Can a job be too strenuous and inhibit weight loss goals/cause weight retention?
Replies
-
This sounds very high stress - yikes!
I agree with much of what others have said, but wanted to add something I didn't see in a skim-through: Especially If your fitbit model is one that uses heart rate in estimating calorie burn, and you're using it to guide calorie intake, it's just possible that the device is overestimating calorie burn. Stress can noticeably increase your heart rate, but the stress per se doesn't burn extra calories.
Best wishes as you work to adapt to your very demanding job, and find a weight loss formula that works for you!4 -
This sounds very high stress - yikes!
I agree with much of what others have said, but wanted to add something I didn't see in a skim-through: Especially If your fitbit model is one that uses heart rate in estimating calorie burn, and you're using it to guide calorie intake, it's just possible that the device is overestimating calorie burn. Stress can noticeably increase your heart rate, but the stress per se doesn't burn extra calories.
Best wishes as you work to adapt to your very demanding job, and find a weight loss formula that works for you!
THIS. I work an office job with very little physical movement, and my primary role is deal negotiation. During two very intense negotiations earlier this year, my deal phone calls registered as exercise on my FitBit due to elevated heartrate during the calls - I assure you, I was not doing lunges during my calls, LOL. You have to take your FitBit calculations with a grain of salt.6 -
cmriverside wrote: »Okay. Can you please open your Food Diary so we may be better able to help you?
Go to Food >Settings and scroll to the bottom and click "Public."
^This^
Also, are you using a food scale to measure your intake? If you are absolutely certain that you are intaking fewer calories than you are outputting, get thee to a doctor because there could be something wrong with you.
OR... You could be totally accidentally and good naturedly miscalculating your calorie inputs and outputs.3 -
You won't see much recently but if you look in January and Feb you'll see entries. I haven't been logging anything lately cause I haven't been tracking it, too much travel and such but it must be noted the point of discussion is about previous months and the whether or not my job could be physically demanding enough that maybe I am not eating *enough* calories compared to what I am burning in a day and/or possibly doing enough, especially with exercise, that I am over working my body thus not seeing any advances.13
-
justinejacksonm wrote: »You won't see much recently but if you look in January and Feb you'll see entries. I haven't been logging anything lately cause I haven't been tracking it, too much travel and such but it must be noted the point of discussion is about previous months and the whether or not my job could be physically demanding enough that maybe I am not eating *enough* calories compared to what I am burning in a day and/or possibly doing enough, especially with exercise, that I am over working my body thus not seeing any advances.
Honestly, I'm not really sure how to help you if you're not logging because we have no way of really knowing how much you are or aren't eating. Probably you're eating too much to lose weight because that's how it must be if you're not losing weight--barring having some undiagnosed medical condition that would cause this.
I understand that some people bandy about the term "starvation mode" as some kind of... magical... science-confounding *thing* that would cause someone to gain weight despite CI<CO... but it's simply not the case. Again, barring a legitimate medical condition, if you are burning more calories than you are consuming, you will lose weight. If you are not losing weight in the face of so much activity, it must be because you are eating more than you are burning OR you have a medical condition that's not been diagnosed.
I'm sorry. I know that's probably not what you want to hear.
ETA
So I did go back to January and February in your diary to see what was there. I see a lot of "Quick Add" calorie entries that I'm assuming are rough estimates you've done mentally. Also a lot of perfectly single-serving entries--exactly four ounces of chicken breast or exactly two tablespoons of peanut butter, etc. There's a few entries that look like maybe you put them in the recipe builder... or maybe you just searched for "tea with milk and sugar" and picked the first one... And, as you've mentioned, intermittent and inconsistent logging from day to day.
Regarding "quick add" calories and perfect serving sizes... There's a lot of room for error in those logs. The difference between a true single serving of peanut butter and what most people--not necessarily you--consider a single serving can be hundreds of calories. You could really tighten up your logging on these items with a food scale and "gram" entries in the database. Using volumetric measurements like cups for things like cottage cheese or oatmeal will surely result in errors, as well.
As for the entries that look like someone built them in the recipe builder--did you build those and log them? Is your "savory oatmeal bowl with egg" something you built for yourself.. or something you searched for and thought it seemed close enough? If it's someone else's entry and you can't see exactly how much of what was put in it, I would not recommend using it on a regular basis. If it's YOUR entry, I would recommend that you are making your foods consistently and measuring them with a food scale. It does no good to log a "cup of coffee" today that isn't the same as yesterday's entry.
I hope this helps. When I first started logging, I made a lot of the same mistakes until someone else pointed out that it did me no good to count calories if the calories I was counting weren't accurate.14 -
I found some entries in January. The first one that jumped out at me was the potato. You logged a medium potato three days in a row. They do vary in size.
