Big Weight Loss

[LoQ]

Thanks LoQ. I'll have to re-read that a few times to let it sink in. Well, I have watched a co-worker literally lose 100 lbs the past year. No stomach surgery. He just switched to a strict veggie diet, reasonable portions, and hit the exercise hard. Seems to have worked for him -- whatever he was (or wasn't) eating... Of course everybody is different.

Of course it worked. Through grit and determination, he starved himself. Even a vegetarian diet, which is by definition high carb, can be made to work if you eat few enough calories, but it takes an iron will to do that.


Here's a great example for those of you who watch TV. Watch Biggest Loser and watch Survivor. On TBL, people are sweating in the gym, and being told that they need to eat more food in order to lose weight. They do lose weight, but even when they get to 200 pounds a 5 pound weight loss in one week is HUGE.

On Survivor, people mostly lay around all day, with a few hours of intense exercise in the week, not like on TBL where the exercise is every day for long periods. And they all lose enormous amounts of weight on Survivor. On Survivor, they eat next to nothing. Last season, the guy called "coach" lost 22 pounds in 21 days or something like that. And he was skinny to begin with. That's 7 pounds a week. Most of the people on TBL would be thrilled to be losing 7 pounds a week, and they have way more to lose so should be, theoretically, easier for them to lose weight.

It's probably a complex answer as to why Survivor is a better weight-loss tool than TBL, but at least a part of it is the starvation diet and way less exercise.

[JeffH]

Similar to what you are saying, Gary Taubes says that exercise is an inefficient weight loss tool.

I admit I'm no expert, but losing weight without any exercise doesn't compute in my brain (I admit, I am pretty dumb!).

I thought, maybe incorrectly, that "fat" was stored energy in the body. So if you want to get rid of the fat, you must use this energy somehow. Some people choose to lessen their daily intake of food to the point where they naturally burn the stored fat to satisfy their daily energy needs. Whether their daily needs includes exercise or not, I do not know. But the more exercise you do, the more energy you need.

I thought it ultimately came down to calorie intake and expenditure. To lose weight, you need to expend more than you consume, so you can begin to burn off your stored energy in the form of fat.

I didn't "quit" exercise, I changed what I was doing exercise wise. Big difference.

JeffH

[jabman]

This is a very interesting convercation.

Muse-Inc. wrote
OMG, if I ate that much I'd gain back every single # I've lost...I'm so jealous, I haven't the glucose control to eat that many carbs. I aim for 8-15 carbs per meal, 0-5 per snack. Been really stressed, so I haven't been able to get back to this level of carbs (too tired to make good meals & snacks) or my usual exercise routine .

That is not alot of carbs per meal at all, What do you or don't you eat to keep it that low? I was told by my diabetes educator and a nutritionist how many carbs to eat per meal to keep my Blood sugars as close to normal as posable. I know that if I ate the amount of carbs you do I would go low on my blood sugars.
Before I was Dx with diabetes I was not paying attnion to what I was eating or how much plus not exercising. The low carb and walking has helped me to lose some weight, but I am sure the medication I take for my diabetes has also helped.

[JeffH]

This is a very interesting convercation.

Muse-Inc. wrote
OMG, if I ate that much I'd gain back every single # I've lost...I'm so jealous, I haven't the glucose control to eat that many carbs. I aim for 8-15 carbs per meal, 0-5 per snack. Been really stressed, so I haven't been able to get back to this level of carbs (too tired to make good meals & snacks) or my usual exercise routine .

That is not alot of carbs per meal at all, What do you or don't you eat to keep it that low? I was told by my diabetes educator and a nutritionist how many carbs to eat per meal to keep my Blood sugars as close to normal as posable. I know that if I ate the amount of carbs you do I would go low on my blood sugars.
Before I was Dx with diabetes I was not paying attnion to what I was eating or how much plus not exercising. The low carb and walking has helped me to lose some weight, but I am sure the medication I take for my diabetes has also helped.

Are you testing your blood sugar 1 and 2 hours after you eat? You are not on a low carb diet IMHO. Dr. Bernstein says that Diabetics should only eat 20 to 30 carbs a day. If I got over 50 carbs a day I don't lose weight.

