Crash Dieting

[SocketRocket]

That book is a version of the Atkins Diet, the high protein/low to no carbs diet which Americans fell for a few years ago. The theory is that carbs stimulate insulin, so if you deprive the body of carbs it will metabolise fat instead. This should result in weight loss. There are lots of anecdotes about how effective it is, but large scientific studies have shown that it doesn't really do much special, and that most of the effect is due to the greater feeling of fullness from protein-heavy foods and an overall reduction in calorie intake. Scientists not trying to sell books still maintain that calorie count is important.

As for the author cited by MiB, Barry Groves, he was a nutcase. Read his webpage:

http://www.second-opinions.co.uk

I dont believe it suggests that 'Carbs' in themselves stimulate insulin production but rather the high blood sugar levels that carbs as well as unrefined sugars create.

This article is an interesting read on the subject: http://www.drbriffa.com/2014/07/04/...potential-to-protect-against-type-2-diabetes/

 

[Fyldewhite]

Depends how much "crash" you want in this. Atkins style no carbs etc will lose weight very quickly but is ultimately unsustainable, not to mention unhealthy. Bottom line, if you are way overweight and want to do something about it then forget the bet and set longer term targets.

Speaking from experience.... in 2007 I went from 15'12" to 12'7" in 6 months. I did two things.....

First, started to exercise. Over the first few weeks built up to a 5 km run twice a week. It's actually surprising how quickly you can get into the exercise thing. First couple of weeks is a nightmare but just don't expect too much too soon. I started with 3k in 22 mins and was absolutely knackered but I set myself the goal (having started this somewhat predictably on 1st January) of doing a local 10k charity run in May in under 50 minutes. Within a month I was doing 5k in target 25 mins.

Secondly, after cutting out all the obvious things (chocolate, cake, pastry etc) just simply aimed for 1500 calories a day. Never really eat breakfast (I know, I know...), a sandwich, maybe 450 for lunch and a main meal at night of tbh mostly packaged meals (fish, chicken, turkey portions with a good helping of salad with coleslaw or whatever to give it at least some taste! That would usually be around 6/700 calories. In between I'd aim for roughly 100 to 200 calorie snacks. A yoghurt, a pack of "be good to yourself" biscuits, low fat crisps and the like. 1500 was only an aim but even with the odd pint/glass of wine I don't think I blew 2000 that often. Also, if I had a night out on I'd be off the diet for the duration though I probably would order conservatively off the menu if not the wine list! Ultimately, discipline is the key and it's not rocket science. Good luck!

 

[MendieGK]

Agreed about low carb and personally it only ever worked for me because it limited my choices and therefore I ate less calories. There is an element of feeling fuller due to the protein content too but overall it came down to CICO. Recently I've set my macros to 40/40/20 (c/p/f) and the balance is easier to maintain, more enjoyable and for me more successful.

I'm a firm believer in moderation and if it fits your macros

40/40/20 is the way

 

[Slab]

Thanks for the messages of support & while I don't intend to update daily, yesterdays day 1 went fine topping out at under 800 calories for the day

Biggest challenge I think will be that I don't actually want to do this, but I need to do it (bit like buying insurance, nobody wants to spend money on it but they need to)

Weekly plan for first 4 weeks is for 4 days limited to 800 calories, 2 days at 1,500 & 1 day at 2,000
Luckily my wife is also part of this so she'll keep an eye on the numbers for me

Was more than a little surprised at some of the calorie count I checked online yesterday on things I like, i.e 6 calories in a single dry roasted peanut! (someone needs their erse skelpt for that one) and a few other eyeopeners too

Anyway off to get a black coffee (maybe one day I'll get used to it without cow & sugar)

 

[la_lucha]

I'm not sure 800 calories is enough to keep the metabolism going. Plus realistically you'll struggle to keep that plan up for another 39 days.

 

[tallpaul]

800 calories per day is not sustainable.

Minimum is probably 1200, but it'll be relative to where you started from.

As already said, Im sure. Cut out all sweets, treats and fatty snacks. Eat good quality protein ie from chicken etc not shakes. Plenty of fresh fruit, veg and complex carbs only eg oats.

For exercise, I'd go for swimming. If you can swim for 30 mins per day 4 times per week, in combination with a balanced, calorie controlled diet, the weight will fall. Just stick with it. The results won't be instant but will be significant over 40 days.

 

[Slab]

I'm not sure 800 calories is enough to keep the metabolism going. Plus realistically you'll struggle to keep that plan up for another 39 days.

I know its aggressive but wasn't too bad
Chicken & salad for dinner, fruit & yogurt lunch, cereal bar & a few nuts at brekkie and as much black coffee as I can stand

When I see it written down it really should be plenty Ive just always had much more than plenty

 

[Slab]

800 calories per day is not sustainable.

Minimum is probably 1200, but it'll be relative to where you started from.

As already said, Im sure. Cut out all sweets, treats and fatty snacks. Eat good quality protein ie from chicken etc not shakes. Plenty of fresh fruit, veg and complex carbs only eg oats.

