Re: unexpected changes under CRON program?

September 17, 2004

You don't say how tall you are. But if you already had a low BMI prior to

CRON, you probably shouldn't lose any (or a minimal amount of) weight.

The symptoms you describe are actually common in people who go to extreme

low weights with CRON. So you should consider upping your cals, esp if

you're still losing. See our file " Extreme vs Moderate CRON " under " CRON

Science. We have credible evidence in that file that those with BMI's

between 18 and 22 live longest. Under 18 may be defeating what you are

trying to accomplish.

BTW if I were a 24 year young guy, I'd be pretty upset about the loss in

libido. Quality of life counts.

on 9/17/2004 5:04 PM, glorydaze21 at twood04@... wrote:

> Greetings,

> I am wondering if any CRONers out there have experienced any

> behavioral or physical changes that were unexpected and/or have

> become a source of concern. Examples would be a decrease in libido

> (for men only?), or general increased passivity; excessive weight

> loss (resulting in family, friends wondering " what's wrong " ); change

> in general sociability; change in inclination to pursue an exercise

> regimen, etc...

> Me? I'm 24, M, been experimenting with a CR lifestyle for about 6

> months now, getting between 1500 - 1800 calories per day...Weight

> went from 165 to 150, and I swear my old jeans still seem to be

> getting looser. Haven't had access to a scale recently, but

> hopefully haven't dropped below 150. I am concerned that I will

> eventually have to add more calories into the diet in order to stop

> the weight loss.

> I have noticed a drop in libido, but it hasn't completely

> disappeared, so it's almost a nice thing to be rid of the " extra "

> testosterone. In general, I feel more passive, but once again I

> don't necessarily view this as negative.

> So if anyone would would like to share their experiences, I would

> like to hear them. Thanks!

>

September 18, 2004

Hi Twood:

I have lost 13 pounds since January, from a BMI of 24.5 to 22.7, and

I have intentionally stabilized my weight for the past month or so.

I plan to lose another ten pounds in the next six months. I can't

say I have noticed any untoward symptoms. Yes, people have noticed

that I have lost weight. If they mention it I say: " Yes, well,

actually, since I came to realize that the most recent science on

ideal human weight suggests that it is enormously much lower than

anyone had previously thought, I decided to drop some weight to get

closer to where I ought to be. " I then drop the subject like a stone

and do not discuss it further unless they ask more questions.

It is probably a good idea to check to make sure you are not showing

any tendency to anorexia - go out for all-you-can-eat chinese food

occasionally perhaps, and see how much you can comfortably eat?

Choose the healthiest dishes of course. If you have trouble

persuading yourself to eat then that might be a warning sign of

something you need to fix promptly? For a number, eating all you can

eat one evening is likely to add only half a pound of real weight.

Eating 1000 calories at breakfast and lunch, followed by 2400 at

dinner. So total intake for the day of ~3400 as opposed to your

usual 1500 - 1800.

As regards appropriate weight to stabilize at: measure your body mass

index, your waist circumference to height, and body fat percentage.

The levels you perhaps (just my guess) should be cautious about going

below (at least in the early days not long after starting CRON) might

be, respectively: BMI=20; WC/H=0.41; BF%=10%. Later, with more

experience, you may decide to do something different.

And don't forget the ON!

Rodney.

--- In , " glorydaze21 " <twood04@c...>

wrote: