Weight Loss Forum / General Topics / May 2004
When does weight loss taper?
|
|
Thread rating:  |
Cp - 03 May 2004 14:10 GMT Well the subject says most of it but here's the details.
I have been eating healthy and well balanced for 5 weeks now. I've lost a total (as of this morning) 21lbs without exercise (aside from the daily errands and things). At first I wasn't concerned about the weight loss. I was elated and it was expected as this was such a radical change from my normal way of eating.
Here's the specifics on how that weight came off.
First week - 6lbs Second week - 3.5lbs Third week - 1.5lbs Fourth week - 4.5lbs Fifth week - 5.5lbs
I weigh myself every monday in my jammies after having gone to the bathroom and before I eat breakfast so the weight is consistent.
Is this normal... or were my eating habits just so horrible that healthy eating has caused the weight to literally melt off. Again, this is all without exercise (haven't been able to stick to a good routine therefor it never seems to get done). I'm eating within a 1300 - 1500 calorie range, carb ranges between 120g and 150g most days and presently weigh 246.5.
Bottom line... should I be concerned? I know that sudden rapid weigh loss is a symptom for lots of things. I am eating well but I honestly didn't think it would make that much of a difference. Could the anti-depressants I'm taking (celexa and clonazepam) be aiding in weight loss? Or is it just a case of I was eating so much garbage that when my body finally got a normal, healthy lifestyle it shed the excess that was being added/kept by the unhealthy lifestyle.
Thanks Cp
Jayjay - 03 May 2004 14:51 GMT >Well the subject says most of it but here's the details. > [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] >Thanks >Cp Garbage and junk food is generally very high in calorie... switching to a healthier eating and cutting calories is what does it.
Remeber, you could actually lose weight on 1300 cals of chocolate a day. You wouldn't be very satisfied and you probably would really feel like sh.t. But calories in vs. calories out.
Generally junk and garbage are high calorie, non satisfying foods, so you end up consuming a greater number of calories eating that way.
And, it could be that you are miscalculating your calorie consumption and actually consuming less as well, hence the large drop in weight.
Cp - 03 May 2004 20:07 GMT <extra post snipped>
Garbage and junk food is generally very high in calorie... switching
> to a healthier eating and cutting calories is what does it. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > And, it could be that you are miscalculating your calorie consumption > and actually consuming less as well, hence the large drop in weight. I do feel great eating healthier. I don't feel as sluggish and I definitely was eating tons of crappy food before.
I could be over calculating on some becuase there are times for instance about a week ago when I had a chicken cutlett. The calories for it were 207 for 4oz. When weighed, the piece I took was actually only 2oz but I ended up adding a tbsp of sour cream that I didn't log and called it even. So I think all in all I'm definitely eating between those numbers.
Ignoramus1563 - 03 May 2004 14:53 GMT > Well the subject says most of it but here's the details. > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > never seems to get done). I'm eating within a 1300 - 1500 calorie range, > carb ranges between 120g and 150g most days and presently weigh 246.5. Let's see, suppose that your maintenance calorie level is 11 calories per pound, that would be about 2700 calories. You are eating, say, 1400 calories, that leaves you with a 1,300 calorie deficit per day, or 9100 per week. That is about 3 lbs per week. Given the fudge factor in these calculations, your numbers are not unreasonable.
> Bottom line... should I be concerned? I know that sudden rapid weigh loss > is a symptom for lots of things. I am eating well but I honestly didn't > think it would make that much of a difference. I think that you are losing too fast, but, your weight loss is not "unexplained".
> Could the anti-depressants > I'm taking (celexa and clonazepam) be aiding in weight loss? Or is it just a > case of I was eating so much garbage that when my body finally got a normal, > healthy lifestyle it shed the excess that was being added/kept by the > unhealthy lifestyle. Sounds like the latter, although you may eat slightly more healthy stuff. Let's say, maybe add a fistful of nuts or something else along these lines, per day.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- @ @ @ Please forgive my typos as my right hand is injured. @ @ @ char*p="char*p=%c%s%c;main(){printf(p,34,p,34);}";main(){printf(p,34,p,34);} "It's never too late to have a happy childhood."
