The whoosh theory: true or false?

oat_bran · February 2017

Sorry if a similar question was posted not long ago but I keep seeing this theory around the internet that tries to explain weight loss plateaus, called the whoosh effect. It basically says that often when you lose weight, the fat in the fat cells is first replaced by water (hence no weight loss on the scale) until there's no fat in the cell left and it 'collapses' followed by a whoosh effect where you suddenly lose a lot of weight at once.

So I know that the fat cells don't collapse but is the rest of the science incorrect as well? I mean, I know water retention is a thing and a lot of people do experience sometimes sudden weight loss of several pounds after weeks or months of not losing but the idea that the fat is remplaced with water within the cells sounds too far-fetched.

So does anyone have any scientific data to back or disprove this theory?

z4oslo · February 2017

Its false.
the cell does not collapse. The number of fat cells in our body is constant after we reach a certain age (around 25 ish) Cells are either repaired or replaced when the cell gets old. So even if the cell does not contain any fat, it will still be there.

Also, keep in mind that the cell is just a storage palce for energy. As with any storage space, it can hold 100% fat (max capacity) or it could be 1% Not sure if it can be zero (as in not active) but it will still be there until replaced by a new cell.

rainbowbow · February 2017

z4oslo wrote: »

Its false.
the cell does not collapse. The number of fat cells in our body is constant after we reach a certain age (around 25 ish) Cells are either repaired or replaced when the cell gets old. So even if the cell does not contain any fat, it will still be there.

Also, keep in mind that the cell is just a storage palce for energy. As with any storage space, it can hold 100% fat (max capacity) or it could be 1% Not sure if it can be zero (as in not active) but it will still be there until replaced by a new cell.

While this is true, I do believe that adipose tissue may hold excess water after stored triglycerides have been used for energy.

I have personally experienced the whoosh several times and have experienced the "squishy fat" that generally proceeds this effect.

CattOfTheGarage · February 2017

rainbowbow wrote: »

z4oslo wrote: »

Its false.
the cell does not collapse. The number of fat cells in our body is constant after we reach a certain age (around 25 ish) Cells are either repaired or replaced when the cell gets old. So even if the cell does not contain any fat, it will still be there.

Also, keep in mind that the cell is just a storage palce for energy. As with any storage space, it can hold 100% fat (max capacity) or it could be 1% Not sure if it can be zero (as in not active) but it will still be there until replaced by a new cell.

While this is true, I do believe that adipose tissue may hold excess water after stored triglycerides have been used for energy.

I have personally experienced the whoosh several times and have experienced the "squishy fat" that generally proceeds this effect.

What you've experienced is that your weight loss appeared to stall, then you lost weight suddenly. Nobody can argue with that, that absolutely happens. But it's completely explained by the fact that water retention is cycling up and down and so makes steady fat loss appear like a series of stalls and whooshes. It's not evidence of anything to do with where the water is stored or any elaborate mechanism to do with fat cells.

The "squishy fat", in my opinion, is also adequately explained by your skin adapting to loss of fat, plus a good dose of confirmation bias. The skin on my belly often feels squashy during weight loss, but not in any particular pattern.

I will never understand why this story is necessary or helpful. You are losing fat. Sometimes you don't see it because of water retention ("stalls"). Other times you see it and it's exaggerated because of loss of water ("whooshes"). I don't see the need for any other explanation.

z4oslo · February 2017

yes, to my knowledge, a fat cell can contain up to 10-12% water. (just about anything contains water in some shape or form)

But still, a fat cell does not vanish, even when its not "used". It will be replaced when it dies

Machka9 · February 2017

I lost 25 kg (55 lbs) and never ever experienced a "whoosh". But I did experience the "squishy fat". I had "squishy fat" for months while I continued to steadily lose weight.

Francl27 · February 2017

The fat cell stays, it just fills up with water when you lose fat... then you drop the water weight and you actually lose weight. I did read articles about it but I'm too tired and lazy to look that up now.

It's how I lost all my weight, by the way. Just wooshed it out the week after my period every month.

sijomial · February 2017

It's a theory based on observation and experience - so you could say it's not really either true or false, neither proven or disproven.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html/

The whooshes did seem to happen to me and I had a visual difference in how some of my fat appeared before the whoosh.

