Leptin Diet

camckinney

I went to see my family doctor and he told me to research the Leptin Diet and to quit counting my calories. WHAT? Everything that i have been doing for 2 years know, he's saying don't. I understand taking in more protein in particular when I was doing ROLFW. But as my standard for eating to lose/maintain I'm a little concerned. Has anyone else tried using the ideas behind the Leptin Diet. (btw, I hate the word "diet" - I'm more of this is how I'm going to eat for my life that is healthy ).

- Background info - When I started MFP (2 years ago) my goal was to lose between 40-45lbs. I was keeping at a calorie intake of 1200, and eating any calories that I burned through exercise. I lost 34lbs in the first 7 months. I then was stuck there and couldn't lose anymore. I upped my calories thinking my body needed a break or adjustment and still no weight loss. So I took a break from worrying about it. After all, I lost several pants sizes and I didn't look bad and was a healthy weight for my height. Thought I would continue eating well, but didn't due to some major stress in our home and I began eating poorly. So, I have gained about 10lbs back. I don't want this to get out of hand and gain anymore. I had to see my doc for my Thyroid (which I'm now having to take medicine for as of the beginning of this year) so I thought I would ask about losing weight (hoping to hear my thyroid was the culprit) and instead he tells me of this diet.

So, do I go with what I know and have seen work or do I try this more protein, low carb concept? Also, if I do should I go ahead and start lifting again since I'm taking in the necessary protein anyway?

Thoughts/comments appreciated.

ilovedeadlifts

From a quick google search it looks like the standard fad diet.

No snacking, no eating after dinner, etc.


Reducing the overall amount of carbs (at least refined ones) I can agree with, and could see where that could be beneficial to health. But you do not have to eat breakfast, or 3 meals a day etc.

camckinney

From a quick google search it looks like the standard fad diet.

That's what I was afraid of - but hoped that my doctor (of all people) would not recommend a fad.

strongmindstrongbody

If you feel motivated to do this diet, it can't hurt to try it out. I'm more inclined to say keep up a healthy meal plan that you enjoy and try switching up your exercise routine to shock your body into dropping the pounds.

Scubanana7

I read a little on it (webMD) and another diet promoting site. It doesn't sound like total hogwash to me. However, there is not proven research on the diet or supplements yet. What does make sense is that insulin resistance creates leptin resistance. So keeping insulin levels down is still the best approach and that means limit carbs/sugars....which is decent health and weight loss advice. Everyone argues on how low to keep your carbs. I am a low-carber, which will invite many to attack me. Which is fine....but I am diabetic, hypothroid and I have spent over a year tweaking my diet to see what works in weight loss and general GOOD feeling for me.

Anyway, you can't go wrong by limiting your sugar and cutting some carbs. I have read research that says eat 6 times a day. I have read other where they are starting to think 3 meals is best. Maybe your doctor thinks control is important for you and if you can control eating times, then you will win your weight loss battle. Again, that is up to the individual. If you are starving in between meals, then you are not going to be successful. However, if you eat HUGE meals (which this diet advises against), then you probably won't be successful either.

and you can't go wrong by eating protein at breakfast! breakfast is important. If my doctor recommended this diet, I might try it for a week. If I didn't feel great on it, then I would tweak it to fit my needs. It takes a lot of trial and error to find what works for you. GOOD LUCK.

well4life1

I follow the Leptin Diet and love it! It's really not a diet per se, but is more of a lifestyle. I eat following the 5 rules for weight maintenance, energy, and muscle tone.

The key to the program is eating a high protein breakfast, just 3 meals per day and not snacking between meals or at night. It's not a fad diet in my opinion because it's easy to follow on an ongoing basis. You're not depriving yourself or starving yourself. I was actually suprised how much more energy I had and less focus on "what can I eat next".

emilycarr71404

I have heard nothing but bad things about the Leptin diet. I would avoid it.

lithezebra

The leptin diet seems like a moderate set of guidelines that wouldn't prevent you from eating a healthy diet, or require you to go hungry. Nothing is forbidden. You could still count calories and log what you eat, if that was working for you.