Does becoming overweight set up permanent weight problems for life?

[Mudmagnetoftheworld]

Do people who’ve managed to lose a decent amount of weight, say more than a couple of stone, ever manage to maintain a healthy weight effortlessly?

Is it just a matter of changing lifestyle and attitudes to eating and exercise? Or once you’ve been overweight do you always struggle to keep it off?

After being skinny all through my childhood, teens 20’s & 30’s, I’m now pushing 50 and managed to get myself 2-3 stone overweight!

Is that it for me now? If I manage to lose it, do I need to accept I’ll have to exist on hardy any food?

@antimatter

How do you define mobility?

My definition is being able to move through a range of motion that includes the extremes of where you can stretch a joint. So it’s strength thru a motion that also gets you to test your flexibility. So it’s not just flexibility.

You do yoga I think. And that’s one example of exercise that is brilliant for mobility. If you’re strong through the motions and have a good range of motion then you have good mobility. I think we’re on the same page.

My weights last about an hour and I do a number of compound exercises. The basics. I don’t think the fancy stuff adds much.

It’s taken me a long time to be able to do these - years. They look like men’s exercises but I think it’s nonsense to categorise. We have the same muscle groups! Some of this you might see in a CrossFit gym.

Typically 5 to 8 reps. 4 sets each. Once a week usually. Always wear a weight belt to protect the lower back.

Deep squats (an example of a movement that requires good mobility to get your bum below the knees)

Deadlifts

Bench press

Pull ups

Curls

Dips

Incline sit-ups

Clean and press

Sometimes bent over rows. If I’m not too lazy and feeling good.

I have to say I am assuming I have good mobility.

I found this test and will do it tomorrow and know a bit more about my mobility

@antimatter

This is brilliant. I’m going to try too.

Oh dear!

I didn't do very well with that . . .

@SchadenfreudePersonified

I really do think it’s the most important element of fitness. So basic yet so hard to maintain.

Once you have that then you can add the other stuff safely - in a way that won’t restrict motion as you get older.

Thanks for posting this @antimatter !

Absolutely fascinating thread.

@OliviaD68 the thing I struggle with when working out nutrients and macros etc is exactly how much protein is in anything. So I'm finding it difficult to work out what a carb: protein: fat (percentage ratios of 10:15:75) would actually look like in actual real life good terms. Are there menu plans that provide that kind of thing.

It seems very close to a keto way if eating but looking at keto diets there is so much dairy which I am allergic to.

@ConstanceSpry

I use MFP to teach me food macros. You can also use web resources and I use those too.

Yes I think you’re right about keto. The science just lines up to give you something like a keto diet for those that choose to fuel off of high fat. But keto diets can be v extreme esp when used for medical purposes - like adjuvants to cancer therapies or epilepsy.

Here’s a thought: maybe look at those resources? Diet doctor has a few I’ve used.

In terms of fats that are non dairy you can try

• animal fat from meats such as on bacon and marbled beef
• coconut oil (I actually eat spoonfuls because I think it tastes good)
• nuts and associated butters. Macadamias are esp lower carb.
• avocados
• olive oil added to enhance flavour
• eggs esp yolks

Hope this helps.

This fell off my threads I'm on and I though it had died- fab to read what you are all up to. I will have to look at that mobility thing, I do do Pilates which I hope will help. I can't get to a gym at the mo but am doing lunges and press ups and so on, so hoping not to lose too much muscle mass. Have discovered som v nice m and s ready done salads which are helping my eating at the moment as had got a bit stuck on veggies. Though did have some amazing gf cakes from a lovely shop in bath (oops!).

@Tanaqui good point!

Was thinking about asking @Mudmagnetoftheworld how she is getting on.

And whether @antimatter did ok testing her mobility ...?

I just had a go at the tests on that video- didn't exactly have the right equipment but my duster made a good dowel! I think I was a bit off on the seated rotation (but the duster kept hitting the other wall so not sure!) but I know I am stiff through my back (degenerated discs) and am working on it). Think the rest were okay but hard to tell without a mirror or a critic; I could definitely lift my leg to a right angle, but not sure from the video if it was meant to go past the right angle or not. Interesting though!

Hello, glad you’re all still going and popping in with updates.
It’s definitely slowed down for me, but I’m still losing. I seem to drop a couple of pounds, go up again, then sit there for a week or so then slowly drop down again.
I’m weighing everyday as it keeps me focused and on track.

I shall have a go at the mobility tests do see how I get on.
I’ve also signed up for a new Pilates course.

I’m definitely comfortable eating this way. Fat is filling and tasty, where as carbs are bloating and generally rather bland!
Getting a bit stuck on meal ideas, so need to shake it up a bit.

One thing I’m not good at and I’m wondering if it could make s difference, is drinking enough. If fact that could have contributed to me piling on the weight in the first place!