Superslimmers: Did They Really Keep the Weight Off?
David_2015
Posts: 231 Member
Anyone else watching this on Channel 4? Really interesting, and features Danny Cahill from The Biggest Loser USA.
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Yes I am, but feeling quite depressed actually. The message I'm getting is that it's pointless as we'll just put it back on and more because of bloody hormones..Grrrrrr
That would partly explain why sticking to under 1200 calories and exercising daily I'm not losing any weight or inches.. I've plateaued0 -
hazels1973 wrote: »Yes I am, but feeling quite depressed actually. The I'm getting is that it's pointless as we'll just put it back on and more because of bloody hormones..Grrrrrr
That would partly explain why sticking to under 1200 calories and exercising daily I'm not losing any weight or inches.. I've plateaued
Bearing in mind you've only been signed up for a week (First visit on the 7th), what makes you think you've plateaued?
There is no reason why, if you have a sustainable long term plan that you can't keep the weight off. Under 1200 calories unless you're sick/old/very short/very low weight is not a sustainable long term plan.
There will always be some fluctuation of weight due to hormones, hydration, etc but that doesn't mean you will pile back on all the weight lost.
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hazels1973 wrote: »Yes I am, but feeling quite depressed actually. The message I'm getting is that it's pointless as we'll just put it back on and more because of bloody hormones..Grrrrrr
That would partly explain why sticking to under 1200 calories and exercising daily I'm not losing any weight or inches.. I've plateaued
I've maintained going on four years...having an actual maintenance plan is key...people put the weight back on largely because they go back to their "normal" dietary habits...
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Hazel- I'm 62 and 5'2". I eat between 1100 and 1200 calories a day and am losing about 3/4 of a pound a week. If you aren't losing, be sure to weigh your food in grams and don't let anything slip by. I had plateaued for 3 weeks but tightened up everything, including only eating back half the exercise calories burned, and started to lose again. Stick with it, be honest with yourself and your counting, and you'll lose.8
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I'm 5'3 and 115-ish after losing over 100 pounds. Kept it off over 2.5 years without whatever it is that was featured on channel 4. As have many other folks here.
You just need to keep at it. Weight-loss isn't linear and it won't happen consistently no matter what you do. But it will happen over time if you're consistent, honest and accurate about logging.
It's a marathon, not a sprint.12 -
I saw the program and thought it was really badly put together. There was only one real success story, and although they showed him lifting weights, they didn't at all explore the reasons why he, over the others, might have kept the weight off - because his training progressed, rather than him swimming the same 10 laps of a pool every week, maybe?
It seemed like the health professionals they had speaking were essentially saying, well, you could try to lose weight and hope you're one of the lucky ones, or you could stay fat and maintain that weight, because if you lose weight and don't keep it off, you're guaranteed to be in a worse state than when you started.
Although they looked at metabolic adaptation or whatever it's called, they didn't really explain that if you eat within your body's adjusted caloric needs, you still won't gain weight. In fact, they actually said something along the lines of, calories don't matter, it all comes down to hormones.
I honestly thought the program would have a few failures and then success, and end on a high note saying "go out there and do it, it's tough but here's some things to know to get you through", but it basically said, "don't bother, and if you do bother, you have a license to blame anything but yourself".8 -
I found it a little depressing as well to be honest and like @kpkitten I expected some kind of conclusion, some kind of guideline as to what would be the right approach then.
And the fella that managed to keep the weight off, ditched his job and became a personal trainer working out 2 hours a day. Not exactly representative for the ordinary Joe Bloggs losing weight (and keeping it off).
I lost about 16 kilos back in 2011 and have kept 13/14 kilos off to date. I'm still eternally chasing those last 3 kilos, forever fluctuating between 60-64 kg. But I suppose I am maintaining reasonably successful. It's definitely a life-long thing though, which is slightly disappointing. I really would have thought that at this stage it would just be natural for me.3 -
I fell asleep halfway!
I did't find it depressing as I didn't think it's indication on what my chances are. Dr Yoni Freedhoff said something along the lines that obesity (or in my case just being prone to weight gain) is like chronic condition. You don't just get better and move on, you actively manage it
Calories in vs calories out worked very well for me. i lost weight very slowly. This time. I had in mind creating a lifestyle I enjoy and can sustain
I am more interested in researching the 10% successful maintainers, but of course this won't make that interesting viewing for most people as they don't want to see that long term effort is required.9 -
I haven't seen the documentary, but I think one of the big problems with weight loss game shows is that the contestants are motivated by the prize money or the challenge of losing weight rather than a desire to get healthy. Once the lights are switched off and the cameras are put away, there's nothing to motivate them to change their lifestyle. Keeping the weight off is a very different thing than losing weight. Losing weight makes people feel good. But so does eating. Long term weight maintenance, not so much.13
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cwolfman13 wrote: »hazels1973 wrote: »Yes I am, but feeling quite depressed actually. The message I'm getting is that it's pointless as we'll just put it back on and more because of bloody hormones..Grrrrrr
That would partly explain why sticking to under 1200 calories and exercising daily I'm not losing any weight or inches.. I've plateaued
I've maintained going on four years...having an actual maintenance plan is key...people put the weight back on largely because they go back to their "normal" dietary habits...
