Reality Check: Skinny People Must Have Fast Metabolisms

I used to think I had a fast metabolism when I was in college because one semester I ate pretty much nothing but pizza. Twice a day I went to the campus cafe and had two slices of pepperoni pizza and a 20 ounce Dr. Pepper. I stayed around 100 pounds, so it must have been my metabolism, right? Or it was the fact that I was consuming only about 1800 calories a day (Assuming 300 calories a slice and for each drink), I walked 15 minutes to the cafe and back, I lived on the 4th floor of a building with no elevator, I walked about 10 minutes between each class, etc.. My metabolism wasn't over active. I was.

Conversely, when I was at my heaviest I was also eating my "healthiest." My usual breakfast was an egg/sausage/cheese sandwich, a pint of cut fruit with yogurt and walnuts on top, and coffee with a ton of creamer. I now estimate that breakfast to be over 800 calories - more than two slices of pepperoni pizza! And that was my "light" meal. Lunch was usually soup or a sandwich and a salad, covered in dressing, maybe some pasta for dinner with yummy Alfredo sauce. I thought I "didn't eat that much" because I didn't eat to the point of physical discomfort. So, I blamed my getting older for the weight increase. I now estimate I was consuming close to 3000 calories a day. I didn't mean to lie to myself, but I did.

Also, to the lady who said she did not gain while sedentary with injuries: broken bones take a lot of calories to heal! Right now I have a broken bone in my wrist and had to add about 200-300 calories over maintenance just to heal and maintain my weight. My BMR is about 1200, so that's a pretty serious increase.

Asher_Ethan wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

Asher_Ethan wrote: »

I've always thought I have a little bit faster than average metabolism (my first 16 weeks on MFP I had it set to lose .5 a week and I accidentally lost 16 pounds). I wish I would have started counting calories in my 20's because I swear I consumed over 3000 calories a day with a desk job and I was only on the boarder line of overweight and normal weight by BMI standards.

Or you just ate way more than you thought. I deal with people daily (those trying to lose and gain) and it's rare to find anyone that actually was correct on their intake. The overweight...............usually always underestimate their intake. Many times they were off my more than 1000 calories. The underweight........................ALWAYS overestimated. Saying they eat EVERYTHING, then finding out that they always were at maintenance or below what their TDEE was.
Physiology is pretty consistent with general population. The population sometimes just looks for excuses to deny it.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'm saying I was at a desk job consuming, probably, 3000 calories a day and maintaining my weight at boarderline overweight/ normal bmi. I feel like I should have been morbidly obese with everything I ate.

What you feel and what actually happens are two different things. If you didn't get morbidly obese, then obviously you weren't eating enough to get to that point.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

riceflourde wrote: »

There are people who under estimate what they eat but it doesn't mean metabolism is a myth. People with over active thyroids can eat like a horse and not keep weight on. People with under active thyroids can gain while being completely compliant food plans that work wonders for others.

That's a CONDITION though. In general, with the general population who don't suffer from any health maladies or issues, CICO is the basis of weight loss/gain/maintenance.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition