Body says Yes, mind says No.
_dancefloordevil_
Posts: 58 Member
My weight has averaged about the same number all through out my life. I feel it is just comfy there (is that even possible?). On and off I have taken off 15-20 pounds where I personally feel more comfortable but I have a hard time maintaining the loss (my weight goes back to it's "happy" spot and stays)
Now that I am getting *cough* Older *cough*, it is true what they say and it just doesn't budge even with a lot of coaxing.. ha ha.... I am interested in hearing some ideas to kick start, besides my usual calorie in/out and cardio routine that has worked in the past.
Ideas?
Now that I am getting *cough* Older *cough*, it is true what they say and it just doesn't budge even with a lot of coaxing.. ha ha.... I am interested in hearing some ideas to kick start, besides my usual calorie in/out and cardio routine that has worked in the past.
Ideas?
2
Replies
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You can't kick start weight loss, but you aren't doomed to stay at a certain weight either. It's up to you - decide what you prefer - a set of habits you are comfortable with, and a weight you are not so comfortable with, or a set of habits you are less comfortable with, but a weight you are more comfortable with. It's very simple (I didn't say easy): Maintaining a lower weight takes more effort, if you like eating better than running.9
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Me personally, I fluctuate between 225-270 depending on what time of year. It's a power thing, I want my lifts to move up and then cut back later and still retain some of the power. I have lost 50 lbs in 4 months before. I may change it up a bit, 8 small meals a day should kick the metabolism back in gear. Yes, I'm old (51) but it can be done.8
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Cant offer advice.
Its CICO nothing else really.you know it works so do what ya happy with.its got me back to my lightest adult weight with a bit of patience and effort.theres no magic fix.
Good luck0 -
I don't understand the need to kickstart a diet. When I hear this it makes me think people want to try some unsafe or unnecessary weight loss strategy that really only results in water loss, at most.
I have also lost 20 pounds a few times and regained it. But that was because I consumed more than I burned and I let old habits resurface. It sounds like you already know how cico works, so why not use that method again, but recognize which habits resulted in the weight gain.3 -
Kick start = just get started today.9
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I was 50 when I started on MFP more than four years ago. I set a calorie goal; I stuck to it; and the weight came off. I've continued to track my calories, and the weight has stayed off for four years. You can't go back to doing what you were doing when you were heavier and expect the weight to stay off. It's not that your body is "comfy" at the higher weight; it's that you're "comfy" living the life (calorie intake and activity level) that makes the higher weight your maintenance level.14
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The only way to lose those 15-20 pounds permanently is to change your habits in a way that's sustainable. That said, I know you said you were most comfortable at the lower weight, but focusing on recomposition rather than weight loss may change your body in a way that makes you even more happy and healthy. There are lots of threads floating around, but this website has a good rundown (if you don't mind some swearing): http://physiqonomics.com/body-recomposition/1
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lulalacroix wrote: »I don't understand the need to kickstart a diet. When I hear this it makes me think people want to try some unsafe or unnecessary weight loss strategy that really only results in water loss, at most.
I have also lost 20 pounds a few times and regained it. But that was because I consumed more than I burned and I let old habits resurface. It sounds like you already know how cico works, so why not use that method again, but recognize which habits resulted in the weight gain.MelanieCN77 wrote: »Kick start = just get started today.
Honestly, If I'm kickstarting a diet that I'm not starting today, I'm kickstarting it with a donut, some pizza and some couch time.4 -
stanmann571 wrote: »lulalacroix wrote: »I don't understand the need to kickstart a diet. When I hear this it makes me think people want to try some unsafe or unnecessary weight loss strategy that really only results in water loss, at most.
I have also lost 20 pounds a few times and regained it. But that was because I consumed more than I burned and I let old habits resurface. It sounds like you already know how cico works, so why not use that method again, but recognize which habits resulted in the weight gain.MelanieCN77 wrote: »Kick start = just get started today.
Honestly, If I'm kickstarting a diet that I'm not starting today, I'm kickstarting it with a donut, some pizza and some couch time.
