The Math is a Lie
Quote from Mayo Clinic Website:
"Your weight is a balancing act, but the equation is simple: If you eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight. Because 3,500 calories equals about 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) of fat, you need to burn 3,500 calories more than you take in to lose 1 pound. So if you cut 500 calories from your typical diet each day, you'd lose about 1 pound a week (500 calories x 7 days = 3,500 calories). It isn't quite this simple, however, and you usually lose a combination of fat, lean tissue and water. Also, because of changes that occur in the body as a result of weight loss, you may need to decrease calories further to continue weight loss."
Ok, with that as a foundation for my argument I would like to say that with the help of MFP and FitBit tracking my intake and movements in the last 30 days I have had over a 50,000 calorie deficiency. Using the math of 3500 calories equal 1 lb I should have lost about 14 pounds. Nope try more like 4lbs, udder frustration has set in. I'm glad I have lost the 4 lbs but feel cheated that all the hard work didn't add up to 14 lbs. Now the last part of the quote states that further decreases in calories might be needed for continued weight loss. SERIOUSLY!!! I don't think below 600 calories for any extended period of time is going to do anything but put me in the ER.
Now with that off my chest I will say, the next time I see/hear someone spouting the 3500 calories equals 1 lbs I'm calling BS
You are correct. It is a lot more complicated. A person who eats 1200 calories of protein is not going to lose the same amount as someone who eats 1200 calories of sugar or carbs.
I will stick with my 600-800 calories a day and 60+ grams of protein and stay away from as many carbs as possible. It is working so far so I am not going to try and fix what isn't broken right now.
Quote from Mayo Clinic Website:
"Your weight is a balancing act, but the equation is simple: If you eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight. Because 3,500 calories equals about 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) of fat, you need to burn 3,500 calories more than you take in to lose 1 pound. So if you cut 500 calories from your typical diet each day, you'd lose about 1 pound a week (500 calories x 7 days = 3,500 calories). It isn't quite this simple, however, and you usually lose a combination of fat, lean tissue and water. Also, because of changes that occur in the body as a result of weight loss, you may need to decrease calories further to continue weight loss."
Ok, with that as a foundation for my argument I would like to say that with the help of MFP and FitBit tracking my intake and movements in the last 30 days I have had over a 50,000 calorie deficiency. Using the math of 3500 calories equal 1 lb I should have lost about 14 pounds. Nope try more like 4lbs, udder frustration has set in. I'm glad I have lost the 4 lbs but feel cheated that all the hard work didn't add up to 14 lbs. Now the last part of the quote states that further decreases in calories might be needed for continued weight loss. SERIOUSLY!!! I don't think below 600 calories for any extended period of time is going to do anything but put me in the ER.
Now with that off my chest I will say, the next time I see/hear someone spouting the 3500 calories equals 1 lbs I'm calling BS
I get everything you are saying but if you think the rest of the article is on base,why not the less than 600 cal part making you lose weight? why would you end up in the ER? that might be exactly what you need to force your body to burn stored fat. If we are all different,and we are,it is entirely possible that you might have to eat 450 cals a day to force your body to lose.
This is actually what I am finding out. I have to eat ONLY dense protein,eggs and healthy fat to force my body to burn what I have stored all these years. My body,apparently is very protective and attached to my excess weight and DOES NOT want to let go ,no way ,no how.
I
realize you might have been venting and might have been posting totally facetiously,but it IS food for thought. GL
Quote from Mayo Clinic Website:
"Your weight is a balancing act, but the equation is simple: If you eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight. Because 3,500 calories equals about 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) of fat, you need to burn 3,500 calories more than you take in to lose 1 pound. So if you cut 500 calories from your typical diet each day, you'd lose about 1 pound a week (500 calories x 7 days = 3,500 calories). It isn't quite this simple, however, and you usually lose a combination of fat, lean tissue and water. Also, because of changes that occur in the body as a result of weight loss, you may need to decrease calories further to continue weight loss."
Ok, with that as a foundation for my argument I would like to say that with the help of MFP and FitBit tracking my intake and movements in the last 30 days I have had over a 50,000 calorie deficiency. Using the math of 3500 calories equal 1 lb I should have lost about 14 pounds. Nope try more like 4lbs, udder frustration has set in. I'm glad I have lost the 4 lbs but feel cheated that all the hard work didn't add up to 14 lbs. Now the last part of the quote states that further decreases in calories might be needed for continued weight loss. SERIOUSLY!!! I don't think below 600 calories for any extended period of time is going to do anything but put me in the ER.
Now with that off my chest I will say, the next time I see/hear someone spouting the 3500 calories equals 1 lbs I'm calling BS
I get everything you are saying but if you think the rest of the article is on base,why not the less than 600 cal part making you lose weight? why would you end up in the ER? that might be exactly what you need to force your body to burn stored fat. If we are all different,and we are,it is entirely possible that you might have to eat 450 cals a day to force your body to lose.
This is actually what I am finding out. I have to eat ONLY dense protein,eggs and healthy fat to force my body to burn what I have stored all these years. My body,apparently is very protective and attached to my excess weight and DOES NOT want to let go ,no way ,no how.
I
realize you might have been venting and might have been posting totally facetiously,but it IS food for thought. GL
So, if you're eating under 600 calories to lose the weight, what do you think will happen when you start eating 600 calories or more again? Or is she supposed to eat 450 calories a day for the rest of her life as a maintenance level?!?
I think when one gets all the weight off they want to lose,they will have to gradually start adding calories back till they get to the maintenance calories that let them maintain. it is the same principle as ny other amount of calories and maintenance. Whether it is 450 cals or 800 ,each of us has to find out how many additional calories will allow us to maintain and not lose or gain.
I obviously don't have a clue how many calories it will take her to maintain,do you?