# It's that time of year, and before you make a resolution to lose weight, I have a request... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 31, 2019, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668 "2019-12-31T14:56:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/21 "2020-01-01T01:50:45Z")
**Moderator Warning** > [@Rough\_Draft](#): > > Thank you for your unsolicited opinion. This is IMHO. It’s an entire forum for unsolicited opinions. Don’t threadshit. This is an official warning for threadshitting. If you have no interest in a particular thread, don’t post in it. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/22 "2020-01-01T02:06:11Z")
I used to be pretty heavy… over 200 pounds, which is a way too much for a short guy like me. But then about 30 years ago I decided I didn’t want to be fat anymore, so I changed my style of eating. I went down to 160 pounds, and have hovered around there ever since. So I guess I am one of the exceptions. Here’s my style of eating that has worked for me for the last 30 years: 1. There are some foods I simply do not eat. Ever. Mainly foods that have a high calorie density (which pretty much includes all foods with a high percentage of fat). So these include anything fried, anything breaded, beef, pork, cake, creams, dressings, pastries, cookies, donuts, cheese, butter, lard, mayo, sausage, bacon, ice cream, meatloaf, French fries, hamburgers, etc. Haven’t touched that stuff in 30 years. 2. I limit how much I eat. Hey, it works for me. The hardest part is dealing with the rude comments I get from family members and coworkers during lunch and dinner due to #1. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/23 "2020-01-01T02:22:14Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > Can you tell me how it is condescending? I’m sincerely sorry you feel that way, but I’ve watched way too many people try to lose weight and get discouraged because it doesn’t work. Fair enough. To be brief, this part: > [@Zyada](#): > > I have a request…Please don’t… immediately struck me as condescending in tone. “Please don’t”, as if you genuinely would be troubled if I resolved to lose weight. And this: > [@Zyada](#): > > Or you could try anorexia or bulimia… I find extremely offensive (speaking as someone who has spent years working with individuals suffering with both disorders). That said, I re-read the OP and acknowledge that most of your advice seems sensible. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/24 "2020-01-01T03:19:18Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I find extremely offensive (speaking as someone who has spent years working with individuals suffering with both disorders). > > That said, I re-read the OP and acknowledge that most of your advice seems sensible. If you re-read the OP, hopefully you understood that the point of the phrase you quoted out of context was to give examples showing that not all weight loss is healthy. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/25 "2020-01-01T03:21:15Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Fair enough. To be brief, this part: > > immediately struck me as condescending in tone. “Please don’t”, as if you genuinely would be troubled if I resolved to lose weight. The thing is, it does trouble me to see people resolve to “lose weight”, because it is so unlikely to “stick”, and so likely if it doesn’t stick to result in the person being less healthy and more depressed. A good friend of mine has resolved to lose weight in the new year. There’s a thread in MPSIMS about “the best way to lose weight”. These things do honestly bother me. Let me tell you a little more about where I’m coming from. When I was 15, my mother talked me into going on a WW style diet (different brand, same idea). This was after many years of her telling me I was overweight. I started out at 130 with a BMI of 23.8. This may sound bad for a 15-year-old, but I had already reached my adult height, and my adult shape (IOW, I already had boobs and hips) I lost 15 pounds… and gained 30 back. After that I resolved that I would not try again until I understood why I had failed. So I have read a lot in the past 40 years about the issues surrounding weight loss. I have my own issues, but I have attempted, to the best of my ability, to work around those issues. Without much luck, if you want to measure my success by my weight. > [@](#): > > I find extremely offensive (speaking as someone who has spent years working with individuals suffering with both disorders). > > That said, I re-read the OP and acknowledge that most of your advice seems sensible. I’m sorry that bothered you - I was trying to show that there are unhealthy behaviors that can lead to weight loss, and these were a form of shorthand for some of the ways you can lose weight unhealthily. But I can see if you’ve dealt with these problems closely, that my tone was too flippant. Since you have dealt with these problems, you’re probably aware that the underlying social problem is the obsession with being “the right weight”. The subtext of my OP is that we need to get away from being “the right weight”, and go towards doing the right healthy actions. Since you work with weight issues, you might find the following interesting: > **[Old Fart Fan Girl](https://oldfartfangirl.tumblr.com/search/weight)** > > I was born a hippie. As soon as I was allowed to get a regular (as opposed to children's) library... ---
