Weight loss not happening

[Songwriter]

I have no idea where to post this. This forum is highly subdivided. Too much IMO, but anyway... it's confusing that there is no section for weight loss.

I have a male friend, middle age, overweight. I think he said he weighs 268 and needs to lose 80 lbs or so. He reports that he has been basically "on" the PP plan for many months. Has sometimes gone off plan but is perplexed that even when he says he eats "perfectly" for a solid week, he doesn't even drop one pound. Many years ago, he DID lose weight on PP and it amazed him as to how easy it was to lose weight.

He has had a vigorous checkup and appears to be overall very healthy. He believes in PP plan and believes in supplementation. And exercise. BUT... admits that for the past year has has basically had zero exercise. I read something recently where it said that exercise is actually BAD for you when dieting, haha, so, that really throws a curveball. But anyway, assuming that exercise helps... he isn't doing it.

Anything you can add as to why he is not losing any weight? He's intelligent and if he says he is "on" the plan, I believe him.

One thing he is concerned about is how much protein; he fears maybe he is eating too MUCH protein. I don't know how to tell him how to calculate it because I haven't even done it myself but I do need to. I couldn't find a tape measure last week to do it. Is there a thread on how to calculate protein needs?

[cmcole]

I think it's in the stickies at the top part of the Board, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will direct you with a link.

[Gaelen]

Bill, please check out the "Getting Started" section. There is a forum in that section full of links that includes calculators to give you an idea about your minimum protein recommendations.

There's no section for 'weight loss' on this forum because weight loss is only one of the many benefits of eating according to Protein Power, and while it's uppermost in many people's minds, it actually isn't something that is steady and constant as most people would like it to be. It varies from person to person, or for individuals depending on their exercise, their actual commitment to eating/not eating things on plan, stress levels and other health conditions.

As for your friend. committing to actually following the plan for a week 'perfectly' may or may not show results on the scale...I know that for many people it takes longer than that, especially the second (or third or fourth or fifth) time that they change their eating habits. His best bet for losing weight, regardless of how he chooses to eat? Get a plan, read it and understand and commit to it for an extended time, compute his minimum protein requirements and make sure he gets it every day, journal his food so he knows pretty much exactly what he's putting in his mouth every day, start exercising (even regular walking is better than no exercise at all), and join a support group where he can participate and get/give regular feedback. That approach is the one that most people who are successful losing weight and keeping it off cite as what worked for them.

He can get serious about his goals, which may include weight loss, or he can take a hit or miss approach...but if he chooses the later, his results will be hit or miss, too.

[Bogie]

It ain't instant, and healthy and sustainable weight loss doesn't happen overnight.

1 pound/week is 52 pounds/year. Not gonna stick. Welcome to the roller coaster.

One ounce/day is over 20 pounds/year. Workable, but at the edge.

1 pound/month is 12 pounds/year. Workable.

Tell him to log everything he eats/drinks for a week.

Now...

Weight and pounds don't mean squat. I know a lot of y'all obsess about the scale.

Throw it away, or ship it to me, because I need to weigh my trailer...

All that matters is SIZE. Muscle weighs more than flab. Darn. You gained a pound! But your jeans are looser, and that butt's lookin' better... Deal with it.

[Warrior Woman]

All that matters is SIZE. Muscle weighs more than flab. Darn. You gained a pound! But your jeans are looser, and that butt's lookin' better... Deal with it.

Muscle doesnt weigh more- a pound is a pound. Muscle is more dense, hence taking up less space. 10 pounds of steel takes up less space than 10 pounds of feathers- but both weigh the same- 10 pounds

[Bogie]

Okay... Muscle masses more than flab. Same dang difference when you look at the belt. You can be 5'8" and weigh 210 and be in great shape, or you can be 5'8" and weigh 210, and look like someone that's trying to shoplift a bowling ball.

First order of business: Do not get hung up on the scale. Get hung up on general fitness. Big difference there, but some folks, especially folks who have roller-coaster dieted, just can't get way from it... It is not about how much you weigh.

[Mitra]

A given volume of muscle weighs more than the same volume of fat: say a cubic inch, or whatever. Muscle is more dense, so you could say it weighs more if you're considering a fixed volume, or that it takes up less space if you're considering a fixed mass - but you can't have them both ;).

