Dieting or attempting to lose weight has been pushed by the industry for some time now. Everyone is trying to diet, lose weight, or find good health. The following thoughts were “developed” by me some 20 years ago! I find interesting how relevant these thoughts still are today. Quit worrying about losing weight. Learn to work with what you have! Being on a Diet is not a fun way to live. Find a way to eat and move you can do for the rest of your life.
Diet Info
Trying to lose weight? What weight are you trying to lose? What is weight made up of?
- Body Weight is made up of: water, bone, muscle, fat, other (0.5%)
- The body requires a certain amount of fuel (calories) and nutrients to maintain itself.
- The fuel (calories) the body uses comes from carbohydrates, protein and fat- preferred in that order.
- Since everyone is different, no one can tell you how much food (how many calories) you need.
- The body needs different amounts based on what it has to do, the weather, time of month, size of the person, age, etc. The best example to compare to is that of a car. If the car cruises or goes slow, it will use less fuel than if it was racing.
- The body prefers carbohydrates for its fuel (energy). “Carbs” can be compared to gasoline when you talk about fuel.
- If carbs aren’t available (high octane fuel 93), it will process protein for energy (80 octane). At the last resort it uses fat (diesel).
- If the body does not receive enough fuel, it begins to shift into survival mode based on the stress it senses. The body will sacrifice muscle (protein) for fuel before it uses the fat. It will also begin storing fat if it believes it is starving. The body thus becomes a “fat making machine”.
- If the body does not receive enough nutrients, it sends out the “hunger” signal and keeps it on until it gets the nutrients it needs. Again, becoming a “fat making machine”.
- The goal people should have is not to “lose weight”, but to prevent excess fat from building up. A balanced eating plan or “diet” must be achieved to provide the proper amount of fuel, protein, fats, water and most importantly, nutrients. This eating plan should be one you can do for the rest of your life.
Fat is Carbon Dioxide and Water?
Check out this Ted Talks video about weight loss. I found it interesting in that it answers the question of what or how we lose weight. The Mathematics of Weight Loss. (When someone loses weight, where does weight “go”?) This is another good one!! Yes, I am a nerd!! This is a must watch.
The body is not fooled by your temporary changes. Whatever you do must be maintained for months if you want changes to remain. The body is also quite simple. The body looks they way you use it. If you want muscle, you must do things that force it to have muscle. You want to be lean, you must eat and have the activity for the body to be lean. Yes, it really is that simple.
Here is another interesting video short I just came across. Hmmm… sounds familiar…. This is Why you can’t lose fat.