What do you think about the body's natural weight?
Replies
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No, I don't believe in a "natural weight" or set point. It sounds like you would benefit from a bulk and cut cycle.0
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Asher_Ethan wrote: »I think of it this way (Some one correct me if my logic is wrong) I have no issue staying at 170 (my assumed body's natural weight), according to scooby calculator, in order to stay at 170 I would have to eat 2500 calories to maintain.
That's a lot. I have no problem eating that and staying full.
I would like to get down to 135, it's a little over 2100 to maintain at that... Those 400 calories a day make a HUGE difference when you're use to feeling full on 2500 a day.
Does that make sense?
You lost me at why you would want to maintain at 400 calories less, ha.
Also, those are theoretical numbers and ones true maintenance can stay the same even with significant weight loss. In fact, in the 25 lbs + I have lost, my maintenance has stayed at 3000 calories since my activity level has increased.
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LadyTalulah wrote: »I think there will be a lot of conflicting opinions with this question.
Do you think that the body has a natural weight (or more body fat % rather than weight) that is determined by genetics and it tries hard to keep within that range?
It makes sense to me, considering that there are just people who are naturally thin and others who are naturally bigger.
I ask this because I'm starting to think that my body is EXTREMELY stubborn when it comes to it's desired weight. Let me clarify, I'm not by any means overweight and I'm not looking for an excuse as to why I "can't lose the last 5 pounds". I'm just realizing that when I start to drop in body fat %, my body rebels, I become so sensitive to blood sugar drops, I'm tired and cold all the time and I stop getting my period. Where as for some of my other friends, that same body fat % is natural to them. I always end up back at my regular weight, which is anywhere between 53 and 56 kg (I'm 165cm). So what I would call my "natural weight" is not at all big, in fact I'm quite small. It's just not lean with defined muscles.
I think I just feel like I'm striving to get that "perfect figure" and my body just won't adapt no matter how slowly I lose the fat or what nutritional plan I'm on!
Anyways, what are your opinions?
No, I do not believe this to be true because of science, but there indeed is a weight that we all feel that is natural for us.
I believe that genetics does determine many things about us, such as how we are built, our eye color, etc. etc.
I don't believe anyone is naturally thin or fat.
Weight loss takes time. After all, you didn't gain overnight, and you won't lose it overnight either. The less you have to lose the slower it comes off.
If you want to get lean with defined muscles, you will have to do heavy weight lifting and eat at maintenance or a slight surplus. If you are already doing these things, you are off to a good start.
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Probably. Healthy bodies probably have a range where they're happy and want to remain.
Starve your body and it will fight you with hunger, weakness and dizziness. Eat too much (of healthy foods) and you'll feel uncomfortably stuffed and kind of sluggy.
I think they find a place they like and try to stay there.
It's really easy to pack the pounds on by eating junk food, though. You don't get the uncomfortably-stuffed feeling because you don't have to stuff yourself to take in so many calories. Even so, the pounds begin to pack on. Eventually, you have less energy.
If you're thin and your body is fighting you on weight loss, listen to it! Eat a little more. Don't starve yourself into a hospital bed, for Pete's sake. Tube Up The Nose isn't a good look.
@Kalikel, I ask in the kindest way: what does junk food has to do with this conversation? She said nothing about eating junk food in her original post, and you the first one to mention it.
She didn't say she was starving herself either.
I am genuinely confused.0 -
I'm going to take you at your word that you aren't trying to start some ridiculous fight.Probably. Healthy bodies probably have a range where they're happy and want to remain.
Starve your body and it will fight you with hunger, weakness and dizziness. Eat too much (of healthy foods) and you'll feel uncomfortably stuffed and kind of sluggy.
I think they find a place they like and try to stay there.
It's really easy to pack the pounds on by eating junk food, though. You don't get the uncomfortably-stuffed feeling because you don't have to stuff yourself to take in so many calories. Even so, the pounds begin to pack on. Eventually, you have less energy.
