Fat Set Point Theory and Plateaus...

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

http://www.academia.edu/497061/The_Concept_of_a_Body_Fat_SetPoint

Interesting article, and very pertinent in my life right now. 250 has already been a major (i.e. unreachable) goal in my weight loss journey, and it was the nail in the coffin of my 2005 WW success, I reached it and then immediately started gaining again. This time, I reached it and plateaued, after a couple of weeks started moving again and reached 246 (I felt I had successfully beat 250), then over the space of a couple of days, back up to 251, now slowly moving back down again.

There is major difference in my life between the 2005 WW weight loss and my current one, it is the band. I think I am in the loose end of the green zone, fact is I think I am going to pass on more tweaking my next appointment and see what happens. No hurry, I'm in this for the long haul.

Yup, I am plateaued, but I won't be here for ever. As my body and my mind deal with this major set point, my fat loss will continue. I just need to do my part and follow rules.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Very interesting article. It's funny because though I have never known the term "fat set point" before now, I have known since the day I got banded I would struggle to get past the weight range I'm at right now.

When I was a lot younger and would diet, it would be between 200-220 that I would always get frustrated because the scale would start barely creeping or stop moving entirely. I'd eventually give up so as a result haven't weighed under 200 pounds since I was 16 years old.

I'm losing differently at this range, too. Until now, I would just consistently lose. Now, there is an entirely new pattern. I sit with the scale unmoving whatsoever awhile, it then will actually go up a pound or so, then within a couple days of that it makes big drop. For instance, last week it went up a pound then all the sudden plummeted 4 pounds. I've been the same weight since then. This morning I'm up a little over a pound a again and suspect in the next couple days it'll suddenly drop again.

I think our bodies do have set points (or ranges) that are not easy to retrain it away from. But I do agree we can change it and beat it- it's just not easy and takes a lot of determination and patience.

[GoingforGoal 1,734]

Hello! Thanks for the informative article. Wouldn't it be interesting to have a similar article addressing the unique condition of having a lapband (ie severe calorie restriction) etc.

I really focused on the psychological component of the article and how that influences our 'set point'. When I made the decision to restart my diet, 175 was my first goal. This was always the number I wanted to reach pre-op. It seemed and I began to believe it was unattainable due to all the previous failed attempts. So I slowly dropped weight 195, than 185, 180, 179...8...7...6 I just knew it was all going to come to a halt now. talk about obsessing. But from 176 I dropped down to 174.6. It was as if my body was sparing me from the 175 altogether lol. I was in disbelief..but ironically, 175 is no longer the obstacle. I'm currently 165 and I find myself doing the same thing..can I really get to 155? I think there should be more focus on how our minds play the largest obstacle. Many of us have spent all our lives overweight and have always strived to be thin. Attempt after attempt with temporary results has preconditioned us to believe it's not possible.

Back to the 'set point' so is there really a set point we are preconditioned to. I think yes, temporarily. As we lose weight and maintain that loss I believe the body resets (hormonally, metabolically etc) and a new set point can be created. However, maintenance and consistency is paramount.

But back to the mindset, the body is nothing more than a chemical puzzle. Understand that you cannot be defeated unless you have truly been diagnosed with a medical issue (like the incapability to breakdown adipose).

It's easy to say "you can do it" "just keep going" but sometimes inserting the logic or science behind your accomplishments and setbacks allow you to keep a healthy and positive mindset and not succumb to defeat and stop your efforts altogether.

Last point, there is nothing more rewarding than achieving those impossible milestones. The more you achieve you the more you become aware that there is no obstacle, just yourself. Just believe and you will achieve (wow, that was lame I know)

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

The article stated that those who make lifestyle changes can successfully overcome the set point. I have a lap band. It is not a diet, it is and will continue to be a life style change!

[blondegal_ 1,028]

Terry,

Have you changed your exercising? The article points to resistance and aerobic being equally important. From other posts, I believe you do a decent amount if bike riding. Do you also lift weights? Would be I interesting to see if a change would help you out.

For myself, I've just completely three months with the band. And I'm bouncing around two pounds all week. So my body has probably gotten used to reduced calories so now I'll have to increase my activity level.

Thanks for posting the article. Very useful to me.

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

Terry,

Have you changed your exercising? The article points to resistance and aerobic being equally important. From other posts, I believe you do a decent amount if bike riding. Do you also lift weights? Would be I interesting to see if a change would help you out.

For myself, I've just completely three months with the band. And I'm bouncing around two pounds all week. So my body has probably gotten used to reduced calories so now I'll have to increase my activity level.

Thanks for posting the article. Very useful to me.

Exercise is a double edged sword for me Tara, I put on muscle very quickly and my appetite (even banded) goes through the roof, all of which leads to a stall on the scale. So, all of what I am doing is aerobic, with no strength training. I know I need to start that up, but I have been procrastinating.

[blondegal_ 1,028]

Oh to be male and put on muscle quickly! Lol. Well I'm definitely go to up my activity this week. I don't think I've truly stalled but I feel like one is coming if I don't change things up. Just got my second fill on Thursday so I'm hoping to optimize that too.

Again thanks for the article.