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[Polaroid Doll]

Polaroid Doll, I would be interested to read how your last 2-3 pounds went, and how/when you decided you were 'done'. Because that's where I'm at...

I ended up losing them very slowly, using a calorie deficit of 100-200 calories per day (achieved by increasing activity modestly, because I found this was much easier to do than reducing calories).

But before I started losing the weight this time, I had to rebuild my metabolism. About five years ago (seems like so long ago now!!) I had tried the low calorie diets (~ 1400 cals per day) and ended up ruining my metabolism--it slowed down so much that every time I ate anything in excess, it would be converted to fat (which stubbornly planted itself on my thighs  ). I just couldn't eat that little and feel satisfied, esp. when I wanted to do things with friends, which would often include a restaurant. And trying to not eat just made me obsess about food. So I did it really slowly this time, and it seemed to be the key for me.

I decided I was 'done' now because I'm already back to my high-school weight. I see no reason to lose more...although if I went lower I suppose I would decide I needed to keep it there. I really don't want to do that, because my body seems quite happy staying at the current weight, and I don't want to trigger the 'starvation' mode again. I'm trying really had to keep the calories in/calories out even (averaged over the week), and it seems to be working...so if it's not broken...right? 

[Clarinette]

Polaroid Doll,

How many calories a day can you eat to stay stable?

[Polaroid Doll]

Polaroid Doll,

How many calories a day can you eat to stay stable?

Now it's quite a lot. I average 2200, which sounds really high, but I've been very careful not to trip up my metabolism this time, and I'm reasonably active. I commute to work by bicycle except during winter and go for a walk most evenings. Plus, I don't drive to run errands if it's close enough to walk, which gives me other bits of exercise throughout the week.

I've used various online calculators to determine how many calories I can eat per day, and these usually say 1800-2000 based on my height, weight, and activity at work. So this seems about right. But I think most people would have to eat somewhat less, until getting the metabolism working well (this took a few years of effort, between my previous (successful then failed) weight loss effort and the current effort).

[Heidi 555]

Polaroid Doll, I was wondering about your stats such as height, weight, clothing size, age, how long did you do SLD for, and what you do for SLD?  There are lots of us in the close to goal category and comparing how we navigate that territory is helpful.  

That's great that your calorie average is 2200.  I've been estimating that mine is somewhere in that range.  Here and there I have a day where I eat less.

I lost my last 10 pounds very slowly.  I'm thinking now that I want to push my weight/set point down a little bit more to make maintenance easier.  It is tricky though to figure out when you've lost enough.  Especially because fat tends to cling to a few key places while other parts are skinnier than I'd prefer.  If only we could distribute it where we'd like.

[Clarinette]

Polaroid Doll,

Thank you for your answer. I would be also interested to know how you raised back up your metabolism after that calories reduction diet that slowed it down?  Did it took you 5 years?  :shock:

[Polaroid Doll]

Polaroid Doll, I was wondering about your stats such as height, weight, clothing size, age, how long did you do SLD for, and what you do for SLD?  There are lots of us in the close to goal category and comparing how we navigate that territory is helpful.  

That's great that your calorie average is 2200.  I've been estimating that mine is somewhere in that range.  Here and there I have a day where I eat less.

I lost my last 10 pounds very slowly.  I'm thinking now that I want to push my weight/set point down a little bit more to make maintenance easier.  It is tricky though to figure out when you've lost enough.  Especially because fat tends to cling to a few key places while other parts are skinnier than I'd prefer.  If only we could distribute it where we'd like.

Heidi,
I'm 5'6", 120, clothes size is tricky since these vary by brand...in traditional tailor's size I'm US 8/UK 10 (obviously this is not the size I choose from the store now, since they change sizing regularly). 37 yrs old. I've never done strict SLD, but instead did a 'mutt' version (mix and match). The part I took was increasing MUFA intake; instead of drinking oil, I ate the calories as almonds, avocado, and olive oil. Obviously this isn't at all by the book, but it worked really well for decreasing overall appetite (I have a soft spot for sweets, so AS comes in handy for resisting those...  ).

I hear you about wanting to redistribute where fat wants to stay--I don't think any of us are completely happy with what we've got. I'd personally love to move a little into the bust/chest area, but we can't have everything we like...

I think the slow last ten pounds are key. It requires patience (a lot!), but I'm hoping it will be permanent this time. It's looking good so far.

Polaroid Doll,

Thank you for your answer. I would be also interested to know how you raised back up your metabolism after that calories reduction diet that slowed it down?  Did it took you 5 years?  :shock:

Clarinette,

Yes, it pretty much took the better part of five years. I don't know how many people would have the patience to try...it took forever and seemed like sometimes I would never get up to the levels the calculators said I should be able to eat.

I ended up increasing my activity level slowly, while increasing my calorie intake by a lesser amount. Then I waited until the scale showed I could lose weight at the new calorie level, increased calorie intake a little more, and waited again...eventually I got there. It took a long time to do it, but I think it's because I wasn't eating nearly enough calories before. I swore to myself after that to never drop my calorie levels so low, no matter what.

[Pinkmug]

Hmmm interesting, that's something I never did - increasing activity moderately and calorie intake too but less. But patience is not my thing... 