If you're thin and your body is fighting you on weight loss, listen to it! Eat a little more. Don't starve yourself into a hospital bed, for Pete's sake. Tube Up The Nose isn't a good look.
@Kalikel, I ask in the kindest way: what does junk food has to do with this conversation? She said nothing about eating junk food in her original post, and you the first one to mention it.
She didn't say she was starving herself either.
I am genuinely confused.
My point is that the body kind of fights us on going over or underweight. When you don't eat enough, you will naturally feel weak, tired and dizzy.
As far as overweight, your stomach will say, "Enough!" and will cause you to feel uncomfortably stuffed when you eat too much food. The fullness in the intestines could make you a bit sluggish. That's assuming you're eating natural, healthy foods. If you eat junk food, though, you won't get that uncomfortable, stuffed feeling. You won't have intestines packed full of food. Because you can eat very little and still get a lot of calories. So if you're eating cake and cookies, you won't feel the effects of too many calories the way you would if you tired to do it with peas and soybeans. There won't be any push back. Your body won't fight you there.
I hope that clears it up. 0 -
I'm going to take you at your word that you aren't trying to start some ridiculous fight.Probably. Healthy bodies probably have a range where they're happy and want to remain.
Starve your body and it will fight you with hunger, weakness and dizziness. Eat too much (of healthy foods) and you'll feel uncomfortably stuffed and kind of sluggy.
I think they find a place they like and try to stay there.
It's really easy to pack the pounds on by eating junk food, though. You don't get the uncomfortably-stuffed feeling because you don't have to stuff yourself to take in so many calories. Even so, the pounds begin to pack on. Eventually, you have less energy.
If you're thin and your body is fighting you on weight loss, listen to it! Eat a little more. Don't starve yourself into a hospital bed, for Pete's sake. Tube Up The Nose isn't a good look.
@Kalikel, I ask in the kindest way: what does junk food has to do with this conversation? She said nothing about eating junk food in her original post, and you the first one to mention it.
She didn't say she was starving herself either.
I am genuinely confused.
Ummmm.....Kalikel.,,,,I don't respond to anyone to start fights in the forum. There is no reason for you to respond to me this way.My point is that the body kind of fights us on going over or underweight. When you don't eat enough, you will natuarLly feel weak, tired and dizzy.
As far as overweight, your stomach will say, "Enough!" and will cause you to feel uncomfortably stuffed when you eat too much food. The fullness in the intestines could make you a bit sluggish. That's assuming you're eating natural, healthy foods. If you eat junk food, though, you won't get that uncomfortable, stuffed feeling. You won't have intestines packed full of food. Because you can eat very little and still get a lot of calories. So if you're eating cake and cookies, you won't feel the effects of too many calories the way you would if you tired to do it with peas and soybeans. There won't be any push back. By our body won't fight you there.
I hope that clears it up.
I'm sorry, but it really doesn't clear much up, However, you say that our body fights going overweight or underweight. Based on my own experience, I disagree that our body fights getting bigger, because weight gain is pretty easy for a lot of us. As we get smaller it gets harder to lose weight, though.
I don't see how food type applies. It's all just food.
That said, I thank you for trying to clarify.
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I'm going to take you at your word that you aren't trying to start some ridiculous fight.Probably. Healthy bodies probably have a range where they're happy and want to remain.
Starve your body and it will fight you with hunger, weakness and dizziness. Eat too much (of healthy foods) and you'll feel uncomfortably stuffed and kind of sluggy.
I think they find a place they like and try to stay there.
It's really easy to pack the pounds on by eating junk food, though. You don't get the uncomfortably-stuffed feeling because you don't have to stuff yourself to take in so many calories. Even so, the pounds begin to pack on. Eventually, you have less energy.
If you're thin and your body is fighting you on weight loss, listen to it! Eat a little more. Don't starve yourself into a hospital bed, for Pete's sake. Tube Up The Nose isn't a good look.