Lots of unweighed items. You need to use a food scale. That will help nail down your actual intake.8 -
justinejacksonm wrote: »it must be noted the point of discussion is about previous months and the whether or not my job could be physically demanding enough that maybe I am not eating *enough* calories compared to what I am burning in a day and/or possibly doing enough, especially with exercise, that I am over working my body thus not seeing any advances.
No. You can’t gain weight from eating too few calories.
10 -
Definitely get a food scale (lots of decent ones for fairly cheap on Amazon) and start weighing things to the gram, or at least the tenth of an oz if there's not a gram entry.
I finally got a food scale this past winter - some of the things were really revealing. What I thought of as a TBS of butter, was often quite a bit more once I weighed it. Some things I could eat a lot more of (veggies especially, but even some meats), but a lot of the higher-calorie dense foods I was finding were waaaay off.
Also, don't forget to add in any extras such as a sauce, or dressing, perhaps a glass of wine, etc. Packages are a nice guideline, but if you're using portions of a package, without weighing them yourself, you may be very off - that was another one that kind of blew me away when I started weighing foods!4 -
you dont gain weight from not eating enough. stress can hinder weight loss to a point but you still need a calorie deficit. and yes its easy to eat more than you think when you dont log and weigh. I learned that the hard way. I started gaining the weight I lost back. once I started weighing all my food I realized I was eating more than a serving of most foods.
I also learned anything packaged can be off by up to 20% per serving. its eye opening for sure when you weigh what you are currently eating and its more than you thought you were. If you are burning more than you are taking in you would be in a deficit and you would be losing no doubt about it. sure being stressed and increased cortisol could make it a little harder to lose at a rate than if you werent stressed maybe, but its not going to cause you to gain weight.4 -
Stuff like cup of tea, are recipes I created that I prepare in consistently the same way, and yes I do measure specifically with tsp, tbsp, etc. Stuff like chicken and meat I put on my food scale, the same for when I portion out my snack baggies of nuts. With those I scan the bar codes on the package and measure out to the serving sizes on them.
As for the imported recipes, should it make a difference if they were prepared and portioned out exactly as the recipe describes? If a recipe called for a certain list of ingredients and they were measured out per directions how would that change an entry if I plugged in the exact portion/serving size that I ate of that meal?
I just don't understand. If I am already with a goal of 1500 cals per day and that's probably not enough with my level of activity and then often a few calories below that how much SHOULD I eat? 800 calories a day? Not to mention it is helpful in the beginning for beginners who have no idea about portion sizes to measure every thing but it is not a sustainable lifestyle. Not to compare though I will... if you watch the Fitness Blender videos, Kelli emphasizes how much she eats a day (granted I am sure she is more active making workout videos all day) she also states how the goal is to eat healthily.
SO yes, some things are estimated like if I go out to eat and I do not know the exact weight of the piece of chicken, etc. But many things I use, I make one time entries for that I can go back to and make them the same way, when I do. If I add something or leave something out, I make a new one differentiating. I need to go back and look cause I don't see myself as eating a potato 3 days in a row. I may eat a breakfast bowl that used a potato as one of the ingredients... which date specifically did you see that?8 -
justinejacksonm wrote: »Ok so this is the THIRD time I am attempting to create this post...they keep disappearing.
I started working at an Amazon fullfillment centre in October, psyched that the physical work will actually BOOST my weight loss efforts and have since gained about 15-20 lbs. That is not to say there hasn't been any slacking off or badness on account of holidays, travel, or lack of exercise. But it's definitely a thing and that is why I am here, hopefully for some feedback.
I work 10 hours 4 days a week and it-is-tough. Some days are easier than others but at Christmas mandatory overtime had me working from 7:30am-7pm 4 days a week. It isn't unusual to have stretches or time in my day when my Fitbit says I am in a heart rate zone of 95-115 while I am schlepping (or trying to) ridiculously big boxes in and out of my PIT (powered industrial truck) and into or out of really small bin spaces. Oftentimes the stress and pace kick into high gear if I have to pick and unbox say 30 items, break down the boxes, and do it fast cause there is someone behind me waiting to get by or work in that same spot.
We are monitored like germs under a microscope every minute of our day. There is always someone standing around watching us, waiting to catch people slip up and make a mistake so they can scan our badges and yell at us. If you make more than 2 mistakes per 1500 units, each one is flagged in the system and the manager gets a report and they will retrain you. There is little organization or communication so while we are being timed and tracked for time off task between scans, it is not unlikely that you are trying to stow items and have nowhere to go with them. Either you can't find available space or where you THINK it would go won't accept it, so you have to drive back to have someone look it up. Again, it's all pressure, all day, cause the system does not tell us where to stow items but it WILL tell us it won't go somewhere and then tell the manager every time we tried scanning to the wrong location or bins that have reached their maximum ASIN limit.