Anytime your blood sugar is over 140 one hour after eating you are doing organ damage. What you are talking about is exactly I DON'T listen to diabetes educators or doctors. If I had taken my Doctors advice, I would still weigh 100lbs more than I do.

[Muse-Inc]

...What do you or don't you eat to keep it that low?...

This is typical of what I ate when I was losing the fastest. I drank 90-110 ozs water/day.

8 oz decaff+ heavy cream, 5.5 oz low-sodium V8 (6 carbs), 1 oz Mozzarella

60-75 mins on my recumbent bike with a 10 min break at 45 mins to prevent the release of cortisol that typically occurs after 45-50 mins of exercise.

B'fast: 3 xtr-lg eggs cooked in coconut oil, bacon/sausage, 1/8-1/4 c fresh raspberries(double that if strawberries)
optional: 1/2-1 c low carb veggies (sauteed & topped on eggs or fixed as omelette or fritatta), sometimes shredded cheese

Snack: hard-boiled extra-lg egg OR 1 oz Mozzarella or CoJack stick
optional: 1 grape or 3-4 fresh raspberries (double that if strawberries)

Lunch: 4-5 oz meat or 7 oz fish, 2 c lettuces and 1-2 c low carb salad veggies, olive oil salad dressing or seasoned sour cream, sometimes shredded cheese

Snack: same as above

Dinner: 6-7 oz meat/fish, 2 c low carb veggies+butter (or sauted in coconut oil), 2 c lettuces and 1-2 c low carb salad veggies, olive oil salad dressing OR seasoned sour cream, 1.5 oz 85% dark chocolate bar (~5 carbs) OR hot cocoa (1/8 c Ghiradelli unsweetened cocoa, 10-12 ozs boiling water, 1 tsp Vanilla, Splenda (mix together) then add 1/8 c heavy cream)

Bedtime snack: 1 oz Mozzarella stick, 2 grapes OR 3-4 fresh raspberries (double that if strawberries)

[yorkiemum01]

A co-worker has lost about 100lbs over the past year. I asked him about it. He switched to a strict vegetarian diet, no more fast food, etc, and began an intense daily exercise regimen. It can be done. He rides his bike for miles and miles. Still says he's got another 50lbs to go. He also gets regular cardio checkups from his doctor, and says everything about his body + life are much improved. He is a great inspiration to me.

Nicely worded...and a awesome tribue to your co-worker. Being a vegetarian already, I had begun to watch my weight creep up as I entered my late 30's early 40's. Figured since I ate 'healthy', I would be immune to weight gain, but must confess I love my cheese, butter and such. This year as a birthday present to 'myself', I made
some major changes in my routine, reducing my carbs, increasing my protein (which is a challenge for a vegetarian), and seriously picked up my exercise routine. To date, I'm very pleaesd to report a 35 lb weight loss. The biggest 'lifestyle' change is I do not eat OUT...fix every meal/dish myself, and portion according. Working out has been the key to success though, which first off includes a 5 mile bike ride at least 3 days a week. It's been an uphill battle, as I LOVE food, variety and flavor, but it's been worth the effort nonetheless. I want to encourage anyone out there, willing to make the sacrifice towards their weight loss..to continue to keep the 'goal' in mind, their health. Never give up on yourself : )

[ozij]

Thanks LoQ. I'll have to re-read that a few times to let it sink in. Well, I have watched a co-worker literally lose 100 lbs the past year. No stomach surgery. He just switched to a strict veggie diet, reasonable portions, and hit the exercise hard. Seems to have worked for him -- whatever he was (or wasn't) eating... Of course everybody is different.

I wonder if the following will help Taubes' points sink down:

Isn't it amazing that nobody thinks "calories in calories out" is the only thing that matter when you fill a car's gas tank? I mean, why not put sugar in the gas tank, if calories were all that mattered? Or for that matter, why not feed people gasoline????

Why is that so obvious when discussing sugar vs. gasoline as energy sources, and so (supposedly) absurd when discussing carbs vs. fat?

The people who invented "calories in calories out" ignored what scientist found out abot the way the human body changes food into energy. Yes, it was that bad.

O.

