Lost 12 pounds since mid October

[OSUGrad1997]

I just started working out again in mid October. I joined a gym and have gone almost everyday. I have been watching what I eat and have lost 12 pounds since Oct. 18.

I'd love to have some more fitbit friends to motivate me and compete against.

[PenelopeLane66]

How come guys lose weight so much qucker and easier than  women?  I have been working out almost every day and staying under 1200 calories since mid October and I have only lost 4 pounds.  

That being said, I'll  take your challenge.  I need a little competition to stay motivated.

[MrsR2B]

I'm in.  My challenge is to do some exercise that gets the heart rate up every day and hit my steps target.  Started C25K running programme today.

[Heybales]

---

@PenelopeLane66 wrote:

How come guys lose weight so much qucker and easier than  women?  I have been working out almost every day and staying under 1200 calories since mid October and I have only lost 4 pounds.  

That being said, I'll  take your challenge.  I need a little competition to stay motivated.

---

Because some people have much more water weight to lose when changing and starting a diet.

And likely physical already, so not the normal water weight gain from sore muscles hiding other weight loss.

Guys also have a body system that doesn't get as stressed at first or as fast to great undereating, as women's bodies are designed to protect the child bearing abilities.

So you eating at a level for a sedentary woman but working out daily is much bigger stress your body is going to fight against by slowing down.

But it still catches up for guys too.

[LewWagner]

---

@PenelopeLane66 wrote:

How come guys lose weight so much qucker and easier than  women?  I have been working out almost every day and staying under 1200 calories since mid October and I have only lost 4 pounds.  

That being said, I'll  take your challenge.  I need a little competition to stay motivated.

---

PL,

What sort of exercising are you doing and what is the relative calorie deficit you are experiencing each day?

Normally, calories burned > calories through food.  You'll need some way to consistently measure how many calories you are burning at the gym and elsewhere.

During my weight loss campaign, I was burning about 2,700-3,000 calories a day while intaking about 1,200-1,500 calories in food.  I was walking about 3.5 miles a day at around 3.5 mph for around an hour to 2 hours at a time and doing that about three times a day.

The weight loss will happen, Penelope.  Just keep going and fine tuning your program.

[K11G]

I agree with you its not fare that guys loose weight quicker but maybe we could catch up a bit,,,,,

[Lynne1988]

I have switched to high protein and low carb diet this week,last 3 days and losing weight but feel sick to my stomach.Eating quality food and run daily.I had put weight on when I first got fit bit.Think not aware of all the nibbling during the day I was doing.Stress eat-quit smoking in Jan. and lost my brother in tragic work accident in June.I head for carbs and chocolate.I am 55 years old and  weight flucs. 5  lbs.I like being thin.Carb cutting makes big difference but stomach NOT liking change?Any answers>Drinking more H2O as well.Thankx!!:)

[carl669]

---

@Lynne1988 wrote:

Carb cutting makes big difference but stomach NOT liking change?Any answers>Drinking more H2O as well.Thankx!!:)

---

what's your level of carb intake?  you may want to try decreasing the protein and increasing the fat.

[Lynne1988]

Think about 50-60 carbs a day.I think you are right.Body not used to all the proteins Ive been consuming.Better today...Hmm.added more fat?!Thank you-we will see how it goes!!

[carl669]

---

@Lynne1988 wrote:

Think about 50-60 carbs a day.I think you are right.Body not used to all the proteins Ive been consuming.Better today...Hmm.added more fat?!Thank you-we will see how it goes!!

---

FYI...i just re-read your last post.  a 4-5lb weight fluctuation is completely normal and based on a multitude of factors.  only some of which you have control over.  i remember someone saying, instead of setting a target weight, set a target weight range.  you'll drive yourself crazy trying to maintain one particular number.

how's the increased fat working out?  just as an aside, when i had to increase fat, it was quite enjoyable.  butter, coconut oil and bacon fat became my close friends.

[Lynne1988]

Yes.I am hard on myself and get OCD with things,weight being one.Feeling better and think % of foods more stable.Watching carbs.My problem is I love chocolate and eat it,not a ton,every day..My fix..:)Thank you!

[HelenaFitbit]

Congratulations @OSUGrad1997! Let's do this! 

[HelenaFitbit]

In my opinion, 1200 calories is the lowest any young woman can eat within a normal caloric burn, without exercising.

Anything lower than that may be stalling your weight and causing damage. 

[Heybales]

---

There can be some cases where it's realistic.

A 5 ft older woman who is sedentary and decent amount fat mass to lose would have a daily burn around 1300.

For them even a reasonable deficit could be eating around 1000.

Eating with a 100 cal deficit, with the margin of error in food and exercise, would just not work and would be mighty discouraging. I mean, even if you really did cause 100 cal deficit daily - 35 days to lose 1 lb?

That person would just have to confirm their meals were highly nutritious to get everything in with 1000 cal.

But indeed, minimum recommended eating level for average sedentary gal to get all required nutrients in with average eating, is 1200. Sadly not all are average in either case.

Someone could have a terrible diet too and need much more to get all nutrients.

Still good advice, but absolutes are hard to apply when there is no guarantee of stalling or damage. After all, research studies of VLCD done right (short time span on very obese) don't cause damage, but vast majority aren't under such direct medical supervision and tested out the wahzoo while losing weight for a short period of time. So it is a potentially bad idea.