TheBumble
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Posts: 97 
Age Range: 51-55
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Post by TheBumble on Apr 3, 2016 5:25:20 GMT -5
Since my SM started in earnest 8 years ago, I have definitely noticed a change in my body. Having read articles on what stress does biochemically (very nasty), I am pretty sure I can attribute my body changes directly to the stress I have endured daily for almost a decade. I have remained fit everywhere except across my upper waist, where my body has taken its stress cues and packed in some nice visceral fat - this is the super unhealthy stuff. No amount of weightlifting is going to torch that. I still look decent because of my lifting, but unhealthy? Yep. I am a heart attack risk now due to this visceral fat.
How about you all? Has the stress of your situation changed your body?
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Post by sand5280 on Apr 3, 2016 8:08:11 GMT -5
I have remained fit everywhere except across my upper waist, where my body has taken its stress cues and packed in some nice visceral fat... Aside from confirmed correlation between fat accumulation and stress, obviously it comes unavoidable with age, you already know this. Visceral fat is basically here to stay, subcutaneous you can shake, which does no good. Went on this incredible self designed diet two years ago. Absolute minimal unsaturated fat only, minimal complex carbohydrates. Fat free milk. Sufficient protein, vegetables, essential vits and minerals supplement. Increase water. I had everything covered healthy, simply reduced calorie intake way down, continue hard work at employment. I actually felt real good during this, except hungry. Two months, while retaining muscle tone, lost 7 pounds from 160. ALL of it right below the skin. Scared my mom, woman at work asked if I was sick. My understanding is the body will lose the subcutaneous before it goes after the visceral. I'd like to know if there is different information. |
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TheBumble
Junior Member
Posts: 97
Age Range: 51-55
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Post by TheBumble on Apr 3, 2016 8:15:06 GMT -5
I have read that visceral is the first to go once you get your HIIT and macros udner firm control. I'll try to find some links
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TheBumble
Junior Member
Posts: 97
Age Range: 51-55
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Post by TheBumble on Apr 3, 2016 8:27:10 GMT -5
Yeah, a quick google search reveals that it's the other way around. The visceral comes off first.......the sub-cu is much more stubborn.
"When you reduce calories below what you burn and exercise more, you'll lose that harmful deep-belly fat first. The metabolically active nature of visceral fat, which is what makes it so threatening in terms of your health, also makes it vulnerable to loss. Subcutaneous fat is far more stubborn and harder to lose." (livestrong.com)
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Post by Chatter Fox on Apr 3, 2016 8:57:52 GMT -5
I was in really bad physical shape for quite a lot of years there. I don't know how much to attribute to the sexlessness though. One day I saw a picture of myself and was appalled. Its funny how I was a bit blind to my weight in the mirror yet photographs made me cringe. Anyway, I remember one particular photograph made me take action. That was about 5 years ago. I took charge and lost 50 pounds. I've been up and down since that time but I've never allowed myself to get too heavy again. I'm still not a fine specimen of health but I am looking relatively good for my age range. I'm happy with the way I look and feel from a physical aspect. Photographs make me proud now.  I'm never going back to that old way of neglecting my health. I certainly am an emotional eater so I bet there was some aspect of my sexless marriage contributing to the weight gain. It is very much the reason I can't seem to lose more weight. I exercise pretty intensely 5 days a week. Problem is that I reach for the sweets when I'm feeling sad or stressed. So that really holds me back. |
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Post by JMX on Apr 3, 2016 9:30:49 GMT -5
I know I am a lady - and I think all of you are men... So take with grain of salt. I went to a weight loss clinic - run by a plastic surgeon. The program is basically low carb and it's a little pricey but the cool thing is they measure everything! I have lost 10 lbs of body fat - and it's entirely visceral. Might be worth a look. Ideal Protein is what the program is called and they have them everywhere. I am convinced it is the controlling of the carbs that is doing it too. It's only been three weeks and not hard at all to follow. Good luck |
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TheBumble
Junior Member
Posts: 97
Age Range: 51-55
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Post by TheBumble on Apr 3, 2016 16:42:46 GMT -5
Oh for sure...i have major issues with carbs, processed or not.
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mariposa43
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Posts: 47 
Age Range: 41-45
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Post by mariposa43 on Apr 3, 2016 17:24:02 GMT -5
I work out (love it) and eat healthy most of the time, though the last couple months have been so tough with my eating due to the increased duress. My normally great appetite is outta whack right now and I've lost my desire to cook/meal prep. So I need to recover that, but I'm still good about my fitness and teach a PiYo class one night a week. About 4 years ago I began this journey when I was at my heaviest and lost about 80 lbs, getting down to the weight I am now. Btw, I never once nagged my refuser husband to do anything about his health/weight because I'm not a nag. He did eventually join in and got some great results, but then sadly he fell off the wagon and gave it all up. The couple of "safe" friends I've confided in about this whole SM, are absolutely shocked that he is not at all interested in sex with me, especially looking the way I do now. "You have got to be kidding me! WTF is wrong with him?!" Yep....
Anyway, the last couple months and the increased feelings of not wanting to be anywhere near him and not having peace in my own home, I've also noticed trouble sleeping, headaches, and now for the first time in my adult life, my cycle is outta whack. I'm in my 40s so it could be the start of perimenopause, but I don't know. I honestly believe it's extreme stress.
