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What are your unpopular opinions about health / fitness?
Replies
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I think Paleo is stupid. No person I know who eats the fad Paleo diet forages for their berries, they don't dig for tubers or chase and hunt down their meat. In fact, the foods they eat are probably not even available to our hunter gathering ancestors. Forget fads, just eat healthy!9
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I tried to read about Paleo, to see what the hype was.. I'm always looking to incorporate any kind of new healthy ways of eating. I couldn't get past the first couple of paragraphs where it listed what to restrict. Sorry, no thanks.2
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My UO: fad diets are helpful because at a minimum they make people be more aware of their food and conscious about what they put in their bodies. The human body is massively adaptable, if you feed it a steady Paleo, South Beach, Vegan, Keto, or whatever diet it'll adapt to use it most efficiently. People don't pay enough attention to what they eat, so I'm not giving anybody *kitten* for paying attention, even if their ideas about why are total hokum.11
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My UO: fad diets are helpful because at a minimum they make people be more aware of their food and conscious about what they put in their bodies. The human body is massively adaptable, if you feed it a steady Paleo, South Beach, Vegan, Keto, or whatever diet it'll adapt to use it most efficiently. People don't pay enough attention to what they eat, so I'm not giving anybody *kitten* for paying attention, even if their ideas about why are total hokum.
I think it's more about the sustainability of those diets that causes the issue rather than the awareness. People know when they are fat. For many reasons, people can't stick to them. So they rebound on their weight and are back to square one and lost time. They wouldn't be so successful if they actually worked, therefore they don't help anyone because if they did we'd all be at a healthy weight.2 -
GemstoneofHeart wrote: »My UO: fad diets are helpful because at a minimum they make people be more aware of their food and conscious about what they put in their bodies. The human body is massively adaptable, if you feed it a steady Paleo, South Beach, Vegan, Keto, or whatever diet it'll adapt to use it most efficiently. People don't pay enough attention to what they eat, so I'm not giving anybody *kitten* for paying attention, even if their ideas about why are total hokum.
I think it's more about the sustainability of those diets that causes the issue rather than the awareness. People know when they are fat. For many reasons, people can't stick to them. So they rebound on their weight and are back to square one and lost time. They wouldn't be so successful if they actually worked, therefore they don't help anyone because if they did we'd all be at a healthy weight.
I attribute failure more to people just being weak willed. I think it's silly to believe somebody who can't follow diet that tells them exactly what to eat and when would somehow how more success just being told "eat fewer calories." Maybe a minority of them can, but there's always a minority that can achieve something the majority can't.
Most people who need to lose weight, like me, got into that situation because our natural food decisions are incredibly poor.
Structure is important. But maybe I just believe that because I was in the military, like everybody else in my family for the last 300 years.10 -
GemstoneofHeart wrote: »My UO: fad diets are helpful because at a minimum they make people be more aware of their food and conscious about what they put in their bodies. The human body is massively adaptable, if you feed it a steady Paleo, South Beach, Vegan, Keto, or whatever diet it'll adapt to use it most efficiently. People don't pay enough attention to what they eat, so I'm not giving anybody *kitten* for paying attention, even if their ideas about why are total hokum.
I think it's more about the sustainability of those diets that causes the issue rather than the awareness. People know when they are fat. For many reasons, people can't stick to them. So they rebound on their weight and are back to square one and lost time. They wouldn't be so successful if they actually worked, therefore they don't help anyone because if they did we'd all be at a healthy weight.
I attribute failure more to people just being weak willed. I think it's silly to believe somebody who can't follow diet that tells them exactly what to eat and when would somehow how more success just being told "eat fewer calories." Maybe a minority of them can, but there's always a minority that can achieve something the majority can't.
Most people who need to lose weight, like me, got into that situation because our natural food decisions are incredibly poor.
Structure is important. But maybe I just believe that because I was in the military, like everybody else in my family for the last 300 years.
trust me the one thing I am not is "weak willed"...I yoyo'd 25lbs+ for 15 years because of "diets"
following a diet is one thing but what about once you are done losing what then? you gain it back...rinse repeat...
once I got it "eat fewer calories" which means log and count calories I haven't regained in over 4 years...
Most people lack education that's why they got fat...call it natural food selection but it comes down to not knowing that to maintain weight you need CI=CO..I mean come on people come on the forums and say
"what is this CICO diet I've never ehard of it...how does it work, what can I eat..etc'5 -
GemstoneofHeart wrote: »My UO: fad diets are helpful because at a minimum they make people be more aware of their food and conscious about what they put in their bodies. The human body is massively adaptable, if you feed it a steady Paleo, South Beach, Vegan, Keto, or whatever diet it'll adapt to use it most efficiently. People don't pay enough attention to what they eat, so I'm not giving anybody *kitten* for paying attention, even if their ideas about why are total hokum.
