Shedding a few lbs

[pitbull]

I had to go see my GP a few weeks back where he informed me I was too fat, I'm 6ft tall and weighed 300lb.
Talk about state the obvious.
I have struggled with my weight for over 30 years, seen many GP's, diet specialists, life coaches and all sorts, yet my weight still increases. All the tests I have had showed nothing, my cholesterol level was better than average, blood pressure great and no sign of diabetes.

After a heated discussion with my GP I sat down to try and work out why I can't lose weight. I tell my GP and others that I don't overeat, they don't believe me, I don't drink alcohol, I walk a few miles a day in my job and I always active at home.

There had to be a reason for it, what else could it be. Then it came to me.

The only other thing I put into my body was coffee, lots of it, around 12-15 mugs a day, strong black coffee, no sugar, no milk.

I've not had coffee or anything with caffiene in for the last six weeks. The first week I had headaches every day, I had the shakes, been lightheaded and at the end of the first week a migraine which sent me to bed.
Not had a headache since the big one.

In six weeks I have lost 15lb and feel more alert and happy. I'm sleeping better because I don't have to make several trips to the bathroom during the night.

My brother was 6ft 5" and 434lb when he died at the age of 52. He always tried telling people that he didn't eat a lot, no one believed him, including me. He did drink a huge amount of coffee, much more than me.
I wonder if the coffee killed him.

At least if I carry on shedding the lbs, my phat ghurl will appreciate it.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Good for you. Hope that you found the solution that continues to work for you 

[hubcapsc]

There's a news story making the rounds about sleep and weight loss...

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/lack-of-sleep-weight-gain

-Mike

[bagelboy]

12 to 15 mugs doesn't sound good. Glad you're feeling better and on the road to good health!

[PAVALKER]

Who would have thought coffee, or a lack there of would be a contributing factor to weight gain/loss.....especially without sugar or cream.

Keep us posted on further progress.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'd have a hell of a time quitting. I drink 12 cups plus everyday. Glad it's working for you. 

[Robert]

I do not know the link between coffee and being over weight except that it hypes you up then lets you down pretty hard and maybe you actually eat when you would not normally. But being a die hard coffee fan I used to drink many more cups than I do now. I even sometimes will have a cup of coffee before I go to bed and I actually sleep better. More and more studies say that 5 to 8 cups a day is actually good for you, "what was bad is now good". But as many cups as you have that much caffeine per day cannot be good for you. The symptoms you describe are caffeine withdrawal and they do have water decaf that is pretty good. maybe as a in between decaff would be a good idea. As for the weight if all is normal then WTH? You have not said why the weight has been a focus for your entire life. I do not fit in the normal range on those models either and never have. I am not as heavy as you but even as a kid I did not fit and resent those charts. I was at 7 percent body fat 6 foot tall and still not in the range they said was normal. Its more about BMI than its about strictly weight. Science has done some wonderful things for us and also some very bad things. Not to mention as far as the human body they don't know quite a bit about it.
  I would also ask, so lets say you get to 240 what will change? Will your health improve, will you get a six pack and get your photo next to a Kardashian and if not why the worry? Sounds like you function normally except with everyone telling you your fat, which by the way I would tell the dr to stick it and sue him for mental abuse. 
 

[da prez]

 Pitbull , I went thru the same headache and shakes when I quit the caffeine . I drink coffee now , but not as much. Water is your friend. Drink a lot more plain water than you think you need. It flushes out toxins and helps regulate your body. I know many people who dropped weight and stopped taking blood pressure meds and reduced the diabetes problems. I went thru a de tox and use it on occasion to help me. If interested , PM me and I will send you the one I used. I also lost about 15 pounds doing it.

                                                 da prez

                                         

[pitbull]

Coffee/caffiene makes your body produce a drug called Cortisol. This is your stress hormone which pumps sugar to the muscles in readiness for the "flight or fight" situation.

Because most of today's stress is more psychological than physical the body does burn the sugar in the muscles and it turns to fat. This fat mainly stores itself around the abdominal area, in other words a fat gut.

I do function normally, I just don't feel good about myself. I would like to wear nice clothes occasionally. Even if I wear an expensive suit, I still feel like a tramp.
And I really don't want a reunion with my brother just yet, it's too early and my Valk doesn't have enough miles on it yet.
My daughter is about to have a baby this week, I wouldn't mind attending it's 18th birthday bash.

[cookiedough]

good for you hope the weight loss continues some more.  I am in same boat being 5'10" and pushing 300, but coffee is not my issue, my guess is too many chips/junk food.  Haven't felt the effects too much yet, but will probably in my 50's.  Only drink 1 diet coke per day so excessive liquids is not my problem.  I do get a headache though if not having 1 diet coke per day, caffeine is addicting for sure.

I was always it seems like 5'10", but in high school 200 lbs. and in college pushing 220 at most.  I really feel like I will never be 200 again, but even at say 230-240 lbs., would make a big difference I think especially in the gut.  Biggest issue I have is my trygliceride level is over 400 and s/b below 200.  Dr. said it is probably from too many processed and junk foods more than anything else. 

