Having a great metabolism is like winning a lottery
slava977
Posts: 20 Member
They say "calories in/calories out" but so much depends on the person's metabolism! My slightly younger sister (I'm 38) is about my height (I'm 5/7 and she is closer to 5/8) - I weigh 172 lbs and she weighs 118 lbs. I carefully watch what I eat, exercise and barely drink any alcohol. When I go to visit my sister - her fridge is full of cheeses, artichoke/spinach dips, salami, full fat milk, etc. She and her fiance drink a lot of alcohol (including Sangria, Mojitos, white wine, etc.) on weekends as they love to party with friends. She also eats out about 5-8 times a week as her company provides a "lunch card" which can be used at nearby restaurants and she has 1-2 dinners out as well . She doesn't work out on a regular basis (a walk here or there). She never gains weight. Even after Christmas celebrations - she stays the same weight while I gain 3-4 lbs (we spend 3-4 days together so I see that she eats as much if not more than me). She comes back from an all-inclusive in Mexico - skinnier than she was before the trip. I'm very happy for her but at the same time frustrated that I wasn't blessed the same way. So how does the science explain this I wonder? Her body utilizes calories differently? She has a desk job and drives to work. So I know that her overall caloric intake is much higher than her expenditure.. yet there is no weight gain.
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Again, when I say " So I know that her overall caloric intake is much higher than her expenditure"... I mean I know that her overall caloric intake is high.. but I guess when a "normal" woman burns 10 calories doing activity X - she must be burning like 30 calories doing the same.0
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there was one of those hyper-threads about this last week
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10408809/how-can-some-people-eat-so-much-junk-and-gain-no-weight/p1
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This just in: Life isn't fair.15
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For some people, overfeeding results in a greater compensation in calories burned than for others. So if someone eats X calories over maintenance, their body may automatically burn those extra calories through higher (unintentional) activity, whereas for someone else those same calories may instead be stored as fat.1
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Do you see and track everything she eats and all of the physical movement she does? I'm willing to bet that you burn more calories in a day than she does. Your TDEE is all determined by your body mass and how much you move. Also she's underweight. That's not a good thing2
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akf, thanks for sharing - interesting story.0
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Yes, there are people with higher metabolisms naturally. But even then, there isn't a huge difference.
I wish I could find the link to the two friends who have the metabolism checked. One friend is overweight and both describe her as not eating a lot but can't lose weight. The other friend is thin and both claim she's always eating high calorie food and never gains.
They have their BMR checked, and the bigger friend actually has the higher rate (because she is heavier).
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They say "calories in/calories out" but so much depends on the person's metabolism! My slightly younger sister (I'm 38) is about my height (I'm 5/7 and she is closer to 5/8) - I weigh 172 lbs and she weighs 118 lbs. I carefully watch what I eat, exercise and barely drink any alcohol. When I go to visit my sister - her fridge is full of cheeses, artichoke/spinach dips, salami, full fat milk, etc. She and her fiance drink a lot of alcohol (including Sangria, Mojitos, white wine, etc.) on weekends as they love to party with friends. She also eats out about 5-8 times a week as her company provides a "lunch card" which can be used at nearby restaurants and she has 1-2 dinners out as well . She doesn't work out on a regular basis (a walk here or there). She never gains weight. Even after Christmas celebrations - she stays the same weight while I gain 3-4 lbs (we spend 3-4 days together so I see that she eats as much if not more than me). She comes back from an all-inclusive in Mexico - skinnier than she was before the trip. I'm very happy for her but at the same time frustrated that I wasn't blessed the same way. So how does the science explain this I wonder? Her body utilizes calories differently? She has a desk job and drives to work. So I know that her overall caloric intake is much higher than her expenditure.. yet there is no weight gain.
It's interesting to think about another factor, aside from metabolism: some people can literally eat as much as they want because they don't desire to eat very much. To an outsider, it can seem like they have a high caloric intake: you can see that your sister has access to lots of calorie-dense foods and restaurants, and I can see that my husband is eating a huge pizza. However, it's all about the total amount of calories. Your sister may have a variety of delicious foods, but she may eat them in smaller portions. My husband just naturally makes up for higher calorie days by eating less in the subsequent days. He enjoys tasty food, but doesn't enjoy the actual act of eating the same way that I do, so he prefers to just eat high calorie meals (whereas I like to have lots of low-calories meals and snacks).10 -
It's a great video! Similar to this one, I think.3dogsrunning wrote: »Yes, there are people with higher metabolisms naturally. But even then, there isn't a huge difference.
I wish I could find the link to the two friends who have the metabolism checked. One friend is overweight and both describe her as not eating a lot but can't lose weight. The other friend is thin and both claim she's always eating high calorie food and never gains.
