miloh17's Journal, 21 Jan 19

There are a lot of good articles/documentaries that I’ve read/watched lately. The Vox has one called “Why you shouldn’t exercise to lose weight, explained with 60+ studies”. It was really eye opening for me. Exercise is still excellent for health (crucial actually) but not great for weight loss if you’re not a high performance athlete. I still exercise, but I don’t count calories burned as part of my weight loss journey. Exercise is for health, eating is for weight loss (based on the studies cited). If you count calories burned as room to eat more, you could be sabotaging yourself. 

The Passionate Eye has a good documentary on now called The Truth About Obesity. I think the info on genetics is a little overstated, especially since a recent study showed that our belief about our genetics has a great influence on how our body functions than the actual genes (related to two genes linked to feeling fuller and exercise tolerance). However, the rest of the info is pretty solid. And I liked how they talked about the influence of the microbiome (how it influences us and how we can change it). I’ve been reading more about it lately and it’s a pretty big factor. 

I love Michael Pollen’s food documentary called In Defense of Food. His take home after analyzing a bunch of different cultures, blue zone areas, etc is to “eat real food, mostly plants, not too much”. If I get too overwhelmed I think of that 

There’s also a great article I read on the guardian website called “I lost 13 stone-now I know the truth about obesity”. It’s written by someone who grew up morbidly obese, in a family where everyone else was morbidly obese (although maternal grandmother was “only” obese). It goes through the 5 myths she believed, what she learned about them, and how she lost the weight. Very informative and interesting article. 

There’s also an article on The Vox called “I’m an obesity doctor. I’ve seen long-term weight loss work. Here’s how”. It was good for me to read because it gave me permission to not pick the “best” diet, but the best one for me. I was already leaning that way, but when you hear so many people talk about this amazing diet or that, it’s hard not to be swayed. Especially when it’s people you admire. I’m currently eating high carb, low fat. It’s contrary to the majority of high fat, low carb, keto diets I see here. But I don’t like most meats, most high fat foods don’t agree with me, and I love my carb foods. The way I eat now, I could eat this way forever. Sure some days have some added “sometimes” foods (like cake today for a birthday and eating out Wednesday for a work lunch) but in general I really enjoy the foods I have now, I typically feel full, I have energy (as much as I usually do at least) and I’m happy. And that’s an important key to a lifestyle change for me (and an important point from this article). 

Jenk256.....I love your advise...I think you're on the right track!!! 

Thanks Jo_Lean :)  

I think you need to eat a well balanced diet. Any exercise you do is great, but remember... Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym. You can do all the crunches, sit ups and ab workout you want, but it’ll be hiding behind belly fat. I would recommend sweating it out by doing cardio rather than build muscle. Sweating is how you best lose weight. Also probably best to cut down on sugars and carbs. Also, even if you have a low calorie meal, you should also be mindful of the amount you eat. Make sure you portion control as well. Good luck!