Cp - 03 May 2004 20:14 GMT > Let's see, suppose that your maintenance calorie level is 11 calories > per pound, that would be about 2700 calories. You are eating, say, > 1400 calories, that leaves you with a 1,300 calorie deficit per day, > or 9100 per week. That is about 3 lbs per week. Given the fudge factor > in these calculations, your numbers are not unreasonable.
> > Bottom line... should I be concerned? I know that sudden rapid weigh loss > > is a symptom for lots of things. I am eating well but I honestly didn't > > think it would make that much of a difference.
> I think that you are losing too fast, but, your weight loss is not > "unexplained". I guess when you put it that way... it makes sense :) I have just never lost at this rate before, then again... I have never overhauled my eating habits this way either.
> > Could the anti-depressants > > I'm taking (celexa and clonazepam) be aiding in weight loss? Or is it just a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > stuff. Let's say, maybe add a fistful of nuts or something else along > these lines, per day. I don't particularly like nuts. Also it's a cholesterol factor. I do eat lots of veggies and fruits though. I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm feel like I've had enough. That usually ends up to be 3 main meals a day starting at around 8am and finishing around 7pm. I find snacking in between throws off the balance of the meals so I tend to do without or I have a very small snack of a few strawberries, orange slices, cucumbers or something of that sort. I'm not at all concerned with what I'm eating or the quality of it. I am/was concerned that too rapid a weight loss was not healthy.
Ignoramus1563 - 03 May 2004 23:27 GMT >> In article <Cxrlc.4522$W%i1.2244@news01.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>, Cp > wrote: [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > lost at this rate before, then again... I have never overhauled my eating > habits this way either. You sound quite happy with your diet, which, I think, is a great sign.
>> > Could the anti-depressants >> > I'm taking (celexa and clonazepam) be aiding in weight loss? Or is it [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > I don't particularly like nuts. Also it's a cholesterol factor. I highly doubt that nuts could have a negative impact on your cholesterol.
Or you can eat an extra piece of salmon or whatever.
> I do eat lots of veggies and fruits though. I eat when I'm hungry > and stop when I'm feel like I've had enough. That usually ends up [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > I'm not at all concerned with what I'm eating or the quality of it. > I am/was concerned that too rapid a weight loss was not healthy. I guess, there is no urgency to change your diet then...
Congratulations, looks like you stumbled onto something that works well for y ou!
 Signature ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- @ @ @ Please forgive my typos as my right hand is injured. @ @ @ char*p="char*p=%c%s%c;main(){printf(p,34,p,34);}";main(){printf(p,34,p,34);} "It's never too late to have a happy childhood."
Cp - 04 May 2004 13:48 GMT > >> In article <Cxrlc.4522$W%i1.2244@news01.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>, Cp > > wrote: [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > You sound quite happy with your diet, which, I think, is a great sign. I am. It actually started as trying to eat healthier and not losing weight (although I did want that too) so I think it's a change that I will forever be able to keep. Because really all it consists of is eating healthy foods and cutting out junk. I allow myself junk if I want it, but I find that I never do want it. Like I said in another post, it's all about changing how you view food.
> > I don't particularly like nuts. Also it's a cholesterol factor. > > I highly doubt that nuts could have a negative impact on your > cholesterol. > > Or you can eat an extra piece of salmon or whatever. well see now therein lies a problem. I usually eat enough to feel like I've had enough. Adding food during the meal just isn't possible because then I feel like I've overstuffed myself.