[mcsblues]

Getting back to the OP ;) weight loss will never happen unless there is an energy deficit. Now while we can talk about the metabolic advantages of a low carb diet, sooner or later you have to take account of how much low carb food you are putting in your mouth (particularly fat) and the amount of energy you are expending. So while you can lose weight without exercise, you will have to eat considerably less to do so.

So, your friend is not following PP - exercise is not an option! He also is probably eating too many calories. I suggest he gets the 30 day book (the only Eades book which talks about quantities (of things other than carbs) Get him to follow that to the letter for ummm ... 30 days :) and get back to exercise even if it is just a long walk say 5 times a week.

If he still hasn't lost weight get him to post here - we will sort him out!

[LisaS]

I
He's intelligent and if he says he is "on" the plan, I believe him.
[snip] One thing he is concerned about is how much protein; he fears maybe he is eating too MUCH protein.

a) I'm intelligent; I say I'm 'on plan'; I don't believe me unless I see it in black and white
b) you can't know if is too much or too little or just right unless you know how much it is ;)

this is a long way of saying, if I had to make 1 suggestion to anyone starting out it would be "buy a food scale - weigh everything - log everything in such a way as you can count CHO, FAT, PRO, ECC " - using software is the easiest way but using paper & pencil & a reference is possible. Do this for at least a month.

[LisaS]

unless, of course, telling someone to measure & log everything will make it all seem too hard - then you have to do something else - but if anyone asked me about the best way to get started and stay on track ... that's what I'd say. YMMV :)

[deirdra]

WHAT is he eating? If he is eating deli meat & cheese or prepared foods or foods he is allergic to or intolerant of, he may be holding on to water.

[Bogie]

Holding on to water? You don't hold on to 50 pounds of water.

Unless you're my sister in law the dietician...

Eat right, don't cheat, and keep the metabolism churning.

And you'll gain muscle and lose fat.

[wendyj]

It is possible that your friend has a high degree of insulin resistance from years of overeating carbs. As a result, he may need to follow the plan for longer and increase his exercise in order to start to lose more quickly. I have seen this in certain people who are very sensitive to carbs. Also, it is possible to eat too much protein and this is a challenge I have. I only weigh in the low 150s and am short but I have a strong appetite and find that I can eat more than my body really needs at times. The other issue for me that sounds like it is also an issue for your friend is consistency.

Regardless, let your friend know that there really is no other alternative but to live low carb. When you compare the health risks of eating high carb, it is better to stay low carb and be a bit overweight than to go back to a high carb diet!!!

[Ottawa]

Re: "I have a male friend, middle age, overweight. I think he said he weighs 268 and needs to lose 80 lbs or so. He reports that he has been basically "on" the PP plan for many months. Has sometimes gone off plan but is perplexed that even when he says he eats "perfectly" for a solid week, he doesn't even drop one pound. Many years ago, he DID lose weight on PP and it amazed him as to how easy it was to lose weight."

Eating perfectly for a week does not do it. From another of your postings concerning Protein needs ...

"I'm curious if you have found protein needs to be a significant factor.
1. Did you calculate your protein requirements or just wing it?"

This program definitely takes some effort to be successful but everyone that I have seen post regularly, following PP basics, loses weight, with the exception of those with possible thyroid issues.
Weight loss does slow down after a long success, or when veering off plan, or when inconsistent in preparing/planning meals.

If "your friend" has 80 lbs. to lose, following teh basics should be shaving off a minimum of a pound/week for at least the first 40-50 pounds.
Do the calculations, report on the dailies or Monitor Mondays, and monitor the progress.

For myself, the first 75 were self rewarding, that is seeing the results and sticking to it to confirm that success, day by day, week after week. When I was about 15% left to goal, it definitely slowed down and took more exercise and slight modifications to continue.
For myself I found experimenting with IF or Cleansing Fasts, the trigger to start it up again. I vary between 18-19% BF with weight ever so slowly dropping now. I still have the scale addiction, but monitor my waist even closer by how my pants feel.
I am slightly over on my daily Protein needs (135 grams), maintain various forms of exercise and have a great lipid profile.
The rewards become the motivator with time. If you or your friend need more motivation set up mini targets that include rewards like a new piece of clothing/etc. at the next X pounds. Also stay clear of Sugar Alcohols if looking for weight loss.