[Heidi 555]

Thanks Polaroid Doll for the details.  Did you nose clip the almonds, avocado, and olive oil?  That seems like it would be a really good way to do SLD.  I prefer eating the whole food as much as possible.

I don't know what a traditional tailor's size is.  Do you mean what sizes use to be?  Definitely sizes vary tremendously.  And teen sizes are so much smaller than women's sizes.  

Good work on raising your metabolism and good luck on maintaining.  I hope you'll keep posting on how maintenance goes for you, as guidance and input in that area is really helpful.  

[Polaroid Doll]

Thanks Polaroid Doll for the details.  Did you nose clip the almonds, avocado, and olive oil?  That seems like it would be a really good way to do SLD.  I prefer eating the whole food as much as possible.

I don't know what a traditional tailor's size is.  Do you mean what sizes use to be?  Definitely sizes vary tremendously.  And teen sizes are so much smaller than women's sizes.  

Good work on raising your metabolism and good luck on maintaining.  I hope you'll keep posting on how maintenance goes for you, as guidance and input in that area is really helpful.  

No, I didn't nose-clip at all. None of those foods are addictive, or even that highly flavored (yes, they have a flavor, but not at all a strong one). I think it's the MUFAs, not the flavorless calories, that are actually working here.

Tailor's sizes are the standardized sizing charts used by pattern makers (Vogue, etc.). They're based strictly on body measurements, so they're consistent from pattern-maker to pattern-maker; one just needs to verify if they're using the US or UK standards. These were used regularly in the ready-made garment industry until the early 1990's. The UK chart can be found here: http://www.voguepatterns.com/indextec.htm

I'm not an exact UK10...my waist is actually between a 10 and 12  I don't expect I'll ever make a perfect fit.

[Oslo]

Great to hear Polaroid.  Did you increase MUFA intake as snacks or with meals?  Do you think it makes any difference?  Inspired as I promised to be - I had sesame and pumpkin seeds with breakfast, hemp seeds with lunch, almond butter with snack... 

[Polaroid Doll]

Oslo:

It was both snacks and meals. The almonds were always snacks, but avocados don't really work well plain. I put them in sandwiches, burritos, on top of chili or beans, etc. I don't know if it matters what time they're eaten--I think it's more important just to incorporate more into the diet.

I've never been able to eat pumpkin seeds straight.  :? They have such a strong taste... But I eat granola bars with them as my morning snack, and they work really well in that context.

[Heidi 555]

No, I didn't nose-clip at all. None of those foods are addictive, or even that highly flavored (yes, they have a flavor, but not at all a strong one). I think it's the MUFAs, not the flavorless calories, that are actually working here.

Yeah, I agree.  I think good oils even when you taste them help with weightloss.  Tasteless they can be even more powerful.  But you're lucky that you've been able to achieve your goal without needing flavorless calories.

Tailor's sizes are the standardized sizing charts used by pattern makers (Vogue, etc.). They're based strictly on body measurements, so they're consistent from pattern-maker to pattern-maker; one just needs to verify if they're using the US or UK standards. These were used regularly in the ready-made garment industry until the early 1990's. The UK chart can be found here: http://www.voguepatterns.com/indextec.htm

Thanks for the link to the Tailor's sizes.  They are much, much larger than sizes here.

I'm not an exact UK10...my waist is actually between a 10 and 12   I don't expect I'll ever make a perfect fit.

By the sizes I'm familiar with in the US you'd be a size 1 or 2.  You must look and feel great.  Do you still have cellulite or does it all disappear when you lose?  Mine has greatly been reduced but some is still there.  I wonder how much more I'd have to lose to have it all disappear. 

Oslo, I recall that you said your cellulite was gone.  Has it left for good or does it come back when you gain a bit?

[Maychi]

Am I glad to have come across this! Recently, I've noticed that on the days I eat very little, I gain and on the days I eat what seem a lot, I lose. I have been trying to persuade myself to not lower my calories too much for over a year now, but it's so hard with all the low-cal obsession everywhere. Over and over again I keep returning to the same thing - eat enough the satisfy hunger and no more, if you feel like bingeing, it means you haven't been eating enough and your body is screaming for fuel.

And as for sizes - oyoyoy, I looked at the Vogue chart and according to that I'm a size 14 (which makes sense as I weigh just under 20 pounds more than you, Polaroid Doll, and am about the same height), but I now regularly buy UK size 10 or even 8 if it's something that's loose over the hips, whereas until the early 90s I was always between 12 and 14 at a slightly lower weight. Vanity sizing really is ridiculous.

[Pinkmug]

Coincidence, I was talking about MUFAs just a couple days ago, in respect of the flat belly diet...
... in fact I've been paying attention to including MUFAs at every meal. (I don't know if it's true that MUFAs address belly fat, but what I don't know can't hurt me LOL  :lol: really at this point of the tournament I'd be happy to just shed belly fat)

[Pinkmug]

Maychi, it's true, sometimes it's after a day I ate more that I finally drop some weight, I even joked about it saying that we have to eat junk occasionally to rev up the weight loss...
I think there's a very thin line between useful and excessive calorie restriction, sometimes that line is so hard to find, as even for the same individual it may vary all the time!
Now I want to see that Vogue chart too