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CICO is not the whole equation

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Replies

  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    kq1981 wrote: »
    Urgh. This old chestnut again. Tiresome. I'm going to get a big mac too.
    Just wondering though, if people don't support the factual science of CI/CO why are they posting? Primarily this is what mfp is about and what the majority is here to do.
    Had a Grand Mac the other day. That's a big sandwich to eat.

    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

    I found it disappointing. More mess than what it was worth.
  • richln
    richln Posts: 809 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    Clothing... Part of the CICO equation or no?

    I vote no.
    What about haircuts, manicures, nose blowing?
  • kq1981
    kq1981 Posts: 1,098 Member
    Debating this topic and finding a medium is like trying to find a one ended stick. I shall say no more but good luck to EVERYONE in their weight lose/health improvement journeys :smile:
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    lizery wrote: »
    lizery wrote: »
    No. What I am saying is that...

    CICO is how you control your weight.

    If there is something preventing you from doing so... Be it eating disorder. Emotional eating. Trigger foods. Etc. Then that issue needs to be addressed.

    Once the issue is addressed then it's simply CICO.

    If it wasn't then I'd still be struggling with my weight despite medication and therapy.

    So I guess you could consider all those other impacting things to be part of the weight loss - not just energy balance - equation.

    It's fair to say the ratio of CICO is greatly affected by emotional, psychological, socioeconomic ect etc factors. Hence, all kinds of things 'matter to weight loss'.



    Why is this so hard?

    CICO is the energy balance.

    Psychological factors aren't energy balance. They are separate issues, just like nutrition is a separate issue.

    Why are they being conflated?

    Again, I will reiterate what I said pages and pages ago: CICO isn't the only weight loss equation we sometimes need to focus on, but just because it's not the only one doesn't mean it's not valid by itself. It's still the main driver of fat loss.

    I'd like to know what's so hard here too, cause it seems to me you are acknowledging the same factors as I have, but in a far more aggressive and condescending way while seeming unable to either recognise or acknowledge (could be either) that they ALL have some bearing on weight loss.


    I see weight loss like a puzzle with a lot of pieces. Each piece is distinct from each other and doesn't detract from the other's importance.

    This is why I said, and will keep repeating, "CICO isn't the only equation."

    The problem where I think communication is breaking down, is your posts are coming across as having other factors detracting from CICO. They are distinct from CICO.

    CICO's just one piece of the weight loss puzzle.

    Might be less confusing if we said fat loss...

    Given the drift of the thread, fair point, good sir.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,557 Member
    Russellb97 wrote: »
    @Russellb97 I guess you have never know normal or underweight people with eating disorders. Never seen people crying over eating salad or saltines. I have. I've been there myself actually. There is tons of guilt involved. Also have you ever hung around women of every size? I'm sure you'll hear normal weight women complaining about eating to their friends. It's rampant. Not sure why you think guilt and shame are experienced by overweight people.

    Never said only and I'm sorry it came out that way. I'm also not here to cause a fight. My point is when you are in control of your hunger and cravings CICO becomes far less difficult to manage.
    From my own experience, I see obesity as a mental health issue. And self-image, shame, and guilt are at the core of it.

    Not trying to be disputatious, or question your experience, just wanting to clarify that the field is broader:

    I was obese by the standard definition, and don't believe I had a mental health issue around food or eating. (I'm not saying - don't believe - that there's anything bad or shameful about having a mental health issue, either. For example, I've taken psychoactive drugs at times for non-food reasons, and have no qualms talking about it.)

    Sure, I had a good bit of "I like food and drink", some self-indulgent tendencies, and an inclination to prefer clear and present pleasure over nebulous future benefits. While these may be character faults (though not deeply grievous ones, IMO), I wouldn't trivialize the definition of "mental health issue" by believing they rise to that level.

    There are a lot of reasons why particular people become overweight or obese. We often reflexively assume others are like us. For example, it's one reason some people bark out that "it's all about self-discipline" or "you need to stop eating junk food", etc.

    Figuring out that "why" for one's over-eating is part of the weight loss process (but ;) not, IMO, part of CICO).
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    lizery wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    lizery wrote: »

    Exactly.

    Than what are you even arguing?

    Again, if you actually read the preceding posts you would see the progression of that conversation.

    Or you could just read my posts in isolation. Even if you actually took note of what I wrote you would understand the point I'm making unless it is your own comprehension skills that are lacking.

    My point is that things other than CI:CO as a direct ratio DO have bearing to what a person weighs (as in numbers on a scale) including the factors that influence their what their CI or CO sits at and other factors such water retention etc etc. I'm not disputing that to reduce body weight there must be a deficit in energy balance.