@Kalikel, I ask in the kindest way: what does junk food has to do with this conversation? She said nothing about eating junk food in her original post, and you the first one to mention it.
She didn't say she was starving herself either.
I am genuinely confused.
Ummmm.....Kalikel.,,,,I don't respond to anyone to start fights in the forum. There is no reason for you to respond to me this way.My point is that the body kind of fights us on going over or underweight. When you don't eat enough, you will natuarLly feel weak, tired and dizzy.
As far as overweight, your stomach will say, "Enough!" and will cause you to feel uncomfortably stuffed when you eat too much food. The fullness in the intestines could make you a bit sluggish. That's assuming you're eating natural, healthy foods. If you eat junk food, though, you won't get that uncomfortable, stuffed feeling. You won't have intestines packed full of food. Because you can eat very little and still get a lot of calories. So if you're eating cake and cookies, you won't feel the effects of too many calories the way you would if you tired to do it with peas and soybeans. There won't be any push back. By our body won't fight you there.
I hope that clears it up.
I'm sorry, but it really doesn't clear much up, However, you say that our body fights going overweight or underweight. Based on my own experience, I disagree that our body fights getting bigger, because weight gain is pretty easy for a lot of us. As we get smaller it gets harder to lose weight, though.
I don't see how food type applies. It's all just food.
That said, I thank you for trying to clarify.
Then we disagree. That's cool. It won't be the first time!0 -
Another article to add more fuel to this fire. It is just another point of view. Take it or leave it.
https://www.t-nation.com/supplements/change-your-body-fat-set-point0 -
rainbowbow wrote: »GuitarJerry wrote: »Set point theory is BS.
this is what i came to say.
Set Point is BS. Your weight is a direct result of your lifestyle, activities, and food intake.
I don't think OP is talking about set point, as normally used. She's talking about what happens when you get to a very low body fat level.0 -
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It's more than that -- there has been at least one study that found that it's nearly impossible to turn people obese who don't have a predisposition to it. Like, "some people have to eat 10,000 calories a day and be prevented from walking around in order to make them obese, and they will lose the weight as soon as they are allowed to behave freely" nearly impossible.My point is that the body kind of fights us on going over or underweight. When you don't eat enough, you will naturally feel weak, tired and dizzy.
As far as overweight, your stomach will say, "Enough!" and will cause you to feel uncomfortably stuffed when you eat too much food.
Individual bodies definitely have a range of weights that are easiest to maintain, both in the sense that it's nearly impossible to get much slimmer than the low end, and nearly impossible to get much heavier than the heavy end. Unfortunately, for some people that range is something like "400lbs to 450lbs", and that's when you look at something like weight loss surgery. (That would be me, talking -- no matter how much weight I lost before my surgery, I always rapidly rebounded to ~375lbs. Although I never managed to go far above that, either.)
The science behind this is discussed very accessibly in the book "Secrets from the Eating Lab", which I recommend *highly* to anyone interested in weight loss.0 -
Every body operates the same way, physiologically. Bodies are made up of bone, lean muscle, and fat. When a person eats at a calorie excess, he will gain weight. When a person eats at a calorie deficit, he will lose weight. Every person, everywhere. There are no exceptions. To say that one person's body is 'special' and wants to be at a certain weight is pretty illogical. Do the work and your body will change. Do no work, and it will stay the same. If your body is doing things like stopping menstruation, that's a pretty good sign that your weight is too low. This doesn't mean that your body is special and wants to be at a certain weight; it means that it is operating the same way every other woman's body will at a low body fat percentage. Your body fat percentage was too low, that's why that happened. Listen to your body. Gain some weight. If you want to look a certain way, don't keep trying to lose weight by cutting calories, try to do body recomp by adding heavy lifting.0
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Every body operates the same way, physiologically. Bodies are made up of bone, lean muscle, and fat. When a person eats at a calorie excess, he will gain weight. When a person eats at a calorie deficit, he will lose weight. Every person, everywhere. There are no exceptions. To say that one person's body is 'special' and wants to be at a certain weight is pretty illogical. Do the work and your body will change. Do no work, and it will stay the same. If your body is doing things like stopping menstruation, that's a pretty good sign that your weight is too low. This doesn't mean that your body is special and wants to be at a certain weight; it means that it is operating the same way every other woman's body will at a low body fat percentage. Your body fat percentage was too low, that's why that happened. Listen to your body. Gain some weight. If you want to look a certain way, don't keep trying to lose weight by cutting calories, try to do body recomp by adding heavy lifting.
