Is their a correlation between loosing...

[brandonjpowell]

10% of your bodyweight and your metabolism kicking in and
you loosing weight faster?

My wife and I are following the weight watchers points
system and the first goal that they set for her to loose
was 10% of her starting bodyweight. She has done that and
now is telling me that she feels like her metabolism has
finally kicked in because she has more energy and can
actually feel herself loosing weight.

Is this true? Is 10% of your bodyweight a "magic" number
for us to shoot for to increase our metabolism?

I know that the more you loose the better you feel and the
faster your metabolism will burn calories, but they are
pushing 10% as the magic number where all the magic will
start.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!
Brandon

 

[Crowler]

10% isn't a magic number. They probably use it as a marketing tool as it is a nice round number.

BUT if you get 10% of your bodyweight off then IMO you would feel better just because you are no longer lugging about that extra weight.

BUT if the 10% you lose is muscle than you would actually be slowing your metabolism down.

It may be your wife has gained some muscle and she now feels her metabolism is picking up also she probably is eating more consistant more frequent small meals which will increase the metabolism.


CROWLER

 

[brandonjpowell]

She does workout at Curves just about every day, and is now
eating six smaller meals per day instead of two big meals.
So I'll bet that is what's going on with her and why she
feels like she does.

Thanks bro!

 

[xcelbeyond]

It sounds like she's making the "right" changes - diet and workouts

This is my take:

Most Americans want instant (also easy) results. They (people and these programs) use the scale and tape measurer as measurements of success.

Most guys here are probaby in the 10 - 15% BF range (or much less - of course ). So if you were to lose 10% and it were all BF, you could be stepping on stage. We all know that weightwatchers doesn't do that to you.

Most people drop weight with a fair bit of that being LBM - because they don't preach to them that workout is necessary/important - as most people are lazy and that would scare off most people.

The result - you drop bodyweight, lose LBM. can and probably increase your BF% (due to loss of LBM and "ratio"), and are smaller (via tape measurements).

Don't get me wrong, the program is good for most lazy, fat-asses, but you only end up becoming a "smaller" you that needs fewer calories due to les LBM.

Why don;t they promote losing bodyfat, INCREASING muscle - to replace the fat and so you don't look like Twiggy after all the fat and muscle loss. This would also mean their clients would need TO EAT MORE CALORIES than when they began - NOW HOW STUPID WOULD THAT SEEM TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Fortunately, your wife is fortunate to have you help her in the right direction. They are a GREAT SUPPORT GROUP, just don't really have the best intrest goals IMHO.

I need to clarify about workout in my signature. I'm assuming everyone realizes (at least on the boards) that workouts are ESSENTIAL. Just as a percentage of everything involved, results are "more" dependant on nutrition. It's still a "SUM OF THE TOTAL THINGS."