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When does weight loss taper?

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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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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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.
 
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