# 2013 Weight Loss & Healthy Living Support Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 26, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411 "2013-02-26T03:48:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/461 "2013-07-16T11:12:04Z")
> [@Alba](#): > > I wanted to share some of my weight loss experiences. > > Last year I lost about 10 kg through exercise and diet. During the weight lose spots formed on my back. I never had that before, also not during my teens. My diet mainly consisted of reducing my calorie intake and low carbing it. There was one significant change in my diet and that is that I substituted milk for soy milk. I’m a guy. So, I thought perhaps the oestrogen in the soy milk is causing the spots. > > Later I heard that toxins are stored in fat. So my theory now is that those toxins were released during the weight loss and caused the spots on my back. > > Around the same time I stopped losing weight I also stopped with the soy milk. A few months later I marginally started drinking soy milk again. No spots occurred. > > Now I am losing weight again and not drinking soy milk and some spots are forming. > > Anybody else had this or heard similar stories? > > BTW, no drugs or weight loss inducing products were used. I’m male, 29, 172 cm, 75 kg AFAIK, both theories are nonsense. If it were true that toxins are released during weight loss, most of us in this thread would be sicker than hell, but we’re not. In fact, we generally feel better for having lost the weight, and at least in my case, my lab tests look beautiful, and these include renal and liver tests, which are intended to pick up damage to those organs caused by toxins. I’d also discard the soy-causing-wonky-estrogen-levels notion; I found one study [here](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11303585) that showed that soy milk has some benefit to men and, at minimum, doesn’t cause an appreciable change in the levels of the majority of estrogens. My advice is to have a doctor evaluate those spots to find out what they are; you may have an allergy to something or a non-diet-related problem. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/462 "2013-07-16T12:38:34Z")
> [@Alba](#): > > During the weight lose spots formed on my back. What did the spots look like? Were they little dots? Big splotches? Color? Density? I see some guys in the gym with lots of red blemishes on their back. Sort of like they have back acne, but not pimples. They are usually muscular guys, so I’m assuming it’s from some steroid-like supplement they are taking. Perhaps when you exercise, your body releases lots of natural steroids or something? ---
**Author:** ![Alba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea666f/32.png) [@Alba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alba)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/463 "2013-07-16T13:53:16Z")
MsRobyn, thank you for your reply. I don’t think the cited article relates to my situation. Although I’m happy I’m reducing the risk of prostate cancer. (I could only read the abstract and it doesn’t state anything about possible side effects of the hormonal changes) Toxins is probably a poor choice of word. Maybe I should have rephrased it to certain elements stored in the fat that are released during weight loss that may cause spots. I could not find any scholarly articles on it. There’s an abundance of Google results, but I don’t think they are believable. I did find two, to each other unrelated, studies where one describes an increase of free testosterone in obese males due to exercise and another that describes testosterone therapy to cause acne in boys. But I put those two together. So I don’t think you should put any credence to them [Link](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1462-8902.2004.00335.x/abstract?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false) [Link](http://archderm.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=549216)(spots are of course not equal to acne) Filmore; the spots are only one or two every week to two weeks, depending on the level of exercise (weight loss). Not sure how to describe them. They are red, not big and you can pop them. A pimple might be a better word in the US. They aren’t a hassle or many but I just found it strange that they occurred. A bit more background information. I lost the weight in 5 to 6 months and maintained it afterwards. During maintenance I ate a bit more and exercised less. During that period I had no spots on my back (or anywhere else, nor do I normally have spots). Now I have increased exercising and decreased food intake a bit (no soy milk in diet) and there are again spots forming on my back (at the top/shoulders). I now have one. I understand it seems insignificant to “complain” about one or two spots. But it is strange that they are forming. As MsRobyn said it could be unrelated to weight loss. ---
