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This report in the New York Times is something we should all read -- see
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/health/biggest-loser-weight-loss.html?_r=0
If the link doesn't come out right, just google "New York Times Biggest Losers News" -- and you will get the full article.
It's a very scary piece about a six-year followup study of winners of the Biggest Loser, who have gained back much of the weight they lost on the show. The study shows that people who lose all that weight end up with slower metabolism than when they started, meaning that they must eat several hundred calories less than other people of their size in order to keep the weight off. They show reduced levels of leptin, the hormone that keeps us from being hungry AND higher levels of the hormone that makes us feel hungry.
One missing piece in this article is that there is no discussion of the possible impact of the fact that these folks all lost the weight very very quickly -- some at the rate of one pound per day, and indeed, the Biggest Loser program encourages this rapid weight loss. By contrast, I've lost at the rate of 3-5 pounds per month. I'm hoping that is some protection again the regain factor, but I think this article may explain why I have struggled recently with feeling hungry and have had to increase the number of calories I'm eating per day -- from 1350, my original RDI -- to about 1500. I have continued to lose slowly, I think because my activity level has increased significantly. And of course, could be that the reason I was hungry was more activity and too big a deficit every day. The Biggest Loser contestants sometimes shoot for a 3500 calorie per day deficit, so they exercise as much as 9 hours per day.
Anyway, it's interesting reading, especially for those of us who have been on this struggle against obesity our whole lives. Once I get to goal, which will probably be in October, I'm going to really monitor my maintenance process and consider seeing an endocrinologist if it seems like I'm having trouble. I am NOT going to gain this weight back. I'm just too darn old to try to do this again.
Diet Calendar Entry for 03 May 2016:
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1428 kcal
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Fat: 39.37g | Prot: 82.89g | Carb: 201.33g.
Breakfast: Blueberries, Cabot Cheddar Cheese Slices, Whole Foods Market Turbinado Raw Sugar, Milk (Nonfat), Cheerios. Lunch: Blue Diamond Almond Nut-Thins - Pecan Nut & Rice Cracker Snacks, Thousand Island Dressing, Lettuce Salad with Assorted Vegetables, Trout Salad. Dinner: Green String Beans, Parmesan Cheese (Shredded), Jennie-O Lean Turkey Italian Sausage, Cooked Eggplant in Tomato Sauce (Fat Not Added in Cooking), Orgran Orgran buckwheat pasta spirals. Snacks/Other: Trader Joe's 70% Dark Chocolate Wedges, Deep Dark Hot Cocoa -2. more...
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 Comments
great minds think alike... For me I think it involves being realistic about where to set my weight loss goal, and yes, moving slowly towards it. I also think that I should just anticipate that once a year I will have to commit a couple of months to getting back on track, as the weight will creep up. This might just be part of my life permanently. I don't think they know yet how to deal with the metabolism/leptin issue though - hope someone figures it out.
03 May 16 by member: Z'sMama
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Z's -- gosh I hope the solution you propose works for both of us. As I say, I'm going to watch myself like a hawk once I get to goals. I'm busy giving away all my large size clothes, so I just better stay slim!
03 May 16 by member: Hermiones Mom
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I believe it is a known fact that those who have been overweight (by how much, I don't know) will never be able to handle as many calories as a person of similar weight who has never been overweight and not regain. I just wonder if the situation for those BL contestants is worse than any other person who has lost significant weight.
03 May 16 by member: trackin64
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I read that article last night too. It was really depressing. I used to watch that show for motivation while working out on my elliptical...not anymore! But it does confirm my experience. I've lost weight a number of times and it has come back quickly and I usually gain even more. This time I'm trying to eat healthy, exercise in a healthy way and see where my weight ends up. I'm 60 and I refuse to diet or exercise the way they do on that show. Life is too short. But I figure (hope) if I eat healthy food in a healthy quantity and exercise at a reasonable pace I will continue to lose the unhealthy weight. When I reach a plateau I can decide if I'm willing to cut more calories or workout harder. As long as I'm healthy I'm done worrying about appearances. I hope your plans work out well for you!
03 May 16 by member: Hipaagrammy
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About 8 years ago, I was 270 pounds and rock solid. I got to that point because I lost 60 pounds in 3 months. then I got this job. Sitting on my Rear. And gained it all back + about an extra 100 I didn't have before. When I lost it the FIRST time. I did it the Biggest loser way. Low Cal, high protein, working myself to DEATH damn near, in the gym 6 days a week. I regret it now. I damaged my joints and soft tissue. in SEVERAL body parts. All from working heavy, hard and fast. Now im not doing that. I am just keeping my Calorie intake set for the weight I WANT to be at. And I walk about 2 to 3 hours a week. Nothing more. I want it to come off slow and steady now.
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Hipaagrammy -- I couldn't agree more. I am 64 and I am trying to establish a healthy lifestyle and eating plan that is sustainable long term. That means a slow and steady weight loss that will likely take me until October to reach my goal -- maybe longer. As I said -- I really wonder whether the extreme and rapid weight loss approach did not contribute to the problems these people experienced. The article does acknowledge that the people involved did not have the support system, the money or other resources, to continue to exercise and eat appropriately after their participating in the show was over.
03 May 16 by member: Hermiones Mom
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You ladies keep up the wonderful work.
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I am going with the view that while weight loss is unlikely to be permanent - I don't have to regain 40lbs or more each time... like maybe I can stay within 20lbs of where I want to be and shake it off each spring. And I am going to have accept that because I have been overweight and even obese more than once in my life, my body's chemistry is permanently altered and so I can't eat the way other people can.
03 May 16 by member: Z'sMama
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