**Author:** ![Deltree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Deltree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deltree)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/26 "2020-01-01T06:44:52Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > If somebody really wants to lose weight, I recommend giardia. > > Oh, it was totally my fault. I went to stay at a friend’s mountain cabin. In the guest bathroom there was a glass, which I used. Only afterward did I see the carafe of water sitting there. I thought, “Oh, shit! Maybe the water isn’t potable!” > > “Oh shit” was correct. Lost 12 pounds in four weeks. The really hard way. > > (Just kidding. I actually do NOT recommend this tactic, at all.) Cancer works even better. I lost 30 pounds in a month. Still haven’t gained it all back after a year… ---
**Author:** ![Unreconstructed\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/76d3ee/32.png) [@Unreconstructed\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unreconstructed_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/27 "2020-01-01T11:39:28Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > No, it doesn’t. Not for everyone. I’ve known people who did exactly what you are suggesting, and they did not lose weight. > > Now you’re going to say “If it doesn’t work for someone, they’re lying” > > So, heads you win, tails I get accused of having a rigged coin. If you can create a calorie deficit and not lose weight over time, then you’re literally creating something from nothing. Since that’s impossible, it follows that those people you know lied to you. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/28 "2020-01-01T13:53:40Z")
Since the OP is speaking somewhat abstractly, I’m going to give my advice about making big, permanent changes in your life. I feel well qualified to give such advice because there are many improvements I tried to make to my life and failed over and over, but in recent years I’ve had a good run in fixing many of these chronic issues. My advice is: 1. You cannot stay highly motivated 24/7: use your initial strong resolve to build habits into your life, and then habit will be the thing that keeps you going 2. Be honest with yourself: you will probably need to scratch some goals to focus on the ones that are really important to you. 3. Reflect on your achievements. If you’re waiting for some amazing personal transformation to becoming a “winner”, you’ll give up when the first bump in the road makes you feel like a “loser” again. Instead, accept that big changes take little steps and celebrate every step you make. 4. The only person you need to impress is yourself. Fuck everyone else. > [@jaycat](#): > > Ingesting fewer calories than you expend works every time. The reason people respond angrily to stuff like this, is because it’s implying the simplistic notion that some people are big just out of gluttony or lack of self control. In fact, different people have different physiology and among two hypothetical people eating the same diet, one person might be perfectly comfortable and the other could be ravenously hungry every waking minute with a slowing metabolism and body aggressively storing every excess calorie. And a lot of research indicates that very few people can overcome their hunger and body’s propensity to store excess calories over the long term. So going from obese to slim, and staying slim, is much harder than most people seem to appreciate. In fact, I would say it is comparable in difficulty to a regular guy getting “shredded”. It can be done, but it takes a lot of thought about technique, hard work and sacrifices. Someone saying “Just drink protein FFS” is not going to be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/29 "2020-01-01T15:58:18Z")
> [@Unreconstructed\_Man](#): > > If you can create a calorie deficit and not lose weight over time, then you’re literally creating something from nothing. Since that’s impossible, it follows that those people you know lied to you. Again, a very overly simplistic view of weight loss Just because _you_ reduce the number of calories you consume, doesn’t mean that you will automatically create a calorie deficit. Your body is a very complex system. Part of that system is to ensure that you are able to survive, even if food becomes scarce, because we evolved in a world where food could become scarce. So when food becomes scarce, your body automatically reduces it’s metabolic needs to ensure that it can survive until food becomes plenty again. And that is exactly what happens when you reduce calories and don’t lose weight. People aren’t “creating something from nothing”, they are reducing the amount of “something” they are using to keep the system running. ---