^^This. People begin eating too much, too many cheats, too many treats, too many I Don't Care Days. More booze, more desserts, more fries, etc. Add to that people cutting back on their exercise, there are a couple of threads about this right now, right here in this forum. CICO works. If you eat more than you burn, you will gain weight. If you think that once you reach maintenance you don't have to watch what you eat, you are probably wrong.
OP, it is not possible to plateau in less a week!8 -
Thankuuuuu for the reassurance everyone. I am being realistic and I'm making a life change not just a diet for a couple of months. I feel stronger fitter have dropped a dress size toned up and sleeping much better. The 1200 calories setting is what this app set me for a what I thought would be a sensible 2lb loss a week.
The changes I've made, want to continue with I think are sustainable and hope with the continued exercise and daily activity and the current cutting back will get me to lose the weight sensibly.
I've never used an app, or group to lose weight before and the super slimmers' programme made me cross and I felt the experts were saying I was wasting my time trying to get healthier and thinner.
Thankuuuuu again3 -
Oh and I haven't been using this app everyday. I started my life change on 1st Jan so I'm about 7 weeks in not 1 week as one member said. I've lost 2lbs a week except for last 2weeks.0
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As cwolfman said It is possible and can be done by anyone no genetic or hormone excuses. You have to have a plan and follow it. I have maintained for about 5 years. It is about life style. I have put on about 10 lbs in past 3 years but clothes are still the same it has been a change in body fat and the number on the scale went up but don't care. I am healthier, stronger and same size of clothes and enjoying life
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hazels1973 wrote: »Oh and I haven't been using this app everyday. I started my life change on 1st Jan so I'm about 7 weeks in not 1 week as one member said. I've lost 2lbs a week except for last 2weeks.
Weight loss isn't linear. Sounds like what you've been doing has been consistently working so far, just keep up the good work! As long as you are accurately tracking your calories and eating under your maintenance, you will continue to lose over time. Maintenance works the same way, you just eat the number of calories required to maintain your weight. Nothing complicated about it, and medical conditions aside, hormones will not make you regain weight. Eating more calories than your maintenance does that.2 -
Derpy_Hooves wrote: »I found it a little depressing as well to be honest and like @kpkitten I expected some kind of conclusion, some kind of guideline as to what would be the right approach then.
And the fella that managed to keep the weight off, ditched his job and became a personal trainer working out 2 hours a day. Not exactly representative for the ordinary Joe Bloggs losing weight (and keeping it off).
I lost about 16 kilos back in 2011 and have kept 13/14 kilos off to date. I'm still eternally chasing those last 3 kilos, forever fluctuating between 60-64 kg. But I suppose I am maintaining reasonably successful. It's definitely a life-long thing though, which is slightly disappointing. I really would have thought that at this stage it would just be natural for me.
Not that one needs to do 2 hours per day, but there is a pretty strong correlation between regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. I typically spend about 8 hours per week exercising...more if I'm training for an endurance event.4 -
I think results like you are seeing on that program is only proof of some "fringe" things:
- People who sign up for fast weight loss on TV are not good role models for how to lose weight.
- While there are exceptions, losing weight aggressively often makes it harder to maintain. You continue to have a roller-coaster relationship with food, you lose valuable muscle mass along with the fat, and you often have unrealistic expectations of what your life will be like after you lose the weight. Not for everyone, but I think often.
- There may be underlying issues that cause some people to get extremely obese. If they lose the weight, but don't deal with the underlying issues, they will have a good chance of gaining the weight back.
Just like with everything else, don't look to "TV experts" or reality shows for your blueprint or motivation. There are plenty of people here who have lost 10 lbs, 50 lbs, 100 lbs and are maintaining their now healthy weight. Be patient, take the time to learn how to eat so you are happy and satisfied at the right calorie level, and check that your goals and expectations are realistic and healthy. Good luck :drinker:7 -
hazels1973 wrote: »Oh and I haven't been using this app everyday. I started my life change on 1st Jan so I'm about 7 weeks in not 1 week as one member said. I've lost 2lbs a week except for last 2weeks.
how much do you have to lose? if its less than 25 lbs then 2 lbs may be too aggressive and the less weight you have to lose the slower its going to be anyway.heck I went 6+ months without any weight loss before and I weigh EVERYTHING.3 -
Thankuuuuu everyone..New start tmw! And promise not to get too down!!
