Saturday, April 10, 2010

Feast or Famine II

Getting ready to write part two makes me nervous since it seems less amazing than when I set up the cliff hanger a few days ago.  So I will start with some good news, I found my old Ben Harper CD's and I am doing a BH marathon while I type/watch the Giants game.  Oppression you will not get me!

Here it is:  if you believe in the data/theory that severe calorie restriction sets your body's genetic memory against losing weight, then you might also believe that periodic high calorie meals remind your cells that there is plenty of food so they can stop hoarding.  My health guru at the gym told me this.  He admitted it was an undocumented piece of urban hearsay...but I liked it.  When I get around to really researching this, I will tell you what I find out.

In the mean time, I'm going to call unplanned high calorie meals "metabolism lifters".  It sounds very positive to me.

****

193 today, same as a week ago.  I cancelled some early morning tennis cuz it was blustery.  But I got a good run in around 3p.  Now, don't laugh, but it was only a mile.  Gym cardio and running seem to have nothing in common.  I was just happy to be outside, feeling the orchards pass by, talking to some birds and frogs.  Good times.

"You look like gold to me."  Ben Harper.

8 comments:

  1. I'm not sure about the high calorie part of your friend's theory, but there are many who believe in "grazing". Instead of eating three heavy meals, graze frequently throughout the day on healthy food. I think that might send the same "full" message to your body without as many calories.

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  2. Seems reasonable, but it provides zero intellectual cover for periodic gluttony.

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  3. You know, I think Ben Harper had his own theory of calorie control: "If you don't like my fire, then don't come around--'cause I'm gonna' burn one down!" That sounds like a euphemistic diet plan if I've ever heard one.

    By the way, have you heard Ben with the Blind Boys of Alabama? Totally RIGHTEOUS!

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  4. I am on it. Thanks for the tip.

    Ben Harper=euphemistic diet plan. Funny.

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  5. I was thinking about this again. I think I'm already on this diet. I eat frequent, high calorie snacks. It's not working....

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  6. Ha. 5 a day. That's what they say. Annette just brought some Sour Cream and Onion chips home from a Y.W. activity. I didn't eat them. Why? That would be 6 frequent, small meals and I have self discipline. If it was my 5th I would have eaten the whole bag. :)

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  7. The high calorie thing is supposed keep you from hitting a plateau. It goes on the same theory that you don't want to do the same exercises evertime because eventually your body will get used to it and the workout will be ineffective. Theoretically it makes sense. Obviously, you don't want to consume 4,000 calories after a week of 1,500 calorie days. But, but consuming more calories, it keeps your body from anticipating the lower calorie restrictions. However, the only person I've ever heard endorse this was Jillian Michaels and I'm pretty skeptical of most everything she says. I think it has a lot more psychological benefits than physical. You're more likely to keep a strict diet if you know you can go off the beaten path even for one meal.

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  8. Genna - interesting. A lot of people really trust JM. Any specific reason for your skepticism? A couple of trainers at the gym recommended one of her books. I didn't buy yet. Maybe I should rent before I buy?

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