I think it's more about the sustainability of those diets that causes the issue rather than the awareness. People know when they are fat. For many reasons, people can't stick to them. So they rebound on their weight and are back to square one and lost time. They wouldn't be so successful if they actually worked, therefore they don't help anyone because if they did we'd all be at a healthy weight.
I attribute failure more to people just being weak willed. I think it's silly to believe somebody who can't follow diet that tells them exactly what to eat and when would somehow how more success just being told "eat fewer calories." Maybe a minority of them can, but there's always a minority that can achieve something the majority can't.
Most people who need to lose weight, like me, got into that situation because our natural food decisions are incredibly poor.
Structure is important. But maybe I just believe that because I was in the military, like everybody else in my family for the last 300 years.
trust me the one thing I am not is "weak willed"...I yoyo'd 25lbs+ for 15 years because of "diets"
following a diet is one thing but what about once you are done losing what then? you gain it back...rinse repeat...
once I got it "eat fewer calories" which means log and count calories I haven't regained in over 4 years...
Most people lack education that's why they got fat...call it natural food selection but it comes down to not knowing that to maintain weight you need CI=CO..I mean come on people come on the forums and say
"what is this CICO diet I've never ehard of it...how does it work, what can I eat..etc'
hold on, what? So once you get to a goal weight you just go right back to eating the same way you were before you started losing? How exactly is that the "fad" diet's fault? I dont' think any of these diets are designed to be "lose weight and stop" plans. They're supposed to be long-term lifestyle changes. If you stop paying attention to what you eat because you get to a healthy weight, yeah, I would say that's a willpower problem.8 -
GemstoneofHeart wrote: »My UO: fad diets are helpful because at a minimum they make people be more aware of their food and conscious about what they put in their bodies. The human body is massively adaptable, if you feed it a steady Paleo, South Beach, Vegan, Keto, or whatever diet it'll adapt to use it most efficiently. People don't pay enough attention to what they eat, so I'm not giving anybody *kitten* for paying attention, even if their ideas about why are total hokum.
I think it's more about the sustainability of those diets that causes the issue rather than the awareness. People know when they are fat. For many reasons, people can't stick to them. So they rebound on their weight and are back to square one and lost time. They wouldn't be so successful if they actually worked, therefore they don't help anyone because if they did we'd all be at a healthy weight.
I attribute failure more to people just being weak willed. I think it's silly to believe somebody who can't follow diet that tells them exactly what to eat and when would somehow how more success just being told "eat fewer calories." Maybe a minority of them can, but there's always a minority that can achieve something the majority can't.
Most people who need to lose weight, like me, got into that situation because our natural food decisions are incredibly poor.
Structure is important. But maybe I just believe that because I was in the military, like everybody else in my family for the last 300 years.
But that's the thing...those diets tell people what they can and cannot eat, and most people cannot adhere to that. CICO has nothing to do with WHAT you eat, just how much.
I find it easier to say "oh yes I can have a cookie, but just one" much more sustainable than "NO cookie, ever"9 -
GemstoneofHeart wrote: »GemstoneofHeart wrote: »My UO: fad diets are helpful because at a minimum they make people be more aware of their food and conscious about what they put in their bodies. The human body is massively adaptable, if you feed it a steady Paleo, South Beach, Vegan, Keto, or whatever diet it'll adapt to use it most efficiently. People don't pay enough attention to what they eat, so I'm not giving anybody *kitten* for paying attention, even if their ideas about why are total hokum.
I think it's more about the sustainability of those diets that causes the issue rather than the awareness. People know when they are fat. For many reasons, people can't stick to them. So they rebound on their weight and are back to square one and lost time. They wouldn't be so successful if they actually worked, therefore they don't help anyone because if they did we'd all be at a healthy weight.
I attribute failure more to people just being weak willed. I think it's silly to believe somebody who can't follow diet that tells them exactly what to eat and when would somehow how more success just being told "eat fewer calories." Maybe a minority of them can, but there's always a minority that can achieve something the majority can't.
Most people who need to lose weight, like me, got into that situation because our natural food decisions are incredibly poor.
Structure is important. But maybe I just believe that because I was in the military, like everybody else in my family for the last 300 years.
