4 ms·

It's pretty well-known that if you drop more than 2 lbs/week you're very likely to gain it all back later.

emodendroket 11y ago
Do you have any source for the claim that if you lose it slower you're more likely to keep it off? While intuitively appealing, I keep seeing it without any evidence.
- chris_wot 11y ago
  I can't find the source now, but years ago in an agricultural class in high school I was told that studies had been done on weight recovery in cattle who had been through drought conditions and who were either malnuritied or had lost significant weight. I believe the results were that the cattle recovered and increased their weight after this occurred. Wish I could find that study! But it would be an interesting hypothesis to test for: if someone reduced their calorific content too quickly then the body will attempt to compensate when normal eating resumes. Obviously it would need to use animals and a control group but it might be insightful.
  - DanBC 11y ago
    > Wish I could find that study! But it would be an interesting hypothesis to test for: if someone reduced their calorific content too quickly then the body will attempt to compensate when normal eating resumes. Obviously it would need to use animals and a control group but it might be insightful. There's a natural experiment of sorts in re-feeding people with anorexia. Many people think this is a risky time because they think it's easy for someone to gain wieght too rapidly. (I'm not talking about the related, but different, "refeeding syndrome" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refeeding_syndrome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refeeding_syndrome)
    - chris_wot 11y ago
      Interesting! Evidently this is a bit of a hot topic though, I seem to have raised the ire of some, but others found my comment interesting. Very good info, though I honestly don't think it was exactly what I was thinking of. I'll keep looking for that info...
  - nommm-nommm 11y ago
    >if someone reduced their calorific content too quickly then the body will attempt to compensate when normal eating resumes Ever fast? I find fasting extremely effective at reducing my post fast appetite dramatically. In fact, fasting occasionally the only thing that keeps me from gaining more weight, it "resets" my appetite.
    - chris_wot 11y ago
      Interesting - I've heard this also. I wonder if there is something that would only help someone in a normal weight range, and exercises? It sounds like gradual improvements are the only way to handle weight loss. So it takes time and effort...
ck2 11y ago
Not sure why the downvotes except maybe not sourcing it. What you are saying is 100% right in my experience and watching others. Cut 500 calories per day and you lose a pound per week and that can be maintained. Those poor people were losing a pound per DAY which there is no way you can maintain that lifestyle. You aren't teaching habits for life with that kind of diet, you are teaching how to crash and burn.

Do you have any source for the claim that if you lose it slower you're more likely to keep it off? While intuitively appealing, I keep seeing it without any evidence.

chris_wot 11y ago
I can't find the source now, but years ago in an agricultural class in high school I was told that studies had been done on weight recovery in cattle who had been through drought conditions and who were either malnuritied or had lost significant weight. I believe the results were that the cattle recovered and increased their weight after this occurred. Wish I could find that study! But it would be an interesting hypothesis to test for: if someone reduced their calorific content too quickly then the body will attempt to compensate when normal eating resumes. Obviously it would need to use animals and a control group but it might be insightful.
- DanBC 11y ago
  > Wish I could find that study! But it would be an interesting hypothesis to test for: if someone reduced their calorific content too quickly then the body will attempt to compensate when normal eating resumes. Obviously it would need to use animals and a control group but it might be insightful. There's a natural experiment of sorts in re-feeding people with anorexia. Many people think this is a risky time because they think it's easy for someone to gain wieght too rapidly. (I'm not talking about the related, but different, "refeeding syndrome" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refeeding_syndrome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refeeding_syndrome)
  - chris_wot 11y ago
    Interesting! Evidently this is a bit of a hot topic though, I seem to have raised the ire of some, but others found my comment interesting. Very good info, though I honestly don't think it was exactly what I was thinking of. I'll keep looking for that info...
- nommm-nommm 11y ago
  >if someone reduced their calorific content too quickly then the body will attempt to compensate when normal eating resumes Ever fast? I find fasting extremely effective at reducing my post fast appetite dramatically. In fact, fasting occasionally the only thing that keeps me from gaining more weight, it "resets" my appetite.
  - chris_wot 11y ago
    Interesting - I've heard this also. I wonder if there is something that would only help someone in a normal weight range, and exercises? It sounds like gradual improvements are the only way to handle weight loss. So it takes time and effort...

ck2 11y ago

Not sure why the downvotes except maybe not sourcing it. What you are saying is 100% right in my experience and watching others. Cut 500 calories per day and you lose a pound per week and that can be maintained. Those poor people were losing a pound per DAY which there is no way you can maintain that lifestyle. You aren't teaching habits for life with that kind of diet, you are teaching how to crash and burn.