Tracking calories but scale won’t budge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have IGA Nephropathy. I can have 40 g of protein a day. Ideally plant based or fish but not red meat. I am not a fish fan so I do chicken breast. I also watch my sodium intake. My nephrologist says that having very low body fat reduces inflammation and helps the kidneys. She supports the weight loss as long as my bloodwork remains good. If I eat more calories than 1,000, I definitely gain. There is no cure for the disease so I am doing what I can to slow progression.

There is no way your doctor said this. At 5’2” 112 and age 50, you are already at the low end of normal for body weight. 98 lbs would make you underweight. By trying to lose this weight, you aren’t lowering body fat like you think, your body will be eating your muscle This is going to weaken you and could potentially damage your heart, and deplete your bone density. Especially as you age, it’s imperative you maintain or grow your muscle mass and bone density if you want to age with a high quality of life and maintain optimal mobility.

If you starve yourself down to 98 lbs, I promise you, it will cause lasting damage. Labs are not a good indicator of health. Plenty of hunched over bed-bound frail old ladies have normal labs.

I don’t know that I buy this. My family live in a European country. I have aunts in their 70s. They eat very sparingly. I would say 1,000 to 1,200 a day. Granted it is healthy, fresh food and not processed junk. They walk a lot. But none lift weights and none are at all frail.

We recently took a vacation and walked 20,000 to 25,000 steps a day to fit seeing everything in. I had plenty of energy and stamina.

I personally know many women in their 70s eating 600-900 a day and while they don’t do iron man race or CrossFit, they walk around, cook and babysit grandkids just fine.

My mom is 85 and tiny. Less than 100 lbs. She sometimes forgets to eat due to memory problems and probably eats less than 1000 calories a day. She also has severe osteoporosis and has shattered many bones. Just because people do that doesn’t mean they’re anywhere close to healthy. Physically or mentally

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have IGA Nephropathy. I can have 40 g of protein a day. Ideally plant based or fish but not red meat. I am not a fish fan so I do chicken breast. I also watch my sodium intake. My nephrologist says that having very low body fat reduces inflammation and helps the kidneys. She supports the weight loss as long as my bloodwork remains good. If I eat more calories than 1,000, I definitely gain. There is no cure for the disease so I am doing what I can to slow progression.

There is no way your doctor said this. At 5’2” 112 and age 50, you are already at the low end of normal for body weight. 98 lbs would make you underweight. By trying to lose this weight, you aren’t lowering body fat like you think, your body will be eating your muscle This is going to weaken you and could potentially damage your heart, and deplete your bone density. Especially as you age, it’s imperative you maintain or grow your muscle mass and bone density if you want to age with a high quality of life and maintain optimal mobility.

If you starve yourself down to 98 lbs, I promise you, it will cause lasting damage. Labs are not a good indicator of health. Plenty of hunched over bed-bound frail old ladies have normal labs.

I don’t know that I buy this. My family live in a European country. I have aunts in their 70s. They eat very sparingly. I would say 1,000 to 1,200 a day. Granted it is healthy, fresh food and not processed junk. They walk a lot. But none lift weights and none are at all frail.

We recently took a vacation and walked 20,000 to 25,000 steps a day to fit seeing everything in. I had plenty of energy and stamina.

I personally know many women in their 70s eating 600-900 a day and while they don’t do iron man race or CrossFit, they walk around, cook and babysit grandkids just fine.

I seriously doubt that.

I did have a grandmother who didn't eat much in her 70s. And she fell and had a very severe hip break which caused her health to collapse.

And this "people in Europe don't eat much" stuff is total bunk. Do you actually know anyone who lives in Europe because I do actually have family in the EU and they eat normally, they're much skinnier because they walk and bike everywhere.

I work at a European company in nyc, lunch is catered. They indeed eat less than Americans, but not like OP either. We have a 53 year old guy grazing on nuts and yogurts all day in small portions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have IGA Nephropathy. I can have 40 g of protein a day. Ideally plant based or fish but not red meat. I am not a fish fan so I do chicken breast. I also watch my sodium intake. My nephrologist says that having very low body fat reduces inflammation and helps the kidneys. She supports the weight loss as long as my bloodwork remains good. If I eat more calories than 1,000, I definitely gain. There is no cure for the disease so I am doing what I can to slow progression.

