Any bona fide LONG TERM obesity success stories here?

[Jingthing]

According to obesity specialists, a person has achieved significant success against obesity when:

1. They started obese (define by BMI or a more precise measure like body fat analysis)

2. They lost weight down a level of "normal weight"

3. They maintained this normal weight, not becoming overweight or obese again, for an entire FIVE YEARS

I will add -- not done with bariatric surgery (as that's a very extreme measure usually suitable only for the VERY obese).

Also, please, only if previously OBESE. Not just overweight. They are different things.

Popular culture sees WEIGHT LOSS alone as the success, but obesity specialists know differently. Large weight loss is much more common than this kind of LONG TERM maintenance. Large weight loss that backfires back to obesity (often again and again and again), which is by far the most common outcome, is actually worse for people's health than not losing the weight in the first place!

Is there ANYONE reading this forum who meets this definition of LONG TERM success and is currently still normal weight?

If so, please post and share your personal experiences with this fantastic SUCCESS.

Yes, I realize, this group represents a very small percentage of obese people, but they do exist, and I think people from this group are potentially great sources of information.

Of course, everyone is different, and what works for one won't work for another, but still, I'd love to hear from some people in this group.

If any people of this group do step forward, thank you in advance, and I hope you'll stick around to field questions from people who might be interested.

Cheers.

Edited November 9, 2013 by Jingthing

[NeverSure]

I have never been obese but I had a friend that did what you say. I hadn't seen him for about 3 years and when I didn't I hardly recognized him. I knew him well enough and long enough that I felt free to congratulate him, and to ask him how he did it.

He said it was portion control and exercise. He said his doctor convinced him that his regular overeating had him on a blood sugar roller coaster and when insulin knocked his blood sugar down after a big snack, it would make him feel hungry again. So once he got to eating healthy foods on a regular schedule (a lot of will power) his blood sugar stabilized and he didn't need the constant big snacks and meals.

Then it was just patience and exercise and he watched the weight come off and stay off. I think he's been a normal weight for about ten years.

[Jingthing]

Portion control, healthy foods, and exercise. Yes, you're preaching to the choir. How is it that only a tiny percentage of obese people can actually achieve that kind of long term success? It's still a mystery to me. These ideas, portion control, healthy foods, and exercise are no secret. I am looking for clues from this minority that REALLY succeed ... stuff we don't ALREADY know. Thanks for sharing your friends story.

Edited November 9, 2013 by Jingthing

[NeverSure]

Portion control, healthy foods, and exercise. Yes, you're preaching to the choir. How is it that only a tiny percentage of obese people can actually achieve that kind of long term success? It's still a mystery to me. These ideas, portion control, healthy foods, and exercise are no secret. I am looking for clues from this minority that REALLY succeed ... stuff we don't ALREADY know. Thanks for sharing your friends story.

"How is it that only a tiny percentage of obese people can actually achieve that kind of long term success?"

I think it's because they don't know, or don't want to face the fact, that they are addicted to the blood sugar rush rather than the food itself.

Just as a smoker is more addicted to the blood sugar rush followed by low blood sugar causing a "need" for another smoke than he is to the nicotine itself, it's a roller coaster of up and down, fueling the blood sugar, having insulin over-react and push it too low, followed by needing another fix.

It's just another addiction with the lie that you "need" it. People who don't smoke or don't overeat don't "need" it. That's true even if they had to kick the habit. Once kicked, they don't need it.

I quit smoking years ago by finally realizing that the cigarette wasn't my friend that I needed. Up until then I subconsciously believed it was my friend. I did feel better after a smoke from the blood sugar rush, never realizing that most of the time I felt worse due to low blood sugar and low blood oxygen levels. I was actually going from feeling bad back to near normal when I had a smoke.

I don't see a lot of difference in overeating. I think it's all about a lie that says food will make you feel better, when in fact if one would knock it off he'd really feel better.

It's all in the mind except for the small part that temporarily brings blood sugar back to normal until the insulin returns and the cycle repeats.

It's mental. It's believing a lie about food.

[Jingthing]

I think the sugar part is definitely important. Other than blood sugar levels, I just saw this scientist on t.v. talk about how humans are WIRED to crave sugary foods for survival (ENERGY) but in previous times they were generally not at all abundant. So the health issues of TOO MUCH of it were not part of our wiring. But now with the modern abundance there is kind of a trap for us biologically. Anyway, yes, that is an important clue, sugar, externally, and internally.

The food addiction part I think is more controversial. I've heard conflicting theories about that. Is food really addictive like ciggies and heroin? I'm not so sure. I am sure there is an EMOTIONAL factor for a lot us (including me), that food is linked to good feelings, pleasure, comfort, happiness, even love. But that's not quite the same thing as physical addiction, like a junkie.

