Recomp, Schmeecomp... lol

birgitkwood · July 2017

No offense, all you wonderful Maintainers.. but I don't care about "Recomping" and I'll bet I'm not the only one.

I'm 62 years old and have been "overweight" "fat," and "obese" since I was about 12. In those 50 years I have lost, and regained, probably about a thousand pounds and have NEVER managed to "Maintain," not even for a day. Each time in the past I would happily be plodding along losing weight effectively when suddenly some switch in my brain would toggle to the other side and I would start eating like crazy and gain weight again. Over and over...

So now, with the help of MFP and my on-line friends here, as well as TRACKING, I've successfully reached goal. Over the course of 14 months I have lost 120 lbs, and - most miraculously - have managed to stay at goal for over a month (I know - not very long, but still much longer than ever before for me).

So now I'm looking in the "Maintenance Support Community" and most of what I see is threads about recomping. I don't really know what that is! As I said, I'm 62 and yes - I'm flabby! In some ways my body looks like a bag of skin that a fat woman used to be in. In the past I used to care about that and that's partially what would then derail my weight loss efforts. This time around? Mehhh... not important! Yes, I have wrinkles. Yes, I have lose skin. Yes, I have bulges in areas that maybe I shouldn't. I don't care!

I track my food intake daily and I faithfully walk my dog every single day for at least 4 miles (takes us an hour). Somedays I walk more. Somedays I also swim. Somedays I also ride my bike. Somedays I play with my grandchildren and lift a 25+ lb toddler over my head - I consider that weightlifting. Somedays I dig in the garden. Somedays I even clean the house... lol

I don't want to exercise any more and I don't want to do anything else! If I live the rest of my days with lose flabby skin here and there, and a few wrinkles - then so be it. I feel 9000pct healthier than I did 120 lbs ago, and that's really all that matters to me at this stage in my life.

Life in my 60's... can't beat it!

rybo · July 2017

Good for you!
Everyone has different goals, and it looks like you are doing well!

deannalfisher · July 2017

so why not ask what recomp is instead of just discrediting it? you can recomp even with "flabby skin" - its simply building lean muscle mass while losing BF at the same time

cmriverside · July 2017

I'm 63 and I still look better than I did in my forties. I don't do the weight lifting thing either due to past injuries (not related).

The loose skin did get better for me over time, but some of it is just not going back to its original condition no matter what I do. It's okay, I don't wear my bikini anymore anyway.

I would say, keep logging food for at least six more months. Pay close attention to your weight still. I had some adjustment problems in the first year of maintenance and had a little trouble finding my maintenance range of calories.

Congrats. I hope it sticks for you this time.

JoeCWV · July 2017

Sounds to me like the OP has maintenance down. Everyone is different and everyone has different goals. If you are happy then be happy. No need to feel any pressure to recomp, or lift heavy, or cardio, or whatever someone else is doing.

I lost 70 pounds and have maintained for about three years. Last winter I went over my range by five pounds and maintained that. I am now slowly working back down to my original goal weight.

The struggle is real. Maintenance is the achievement of the lessons learned during weight loss.

usmcmp · July 2017

Hopefully you've found the key to helping you maintain your weight loss. Many people find that when they get to the maintenance phase they don't have something to work towards and start slipping. Recomp gives them a goal, which helps keep them from regaining. Recomp is also important for some who have lost lean mass along the way and find that their maintenance calories are lower than is comfortable.

Not trying to tell you that you have to do it, just explaining why many on here are jumping into it as a method of maintenance. You do what works for you.

not_a_runner · July 2017

Not trying to put you down OP, you've accomplished a lot and if recomp isn't your goal, more power to you.
But aside from improving body composition, resistance training is great for many reasons. A huge one, that is especially important as we get older, is general strength.
After working as an aid in a nursing home, this video really stuck with me - "Why Fitness Actually Matters" (getting off the toilet)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZRCkUzROr0

VioletRojo · July 2017

TresaAswegan wrote: »

Not trying to put you down OP, you've accomplished a lot and if recomp isn't your goal, more power to you.
But aside from improving body composition, resistance training is great for many reasons. A huge one, that is especially important as we get older, is general strength.
After working as an aid in a nursing home, this video really stuck with me - "Why Fitness Actually Matters" (getting off the toilet)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZRCkUzROr0

That's a great video. Thank you for posting it.

birgitkwood · July 2017

Not discrediting, @deannalfisher - just not a goal of mine.

