Diet "myths"....

[bikuki]

Hey Ruth, I'd be interested in reading that
Apparently morbidly obese people can be put on a ZERO calorie diet over a length of time (I think the record is 18 months or something) as long as they get a drip with the essential nutrients (like vitamins etc) then they'll be fine...in theory
I wouldn't recommend it though!
I've started looking at calories where I didn't before...was thinking about a 900/1000 cal diet, but I'd have to think about it. I've totally given up snacking between meals, too - doesn't take any effort if you eat the right things actually IN your meals! Mon the GI!

[Crystal Mighty]

When I was still doing my course I watched a program once where these really obese people who said that diets just didn't work for them had to drink 3 pints, or litres, I can't remember, of milk a day because it had everything they needed :/

[Oskar]

Hokay people, here are a few issues about prolonged under consumption of calories per day (talking here about under 1000 a day, roughly around 800 and below) Such diets will help you lose weight in the short term, but in the long term they can be severely dangerous and in fact, will cause you to gain weight even faster when you start eating normally again as you have effectively slowed down your metabolism.

Basically, if you deny yourself food to this level it is self-starvation. It is not “dieting”. Since we live in a country where food is more than easily obtainable, when you are exposed to it, your low calorie intake may cause you to “binge”. It is your body’s way of trying to get everything it can before you deny it once again. This could possibly lead to the development of Bulimia Nervosa, involving episodes of guilt, shame and depression.

It is a vicious cycle and one which you must avoid; therefore starving yourself in this way is NOT the answer.

There are a number psychological effects associated with such self-starvation tactics if they are carried out for a prolonged period of time. Some may appear quick soon others may develop over a longer spell. These effects include:

*Reduced capacity for complex thought. There will be no middle ground, and issues will have only black and white. You will find yourself unable to reason or debate.

*It will become harder to cope with challenging situations and people so you become socially introverted, avoiding large groups of people. Also, you will become far easier to offend or upset.

*There is a possibility that while you deny yourself food, an obsession may build about food. You may begin to collect recipes, cook meals for other’s and take great delight in food shopping for things that you know you won’t eat. Psychologically you are preoccupied with what you can’t have.

*Emotions will be felt less strongly and you may lose interest in friendships and relationships. You may become detached and feel unable to understand another person’s point of view or emotions.

*Prolonged underconsumption may also lead to mood swings, anxiety including panic attacks, and depressive feelings.

If you continue to eat this little calories for longer than a month, there may be serious side effects physically as well; impairment of the heart muscle, hair loss, skin problems and decreased immune system efficiency. Such diets should only be attempted if you are seriously overweight, have doctors consent and are being closely monitered.

By the way, I apologise if this seems to be quite harsh, but I wanted to highlight the serious issues that come with undereating to the extreme.

[Withnail]

It's the people who say they can't lose weight, and then you see them eating a KFC, a fish supper, and ice-cream all at one sitting (in same said programmes). How stupid are you? Delusion is the master of the waistline...

Oskar - i take it daily intake of 1250-1750 range is alright?

[Oskar]

Originally Posted by Withnail

Oskar - i take it daily intake of 1250-1750 range is alright?

Sounds ok, but I wouldn't advise maintaining the lower limit of that for a long period of time. Make sure it's coupled with exercise and not over exertion.

BTW, just to point out that I'm no doctor or nutritionist. I am a final year psychology student with an great interest in eating disorders and the scientific resources to back it up. Just passing on some information I find helpful and interesting

[Metalcherry]

wow i have a lot to read through just following some of the help thats been mentioned and will be finding some exercise classes in glasgow - heres a start to a new me

thanks for all your help and advise, this time im determined to drop a dress size or two

[Withnail]

Tsunamibabe - if you're looking for exercise classes in the town itself, i can't recommend the GlasgowClub.org enough - it's the City Council's leisure centres, but don't let that put you off - they're really *very* good.

Hehe, cheers Oskar.

[hotblonde]

Losing weight can be easy if you reduce your intake of carbohydrates as these have the largest effect on your blood sugar levels. I'm not talking about an Atkins diet, I mean cut out refined carbs (sugar, white rice,white bread, white pasta) and cut down on high carb foods..have no more than 1 slice of wholemeal bread for example and no more than 2 small potatoes with your evening meal..never eat chips or crisps. Eat tons of veg (turnip, cabbage, peas, carrots, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflour) incl. salad veg and lots of berries. Don't eat a lot of fat, but do eat nuts and seeds and oily fish. Vitamin supplements have no effect (refs can be supplied to back this up), so don't even bother with them..no substitute for the vitamins in food..the more veg/fruit you eat fresh and raw the better! You don't have to go mental with exercise, just aim for about 1/2hr a day..even if that's just walking. But, if you build up a little muscle mass (wee light weights or even use tins of beans) this does help your metabolism. Another important thing you must do is try, try to cut out alcohol. If you can't completely, then cut down to a few units a week. The person who posted eating after a certain time is allowed ,is absolutely correct..in fact there is evidence that eating less during the day and more at night actually boosts weight loss! But, I'd suggest eat when hungry and don't eat just because it's lunch or dinner time.

A drastic cut down in calorific intake can have many effects on your body, which don't necessarily help prolonged weight loss, but the best thing to do is not count at all. Build a list of foods which are low/medium carbohydrates, protein and 'good' fats' (omega-3, monounsaturated fats) and stick to them.

If you do even light exercise (1/2 hour walking a day) you'll lose weight. As Ruth has already said, there are psychological factors related to the effects of dieting. There is also an addictive factor associated with dieting, so be careful not to overdo it.
Good luck...dieting in January sucks!

p.s. for those interested in the physiological effects of a low calorie intake (of 1000 or so) several research groups have shown increased longevity and reduced aging, especially if combined with a high intake of polyphenols (although this has yet to be fully explored in humans). Like everything else, swings and roundabouts ;-)

[Metalcherry]

i am gonna take up proper exercise v.soon - i havent done much since i fell down the stairs at zeniths party lol *oops*
now that i am feeling better i dont have an excuse to cut out on exercise.

as for eating tons of veg - i could do that until the cows come home, its the main thing i snack on - yes i am an unusual girl who loves her veg

so far calorie counting i find easier than Weight watchers point counting and i am keeping within my limits.

i know dieting in january sucks but due to unlimited amounts of chocolates received for xmas because no one could be bothered to buy me something better, has buggered up my good healthy eating before xmas

anyways - the quest for a better figure continues......

[i_am_blip]

i just deleted a big post i'd just typed because it sounded fattist, when it wasn't meant to.

[Lowtone]

Post it again you fattist!

Join Scottish Slimmers. My mum did it and lost loads of weight in a really healthy way simply by cutting down portions etc.
Their zero calorie soup is amazing!

[i_am_blip]

how about the Optimo Diet.

go to optimo, have a pill or two (MDMA was first synthesized and patented in 1914 by the German drug company called Merck. Scientists thought that this drug could be used as an appetite suppressant) and sweat the fat out of you whilst dancing like a mong for 4 hours solid in the hottest sweatiest club that i know of.

[Lowtone]

Haha, I was close to mentioning something pretty similar.
Guaranteed to work.

[Withnail]

I've always quite fancied the H plan diet. You never see a fat smackhead, do you?

[Withnail]

Oh aye, and I lost 3lbs last week (well 9 days - Friday 6th-Sunday 15th), in spite of eating loads of shite and not being to the gym cause of my leg. I'M THE KING OF THE WORLD!