> > I do eat lots of veggies and fruits though. I eat when I'm hungry > > and stop when I'm feel like I've had enough. That usually ends up [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Congratulations, looks like you stumbled onto something that works > well for y ou! No, I'm not at all worried about changing what I'm eating. I know I'm eating great for me. I did stumble into something that most people would call healthy eating and it's working for me. Like I described to my sister. I was constantly banging my head against the wall and suddenly I stopped and went "why am I hitting my head against a wall... it hurts" and I never went back to banging my head against the wall because I'm aware that it hurts and doesn't feel good.
and finally... THANKS!!! :)
Lictor - 04 May 2004 15:30 GMT > well see now therein lies a problem. I usually eat enough to feel like I've > had enough. Adding food during the meal just isn't possible because then I > feel like I've overstuffed myself. That's a major problem for me too ;) I have not been able to eat dessert for a while. I want to have one, but then, I'm not hungry anymore by the end of the meal. If I really really want to have a dessert, I have to be extra careful to eat little enough to stay hungry by the end of the meal. It's not as easy as it sounds, it often fails. lol Or I just start the meal with the dessert, and eat whatever I'm still hungry for after it - but I love sweet and sour food, so I don't mean eating stuff in the wrong order. At the beginning, I also had troubles with time of meals. Sometimes, I would not get hungry for lunch before 3pm or so. But this has switched to more normal hours on its own after a while.
Cp - 04 May 2004 16:11 GMT > > well see now therein lies a problem. I usually eat enough to feel like > I've [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > would not get hungry for lunch before 3pm or so. But this has switched to > more normal hours on its own after a while. That's exactly right again. I eat what I'm hungry for and usually that ends up with a lower calorie number than if I had planned to eat 1500. I don't want high calorie foods (because that's the only way I can see to up the calorie number without adding to the meal). My body doesn't crave it. It craves fruits, vegetables and lean cuts of meats. It craves the healthy nutrition. I used to be huge on sweets after dinner. I absolutely went crazy if I didn't have it. Then I got used to life without it and my body got rid of all the extra sugar I had (my blood levels have gone down from pre-diabetic to high normal range, and that was before complete removal of junk from my lifestyle). I don't miss it anymore. In fact, I find that I almost have to force myself to indulge (ex: the high tea party) because mentally my mind is screaming that it's not good for me.
Totally weird, totally new but I'm enjoying it.
Lictor - 05 May 2004 17:58 GMT > I don't > want high calorie foods (because that's the only way I can see to up the [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > pre-diabetic to high normal range, and that was before complete removal of > junk from my lifestyle). In my experience, cravings do switch on and off or go through cycles. A month ago, I was craving fruits, but this went off and I'm now eating a lot more nuts instead. Same with desserts, I didn't care for them at all a couple of months ago, but I have had a few of them since then. However, the good news is that as long as I stay tuned to my feelings, it doesn't seem to change much. The nuts didn't change my weight loss pattern, and never did the desserts. The surprise was that I actually could get satisfied with much less. Before, I would be worried about the dessert being too small and being hungry after it. However, lately, it has not been uncommon that I find myself not hungry anymore halfway through a dessert smaller than what I would have eaten before. As long as I don't force myself to eat "healthy" stuff on top of the dessert, it seems not to impact weight loss in a significant manner. Anyway, eating healthy is an average, if you eat 9 healthy meals out of 10, you're doing a lot better than most of the population. The desserts didn't impact my blood sugar much either. My A1c kept going down the whole time, so much that I was able to stop my medication. I guess the lost weight and extra exercise were enough to do most of the job.
Tara - 03 May 2004 15:47 GMT Cp, I am on Lexapro (A Celexa-ish med) and I notice my weight coming off faster than expected also. Considering that some SSRI's (anxiety/anti-depressant meds) make you weight loss resistant, I'm thanking my lucky stars. I think it's a combination of possibly the meds and definitely a decrease in calories. Congrats on the weight loss. If you're concerned about the rapid loss, I'd mention it to your physician.
Tara
Lictor - 03 May 2004 16:30 GMT > Cp, I am on Lexapro (A Celexa-ish med) and I notice my weight coming off > faster than expected also. Considering that some SSRI's > (anxiety/anti-depressant meds) make you weight loss resistant, I'm thanking > my lucky stars. These drugs often act very weirdly. Like, if you read the side effects, most of them can cause depression and anxiety. lol But serotonin based anti-depressant are sometimes used to cure eating disorders, like bulimia or hyperphagia. If some of your weight was due to compulsive eating, it's perfectly possible that the drug did help that condition and made losing weight easier.
