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After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight

nytimes.com

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Re: After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight

#251

Post by rnovak »

TearsInTheRain wrote: post #204
rnovak wrote: post #183

Now, here's my opinion, and I know it might be wrong. Anyone, please feel free to correct me, but: Everything I've read suggests that 1lb muscle requires about 50 calories a day to maintain. The workout programs these contestants are using are focused solely on cardio, or very heavily focused on cardio. If as part of the 239lb weight loss, Mr Cahill lost 8lbs-10lbs of muscle (and never regained it), there's your enti…

They mentioned that they have a lower metabolic rate than someone of the same size. I doubt they have less muscle than the average person at their weight

From his picture from the biggest loser, he looks a lot different at 191lbs and 5'11" than I do at 195lbs and 5'11".

With as much cardio as they did, with as little as they ate, I can easily see them having a different body composition than someone else of their height/weight.

Re: After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight

#252

Post by stonemetal »

mjlangiii wrote: post #248
AnthonyMouse wrote: post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I stopped listening to medical practitioners and starting experimenting with the foods I ate, using pairs testing with a glucose monitor. I sometimes wonder if the state of medical ethics is killing us. We've made it so expensive to do a medical study that nobody is going to do it unless the end result is something they can sell, so the only "solutions" we get are drugs because there is no money to be made in presc…

We don't need more research to answer most questions on what to eat - eating real food, namely plants, prevents diabetes, atherosclerosis, etc. When doctors do tell people to eat plants people usually don't listen. I think Doctors need to be better trained, Americans need to completely rethink nutrition and health (I can't speak for other countries), government needs to help inform people, and laws about marketing fo…

potatoes and corn are plants, both of which cause enough of an insulin spike to be worrisome. Just eat plants isn't a good enough answer.

Re: After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight

#253

Post by tormeh »

nsxwolf wrote: post #197
CaptSpify wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Although this may work for some people, it definitely won't work for me, and many others. I constantly get "cravings" which, AFAICT, are indistinguishable from hunger. I have to consciously add up my calories to know if I've been eating too much. If I was to "listen to my body", I would overeat constantly.

Agreed. I never eat when I'm not hungry. I can't imagine doing that. I'd suspect a real eating disorder if I were forcing myself to eat.

I think the idea is to not eat because it feels good or because you've got to finish your meal, but only because you're hungry.

Says I, who just completed my meal even though it was slightly painful....

Re: After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight

#254

Post by rnovak »

rayiner wrote: post #194
rnovak wrote: post #183

Now, here's my opinion, and I know it might be wrong. Anyone, please feel free to correct me, but: Everything I've read suggests that 1lb muscle requires about 50 calories a day to maintain. The workout programs these contestants are using are focused solely on cardio, or very heavily focused on cardio. If as part of the 239lb weight loss, Mr Cahill lost 8lbs-10lbs of muscle (and never regained it), there's your enti…

Muscle burning 50 calories a day is a myth. Gaining 20 pounds of muscle adds 80-100 calories to your RMR for a typical person: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/16/health/la-he-fitness... .

Thanks for the correction. I will point out that the article does indicate that there is some type of difference, so I would still think that such a loss would have some sort of impact (though obviously not ~400-500 calories worth).

Re: After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight

#255

Post by ck2 »

Well of course they did.

That show had them losing a POUND PER DAY - that's insane.

You'll never be able to maintain that kind of metabolism and calorie burn, it would be a full time job and then some.

I spent the last year losing a pound per week and that was challenging enough.

I still can't touch more than 2000 calories per day or I will gain weight and I run every morning.

Re: After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight

#256

Post by richmt »

ThrustVectoring wrote: post #239
richmt wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about feeling tired/lethargic during the time in which you fast? Also, can your body really efficiently utilize all of the micro/macro nutrients it needs in a day when it's handed them all at once? I agree that IF can be a good little mental trick for a quick cut, but I'm skeptical on one meal a day for a life time and if there's any negative effects that could come up.