In answer to Tracey I wanted to lose 2 stone but have lost 12lbs so far so all good...And it's more important for me to keep that off!
I think from what everyone is saying I may stop obsessing, stop weighing and be strict on tracking what I am eating which I have done today. Let's see at end of Feb where I am
Off to boxercise now!2 -
hazels1973 wrote: »Thankuuuuu everyone..New start tmw! And promise not to get too down!!
In answer to Tracey I wanted to lose 2 stone but have lost 12lbs so far so all good...And it's more important for me to keep that off!
I think from what everyone is saying I may stop obsessing, stop weighing and be strict on tracking what I am eating which I have done today. Let's see at end of Feb where I am
Off to boxercise now!
yeah thats the way to go. I started losing some again last month so I just keep plugging away lol. you can too. it can be aggravating at times but so worth it in the long run0 -
Two stone really is doable @hazels1973 and you're practically half-way already!
Log religiously, you'll get handier and quicker at it with time and the weight WILL come off, I promise you that.
When I'm maintaining, I don't log, but I generally know what I'm taking in. I also give myself a weight range, I will allow myself to fluctuate, up to a certain point. When I reach that point, it's time to regain control and I will log again for as long as it takes to get back to my acceptable weight range. That's my way to ensure I will never regain again. I'm good now, and don't need to log, but I do still log in every day, just as a little reminder to myself.
And yes @cwolfman13 I fully agreed that regular exercise must be part of your life, I see it as a chore like brushing your teeth, however I don't think this needs to be 2 hours a day!2 -
hazels1973 wrote: »Thankuuuuu everyone..New start tmw! And promise not to get too down!!
In answer to Tracey I wanted to lose 2 stone but have lost 12lbs so far so all good...And it's more important for me to keep that off!
I think from what everyone is saying I may stop obsessing, stop weighing and be strict on tracking what I am eating which I have done today. Let's see at end of Feb where I am
Off to boxercise now!
2LBS a week is neither sensible nor sustainable in the absence of any other data. 2lbs a week is sensible and sustainable for a 320lb, 6ft 3", 25 yo male. In fact it may be too slow. For a 5ft 130lb female the same is not true.
Think maximum 0.07% of bodyweight lost a week. OK, many will say 1% of bodyweight lost a week. These are levels that are considered to be lean mass preserving.
Think differently... a maximum of 20% of daily TDEE as your deficit.3 -
Derpy_Hooves wrote: »Two stone really is doable @hazels1973 and you're practically half-way already!
Log religiously, you'll get handier and quicker at it with time and the weight WILL come off, I promise you that.
When I'm maintaining, I don't log, but I generally know what I'm taking in. I also give myself a weight range, I will allow myself to fluctuate, up to a certain point. When I reach that point, it's time to regain control and I will log again for as long as it takes to get back to my acceptable weight range. That's my way to ensure I will never regain again. I'm good now, and don't need to log, but I do still log in every day, just as a little reminder to myself.
And yes @cwolfman13 I fully agreed that regular exercise must be part of your life, I see it as a chore like brushing your teeth, however I don't think this needs to be 2 hours a day!
I don't think most people who are exercising 2 hours a day see it as a "chore." I'm typically putting in 60-90 minutes daily and often 4 hours or more on weekends. For the most part, I don't even think about it as exercise. I'm just out riding a bicycle. It is a great way to get to know your neighbors. It is a great way to see your city. I have learn far more about my city by riding my bicycle than I ever did by sitting in a car following a concrete ribbon until it reached a parking lot near my destination. And then there is the twenty minutes I spend walking to lunch every day. Technically, that is exercise, but I'm just going to lunch.5 -
Is that like The Biggest Loser? I know TBL contestants rarely kept the weight off because the show didn't offer much, if any maintenance assistance. They shed the weight super quickly through intense dieting and exercise and then had no real way of knowing how to keep that weight off. It's all rather sad. I'd rather lose slow and keep the weight off. I'm glad to have MFP!4
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Derpy_Hooves wrote: »Two stone really is doable @hazels1973 and you're practically half-way already!
Log religiously, you'll get handier and quicker at it with time and the weight WILL come off, I promise you that.
