Does metabolism get used to eating same food over n over?

As stupid as it sounds reading this but is there a remote possibility that it could be true?

So in 3 weeks I've lost no weight -I posted the thread and get good responses but none of them apply. However, I'm just wondering is there a scenario in which body gets used to eating the same food?

I mean I'm maintaining a deficit but for quiet a while my breakfast and dinner have been identical -no change whatsoever. Dinner changes on Sat/Sun but I still maintain a deficit. I've never been out of deficit since Jan 9, 2016. Not even my cheat meals went over my caloric allowance. I think once or twice I did eat at maintenance but that's about it.

SO it's not possible that weight loss came to halt because I eat same breakfast 7 days a week and dinner 5 days a week?
Lunch changes almost everyday and yes I have been adjusting calories with my weight loss.
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Replies

  • ASKyle
    ASKyle Posts: 1,475 Member
    No.

    Your weight is stable because you're eating at maintenance, not a deficit. How do you measure your food? If you're not already, get a food scale, and weigh everything.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    No, it's not possible. You're eating more calories than you realize and not in a deficit. Something is off in your measurements somewhere. Do you use a scale to weigh food? If not, that would be the best place to start in finding the discrepancy.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    The calories in the food won't change, but your body's metabolic rate can adjust. When you get used to doing something, the body adjusts by alotting the amount of calories to complete energy usage. Also known as homeostasis. So it's almost like eating at maintenance. So up your intensity of your exercise or physical activity instead.

    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

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  • aub6689
    aub6689 Posts: 351 Member
    ^what he said. body becomes more efficient and bmr goes down.
  • richardgavel
    richardgavel Posts: 1,001 Member
    While I agree with the above, it's within the context of activity you perform. I highly doubt the body gets more efficient at digesting a potato the more you eat them, which is how I read the OP question.
  • viren19890
    viren19890 Posts: 778 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    The calories in the food won't change, but your body's metabolic rate can adjust. When you get used to doing something, the body adjusts by alotting the amount of calories to complete energy usage. Also known as homeostasis. So it's almost like eating at maintenance. So up your intensity of your exercise or physical activity instead.

    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

    9285851.png
    aub6689 wrote: »
    ^what he said. body becomes more efficient and bmr goes down.

    If I am interpreting correctly -you guys mean that it's possible that same food can cause body to not burn same amount of calories it used to ?

    For example - 7 days my breakfast is same - my wrap -with varying ingredients -quantity changes but mostly similar items in the wrap.

    Lunch changes everyday

    Dinner is same 700-800 calories shake. I am usually at work so it's much easier to consume and it keeps me full until next morning.

    So I need to change my diet for a week or so?
  • viren19890
    viren19890 Posts: 778 Member
    ASKyle wrote: »
    No.

    Your weight is stable because you're eating at maintenance, not a deficit. How do you measure your food? If you're not already, get a food scale, and weigh everything.
    No, it's not possible. You're eating more calories than you realize and not in a deficit. Something is off in your measurements somewhere. Do you use a scale to weigh food? If not, that would be the best place to start in finding the discrepancy.

    I've been losing weight consistently since Jan 9 at a rate of 1.5 lbs week average. Last 12 lbs left to drop.

    So my scale and everything else is on point. Lol and food is also same that's why if I were off I wouldn't have lost weight from a long time right? but it's just last three weeks.
  • aub6689
    aub6689 Posts: 351 Member
    Sorry, no I don't think it is eating the same foods.

    1) 3 week stall is nothing if you are down to your last 10-15 lbs. Weight loss isn't linear, you could weigh in no less for three weeks and then have a bigger loss the next week. Also small losses can be masked by natural fluctuations.

    2) If you've been eating at a deficit since January--have you been adjusting your calorie intake as you've lost weight or eating the same calories? Your BMR goes down as you get lighter, but what I meant above is your body can lower it's metabolic rate to become more efficient on operating on less calories.

  • viren19890
    viren19890 Posts: 778 Member
    aub6689 wrote: »
    Sorry, no I don't think it is eating the same foods.

    1) 3 week stall is nothing if you are down to your last 10-15 lbs. Weight loss isn't linear, you could weigh in no less for three weeks and then have a bigger loss the next week. Also small losses can be masked by natural fluctuations.

    2) If you've been eating at a deficit since January--have you been adjusting your calorie intake as you've lost weight or eating the same calories? Your BMR goes down as you get lighter, but what I meant above is your body can lower it's metabolic rate to become more efficient on operating on less calories.

    I have been adjusting my calories every 5 lb drop.

