How does your body know when to stop losing?

[mousecat88 2,281]

I lost 50-60lbs those first two months, then had an 8 week stall, and have consistently lost 10lbs per month since then. I am seven months out and it seems like this month weight loss has sped up a bit. I have lost 7lbs in 2 weeks. This is not me complaining at all, lol. Does your body just *know* when it is at an equilibrium? If you keep doing the same thing, will you just keep losing and end up looking sickly?

I eat roughly 700cals a day and about 40g carbs. Sometimes a little more, sometimes less. I did stop tracking because I literally eat pretty much identical meals every single day. Yogurt, a Protein snack, turkey meatballs and cauli tots with salsa, another protein snack or maybe some berries, and then cottage cheese or a turkey patty for dinner during the week. Occasional diet icecream bar. On the weekends I inadvertently eat less, or will eat out and get a salad with a protein in it. And I plan on exercising vigorously a minimum of 4 days per week indefinitely.

Edited May 30, 2019 by mousecat88

[catwoman7 11,284]

I think for some people, yes, they reach equilibrium. For me, I had a Dexascan when I was about 18 or so months out because I wanted to see what my fat percentage was so I could decide on a final goal weight. It was 22% - which is on the low side for a female, so the tech said I probably couldn't afford to lose much more - maybe five pounds tops. I had no idea - I figured I could stand to lose another 10-15 lbs. My PCP agreed - time to stop. So I started increasing my calories a little at a time until I found my sweet spot - a calorie range where I could maintain my weight (1500-1700 for me - but YMMV)

[nevermore71 63]

Cauli tots? That sounds so good. Do you have to make them or can you buy them. If so what brand are they?

And I believe you stop losing when the amount you're eating is basically what your body needs to sustain your current weight. You'll need to raise that caloric intake at some point. So you don't get underweight.

[mousecat88 2,281]

On 6/1/2019 at 12:22 PM, nevermore71 said:

Cauli tots? That sounds so good. Do you have to make them or can you buy them. If so what brand are they?

And I believe you stop losing when the amount you're eating is basically what your body needs to sustain your current weight. You'll need to raise that caloric intake at some point. So you don't get underweight.

Caulitots are amazinngggg. I probably eat them too often. lol. They are sold in the freezer section; Green Giant makes them. I eat them with queso or salsa or ranch or ketchup. The possibilities are endless. lol. They are like the only cauliflower thing that is a legitimately good substitute for potato, imo.

Edited June 4, 2019 by mousecat88

[summerset 5,265]

On 5/30/2019 at 9:13 PM, mousecat88 said:

Does your body just *know* when it is at an equilibrium?

Sooner or later a body will reach equilibrium.

Let's say you're eating 1800 kcal or 2000 kcal or whatever number of calories a day. You're going to lose weight until your body've reached a weight that requires it to burn this amount of calories a day to supply itself with blood, nutrients and warmth and move through the day.

In theory this will also work while eating way less calories a day. You're going to lose weight until your body've reached an energy equilibrium (this might put you into the "looking sickly" category though) - or until the bingeing/loss-of-control-eating starts.

[mousecat88 2,281]

8 minutes ago, summerset said:

Sooner or later a body will reach equilibrium.

Let's say you're eating 1800 kcal or 2000 kcal or whatever number of calories a day. You're going to lose weight until your body've reached a weight that requires it to burn this amount of calories a day to supply itself with blood, nutrients and warmth and move through the day.

In theory this will also work while eating way less calories a day. You're going to lose weight until your body've reached an energy equilibrium (this might put you into the "looking sickly" category though) - or until the bingeing/loss-of-control-eating starts.

That was my "concern". Maybe concern isn't the right word. Given my exercise and current caloric intake, I am consistently at a large deficit in calories daily. I imagine I wouldn't continue to lose weight to the point of looking anorexic and that maybe it would stop eventually. I don't foresee me adding in TOO many more calories by the time I hit 12 months out. There's only so much I can fit in me comfortably. Given that I stick to low carb foods, they are all pretty much low calorie, as well. Maybe eventually I will add in more carbs when I am comfortable with doing so.

[summerset 5,265]

27 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

I imagine I wouldn't continue to lose weight to the point of looking anorexic and that maybe it would stop eventually.

Given the fact how many patients complain about never reaching a reasonable goal weight, losing too much weight to the point of being seriously underweight is not that likely.

Quote

I don't foresee me adding in TOO many more calories by the time I hit 12 months out. There's only so much I can fit in me comfortably.

As it seems patients usually don't have to consciously add in more calories as time goes by. It just kind of... seems to happen. Again: usually - there are always exceptions to all of it.

[Healthy_life2 8,330]

On 5/30/2019 at 1:13 PM, mousecat88 said:

. Does your body just *know* when it is at an equilibrium? If you keep doing the same thing, will you just keep losing and end up looking sickly?

You are approaching goal. Congrats!

Have you asked your dietician about your maintenance plan? It will look much different than weight loss mode diet. You will be increasing calories and carbs to slow/stop your weight loss. talk to your dietician.

[mousecat88 2,281]

1 hour ago, Healthy_life2 said:

You are approaching goal. Congrats!

Have you asked your dietician about your maintenance plan? It will look much different than weight loss mode diet. You will be increasing calories and carbs to slow/stop your weight loss. talk to your dietician.

My dietitian did say around 12 months I should be at 1000-1200 calories and 110g of carbs a day. I am already 7 months and soooo far from that. Seems impossible! lol. But, 5 months is still a long time in this "world".

Also, thank you!