Kickstart it by eating everything in the cupboards that might interfere with your diet tomorrow.11 -
I usually think that starting out by simply logging without calorie counting is fine. But if you're struggling to lose, counting calories as accurately as possible (meaning use a kitchen scale) is your best bet. The idea that it's harder to lose as you get older is false.5
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Thanks Zilla! that is exactly what I am asking (it is kinda hard to explain) ha ha...
I am not asking for unhealthy ideas, like I said I have been this weight which is considered "normal BMI" all of my adult life.
I am curious if
1. anyone else has a number on the scale that their body prefers and 2. if anyone has successfully broken through that weight in their late forties. (if so, how??)
I am not looking for fad type solutions. I have maintained the same weight (taking an extra 15 off here and there throughout), exercise daily and my diet is pretty clean and good just in general. My old tricks are just not working any longer.
PS: I track calories in/out daily and have for 20 plus years, I have maintained my weight by doing so.
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I'm happy at all body weights so far because I know what that weight means to me. It's not too hard to get to a certain weight for me, just hard to maintain. The diet to get there is not the same one to maintain it.2
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Your body doesn't "prefer" anything - you are more or less comfortable with a certain body weight and lifestyle.
I actually believed I was doomed to be fat for the rest of my life, when I just decided I was fed up and started eating less and moving more. I was 43, now I'm 47, and I've maintainined a healthy weight for three years now. I lost weight by eating less and moving more, like always, but I keep it off by eating what I like in moderate amounts, and being more active, instead of trying to eat "diet food" and exercise.
Clean eating is basically nonsense; unnecessary restrictions is not improving your diet.
There are no tricks. You have to eat less if you want to weigh less.6 -
If you're at a weight that you feel like you easily maintain, it's because it's a weight that is easily maintainable by your diet and activity level. Going below that weight will require you to get out of that comfort zone. That does not mean doing anything extreme or being uncomfortable forever but it does mean eating less than is naturally comfortable right now and/or being more active than comes naturally right now. Once you've done that for an extended period of time, your comfort zone will likely adjust to accommodate it.11
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I'm sloppy right now because of holidays but am going to switch to 8 meals a day and 2 workouts. Mostly grilled chicken breast and brown rice, protein shakes, vegi's when I can like spinach salad, no dressings. But hey, thats me.5
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If you're at a weight that you feel like you easily maintain, it's because it's a weight that is easily maintainable by your diet and activity level. Going below that weight will require you to get out of that comfort zone. That does not mean doing anything extreme or being uncomfortable forever but it does mean eating less than is naturally comfortable right now and/or being more active than comes naturally right now. Once you've done that for an extended period of time, your comfort zone will likely adjust to accommodate it.
^^^ Very nicely stated.
OP I hit 50 this coming year and I am 15 pounds heavier than my goal weight, working on body composition changes the past several years changed 'scale weight' or being a comfy specified weight. I have a comfortable range (body fat% wise), and not willing to go less as sustaining that (and at my age) is really not a healthy alternative for me.4 -
SO, I feel this is an opportunity to chime in. I have tried several approaches to kick starting weight loss and most recently I decided to stick with it. Throughout his journey that started in September, I have lost 30 pounds. The key for me is eating less and working out more. I have also read some interesting books that provided even more ideas. No Meat Athlete, Flat Belly Diet for Men, and Performance Nutrition for Runners have all provided help. I have avoided running for years until recently when I set some goals. I believe losing weight is all in our heads. We have to maintain mind over body and allow ourselves to control the destiny we set forth. I suggest trying whatever makes you happy and meets your desires. Age is a number that we have no control over, but how we look at a certain age depends on how we feel and how we care for ourselves. Good luck in your journey!!!!3
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My "happy" weight (where I usually maintained easily) was around 150 for years. I just decided one day that enough was enough and my husband recommended I try MFP. I was in my late 30s. I went down to 110, then hubby said that was too low and I ended up bouncing around a bit and my new "happy" weight is around 115-117. I no longer log my food. I do workout daily, a combination of cardio and strength. I have learned to eat smaller meals with more vegetables. I still eat treats. I have learned that I can have more control over my body and gain or lose when I decide to. The diet "to get there" has to be one that creates a calorie deficit. Eat enough protein and do strength exercises to maintain muscle. Don't create such a deficit that you can't fuel your body properly.7
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I used to think that my set point weight was around 140. When I was young, that was my high weight, when I was older, that was my low weight. I could lose weight, by dieting, but had a hard time maintaining any loss because I always went back to old eating habits. However, that changed in recent years. I am 61. Between maintaining a higher level of activity (I run 30-40 mpw) and logging my calories on MFP, I have stayed below 125 for the past year. I've been under 135 for 7 years. Eating out a lot less and exercising a lot more made the difference for me.4
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_dancefloordevil_ wrote: »My weight has averaged about the same number all through out my life. I feel it is just comfy there (is that even possible?). On and off I have taken off 15-20 pounds where I personally feel more comfortable but I have a hard time maintaining the loss (my weight goes back to it's "happy" spot and stays)
Now that I am getting *cough* Older *cough*, it is true what they say and it just doesn't budge even with a lot of coaxing.. ha ha.... I am interested in hearing some ideas to kick start, besides my usual calorie in/out and cardio routine that has worked in the past.