They have their BMR checked, and the bigger friend actually has the higher rate (because she is heavier).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA9AdlhB18o 5 -
It's a great video! Similar to this one, I think.3dogsrunning wrote: »Yes, there are people with higher metabolisms naturally. But even then, there isn't a huge difference.
I wish I could find the link to the two friends who have the metabolism checked. One friend is overweight and both describe her as not eating a lot but can't lose weight. The other friend is thin and both claim she's always eating high calorie food and never gains.
They have their BMR checked, and the bigger friend actually has the higher rate (because she is heavier).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA9AdlhB18o
It's similar but it is really great because it shows different perceptions.
Both women claim the thin one eats a ton of food all the time. But they measure her calories (without her knowing) over a period of time and she actually consumes less overall.
I've tried everything and I can't find it.2 -
3dogsrunning wrote: »
It's a great video! Similar to this one, I think.3dogsrunning wrote: »Yes, there are people with higher metabolisms naturally. But even then, there isn't a huge difference.
I wish I could find the link to the two friends who have the metabolism checked. One friend is overweight and both describe her as not eating a lot but can't lose weight. The other friend is thin and both claim she's always eating high calorie food and never gains.
They have their BMR checked, and the bigger friend actually has the higher rate (because she is heavier).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA9AdlhB18o
It's similar but it is really great because it shows different perceptions.
Both women claim the thin one eats a ton of food all the time. But they measure her calories (without her knowing) over a period of time and she actually consumes less overall.
I've tried everything and I can't find it.
I can't find it either, it seems like it's even gone from the BBC website. They mention the 'experiment' between friends at http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/humanbody/truthaboutfood/slim/fatthin.shtml1 -
3dogsrunning wrote: »
It's a great video! Similar to this one, I think.3dogsrunning wrote: »Yes, there are people with higher metabolisms naturally. But even then, there isn't a huge difference.
I wish I could find the link to the two friends who have the metabolism checked. One friend is overweight and both describe her as not eating a lot but can't lose weight. The other friend is thin and both claim she's always eating high calorie food and never gains.
They have their BMR checked, and the bigger friend actually has the higher rate (because she is heavier).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA9AdlhB18o
It's similar but it is really great because it shows different perceptions.
Both women claim the thin one eats a ton of food all the time. But they measure her calories (without her knowing) over a period of time and she actually consumes less overall.
I've tried everything and I can't find it.
I can't find it either, it seems like it's even gone from the BBC website. They mention the 'experiment' between friends at http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/humanbody/truthaboutfood/slim/fatthin.shtml
Yup. I found an old thread here with the video linked but the link now says it was removed. Boo.0 -
I don't believe that there is anything called "people with fast metabolism"
2 friends of mine , all their life claimed that they have "fast metabolism " , and they were asking fat people how can they get some fat on their bodies because they were very slim ! they claimed that each one ate 3000 cal +
last year they had some exams that they had to sit for 8-10 months to study for. They did not work or do any activity, just sitting in their rooms studying, and eating ! guess what ? both of them gained at least 50 lbs.
So what happened is that they were over estimating number of calories they were eating. when they sat at home to study for the exam and truly ate like what do fat people eat , they got overweight .
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They say "calories in/calories out" but so much depends on the person's metabolism! My slightly younger sister (I'm 38) is about my height (I'm 5/7 and she is closer to 5/8) - I weigh 172 lbs and she weighs 118 lbs. I carefully watch what I eat, exercise and barely drink any alcohol. When I go to visit my sister - her fridge is full of cheeses, artichoke/spinach dips, salami, full fat milk, etc. She and her fiance drink a lot of alcohol (including Sangria, Mojitos, white wine, etc.) on weekends as they love to party with friends. She also eats out about 5-8 times a week as her company provides a "lunch card" which can be used at nearby restaurants and she has 1-2 dinners out as well . She doesn't work out on a regular basis (a walk here or there). She never gains weight. Even after Christmas celebrations - she stays the same weight while I gain 3-4 lbs (we spend 3-4 days together so I see that she eats as much if not more than me). She comes back from an all-inclusive in Mexico - skinnier than she was before the trip. I'm very happy for her but at the same time frustrated that I wasn't blessed the same way. So how does the science explain this I wonder? Her body utilizes calories differently? She has a desk job and drives to work. So I know that her overall caloric intake is much higher than her expenditure.. yet there is no weight gain.
When you say your 'younger sister' curious how much younger?0 -
She is 9 years younger... but she's always been very slim, totally different "built" from mine.0
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There are three different body types: endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph. Endos lose weight very easily and also have a hard time putting on muscle, mesomorph is the "norm" as in no trouble losing or gaining, ectomorph has trouble losing weight and puts on muscle easily.1
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You would never see much chocolate, chips, ice cream, cookies, candy or cakes at any time in my house, when I was overweight. Because I eated it. Ups.
