Morbidly Obese with Metabolism of a Sloth

briegirl28
briegirl28 Posts: 121 Member
edited December 1 in Motivation and Support
So, on most health and diet websites, there is the discussion of BMR -- what your body needs calorie wise just to keep your basic bodily functions going. On many sites, my 274 lbs. needs a high amount of calories, usually around 2,000 , in order to just do the basics.

So why is it that my body seems to only lose weight when I eat less than 1,300 - 1,400 calories , before subtracting any calories for actual physical activity.

Does anyone else have a similar metabolism or know of any articles about slow metabolisms, especially in morbidly obese people?

Replies

  • MissusMoon
    MissusMoon Posts: 1,900 Member
    edited May 2016
    I'm female, at 44, and to lose 2lb per week I max out at 1450 here. That's pretty much the range to burn fat.

    How tall/old are you? That info will help others.

    The only issues that I can think of (I'm not a doctor) are PCOS or hypothyroid. Those are going to require the assistance of medical professionals, not advice here.
  • MunkeeGurl29
    MunkeeGurl29 Posts: 3 Member
    I'm 32 and started at 260lbs; my calorie intake shows around 1800, which I thought was high at first and I wasn't seeing any movement on the scale. After a few weeks, I noticed I was dropping a little weight and I'm now finding it harder to get up to the 1800 calories a day.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    Sloths have normal metabolisms for sloths. People have normal metabolisms for people. Before you ask anyone to explain why you don't lose weight, open your food diary to public. Before you assert that you're eating 1200 calories, acquire a digital food scale and learn to use it. Before you spend another minute thinking you've got an excuse to stay obese, decide if you care about you or not. Yes, I know that sounds harsh. You've started two discussions with a 'woe is me I can't lose weight and I will fail' attitude. Fix that attitude.
  • ElkeKNJ
    ElkeKNJ Posts: 207 Member
    Your calorie counting seems off, probably because of a lack of accuracy, but at this point, that does not matter, right? Whatever gives you results. Just go slow, so that you can do this for the long haul, and in the meantime think about what your pitfalls are, and find strategies to cope. Mine are social events and stressfull/busy times... At a later point, you Will need to het more accurate though.
    I am starting to believe that people may have different metabolic speeds, but that does not mean CICO is not real for everyone. I doubt that your metabolism would be so far off though.
  • briegirl28
    briegirl28 Posts: 121 Member
    I have been through periods where I actively tracked every single calorie and I've found, as a way of trial and error, that when I go below 1,400 calories then I do tend to lose weight more successfully.

    I constantly hear others on forums or I use multiple different BMR calculators, and they all assert that I need a higher amount of calories just to keep my normal bodily functions going.

    I do not have a defeatist attitude, just seeking out some support from others. I know if I consistently stay at 1,200 calories or below, I can lose weight. I am just a bit frustrated at how low an amount that is and wondering if I will need to have to stay at that amount even if I reach a lower weight.

    Just wondering out loud. I appreciate everyone's support. It's just been one of those days.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    If at 1400 you are losing successfully (aka 2-3 lbs a week?) then that just means you have a normal metabolism of 2100 or more.

    It might seem slow, to you, but that is related to expectations.

    Good luck, some days, it is rough to see the end point.
    Stay active, work on reasonable goals, don't let the inner voice get to you.

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