Edited November 9, 2013 by Jingthing

[NeverSure]

I think the sugar part is definitely important. Other than blood sugar levels, I just saw this scientist on t.v. talk about how humans are WIRED to crave sugary foods for survival (ENERGY) but in previous times they were generally not at all abundant. So the health issues of TOO MUCH of it were not part of our wiring. But now with the modern abundance there is kind of a trap for us biologically. Anyway, yes, that is an important clue, sugar, externally, and internally.

The food addiction part I think is more controversial. I've heard conflicting theories about that. Is food really addictive like ciggies and heroin? I'm not so sure. I am sure there is an EMOTIONAL factor for a lot us (including me), that food is linked to good feelings, pleasure, comfort, happiness, even love. But that's not quite the same thing as physical addiction, like a junkie.

"But that's not quite the same thing as physical addiction, like a junkie."

It would be only if the addiction was a relief from low blood sugar by eating. Every drug has its own way of working, and I call excessive sugar a drug.

Even carbs which quickly convert to blood sugar are addictive. A person who eats too many carbs including sugar can't quit that and switch to only vegetables and protein without having withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and weakness and the shakes from low blood sugar. But once he gets past it, and his blood sugar normalizes, he won't crave it (physically) any more. After that it's the lie in the mind saying that a stomach full of carbs would be his friend.

Unless a person has a physical condition which is unusual, as an obese person he simply has believed the lie that the amount and type of food he eats is his friend.

Think about it.

[Jingthing]

OK, I read that three times and I don't fully get it.

In any case, did your friend share with you some specifics about the nature of the foods he was eating during his long term maintenance phase? I am guessing nothing too surprising, lots of vegetables, lean protein, low on carbs, right?

One reason I am interested in the maintenance phase is my awareness of how that's almost everything in the fight against obesity.

My reading has also convinced me that what you do and how you think DURING the weight reduction phase is closely related to what's going to happen during the maintenance phase, which again, sadly, for most obese people is short lived.

This point is a little tricky. It implies and I think correctly so that being great at LOSING weight is not much of a predictor at maintenance success.

[JSixpack]

Somewhat relevant:

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9016489

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/976963-success-on-a-low-carb-diet

[robblok]

I have kept my weight off now for over a year so still not long enough. Today i just arrived at a fishing resort where i stayed last year. They are all talking about how much more muscle i got. I don't think it is that much more but they seem to think so. I thought i was just heavier. So you don't always see yourself the way the world sees you.

I have been maintaining just as i was loosing just a bit less exercise and a bit more food but still not going overboard. I know i cant go back to what i did before but i do know i can relax a bit. But i keep monitoring my weight and if it goes up too much i just adapt what i eat. Its easier to loose a little bit then to start all over so monitor your weight and your belt and adjust.

For me unfortunately there is not a huge gap between loosing weight and not gaining weight, i hope its different for others.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[robblok]

I also try to limit my carbs, not sure if its low carb or not but if possible i avoid most of the carbs.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[Jingthing]

Thanks RB. While five years maintaining is the standard acid test of success, one year can be the beginning of that, and it's ain't chopped liver!

[robblok]

Thanks RB. While five years maintaining is the standard acid test of success, one year can be the beginning of that, and it's ain't chopped liver!

JT i would think that weighing yourself would help to keep you on track. If you lost a lot i would think that for most they dont want to go back so if you set up an upper limit you would be able to keep it off. But if you stop weighing you might end up too high and loose heart and give up.

That is my philosophy anyway.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[h90]

I think the sugar part is definitely important. Other than blood sugar levels, I just saw this scientist on t.v. talk about how humans are WIRED to crave sugary foods for survival (ENERGY) but in previous times they were generally not at all abundant. So the health issues of TOO MUCH of it were not part of our wiring. But now with the modern abundance there is kind of a trap for us biologically. Anyway, yes, that is an important clue, sugar, externally, and internally.

The food addiction part I think is more controversial. I've heard conflicting theories about that. Is food really addictive like ciggies and heroin? I'm not so sure. I am sure there is an EMOTIONAL factor for a lot us (including me), that food is linked to good feelings, pleasure, comfort, happiness, even love. But that's not quite the same thing as physical addiction, like a junkie.

"But that's not quite the same thing as physical addiction, like a junkie."

It would be only if the addiction was a relief from low blood sugar by eating. Every drug has its own way of working, and I call excessive sugar a drug.

Even carbs which quickly convert to blood sugar are addictive. A person who eats too many carbs including sugar can't quit that and switch to only vegetables and protein without having withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and weakness and the shakes from low blood sugar. But once he gets past it, and his blood sugar normalizes, he won't crave it (physically) any more. After that it's the lie in the mind saying that a stomach full of carbs would be his friend.

