!0 -
If you spent a day with my dad, you might not be posting this, lol
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Metabolic functioning does vary by individuals, just as hormone levels can vary. While the functions of our bodies are basically the same, every individual is a little bit different. Metabolism is one of them. Hormones are another, and hormones can effect metabolism.
I do agree with the spirit of the OP, though, that "slow metabolism" can be used as an excuse.
There is a ton of research on how our metabolism can change for any given individual, and how environment and other factors can effect. It's no myth, but actually well documented.
Quick Google search for a start:
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=metabolism+rates+vary&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart&sa=X&ei=beobUJyKAu6A2QXQ34HwDw&ved=0CFUQgQMwAA0 -
So we all know people who are skinny but appear to eat all the time, right?
Except...have you ever spent a few days with them eating exactly what they do? Do they really eat as much as you think? And those overweight healthy eaters....again, I have spent some time trying to match exactly what my larger friends eat, and I can't. I can't eat that much.
Sorry, but I simply don't believe the different metabolisms myth. I haven't seen a scrap of actual evidence for it, besides people's own word for what they are eating, which is notoriously unreliable, and I have seen a lot of evidence to refute it. I do think people get full at vastly different caloric intakes, so a thin person might eat until she is stuffed, but actually not have eaten much, whereas a bigger person might feel she is always starving herself and yet can't lose weight. I believe that is where the difference lies, in our biological propensity to feel full or not.
Well start believing it because until age 30 I was living proof of it. I consumed 1600 calories a day in drinks alone. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted and how much I wanted. I didn't sit on my butt all day every day but I didn't exercise and wasn't particularly active.
Is it common? Probably not but I've known a few others like me through the years. I imagine next to none are above age 30. At 30 your metabolism starts to slow (at least it does if you're not active).
You can believe its just a myth if you want to but I have 1st hand knowledge to tell me it is not.
Same thing for me. Until I was about 25 I ate all the time, very unhealthy foods, and couldn't gain a pound. Then, age kicked in and I no longer had that issue.
Isn't it somethin? For the 1st half of your life you can't pay to gain weight. Then slowly you start to gain and don't really notice it until it's late enough you have to bust your hiney to reverse it.0
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