When I'm maintaining, I don't log, but I generally know what I'm taking in. I also give myself a weight range, I will allow myself to fluctuate, up to a certain point. When I reach that point, it's time to regain control and I will log again for as long as it takes to get back to my acceptable weight range. That's my way to ensure I will never regain again. I'm good now, and don't need to log, but I do still log in every day, just as a little reminder to myself.
And yes @cwolfman13 I fully agreed that regular exercise must be part of your life, I see it as a chore like brushing your teeth, however I don't think this needs to be 2 hours a day!
30-60 minutes per day is just fine for general health and fitness...most people who are doing more than that tend to have more specific goals in mind and don't really see their training as a chore. I usually do a couple of endurance events annually plus I've added a summer time trial series to the mix...these are just things I love doing...basically it's a hobby and so it's the training.2 -
I agree about the exercise. I love to walk, especially hiking and backpacking. Since my husband can't hike as well as he used to, and I found I was missing the regular more strenuous exercise, I've taken up running. We walk a couple of miles together every day with the dog, and then I run an hour or more. I enjoy training for marathons, which gets my weekly running up to about 8+ hours a week and I don't consider it a chore. For me, it's fun, and has become a necessary part of my emotional balance. It also allows me to eat pretty much whatever I want, which is a bonus.0
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I lost 100 pounds a few years ago. I find it takes as much dedication to a healthy diet and exercise plan to keep it off as it did to lose it. The longer I do it, the easier its gotten. I know I can never go back to my old ways and keep it off....so I dont.5
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TimothyFish wrote: »
I don't think most people who are exercising 2 hours a day see it as a "chore." I'm typically putting in 60-90 minutes daily and often 4 hours or more on weekends. For the most part, I don't even think about it as exercise. I'm just out riding a bicycle. It is a great way to get to know your neighbors. It is a great way to see your city. I have learn far more about my city by riding my bicycle than I ever did by sitting in a car following a concrete ribbon until it reached a parking lot near my destination. And then there is the twenty minutes I spend walking to lunch every day. Technically, that is exercise, but I'm just going to lunch.
I go for at least hour walk every day, even on holiday/vacations and don't consider it exercise either. It's activity or active lifestyle for me, not exercise.
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I find more inspiration from one poster with comments like this, than 10 tv programs! MFP is full of successful maintainers.I lost 100 pounds a few years ago. I find it takes as much dedication to a healthy diet and exercise plan to keep it off as it did to lose it. The longer I do it, the easier its gotten. I know I can never go back to my old ways and keep it off....so I dont.
Focus on the direction you want to go! I love reading how people that managed to keep of think, it's so inspiring! I won't worry about people that didn't manage, I love being able to find posters like Pamela and I am more interested in how she manages to keep it off, not why others didn't manage.
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Sorry to bump a few day old post, but I just watched this, and while I agree it didn't really explain why, at the same time, I found it interesting that it was basically repeating what I've seen many experienced people on here say for years.
Every single one of those people followed VLC diets, sometimes combined with an extreme amount of cardio. The result is, they drop muscle mass very quickly, and their BMR hits rock bottom. Then they come off said diet and try to resume a semi normal lifestyle and gain the weight back.
With a realistic target of say 1lb a week weight loss, preferably combined with some form of strength training (doesn't have to be loads, 3 times a week is fine) and you can certainly keep it off.
Edited to add: Obviously there are also the cases of people simply returning to their normal eating habits, which obviously doesn't work either!1 -
HappyGrape wrote: »
I find more inspiration from one poster with comments like this, than 10 tv programs! MFP is full of successful maintainers.I lost 100 pounds a few years ago. I find it takes as much dedication to a healthy diet and exercise plan to keep it off as it did to lose it. The longer I do it, the easier its gotten. I know I can never go back to my old ways and keep it off....so I dont.
Focus on the direction you want to go! I love reading how people that managed to keep of think, it's so inspiring! I won't worry about people that didn't manage, I love being able to find posters like Pamela and I am more interested in how she manages to keep it off, not why others didn't manage.
Awe, Thank you! I dont view the weight loss as a temporary diet. I had to learn to live with the healthier way of eating. If I gain a few pounds I immediately cut calories. Its so much easier to lose 5 than it is 50. I threw out all my clothes except the size I wear. I dont have bigger pants if these get tight. I make myself fit them. I had to prioritize my gym time. I use to say I dont have time...now the gym is a set time...like anything else thats important. If something comes up I try to schedule it around my gym time rather than cancel on myself. People sometimes say I'm selfish...but I say need to talk? Come to the gym with me. I can sign you in. If they say they dont have time then I assume what they want will keep until I get done. I spent a lot of my life neglecting myself for others, at some point you have to take care of yourself. So I do. It honestly feels right!8
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