**Author:** ![Unreconstructed\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/76d3ee/32.png) [@Unreconstructed\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unreconstructed_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/30 "2020-01-01T16:35:10Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > Again, a very overly simplistic view of weight loss > > Just because _you_ reduce the number of calories you consume, doesn’t mean that you will automatically create a calorie deficit. > > Your body is a very complex system. Part of that system is to ensure that you are able to survive, even if food becomes scarce, because we evolved in a world where food could become scarce. > > So when food becomes scarce, your body automatically reduces it’s metabolic needs to ensure that it can survive until food becomes plenty again. > > And that is exactly what happens when you reduce calories and don’t lose weight. People aren’t “creating something from nothing”, they are reducing the amount of “something” they are using to keep the system running. Your body only does this if you crash diet and reduce the number of calories you eat by too much. Even then, if a deficit exists, it’s impossible to fail to lose weight. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/31 "2020-01-01T18:35:21Z")
> [@Unreconstructed\_Man](#): > > Your body only does this if you crash diet and reduce the number of calories you eat by too much. Even then, if a deficit exists, it’s impossible to fail to lose weight. You are right, but let’s put it this way: Imagine we have two guys: One is a healthy weight, one is overweight. They are the same height, same muscle mass, but the fat guy is carrying more weight, more skin, more fat cells etc and so have higher calorie requirements. The healthy weight guy eats 2500 calories per day, the fat guy 3000 calories. Now, on the one hand we could just say if they were to both eat 2500 calories they’d probably be the same bodyfat eventually. It should be easy right?, since the thin guy already does this every day with little effort. But the kicker is, it won’t feel that way for the overweight guy. Our bodies are very reluctant to surrender precious energy stores. He will feel hungry, and tired, and just plain awful, much of the time. His metabolism will slow. In fact, the data shows that, in terms of how dieting _feels_, it’s basically the same as if the slim guy cut his calories to 2000. And this is not only if you do it as a crash diet, but I would agree of course that more sensible, sustainable diets are preferable. So yes, of course we can go back to basic physics / chemistry and say calories in needs to be less than calories used. Of course this is true. But it’s largely besides the point in terms of understanding how some people are chronically overweight and just what is involved in trying to cut that weight. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/32 "2020-01-01T19:24:14Z")
That fat guy on Lost never lost weight despite being stuck on an island scarce in food for many years. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/33 "2020-01-01T19:24:27Z")
I’d say that if you don’t go on a diet and don’t have a problem with what your weight is, it would still be a good idea to cut way back on sugar. Sugar is bad for the brain, bad for the liver, contributes to nasty illnesses, and will definitely pack on the fat since the liver breaks down excess fructose into fat molecules. It’s as addictive as a narcotic and has somewhat the same effect on your brain. And it’s added to pretty much all packaged foods and even grains. When consumed in the form of fruit, it’s far less harmful, since there are natural buffers. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/34 "2020-01-01T20:23:08Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > I disagree that eating healthily will necessarily be reflected in your weight - fiber is absolutely crucial for your long term health - but it won’t necessarily cause you to lose weight, except in replacing less healthy options - and that’s not a give I guess I was unclear. You were addressing people who are thinking about weight loss as a new year’s resolution/goal, so I’m assuming they are overweight or obese. If you are overweight or obese, weight loss should be the goal, not just “eating healthy”. Now, if you carefully count calories and make that part of the “eating healthy” regimen, then that would be OK. But it’s difficult to do that accurately and stick to it. Stepping on a bathroom scale every day is a lot easier, and more accurate. > [@](#): > > If losing weight means you’re eating correctly, then wouldn’t you eventually “eat right” yourself into non-existence? This whole concept of “eating right means you lose weight” is flawed. Obviously the actual goal shouldn’t just be “lose weight,” it should be “lose X pounds over the next N months and maintain that weight.” > [@](#): > > If you’re an engineer, you should be familiar with systems - what happens when you change one part of a system? Do the systems you work with remain changed or do other parts of the