Unless a person has a physical condition which is unusual, as an obese person he simply has believed the lie that the amount and type of food he eats is his friend.

Think about it.

What is stange: If you eat "normal", after a couple of hours you get hungry and too low blood sugar. While the liver has enough sugar which it could release into the blood.

If you eat low carbohydrates for a couple of days, than somehow the liver is doing the job well, or the body got used to lower levels.

For me that looks like as the body isn't designed to have a lot easily available carbohydrates. But if they are available (say it is the season for some high carb fruits) than it can switch to use them very fast and build up stock of fat for the time when there is less food available.

[Jingthing]

I also try to limit my carbs, not sure if its low carb or not but if possible i avoid most of the carbs.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Were you actually ever clinically OBESE?

I just noticed you didn't actually say that you were.

If not, this topic is really about those succeeding in conquering ACTUAL obesity.

I don't consider people who haven't started at actual obesity to be in the same boat.

While this forum of course covers all degrees of concern of overweight, even someone thinking they have a big problem with being 5 pounds over some rough insurance company chart, but this TOPIC is really specifically about OBESITY and even more so, LONG TERM success in winning against it.

Ignore this comment if you actually did start at clinical obesity.

I do fully realize I am asking for comments from some QUITE RARE people -- people who actually meet the definition of LONG TERM (at least 5 years) success conquering actual clinical obesity (and without bariatric surgery as well). I am not really surprised not even one such person meeting that criteria has posted here, because the pool of such people is very small.

Edited November 14, 2013 by Jingthing

[robblok]

I also try to limit my carbs, not sure if its low carb or not but if possible i avoid most of the carbs.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Were you actually ever clinically OBESE?

I just noticed you didn't actually say that you were.

If not, this topic is really about those succeeding in conquering ACTUAL obesity. 

I don't consider people who haven't started at actual obesity to be in the same boat. 

While this forum of course covers all degrees of concern of overweight, even someone thinking they have a big problem with being 5 pounds over some rough insurance company chart, but this TOPIC is really specifically about OBESITY and even more so, LONG TERM success in winning against it. 

Ignore this comment if you actually did start at clinical obesity. 

 

I do fully realize I am asking for comments from some QUITE RARE people -- people who actually meet the definition of LONG TERM (at least 5 years) success conquering actual clinical obesity (and without bariatric surgery as well). I am not really surprised not even one such person meeting that criteria has posted here, because the pool of such people is very small. 

Not sure i was 107 kg at 180 cm what does that make me ?

Fat that is for sure but you know the definitions better as me.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[Jingthing]

Well, now you know, based on rough BMI you were 33 so in the lower end of obesity based on that.

Based on body fat content, I couldn't say. The BMI is more accurate for couch potato types without gym bodies.

Fat of course doesn't say what level as fat. Like I said someone 5 pounds over some chart might think they are fat and so would the person who is morbidly obese ...

Edited November 14, 2013 by Jingthing

[h90]

I also try to limit my carbs, not sure if its low carb or not but if possible i avoid most of the carbs.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Were you actually ever clinically OBESE?

I just noticed you didn't actually say that you were.

If not, this topic is really about those succeeding in conquering ACTUAL obesity.

I don't consider people who haven't started at actual obesity to be in the same boat.

While this forum of course covers all degrees of concern of overweight, even someone thinking they have a big problem with being 5 pounds over some rough insurance company chart, but this TOPIC is really specifically about OBESITY and even more so, LONG TERM success in winning against it.

Ignore this comment if you actually did start at clinical obesity.

I do fully realize I am asking for comments from some QUITE RARE people -- people who actually meet the definition of LONG TERM (at least 5 years) success conquering actual clinical obesity (and without bariatric surgery as well). I am not really surprised not even one such person meeting that criteria has posted here, because the pool of such people is very small.

I once met a guy in Austria on the racing bicycle. He want down from 130 kg, by riding bicycle.

That guy had legs like a horse and cut go up and hold 50 km/h without problems.....But I could still beat him on the mountains.

His story was, after wife left him, he started with the bike, every day....and many hours....(I think on that day we both made a 80 km tour with heavy mountains, so it was not the usually burn some fat exercise).

He was tall so I don't know if it was clinical obesity, but I am sure that it was a long term solution for him....fanatic as he was (I as well).

[robblok]

Well, now you know, based on rough BMI you were 33 so in the lower end of obesity based on that.

Based on body fat content, I couldn't say. The BMI is more accurate for couch potato types without gym bodies. 

Fat of course doesn't say what level as fat. Like I said someone 5 pounds over some chart might think they are fat and so would the person who is morbidly obese ... 

Ok JT even then i had muscle as i worked out but i had a belly too not as big as my dad has now at a weight similar maybe a bit more as me then.

So that would probably disqualify me from your test.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app