Losing 30lbs in 3-4 Months? Urgent Medical Reasons
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esmejay05
Posts: 8 Member
Hi, let me start by introducing myself!
My name is Esme and I am a long-time vegan, fitness lover and general weirdo. As a child, I was very overweight due to my abusive father force-feeding me. At age 16, even with my dad around, I managed to lose weight, get healthy and feel amazing. Fast forward a few years, and I'm pushing 20. Earlier this year, I grabbed my mom and we hatched a plan to escape from my dad, which we then did. After escaping, due to the inevitable PTSD I am now experiencing, I unfortunately gained 30lbs from bingeing. The bingeing is now under my command (it seems to have just stopped, somehow, and I am in control again) but there is a much more serious problem - I must lose weight, and fast.
Why? What's the rush? Well...
When I was about 13, I was diagnosed with a rare degenerative bone condition that results in the thinning and corrosion of bones over time. It's similar to osteoporosis, and it runs in my family, but I'm the youngest member to have been diagnosed with it so far. (I have lost 30% bone density since the age of - the doctor's estimate - about 9, and a further 5% between the ages of 13 and 16. This sounds crazy, but because bones are constantly TRYING to build themselves up, it isn't as simple as a plain loss). The degeneration seemed to have stopped when I lost weight at age 16, but because of the obvious lightness of my bones, my doctor told me to drop to a (seemingly shocking!) 80lbs. I'm 4'11", so while this is skinny, it isn't completely emaciated. It is also very carefully calculated due to the lightness of my bones, my resulting lack of muscle mass, and already incredibly thin frame (my wrists are as thin as a baby's!). It would be like a BMI of around 19 for most people. Anyway, after many boring and necessary (lol) tests, I was told to maintain this 80 lb weight for life. 75 lbs, even, if my bones were getting worse.
However, now I weigh 110 lbs, I've lost even more bone density, I have two stress fractures in my legs (they'll never heal, so surgery may be necessary!) and I am on an urgent quest to lose it. Normally this wouldn't really daunt me, because I could take my time and lose it as slowly or quickly as I wanted. HOWEVER. I can't. The doctors warn me that the longer I take, the worse my bones will get, yada yada yada. They want me to reach 80lbs in 4 months, ideally 3. I'm being carefully monitored re. my hormones, muscle mass, and so on, so really it's down to calories. I'm a trained nutritionist so I don't need any food advice, it's more about whether this is actually possible. I'm scared, really, because my bones are like glass.
Any tips, advice, help...would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. I am allowed to exercise, in case you were wondering! Running is off limits, but Zumba on soft carpeting, weight lifting, and cycling are all good options!
Thanks you guys!
My name is Esme and I am a long-time vegan, fitness lover and general weirdo. As a child, I was very overweight due to my abusive father force-feeding me. At age 16, even with my dad around, I managed to lose weight, get healthy and feel amazing. Fast forward a few years, and I'm pushing 20. Earlier this year, I grabbed my mom and we hatched a plan to escape from my dad, which we then did. After escaping, due to the inevitable PTSD I am now experiencing, I unfortunately gained 30lbs from bingeing. The bingeing is now under my command (it seems to have just stopped, somehow, and I am in control again) but there is a much more serious problem - I must lose weight, and fast.
Why? What's the rush? Well...
When I was about 13, I was diagnosed with a rare degenerative bone condition that results in the thinning and corrosion of bones over time. It's similar to osteoporosis, and it runs in my family, but I'm the youngest member to have been diagnosed with it so far. (I have lost 30% bone density since the age of - the doctor's estimate - about 9, and a further 5% between the ages of 13 and 16. This sounds crazy, but because bones are constantly TRYING to build themselves up, it isn't as simple as a plain loss). The degeneration seemed to have stopped when I lost weight at age 16, but because of the obvious lightness of my bones, my doctor told me to drop to a (seemingly shocking!) 80lbs. I'm 4'11", so while this is skinny, it isn't completely emaciated. It is also very carefully calculated due to the lightness of my bones, my resulting lack of muscle mass, and already incredibly thin frame (my wrists are as thin as a baby's!). It would be like a BMI of around 19 for most people. Anyway, after many boring and necessary (lol) tests, I was told to maintain this 80 lb weight for life. 75 lbs, even, if my bones were getting worse.
However, now I weigh 110 lbs, I've lost even more bone density, I have two stress fractures in my legs (they'll never heal, so surgery may be necessary!) and I am on an urgent quest to lose it. Normally this wouldn't really daunt me, because I could take my time and lose it as slowly or quickly as I wanted. HOWEVER. I can't. The doctors warn me that the longer I take, the worse my bones will get, yada yada yada. They want me to reach 80lbs in 4 months, ideally 3. I'm being carefully monitored re. my hormones, muscle mass, and so on, so really it's down to calories. I'm a trained nutritionist so I don't need any food advice, it's more about whether this is actually possible. I'm scared, really, because my bones are like glass.