Cp - 03 May 2004 20:28 GMT > > Cp, I am on Lexapro (A Celexa-ish med) and I notice my weight coming off > > faster than expected also. Considering that some SSRI's [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > compulsive eating, it's perfectly possible that the drug did help that > condition and made losing weight easier. It helped me eat to live and not live to eat. Food was no longer seemed like a good reward for a job well done. Relaxing is no longer automatically associated with cookies and tea. A good time no long needs a buffet next to it. I feel like the pills have definitely cleared my vision for all things including food. I disassociated a lot of things with food since I've been taking the pills. One is that I don't eat out of boredom or frustration anymore. I also don't see food as a reward for anything.
I knew the new attitude was going to help in making weight loss easier. I never expected the weight to drop so quickly though.
Lictor - 04 May 2004 08:59 GMT > It helped me eat to live and not live to eat. Food was no longer seemed > like a good reward for a job well done. Relaxing is no longer automatically [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > taking the pills. One is that I don't eat out of boredom or frustration > anymore. I also don't see food as a reward for anything. Yup. That's why they're prescribed to people with eating disorders, even if there is no visible anxiety or depression. The idea is that the eating disorder itself either masks anxiety or is part of a loop (I feel anxious/depressed-I need something to make me feel better-I eat-I feel guilty about eating-I'm depressed-I need something to make me feel better-and so on...). The medication helps break that loop. About half the people react well to them. It seems you're among that lucky half :)
> I knew the new attitude was going to help in making weight loss easier. I > never expected the weight to drop so quickly though. If you have a lot to lose, things can go pretty quickly at first. First week doesn't count (water loss), but even after that, things can move fast, especially if you're a man. I just did an attitude change (eating when hungry, stopping when not hungry anymore), and weight loss was pretty fast for the first weeks. Starting from the first week, I lost a weekly 5.5/2.5/1/8/2.5/3/4. So, some week, I lost pretty fast even though I don't think I was in severe caloric deficit (I don't count calories, but I was still eating calorie heavy stuff such as chocolate or French fries) and had more than enough proteins. However, during the last few weeks, I have been "stabilizing" at a 1.5-2lbs/week loss, which is just fine according to my nutritionnist. My theory is that if you're tuning to you body (listening to your hunger), it will allow for pretty fast weight loss for a few weeks because it feels that all that extra body fat makes it safe (% current body fat vs % target body fat is huge). After a while, the body doesn't feel it safe anymore, and keeps things quiet for a while. That's what happened to me, I have been on "slow" weight loss for close to a month, and it started right when I started feeling really tired. At that point, hunger did increase, especially at times of the day when I had very little hunger before (for instance, breakfast). I wonder if weight loss will increase again now that I feel less tired. The way you describe how the medication changed your behaviour, it's possible that you are indeed tuned exactly to your hunger. If so, you are maybe experiencing what I did with bursts of lost weight. I spent some time writing down what I was eating, and it seemed my calorie intake (calculated the following day, so I wasn't adjusting) while listening to hunger was around 900-1600 per day, which is a lot more irregular than what you would get on a calorie count approach. But even on the 900 cal days (which usually came after a high calorie day), I really didn't feel hungry for more.
Cp - 04 May 2004 14:10 GMT > > It helped me eat to live and not live to eat. Food was no longer seemed > > like a good reward for a job well done. Relaxing is no longer [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] > get on a calorie count approach. But even on the 900 cal days (which usually > came after a high calorie day), I really didn't feel hungry for more. That's kind of exactly how it seems to happen. I'm sure I should be eating at around 1500-1600 a day but most days (my meals are usually preplanned btw) it ends up being around the 1200-1400 mark. With that I am more than satisfied and don't feel like I could eat more. I am more than in tune with hunger. I'm also in tuned with cravings. Sometimes I see a chocolate bar and I say.. mmm, that would be good right about now but then my body suddenly gets a message loud and clear that it doesn't want any part of that chocolate bar. It would prefer a piece of fruit or something with some nutrition in it. About 2 weeks back I tried to eat some frosted flakes and found that the sugar on the flake actually burned my tongue (as well as tasting awful and processed). It's a whole new world for me. Last time I dieted/tried to change my lifestyle I found I struggled a great deal to keep my calories under 1500. Most days were closer to 1800 and they were filled with higher calorie foods. It was difficult to stick to. Now it feels more natural.
