One Man'

TheVimFuego

(edit) Calorie deficit clearly affecting my ability to type a thread title, it was meant to be 'One Man's Approach'

I hover around the 1200 cals mark at the moment (40 year old male, 5ft 10, 89ish kilos looking to hit 85 and nuts to the BMI), usually a tad under.

My MFP goal is around 1850 and I am basically ignoring it

I find that I can do that if I really am strict about the goodies, and hey, I either want to lose weight or I don't ... I like to see results quick and find this motivates me more. I don't believe that the metabolic 'starvation mode' thing has a significant effect.

This isn't, however, a long term thing, when I get close my goal I'll be upping that a fair amount (with good food ).

I have also just read 'Why We Get Fat and What To Do About' and have realised the whole madness of the current calories-in/out + exercise philosophy. Not to say reducing consumption or exercise isn't a good thing it is just part of the story.

The whole 'Why we get fat' thing, from a metabolic standpoint, isn't widely know, and it isn't just just 'we eat more'.

So, I'm upping the fat and lowering the carbs, just had some rather tasty sausages in fact. . I believe we have been very badly advised by the governments and health organisations and one day they will be found out and made accountable for the growing obesity epidemic and the associated diseases.

Blimey, I went off a bit there didn't I? Sorry.

I have a 'sedentary' profile but am fairly active and I don't log any exercise ... this is offset by the fact I do not log wine, of which I drink very enthusiatically indeed.

It all seems to be working for me, I don't feel like I'm falling apart or lacking in energy and the scales seem to be heading in the right direction at a decent pace. Been at it around 6 weeks now.

Did I mention that I tend to ramble in posts?

Dunno why I posted this, I guess I was wondering if anyone was attacking it this way (i.e. not, primarily, trying to balance exercise calories and those consumed ... which is the focus of MFP I suppose).

pauljsolie

Good post. If what you are doing is working for you then go with that. You're right, it isn't always as clear cut as calories in/calories out. Some foods help to boost your metabolism and lower your "fat thermostat" which when you come to a plateau must be lowered even further to drop more pounds. Years ago I came across a Sybervision program called The Neuropsychology of Weight Control. You can still get it and it has some great info on how to turn your body into a naturally fat burning furnace so to speak. I really like your rambling style, I think you will have great success on your journey. You can friend me if you'd like. You should write a regular blog. I'd subscribe to it.

TheVimFuego

Good post. If what you are doing is working for you then go with that. You're right, it isn't always as clear cut as calories in/calories out. Some foods help to boost your metabolism and lower your "fat thermostat" which when you come to a plateau must be lowered even further to drop more pounds. Years ago I came across a Sybervision program called The Neuropsychology of Weight Control. You can still get it and it has some great info on how to turn your body into a naturally fat burning furnace so to speak. I really like your rambling style, I think you will have great success on your journey. You can friend me if you'd like. You should write a regular blog. I'd subscribe to it.

Thanks for the thoughts and the heads-up on the Program, I'll check it out.

I have been on a bit of a nutrition mission lately (sparked by MFP) and have been looking at the 'stealth' introduction of carbs into our food and I really believe we have been badly advised (food pyramid, fats, heart desease, etc).

It started when I watched "Sugar, The Bitter Truth (Short Version)" on YouTube, I then watched the full version and was staggered. It's a really interesting presentation.

Just watched the 'Food Inc.' documentary for the first time and this has opened my eyes to what the average person consumes.

I'm not say that calorie control isn't important but we need to understand what is going on 'under to hood' before we can enact more permanent change to our behaviour.

Otherwise it's just one 'diet' after another and being a slave to calories and thinking we need to 'make up for it' with exercise.

The immediate effects of all this I hope to see at my weekly weigh in on Monday but I can tell that it's working already, less bloated, less hungry, more energy AND losing weight. Why has it taken until I'm 40 (and numerous battles with the bulge) to get here?

Again, I ramble

I guess I just want to highlight that it isn't all about the numbers, which seems to be the prevailing attitiude and advice (and focus of this site). MFP has highlighted what I was consuming (and I'll continue to use it) but ultimately the calories aren't the main thing I will take away from this.

Yes, we are fat because we eat more, but the question that rarely gets asked is WHY do we eat more ... we are feeding ourselves <expletive deleted > that doesn't satisfy us.

I will certainly friend you, thanks, I hadn't thought about a blog. To be honest I'm not big into the 'social' aspects of this kind of thing but some things I just feel need to be said.

OK, essay and preaching over.