**Author:** ![rEVOLutionary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revolutionary/32/7311_2.png) [@rEVOLutionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rEVOLutionary)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/464 "2013-07-16T14:19:32Z")
I was 296 pounds entering training camp for football my freshman year of college. Now at 215 (and cutting) entering my junior year. Feels MUCH better, especially on my arthritic knees. I want to eventually win a powerlifting meet and make a fitness cover. I hope to soon be at under 10% bodyfat at 200+. I specifically want to have HUGE gorilla-esque shoulders and back. I want to be able to deadlift six plates and overhead press three plates in a year. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/465 "2013-07-16T15:22:21Z")
> [@Alba](#): > > Filmore; the spots are only one or two every week to two weeks, depending on the level of exercise (weight loss). Not sure how to describe them. They are red, not big and you can pop them. A pimple might be a better word in the US. It sounds like normal acne. If you’re exercising, your pores may be getting more clogged with oil from your sweat. Try scrubbing your shoulders/back a little more when you’re taking a shower. ---
**Author:** ![rEVOLutionary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revolutionary/32/7311_2.png) [@rEVOLutionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rEVOLutionary)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/466 "2013-07-16T17:45:24Z")
Anyone here do BW and gymnastics-type stuff? I’m in the powerlifting school of thought by nature, but I’m try to get pistol squat after my latest ACL rehab, and I want to eventually get an iron cross as a heavyweight. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/467 "2013-07-18T14:19:32Z")
74.5kg today 🙂 That’s a steady 0.5kg down each week for the past three weeks, and down from a recent high of 79kg. Plus, it’s the first time I’ve seen the scales read less than 75kg since I was breastfeeding (god I was skinny back then…) I don’t have any great secret to report, just a gradual lifestyle change, eating less crap in the evenings because it’s so hot, skipping the bedtime glass of wine (ditto) and haven’t had a boozy evening date at the pub with the SO for a few weeks[1] Oh, and a few more long walks since I’m in training for a 5k. It’s been too hot to run, but I’ve been doing 5 miles walks, so my stamina should be fine. [1] Hmm. Must rectify that last one actually 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/468 "2013-07-19T14:10:40Z")
> [@Cinnamon\_Imp](#): > > 74.5kg today 🙂 > I don’t have any great secret to report, just a gradual lifestyle change, eating less crap in the evenings because it’s so hot, skipping the bedtime glass of wine (ditto) and haven’t had a boozy evening date at the pub with the SO for a few weeks[1] > > Oh, and a few more long walks since I’m in training for a 5k. It’s been too hot to run, but I’ve been doing 5 miles walks, so my stamina should be fine. > > [1] Hmm. Must rectify that last one actually 😉 We’ve had Excessive Heat Warnings all week (heat index today is 107) but I found that one way I can still get some exercise in is to do shorter walks more frequently. So 10-15 mins in the morning, at lunch time, and the evening. I’m down a pound from yesterday! My weight loss seems to be so random. I ended yesterday on a calorie deficit but hardly a pound worth. I’ve been fighting a plateau for like 2 weeks. I bought a FitBit Zip pedometer. It’s pretty awesome, especially all the software it comes with to track and set goals, etc. You can see which parts of the day you were most active by 15 min increments throughout the entire day. It has a calorie tracker too (for you to manually enter your foods.) This is only the 2nd day but so far it feels like a worthy investment. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/469 "2013-07-23T10:24:57Z")
So try this after every workout: 10 ounces unsweetened/unflavored almond milk 1.5 ounces Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein - Double Rich Chocolate (I think that’s the amount, about 1.5 scoops) 2-3 squirts Torani chocolate macadamia nut sugar free syrup 2-3 drops EZ Sweetz concentrated splenda 2 ice cubes Mix in blender cup. Seriously, after every strenuous workout, it’s like 50g protein and almost nothing else, and it’s really good. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/470 "2013-07-23T15:12:12Z")
