Obesity Discussion Forums

[weightlossdoc]

Hi everyone. I am physician specializing in preventive medicine. About 6 years ago, I needed to lose 20 pounds. I joined WeightWatchers because I had never been successful at dieting on my own and I thought the peer pressure - that is, having to weigh in every week – would help. It did, and I managed to lose the weight – but boy, was I hungry!!

Shortly after that experience I was asked to become involved in the Y’s weight loss program. The Y’s plan was based on the government’s “food pyramid” – which, at the time, included 6-11 servings of grain products a day !! – and, like most diets, lowering overall caloric intake. Long story short – it didn’t work! I found that no matter how religiously people followed the diet, no matter how little they ate or how much they exercised, they just didn’t lose weight.

That began a 4 year search into the medical literature to answer the question – just how does one lose weight? I have now written, but not yet published, a book on my findings, some of which I think are quite surprising. I plan to post chapters from the book on a blog am looking for reviewers and people to try the advice and see if it works for them. I don’t have this up yet, but will let you all know when it is available.

In the meantime, I’m interested in learning what kind of problems you are having with your weight loss programs and in helping to answer any questions that I can.

[Kumquat76]

Well, I'm interested in seeing what you came up with.

[MikeB]

I would say the answer is quite easy.
Eat at least 1g of protein and complex carb per body lb which would be 40% and 40% of your total intake and then fill in the last 20% with fat.

Here's the math:
I weigh 235lbs, so 235g of protein and 235g of carbs which gives me a total of 470g. For protein and carbs you multiply by 4 to come up with calories so 470 x 4 = 1880 calories.
Now you have 80% of your total intake in calories. Since we took 1g portions of carbs and protein equal to your body weight x 2 to get 1880, the last 20% of your calories will come from fat. Since we took took our body weight and basically multiplied it by 8 to get 1880, your fat intake in grams equals your body weight x 2. Now divide that number (bodyweight x 2) by 9 to come up with the grams of fat, since we're using mine it's 235 x 2 = 470 then divide by 9 = 52.

So my daily intake = 235g of protein, 235g of carbs and 52g of fat for a total of 2350 calories. This is a good baseline to start, then reduce from there if you're not losing 2lbs per week. Make sure your carbs are from things like no fat cottage cheese, whole wheat bread, apples etc. Try and limit your carbs after 4pm for men and after 1pm for women. Most of your carbs should come in breakfast, lunch and after workout.

[lindsey147]

that is great to hear.. i personally have lost almost 60 lbs but gained about 20 of it back.. so i am fighting hard to get them back off and even lose more if i can.. i went through the genetixprogram. it was awesome and still is.. it gives me a lot of support and the knowledge.. the one thing that is lacking for me is my own motivation. that is the major reason i have signed up to run a half marathon in june. i figure i needed to set a goal and stick it to for me finally feel motivated enough to get this fat off me! i am very interested in reading more about your findings! keep me posted!

[Obesity Discussion]

Hello and welcome to the site!!! Glad to have you here!

[jus4boyz]

weightlossdoc,

I have tried many diets, to include diet pills, and have yet to find something that truly worked for me. About a year ago I went to Professional Diet Control where I was put on a meal plan, received B6/B12 shots, and weighed in three times a week. I lost 20 pounds during my time there but had to leave because of personal issues. Since my husband returned from Iraq last November I have put back on 10 of those pounds and really am struggling to shed them. I go to water aerobics three days a week and watch what I eat. Yet I have not seen any results. My husband said I need to do more cardio, which I understand. What cardio can I do that will not put a lot of stress on my back and knees? I was discharged from the military in 2006 for those problems, but I am not using that as a crutch for not exercising. I will run until it hurts but I don't think exercise is supposed to be painful, in that sense. I really need some help!!