    So same food has no influence. Yeah?

  • aub6689
    aub6689 Posts: 351 Member
    Right same food has no influence. I know many bodybuilders who cut with the exact same foods Just in varying quantities.
  • ashliedelgado
    ashliedelgado Posts: 814 Member
    You're closing in on goal. If you don't have a food scale, get one, because your wiggle room is less the closer you get. Also, that close, your weight loss will definitely not be 1-1.5 lbs a week, more like .5lbs.
  • viren19890
    viren19890 Posts: 778 Member
    You're closing in on goal. If you don't have a food scale, get one, because your wiggle room is less the closer you get. Also, that close, your weight loss will definitely not be 1-1.5 lbs a week, more like .5lbs.

    based on that I did lose 0.3lbs last week but I shrugged it off due to the fact that it's extremely little and could simply be water weight
  • jcverhalen
    jcverhalen Posts: 11 Member
    viren19890 wrote: »

    SO it's not possible that weight loss came to halt because I eat same breakfast 7 days a week and dinner 5 days a week?
    Lunch changes almost everyday and yes I have been adjusting calories with my weight loss.

    From personal experience, no. My sample size is a lot smaller than yours (8 weeks or so) but I've eaten, with 3 exceptions, the exact same things every day and haven't had an issue.
  • KateTii
    KateTii Posts: 886 Member
    viren19890 wrote: »

    For example - 7 days my breakfast is same - my wrap -with varying ingredients -quantity changes but mostly similar items in the wrap.

    Lunch changes everyday

    Dinner is same 700-800 calories shake. I am usually at work so it's much easier to consume and it keeps me full until next morning.

    How is that eating the same thing every day???
    The only thing that is the same is the shake.

    I think your issue is measuring calories in - do you have a food scale?
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    From a weight loss perspective, eating the same food every day is no better or worse than a varied diet.

    My concern about a very repetitive diet would be if you're meeting all your nutritional needs.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    viren19890 wrote: »
    You're closing in on goal. If you don't have a food scale, get one, because your wiggle room is less the closer you get. Also, that close, your weight loss will definitely not be 1-1.5 lbs a week, more like .5lbs.

    based on that I did lose 0.3lbs last week but I shrugged it off due to the fact that it's extremely little and could simply be water weight

    Don't shrug off any losses when you are eating a deficit. So you are indeed lossing just a bit slower this week..

    So here a tips for the future:

    Get the food scale.

    And if you change up the items in bfast wrap and consume different lunches every day these are not the same calories 7 days a week. Need to weigh out the stuff you eat for breakfast and make sure you do the same for lunch.

    The closer you get to goal, more challenging without the food scale.
  • viren19890
    viren19890 Posts: 778 Member
    Guys I weigh everything before eating. Sometimes when I don't have a label on items -I don't even item them lol otherwise everything is measured.

    My gym intensity also goes up automatically every week because the way my workout is set up. On the very least the number of reps go up if the weight doesn't.

  • viren19890
    viren19890 Posts: 778 Member
    I've dramatically increased my water intake because I just feel a lot more thirsty these days. I bought a small mud/clay I think pot and it cools water down and gives it a very unique taste due to which I've started drinking a lot more water lol but that can't be it.
  • voldemortisreal
    voldemortisreal Posts: 101 Member
    Random thought, could be wrong, if you're more thirsty ...ANNNND have noticed an increased need to pee (along with the other markers), maybe check with your doctor and get tested for diabetes or other possible culprits.

    Could be nothing; like you mentioned you still are losing...just smaller increments...but better safe than sorry.
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  • viren19890
    viren19890 Posts: 778 Member
    Random thought, could be wrong, if you're more thirsty ...ANNNND have noticed an increased need to pee (along with the other markers), maybe check with your doctor and get tested for diabetes or other possible culprits.

    Could be nothing; like you mentioned you still are losing...just smaller increments...but better safe than sorry.

    The water just tastes so good lol that's why I drink it. All in all it's like an increase of maybe 1-2 glasses a day. Still drinking less than 6-8 glasses though as recommended.

    I'll put it only list of items to ask my doctor during my medical though. Thanks.

    Can diabetes just randomly happen? I have zero family history of anyone getting it. I'm not obese and workout 5 days a week and it can still happen?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member

    viren19890 wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    The calories in the food won't change, but your body's metabolic rate can adjust. When you get used to doing something, the body adjusts by alotting the amount of calories to complete energy usage. Also known as homeostasis. So it's almost like eating at maintenance. So up your intensity of your exercise or physical activity instead.