Envy can be like poison. Your sister is underweight. Please, please, just do you.5 -
There are three different body types: endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph. Endos lose weight very easily and also have a hard time putting on muscle, mesomorph is the "norm" as in no trouble losing or gaining, ectomorph has trouble losing weight and puts on muscle easily.
Somatotypes are bunk and have no scientific basis.15 -
I used to think some people were just "lucky." That I was overweight because I had a "slow metabolism." After years of that, guess what? Turns out I was completely, utterly wrong.
Those friends who could eat a burger and fries without gaining weight were either more active than I thought, or eating less at other meals, or making lower calorie choices than I thought. I was eating the burger. Then having "just a little snack." Then sitting at the computer. But no, it was my metabolism. Had to be. I couldn't've been overeating and lazy.
Now I get to be the "lucky" one. I had alcohol today. And candy. And a gigantic, delicious sandwich. And other foods... and I'm still under calories. I haven't exercised, though I need to start.
I've lost almost 30 lbs. All I had to do was do the work.
I've finally won the lottery. And it is awesome.14 -
I think you can overcome this. I believed it at first but ultimately it came down to my nutrition. As soon as I started tracking it accurately with MFP and went into a deficit then later truly understood what I should do as far as macros went with (low carb, fat goal, protein at 1g per pound) I started seeing insane results. I tried the fat burners, the get slim quick, the insane diets, the crazy workouts, and unknowingly, on those cheat days I'd accumulate my entire week or sometimes 2 or 3 weeks of calories in one sitting! A bowl of rice or a big bowl of pasta was easy for me to have not knowing how much carbs was in those things. Also, sugar, I eliminated that and just took in sugar from fruits and when I really had a sweet tooth is maybe have one bar but I'd keep the sugars to an all time low. I'd refeed or do a carb reload once a week so I could kee burning fat. And I learned about what foods did what to your body. That plus hyper trophy, immediate results. Look into what you're actually eating. I'm 5'6 was 235lb at 35% body fat who believed he was just inherited bad metabolism. I found ultimately you just have to watch your foods if you're not gifted with great natural metabolism. It's just science! Hope that helps. Good luck!3
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3dogsrunning wrote: »There are three different body types: endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph. Endos lose weight very easily and also have a hard time putting on muscle, mesomorph is the "norm" as in no trouble losing or gaining, ectomorph has trouble losing weight and puts on muscle easily.
Somatotypes are bunk and have no scientific basis.
Really? proof? I suppose bodybuilding.com is crap too just out to sell you supplements? I'm really scared of all the misinfo on the net these days.
They even teach us this in school (I'm majoring in Nutrition) http://www.somatotype.org/Heath-CarterManual.pdf
It's just a theory in any case. Not proven.2 -
I don't believe that there is anything called "people with fast metabolism"
2 friends of mine , all their life claimed that they have "fast metabolism " , and they were asking fat people how can they get some fat on their bodies because they were very slim ! they claimed that each one ate 3000 cal +
last year they had some exams that they had to sit for 8-10 months to study for. They did not work or do any activity, just sitting in their rooms studying, and eating ! guess what ? both of them gained at least 50 lbs.
So what happened is that they were over estimating number of calories they were eating. when they sat at home to study for the exam and truly ate like what do fat people eat , they got overweight .
Mmm, I dunno. I think there must be differences. It turned out that, at least over the course of my weight loss & into maintenance, I seem to have a surprisingly "fast metabolism". I don't know why, and I don't assume it will necessarily last forever. (But I'm not complaining.)
I'm 60 years old, 120 pounds, truly sedentary other than exercise I explicitly account for and eat back all the calories from, weigh/log my food meticulously, and have been maintaining for 3 months at nearly 50% more net calories than most calculators estimate for my NEAT.
I have MFP friends I've interacted with a lot, to the point where I feel pretty confident that their logging is accurate, who have similar personal characteristics, but who maintain on the predicted levels of calories (or less!) or lose at a rate consistent with the predicted maintenance-calorie level (or more slowly)
None of this "invalidates CICO". But while individuals' CO clusters fairly tightly around population averages, it does appear, from my vantage point, that there are individual differences.2 -
People's perceptions (of themselves and others) are not as accurate as they think. Watch Secret Eaters on YouTube. It might be quite enlightening for you.3
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There's evidence that people within the average population (1 std deviation) have variations of +- 200 calories/day in metabolic expenditure (and they aren't rare butterflies, either). So you could theoretically be on the high end of the standard deviation and your sister on the low end, and wind up with a difference of 400 calories/day needed.