    I'm just saying other things matter too.





    What you're wearing factors in what the scale says. But no one would be stupid enough to think that it matters.
  • Theo166
    Theo166 Posts: 2,564 Member
    Still catching up on the thread, but that chart is complete BS.
    You can't come to conclusions about obesity by looking at only 4 subcategories of what they call junk food.
    It seems they also looked at 'frequency' and not 'calories consumed'

    Also, what are "SWEAT SNACKS" My opinion is low of researchers who can't use spell check.

    The more informative chart compares all the food groups in the average diet circa 1970 vs circa 2010. The bulk of increased calories came from grains and fats, two components very common in fast food.

    Russellb97 wrote: »
    SideSteel wrote: »
    Russellb97 wrote: »
    The difference between overweight people and non-overweight people is those who aren't trying to lose weight are not worried, stressed, frustrated, ashamed, or pre-occupied with what they are going to eat and when they will eat it. It's food controlling us or us controlling our food.

    Studies have shown that overweight people exercise more often than non-overweight and non-overweight people eat more junk for than those who are overweight.

    I'll tell you what, being free from the "diligence" and pre-occupation with food is almost as satisfying as losing 130 lbs.
    Would you mind linking which study you are referring to in the bold?

    Thank you!

    Soda and sweets aren't making Americans fat. In fact, underweight Americans consume more junk food than those who are morbidly obese.
    In a new study in the journal Obesity Science & Practice, Cornell professors analyzed the food intake of about 6,000 people, according to MarketWatch. The study found that consuming more fast food, candy and soda was not correlated with higher body mass indexes—“While a diet of chocolate bars and cheeseburgers washed down with a Coke is inadvisable from a nutritional standpoint, these foods are not likely to be a leading cause of obesity."

    https://us.v-cdn.net/5021879/uploads/editor/ua/uhvk2dj7v2u7.jpg

  • born_of_fire74
    born_of_fire74 Posts: 776 Member
    Theo166 wrote: »
    Still catching up on the thread, but that chart is complete BS.
    You can't come to conclusions about obesity by looking at only 4 subcategories of what they call junk food.
    It seems they also looked at 'frequency' and not 'calories consumed'

    Also, what are "SWEAT SNACKS" My opinion is low of researchers who can't use spell check.

    The more informative chart compares all the food groups in the average diet circa 1970 vs circa 2010. The bulk of increased calories came from grains and fats, two components very common in fast food.

    Russellb97 wrote: »
    SideSteel wrote: »
    Russellb97 wrote: »
    The difference between overweight people and non-overweight people is those who aren't trying to lose weight are not worried, stressed, frustrated, ashamed, or pre-occupied with what they are going to eat and when they will eat it. It's food controlling us or us controlling our food.

    Studies have shown that overweight people exercise more often than non-overweight and non-overweight people eat more junk for than those who are overweight.

    I'll tell you what, being free from the "diligence" and pre-occupation with food is almost as satisfying as losing 130 lbs.
    Would you mind linking which study you are referring to in the bold?

    Thank you!

    Soda and sweets aren't making Americans fat. In fact, underweight Americans consume more junk food than those who are morbidly obese.
    In a new study in the journal Obesity Science & Practice, Cornell professors analyzed the food intake of about 6,000 people, according to MarketWatch. The study found that consuming more fast food, candy and soda was not correlated with higher body mass indexes—“While a diet of chocolate bars and cheeseburgers washed down with a Coke is inadvisable from a nutritional standpoint, these foods are not likely to be a leading cause of obesity."

    https://us.v-cdn.net/5021879/uploads/editor/ua/uhvk2dj7v2u7.jpg

    I'm going to start calling my preworkout fuel "sweat snacks".

    The study also only looked at two days and it was self reported (by the individual). How many people do you know that don't really remember what they ate in the last day or try to minimize it? (That cookie didn't count because you only took a bite.)


    Hehe, I had some Timbits just like that this morning. Someone else bought them and there were only three so they don't count
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  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    Theo166 wrote: »
    Still catching up on the thread, but that chart is complete BS.
    You can't come to conclusions about obesity by looking at only 4 subcategories of what they call junk food.
    It seems they also looked at 'frequency' and not 'calories consumed'

    Also, what are "SWEAT SNACKS" My opinion is low of researchers who can't use spell check.

    The more informative chart compares all the food groups in the average diet circa 1970 vs circa 2010. The bulk of increased calories came from grains and fats, two components very common in fast food.