Gallowmere1984 · February 2017

sijomial wrote: »

It's a theory based on observation and experience - so you could say it's not really either true or false, neither proven or disproven.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html/

The whooshes did seem to happen to me and I had a visual difference in how some of my fat appeared before the whoosh.

This. I don't know the exact mechanism, but it's extremely common.

trigden1991 · February 2017

sijomial wrote: »

It's a theory based on observation and experience - so you could say it's not really either true or false, neither proven or disproven.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html/

The whooshes did seem to happen to me and I had a visual difference in how some of my fat appeared before the whoosh.

This. No one knows the mechanism or reason but this is a good enough explanation.

I have experienced "squishy fat" and whoosh's many times.

ladyreva78 · February 2017

I'm in a squishy fat phase (and have been for a good few weeks). I HATE the squishy fat phases... I have the impression I look like a marshmallow right now...

I don't care what the mechanics of it are. But I'm seriously looking forward for the whoosh and the nice feeling of NOT being squishy that comes with it.

TimothyFish · February 2017

longstocking wrote: »

Sorry if a similar question was posted not long ago but I keep seeing this theory around the internet that tries to explain weight loss plateaus, called the whoosh effect. It basically says that often when you lose weight, the fat in the fat cells is first replaced by water (hence no weight loss on the scale) until there's no fat in the cell left and it 'collapses' followed by a whoosh effect where you suddenly lose a lot of weight at once.

So I know that the fat cells don't collapse but is the rest of the science incorrect as well? I mean, I know water retention is a thing and a lot of people do experience sometimes sudden weight loss of several pounds after weeks or months of not losing but the idea that the fat is remplaced with water within the cells sounds too far-fetched.

So does anyone have any scientific data to back or disprove this theory?

Pretty much everything we know about how fat cells work tells us that this idea that fat cells become sacks of water is false. You might consider this: if it is a lack of energy that causes a fat cell to release fat, where does the energy come from to allow the fat cell to take on water? And if that energy is available, then why doesn't the fat cell just take on fat since it is an abundance of energy that causes the cell to take on fat?

rainbowbow · February 2017

TimothyFish wrote: »

longstocking wrote: »

Sorry if a similar question was posted not long ago but I keep seeing this theory around the internet that tries to explain weight loss plateaus, called the whoosh effect. It basically says that often when you lose weight, the fat in the fat cells is first replaced by water (hence no weight loss on the scale) until there's no fat in the cell left and it 'collapses' followed by a whoosh effect where you suddenly lose a lot of weight at once.

So I know that the fat cells don't collapse but is the rest of the science incorrect as well? I mean, I know water retention is a thing and a lot of people do experience sometimes sudden weight loss of several pounds after weeks or months of not losing but the idea that the fat is remplaced with water within the cells sounds too far-fetched.

So does anyone have any scientific data to back or disprove this theory?

Pretty much everything we know about how fat cells work tells us that this idea that fat cells become sacks of water is false. You might consider this: if it is a lack of energy that causes a fat cell to release fat, where does the energy come from to allow the fat cell to take on water? And if that energy is available, then why doesn't the fat cell just take on fat since it is an abundance of energy that causes the cell to take on fat?

I could be wrong, but i'm like 99% sure that osmosis and defusion don't require energy.

trigden1991 · February 2017

ladyreva78 wrote: »

I'm in a squishy fat phase (and have been for a good few weeks). I HATE the squishy fat phases... I have the impression I look like a marshmallow right now...

I don't care what the mechanics of it are. But I'm seriously looking forward for the whoosh and the nice feeling of NOT being squishy that comes with it.

Same here. It's the worst part of fat loss in my opinion as you look fatter and less defined until the fat decides to go.

TimothyFish · February 2017

rainbowbow wrote: »

TimothyFish wrote: »

longstocking wrote: »

Sorry if a similar question was posted not long ago but I keep seeing this theory around the internet that tries to explain weight loss plateaus, called the whoosh effect. It basically says that often when you lose weight, the fat in the fat cells is first replaced by water (hence no weight loss on the scale) until there's no fat in the cell left and it 'collapses' followed by a whoosh effect where you suddenly lose a lot of weight at once.