There is no way your doctor said this. At 5’2” 112 and age 50, you are already at the low end of normal for body weight. 98 lbs would make you underweight. By trying to lose this weight, you aren’t lowering body fat like you think, your body will be eating your muscle This is going to weaken you and could potentially damage your heart, and deplete your bone density. Especially as you age, it’s imperative you maintain or grow your muscle mass and bone density if you want to age with a high quality of life and maintain optimal mobility.

If you starve yourself down to 98 lbs, I promise you, it will cause lasting damage. Labs are not a good indicator of health. Plenty of hunched over bed-bound frail old ladies have normal labs.

I don’t know that I buy this. My family live in a European country. I have aunts in their 70s. They eat very sparingly. I would say 1,000 to 1,200 a day. Granted it is healthy, fresh food and not processed junk. They walk a lot. But none lift weights and none are at all frail.

We recently took a vacation and walked 20,000 to 25,000 steps a day to fit seeing everything in. I had plenty of energy and stamina.

I personally know many women in their 70s eating 600-900 a day and while they don’t do iron man race or CrossFit, they walk around, cook and babysit grandkids just fine.

My mom is 85 and tiny. Less than 100 lbs. She sometimes forgets to eat due to memory problems and probably eats less than 1000 calories a day. She also has severe osteoporosis and has shattered many bones. Just because people do that doesn’t mean they’re anywhere close to healthy. Physically or mentally

Of course, growing up in emerging economies where women are encouraged to take up minimal resources and food to support the men, I am positive most of us were mentally unhealthy. But eating a healthy American diet of 1800 cal a day will send my LDL thru the room 😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have IGA Nephropathy. I can have 40 g of protein a day. Ideally plant based or fish but not red meat. I am not a fish fan so I do chicken breast. I also watch my sodium intake. My nephrologist says that having very low body fat reduces inflammation and helps the kidneys. She supports the weight loss as long as my bloodwork remains good. If I eat more calories than 1,000, I definitely gain. There is no cure for the disease so I am doing what I can to slow progression.

There is no way your doctor said this. At 5’2” 112 and age 50, you are already at the low end of normal for body weight. 98 lbs would make you underweight. By trying to lose this weight, you aren’t lowering body fat like you think, your body will be eating your muscle This is going to weaken you and could potentially damage your heart, and deplete your bone density. Especially as you age, it’s imperative you maintain or grow your muscle mass and bone density if you want to age with a high quality of life and maintain optimal mobility.

If you starve yourself down to 98 lbs, I promise you, it will cause lasting damage. Labs are not a good indicator of health. Plenty of hunched over bed-bound frail old ladies have normal labs.

I don’t know that I buy this. My family live in a European country. I have aunts in their 70s. They eat very sparingly. I would say 1,000 to 1,200 a day. Granted it is healthy, fresh food and not processed junk. They walk a lot. But none lift weights and none are at all frail.

We recently took a vacation and walked 20,000 to 25,000 steps a day to fit seeing everything in. I had plenty of energy and stamina.

I personally know many women in their 70s eating 600-900 a day and while they don’t do iron man race or CrossFit, they walk around, cook and babysit grandkids just fine.

My mom is 85 and tiny. Less than 100 lbs. She sometimes forgets to eat due to memory problems and probably eats less than 1000 calories a day. She also has severe osteoporosis and has shattered many bones. Just because people do that doesn’t mean they’re anywhere close to healthy. Physically or mentally

Of course, growing up in emerging economies where women are encouraged to take up minimal resources and food to support the men, I am positive most of us were mentally unhealthy. But eating a healthy American diet of 1800 cal a day will send my LDL thru the room 😂

Can you point me to a source where LDL is affected by overall number calories rather than the types of food that is consumed? I’m not seeing anything supporting what you’ve said and I’ve never heard it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have IGA Nephropathy. I can have 40 g of protein a day. Ideally plant based or fish but not red meat. I am not a fish fan so I do chicken breast. I also watch my sodium intake. My nephrologist says that having very low body fat reduces inflammation and helps the kidneys. She supports the weight loss as long as my bloodwork remains good. If I eat more calories than 1,000, I definitely gain. There is no cure for the disease so I am doing what I can to slow progression.

There is no way your doctor said this. At 5’2” 112 and age 50, you are already at the low end of normal for body weight. 98 lbs would make you underweight. By trying to lose this weight, you aren’t lowering body fat like you think, your body will be eating your muscle This is going to weaken you and could potentially damage your heart, and deplete your bone density. Especially as you age, it’s imperative you maintain or grow your muscle mass and bone density if you want to age with a high quality of life and maintain optimal mobility.