TavistockToad · July 2017

You dont know what it is... but you know its not for you? :huh:

cwolfman13 · July 2017

I look at re-comp in two ways...

1 - a deliberate approach to changing one's physique

2 - a bi-product of just eating right and regular exercise.

I pretty much fall under #2. I didn't go to maintenance and say, "hey...I need to re-comp because I don't like the way my body looks." I went into maintenance a bit over 4.5 years ago and I just continued doing the exercise activity I was doing while I was losing weight...I continued to get into the weight room 2-3x per week...I continued to cycle...I continued to eat a quality diet but with a handful more calories. In 4.5 years my body has changed quite a bit though my weight has pretty much remained the same. It's not something I deliberately set out to do...it is simply a bi-product of what I do on the regular.

birgitkwood · July 2017

@cwolfman13 - that I can totally get behind, and I agree! Hence the lifting of the toddler grandchild

ndj1979 · July 2017

if you don't care about re-comping why are you ranting about it?

Need2Exerc1se · July 2017

Congratulations on your loss. Recomp is not a necessity. Some people prefer it and some don't.

If you stay active you may find yourself doing it without even trying. And if not, so what?

icemom011 · July 2017

Your story is a lot like mine, op. I had a lifetime of weight losses that i couldn't sustain, and regains with an extra chunk. I hope that you've learned from this time, congratulations on maintaining for a month, great start.

deannalfisher · July 2017

TavistockToad wrote: »

You dont know what it is... but you know its not for you? :huh:

my thoughts exactly...

I guess it falls into the definition - I know what it is when I see it...

sgt1372 · July 2017

ndj1979 wrote: »

if you don't care about re-comping why are you ranting about it?

Ditto.

If you don't like it, don't do it - - but why then try to make a case against it in the very subforum where people come to discuss their desire and goal to do it?

Don't be surprised when your argument against recomping, which you view as unnecessary in your life, is unappreciated.

FWIW, I'm 66 and have sucessfully lost weight and recomped over the past 12 months dropping from 196# to 158# and reducing my BF from +20% down to below 9% and recomposing 12# of fat in the process.

It's something that took a lot of effort to accomplish and something that I am proud to have done, which can't be dimished by your protestation that such effort is unnecessary and impliedly of little or no consequence.

alondrakayy · July 2017

sgt1372 wrote: »

ndj1979 wrote: »

if you don't care about re-comping why are you ranting about it?

It's something that took a lot of effort to accomplish and something that I am proud to have done, which can't be dimished by your protestation that such effort is unnecessary and impliedly of little or no consequence.

This

Need2Exerc1se · July 2017

sgt1372 wrote: »

ndj1979 wrote: »

if you don't care about re-comping why are you ranting about it?

Ditto.

If you don't like it, don't do it - - but why then try to make a case against it in the very subforum where people come to discuss their desire and goal to do it?

Don't be surprised when your argument against recomping, which you view as unnecessary in your life, is unappreciated.

FWIW, I'm 66 and have sucessfully lost weight and recomped over the past 12 months dropping from 196# to 158# and reducing my BF from +20% down to below 9% and recomposing 12# of fat in the process.

It's something that took a lot of effort to accomplish and something that I am proud to have done, which can't be dimished by your protestation that such effort is unnecessary and impliedly of little or no consequence.

Well of course the OP saying recomp is not for her couldn't diminish what you have done. I mean, how would it?

JeepHair77 · July 2017

Congratulations on meeting your goals, and your thread title makes me laugh. I think it's perfectly fine to do exactly what you're doing, so keep on keeping on.

But I think the reason you're seeing so much info here about "recomp" is that a lot of us hit our goal weight and then say to ourselves, "now what?" So we find a new goal to work towards, we find new ways to improve our bodies and our appearance. I find straight maintenance to be weirdly challenging. Mentally, it's MORE difficult for me than losing was, because it feels like I'm not aiming for anything. Recomping gives me a new goal to strive for and it keeps me focused.

birgitkwood · July 2017

JeepHair77 wrote: »

Congratulations on meeting your goals, and your thread title makes me laugh. I think it's perfectly fine to do exactly what you're doing, so keep on keeping on.