system change to get the system as a whole back to status quo? Yes, that’s why your open-loop approach is flawed. You need a closed-loop approach, i.e. monitor the end result and make corrections based on that. Let’s say your problem is that you drive too fast. The “eat healthily” approach to this problem is to discipline yourself to never push the accelerator more than halfway. That may work, but it’s more accurate to monitor the actual result (i.e. the speedometer) and make corrections based on that. > [@](#): > > Because if you’re looking at the numbers on the scale, and they aren’t moving, you will get discouraged. But if you have a chart that you can put checkmarks or gold stars on every time you do the right thing, you will keep your energy up. You can have a whole sheet of gold stars and still be eating too much. How would you know? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/35 "2020-01-01T20:42:40Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Obviously the actual goal shouldn’t just be “lose weight,” it should be “lose X pounds over the next N months and maintain that weight.” “Obviously”? It sounds like you like quantifiable, measurable goals. Which is fine. But that doesn’t mean everybody has to do it that way. If anyone can lose weight (or get healthier, which might involve staying the same weight but having less of that weight be fat and more of it be muscle) without having to measure their progress, what’s wrong with that? ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/36 "2020-01-01T21:26:57Z")
Cutting calories works great but most people are afraid to suffer. You’ll survive just fine on 1,000 calories per day especially if you take a multivitamin. You’ll feel like crap but you will lose weight. I ate 1000 calories per day for four months and only stopped once i passed out from standing up too quickly and then I went to 1200 calories per day. I lost 80 pounds in 6 months and kept it off for 9 years. I’ve had a rough two years and finally put the weight on due to being almost entirely sedentary. This time I’ll be doing keto as well as a calorie reduction since i have to cook for the entire family. My goal is to lose 100 pounds in 10 months and be able to hike 10 miles carrying 1/3 of my bodyweight. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/37 "2020-01-01T22:38:05Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > But the kicker is, it won’t feel that way for the overweight guy. Our bodies are very reluctant to surrender precious energy stores. He will feel hungry, and tired, and just plain awful, much of the time. His metabolism will slow. > In fact, the data shows that, in terms of how dieting _feels_, it’s basically the same as if the slim guy cut his calories to 2000. What you’re describing is often cited by people about losing weight, but that doesn’t make a lick of sense. Saying it would be difficult, uncomfortable, and somewhat painful isn’t a _reason_ - it’s an observation, one that applies to damn near everything involving positive change to the human body. There aren’t many physically beneficial activities that **won’t** make you hungry, tired and sore until you’ve had a few weeks to adapt. The core issue for this is immaturity. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/38 "2020-01-01T23:53:28Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > What you’re describing is often cited by people about losing weight, but that doesn’t make a lick of sense. Saying it would be difficult, uncomfortable, and somewhat painful isn’t a _reason_ - it’s an observation, one that applies to damn near everything involving positive change to the human body. There aren’t many physically beneficial activities that **won’t** make you hungry, tired and sore until you’ve had a few weeks to adapt. > > The core issue for this is immaturity. It’s an excellent reason, because the purpose behind losing weight is to improve your life in some way. If the amount of discomfort, unhappiness and loss of function caused by reducing food is greater than the improvement you get from carrying less fat, then of course a person won’t do it. Why would they? ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/39 "2020-01-01T23:54:45Z")
Weight is kind of meaningless anyway, unless you’re in a weight class sport. Otherwise it’s just a placeholder metric for fat. But weight changes are often more related to water, and aesthetically speaking, you want some muscle, which weighs more than fat. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668/40 "2020-01-02T03:01:36Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > No, it doesn’t. Not for everyone. I’ve known people who did exactly what you are suggesting, and they did not lose weight. You cannot expend more calories than you consume and not lose weight. That is impossible. The laws of thermodynamics are not breakable. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, but it’s still true. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-that-time-of-year-and-before-you-make-a-resolution-to-lose-weight-i-have-a-request/845668.md?page=3)