To think that people who say diets don’t work aren’t really trying

[amijumping]

I’ve lost a stone since having A baby got another stone to loose. It’s Been fucking hard I felt hungry for my usual snacks and rubbish for ages and still do but I’ve had to really get the willpower out to actually loose some weight. At first I tried to just easy a hit healthier but soon realised it wasn’t working as I wasn’t actually reducing my calories. Science states time and a time again it’s calories in vs calories out I’ve managed too lose weight slowly and sensibly by tracking everything that passes my mouth it’s hard it’s boring sometimes not fun but it’s the only way it’s worked. Otherwise I’ll think I’m being healthy and low calorie but things seriously add up that extra bit of mayonnaise extra slice of toast eyeballing butter in mash for example all adds up. Surely if people have been actively eating less calories than they need they would loose weight

Sorry, but it is. 800 calories does not go very far even if you cut out all sweet foods, fatty foods and UPF. You are almost constantly hungry.

I think you're looking at it a bit too literally.

Diets do work in terms of short term weight loss.

Diets don't work in terms of keeping that weight off (for a ridiculously high percentage of dieters).

I guess what they're trying to say is, ditching the faddy diets and making realistic changes for life is a better way of dropping weight.

I think it's worth remembering that many people abuse food in the same way others abuse alcohol and drugs. For those people, faddy diets never work because food is an emotional crutch.

You’re not wrong, but suggesting all you need to do to lose weight is to eat less/move more, is equivalent to saying all you need to do to be a concert pianist is push the right keys in the right order.

its not exactly helpful advice, even if it’s strictly correct

Yes, that's where the willpower comes in . . .

Maybe both.

You seem to be being intentionally obtuse. My point is that it takes more willpower to subsist on 800 calories a day than it does to subsist on 1500 calories a day - almost twice as much food. Yet some people can lose weight on 1500 calories a day - I could, when I was 20. Not since menopause, though.

I think they believe they are trying. It’s very easy to lie to yourself about what you’re eating. In order to be truly accurate you need to measure and track everything down to the oil you use to cook and the milk in your tea/coffee. If you don’t, you can be 100’s calories out. I also think people are good all week and ruin their progress at the weekends, thinking they ‘deserve’ a cheat meal. They also eat back calories they think they have earned from exercise based on fitness trackers that are very inaccurate.

To be successful you need to be in a consistent calorie deficit which is largely down to diet. Exercise helps, but should not be counted in terms of eating extra calories.

So everyone is the same as you?

You can lose weight so everyone else can too?

Wait until you hit menopause. The weight will go on and it will be virtually impossible to lose it. You'll wise up then.

Well we all know that eating less calories than you need leads to weight loss. It’s not like it’s a secret, just about any weight loss program will tell you that.
It can be hard to stick to but it’s doable for most people in the short term.

IME, the real problem is keeping the weight off. It’s one thing to go on a diet for a few weeks / months to lose a few stone, but if that weight is going to stay off, then you’re looking at having to change loads of lifestyle habits around eating, exercise, etc for ever. And that’s really, really hard to do, especially if someone’s actively fighting hunger pangs to maintain the lower calories, and there’s often not a lot of support out there for making and sticking to those permanent lifestyle changes. Especially when things like emotional eating and food addictions come into play.

And I think that’s what people are talking about when they say diets don’t work. They’re talking about the way dieters tend to regain the weight in the long term, not about whether the initial weight loss is achievable.

For 60 years, doctors and researchers have known two things that could have improved, or even saved, millions of lives. The first is that diets do not work. Not just paleo or Atkins or Weight Watchers or Goop, but all diets. Since 1959, research has shown that 95 to 98 percent of attempts to lose weight fail and that two thirds of dieters gain back more than they lost. The reasons are biological and irreversible. As early as 1969, research showed that losing just 3 percent of your body weight resulted in a 17 percent slowdown in your metabolism – a body-wide starvation response that blasts you with hunger hormones and drops your internal temperature until you rise back to your highest weight. Keeping weight off means fighting your body’s energy regulation system and battling hunger all day, everyday, for the rest of your life.