[Mr Whiskey]

I'm right there with ya Bro! 6' & 300+. Quit smokin' & drinkin' 15 months ago, & gain'd over 100 lbs.
I know what you're talkin' about quittin' the caffeine. Mine's cokes, lots of 'em, & the sugar in 'em sure aint helpin' either. Jus gave 'em up 6 days ago & the headache's been crippling!
Da Prez is right on the money, water, lots of it. I read somewhere that if you leave it out at room temp it acts as a better appetite suppressant as well as cleanin' out toxins. Buyin' bottled water on sale by the case! Always got a bottle (of water, haha) in my hand these days. (Sugars mad cause I never finish one, they're all over the house.) Seems to be helpin'! At least the "monster" headache has finally let go. (Thank you Lord!)
Hang in there Bro, & may God Bless your efforts!

[art]

Coffey is good but not that much. Good luck on losing the weight. I've never been overweight but being skinny has always been a pain in the butt. Bullies will pick on you and I developed an attitude about kicking butt when confronted by a bully. Had to learn to control my temper. It has it upside now that I'm 72 and thin my blood pressure is low and I don't spend a fortune on food. Just think if you lose lots of weight how much faster the Valk will go. Like I said good luck and health.

[BF]

I have found that chemo is an excellent weight loss drug. 

Not wanting food will do that for you.  I'm dropping pounds as we speak. 

[Oss]

good for you !

I quit coffee a dozen years ago

No headaches, wake up ready to go, shorter stops on the road when you
dont need a cup of java or a cigarette
The fact is that without those extended stops you can go an extra 100 miles in the same time over the course of a full day
Unfortunately I have developed a taste for chocolate cream pie, blueberry pie
heck I just love pie !  oh yeah and beer and scotch

230 now it could be much worse,  

Good luck all of you with the weight loss and BF we are still prayin for you to come out cancer free

[The emperor has no clothes]

I have found that chemo is an excellent weight loss drug. 

Not wanting food will do that for you.  I'm dropping pounds as we speak. 

Hang in there BF. You came thru it before, you can do it again 

[BF]

I have found that chemo is an excellent weight loss drug. 

Not wanting food will do that for you.  I'm dropping pounds as we speak. 

Hang in there BF. You came thru it before, you can do it again 

I'm not so sure anymore.  This is the third time with the same cancer. 

I'm weak, I'm nauseous, I'm tired.  I've lost muscle.  I've lost a bunch of weight. 

Haven't rode the bike in ages.  Not even sure if I can even ride it anymore. 

I go out in the garage and look at it and think.....damn it's huge and heavy. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I have found that chemo is an excellent weight loss drug. 

Not wanting food will do that for you.  I'm dropping pounds as we speak. 

Hang in there BF. You came thru it before, you can do it again 

I'm not so sure anymore.  This is the third time with the same cancer. 

I'm weak, I'm nauseous, I'm tired.  I've lost muscle.  I've lost a bunch of weight. 

Haven't rode the bike in ages.  Not even sure if I can even ride it anymore. 

I go out in the garage and look at it and think.....damn it's huge and heavy.  L

I can't imagine what you are going thru. But I hope you can kick the crap out of it again. If you can the weight will come back in no time. And you'll be riding before you know it. 

[pitbull]

I have found that chemo is an excellent weight loss drug. 

Not wanting food will do that for you.  I'm dropping pounds as we speak. 

Thanks BF for the reality check, yours make my problems insignificant really. I cannot imagine what you're going through but I wish you well, never give up, fight  and win this battle.

All the best.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and the positive replies.
I mainly posted what happened to me when I stopped coffee because there might be someone who is in the same situation.
Giving up coffee/caffiene might help them, it might not, but if you gave up for one week you would be able to tell.
I lost 5lb the first week I stopped, in the six weeks since, I have not had a single increase in weight. Only one week where I was exactly the same as the week before.

[Robert]

Just one more note on giving up coffee

Coffee may keep erectile dysfunction away in men

http://www.thesilverink.com/drinking-coffee-may-keep-erectile-dysfunction-away/23263/

I couldn't resist since we are talking about coffee and weight, it seems that Google news has many articles on the benefits of coffee.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Just one more note on giving up coffee

Coffee may keep erectile dysfunction away in men

http://www.thesilverink.com/drinking-coffee-may-keep-erectile-dysfunction-away/23263/

I couldn't resist since we are talking about coffee and weight

Hmmm, it also says it increases the libido of women who drink it. I'm going to have to start bringing my wife coffee every morning in bed. 

[cookiedough]

coffee may help down below by drinking it, but the weight loss (in the gut) will make the pee pee look bigger, just saying.   

With my gut now at 44" waist,   I'm not looking so good in that dept.   

[G-Man]

Coffee/caffiene makes your body produce a drug called Cortisol. This is your stress hormone which pumps sugar to the muscles in readiness for the "flight or fight" situation.

Yep!

Dr. Atkins stated this YEARS ago when he first came public with his crazy idea that carbohydrates, not fat, is what makes us fat.
He also included the avoidance of caffeine while on his diet as it does pretty much what insulin does, makes the cells hold on the glucose which eventually is processed into fat.

He was called all kinds of names by peers and the press.  Turns out he was right way back then and nowadays all the diets and exercise programs stress low carbs.