But I think the reason you're seeing so much info here about "recomp" is that a lot of us hit our goal weight and then say to ourselves, "now what?" So we find a new goal to work towards, we find new ways to improve our bodies and our appearance. I find straight maintenance to be weirdly challenging. Mentally, it's MORE difficult for me than losing was, because it feels like I'm not aiming for anything. Recomping gives me a new goal to strive for and it keeps me focused.

Thank you, Jeephair77 - that makes sense to me! And who knows, the day may come when I'll join all of you in the recomp camp

. But for now... Just gonna keep on doing what I'm doing.

And truly, truly - my intent was not to offend anyone!! It's just that I was confused about so many threads in the "maintenance" section being about recomping. Guess if I were looking for info on recomp, I'd have looked in "fitness and exercise." Again, Jeephair, thanks for the explanation.

But mostly - congrats to all of you on striving for, and reaching your goals! Lots of blood, sweat and tears go into that and not for one minute do I want to diminish that!

Peace out, Friends

lorrpb · July 2017

http://www.theatlantic.com/sponsored/ensure-2017/the-unseen-role-our-muscles-play-in-getting-older/1350/

lorrpb · July 2017

TresaAswegan wrote: »

Not trying to put you down OP, you've accomplished a lot and if recomp isn't your goal, more power to you.
But aside from improving body composition, resistance training is great for many reasons. A huge one, that is especially important as we get older, is general strength.
After working as an aid in a nursing home, this video really stuck with me - "Why Fitness Actually Matters" (getting off the toilet)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZRCkUzROr0

This is true. I tell people lacking motivation to visit a nursing home. Sad, depressing, but true. Anyone with parents or grandparents in this age group has seen it.

ndj1979 · July 2017

birgitkwood wrote: »

JeepHair77 wrote: »

Congratulations on meeting your goals, and your thread title makes me laugh. I think it's perfectly fine to do exactly what you're doing, so keep on keeping on.

But I think the reason you're seeing so much info here about "recomp" is that a lot of us hit our goal weight and then say to ourselves, "now what?" So we find a new goal to work towards, we find new ways to improve our bodies and our appearance. I find straight maintenance to be weirdly challenging. Mentally, it's MORE difficult for me than losing was, because it feels like I'm not aiming for anything. Recomping gives me a new goal to strive for and it keeps me focused.

Thank you, Jeephair77 - that makes sense to me! And who knows, the day may come when I'll join all of you in the recomp camp . But for now... Just gonna keep on doing what I'm doing.

And truly, truly - my intent was not to offend anyone!! It's just that I was confused about so many threads in the "maintenance" section being about recomping. Guess if I were looking for info on recomp, I'd have looked in "fitness and exercise." Again, Jeephair, thanks for the explanation.

But mostly - congrats to all of you on striving for, and reaching your goals! Lots of blood, sweat and tears go into that and not for one minute do I want to diminish that!

Peace out, Friends

Not offended just don't understand the need for your OP

lorrpb · July 2017

OP, there does seem to be a lot of threads on recomp here right now. Recomp is simply maintaining your weight and doing strength training, which slowly changes your body. I don't care about my appearance per se, but I lost a lot of strength and muscle mass during my obese decades.

I've had friends and family go through the end of life stages. It is not pretty, as I'm sure you know. I want to be able to walk to the toilet and get off it when I'm done. (see video). I want to stay on my feet or not shatter my hip if I do fall. I simply want to live better and longer. I want to enjoy as many years as I can with my family. That's why I pick up heavy things and put them down again. (age 62, 150 lost)

PS _ You might want to check out the Maintainters Weekly Check-in thread if you would like a fun a way to help keep your weight on track. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10571171/maintainers-weekly-check-in-july-2017#latest

Congrats on your loss and enjoy, whatever you decide to do!

nowine4me · July 2017

Just the "simple" act of maintaining is monumentally difficult for me. I'm 52 and have lost 75# -- AGAIN. I'm literally hanging on by my fingernails to keep it off. So hats off to OP for being in a good place.