But that's the thing...those diets tell people what they can and cannot eat, and most people cannot adhere to that. CICO has nothing to do with WHAT you eat, just how much.
I find it easier to say "oh yes I can have a cookie, but just one" much more sustainable than "NO cookie, ever"
to the bolded, sadder words were never spoken. /hyperbole11 -
Regarding leftovers, I tend to keep a small cooler in my car in the summer and throw some reusable ice packs in before we head out. If I forget the ice packs, I will ask for a to-go container with ice in it. Sometimes the server might look at you funny, but when you explain why you need it, they get it. The practice has prevented a great deal of food waste, and saved me money over the years (because yay, two or three meals now for the price of one). I have also handed restaurant leftovers to homeless people instead of taking them home or back to the hotel, even when I've had the cooler ready.
And I am on team "I don't care what other people think of the way I eat". They aren't the ones that have to pay my medical bills if I go back to being obese and eventually start dealing with obesity-related illnesses. I don't ask for their opinions and they don't have any rights to opinions about what I eat unless I DO ask. That doesn't prevent them from making comments sometimes (mostly coworkers spotting my healthy lunch while chowing down on fast food), but I call them out on it if they do.
And I also don't believe in cheat days, simply because I don't consider it as cheating. I will occasionally eat differently than my standard plan, but usually it's a special event and it IS planned for in advance. Or I go over my daily calorie target but not by enough to erase all of the deficit. If I want fudge, I have it. Thankfully I only want it once or twice a year. But it's not cheating, because nothing is off limits.
Edited to correct a typo.
I live in a country where medical is free so guess what I do pay...and sometimes even in the US the tax payers do pay too...medicad I believe it's called and the AHCA (afforable health care act...aka obamacare) isn't that tax payer funded as well?
IMO that still gives no one the right to care about what I eat.6 -
GemstoneofHeart wrote: »GemstoneofHeart wrote: »My UO: fad diets are helpful because at a minimum they make people be more aware of their food and conscious about what they put in their bodies. The human body is massively adaptable, if you feed it a steady Paleo, South Beach, Vegan, Keto, or whatever diet it'll adapt to use it most efficiently. People don't pay enough attention to what they eat, so I'm not giving anybody *kitten* for paying attention, even if their ideas about why are total hokum.
I think it's more about the sustainability of those diets that causes the issue rather than the awareness. People know when they are fat. For many reasons, people can't stick to them. So they rebound on their weight and are back to square one and lost time. They wouldn't be so successful if they actually worked, therefore they don't help anyone because if they did we'd all be at a healthy weight.
I attribute failure more to people just being weak willed. I think it's silly to believe somebody who can't follow diet that tells them exactly what to eat and when would somehow how more success just being told "eat fewer calories." Maybe a minority of them can, but there's always a minority that can achieve something the majority can't.
Most people who need to lose weight, like me, got into that situation because our natural food decisions are incredibly poor.
Structure is important. But maybe I just believe that because I was in the military, like everybody else in my family for the last 300 years.
But that's the thing...those diets tell people what they can and cannot eat, and most people cannot adhere to that. CICO has nothing to do with WHAT you eat, just how much.
I find it easier to say "oh yes I can have a cookie, but just one" much more sustainable than "NO cookie, ever"
How about "have as many cookies as you want, just fast 23 hours after you eat"? I eat one meal till I'm stuffed. Don't really stick to counting calories, although I do log, but I can't eat over 1900 calories in one sitting. I eat as much as I want, including cookies or cake or whatever. I just fast for the next 23 hours.1 -
GemstoneofHeart wrote: »GemstoneofHeart wrote: »My UO: fad diets are helpful because at a minimum they make people be more aware of their food and conscious about what they put in their bodies. The human body is massively adaptable, if you feed it a steady Paleo, South Beach, Vegan, Keto, or whatever diet it'll adapt to use it most efficiently. People don't pay enough attention to what they eat, so I'm not giving anybody *kitten* for paying attention, even if their ideas about why are total hokum.
I think it's more about the sustainability of those diets that causes the issue rather than the awareness. People know when they are fat. For many reasons, people can't stick to them. So they rebound on their weight and are back to square one and lost time. They wouldn't be so successful if they actually worked, therefore they don't help anyone because if they did we'd all be at a healthy weight.
I attribute failure more to people just being weak willed. I think it's silly to believe somebody who can't follow diet that tells them exactly what to eat and when would somehow how more success just being told "eat fewer calories." Maybe a minority of them can, but there's always a minority that can achieve something the majority can't.