What's more likely, however, is that your sister doesn't absorb nutrients as well as you do (for a variety of possible reasons).
At any rate, you're right, in a way its like she "won the lottery" but you know she's actually underweight and likely needs to consume as many calories as possible to maintain her activity and health. Don't discount that struggle! Being underweight comes with its own host of insecurities and cultural biases as well. Focusing on your perceived disadvantage may be preventing you from seeing her life clearly.
Even if others have "won the lottery", what good does it do to compare ourselves to them? It doesn't change your situation one iota, and only makes you feel miserable in the comparison! Focus on your health and goals, and you'll find the situation much more bearable.3 -
Another British TV program (maybe even one from the same series) took a group of 'naturally skinny' people and made them overeat. There were three outcomes:
1) they over ate, gained weight, but lost it easily afterwards.
2) they really couldn't force themselves to overeat (tears etc) so didn't gain weight.
3) one gentleman over ate, as requested and still didn't gain. I think they did tests and found his body really did just burn off any excess foods.
It's possible, but unlikely, that your sister is in the third group.
There is also evidence that having been obese and having lost weight makes your metabolism slower (eg recent study on ex Biggest Loser contestants), so it isn't impossible for metabolisms to be different from each other, plus the 400kcal natural range and the possibility you're both outliers, BUT more likely is just that she eats less and moves more than you think.
Personally, I seem to have an unusually high metabolism that I am quite capable of out-eating.
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You know what? When I lost most of the weight I wanted to lose my colleagues asked me how I could have cheese after lunch, eat lots of curries at work, and white rice, and so much other stuff. It was all perception. It was a tiny 25gr piece of quality cheese I took back to my desk, next to a big bowl of snack vegetables. The food from the canteen? It wasn't much! I just mixed it all together and it looked like much more than it was. When someone brought donuts or similar stuff I only took a half or less, yet the colleagues only saw me eating donuts. When I asked for the best burgers in town for a meetup with friends I checked out the calories beforehand and had a small burger without cheese, no fries, sauce on the site. Yet colleagues heard burger and thought: wow, how does she do that?4
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3dogsrunning wrote: »There are three different body types: endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph. Endos lose weight very easily and also have a hard time putting on muscle, mesomorph is the "norm" as in no trouble losing or gaining, ectomorph has trouble losing weight and puts on muscle easily.
Somatotypes are bunk and have no scientific basis.
Really? proof? I suppose bodybuilding.com is crap too just out to sell you supplements? I'm really scared of all the misinfo on the net these days. They even teach us this in school (I'm majoring in Nutrition) http://www.somatotype.org/Heath-CarterManual.pdf
It's just a theory in any case. Not proven.
"Sheldon's ideas that body type was an indicator of temperament, moral character or potential—while popular in an atmosphere accepting of the theories of eugenics—were soon widely vilified.[2][11]
The principal criticism of Sheldon's constitutional theory was that it was not a theory at all but one general assumption, continuity between structure and behavior, and a set of descriptive concepts to measure physique and behavior in a scaled manner.[3]
His use of thousands of photographs of naked Ivy League undergraduates, obtained without explicit consent, from a pre-existing program evaluating student posture, has been described as scandalous, and perverted ("the study of nude people by lewd people").[2][12]
His original visual assessment methodology, based on the photographs, has also been criticised as subjective.[2][3][4]
His original thesis has also been described as fraudulent for knowingly failing to acknowledge / account for body shape changing with age.[2]
His suggestion of a genetic link to both body shape and personality traits has also been described as objectional.[4]
Sheldon's work has also been criticised as being heavily burdened by his own stereotypical and discriminatory views.[2][5]
Sheldon's theories enjoyed a vogue through the 1950s.[12] Some modern scientists dismiss his claims using insults such as 'outdated' or 'quackery'.[3][4][5][13][14][15]"
From Wikipedia because I'm on my phone.
And yeah, I'd caution people about bodybuilding.com too. There is good info there but there is also an awful lot of not so great stuff too.
Eta - the site linked appears to be prmoting some sort of program to determine somatotypes.5 -
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Your metabolism is in your legs. Think of it that way.5
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I used to have sh**t metabolism but it took me 3 years to completely reverse it (saw a difference after the first year).. through heavy training and slowly increasing my food. I'm currently eating and maintaining an athletic 146 lb at 2400 calories 5ft 7 in. If someone hasn't already suggested, look up Dr. Layne Norton's videos on youtube about reverse dieting, how you can help increase your metabolism so that you can maintain and diet on higher calories eventually. Takes time but so worth it, changed my life. Metabolism is not static, it can go up and down. Genetically we are predisposed but we can totally change it too. I'm still slowly increasing macros/calories! (slooowly).0
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