Diet Pills

[stroutman81]

Stoutman, you say nobody needs help to loose weight. I feel like that statement needs more elaboration. What about those who do have thyroid problems? Does that sentence become "Nobody needs help unless ..." or "Nobody needs help to lose the amount of weight their body will allow them?"

Very good point.

Even in the case of hormonal dysfunction, thermodynamics still apply.

There is an energy input and an energy output side of the equation, right?

In it's simplest form, the equation looks like:

energy in = energy out

If energy in doesn't = energy out, we have:

energy in = energy out + change in body mass

Since energy cannot be created nor can it be destroyed... if we take in less energy than our bodies need, there will be a loss of body mass. If we take in more energy than our bodies need, there will be a gain of body mass.

Energy in is supplied by the foods we eat. It's not as clear cut as you'd think as various biochemical inefficiencies exist to vary the actual amount of energy that gets stored on an individual basis, but we don't need to go to that level of understanding.

On the energy out side of the equation we have four main variable of energy expenditure. These are Basal Matabolic Rate (BMR), Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Thermic Effect of Activity (TEA), and Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT). I won't go into detail here but sufficed to say the out side is a bit more variable and complex than the in side.

Coming full circle, a thyroid issue tend to drop the energy out side of the equation. Energy requirements are determined by body size, activity, the foods you eat, etc. What would ordinarily be considered a maintenance intake (where energy in = energy out) for someone of a given size, activity, etc. would actually be a surplus given a thyroid problem.

The medical issue stands to reduce BMR and TEA (NEAT too maybe) to lower the energy out side of things.

Thermodynamics still apply to this system... it simply has to be adjusted. This person's maintenance is lower than what would be expected of someone with similar stats and lifestyles who doesn't have a thyroid issue.

Hopefully that makes sense.

And yea, when I said nobody needs help losing weight, I should've been more clear. I typically couch such absolute statements with something like, "Outside the realm of those with medical complications."

Someone with thyroid doesn't necessarily *need* help but it (pharmaceutical intervention) would certainly make life much easier.

Clear?

Moral of the story: we can all express our feelings and opinions (even if they are professional opinions) without shooting one another down or being rude.

Hopefully my words weren't taken as an attack as that certainly wasn't my intention.

[stroutman81]

Let me rephrase my responce.
thyermodynamics is the study of the dynamics of air moveing in and around an object. it has nothing whatsoever to do with weight loss or gain. what I stated in my post was an opinion of what worked and what did'nt work for me, nothing more. To say that no one needs help in loseing weight is an opinion and should be taken as such.
furthermore weight loss is different depending on different factors, age, amount of activity, thyroid function and so on, notice that I did say that I was monitored closely by my physician.
If anyone wants to lose weight I would recommend seeing your Dr. first and asking to be referred to a dietition.

As has been noted above, I think you need to re-look at a physics text before delving into this conversation. I'm not trying to be rude... only helpful.

Best to you.

[johndavid1804]

It varies according to situation and the suit from person to person.
doctors may have more ideas about it.

[x.st.angel.x]

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