Any tips, advice, help...would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. I am allowed to exercise, in case you were wondering! Running is off limits, but Zumba on soft carpeting, weight lifting, and cycling are all good options!
Thanks you guys!
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Replies
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Rate of weight loss is something they cover in nutrition classes, I know because I'm a student looking to become a certified nutritionist, so I'm not sure what you're looking for us to say..you know dipping under 1200 calories is risky because that's when most people start compromising nutrition, and since you're so thin you can't even safely lose one pound a week because that'd be dipping way below 1200 calories.
Are you sure you're getting enough calcium and vit D? Vegans are always at a higher risk of deficiency if they're not carefully planning and monitoring their intake.1 -
Of course losing 30 pounds in 3 months is possible. A better question is is it healthy. The answer for someone your height and weight is generally No.
However, since you have a complicated medical condition, this question should be put back to your medical team. Run the numbers for them and ask them if they really think it's a good idea for you to create that aggressive a deficit.15 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Of course losing 30 pounds in 3 months is possible. A better question is is it healthy. The answer for someone your height and weight is generally No.
However, since you have a complicated medical condition, this question should be put back to your medical team. Run the numbers for them and ask them if they really think it's a good idea for you to create that aggressive a deficit.
Very good reply, thanks! (Also, I love your profile pic. Kale has been my boyfriend substitute for many years hahaha).
I have spoken to my doc (specifically the head of my team, who likes us to call him 'Doctor Bones') and he directed me on here because whilst I'm trained in managing macros, micros and generally avoiding deficiencies (I was once put on a one-week 500 calorie diet to stop a stress fracture from running down my tibia like a ripped pantyhose, and he was shocked at how balanced my blood results were after the week was up! lol). He more sent me on here to find people to talk to about it, and discover how many calories to eat per day, because the calculators never seem to work for me (I once lost 16 lbs, non intentionally, from eating 1700 calories - I was 'supposed' to be maintaining!). Also for general support, because my family are not exactly the most helpful people - they think weighing 80 lbs is crazy and that I 'must be anorexic' or that (even worse) my doctor 'doesn't know what he's talking about' (he happens to be the head of the osteology department at one of the best hospitals in Paris). The struggle is real.0 -
Ashtoretet wrote: »Rate of weight loss is something they cover in nutrition classes, I know because I'm a student looking to become a certified nutritionist, so I'm not sure what you're looking for us to say..you know dipping under 1200 calories is risky because that's when most people start compromising nutrition, and since you're so thin you can't even safely lose one pound a week because that'd be dipping way below 1200 calories.
Are you sure you're getting enough calcium and vit D? Vegans are always at a higher risk of deficiency if they're not carefully planning and monitoring their intake.
I am getting enough calcium and bit D, don't worry! Thanks so much for çaring!
I'm actually considering eating around 1000 calories per day, because I'm trained in micro/macro management (sounds like some sort of office job lol) and I'm pretty good with a calculator. I'm just concerned that this won't allow me to lose weight. The annoying thing is that very few people support me, because I don't look overweight. They rarely take the time to hear that it's actually my doctor's orders, not some sort of 'ánorexic vanity kick' (as they like to suggest).
Sorry for any weird typos or circumflexes, I'm typing on a French keyboard.
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Why are you asking us this, and not your medical team?4
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What are your daily calories to maintain your current weight?0
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What were your latest Dexa results?
I'm shocked they said not to run as its the sole reason I started running.
I started running a decade ago and have less cracks and brakes. It also improved my bone density.
Did they not give you a diet plan to stick to?1 -
You were put on a 500 calorie diet to stop a fracture?
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RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »What were your latest Dexa results?
I'm shocked they said not to run as its the sole reason I started running.
I started running a decade ago and have less cracks and brakes. It also improved my bone density.
Did they not give you a diet plan to stick to?
My Dexa results (1 weeks ago) were -3.1 (AAAAAHH!!).
I am allowed to run, but not until my legs have healed (I literally have two massive splits in my tibiae bones).
Because I'm a qualified nutritionist (currently studying to be an RD, with not long to go! ) they know that I'm knowledgeable enough to handle my own dieting, the problem is, anxiety is making me freak out about it. I'm one of those people who longs to be healthy and fit and athletic, but I'm afraid my bones will give up on me before I get there again. 0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »What are your daily calories to maintain your current weight?
My maintenance cals are about 1800-ish.0 -
TavistockToad wrote: »Why are you asking us this, and not your medical team?