For exercise, I'd go for swimming. If you can swim for 30 mins per day 4 times per week, in combination with a balanced, calorie controlled diet, the weight will fall. Just stick with it. The results won't be instant but will be significant over 40 days.

I hear what your saying but I'm also conscious that your example of 7x1,200 is only 200 more calories per week than my 4x800 + 2x 1,500 + 2,000 and on my plan I get a weekly curry night with a couple of beers + another couple of drinks at golf


The swimming I def need to do more of, the Indian ocean is a drive and a chip from the front door so no excuse for not getting out at weekends but difficult during the week


Again this aggressive part will be part of the 40 day period when I then want to go to 1,500 per day to carry on, I just really feel I need a quick win in the first week if I'm to stick to it through week two etc

 

[Ethan]

I know its aggressive but wasn't too bad
Chicken & salad for dinner, fruit & yogurt lunch, cereal bar & a few nuts at brekkie and as much black coffee as I can stand

When I see it written down it really should be plenty Ive just always had much more than plenty

It is OK for a day but you won't, and shouldn't, keep it up.

Watch out for ketone breath on that low carb diet too.

 

[tallpaul]

I hear what your saying but I'm also conscious that your example of 7x1,200 is only 200 more calories per week than my 4x800 + 2x 1,500 + 2,000 and on my plan I get a weekly curry night with a couple of beers + another couple of drinks at golf

You'll feel much better eating 7 x 1200 than your proposal. Feeling good about the 'diet' is key to sticking with it.

For the sake of 40 days, I'd ditch the curry and beers completely. A decent curry, extras and beers can be 3000 calories. Eat 6 of those in 40 days and that's the equivalent of an extra 15 days calories (it'll more the cancel out the net benefit of the swimming).

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Calculate your basal metabolic rate. This is the number of calories that you need to maintain your current weight.

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

Eat less calories than that. The old skool thought is that you need a deficit of 3500 calories to lose 1lb of fat, but that's kinda been discredited now. Even still, if you eat 500 calories fewer per day, you will lose loads of weight.

The caveat is that you need to count EVERYTHING. It'll only work if you're truthful.

Best of luck

Edit: - Absolutely NO booze. It's massively calorie dense.

 

[chrisd]

I was up to 14 stone 8 lbs about 2 years ago and did it by just leaving out some meals, and cutting out crap food most days and I got used to it, lost nearly 2 stone in a few months and have worked on keeping it off.

I weigh myself pretty much every day and if I've put on a couple of pounds I just cut back on eating for a day or so, it seams to me easier than the old yo yo dieting. I guess it's not scientific but it really did work and I can, and do eat anything I want.

 

[wrighty1874]

Have 2/3 of your plate filled with veg.Cut out bread, especially white bread.Cut out sugar.

 

[Slab]

Calculate your basal metabolic rate. This is the number of calories that you need to maintain your current weight.

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

2,360 to maintain weight and given I've gone up 20lbs in 12 months I was clearly skooshing that!

Anyway target one is get rid of the last 12 months (I'll still have the memories though) then work on getting nearer to what I should weigh



Again I appreciate all the support

 

[AmandaJR]

Just bear in mind your BMI will go up as your weight does and vice versa...

TDEE can be a better number imo but they are all averages and need to be tweaked according to the results you get.

 

[Marshy77]

I did slimfast 2 years ago, 2 shakes (or 1 in my case), 1 or 2 snacks and a 600 calorie meal for tea, recipes on there website and you can pick up the containers of shake from B&M for £1.99 each for 12 helpings. Excercise more and do this and it will fall off.

Only problem is when you finish and go back to eating normal you'll stack it on, but that's crash dieting for you.

 

[AmandaJR]

Just bear in mind your BMI will go up as your weight does and vice versa...

TDEE can be a better number imo but they are all averages and need to be tweaked according to the results you get.

BMR not BMI

 

[Bazz]

I lost 7.5stone, purely through exercise and eating properly.

If it's manufactured in any way it's usually bad for you.

It'll fall off easily to begin with.

Good luck

 

[SocketRocket]

Think primeval with your diet. Our bodies have evolved to what we are today over a great period of time, maybe two million years. We have only been eating a cereal/carbohydrate/sugar rich diet for a very small period of that time. Eat more like a caveman, protein, vegetables (not root though), nuts and drink plenty of water as well. Ignore BMI, it's not suitable for different body types and don't count calories, calorie controlled diets dont work long term.

A cheetah is probably the leanest most athletic mammal but has never ate a carb.

 

[Green Bay Hacker]

The most important thing you need is willpower. Resist all the temptations and stick to your plan. I started a diet in the middle of Feb and have lost over 2 1/2 stone since then.

Choose a method that suits you. I decided to cut down to one meal a day. No breakfast, a bit of fruit at lunchtime and an evening meal. Cut out the bread, chips, beer and takeaways and the weight will fly off.

I also try to do 20 minutes a day on my cross trainer if I have not played golf just to help it along.

It is hard at times, especially as I have had a birthday, wedding do and a couple of other celebration bashes during the last 2 months.