You've got the energy levels and eating relationship reversed. Over the short run, digestion uses a lot of energy and generally does not give super quick results. Especially if you're eating cleaner food (vs giant piles of sugar etc). The more involved answer involves talking about the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (SNS vs PSNS). The SNS is activated when doing things like going for a run, focusing…

I'm more curious about the second question I raised. I've read stuff before saying x grams of protein can't be absorbed when consumed in one meal. I've heard differing claims, some saying it's a myth, but I would imagine it's possible.

Re: After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight

#257

Post by metasean »

sageabilly wrote: post #227
sdoering wrote: post #223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I second this. Sadly I am up about 35 pounds from when I hit bottom. Sugar-addiction, at least for me, is harder to beat then smoking. I am able to go without sugar for one to two weeks and then it hits me and I binge on chocolate again. Hope to find the strength to restart my efforts. Does any of you have helpful suggestions?

Remember that relapse is part of recovery. Fall down seven, get up eight. Corny, but it got me through my hard times (and still does!) DO NOT HAVE CHOCOLATE IN YOUR HOUSE. Ever. Even shitty chocolate. Even someone else's chocolate. If you know you'll binge on it, get rid of it. Remember that chocolate will exist today, tomorrow, next week, next year. There will be a time in your life when you can eat chocolate again.…

I actually had a friend who successfully resolved cravings in a completely different way - she'd binge on the food she craved until she'd never ever crave it again. I've never been able to bring myself to try her approach, but it worked for her.

Re: After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight

#258

Post by ck2 »

nicolas_t wrote: post #36

And I'm in the second week of the Fast 5/2 diet. Not very encouraging to read this. Problem though is that I have to diet, my triglycerides are off the chart, my LDL cholesterol too and my fasting blood sugar are at the limit.... Hope I can keep my weight off somehow later.

Not sure what "Fast 5/2" is but if you are losing more than a pound a week (maybe two) it's going to be impossible maintain it because it won't feel natural and your calorie craving is going to rush right back.

Those poor people were manipulated into losing a pound PER DAY which is insane. I cannot even fathom that.

Take your time, schedule a year, and see what you can do. Be patient and persistent. Change your lifestyle/habits, try to keep busy instead of eating. Worked for me. Not easy but doable.

Re: After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight

#259

Post by ck2 »

HardDaysKnight wrote: post #228
proglodyte wrote: post #116

It seems like exposing your body to colder temperatures is a sure-fire way to increase your metabolism: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/01/does-glo... May be a little uncomfortable, but way better than screwing up your metabolism via extreme dieting. I'm consistently perplexed as to why the ice-vest-under-the-clothes weight loss method hasn't taken off yet.

Interesting. I read in Body By Science (McGuff) that drinking two liters of ice water a day will force your body to burn an additional 125 calories to maintain core temperature. I know that since I've been following the weight-lifting protocol advocated by McGuff that my ability (and desire!) to sleep without covers, and skip wearing a coat in cooler weather, has increased.

cold, heavy breathing, all silliness because you won't be able to maintain the lifestyle

find changes you can live with to shave 400-500 calories per day and each week you'll lose one pound which is a reasonable method that can be maintained

Re: After ‘The Biggest Loser,’ Their Bodies Fought to Regain Weight

#260

Post by ck2 »

utternerd wrote: post #187
kefka wrote: post #104

Well, I'd say that the endocrine reason sounds like a valid one. I can at least be counted in that group. Last December, I was diagnosed with T2 diabetes. After talking with a researcher about this (have worked with diabetes research school locally due to job), I came across a few things: 1. Damage is done to the pancreas at 140mg/dL 2. Too long at 140mg/dL or above can cause permanent damage to the pancreas. 3. Earl…

I came here to say very similar to what you're saying. I'm down 50 pounds in a little over a year after being obese my entire life, with very minimal exercise (I walk to and from work, about 3 miles a day, but only walking) but weight-loss and slimming has accelerated greatly after cutting out carbs and sugars, which wasn't as painful as it seemed - replacing carb-rich noodles with Zucchini or Spaghetti Squash is ama…

you did it right - pound per week - it's a lifestyle change you'll be able to maintain

just shave 400-500 calories per day and sure enough, each week on average you'll lose a pound

hmm spaghetti squash, I'll have to try that

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