People will hate you for it on here, but most people don’t reduce calories enough. If I eat just 500 less I don’t lose 1lb a week, I need to consume at least 700-800 less than I burn daily to lose. Yes I do regain it, then lose again. As being 5ft 1 and 9 stone, I don’t have many calories to eat per day before I gain, so any meals out, I easily gain weight. It’s hard work losing weight, and does require a lot of willpower. Some people do give up very easily. It takes time and willpower as you will he hungry.

Well done OP.

You've also exposed all of the green eyed monsters who are too lazy to commit to changing their lifestyles/diets to lose weight. They can all fuck off and remain miserable whereas you can bask knowing you look better and are healthier as a result.

No you don't, you're just not good at tracking. 3500 cals equates to 1lb of body fat give or take 100 calories, not give or take 1750.

A strict 500 calorie deficit per day will yield a pound of weight loss in a week. Your daily fluctuations in week will mask your progress and make you believe you're not losing what you are, but average it out long term and you will see that it is not possible to defy the laws of thermodynamics, no matter your age, height and weight.

It's lose not loose, @amijumping .

Yay!!! That's so great for you!! Whoop whoop go you amazing! 🎉🏅

I agree, it is pretty amazing! It took me 14 years to lose my baby weight. I don’t know how new mums do it. I just couldn’t get it together enough with a young baby,
work etc.

Agree with you OP. I’ve completely transformed my body in my 50s through diet and exercise, it’s been 3 years now and I’m a size 10. It’s hard to exercise every single day and I’ve always been a keen cook and a food obsessive with a huge appetite. I am hungry a lot of the time but have developed various coping strategies which help. Largely cutting out sugar and focusing on protein really helped me turn the corner.

The thing is everyone is different. I know small women who can lose weight on 1800 cals, and 6ft men who have to go to 1200. Factor in stress, mental health, hormones etc and people may be trying very hard and not getting far.

Are you this judgmental in other areas, too?

No it doesn't just mean fad diets. It means any diets, because almost nobody sticks to them long term. And no it's not really how you're supposed to eat. Humans have a huge drive to eat highly calorific foods because for most of human history it was a struggle to keep weight on rather than keep it off. We are 'supposed' to eat lots to ensure survival and passing on our genes. That's why it's so hard to lose weight!

"Diet" as in temporary restriction of your food intake don't work, because people think it's a temporary magical fix. Obviously the minute you start stuffing yourself, you put the weight back on. If you were overweight before, going back to over-eat can only bring one thing.. extra weight

"Diet" as in your food in general, of course work.
If you change your habits for healthy ones, stop over-eating, and stop seeing food as "treat" and oversized portion, you stay slim

it's not difficult but people are lazy and want a magical cure.

I don't know what percentage of the world population is actually starving, but over-eating being a problem is actually a mind-blowing concept.

if it was true, everyone would be fat.

Many people are not fat, and don't feel like they deprive themselves. You can have a healthy lifestyle long term.

I know on MN people laugh at the idea of "a salad" (hilarious concept...)
but in real life, not everyone can or want to eat an entire XL pizza in one setting. Some people are perfectly happy and feel better with a couple of slices.

We are not "supposed" to make ourselves ill by over-eating! What a lot of nonsense.

But everyone has limited amounts of willpower, energy and time. Some people choose to put theirs to giving to others, helping the world, running groups or working shifts in a hospital. Some people prefer to (waste) theirs on calorie counting and dieting

which people are good people? And which people do we want on the planet?
I think it’s obvious.

of course if you are able to do both, then great for you but we all choose how to direct our energy and directing it to dieting is just a personal choice not a moral one.
the real truth is nobody cares or thinks you’re marvellous by staying/becoming thinner, it’s a selfish little hobby of yours which may give you personal satisfaction like any hobby but it shouldn’t mystify you why others choose not to participate. Have these conversations with your fellow hobbyists.

Well done to you @amijumping what a talented and wonderful person you are. And how generous to share that you’ve lost a stone. We’re all riveted. Watch out for that extra piece of toast sweetie.

A selfish little hobby? Christ, now I’ve heard it all. It’s simply taking care of your health and taking responsibility for yourself. Considering how much obesity related diseases cost the NHS, I wouldn’t call it selfish.