If you starve yourself down to 98 lbs, I promise you, it will cause lasting damage. Labs are not a good indicator of health. Plenty of hunched over bed-bound frail old ladies have normal labs.

I don’t know that I buy this. My family live in a European country. I have aunts in their 70s. They eat very sparingly. I would say 1,000 to 1,200 a day. Granted it is healthy, fresh food and not processed junk. They walk a lot. But none lift weights and none are at all frail.

We recently took a vacation and walked 20,000 to 25,000 steps a day to fit seeing everything in. I had plenty of energy and stamina.

I personally know many women in their 70s eating 600-900 a day and while they don’t do iron man race or CrossFit, they walk around, cook and babysit grandkids just fine.

My mom is 85 and tiny. Less than 100 lbs. She sometimes forgets to eat due to memory problems and probably eats less than 1000 calories a day. She also has severe osteoporosis and has shattered many bones. Just because people do that doesn’t mean they’re anywhere close to healthy. Physically or mentally

Of course, growing up in emerging economies where women are encouraged to take up minimal resources and food to support the men, I am positive most of us were mentally unhealthy. But eating a healthy American diet of 1800 cal a day will send my LDL thru the room 😂

WTF are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have IGA Nephropathy. I can have 40 g of protein a day. Ideally plant based or fish but not red meat. I am not a fish fan so I do chicken breast. I also watch my sodium intake. My nephrologist says that having very low body fat reduces inflammation and helps the kidneys. She supports the weight loss as long as my bloodwork remains good. If I eat more calories than 1,000, I definitely gain. There is no cure for the disease so I am doing what I can to slow progression.

That's tough.

I'd suggest changing your protein sources. Chicken is the lowest quality meat you can eat besides shellfish. If you MUST INSIST on chicken, eat thighs over breasts.

Red meat is definitely what you should eat though, beef/steak. Since you cannot eat much, buy quality steaks and have a small piece each day.

Other than that, eggs and milk for protein.

Try 80% fats, 15% protein, 5% carbs for fat loss while trying to maintain muscle.

Cut out cardio completely, and just lift weights. You can make weight training into cardio by reducing rest between sets.

Thanks. Red meat is harder on the kidneys so I have to avoid it. I do eat eggs and yogurt. I do the brisk walking for heart health but I mostly stick to weights.

Read more about that. It has more creatine, but BUN creatine levels are not indicative of being "unhealthy" for the kidneys, it's just doctors are moslty still ignorant about creatine and it's role in the Krebs Cycle.

Elevated BUN creatine is a sign of kidney damage, but NOT if it is due to your diet. Bodybuilders eat tons of pure creatine and their levels are very high, but have very healthy kidneys. So I'd suggest researching more on that.

At any rate, eggs and dairy are good complete proteins as well. Fish and chicken are pretty low on the totem pole. If you can find real fresh caught salmon and eat the skin (scale it first) then it's pretty healthy.

I'm spreading misinformation. ALL animal protein is hard on the kidneys.

Yes, you are. And that was not what the PP said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have IGA Nephropathy. I can have 40 g of protein a day. Ideally plant based or fish but not red meat. I am not a fish fan so I do chicken breast. I also watch my sodium intake. My nephrologist says that having very low body fat reduces inflammation and helps the kidneys. She supports the weight loss as long as my bloodwork remains good. If I eat more calories than 1,000, I definitely gain. There is no cure for the disease so I am doing what I can to slow progression.

There is no way your doctor said this. At 5’2” 112 and age 50, you are already at the low end of normal for body weight. 98 lbs would make you underweight. By trying to lose this weight, you aren’t lowering body fat like you think, your body will be eating your muscle This is going to weaken you and could potentially damage your heart, and deplete your bone density. Especially as you age, it’s imperative you maintain or grow your muscle mass and bone density if you want to age with a high quality of life and maintain optimal mobility.

If you starve yourself down to 98 lbs, I promise you, it will cause lasting damage. Labs are not a good indicator of health. Plenty of hunched over bed-bound frail old ladies have normal labs.

I don’t know that I buy this. My family live in a European country. I have aunts in their 70s. They eat very sparingly. I would say 1,000 to 1,200 a day. Granted it is healthy, fresh food and not processed junk. They walk a lot. But none lift weights and none are at all frail.

