Weight loss, weight gain
Q: Dear Donovan,
I was ill recently and lost weight rapidly. I moved from 180 pounds to 140 pounds in two months and then kept losing weight. However, when I recovered, I realised that even though I changed my diet and started exercising to keep the new slender look I had, the weight started piling on faster than I imagined. At the end of my three-month illness I weighed 135 pounds and in the space of two months of recovery, I gained 20 pounds. How can I deal with this and actually get back to 145 pounds or less healthily? I am 5ft 7 inches tall.
A: Lack of appetite and weight loss are well documented symptoms of many illnesses. When we are sick, the body usually mounts a complex “get well” response. As a part of this response, chemicals called cytokines may be produced. These have several effects including loss of appetite. In addition, depending on our illness, hormonal changes may also play a role in our get-well response.
Digesting food uses up a lot of the energy we consume. Therefore, loss of appetite might be a good way to use most of our energy to mount the get-well response. A reduction in appetite might also reduce some foods that would enhance the growth of certain harmful microorganisms in the body. Eating less when we are sick also allows the body to detox.
However, prolonged illness with restricted calories and nutrients can be bad for your health; especially if there is rapid weight loss. Therefore, illness can lead to weight loss.
The normal situation is that once you get better, the appetite comes back to normal and the weight is regained. In a nutshell, usually when you are sick, the appetite goes and the body is now forced to use up some of the reserve fat. This usually results in weight loss. I sometimes jokingly say that illness is the best weight loss nutritionist and I am the second best!
That aside, you were smart enough to know that once you got better you would have to change your diet and do some exercise. This, I think, is the reason you have not put on back all the weight you have lost. This shows that you are on the right track. But I think your calories are just too high to keep you at 140 or 145 pounds.
I suspect that when you were sick you were consuming very little food. In addition, you might have been worried about your illness. Both these factors could have contributed to the rapid weight loss. What I would suggest is that you reduce your calories further than your current intake.
I wish, however, that you had given me an idea of what you are currently eating. Generally, your diet will have to be changed in order to reduce your calorie intake further. However, I must say that this should be done in a healthy way.
Given the fact that you had an extended illness, it might be necessary to get assistance from a weight loss professional to help you along with your programme.
In addition, your exercise programme will need some adjustment. The overall aim for adjusting your diet and exercise programme is to achieve weight loss. However, again it is health over weight, so your weight loss programme must be a healthy one. Good luck.
We will answer your weight-related questions
Are you struggling to lose weight or just need some advice on living a healthier life? Tell us about your health issues and we’ll have nutritionist and wellness coach Donovan Grant answer them for you. Grant has over 12 years’ experience in the fitness industry and is the owner of DG’s Nutrition and Wellness Centre, Suite 16, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5. Send your questions to clarkep@ jamaicaobserver.com.
