This thread got me thinking. Most people seem to agree that fat = lesser quality life. But I am not so sure. Does losing weight/getting in shape automatically equal feeling better?
A couple years ago I decided to get in shape. I’d heard all the health benefits: more energy, better sleep, an all-around better you. I started strength training exercises every other day, and worked my way up from 1 pound to 5 pound weights. I walked a mile and a half every day (even weekends). I cut back drastically on my food intake, and drank the requisite quantities of water.
I went from about 230 pounds to 195. I dropped a clothing size or two. But in all honesty I never felt the increased energy that so many others claimed. A fellow co-worker at that time was also losing lots of weight. She was about my size to begin with and when I left the company she was down to a size 6. I mentioned to her once that she must feel better, more energy, etc. She said that the only difference she felt was her feet didn’t hurt as bad. Other than that, no change in energy or stamina.
I have never been one to have a lot of energy and I was very disappointed. Eventually I lost track of the regimen and am back where I started. I don’t notice a difference in my energy level, just my body size. If I need to walk a mile or two, I do it easily. Climb a flight of stairs, no problem. I don’t feel winded unless it’s more than three flights.
Anybody else had this experience?
Well, my weight fluctuates between 185 and 195. I too have felt that my feet and especially knees hurt more when I am above 195, but between 185-195 and even higher, there is the same amount of energy.
But when I drop below 185, I start to get LESS energy. I think this is telling me that I,personally, need to weigh at least 185 (I’m 6’1" and look thin, this tells me that what mass there is on my body is muscle. So I think I must only have 10 lbs of “available” fat on me, then I start to lose energy when I get rid of that.)
I think the reason some heavier people don’t have more energy, or even have less energy, when they lose weight is that they’re not getting the nutrients they need. Many people who diet and exercise aren’t getting enough fat, carbs, and/or protein to keep their body fueled properly - whether it’s because they’ve cut their fuel intake, or because they need to increase it, the result is the same. As you work out, you build muscle, and muscle requires more “fuel.” If you aren’t getting enough fuel, you will feel draggy.
A couple summers ago, I worked out with weights every day (alternating upper and lower body) and walked an hour a day. I dropped about 50 pounds and 4 pant sizes in 6 months. My energy levels were great and I felt better than I’d felt in a LONG time. I think the reason was because I kept my protein intake up and didn’t try to cut out too much fat. Due to some life complications, I backslid, but I’m back on a slightly scaled down program (working and maintaining a long-distance relationship can do that), and once again am feeling better overall.
Of course, everyone’s system is different, but keeping your (healthy) food intake up is something to think about next time you start an exercise program. 
I agree that food/eating makes much of the difference. You will feel bad if you are constantly depriving yourself of calories and exercising hard. Personally, I don’t believe in consciously “cutting calories”, but it does make sense to watch what you eat and try for the minimum of what you can get away with. For example, instead of switching to awful-tasting fat-free mayonnaise, one can go for the full-fat version and experiment with how little you can tolerate and still enjoy it.
The most important thing is to listen to your body and eat when you are hungry, and eat things you like.
If you are putting on muscle, your caloric needs increase, so a person could create a calorie deficit by putting on muscle and not even changing the amount of the calorie intake…this will result in weight loss.
I’ve been there, and I’ve found that:
–No one can tell you how many calories you need
–No one can tell you what kinds of foods are right for you
–No one can tell you how much you should weigh
You have to judge how you feel, and rely on OTHER indicators of health, such as blood pressure, heart rate, fat percentage, etc., etc.
Yes, shortly before I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I had slowly been losing weight and inches, and was tired all the time.
Several years back I lifted weights regularly. I was about 160 lbs with very little muscle fat. I then got a new computer (my first windows pc). Lost about 10 lbs in a week from the obsession. I felt very weak at the end. Of course, it was all muscle.
The couple of times I’ve lost weight just by exercise and diet I never had more energy. In my case I think it’s because I’m a light sleeper in the first place, and the slight muscle aches make me sleep a little less well.
I did have an additional problem the first time - I was jogging 2 miles a day and eventually was diagnosed with borderline anemia. It turns out that’s a relatively frequent problem among joggers and runners. AFAIK, the theory is that the foot-pounding physically destroys red blood cells. This is easy to fix, of course, with an iron supplement. But consult your doctor first.