We recently took a vacation and walked 20,000 to 25,000 steps a day to fit seeing everything in. I had plenty of energy and stamina.

I personally know many women in their 70s eating 600-900 a day and while they don’t do iron man race or CrossFit, they walk around, cook and babysit grandkids just fine.

My mom is 85 and tiny. Less than 100 lbs. She sometimes forgets to eat due to memory problems and probably eats less than 1000 calories a day. She also has severe osteoporosis and has shattered many bones. Just because people do that doesn’t mean they’re anywhere close to healthy. Physically or mentally

Of course, growing up in emerging economies where women are encouraged to take up minimal resources and food to support the men, I am positive most of us were mentally unhealthy. But eating a healthy American diet of 1800 cal a day will send my LDL thru the room 😂

Can you point me to a source where LDL is affected by overall number calories rather than the types of food that is consumed? I’m not seeing anything supporting what you’ve said and I’ve never heard it.

That’s the whole point, my personal health isn’t necessarily covered by medical research done on white men. I need way less than 1800 calories. And I say this as a person who tracked calories since 2012.

[Anonymous]

OP here. My doctor says that it is far more likely to have health problems from being overweight and it is very rare and in extreme cases for that to happen from being underweight. She also said that BMI is a really poor guideline to use because there are a lot of specific variables and based on my body and health needs she recommends around 1,000 calories to get as low fat as possible which is better for organs, weight lifting (which I do), and moderate cardio for heart health (I take brisk walks). I have plenty of energy and stamina and my strength is increasing from the weight training. Because I have to stick to low protein I will be challenged to gain a lot of muscle but I am doing what I can. Maybe my needs will change in 10-20 years but for now this seems to be working pretty well. Less food also helps with inflammation which in turns helps organs function better. I am not just doing this willy nilly without putting thought into it. I really think Americans are used to eating a lot of food and we are using to seeing people look fatter. My family in Europe eat way less food (I know because I have spent time with them), are thin, and healthy. They do walk a lot.

That said, I think I will revise my weight goal slightly and try to stay around 105, which for my height (just shy of 5’2) is appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My doctor says that it is far more likely to have health problems from being overweight and it is very rare and in extreme cases for that to happen from being underweight. She also said that BMI is a really poor guideline to use because there are a lot of specific variables and based on my body and health needs she recommends around 1,000 calories to get as low fat as possible which is better for organs, weight lifting (which I do), and moderate cardio for heart health (I take brisk walks). I have plenty of energy and stamina and my strength is increasing from the weight training. Because I have to stick to low protein I will be challenged to gain a lot of muscle but I am doing what I can. Maybe my needs will change in 10-20 years but for now this seems to be working pretty well. Less food also helps with inflammation which in turns helps organs function better. I am not just doing this willy nilly without putting thought into it. I really think Americans are used to eating a lot of food and we are using to seeing people look fatter. My family in Europe eat way less food (I know because I have spent time with them), are thin, and healthy. They do walk a lot.

That said, I think I will revise my weight goal slightly and try to stay around 105, which for my height (just shy of 5’2) is appropriate.

105 and 112 aren’t that different. You say all these things but let a random number dictate your life. That’s borderline OCD.

I an 5’2” and I wear the same clothes between 103 and 118.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have IGA Nephropathy. I can have 40 g of protein a day. Ideally plant based or fish but not red meat. I am not a fish fan so I do chicken breast. I also watch my sodium intake. My nephrologist says that having very low body fat reduces inflammation and helps the kidneys. She supports the weight loss as long as my bloodwork remains good. If I eat more calories than 1,000, I definitely gain. There is no cure for the disease so I am doing what I can to slow progression.

That's tough.

I'd suggest changing your protein sources. Chicken is the lowest quality meat you can eat besides shellfish. If you MUST INSIST on chicken, eat thighs over breasts.

Red meat is definitely what you should eat though, beef/steak. Since you cannot eat much, buy quality steaks and have a small piece each day.

Other than that, eggs and milk for protein.

Try 80% fats, 15% protein, 5% carbs for fat loss while trying to maintain muscle.

Cut out cardio completely, and just lift weights. You can make weight training into cardio by reducing rest between sets.

Thanks. Red meat is harder on the kidneys so I have to avoid it. I do eat eggs and yogurt. I do the brisk walking for heart health but I mostly stick to weights.

Read more about that. It has more creatine, but BUN creatine levels are not indicative of being "unhealthy" for the kidneys, it's just doctors are moslty still ignorant about creatine and it's role in the Krebs Cycle.