I’m on vacation this week which is almost always good news for my weight loss. I actually tend to eat less on vacation because I don’t have all if my typical snacks around and if we do an extended family meal (in laws are down here, too) that’s not to my liking, I will skip most of it and eat something I do like later. I’m not above a couple of treats or a night of dining out and a few glasses of wine, but I’m not the kind to throw caution to the winds all day for a week. Plus we do tons of walking and some swimming. So far for planned exercise I ran 5 miles on Sunday and did a Crossfit class at a gym I found yesterday. Today’s exercise so far, though? Sleeping until almost 10am. I like this Crossfit place I found, so I’m planning to drop in a few more times this week. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/471 "2013-07-23T17:24:42Z")
**lorene** , which I had your problem on vacations! I usually inhale everything in sight. I guess I’m doing pretty well. I got my knees X-rayed today. My doctor thinks I have arthritis. I’m going to get the results on Friday, and also be tested for high cholesterol (which I had a few years ago and I’m curious where I stand now.) For now I’m having to lay off jumping and running and such. I have a feeling that may become permanent. Fortunately, the thing I love most in the world is hiking, and that’s just glorified walking. My FitBit pedometer is too fun. My goal today is 10,000 steps. I’ve been taking a lot of walking breaks. I had a longer walk today - 40 minutes. I love seeing my BMR and daily activities calculated in and having a good estimate of how many calories burned vs. eaten. It even gives me a nice colorful graph that tracks this over time. I had a brutal circuit workout yesterday and am very sore today, but I have a brutal circuit workout today too. My Coach is starting to push my high-intensity workouts into the 30 minute range. I’m working as hard as I can. Yesterday, over the course of 14 rounds, I did a total of 70 pushups, 70 sit-ups, 70 squats and 70 shoulder presses. Today I hurt, but at least I can say I _earned_ that hurt. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2013, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/472 "2013-07-25T21:07:06Z")
I plateaued around 168, but that’s fine because after 15 lbs in two months, I’m glad I can prove that I can keep it off. Still, 10 more lbs to go, which I’m hoping exercising and better eating will facilitate (I’ve been lazy this last month so while not going up at all, I haven’t cooked or worked out much either). ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/473 "2013-07-30T17:43:46Z")
I (briefly) saw 74kg on the scales today, woohoo! I was a bit despondent at seeing 75 and 76kg again over the weekend, but that was around the time of my 5k, so I guess carb-loading before, and fluid retention as I tried to rehydrate, and ate everything in sight, afterwards, messed that up. [2] Accidentally[1] walked over six and a half miles yesterday, and skipped lunch today, so that’s put me back on course. No, the meal skipping was \*not \*deliberate, just bad service on an epic scale which I should really go [mini-rant](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=695252&page=13) about… [1] I was having a bad day, so went a walk to try and stomp it off. Sadly, exercise plus time to think just makes me more likely to work myself into an adrenaline-fueled rage. [2] Oh yeah, ran the 5k in 35 mins, didn’t walk a step of it. Better than I’d expected 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/57b2e6/32.png) [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/474 "2013-08-03T15:30:54Z")
I was so happy to hit 179 today on the scale. 11 months ago that number was 206. My ultimate goal is to hit 170. My best adult weight has been about 176…so I’m close to a personal best! I hope that once the school year starts I can maintain myself…cross fit looks interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/475 "2013-08-10T19:37:00Z")
Here’s some healthy living news worthy of being celebrated. A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with high cholesterol. Just got my bloodwork back… cholesterol is back down to normal. No medications, just fish oil, diet and exercise. I’ve never had a resting heart rate below 90. I tested it today at 76. I’m down 5 pounds in 3 weeks. I love my new pedometer. ---