    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

    9285851.png
    aub6689 wrote: »
    ^what he said. body becomes more efficient and bmr goes down.

    If I am interpreting correctly -you guys mean that it's possible that same food can cause body to not burn same amount of calories it used to ?

    For example - 7 days my breakfast is same - my wrap -with varying ingredients -quantity changes but mostly similar items in the wrap.

    Lunch changes everyday

    Dinner is same 700-800 calories shake. I am usually at work so it's much easier to consume and it keeps me full until next morning.

    So I need to change my diet for a week or so?

    Not the same food...the human body strives for homeostasis so when you're dieting, your body will adapt to the calories and essentially become more efficient in a calorie restriction (adaptive thermogenesis). Like niner said, bump up the intensity of your exercise...also, maybe consider a diet break and bumping your calories up for a week or two to actual maintenance and then cut them again.
  • aub6689
    aub6689 Posts: 351 Member
    I don't think drinking more water is enough for you to worry about having diabetes without any other symptoms or risk factors. I think it is normal that you are drinking more water because your intensity is going up in your exercise.

    Are you eating at what should be a steep deficit or a minor one? How many calories vs. your height and weight?
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    edited May 2016
    No, your stomach applies acid to your food and converts it into elemental goop before sending it into the intestines which absorb such nutrients as they can find. If your "same food" is the same vitamin deficiency, your body displays symptoms of a vitamin deficiency. It does not adjust and act normal. It works the same with calories. If there are enough to maintain and grow, you will maintain and grow.

    Metabolism changes over decades, not weeks.
  • itsbasschick
    itsbasschick Posts: 1,584 Member
    viren19890 wrote: »
    Random thought, could be wrong, if you're more thirsty ...ANNNND have noticed an increased need to pee (along with the other markers), maybe check with your doctor and get tested for diabetes or other possible culprits.

    Could be nothing; like you mentioned you still are losing...just smaller increments...but better safe than sorry.

    The water just tastes so good lol that's why I drink it. All in all it's like an increase of maybe 1-2 glasses a day. Still drinking less than 6-8 glasses though as recommended.

    I'll put it only list of items to ask my doctor during my medical though. Thanks.

    Can diabetes just randomly happen? I have zero family history of anyone getting it. I'm not obese and workout 5 days a week and it can still happen?

    the water tasted much better to me, too, years ago. delish! but it turned out my blood sugar was 300 at the time (normal is around 100) and i had developed type 2 diabetes. diabetes can be caused by things other than weight, and you never know if there's a recessive gene somewhere. it couldn't hurt to get tested for things that might suddenly make you thirsty including diabetes.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    viren19890 wrote: »
    You're closing in on goal. If you don't have a food scale, get one, because your wiggle room is less the closer you get. Also, that close, your weight loss will definitely not be 1-1.5 lbs a week, more like .5lbs.

    based on that I did lose 0.3lbs last week but I shrugged it off due to the fact that it's extremely little and could simply be water weight

    So you did lose weight, and maybe lost more but retained a little weight from undigested stuff...
    You're overthinking this, give the process time.
  • viren19890
    viren19890 Posts: 778 Member
    aub6689 wrote: »
    I don't think drinking more water is enough for you to worry about having diabetes without any other symptoms or risk factors. I think it is normal that you are drinking more water because your intensity is going up in your exercise.

    Are you eating at what should be a steep deficit or a minor one? How many calories vs. your height and weight?

    I'm at a 700 calories deficit. Maintenance is 2700 i'm at 2050.
    Plus since I started taking creatine and loading phase is 4 weeks time IIRC -maybe it's loaded in me now properly that could be why I drink more water?
  • viren19890
    viren19890 Posts: 778 Member
    How the heck did this turn into me having diabetes. I'll get it tested dammit.

    If I google this -google might even tell me that I have 6 months to live.

  • aub6689
    aub6689 Posts: 351 Member
    When did you start taking creatine? I think this 3 weeks your weight loss has slowed, but not stalled. I would just keep doing what you are doing. Creatine, increased water, and a progressive workout program create a lot of factors. You also don't have a lot to lose and if you are doing more of a bodybuilding style progressive program, you could even have a bit of recomp occurring. I'd just hold steady for the time being.
  • viren19890
    viren19890 Posts: 778 Member
    btw here in Canada - doctors do a checklist before even prescribing a test- Last time when I had my medical - I used to workout 5 days a week and was 50lbs over weight and 25 years old. I didn't qualify for the test because I work out and zero family history and I didn't look fat.

    This year he might slap me for even asking because I'm now 20lbs away from being considered ripped and still workout 5 days a week.