I've been voraciously reading lots here on these boards.

An idea has been forming over the past couple days, and I'm wondering if an informal chat sorta might "test" it.

I'm thinking that people who have lost and then regained more than 40 pounds and more than 3 times during their lives have a much harder time losing weight now.

I'm thinking people in this group will never have big weekly losses, because somehow bodies adapt to holding onto the weight.

What do you think? Are you in this group? Are you not seeing big weekly losses and more plateaus - even gains?

In my own experience, I've lost/gained 5 times, an average of 65 pounds each time. I've only been successful when I used low/no carb approaches. I was doing ok last time until my thyroid started becoming an issue. I had bad reactions to thyroid meds and turned to food (again) and blew up like a ball.

I hate to be in this club, but here I am.

I can't say I've found it harder to lose weight each time. It's always averaged out to 1.5 lbs/week. However, I am having a slow loss this time so it is harder this time -- too soon to tell. I've been bouncing around the same 3 lbs for 5 weeks now, after only being on this particular journey for 11 weeks total. I'm also older (49) and I seem to be entering menopause, so that can't make it easier. I'm still down 10 lbs total, which is better than not being down 10 lbs.

I've started a kettlebell regimen, so my main concern at this point is losing inches and getting stronger. Hopefully, that will help me stay on track if the scale continues to screw with me. I say that, but deep inside, I'm yearning for a whoosh.

I have rarely had big weekly losses in any of my experiences. A loss of 2.5 lbs in a week would be a lot for me, but then the scale would be sure to bounce back up a pound or three before slowly easing back down over a 1-2 week period.

I also can only lose on low carb. The only carbs I eat are veggies (no potatoes) and Wasa Crisp n' Lights, and I have to be careful even with the Wasa. One piece of bread and I will go up 3-6 lbs and stay there for at least 10 days.

On the upside, having lost before, I know I can lose again and I know how to make that happen -- regardless of how long it takes. On the downside... I have less time left!

At least 3x before I have lost 40 pounds or more. The diets have been low fat in the beginning and more recently low carb. I was worried this time would be more difficult/slower because I am done with menopause, but I'm happy to say that this time, the 3rd time I am having the best success ever. I have lost more in the 7 weeks I have been on Ip then on any of the other diets I have tried. So sorry, at least in my case your theory is wrong. Generally I average about a 4 pound loss per week and I would call that an average weekly loss according to IP. So far I have lost 31 pounds by week number 7 and I wouldn't call that slow by any means.

We are all so different from each other, in body chemistry, size, age, pre or post menopause, and young or old. Can't really compare one person to another.

I lost 60 lbs once(Jenny Craig) and was fit. Gained it back + more. Lost 50 lbs again(I did the lemon,cayan pepper, maple syrup)~gained it back + more~Now on IP I have lost 50 lbs and this IS my last diet. 30 more lbs to go.

I have done this exactly! I think though part of why it's harder to lose now is I'm older, plain and simple! It was easier to lose at 30 then at 45. And I was more active at a younger age, which meant as I lost the exercise helped. But now with 2 young kids, and working full time, it is much harder to incorporate the exercise, even just a brisk half hour walk. (I had my kids "late" too - I was 37 and then 42 when they were born, and I think that played into it for me too.)

I have lost plenty of weight, plenty of times. I've lost 100 pounds three different times in my life. The 50 and 60 pounds many more times. IP worked great for me. I lost 118 pounds in 7 months. The one thing to remember is that the closer you get to the weight your body is suppose to be the lose will slow down. Now remember - it isn't your goal weight - it is the weight your body is suppose to be. It actually knows where it is going.

Interesting responses, all. Thanks!

Oh, yeah, I hope the cycle has stopped for good.

I have... however IP is working great for me and I think it's because I have never done low carb. I feel like my body was like "whoa what's THIS?". Whenever I have re-done other diets it DID seem the losses got slower and slower. Also I have to agree with Tuscany as well... the older we get, the harder it is to lose.

I can relate. After my first pregnancy i was 217 lbs. I lost 82 lbs on Nutri system and then gained it back. I went back on Nutri System and lost another 40 lbs. Then over the course of the next 15 years i gained more weight back. About 5 years ago, i started exercising and eating healthy and got down to 200 lbs and then my life came crashing down around me, to many things to go into , and i gained all my weight back until i got to 251 lbs.
I think this is why i am so worried about when i finish phase 1 I dont want to have to do this again! I feel like i am struggling to lose weight, as i am not seeing the big losses like other people are.