# The SDMB Weight Loss Club - Part Deux **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 12, 2003, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675 "2003-05-12T12:29:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/21 "2003-05-13T22:12:28Z")
**Aesiron** , Weight Watchers guidelines suggests 30-35 points per day for someone of your size. A point is roughly 50 calories, therefore they suggest you eat at least 1500 calories in a day. If you do not eat at least that, as **norinew** says, it will mess up your metabolism and your body will backfire on you. 10 lbs a month is doable, in a healthy way, I do that myself. I’m following Weight Watchers guidelines and I go to a gym 5 days a week (half hour workouts). Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/22 "2003-05-13T22:33:45Z")
**Aesiron,** I want to second those comments. I lose more weight (and binge on snacks less) when I eat 1500-1800 calories a day (I’m at 170#) including mono- and polyunsaturated fats (e.g. olive oil, nuts, avocado). Any fewer calories, or no fat, and my body gets VERY efficient at storing fat, plus I’m hungry. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/23 "2003-05-13T23:51:10Z")
A couple points for **Aesiron** : 1. There are a bajillion RMR (resting metabolic rate) calculators out there. You don’t want to dip too far below that number, or you’ll burn muscle as well as fat. Muscle essentially is your metabolism (OK, there’s your brain and organs too, but they don’t burn anywhere near as much), so you want to keep your muscle mass up. 2. 100 pounds in 10 months is gonna be tough. Concentrate instead on getting in shape–be able to walk some distance and lift a decent amount. You can make great progress on those fronts, and as long as you’re not eating everything in sight, you will lose weight. 3. Lastly, your body does need some fat. Ever heard of EFAs (that’s Essentiall Fatty Acids)? Those are really important. Best of all, they’re so important to your body that it won’t store them unless there’s nothing else to do with them. And you’d have to eat **a lot** to reach that point. Now for me. I’m holding steady at about 250, but I can tell that my body fat percentage is dropping, although slowly. My muscles are getting bigger, and my strength has increased a lot. My cardiovascular fitness is decent, although with the high pollen counts, it can be hard to tell (gasp! wheeze!). I’m eating seven meals a day, low fat for the first three, and low carb for the last three. It works out to about 2800 calories per day, which is fine for me, at 5’10" and about 180 lbs. of lean mass. My macronutrient ratios are about where they’d be on the zone diet, but I didn’t plan it that way–it just happened. I’m training like a beast (just about 50 pounds short of a bodyweight deadlift!). So while the cosmetic changes aren’t coming as fast as I’d like, I’m setting myself up to get there eventually. I’m happy with the way things are going right now. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/24 "2003-05-13T23:59:42Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by ultrafilter_ > I’m eating seven meals a day, low fat for the first three, and low carb for the last three. Is this the “new math”?😃 ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/25 "2003-05-14T00:02:31Z")
Ah, you see, I’m a mathematician, so it’s all good. 🆒 Nah, I forgot about the last one, my post work-out shake. That’s a high GI carb (fat-free vanilla yogurt) mixed with a protein powder, and about 2 oz. of skim milk to make it blend better. Just got distracted, that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/26 "2003-05-14T03:11:11Z")
I know my diet plan isn’t exactly the best for my health but it does get results, at least initially. As I mentioned initially, I managed to lose forty pounds in two months the first time around and I was _not_ starving. If I get hungry, I eat… trust me. It’s just that I know my weakness and that’s stopping after I start. Right now for example, I’m picking at dinner, a salad, and at 11:00pm, it’s the only thing I’ve had all day. I’m just not hungry and I don’t see the point in making myself take in more food if my body isn’t telling me that I need it. Again… I know it isn’t the best plan and that it probably sounds like torture, but it isn’t really. My mood’s improved over the past two weeks and I’ve had more energy too. Thanks for the words of advice though. Also, I know that a hundred pounds in ten months is going to be really rough but I’m already down to 312 from 325 when I started the diet two weeks ago. I realize that isn’t proof that it’ll be this easy later (and I _know_ it won’t) but I’m happy so far. And finally, I have started excercising some. It’s the same arm and leg movement stuff (aerobics of a sort?) and I also powerwalked at work for a good thirty minutes after I finished my duties. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/27 "2003-05-14T04:05:51Z")
**Aesiron** , the reason your diet won’t be easy later is because of what you’re doing now. No ifs, ands, or buts: your current diet is bad for you, even if the numbers are going down on the scale. I eat every 3 or 4 hours whether I’m hungry or not, and I feel better than I have in a long time. I don’t think you would have any different an experience. It will slow down your weight loss, but it won’t slow down your fat loss. Obviously, we’re all adults here, and you can do whatever you choose. But there’s no reason to sabotage your long term results for a short-term benefit. I thought I’d never say this, but have you looked into the Atkins diet, or other similar plans? It seems to work well for a lot of people, and keeps them happy in the process. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/28 "2003-05-14T04:19:41Z")
Yes… my diet as I described it isn’t the best it could be but this isn’t typical. Usually, I eat two or three meals and snack as well but over the past few days, have been eating only one meal without being hungry. Just trust me when I tell you that I won’t harm myself. If I get hungry, I _will_ eat. That’s the reason I’m dieting in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Ashkicker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@Ashkicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashkicker)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/29 "2003-05-14T12:33:33Z")