Most people who need to lose weight, like me, got into that situation because our natural food decisions are incredibly poor.
Structure is important. But maybe I just believe that because I was in the military, like everybody else in my family for the last 300 years.
But that's the thing...those diets tell people what they can and cannot eat, and most people cannot adhere to that. CICO has nothing to do with WHAT you eat, just how much.
I find it easier to say "oh yes I can have a cookie, but just one" much more sustainable than "NO cookie, ever"
How about "have as many cookies as you want, just fast 23 hours after you eat"? I eat one meal till I'm stuffed. Don't really stick to counting calories, although I do log, but I can't eat over 1900 calories in one sitting. I eat as much as I want, including cookies or cake or whatever. I just fast for the next 23 hours.
Sure you can do that. I have done that.
My point is that fad diets don't work ever. People should be able to eat whatever they want and just stick to a calorie goal, whether it's one cookie or 100 cookies. Fad diets don't do anything except divert you from the real problem and waste your money and time.2 -
I can eat well over 1900 calories in a sitting if it is the wrong type of food.4
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GemstoneofHeart wrote: »My UO: fad diets are helpful because at a minimum they make people be more aware of their food and conscious about what they put in their bodies. The human body is massively adaptable, if you feed it a steady Paleo, South Beach, Vegan, Keto, or whatever diet it'll adapt to use it most efficiently. People don't pay enough attention to what they eat, so I'm not giving anybody *kitten* for paying attention, even if their ideas about why are total hokum.
I think it's more about the sustainability of those diets that causes the issue rather than the awareness. People know when they are fat. For many reasons, people can't stick to them. So they rebound on their weight and are back to square one and lost time. They wouldn't be so successful if they actually worked, therefore they don't help anyone because if they did we'd all be at a healthy weight.
I attribute failure more to people just being weak willed. I think it's silly to believe somebody who can't follow diet that tells them exactly what to eat and when would somehow how more success just being told "eat fewer calories." Maybe a minority of them can, but there's always a minority that can achieve something the majority can't.
Most people who need to lose weight, like me, got into that situation because our natural food decisions are incredibly poor.
Structure is important. But maybe I just believe that because I was in the military, like everybody else in my family for the last 300 years.
trust me the one thing I am not is "weak willed"...I yoyo'd 25lbs+ for 15 years because of "diets"
following a diet is one thing but what about once you are done losing what then? you gain it back...rinse repeat...
once I got it "eat fewer calories" which means log and count calories I haven't regained in over 4 years...
Most people lack education that's why they got fat...call it natural food selection but it comes down to not knowing that to maintain weight you need CI=CO..I mean come on people come on the forums and say
"what is this CICO diet I've never ehard of it...how does it work, what can I eat..etc'
hold on, what? So once you get to a goal weight you just go right back to eating the same way you were before you started losing? How exactly is that the "fad" diet's fault? I dont' think any of these diets are designed to be "lose weight and stop" plans. They're supposed to be long-term lifestyle changes. If you stop paying attention to what you eat because you get to a healthy weight, yeah, I would say that's a willpower problem.
that's the point...of lack of education. Eating types of foods is not the reason people gain weight it's the amount so any of these fad diets don't teach you how to maintain weight...none of them...that's the fault of the "fad diet"
If they aren't designed to Lose then stop then how come they don't teach about calories etc instead they say "carbs are bad don't eat them"
The 17day diet is not a lifestyle thing...I did it...you follow it for 17 days...then phase 2 add in starches...phase 3 extra stuff added and more exercise then in phase 4 it says "eat reasonable portions"...okay so what is that?
for me it could be 500 calories...for you it might 250...education.
So again it's not what you eat it's how much you eat and that is the issue
and for you to call people weak willed because they can't follow a fad diet and maintain it afterwards shows your lack of understanding about what it takes to maintain as well...
see education is key4 -
robm1brown wrote: »I can eat well over 1900 calories in a sitting if it is the wrong type of food.
But how can something so calorific be wrong when it tastes so right?10 -
robm1brown wrote: »I can eat well over 1900 calories in a sitting if it is the wrong type of food.
Hey for some people trying to bulk on heavy cals that would be all kinds of right
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blackhawkgirl91 wrote: »-I think keto/paleo/etc. are unsustainable fad diets.
-You're not going to keel over if you enjoy fast food responsibly.
-Ditto with pop/soda (diet and regular).
-There are good carbs and bad carbs, good fats and bad fats.