I too have flabby bits, loose skin and jiggly parts. Call it recomp or whatever, my goal from here is to get strong and build and preserve muscle. Since I don't have grand kids to lift (or kids for that matter) my effort comes from the weight bench in my garage.

Keep on truckin maintainers, do what's best for you to stay the course.

AnnPT77 · July 2017

There are a lot if recomp threads in the maintenance forum because (1) by definition you don't recomp while losing weight, or while gaining weight, but while maintaining weight; and (2) it's technical, there's a lot of bro-science/woo around the topic on the web, so people new to it have a lot of questions, and post them here.

That, plus what folks have said about the motivational value of new goals after the weight-loss goal is established. Some people have recomp goals (mostly discussed in this forum), some have strength improvement goals including competitive ones (probably discussed in gaining or fitness forums), some have performance goals for things like cycling or running (fitness forum), or improved nutrition (food forum), and so forth.

Me, I recomped to some extent in my 50s while obese (lost a couple of sizes at the same weight) without even knowing it was a thing or that there was a name for it! Once I lost body fat, voilà, it turned out there was some modest muscle underneath. Appearance is uninteresting to me, but strength is useful.

These days, at 61, I'm motivated to stay thin (because it feels good), have fun (cardio? what's "cardio"? I just like to row, spin, bike, etc., because it's fun), and get/stay strong & healthy so I can stay alive and out of assisted living facilities as long as possible.

So, congrats on achieving your weight loss goals, and I'll cheer you on to whatever further goals you may have, even if different from mine. It's good, methinks, if we can support one another, regardless of whether our goals differ, eh?

CoueCoue · July 2017

I didn't read it that the OP's intention was to explicitly "dis" recomping. It just sounds to me that she is celebrating having found her personal "happy place" after a lifetime of struggle - and wanted to share it.

She's made peace with her body. That's a huge thing for a lot of people. Good for her I say.

birgitkwood · July 2017

Thank you @CoueCoue, that was EXACTLY my intent!

cnbbnc · July 2017

JeepHair77 wrote: »

Congratulations on meeting your goals, and your thread title makes me laugh. I think it's perfectly fine to do exactly what you're doing, so keep on keeping on.

But I think the reason you're seeing so much info here about "recomp" is that a lot of us hit our goal weight and then say to ourselves, "now what?" So we find a new goal to work towards, we find new ways to improve our bodies and our appearance. I find straight maintenance to be weirdly challenging. Mentally, it's MORE difficult for me than losing was, because it feels like I'm not aiming for anything. Recomping gives me a new goal to strive for and it keeps me focused.

This is what I was going to say. I've always had a hard time sticking to my goal weight too. Having a new project to work on has kept me motivated this time around to where I've kept the pounds off for over a year.

middlehaitch · July 2017

I am really happy that you have reached your goal, are enjoying your activities, and can lift your 25 lbs grandchild over your head.

Recomp isn't for everyone, and isn't necessary, but let me ask you, will you be able to lift a 35 or 50 lbs grandchild?

I'm 64 in a few days, have been maintaining for 7+ years, and am not too keen on exercise, but I am doing a slow recomp.
Why?

because as I am growing older so is my grandson. The 2 yo that was no problem to lift high above my head is now 7.
He doesn't want those high lifts any more, he wants to ride my shoulders through the woods and up and down stairs, he wants to race across fields, he wants to have races in the pool. If I want to keep up with this bundle of energy, I have to keep challenging my fitness goals. I do weight lifting- all those squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, etc means I can walk up a flight of stairs with half my weight squirming on my shoulders.

It also means I have active vacations, in countries that I never dreamed of seeing, and I am not sat on the bus watching the young ones going off and enjoying themselves, I am there, sometimes in a bikini, doing all those wonderful things alongside them.

It also means when I want to lay a patio I can manhandle a 50lbs paver, or a cedar 4"x4"x12 to get the arbour built.

No one needs to do a recomp, so don't if you don't feel the need for it.
Establish your maintenance and keep up with being active. That will keep you at the fitness level you are at now.
Well done.

Cheers, h.

Recomp, Schmeecomp... lol

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