Ideas?
At some point in January, I will ease back into a net 1250 calorie intake. I've found it works better for me if I take about 3 days to ease into that. No kickstarting ... easing. So on a Monday of my choice I might net 1500 cal, on the Tuesday it might be 1400 cal, on the Wednesday it might be 1325 cal, and on the Thursday I'll be there with 1250 cal.
Prior to doing that, I will get rid of all the higher calorie foods that won't fit into a 1250 cal diet, and will make sure the cupboards and fridge are full of my delicious lower calorie choices. This isn't too difficult because I don't usually have a whole lot of higher calorie choices at home anyway.
I will also plan my day ... for me it helps to eat about every 1.5 hours. So January is a bit tricky in that for 2 weeks I'm not working as usual, I'm attending a course full-time. If I choose to ease back into things during those 2 weeks, I will probably have a day or so where I sort out what I can bring with me to the university and what I can get there, and so on.
This is all part of setting myself up for success.
And for me, exercise is an important part of it all. Sometimes I need to change what I'm doing ... add some time or distance or try something else for a while.1 -
kommodevaran wrote: »Your body doesn't "prefer" anything - you are more or less comfortable with a certain body weight and lifestyle.
I actually believed I was doomed to be fat for the rest of my life, when I just decided I was fed up and started eating less and moving more. I was 43, now I'm 47, and I've maintainined a healthy weight for three years now. I lost weight by eating less and moving more, like always, but I keep it off by eating what I like in moderate amounts, and being more active, instead of trying to eat "diet food" and exercise.
Clean eating is basically nonsense; unnecessary restrictions is not improving your diet.
There are no tricks. You have to eat less if you want to weigh less.
^ This! Exactly. Where were you when I needed you 20 years ago
perfectly said.
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OP, have you tried taking off just 5 pounds, and mantaining for several months, then 5 more, maintain, etc.? It might be that you have an average or low amount of body fat and it is just going to take longer. You need to spend time adjusting and solidifying your habits to deal with the new calorie intake at each stage. Unless you increase your workouts, then your calorie intake is going to be lower, if you are 15-20 lbs. lighter. (I'm sure you know that since you've been logging for 20 years). From what I've read on here, there are hormones that will fight back with deficits, and they are particularly strong when you don't have a lot of extra fat.1
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I'm 57 years old, and started MFP in May 2017. I lost 30 pounds and have maintained at that weight. The "secret diet" is accurate logging of the foods I like, incorporating more vegetables, decreasing consumption of high calorie foods like nuts (which used to be my go-to snack until I learned 10 cashews equal 150 calories), and eating desserts when I have enough calories left at the end of the day. My "secret exercise plan" was starting the Couch to 5K running program, going to Zumba and weight lifting classes at the gym, and eating back the extra exercise calories that I earned. True fact: I was at the same weight for years and thought that was my "set point". The reality was that I was just sticking to the habit of overeating at the same level all the time. I developed new habits with daily discipline and bam! Success.2
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