Sounds like everyone is making good progress. We are still doing the Atkins diet here. I haven’t had anymore significant weightloss. I am down to 140. By my doctors scales that is a 32lb. loss. Yeah!!! I have went from a size 16 down to a 10. Whoo-hoo! My hubby was at 311 and he is down to 280 (maybe less). **Aesiron** Atkins diet has been a wonder for us. And we eat like kings. We have now started to incorporate bread (the low carb kind). I’ll probably be blowing it when we do our dopefest at Barleys, but hey what the hell. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/30 "2003-05-14T12:49:16Z")
Today’s my weigh-in day; I may have gained, but I’m not sure. Instead of focusing on the mistakes I made last week, I will use this space to outline my plan for success in the next week. 1. Stick to 21-point limit on six of the next seven days (excluding Saturday). 2. Start a new daily task journal so I can keep track of my goals for the day. 3. Do all scheduled runs. 4. Read my beliefs out loud every morning. I know that fulfilling these four goals during the next week will result in weight loss and build healthy habits. I can do it! I’ll check in later with my weigh-in results… Here’s hoping that the outcome I expect does not come to fruition. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/31 "2003-05-14T13:01:24Z")
Wow, the last 24 hours have seen a whole new group of people joining the club - **Welcome Onboard!** **Aesiron** - You may want to check out [this site](http://www.caloriesperhour.com) for calorie rates of various activities. Even without the gym or home exercise equipment you can find a lot of common activities that burn additional calories vs. being sedintary. Once again, to the many of you who have joined - welcome and good luck. Keep involved here and let everyone know how you are doing, where you need advice, etc. MeanJoe ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/32 "2003-05-14T13:12:19Z")
**norinew** - No worries, I knew you were female and didn’t mean to imply a change as significant as gender modification - just watch out for the barefoot hippy characteristics which may form. 😉 Mmmmm… meat. **gazelle** - May I say that I find your positive thinking to be very refreshing? Good approach - learn from your mistakes but remain focused on your goal, plan for success and visualize the result! **Ashkicker** - Congrats to you both, 32lbs is SERIOUS RESULTS!! **GingerOfTheNorth** - Congrats to you too, major success! \Oh Yea!\ **Sn-man, Pestie,** and **Grimace** - Congrats on taking the first steps, good luck! MeanJoe - Quickly becoming the SDMB Weight Loss Club Official Greeter. 😃 MeanJoe ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/33 "2003-05-14T13:17:37Z")
Whall thanks, **MeanJoe**. I try to stay positive. That daily task journal really helps. I may not fulfill ALL of my goals for the day, but I usually fulfill some of them. The next day I’ll look back at my list and see at least some success; it makes it easier for me to focus on the positive and the more I do that, the better I do in my progress toward my goals. I have been diagnosed with depression in the past; if I focus on failures I risk slipping back into that state. 🙂 Congratulations on passing the 180 mark… You rock, **MeanJoe**! ---
**Author:** ![Sn-man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sn-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sn-man)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/34 "2003-05-14T13:36:49Z")
\*\* Aesiron\*\* some options for snacks that are really good for you: Baby carrots, pickles, homemade Salsa/Pico De Gallo, celery sticks, snap peas, cucumbers, these would be considered 0 point foods in WW. An orange or grapes would be one point. They really help me stay away from fatty or refined sugar snacks. ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/35 "2003-05-14T13:55:18Z")
**Gazelle** said: > [@](#): > > You rock, MeanJoe! Why yes, yes I do. 😃 Thanks! MeanJoe ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/36 "2003-05-14T14:48:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GingerOfTheNorth \* > \*\*I’m down 25.25 lbs as of this morning! \*\* Couldn’t you have just said, “I’m down 25 lbs as of this morning” ? Yer nasty. Congrats anyway! ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/37 "2003-05-14T15:07:53Z")
I could have, but that would negate the fact that I somehow managed to shed a half a pound overnight. So, NYAH! ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/38 "2003-05-14T15:11:11Z")
Had another weigh-in last night and I’m down another pound. I’m now 1.8 pounds away from goal. Start weight: 247.2 lbs. Current weight: 159.8 lbs. Total weight loss: 87.4 lbs. Goal: 158.0 lbs. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/39 "2003-05-14T15:22:25Z")
_Smacks **Zev** _ I’m jealous! 😃 So whatcha gonna do when you hit goal? Lose down another pound and go have a Sundae? 😃 Kidding! Congratulations to you! Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675/40 "2003-05-14T15:30:18Z")
**zev**! You go with your bad self! Congratulations… what an accomplishment! I should post my weight loss story in this thread too. Joined Weight Watchers in June 2000. Start Weight: 172.8 lbs. Weight as of Last Week: 147.4 lbs. Total Weight Loss: 25.4 lbs. Goal Weight: 131 lbs. I’m 34 years old and 5’5" tall. My healthy weight range, according to WW, is between 144 and 120 pounds. Today’s weigh-in happens in about 20 minutes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-weight-loss-club-part-deux/174675.md?page=3)