Hi Guys,
I’ll keep this as brief as possible. When recovering from RED/S, with recognition that weight regain will involve some degree of preferential fat regain, what are your thoughts on how much waist circumference can be allowed to increase? I’m 5’10.5” 160 (regained from 153lb) with WC of 33.25” (up from 32.5). I want to balance hormonal improvement (my testosterone/LH/FSH were affected by the RED/S) and Strength gain with the potential metabolic health effect of fat gain. Of note, my diet is solid (predominantly pescatarian, low sat fat overall). Thanks guys.
LMD,
Ignoring the questions surrounding the workup leading to the diagnosis of RED/S, the simple answer here is that there isn’t a known amount of waist circumference change or abdominal fat mass increase that leads to better or worse outcomes.
The hormones you report being changed may be more indicative of EHCM than RED/S depending on other symptoms.
In any case, I’d keep your waist at 35-35.5" max, though admittedly isn’t really evidence-based.
-Jordan
Thanks Jordan. I intentionally omitted the RED/S diagnostics details to spare you. Long story short, euthyroid, hypothalamic hypogonadism pattern in the setting of low energy availability over the past couple of years. BodPod and InBody570 gave me <7% total body fat with very low visceral fat. I’m coupling CBT for stress management with an intentional bulk via a daily caloric surplus of approximately 200 kCal. I get a little touchy about weight regain due to FamHx of significant CV disease, so I appreciate the insight on a gestalty approach to waist circumference.
Makes sense to me. I do think that re: ASCVD, we can feel pretty good about that waist circumference upper limit. Let me know how it goes!
Sorry for delay in noticing this part of your reply, Jordan - I don’t recognize the EHCM acronym. Can you expand?