Lictor - 04 May 2004 15:26 GMT > With that I am more than satisfied and don't feel like I could eat more. I am more than in tune with
> hunger. I'm also in tuned with cravings. <snip>
> It's a whole new world for me. Last time I > dieted/tried to change my lifestyle I found I struggled a great deal to keep > my calories under 1500. Most days were closer to 1800 and they were filled > with higher calorie foods. It was difficult to stick to. Now it feels more > natural. Good, just stick with it :) If things work this way for you, and as long as they do, forget any dieting advice you might get. I mean, if things come this way naturally and work, it's no use trying to tweak things and risk losing touch with your feelings in the process.
Cp - 03 May 2004 20:19 GMT > Cp, I am on Lexapro (A Celexa-ish med) and I notice my weight coming off > faster than expected also. Considering that some SSRI's [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Tara Thanks for the congrats! I feel great. My doctor, as good as he is in all other areas, doesn't know much about nutrition. When I asked him at what calorie level I should be eating he said as low as possible, but not below 1000. Then he said when things get tough I should look to weight watchers for proper eating habits and to atkins for quick losses. He also mentioned something about 1 day fasting. I didn't pay much attention to that because frankly, I think I'm doing great and will continue with the healthy lifestyle.
I'm glad someone else has the experience with the pills. I think that it was the catalyst that set the whole healthy relationship with food attitude going.
Kasey - 03 May 2004 19:51 GMT How old are you? How tall? Male or female?
How much did you weigh when you started? How many pounds overweight were you?
People who are morbidly obese often lose weight very fast in the beginning of a new WOE. If you started at 300 pounds, a 21-pound loss in five weeks would not be cause for concern. Also, men tend to lose weight faster than women, and younger people tend to have faster metabolisms than older people.
But I agree about checking with your doctor, with whom you should be in regular contact anyway as you progress on your new WOE.
As always, YMMV.
Kasey 365/266/???
Cp - 03 May 2004 20:39 GMT > How old are you? How tall? Male or female? > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Kasey > 365/266/??? Congrats on the weight loss Kasey!!
In answer to your questions. I'm female. About to be 30 in 2 months time and I'm 5'4. I started at 267.5 this time around. I had been up to 275 in 2001. I lost 40lbs in about 6 months, gained back all but 10. Most of my adult life I've been in the 240 - 250 range. I guess I've almost always been considered morbidly obese in my adult life as according to charts I've been 100+lbs overweight for most of that (I was 240 by age 20).
See above post to Tara for my view on my doctor's opinions of nutrition. I am seeing him regularly for the anti depressants as well as for blood work (cholesterol, sugar).
Diane Nelson - 05 May 2004 01:24 GMT Cp,
You are very lucky to have a higher metabolism. I eat very little and gain weight doing it. I'm not active at all, but I'm trying to get active.
I just think thats great that your losing the way you are. All I can say is your very lucky!!
Congrats
Dianne
> Well the subject says most of it but here's the details. > [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > Thanks > Cp Cp - 05 May 2004 14:20 GMT > Cp, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Dianne Well thank you :) but I don't think it has to do with a high metabolism. I'm just doing what's right for me and I'm doing that by listening to what my body is telling me as well as choosing healthy choices. Examples, I choose fruits and veggies instead of junk food, whole grain breads, pasta and rice instead of white processed, I don't drink much else but water or skim milk. Little changes that seemed to have made a huge difference. Bottom line is it seems to be working so I'm sticking to it. Aside from the fact that I actually enjoy eating this way.
|
|
|