[Calist]

Thanks LoQ. I'll have to re-read that a few times to let it sink in. Well, I have watched a co-worker literally lose 100 lbs the past year. No stomach surgery. He just switched to a strict veggie diet, reasonable portions, and hit the exercise hard. Seems to have worked for him -- whatever he was (or wasn't) eating... Of course everybody is different.

I wonder if the following will help Taubes' points sink down:

Isn't it amazing that nobody thinks "calories in calories out" is the only thing that matter when you fill a car's gas tank? I mean, why not put sugar in the gas tank, if calories were all that mattered? Or for that matter, why not feed people gasoline????

Why is that so obvious when discussing sugar vs. gasoline as energy sources, and so (supposedly) absurd when discussing carbs vs. fat?

The people who invented "calories in calories out" ignored what scientist found out abot the way the human body changes food into energy. Yes, it was that bad.

O.

So what you are saying is "It's all about breads"? Or is it all non-veggies?

I have a thing for pasta but nomatter what I mix pasta with I can't help but wonder if it is healthy to eat carbs on such a regular basis.

[jabman]

Are you testing your blood sugar 1 and 2 hours after you eat? You are not on a low carb diet IMHO

Yes I do test 1 to 2 hours after a meal, and compaired to how I was eating it is low carb.

Dr. Bernstein says that Diabetics should only eat 20 to 30 carbs a day. If I got over 50 carbs a day I don't lose weight.

I don't know who Dr. Bernstien is (will, google him later) but That is only an opnion of one doctor and not my doctor to boot. My dr. says not to go over 160, and it is possable that it could be different for other people. Be thatr as it may I still try to keep it to around 140 most times I am between 130- 145 one hour after a meal. I am still learning the things I can and cannot eat.

Anytime your blood sugar is over 140 one hour after eating you are doing organ damage. What you are talking about is exactly I DON'T listen to diabetes educators or doctors. If I had taken my Doctors advice, I would still weigh 100lbs more than I do.

Where is the link that states this claim? I have done very well with what my doctor And diebets educator has told me with a few modifactions. such as testing one hour after a meal to find my peak rise. I have also like I said earlier lost over 30 lbs. What works for one person might not work for another. That is one thing thaat is evident throught out this forum. And I beleave holds true for Diabetes.

[thewetlizard]

What I'm doing is got rid of the soda,the boyfriend, white bread, junk food. I'm walking twice a day, using my wii or my "biggest loser" dvd's

[kempo]

What I'm doing is got rid of the soda,the boyfriend, white bread, junk food. I'm walking twice a day, using my wii or my "biggest loser" dvd's

Got rid of boyfriend. LOL, now that will make lose weight!

[Breathe Jimbo]

How does getting rid of the boyfriend help you lose weight?

[BiPappy]

-Low carb diet, but you'll have to go through carb withdrawal for about a week. Most people give up on this diet because of the withdrawal...most people don't even know that they're on withdrawal.
-CRON diet, but make sure you know your vitamins and supplements.
-Paleo diet, which is easiest of all the diets for me.

Those are the diets I'm on. Most importantly is that you don't think of it as a diet but a lifestyle change. IMO, diets don't last and I'm never on a diet. My current lifestyle is a mixture of the diets listed above, if you want to categorize what I eat.

Losing weight is 70% of what you eat. For the other 30%, I run 5-8 miles every other day on a 5% incline on my treadmill. On days, I'm not on a treadmill, I use a portion of P90X. I also concentrate on yoga, and I rest on Sundays. I lost 30lbs in 15 days, so that puts me at 155lbs. I then gained 12lbs of muscle, so I'm currently at around 167-170lbs with less than 8% body fat, depending on my water intake. I've been at this weight for about 1.5 yrs.

You want to live? You want your memory back? Live a healthy lifestyle...to me, it's simple and it should be just as simple and easy for anyone else...No excuses.

"Do your best and forget the rest." ~Tony Horton.

[chunkyfrog]

The boyfriend probably was toxic.

[dlvqaz]

I have lost 81 pounds in the last 8 months following the plan - 6 Week Body Makeover. My wife has lost 45 pounds in six months. I've had to buy a new mask and now trying to find out about lowing my pressure settings. 6WBMO is awesome. You cook your own food. I eat more now than I used to eat. I eat six times a day.