HCB's Journal, 13 March 2014

Our minds are our worst enemies some times. You are smart to let your clothes be more of a determining factor than the scale. The scale can lie but our clothes do not! I read somewhere about how science has misled us in our quest for weight loss when they told us that you have to burn 3500 calories to lose a pound and vice versa to gain. But that is not true for everyone. Some of us can gain a pound on less, some with more. I know I am in the former camp, not the latter. So, even though there is an RDI out there that somebody can lose weight on, it isn't me. I have to eat less than some people in order to lose. Of course, I'm not saying I go to drastic measures and starve myself. But it just doesn't work when I do what "they" say I should, especially not as I get older. At any rate, if eating 1400 calories a day is not making the scale budge then perhaps you should experiment with a bit less. It's more the quality of the calories that counts for good nutrition anyway. It's worth a shot.  

Hey, HCB, I agree with both you and @Ev. 1400 is definitely not too much, especially with all you're doing with OTF, and all your progress. Keep it up and you'll see results. But I'll add a nod to what @Ev said, I know it sounds too low, but you might drop the calories a little more and just see what happens. One other idea, I cannot tell you how many people I've heard say that one high-carb day thrown in sort of jostles your metabolism back into action. You do, of course, gain that day, but then when you resume your standard routine the weight starts to come off. You might try it. 

Excellent workouts. It takes 2-4 months before you see the results muscle wise. For the longest time I still felt big even with the loss and seeing myself in a mirror. It just didn't register. What did it for me was a pair of jeans. I took them out of the dryer and shook them out and thought, who do these belong to? They were mine. It will happen. Just keep working it. 

Hey kiddo .. your mind and my mind need to take a long walk on a short pier don't they? Why DO we do that to ourselves?? As you commented on my journal - it's wrong. It was only one day and I'm so glad FS was here to help me think, vent, and get great support. It is indeed so frustrating knowing what is the 'right' RDI, isn't it? IF the FDA basis everything on 2000 cal a day ... why would, should we have to go lower? Maybe it's too low? I don't know. Maybe it's 'the thing' (carb, prot, fat, sugar,) that one person's body doesn't process over another. Crazy stuff. Glad we're all here to help each other get thru that 'trash talk' we do in our heads. 

I stalled at 1400 calories, but when I increased to 2000 I stayed the same, then I lowered it a bit and I'm losing again. However, not everyone works the same way. I'm not a believer that low-calorie guarantees weight loss, because of my experiences. The body gets used to the lower calories and if you're not eating enough, weight loss will stall. And if you're working out heavily, especially strength training and weightlifting, eating too little can hurt you - your muscles won't have enough nutrients to grow. Just wanted to share the other side of the topic ;) 

Give yourself a break! I am sure at some point you will see the rewards fro all your hard work. It has just got to happen.  

You are doing FABULOUS! It's so hard to get over our programmed ideas. Keep telling yourself you are fit and fabulous and soon your brain will think that. 

Well - you see I just raised my RDI about 100 calories because at lower calories I must not losing either. I raised it to accommodate the increased protein! I at at 1300 but dependent upon weighing and measuring, I probably sometimes get less and sometimes get more. 

HCB, I think the only thing you're missing is patience. It takes a while. --- ChristyLA. I did the same thing. Stalled at 2000 for a month, dropped to 1500 to lose the last few pounds because I felt that somehow 2000 was my new maintenance. I lost the last few pounds, went to 2300 for a week before I started my weight gain for weight liftin and at 2300 continued to lose weight. Has to be a metabolic reset of some sort. 

Northernmusician, yes, the body does better at higher calories because it doesn't think it's starving so it doesn't try to hold onto every ounce of body weight. At least, that's been my experience. Changing up the calories every so often helps. I used to think I had a slow metabolism because I couldn't lose at 1400 calories, way below my RDI, and now I'm losing at my RDI (1900 cal), so go figure! ;) I've been sick lately, so I haven't been eating as much as I should though, due to less of an appetite, but I know that will slow my metabolism, so I plan to go back up on my calories to just below my RDI after I'm feeling well. I wish more people knew that eating too few calories can stall weight loss and in some people can cause weight gain! I wouldn't have believed it myself until someone told me that I'll do better with weight loss if I keep my calories at around only 500 less than what I burn and to eat more protein. I tried it and they were right. So everyone should give it a try. The worst that could happen is you could gain a little weight, but that probably won't happen. Eating more frequently and eating more during the day keeps my metabolism going strong too. You don't want your body to think it's starving, which too few meals will do. Good luck, HCB and everyone. 

Wow! I just looked at your stats and saw how far you've come. Don't forget that! Sometimes when I'm really stressed about the act of losing itself, the stress hormones rev up and I don't lose - so just relax! It is a lifestyle just like you said. Have you ever read anything from Phinney and Volek about high fat/low carb? That is what is helping me now - they actually rec moderate protein and even have a book about high performance with this food plan. Anyway, I think it's interesting and just an FYI. Congrats on your progress so far! 

Phenomenal progress. I wish I could lose 48 pounds. I'm working with a nutritionist. She tells me to keep carbs under 20g at each meal (hard to accomplish) , fat under 50g for the day and protein at around 90-100. Drink plenty of water and try to boost exercise. congrats on your progress thus far.  

You don't lose weight based on your feelings, Thank God! Just start speaking positive thoughts, and EAT. You're RDI is going up, not down with all your activity and muscle development. You're doing a great job, keep it up! 

You are so right - how your clothes are fitting and the new shape your body is taking on is WAY more important than the number on the scale. I'm so glad you are still enjoying the gym and keeping up with workouts. Feeling strong and fit is amazing!  

The mind can be terribly nasty somedays and cloud your vision of what is really reflected in the mirror. So when these days hit close your eyes and ask yourself "do I feel healthier? Do I have more energy?" if the answer is yes then you have had success. (which all your buddies know you kick butt daily :). )