So that's how my body is reacting to nearly 6 years of this.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2016 17:24:16 GMT -5
The stress of being "undesirable," definitely took its toll on my body. I gained a lot of weight and I know it did not help my clinical depression.
However, I cannot blame my SM for all of it, because I certainly "let myself go " I think I fell into a viscous cycle of not feeling like a sexual being to medicating my emotions with food, and so on.
So, now I'm taking better care of myself - mind, body, spirit - and know that it will take about a year to safely take off the weight I've put on, over the years.
However, I have purchased toys and sexy undies just for me. Just to remind myself that sexy is not a "size," but an attitude and a feeling.
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mariposa43
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Posts: 47
Age Range: 41-45
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Post by mariposa43 on Apr 3, 2016 17:32:35 GMT -5
The stress of being "undesirable," definitely took its toll on my body. I gained a lot of weight and I know it did not help my clinical depression. However, I cannot blame my SM for all of it, because I certainly "let myself go " I think I fell into a viscous cycle of not feeling like a sexual being to medicating my emotions with food, and so on. So, now I'm taking better care of myself - mind, body, spirit - and know that it will take about a year to safely take off the weight I've put on, over the years. However, I have purchased toys and sexy undies just for me. Just to remind myself that sexy is not a "size," but an attitude and a feeling. Good for you on all of it, Z! And by the sound of your user name, you like Zumba? Yay! Hopefully you found a form of exercise you really love because I think that's the key. I have to say that in trying to take my weight off and starting the exercise, I never expected to get as strong as I would and fall in love with fitness. It makes me feel like a badass. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2016 17:33:04 GMT -5
My weight has fluctuated ever since I hit middle age....sometimes it's up, then I get fed up with that and I lose it, and keep it off for maybe a year, maybe two years...then I get off track again, and gradually resume unhealthy eating (I love bread, I love cheese, and I have a really bad Starbucks habit.)
Weight Watchers works better for me than anything else I've tried. That's really about portion control - in theory, you can eat anything you want, as long as you don't go over your limit.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2016 17:46:31 GMT -5
The stress of being "undesirable," definitely took its toll on my body. I gained a lot of weight and I know it did not help my clinical depression. However, I cannot blame my SM for all of it, because I certainly "let myself go " I think I fell into a viscous cycle of not feeling like a sexual being to medicating my emotions with food, and so on. So, now I'm taking better care of myself - mind, body, spirit - and know that it will take about a year to safely take off the weight I've put on, over the years. However, I have purchased toys and sexy undies just for me. Just to remind myself that sexy is not a "size," but an attitude and a feeling. Good for you on all of it, Z! And by the sound of your user name, you like Zumba? Yay! Hopefully you found a form of exercise you really love because I think that's the key. I have to say that in trying to take my weight off and starting the exercise, I never expected to get as strong as I would and fall in love with fitness. It makes me feel like a badass. I more than like Zumba, mariposa43. I've been an instructor since 2008. LOL But, I'm learning to love a different part of fitness now. It's alwaysbeen fun for me, now it's a source of empowerment. My goal is build and enhance my strength and resilience (inner and outer). |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2016 18:46:51 GMT -5
Well, since I have moved out a month ago, I have lost about 15 lbs. It is amazing that not being under the constant stress of being criticized, controlled, and abused, I have lost weight. I am not doing the emotional eating, and I don't have the sugar cravings. I have also read about how stress triggers adrenaline release and how that can really affect one's body in a negative way.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2016 21:46:28 GMT -5
I know I am a lady - and I think all of you are men... So take with grain of salt. I went to a weight loss clinic - run by a plastic surgeon. The program is basically low carb and it's a little pricey but the cool thing is they measure everything! I have lost 10 lbs of body fat - and it's entirely visceral. Might be worth a look. Ideal Protein is what the program is called and they have them everywhere. I am convinced it is the controlling of the carbs that is doing it too. It's only been three weeks and not hard at all to follow. Good luck Yup! A little dietary discipline and some exercise is all it takes. All the exercise in the world won't keep ahead of piles of sugar and carbs. Once you learn that, and start liking and eating proper veggies and protein, you'll shed down to your ideal weight in probably less than a year. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2016 22:06:53 GMT -5
I know I am a lady - and I think all of you are men... So take with grain of salt. I went to a weight loss clinic - run by a plastic surgeon. The program is basically low carb and it's a little pricey but the cool thing is they measure everything! I have lost 10 lbs of body fat - and it's entirely visceral. Might be worth a look. Ideal Protein is what the program is called and they have them everywhere. I am convinced it is the controlling of the carbs that is doing it too. It's only been three weeks and not hard at all to follow. Good luck Yup! A little dietary discipline and some exercise is all it takes. All the exercise in the world won't keep ahead of piles of sugar and carbs. Once you learn that, and start liking and eating proper veggies and protein, you'll shed down to your ideal weight in probably less than a year. Easy for you to say! It's a bit more difficult when carbs are your one vice, one coping tool for the suckiness of adult life. Of course now that sex is back on the table there is one more option for soothing life's wounds and more motivation to avoid carbs to get more of it. |
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I'm never going back to that old way of neglecting my health. I certainly am an emotional eater so I bet there was some aspect of my sexless marriage contributing to the weight gain. It is very much the reason I can't seem to lose more weight. I exercise pretty intensely 5 days a week. Problem is that I reach for the sweets when I'm feeling sad or stressed. So that really holds me back.