    Russellb97 wrote: »
    SideSteel wrote: »
    Russellb97 wrote: »
    The difference between overweight people and non-overweight people is those who aren't trying to lose weight are not worried, stressed, frustrated, ashamed, or pre-occupied with what they are going to eat and when they will eat it. It's food controlling us or us controlling our food.

    Studies have shown that overweight people exercise more often than non-overweight and non-overweight people eat more junk for than those who are overweight.

    I'll tell you what, being free from the "diligence" and pre-occupation with food is almost as satisfying as losing 130 lbs.
    Would you mind linking which study you are referring to in the bold?

    Thank you!

    Soda and sweets aren't making Americans fat. In fact, underweight Americans consume more junk food than those who are morbidly obese.
    In a new study in the journal Obesity Science & Practice, Cornell professors analyzed the food intake of about 6,000 people, according to MarketWatch. The study found that consuming more fast food, candy and soda was not correlated with higher body mass indexes—“While a diet of chocolate bars and cheeseburgers washed down with a Coke is inadvisable from a nutritional standpoint, these foods are not likely to be a leading cause of obesity."

    https://us.v-cdn.net/5021879/uploads/editor/ua/uhvk2dj7v2u7.jpg

    I'm going to start calling my preworkout fuel "sweat snacks".

    The study also only looked at two days and it was self reported (by the individual). How many people do you know that don't really remember what they ate in the last day or try to minimize it? (That cookie didn't count because you only took a bite.)


    Hehe, I had some Timbits just like that this morning. Someone else bought them and there were only three so they don't count

    I think my sad moment was when i realized 1 timbit was 80 calories and i used to eat a couple of 10 packs to myself when i would have them.. lol :disappointed:

    80? Holy *kitten*. Yeah, I'd buy a pack when heading out for a drive. Let's see. 30 pack * 80 ~= my BMR
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  • born_of_fire74
    born_of_fire74 Posts: 776 Member
    Chocolate toasted coconut doughnuts are the only way I will eat coconut. Well, I use coconut oil very infrequently. So one of only two ways.
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  • sakomeow
    sakomeow Posts: 6 Member
    edited March 2017
    What you're wearing factors in what the scale says. But no one would be stupid enough to think that it matters.

    This is dangerous advice; if you don't wear a similar outfit (nudity counts as an outfit) at each weigh-in your scale may not recognize you, become agitated, and may even bite! /s

    I would not be so quick to say that it doesn't matter, let alone that "no one would be stupid enough" to think it does. Nothing is weightless - but being off by a consistent amount is very nearly as good as being exactly on target, hence that tip to avoid being discouraged because your weight difference between weigh-ins is less than the difference between gym shorts and your favorite jeans. I think the point a lot of people are trying to make relates to opinions and anecdotes presented as concrete immovable fact! More on-topic, I personally eat like absolute garbage and don't exercise at all outside of work, I operate entirely on CICO, baseline TDEE, and multivitamins. It's worked great for me so far, having lost ~80lb before joining MFP and making much faster and steadier progress now. However, the 'everyone's body is different' response to that doesn't feel like it goes far enough - everyone's mind is different in nigh-infinite ways and our lived experiences can seriously impact our ability to maintain a deficit, get out and exercise, and generally make the 'better' but more difficult choices.

    Even if you don't accept this little rant, at least know you are patently incorrect, because obviously I am stupid enough for anything.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    sakomeow wrote: »
    What you're wearing factors in what the scale says. But no one would be stupid enough to think that it matters.

    This is dangerous advice; if you don't wear a similar outfit (nudity counts as an outfit) at each weigh-in your scale may not recognize you, become agitated, and may even bite! /s

    You missed the point.

    The point is you need to look at the scale and think a bit of "Why?". So Yesterday I was 254.5. Between Pizza all weekend and Chinese food last night, this morning I was 259. Well, no I'm not. I'm ~255 with a bunch of extra water and *kitten*. Both days were first thing in the morning, after peeing just wearing underwear and my watch. So identical clothes (did I change my underwear yesterday????). I just need to get rid of some waste is all. But it's not part of what I consider my "weight".
  • sakomeow
    sakomeow Posts: 6 Member
    But it's not part of what I consider my "weight".

    Then I didn't miss the point, I disagreed - just in a roundabout fashion while making other vague points along the way. I'm absolutely of the opinion it matters whether it varies or not - like I said, being consistently off is very nearly as good as being right. Being aware of exactly what portion is clothing is very encouraging even if I only report curb weight (clothed) to MFP.
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,008 Member
    edited March 2017
    Analysis paralysis.

    Besides the fact, if you're weighing yourself and not taking measurements as well you are only getting half the story. The scale lies by omission...
This discussion has been closed.