Elevated BUN creatine is a sign of kidney damage, but NOT if it is due to your diet. Bodybuilders eat tons of pure creatine and their levels are very high, but have very healthy kidneys. So I'd suggest researching more on that.

At any rate, eggs and dairy are good complete proteins as well. Fish and chicken are pretty low on the totem pole. If you can find real fresh caught salmon and eat the skin (scale it first) then it's pretty healthy.

I'm spreading misinformation. ALL animal protein is hard on the kidneys.

Yes, you are. And that was not what the PP said.

Nonsensical reply, thanks for your contribution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My doctor says that it is far more likely to have health problems from being overweight and it is very rare and in extreme cases for that to happen from being underweight. She also said that BMI is a really poor guideline to use because there are a lot of specific variables and based on my body and health needs she recommends around 1,000 calories to get as low fat as possible which is better for organs, weight lifting (which I do), and moderate cardio for heart health (I take brisk walks). I have plenty of energy and stamina and my strength is increasing from the weight training. Because I have to stick to low protein I will be challenged to gain a lot of muscle but I am doing what I can. Maybe my needs will change in 10-20 years but for now this seems to be working pretty well. Less food also helps with inflammation which in turns helps organs function better. I am not just doing this willy nilly without putting thought into it. I really think Americans are used to eating a lot of food and we are using to seeing people look fatter. My family in Europe eat way less food (I know because I have spent time with them), are thin, and healthy. They do walk a lot.

That said, I think I will revise my weight goal slightly and try to stay around 105, which for my height (just shy of 5’2) is appropriate.

Your doctor is as insane as you are. Enjoy starvation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My doctor says that it is far more likely to have health problems from being overweight and it is very rare and in extreme cases for that to happen from being underweight. She also said that BMI is a really poor guideline to use because there are a lot of specific variables and based on my body and health needs she recommends around 1,000 calories to get as low fat as possible which is better for organs, weight lifting (which I do), and moderate cardio for heart health (I take brisk walks). I have plenty of energy and stamina and my strength is increasing from the weight training. Because I have to stick to low protein I will be challenged to gain a lot of muscle but I am doing what I can. Maybe my needs will change in 10-20 years but for now this seems to be working pretty well. Less food also helps with inflammation which in turns helps organs function better. I am not just doing this willy nilly without putting thought into it. I really think Americans are used to eating a lot of food and we are using to seeing people look fatter. My family in Europe eat way less food (I know because I have spent time with them), are thin, and healthy. They do walk a lot.

That said, I think I will revise my weight goal slightly and try to stay around 105, which for my height (just shy of 5’2) is appropriate.

You aren’t overweight OP, you aren’t even close to being overweight. At your age and already a low weight and with your dietary restrictions- it is impossible for you to get your weight even lower without compromising your muscle mass. You WILL lose muscle. I just don’t believe for a second your doctor advised you to lose weight- your BMI is 20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My doctor says that it is far more likely to have health problems from being overweight and it is very rare and in extreme cases for that to happen from being underweight. She also said that BMI is a really poor guideline to use because there are a lot of specific variables and based on my body and health needs she recommends around 1,000 calories to get as low fat as possible which is better for organs, weight lifting (which I do), and moderate cardio for heart health (I take brisk walks). I have plenty of energy and stamina and my strength is increasing from the weight training. Because I have to stick to low protein I will be challenged to gain a lot of muscle but I am doing what I can. Maybe my needs will change in 10-20 years but for now this seems to be working pretty well. Less food also helps with inflammation which in turns helps organs function better. I am not just doing this willy nilly without putting thought into it. I really think Americans are used to eating a lot of food and we are using to seeing people look fatter. My family in Europe eat way less food (I know because I have spent time with them), are thin, and healthy. They do walk a lot.

That said, I think I will revise my weight goal slightly and try to stay around 105, which for my height (just shy of 5’2) is appropriate.

You aren’t overweight OP, you aren’t even close to being overweight. At your age and already a low weight and with your dietary restrictions- it is impossible for you to get your weight even lower without compromising your muscle mass. You WILL lose muscle. I just don’t believe for a second your doctor advised you to lose weight- your BMI is 20.

Agree. Hard to believe a doctor would suggest to someone borderline underweight to lose weight. And yes, OP, you are setting yourself up for frailty. Very low BMI is also not good news in case you end up facing a serious disease, like cancer.