-Treat is treat, regardless of keto/paleo/low-fat/sugar-free/etc, some are just "less bad" than others. Halo Top is still ice cream
-Protein shakes and snacks (soy or whey based) are pointless and a waste of money. Not even my friend who lifts competitively will touch the stuff, her protein for building and maintaining muscle mass and strength comes from actual food.
-Also, fruit smoothies are not as healthy as actually eating a piece of fruit.
-You only need vitamins if you are truly deficient; if you eat a healthy balanced diet and have no medical conditions, you'll get all your body needs.
-Slow metabolism? Then boost it naturally with good food, good sleep, and good exercise. (Certain medical conditions are different.)
-Drink water when you're thirsty.
-I have trust issues with anyone who says a fruit or vegetable is "bad" (potatoes, carrots, bananas, seriously???).
Whew! Glad to get this all off my chest
Total horse excrement.
I can maintain keto for months at a time (once I get past the induction, which is a little rough) and never get hungry or even getting carb cravings.
I usually do about 3 months in the spring to shake off the "comfort food, holiday treats, and alcohol induced fat that I build up in winter (never shirtless so why not LOL)
CICO is definitely at least partially bunk because I eat the same 3300ish calories on or off keto and my workout regimen doesn't change much either but I drop 2 or 3 percent fat (I get a Dexa regularly) in that 3 months.
Through summer I live mostly IIFYM, because my regular activity level is a little higher... walking, swimming, biking... And when the fall kicks in and my shirt goes back on regularly I eat a little cleaner until around Christmas... Then I definitely allow myself to enjoy all the holidays offer.18 -
GemstoneofHeart wrote: »My UO: fad diets are helpful because at a minimum they make people be more aware of their food and conscious about what they put in their bodies. The human body is massively adaptable, if you feed it a steady Paleo, South Beach, Vegan, Keto, or whatever diet it'll adapt to use it most efficiently. People don't pay enough attention to what they eat, so I'm not giving anybody *kitten* for paying attention, even if their ideas about why are total hokum.
I think it's more about the sustainability of those diets that causes the issue rather than the awareness. People know when they are fat. For many reasons, people can't stick to them. So they rebound on their weight and are back to square one and lost time. They wouldn't be so successful if they actually worked, therefore they don't help anyone because if they did we'd all be at a healthy weight.
I attribute failure more to people just being weak willed. I think it's silly to believe somebody who can't follow diet that tells them exactly what to eat and when would somehow how more success just being told "eat fewer calories." Maybe a minority of them can, but there's always a minority that can achieve something the majority can't.
Most people who need to lose weight, like me, got into that situation because our natural food decisions are incredibly poor.
Structure is important. But maybe I just believe that because I was in the military, like everybody else in my family for the last 300 years.
I think structure is important, but I think success is related to learning to create structure and to make good food decisions, not being dependent on some set diet.
I actually think a diet like low carb/LCHF/keto or paleo CAN be a tool for creating structure and learning what works for you, even though I personally think the distinctive things about paleo (no legumes, dairy, or grains) are not based on good science. IMO, low carb (including keto) can be a way of eating that for some people is easier to stick to, makes them feel more satisfied (and I don't think it means you can never have a cookie).
What I don't think is a tool for learning is following a set diet that tells you what to eat. For me, a meal plan that detailed or that doesn't involve figuring out what works best for you and understanding nutrition more over time is basically infantilizing, and that's what I find kind of icky about it. Plus, no one will want to eat a set eating plan forever.
In my mind, structure is more like: I do better eating 3 meals (or however many) and not snacking (or having 2 set snacks), and I structure my meals around protein, vegetables, and a starch, with fat used in cooking, most of the time. (Or whatever, although I personally think that focusing on adequate protein and lots of vegetables are, on average, helpful for people.)
On the other hand, I got fat eating nutritious meals for the most part, so what was ALSO important for me was understanding where my extra calories come from. I think when people look at that and fix it, it can become easy.
I do think a lack of structure is a problem for a lot of people starting out, though. Those posts "over my goal by lunch, what should I do about dinner" used to puzzle me until I realized people were not planning or imposing any structure.5 -
robm1brown wrote: »I can eat well over 1900 calories in a sitting...
I could too.1 -
robm1brown wrote: »I can eat well over 1900 calories in a sitting if it is the wrong type of food.
Hey for some people trying to bulk on heavy cals that would be all kinds of right
Of course I have just been bulking for the last 20 years, just nobody told me I had to lift weights
On a serious note I can't wait until I get to 'bulk up' I am never going to be a body builder but once I am down to a sensible weight might be nice to see if I can put on a bit of muscle. Years away at the moment.5
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