The nail on the head.
The bottom line is that only thing that determines weight is whether we eat too much, too little, or just the right amount. Anything else is either preference or superflous.0 -
If you are underweight at19-20% bf and still do not have the look you desire, you don't have enough muscle to support the look your desire.
to gain muscle you must eat more. perhaps rest a but more too. Get with a structured lifting program to gain muscle.
All of that aside, your body is sending your messages it is deficient in nutrients. Tired, cold, loss of your menses. Please eat more and rest more. Rethink your body image. Get a new trainer. Visit a Doctor for a check up.
Take care of yourself.
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Your body settles at a certain weight, given its inputs and outputs. Eg my body
- settled at 198 ( briefly, thankfully), with very limited activity and (estimating) 2300 in
- settled at 178 with a diet of lots of restaurant food and alcohol (estimating 3000+ in!), but lots of walking
- settled at 124 with lots of exercise, and about 2200 in
- settled at 145ish with no exercise, and about 2200 in
- settled now at 135, with some exercise, and about 2200 in0 -
As far as individual differences, yes I think there are some, wrt fat distribution, probably the # of fat cells you have (whether bc of genetics or set by early eating patterns, some research on this), probably some marginal effect of individual metabolism (my TDEE is higher than any calculator predicts)0
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I don't believe the body has a set weight. I believe its all in our behaviour around food. Those who are 'naturally thin' are very in control around food i've found. They have no issue leaving food on a plate, and have no issue walking past a tasty food item like a cake and ignoring it because they are not hungry. I on the other hand will go for the cake even if I'm stuffed and struggled to leave food on my plate.
I was conditioned to stop when the plate was empty, not when my body screamed stopped. I've also noticed my friends who are thin if they do eat a lot of high calorie foods in 1 day , what to me looks like a binge day , they will hardly eat the next day or the day after, so their calories over the week will average out. Me? I would binge, say the diet starts tomorrow have the binge calories in me, and then a full days allocation of calories for loss the next day, again eating on average more than the 'naturally thin' person.
Its all in the mind.0 -
This is what OP is talking about:I'm just realizing that when I start to drop in body fat %, my body rebels, I become so sensitive to blood sugar drops, I'm tired and cold all the time and I stop getting my period.
It's NOT all in the mind. It's also not the usual set point thing.0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »This is what OP is talking about:I'm just realizing that when I start to drop in body fat %, my body rebels, I become so sensitive to blood sugar drops, I'm tired and cold all the time and I stop getting my period.
It's NOT all in the mind. It's also not the usual set point thing.
IT is the result of ...LadyTalulah wrote: »I think I just feel like I'm striving to get that "perfect figure" and my body just won't adapt no matter how slowly I lose the fat or what nutritional plan I'm on!
Failure to properly nourish herself while striving for a "perfect figure" (something that doesn't exist).0 -
sarahlifts wrote: »If you are underweight at19-20% bf and still do not have the look you desire, you don't have enough muscle to support the look your desire.
to gain muscle you must eat more. perhaps rest a but more too. Get with a structured lifting program to gain muscle.
All of that aside, your body is sending your messages it is deficient in nutrients. Tired, cold, loss of your menses. Please eat more and rest more. Rethink your body image. Get a new trainer. Visit a Doctor for a check up.