So I know that the fat cells don't collapse but is the rest of the science incorrect as well? I mean, I know water retention is a thing and a lot of people do experience sometimes sudden weight loss of several pounds after weeks or months of not losing but the idea that the fat is remplaced with water within the cells sounds too far-fetched.

So does anyone have any scientific data to back or disprove this theory?

Pretty much everything we know about how fat cells work tells us that this idea that fat cells become sacks of water is false. You might consider this: if it is a lack of energy that causes a fat cell to release fat, where does the energy come from to allow the fat cell to take on water? And if that energy is available, then why doesn't the fat cell just take on fat since it is an abundance of energy that causes the cell to take on fat?

I could be wrong, but i'm like 99% sure that osmosis and defusion don't require energy.

That 1% is a killer. While the energy required to move something from one side of the cell wall to the other is insignificant, for osmosis to occur there must be an abundance of water outside the cell. Getting water to the cell requires energy. Also, there has to be something in the cell that attracts water. Fat molecules and water molecules aren't interchangeable, so changing the concentration in the cell so that it attracts water would require energy.

Tacklewasher · February 2017

So, where is the water held? I know some is retained in muscles if they are in need of repair, but otherwise where is it held and how does sodium change that?

Just curious. I've had wooshes and I know sodium adds weight.

Ready2Rock206 · February 2017

I've never experienced anything like this. I suppose it depends on the person...

jemhh · February 2017

In my experience, my squishy fat has been due to stretched out skin that is lined with fat. It's squishy because there's no longer an abundance of visceral fat holding my abdominal skin taut. I'm not sure if people who talk about squishy fat are talking about squishy abdominal areas or squishiness elsewhere, which is something I've never experienced.

cwolfman13 · February 2017

Tacklewasher wrote: »

So, where is the water held? I know some is retained in muscles if they are in need of repair, but otherwise where is it held and how does sodium change that?

Just curious. I've had wooshes and I know sodium adds weight.

It just accumulates in bodily tissues...the human body is 50-60% water

SusanMFindlay · February 2017

longstocking wrote: »

Sorry if a similar question was posted not long ago but I keep seeing this theory around the internet that tries to explain weight loss plateaus, called the whoosh effect. It basically says that often when you lose weight, the fat in the fat cells is first replaced by water (hence no weight loss on the scale) until there's no fat in the cell left and it 'collapses' followed by a whoosh effect where you suddenly lose a lot of weight at once.

So I know that the fat cells don't collapse but is the rest of the science incorrect as well? I mean, I know water retention is a thing and a lot of people do experience sometimes sudden weight loss of several pounds after weeks or months of not losing but the idea that the fat is remplaced with water within the cells sounds too far-fetched.

So does anyone have any scientific data to back or disprove this theory?

It's not science; there are no studies backing it up. At best, it's an untested hypothesis.

That said, squishy fat followed by a whoosh is a very common observation/experience. The "water in the fat cells" is just a nice story to reassure people that they're not imagining things and that they're on-track.

TimothyFish · February 2017

Tacklewasher wrote: »

So, where is the water held? I know some is retained in muscles if they are in need of repair, but otherwise where is it held and how does sodium change that?

Just curious. I've had wooshes and I know sodium adds weight.

The fluid that is retained in muscles after exercise is due to capillaries leaking. The strain of exercise creates tiny breaks in them, allowing fluids to leak into the surrounding tissue. This fluid serves as a quick temporary fix for the damage while the normal tissue cells go about the process of replicating themselves to make the permanent fix.

Sodium is the electrolyte that is responsible for pulling water into cells. When you eat a lot of sodium the cells that absorb the sodium will tend to retain water until potassium releases it. This is why people with high blood pressure are encouraged to limit their sodium intake. Sodium in the blood cells causes them to hold more water and it makes blood thicker. But this is something that happens throughout the body, it isn't a special characteristic of fat cells and it isn't a result of the fat cell releasing fat.

The whoosh theory: true or false?

Replies

Categories