Calorie restriction = Metabolic reduction

“How does reducing calorie intake not work?!”

(A thought)

I claimed that controlling a kid’s portions wasn’t an effective solution to childhood obesity, and I was patronisingly asked this question. Aside from the obvious hilarity of that simple-minded belief, I know most awake readers know the answer… because it reduces your metabolic rate and makes you offing hungry, right! Let’s take this one step at a time as if I’m explaining this to a child who didn’t make the honor roll.

Monitoring your intake
without sensitivity or
objective feedback,
could be a risky sacrifice! 

It’s really quite simple why calorie manipulation cannot, is not, has not been, never has been shown to be, nor ever will be a reasonable, permanent solution to a serious weight problem–especially in kids. It’s because of the response that the involuntary mechanisms of the body that factor into weight control and body composition have.

Calorie intake goes down, body fat levels decrease, metabolic rate decreases in proportion to the fat lost, as does desire for physical activity and the calorie-burners NEPA (fidgeting) and NEAT (calorie burn from light movement). Meanwhile, appetite increases, cortisol increases (favoring fat storage over lean mass preservation aka atrophy), pituitary activity increases, binge-proneness increases, cravings increase etc..

All of these involuntary mechanisms are sending strong biological signals to our bodies that ensure eventual weight regain, often exceeding and surpassing prior body fat levels before the period of conscious calorie reduction began. What percentage of people regain their lost weight depends on how long you study them for. 6 months? It works! A lot of people keep that weight off! A year. Eesh, not so good. 2 years, uh oh. 5 years: oh crap you're fat again.

Even those who do manage to starve a significant amount of weight off and keep it off for several years–many of those registered with the National Weight Control Registry, are found to be eating an abnormally low number of calories for their age, height, weight, gender, and physical activity levels. Guarantee you that there are an abnormal amount of socks, mittens, lotion, psyllium husk, caffeine, and pharmaceutical drugs at the households of these people. And no damn flapjack or white rice anywhere. No way I’m going over there to find out, if there are no sugary flapjacks involved.

In all seriousness, it’s not just appalling that people still really think that watching portion size and counting calories is a reasonable solution to obesity, particularly in children. It’s surprising! But then again, I’m almost always shocked at what virtually everyone I encounter believes about just about

When digestible, whole,
metabolically enhancing
foods are around…
smash them in!

everything (did that make sense?). This curious mind of mine is painful at times. I have to think about everything instead of jump to a conclusion and get busy defending it no matter what contradictory evidence or viewpoints I encounter.

In the end, saying that a 'conscious restriction of food intake' or 'increase of physical activity levels' to create an intentional, voluntary calorie deficit is effective for weight loss, is about as strong as an argument for restricting sexual intercourse as a birth control method. Technically, and sure, even scientifically, it’s impossible for stopping having sex not to work as a birth control method. But you know, the thing is, it doesn’t work. Why? Because of the physiological and psychological reaction to sexual desire.

It’s the same with the tiring sermon about eating less and exercising more. It works 100% of the time. The only problem is, it fails nearly 100% of the time. Those who do succeed long-term and preach the gospel of it are extreme outliers. It’s not a real solution to anything. It’s just blah, blah, blah from bullheaded internet trolls with serious personality disorders.

If a solid solution to obesity is ever confidently identified and confirmed and found to have minimal side effects, it will be effective because, and only because, it works by altering the involuntary mechanisms that affect metabolism, appetite, fat storage, and body composition. I think progress has been made in this arena here and a handful of places like it, but there are a lot more questions than answers remaining. Anyone who is sure of the answer and takes on an arrogant tone you can be sure is full of shit–especially if they constantly tell you how “scientific” they are in between expletives.


Be wise.

Beatle

(180degreehealth.com)
https://plus.google.com/u/0/100705106622291718837/posts

The neediness of self judgement.

"In order to know thyself, one must learn how to be themselves"…

Out of all the people you've ever known or been apart of, is there anyone you've spent more time with and live in closer proximity to than your own self?

Over the past few months I've been away from home and found a comfortable amount of time to be alone, giving me the opportunity to closely listen in to how I truly operate without the external influence of others expectations.

By getting intermit with my flaws or what I judge to be my flaws, I've noticed that at times I become a door mat to other people, I hide my voice, my opinion and generally let them walk right over. I also have come to realise that at times I try to prove myself relentlessly, my worth, my value (either to them or myself) on an on going basis...and apparently I view this as a flaw.

Maybe we are all truly judgemental beings. Whether its the food you we're about to eat, the sound of someones voice, the dress sense of your mum or your ability to complete a task, you will judge that experience both before, during and after and how you judge whether "positively" or "negatively" is-or could be dependant on how you judge yourself and the expectations you have of others, based off of your own expectations you have of yourself…. or at least perceive to… (did that make sense? at least i judge it to).


And is it this perception and judgement of an individual, noticed in myself and others, to really be the hurdle from preventing true expression and from forming closer relationships with others and ourselves?..

I truly believe that by "loosing your mind and coming to your senses", you can create the silence needed to really engage and listen into not only your physical bodies needs, but at times more importantly, how your mind perceives and values who you are.

Go and experience it, rather than just going and viewing it! 

    

What ever you are doing, thinking or deciding..remember one thing; to question whether it is coming from you or someone else? 

You may be surprised that the real noise could be your mother or father, from the first time they gave you the advise, order, discipline or criticism,  and that will be stuck with you. You must begin to decide if that noise truly resonates with you and is that voice of "self"-judgement really your voice..?


Maybe next time you feel the need to let out some thought vomit that could be triggering to others...try to tie a feeling that you're having with that thought and what that reflects about what you don't like in your own life, or what you want in your life... This way you can connect your thoughts to your feelings instead of just letting thoughts distract you from your heart… 

I can empathize with this as sometimes I am an expert at letting my mind bypass my feelings. The fear of failure, success, or intimacy... the ego feeds on shame and fear, so you looking at this as a game to be rude could be your ego challenging you… I challenge you to challenge your ego that next time you feel the need to be rude to also put your heart on a platter and admit the insecurities within you that your rudeness is reflecting… 

Also a big trick is not to judge your judgments, but let them be a window to your challenges.

Just some thoughts.

Be Wise.

Beatle.


This briefly written expo of my thoughts have been inspired by the teachings of JP Sears, the numerous hours of listening to Daniel Eiseman and my Dad.
Thank you.