The FastDay Forum

Just out of interest tomtank - did you start 5:2 to lose weight or for other possible health benefits?
I am not sure if you actually do 5:2 or only follow low carb or both. Have seen some of your other posts on the subject of low carb diet but am not sure how restrictive your low carb diet is, but have you been doing that for a long time and do you feel that is the only reason for any possible weight loss?

tomtank,

My point was to agree with those who think that some people who have always been lucky enough to be thin don't realize that they are more lucky than they are virtuous. They sometimes take a superior attitude to the rest of us who have to struggle a little (or a lot), especially as we get older.

I didn't mean that all thin people do it effortlessly--but some do and think that means the rest of us are slackers. I am reminded of the late Ann Richards, onetime gov. of Texas, who commented about George H. W. Bush, "born on third base, thinks he hit a triple"

(Apologies to those not familiar with our politics or with baseball)

I'm a great admirer of your accomplishments, tom.

Hi cmce - I have been on a low-carb diet for many years, but came off it for three months, about three years ago.

I quickly gained 12 kgs, and it took me several months to lose it, again by not eating many carbs.

I started the 5:2 WOE in May, mainly for the health benefits, and also to lose the small amount of weight that has crept on over the last couple of months.

Unfortunately, low-carb eating is restrictive in terms of not being able to eat all the lovely things that I used to enjoy, but I know that if I'm not strict with myself, it all comes piling back on again.

It is a constant battle. I am also intolerant to certain foods such as wheat and lactose, which means I have to eliminate all the things that affect me.

So, combined with fasting (11th fast yesterday), not eating many carbs has resulted in the last few pounds coming off, and I find that I have more endurance when I run, swim and cycle!

My taste buds have come alive again since the fasting, and I am enjoying and appreciating foods much more now.

I hope this has answered your questions!

Thanks Marybeth. I really am enjoying the 5:2 WOE, and I am probably too passionate about my boring old low-carb regime!

I've always had a vision of being able to help people to lose weight, and know what you mean about some people on the television who are very smug.

Lucky them to be able to earn big bucks doing that sort of work, especially when they don't always seems that sincere.

I love being part of this forum, and any little disagreements that arise can only be a good thing!

Advice to move more, eat less, eat better fails in randomised trial of obese people seeking help in Sweden - https://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/6/213/abstract - a quarter or less achieved target weight.

Woman doctor in Australia writes well on obesity - http://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2013 ... k/fat-city

PhilT , the article on obesity by Karen Hitchcock is the most moving and powerful thing I have ever read about how and why we get fat. Thank you for the link. It should be made compulsory reading for just about every one!!

I believe it's much harder for many people to keep their weight healthy. The trouble is we often see overweight people eating what they shouldn't and assume it's greed. So often I see someone obese with an ice cream I'm denying myself. However it's not that hard for me, but I can't possibly know how hard it is for the other person. It's unfair to assume it's just as easy for others.

Could someone please post the link to the BBC program on fat? I know it is on this forum somewhere because this is where I found it. (edit - found it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6-A0iHSdcA)

I'm going from memory, but it took 12 thin people and overfed them for a month. They all gained weight - some gained about twice as much as others. One I remember only gained a little and his metabolism increased 30%. All lost their gained weight within 2 months of quitting their weight gain diet.

On the other side, they showed that about 20% of fat people are fat because they caught a virus. Some have gene mutations that cause fatness, and research shows that most babies born of older mothers are fat as adults.

Also, people have built in weight set points that it takes years to change.

The human body is a chemical factory, and when you factor in genes and viruses, it is really not as simple as calories in and out.

Could someone please post the link to the BBC program on fat? I know it is on this forum somewhere because this is where I found it. (edit - found it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6-A0iHSdcA)

On the other side, they showed that about 20% of fat people are fat because they caught a virus. Some have gene mutations that cause fatness, and research shows that most babies born of older mothers are fat as adults.

Also, people have built in weight set points that it takes years to change.

The human body is a chemical factory, and when you factor in genes and viruses, it is really not as simple as calories in and out.

I agree that some have some condition that stops them from easily losing weight, but why does every single contestant on something like "The Biggest Loser" always lose so much weight. Of course they add the workouts for speedy results, but they almost invariably lose many stone/kgs.

I agree that some have some condition that stops them from easily losing weight, but why does every single contestant on something like "The Biggest Loser" always lose so much weight. Of course they add the workouts for speedy results, but they almost invariably lose many stone/kgs.

Firstly, I am no expert on The Biggest Loser. Having said that, from what I can gather the contestants leave everything behind and basically work out all day and are housed in the Biggest Loser house where they are taught how many calories a day and what they can eat. It's not living in the real world, nor is it training in the real world b/c most people do not have the $$$ to be able to afford to spend all day in the gym (i.e. not work a regular job) and a personal trainer there with you for a big chunk of that time.

In such a situation they are losing a massive percentage of weight (how much of that is fat and what the waist reduction is I don't know), I think this season they were losing in order of 30-40% and in past seasons IIRC they were losing up to 50% of their weight. In a controlled environment, with the pressure of the trainers breathing down their neck they are losing big numbers. How many keep the weight off I wonder?

Once TBL is over and they return to the regular world around them some of them just pile the weight back on. In my part of the world one past contestant works near me and although he did not win the contest (he was eliminated very early in the competition) he is now very much bigger than he was prior to going on TBL (despite being taught how to eat and how to exercise). He admits he has a home gym but he never uses it. He used to have a digital photo frame with photos from the old TBL "White House" and pictures with the trainers and other contestants but that has for a long time now been put away. One time I was walking past his work and I bumped into two of the trainers that were visiting him and I had a quick chat with them (they seem like really nice people).

So sorry for rambling but methinks that unless you are very dedicated to changing your life TBL may not do it for you long term unless you commit to continuing the dietary changes outside in the real world. You may lose 40% of your weight on the show but I guarantee you will pile it all back on (and a few extra kilos to boot) if you go back to your old eating habits afterwards.

PhilT , the article on obesity by Karen Hitchcock is the most moving and powerful thing I have ever read about how and why we get fat. Thank you for the link. It should be made compulsory reading for just about every one!!

Dhana - thankyou for putting into words exactly what I was thinking and thankyou PhilT for posting the link.