I'm asking you both, with insights from all sides! (The more info, the more power, the more health!)0 -
Well, roughly speaking, if you want to lose a pound you need a 3500 calorie deficit. 30 pounds in three months is roughly 2.5 pounds a week for 12 weeks, which is a daily deficit of 1250. If your maintenance calories are about 1800, then I would say the answer to your question is no, you can't lose 30 pounds in 12 weeks because I can't see any healthy way to survive that long on only 550 a day. Take it up to four months and you get 1.875 pounds a week for 16 weeks, at a 937.5 daily deficit. Assuming all my math is correct, that's 862.5 calories a day, which I'm thinking *might* be possible to do and maintain your health, but you'd abso-freaking-lutely want to be under medical supervision.7
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MegaMooseEsq wrote: »Well, roughly speaking, if you want to lose a pound you need a 3500 calorie deficit. 30 pounds in three months is roughly 2.5 pounds a week for 12 weeks, which is a daily deficit of 1250. If your maintenance calories are about 1800, then I would say the answer to your question is no, you can't lose 30 pounds in 12 weeks because I can't see any healthy way to survive that long on only 550 a day. Take it up to four months and you get 1.875 pounds a week for 16 weeks, at a 937.5 daily deficit. Assuming all my math is correct, that's 862.5 calories a day, which I'm thinking *might* be possible to do and maintain your health, but you'd abso-freaking-lutely want to be under medical supervision.
Thanks for doing the math @MegaMooseEsq!
@esmejay05 show this to your medical team and ask them if they REALLY want you to net 550 calories a day in order to lose 30 pounds in 12 weeks.
550 calories a day is a VLCD and per the Community Guidelines we're actually not allowed to support your doing this.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »MegaMooseEsq wrote: »Well, roughly speaking, if you want to lose a pound you need a 3500 calorie deficit. 30 pounds in three months is roughly 2.5 pounds a week for 12 weeks, which is a daily deficit of 1250. If your maintenance calories are about 1800, then I would say the answer to your question is no, you can't lose 30 pounds in 12 weeks because I can't see any healthy way to survive that long on only 550 a day. Take it up to four months and you get 1.875 pounds a week for 16 weeks, at a 937.5 daily deficit. Assuming all my math is correct, that's 862.5 calories a day, which I'm thinking *might* be possible to do and maintain your health, but you'd abso-freaking-lutely want to be under medical supervision.
Thanks for doing the math @MegaMooseEsq!
@esmejay05 show this to your medical team and ask them if they REALLY want you to net 550 calories a day in order to lose 30 pounds in 12 weeks.
550 calories a day is a VLCD and per the Community Guidelines we're actually not allowed to support your doing this.
THANKS for your help guys! I actually used to intern for a doc who specialised in VLCDs, and while very successful for the right people, I personally hate the idea for myself (I am only tiny, really!)1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Of course losing 30 pounds in 3 months is possible. A better question is is it healthy. The answer for someone your height and weight is generally No.
However, since you have a complicated medical condition, this question should be put back to your medical team. Run the numbers for them and ask them if they really think it's a good idea for you to create that aggressive a deficit.
What I was thinking. For that height, that weight loss gets into far below the diagnostic BMI for anorexia. I'm not saying the OP is anorexic, but I'm shocked that health care providers would want a patient that light for any reason when it's pretty well-documented that patients that underweight have poorer outcomes, and *certainly* have bone health issues.
Now I really want to know the name of this condition so I can do a PubMed search. Because to me, this is crazypants.
I'm not saying I don't believe the OP, but I'm giving it some serious side-eye that a physician would want the patient to be at a BMI of 16.2.
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RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »What were your latest Dexa results?
I'm shocked they said not to run as its the sole reason I started running.
I started running a decade ago and have less cracks and brakes. It also improved my bone density.
Did they not give you a diet plan to stick to?
While running for a younger person with risks of osteoporosis might be indicated, a higher-impact activity for someone with an advanced condition like the OP it would not be recommended.
That’s an inherent problem with exercise and osteoporosis—the loading required to effect meaningful changes can also cause injury. And if you don’t go to that level, it is likely it won’t have much effect.
The OP is describing an unusual and serious medical condition. I would advise everyone to exercise extreme caution before making judgements, making recommendations based on personal anecdotes , etc
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RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »What were your latest Dexa results?
I'm shocked they said not to run as its the sole reason I started running.
I started running a decade ago and have less cracks and brakes. It also improved my bone density.
Did they not give you a diet plan to stick to?
While running for a younger person with risks of osteoporosis might be indicated, a higher-impact activity for someone with an advanced condition like the OP it would not be recommended.
Truth. I mean, my bones aren't nearly as bad as the OP's. But I've got a stress fracture in my foot that is refusing to heal, and I've been outright forbidden from running until further notice. I'd never advise running with someone with an active stress fracture -- it doesn't take much to get them to go from stress, to full-fledged acute.
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All sorts of red flags here... Maybe things are different in France, but I'd expect that the medical team would be having you meet with a dietitian and setting you on a proper, and pre-determined meal plan or food list with specific instructions on portions and total calories to be consumed per day.
At nearly 20 years old, I doubt you, or any of us are nearly as "qualified" at that than a professional. We can offer emotional support and reassurance on some areas here, but really this needs to be advised by and monitored by medical staff.8
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