**Author:** ![Schrodinger\_s\_Platypus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Schrodinger\_s\_Platypus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schrodinger_s_Platypus)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/476 "2013-08-11T15:01:35Z")
I seem to be holding steady despite all workouts having been halted in favor of OMG con is in three weeks and I have to sew everything. You can’t sew and exercise at the same time. What might be helping hold off weight creep is the knowledge that these costumes have to fit me. Oh, and the fact that I have to reminded to eat sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/477 "2013-08-11T18:44:20Z")
I haven’t participated in this thread before. I hope I’m not too loate to jump in. My husband and I have been on a clean, low carb diet for 8 months. We each lost about 60 lbs in the first 6 months. Then, about 2 months ago, he cheated. He gained a little, but lost it then, gained again. I leveled off. It didn’t seem to matter what I did, my weight didn’t change. I was 296. Then, I began having some odd pain with breathing. I tried to ignore it, but it got worse. I finally went to my doctor, who put me in the hospital. I was in ICU for 3 days. I have pericarditis and my “stable” weight was part of my downfall. By the time I left the hospital, my weight was 276. Since then I’ve lost 2 more lbs. I’ve lost 22 lbs in 2 weeks. Now, my doc wants me to weigh every day. So far so good. Now, hubby is jealous, so he’s being more conscientious, so we both win. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/479 "2013-08-12T20:28:35Z")
> [@65belledward](#): > > Hey Everyone, > > I am new around here and just had a few questions about some loose skin that has happened as a result of some major weight loss recently. Does anyone have any home remedies that I could try out instead of going to medical route? I would prefer to stay out from under the knife but I am affraid that may not be possible. They say that men handle weight loss better than woman and that my body should tone better than a womans, but so far no luck. Any opinions and advice would be great. > > Thanks How long has it been? Time is really the only thing that will fix it. Other than that, surgery. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/57b2e6/32.png) [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/480 "2013-08-21T14:04:25Z")
Looking for some help on my weight-loss plateau. I’ve been stuck at 179-180 for about two weeks. I’m actually exercising more than before so I’m not sure why I can’t break this barrier. My runs are getting up to 9km and my pace is improving. I ran 9k at a 6:13 pace, and according to my runkeeper app I burned 770 calories. Yet still no progress. I’ve decided to begin an upper body routine of push ups, sit ups, and some exercises with my elastic bands. As for food intake, I think it’s pretty good. A typical day begins with a bowl of oatmeal sweetened with some maple syrup. Lunch is usually a salad or a smoothie. Supper can vary but I’ve been staying away from meat. Usually a wrap or salad. I can snack on nuts but try to keep it fewer than 12 a day. My most guilty food vices are adding feta cheese to salads and wraps, and the snacking on alonds. I don’t drink juice, and only almond milk with my oatmeal. I swear I’ve done the calorie math but there must be something I’m missing (or not calculating properly). I’m on my last 10 pounds of loss…which I’m told is the hardest. Any help is appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411/481 "2013-08-24T04:49:40Z")
Two things: 1. From what you wrote, you’re eating almost all carbs, with some fats. Add protein. “Calories in / calories out” is a starting point, not the whole story. What you eat is almost as important as how much you eat. Protein helps recovery and promotes growth and is more satiating than carbohydrate. Since you are doing moderate distance runs, you do need more carbohydrate intake than someone who does short-duration power work, but it looks like you’re unnecessarily avoiding protein sources. Cut some oatmeal, add cottage cheese, lean meats, etc. for more protein in the morning. Don’t avoid eating meat unless you have an ethical objection; there’s virtually no reason to do so from a health perspective, and none at all from a performance/weight loss perspective. 1. You’re exercising too much in one modality. Your app undoubtedly makes a wild-assed guess based on an untrained population to estimate your energy output. It’s far less accurate than you think. Also, see point 1 about calories. Yes, add weight training. Do speed work. Do short sprints. Allow adequate recovery. Do NOT do these things _in addition to_ your longer runs. Cut some of your longer runs in order to do the shorter, more intense sessions. Re-assess in 8–12 weeks and see if it has made a change for the better. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2013-weight-loss-healthy-living-support-thread/651411.md?page=25)