Diet successes

[runbikeswim]

What you weigh on one day isn't a gain/loss, it is just naturally going up and down. 1,500 calories of starch and carbs might impact your water retention or bloating by more than 4,000 calories of protein, fat, and veggies. So yeah, it might in the very short term, as in the next couple of days, impact what the scale says. But it doesn't have a different impact on what you weigh long term. Quality of what you are eating will impact how full you feel and your overall health. Your biometrics will be different based on what calories you take in. But at the end of the day calories are calories when it comes to weight gain/loss..

Bullcrap. Yeah, I know what water gain is.

You know what, I have been working with a lipidologist for almost 10 years. My diet/nutrition plan has been tweaked, medications tweaked, exercise has been tweaked off and studied. A few years ago my case history was published in several medical journals in regards to lipids, so I think I have a clue about how my body works. If you don't believe me, talk to her. http://www.taradall.com

With 100% certainty, I can tell you as a TriAthlete and weightlifter, I cannot eat carbs like most of them do and "maintain", I gain weight over the long term, and all kinds of indicators go wrong.

 

[Cyientist]

I'm doing a round of Paleo for fat-loss, so no carbs with fruits even. I'm only 5 days, in but I need to figure out a good midday snack because I finding myself wanting to cheat during dinner. I was considering a keto diet, but I wanted to eliminate the artificial sweeteners from my life. I fell like I would have allowed diet soda on keto, but it doesn't match the paleo diet. After 30 days, I may allow myself dairy again though.

I don't envision this being a permanent change, but I am hoping to drop 20-25 pounds and then keep the good habits up to eliminate an additional 10-15. I'm really hoping this curbs my diet soda addiction and stems the "night-caps" over the long run.

Good luck to anyone on the journey!

 

[CascadeClone]

Hi Dan, 6'1" 200, long time listener, first time caller.

I've been trying to lose weight for like 10 years. Last 6 weeks or so, have actually stuck to WW plan - not going to meetings, just following the points scheme. Use a generic phone app to track. I try to be REALLY good the first 3-5 days of the week when I have some willpower and save my bonus points for the weekend.

It does work if you keep track and actually do it. Have lost ~10 lbs in those 6 weeks, trying to lose 10 more. Helps that I've started lifting weights 2x a week at work, and have been training for an event last weekend.

Diet ==> reduce weight
Exercise ==> you feel great

Do both, and over time it does work. You can't exercise your way to losing weight, but feeling stronger, looking better in the mirror, and having more lung capacity makes you feel like Captain America. Plus if you are working out, that is time when you aren't eating junk.

But here is the real secret - whatever diet works for YOU, that you can stick to, will work. Whatever exercise that is FUN for YOU, that you will stick to, will work. Figure out what works for YOU so it's easy to stick to and you aren't miserable doing it.

 

[jbindm]

But here is the real secret - whatever diet works for YOU, that you can stick to, will work. Whatever exercise that is FUN for YOU, that you will stick to, will work. Figure out what works for YOU so it's easy to stick to and you aren't miserable doing it.

Agree with this. Sustainability is big. I don't mind the thirty day programs, but I suspect they're only effective long term if retaining the good habits can be accomplished relatively easily.

 

[CascadeClone]

So, NO it is NOT about calories.

Thermodynamics and conservation of energy would suggest this is not correct.

That said, I do think different foods impact your metabolic rate - some make it higher and some make it lower. And different people have more/less sensitivity to that effect. So I don't disagree that different foods can make a difference.

And if you went from 400 to IronMan, I'm sure your metabolism has changed significantly.