Diversion there, sorry, but it may not be clear what the nature of the work is or what kind of stress.
In short, I stand all day and do very physical work. I have bruises all over my legs on a weekly basis trying to handle boxes bigger than me, up to 50lbs. and move them in and out of really small, awkward spaces. On New Year's Eve I realized I was in trouble when I looked in the mirror at a party and saw *just* how much weight I had put on. I started fresh with a dedicated workout plan and eating right. Very right, Tracking EVERYTHING until about Valentine's Day when we went away on a trip. I kinda maintained some discipline but have fallen off track and gained back the 2 or so pounds it took almost 2 months to take off, plus some, I'm sure.
Here's the thing and what I am really here to ask. When I get done work, I am EXHAUSTED. My feet are killing me, my back is tight and sore, my legs ache from my ankles to my hips and now even when I try to force myself into working out when I get home at 7pm, I can barely muscle through. My muscles are so tight and weak from working all day I lack the flexibility and strength I used to have. I am absolutely fatigued and my body feels beat the hell up.
It seems, in theory, I would be getting in better shape doing this kind of work and I am wondering if it is possible that (like over training) it is just TOO MUCH hard work and it is putting a strain on my body. Could it so and if so, could that be causing my body to retain weight/water? Could the stress be a culprit maybe a combination of the above?
Is it too much on my body to push myself to force myself even when I am dead tired at night to work out, too, on top of my long day? My Fitbit and MFP are linked and it rarely shows an increased calorie need during my day although my body says the complete obvious. I try to listen to what they are telling my I need, calorie wise, but I am starving. By 9:30am I've burned off my breakfast and can't wait to eat. Headachey, etc. By lunch I am ravenous, I eat a small snack at 3:45 and by the time I leave I am starving for dinner and often jump right into working out THEN eating and showering and bed finally, by 10:30-11pm.
I do not just eat anything despite my hunger. I pack nutritious and portioned foods. I COULD eat more but I don't.
Could my job be killing my health and overworking my body??
You mentioned that your feet hurt. I work long hours in a distribution center lifting heavy boxes all day too. I feel your pain. My advice for your feet is to never wear the same pair of shoes 2 days in a row. I have been alternating my shoes for the last 2 months and they no longer hurt. As for losing weight just make sure you're logging accurately.3 -
It's 4 days a week. Depending on what you do the rest of the week, you could wipe out your deficit.
That being said, I'm not sure what the science is, but stress is said to hinder weight loss. From your posts though, it seems you just haven't stuck to it long enough and have been derailed too much... I mean, you started over on Feb 14th, then fell off track going on vacations... it seems you just haven't actually tried.
Log everything for a month, as accurately as possible, and come again then if you still haven't lost weight.10 -
justinejacksonm wrote: »Stuff like cup of tea, are recipes I created that I prepare in consistently the same way, and yes I do measure specifically with tsp, tbsp, etc. Stuff like chicken and meat I put on my food scale, the same for when I portion out my snack baggies of nuts. With those I scan the bar codes on the package and measure out to the serving sizes on them.
Do not use volumetric measurements. Use scale measurements in grams only. Yes, specifically measuring in grams matters. There's a big difference between a scant tablespoon and a heaping tablespoon.As for the imported recipes, should it make a difference if they were prepared and portioned out exactly as the recipe describes? If a recipe called for a certain list of ingredients and they were measured out per directions how would that change an entry if I plugged in the exact portion/serving size that I ate of that meal?
If you are using a scale and accurately measuring, it should not matter. However, since you are having problems, it seems unlikely that there's accurate measuring going on here. Additionally, my "chicken soup with peas" might be radically different than your "chicken soup with peas." Maybe mine is cream based, maybe yours has a lot of butter, etc.I just don't understand. If I am already with a goal of 1500 cals per day and that's probably not enough with my level of activity and then often a few calories below that how much SHOULD I eat? 800 calories a day? Not to mention it is helpful in the beginning for beginners who have no idea about portion sizes to measure every thing but it is not a sustainable lifestyle. Not to compare though I will... if you watch the Fitness Blender videos, Kelli emphasizes how much she eats a day (granted I am sure she is more active making workout videos all day) she also states how the goal is to eat healthily.
No. As I said before, it is unlikely that you are only eating 1500 calories a day, if you estimate you are burning at least 1500 calories a day. See the example before about logging "one medium potato." How much did that potato weigh? Did it weigh the same three days in a row? Where do you find such consistently sized potatoes that each one for three days in a row accounted to 110 calories each? I understand that you don't understand. I am trying to help you.