Take care of yourself.
This.0 -
brianpperkins wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »This is what OP is talking about:I'm just realizing that when I start to drop in body fat %, my body rebels, I become so sensitive to blood sugar drops, I'm tired and cold all the time and I stop getting my period.
It's NOT all in the mind. It's also not the usual set point thing.
IT is the result of ...LadyTalulah wrote: »I think I just feel like I'm striving to get that "perfect figure" and my body just won't adapt no matter how slowly I lose the fat or what nutritional plan I'm on!
Failure to properly nourish herself while striving for a "perfect figure" (something that doesn't exist).
Right, I agree with that. I just don't care for the comments that ignore the physical symptoms, assume that set point is meant, and suggest that she only needs to change her lifestyle/eat less and move more.0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »This is what OP is talking about:I'm just realizing that when I start to drop in body fat %, my body rebels, I become so sensitive to blood sugar drops, I'm tired and cold all the time and I stop getting my period.
It's NOT all in the mind. It's also not the usual set point thing.
G-D, can't believe I missed that (wow) - thank you.
Yeah, OP, if you lose your period, that is a sign your body has gone past its "natural set point" for healthy functioning. Please get help from a doctor.0 -
I think that as creatures of habit, we become accustomed to eating a certain way, whether over or under, and our weight eventually catches up with it. Of course when you're accustomed to something, it's a struggle to get un-accustomed.0
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PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »I think that as creatures of habit, we become accustomed to eating a certain way, whether over or under, and our weight eventually catches up with it. Of course when you're accustomed to something, it's a struggle to get un-accustomed.
I think you are right about that. Our weight is supported by how much we eat, and behavior is always something change.0 -
If I got down to a very low weight and couldn't lose any more, then it could be called "set point". When in reality I just wouldn't be able to eat any less or exercise any more.
You could defy this set point by consuming even less, but you would soon burn out and be unable to keep the extreme restriction up, therefore going back to your "set point" weight.
Being underweight and trying to be very underweight is not an easy feat, and I believe your body will fight you every step of the way. It could be loss of periods, dizziness and lethargy etc etc But there will be warning signs in some form or another. Ignore these symptoms at your own peril...0 -
christinev297 wrote: »If I got down to a very low weight and couldn't lose any more, then it could be called "set point". When in reality I just wouldn't be able to eat any less or exercise any more.
You could defy this set point by consuming even less, but you would soon burn out and be unable to keep the extreme restriction up, therefore going back to your "set point" weight.
Being underweight and trying to be very underweight is not an easy feat, and I believe your body will fight you every step of the way. It could be loss of periods, dizziness and lethargy etc etc But there will be warning signs in some form or another. Ignore these symptoms at your own peril...
Of course you can always lose more. There is no set point - just ask the anorexics of the world.0 -
christinev297 wrote: »If I got down to a very low weight and couldn't lose any more, then it could be called "set point". When in reality I just wouldn't be able to eat any less or exercise any more.
You could defy this set point by consuming even less, but you would soon burn out and be unable to keep the extreme restriction up, therefore going back to your "set point" weight.
Being underweight and trying to be very underweight is not an easy feat, and I believe your body will fight you every step of the way. It could be loss of periods, dizziness and lethargy etc etc But there will be warning signs in some form or another. Ignore these symptoms at your own peril...
Of course you can always lose more. There is no set point - just ask the anorexics of the world.
And I agree with you. What I'm saying is some people just can't /won't eat less or exercise more, or both to lose more weight, and then assume they are at their set point weight.
Anorexics obviously ignore the warning signs and are able to pretty much starve themselves and/or exercise their days away. Whereas the average person just can't sustain lower calories and higher exercise levels.
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brianpperkins wrote: »Bodies do not have a "natural weight" but they do react negatively when one fails to provide them proper nutrition when starving for a "perfect figure" ... whatever that is.
This.0
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