[Chrisydj]

Originally Posted by jus4boyz

weightlossdoc,

I have tried many diets, to include diet pills, and have yet to find something that truly worked for me. About a year ago I went to Professional Diet Control where I was put on a meal plan, received B6/B12 shots, and weighed in three times a week. I lost 20 pounds during my time there but had to leave because of personal issues. Since my husband returned from Iraq last November I have put back on 10 of those pounds and really am struggling to shed them. I go to water aerobics three days a week and watch what I eat. Yet I have not seen any results. My husband said I need to do more cardio, which I understand. What cardio can I do that will not put a lot of stress on my back and knees? I was discharged from the military in 2006 for those problems, but I am not using that as a crutch for not exercising. I will run until it hurts but I don't think exercise is supposed to be painful, in that sense. I really need some help!!

i know you werent asking me but you could try riding a bike i have bad knees and have been having back problems since i let my weight spiral out of control i tried running but it kills me so i got a recumbant stationary bike and i can be on it for 2 hours and it doesnt kill my knees i still walk about 2-4 miles at the local park a couple times a week but i hurt so bad afterwards i walk because it is how my 12 yr old daughter and i spend time together and it gets her away from the tv and video games and gets her exercise too plus it is nice to mix things up but i can say since i've lost the 25lbs that walking hurts less! ok sorry i'm rambling....i do that alot

[jacqueline]

Originally Posted by weightlossdoc

Hi everyone. I am physician specializing in preventive medicine. About 6 years ago, I needed to lose 20 pounds. I joined WeightWatchers because I had never been successful at dieting on my own and I thought the peer pressure - that is, having to weigh in every week – would help. It did, and I managed to lose the weight – but boy, was I hungry!!

Shortly after that experience I was asked to become involved in the Y’s weight loss program. The Y’s plan was based on the government’s “food pyramid” – which, at the time, included 6-11 servings of grain products a day !! – and, like most diets, lowering overall caloric intake. Long story short – it didn’t work! I found that no matter how religiously people followed the diet, no matter how little they ate or how much they exercised, they just didn’t lose weight.

That began a 4 year search into the medical literature to answer the question – just how does one lose weight? I have now written, but not yet published, a book on my findings, some of which I think are quite surprising. I plan to post chapters from the book on a blog am looking for reviewers and people to try the advice and see if it works for them. I don’t have this up yet, but will let you all know when it is available.

In the meantime, I’m interested in learning what kind of problems you are having with your weight loss programs and in helping to answer any questions that I can.

Welcome Weightlossdoc,

Unfortunatley, I am a lifelong dieter. I look forward to reading what you have written. It sounds like you may have answers to a lot of our questions. It will be good to figure things out instead of not knowing why some things work, and others don't. That way, we won't kill ourselves doing things that aren't helpful. Thanks!

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by jus4boyz

weightlossdoc,

I have tried many diets, to include diet pills, and have yet to find something that truly worked for me. About a year ago I went to Professional Diet Control where I was put on a meal plan, received B6/B12 shots, and weighed in three times a week. I lost 20 pounds during my time there but had to leave because of personal issues. Since my husband returned from Iraq last November I have put back on 10 of those pounds and really am struggling to shed them. I go to water aerobics three days a week and watch what I eat. Yet I have not seen any results. My husband said I need to do more cardio, which I understand. What cardio can I do that will not put a lot of stress on my back and knees? I was discharged from the military in 2006 for those problems, but I am not using that as a crutch for not exercising. I will run until it hurts but I don't think exercise is supposed to be painful, in that sense. I really need some help!!

Swimming is going to be the easiest on you by far! Any indoor pools you have access to? P.S. Diets and diet pills don't work in the long run.

[Steve]

hahahahaha

you don't say.

even if people controlled calories they didn't lose weight, completely ignoring thermodynamics.

how about that......

here's an idea of my own developed from my own observations made of the years of being in this industry. i hate people who sell snake oil, preying on the desperate.

[sass63]

Welcome to the site I will be watching for more of your posts. Its strange to me to hear a doctor saying you can follow the recommended and not lose. I was fighting that battle for years.

[Mollymouser]

Welcome!!!

For me, I've found that eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and moderate exercise works before for me... at least it's working great so far. (7 months, 1 week .... and counting!)

MOLLY

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Steve

i hate people who sell snake oil, preying on the desperate.

You mean people do this!

[weightlossdoc]

OK, I AM working on getting a blog going...hopefully I'll have some chapters up on it by the end of next week. I'll let you know when that happens. I think the info will be helpful It is different...and I am very interested in what you think/how it works for you.