You said you're having a hard time losing weight. I've given you suggestions how you might have an easier time losing weight. I'm sorry you don't find using a kitchen scale sustainable. I've been logging for... 1890 days. My diary entries are consistent with what happens to my body--too many calories, I gain; too few, I lose. I have not found it unsustainable to use a kitchen scale to achieve my goals. But you've got to do you. You can keep being frustrated with your lack of progress, continue to not understand why you're not meeting your weight loss goal, and keep beating your head against the wall about it if you like. That's fine. I'm just trying to tell you why. Take it or leave it.SO yes, some things are estimated like if I go out to eat and I do not know the exact weight of the piece of chicken, etc. But many things I use, I make one time entries for that I can go back to and make them the same way, when I do. If I add something or leave something out, I make a new one differentiating. I need to go back and look cause I don't see myself as eating a potato 3 days in a row. I may eat a breakfast bowl that used a potato as one of the ingredients... which date specifically did you see that?
It's fine to estimate sometimes. But if you're estimating a lot and simply not logging the rest, you're going to have a bad time and be left with a lot of confusion, as you are now.
I'm sorry. I'm not going to go back through your diary again to find those specific examples. They were literally just examples meant to be indicative of overall inaccurate logging.13 -
justinejacksonm wrote: »Stuff like cup of tea, are recipes I created that I prepare in consistently the same way, and yes I do measure specifically with tsp, tbsp, etc. Stuff like chicken and meat I put on my food scale, the same for when I portion out my snack baggies of nuts. With those I scan the bar codes on the package and measure out to the serving sizes on them.
As for the imported recipes, should it make a difference if they were prepared and portioned out exactly as the recipe describes? If a recipe called for a certain list of ingredients and they were measured out per directions how would that change an entry if I plugged in the exact portion/serving size that I ate of that meal?
I just don't understand. If I am already with a goal of 1500 cals per day and that's probably not enough with my level of activity and then often a few calories below that how much SHOULD I eat? 800 calories a day? Not to mention it is helpful in the beginning for beginners who have no idea about portion sizes to measure every thing but it is not a sustainable lifestyle. Not to compare though I will... if you watch the Fitness Blender videos, Kelli emphasizes how much she eats a day (granted I am sure she is more active making workout videos all day) she also states how the goal is to eat healthily.
SO yes, some things are estimated like if I go out to eat and I do not know the exact weight of the piece of chicken, etc. But many things I use, I make one time entries for that I can go back to and make them the same way, when I do. If I add something or leave something out, I make a new one differentiating. I need to go back and look cause I don't see myself as eating a potato 3 days in a row. I may eat a breakfast bowl that used a potato as one of the ingredients... which date specifically did you see that?
the items you scan the entry can be off too,which is why its best to weigh and cross reference with the package to make sure the entry is correct. as for tbsp and tsp ,for solids or semi solids use grams on a scale. if it says for example 28g or 10 almonds. put the almonds on the scale and weigh til you get 28g. 10 almonds can be more that 28g. meats should be weighed raw unless you can find a correct entry for it cooked how you cooked it.
I also noticed that when making recipes its best to make sure that the entries for the ingredients you use are correct as again many of those are not. as for eating healthy its doesnt matter for weight loss,if you are not eating in a deficit. maybe kelli isnt trying to lose weight though? (Im a fitness blender fan as well). eating healthy is for healthy,even eating healthy foods if you eat too much you can gain weight. I know I did.4 -
Just by the the items you listed originally, you could be over 1500 for sure. I eat 1400 sometimes and there's no way I could randomly fit in unmeasured nuts or TWO of anything for breakfast.3
-
It sounds like you get plenty of exercise at work. I would use extra time for meal planning and prep, and prioritize sleep.7
-
justinejacksonm wrote: »
Hello fellow worker. I don't work at Amazon, but I have had times of stress in my job before.
To your question, which I believe is to the bolded (I bolded 'Use a scale'), I use a scale at work and occasionally use it to weigh mixed nuts. When I describe it, I say "14 grams", not "a little bag". It is merely that SteamPug only knew what you'd written, and you'd written an imprecise phrase.7 -
-
I work full-time 12 hour shifts as a neonatal intensive care nurse, which is pretty stressful and can be physically demanding. On days I work I rarely do any extra physical activity or training as I feel I get enough at work. If however I do have a quiet day I will do some walking during one of my breaks. I keep my exercise/workouts for the days I don't work. For aching legs and feet make sure that you have footwear that gives you good support and consider using support tights. I weigh and log all my food to make sure that I am not underestimating my calorie intake and don't eat back all my exercise calories. By doing this I have had good consistent weight loss since November. So no, I don't think it is stress that is causing your weight gain. Maybe revisit your settings to make sure they are correct for you and pay strict attention to weighing and logging everything.4
-
If you're using your real name and photo to complain about your employer on the world wide web, reconsider. Meanwhile, you've gotten some great advice here.13
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.2K Introduce Yourself
- 43.4K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 386 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 895 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.2K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions