Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Feast or Famine

Since I keep crappy notes, I have very slim ideas of where I get what passes for knowledge in my world. For example, when my daughter was young I shared a quote, "Well behaved women rarely make history." I told her that Eleanor Roosevelt said it. Nope. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich said it.

For a long time I have believed the idea that our bodies have a cellular or evolutionary memory of famine and if you want to achieve a healthy weight you won't fight gene power. In practical terms this means that starvation diets are rarely successful because the body recognizes the signs of famine and adjusts metabolism and fat storing mechanisms appropriately. As soon as the artificial famine is over, the body knows that famine is more likely, keeps the metabolism low and turns every calorie in sight to fat.

This ain't no research journal and I have no idea if this is true. I just know that when I have tried extreme calorie restrictions in the past I feel terrible and pork up like hippo even if I go back to moderate eating. I heard a new twist on this idea that seems to be coming true. Tune in tomorrow for the exciting finish.

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191 today. I feel great. I had a tough interaction with a coworker and seemed to have more energy to let it go. No reason to get to sappy. Last time I thought I had let something go, I dreamt of going on 12th century crusade and chopping a lot of serfs up.

I had a great functional circuit training session last night. My favorite section was laying on an incline bench and pulling my legs up to my chest and back. Really cranked my abs. I was grunting like hog chasing gold plated truffles. And tonight Annette and I went to the free (yes!!!) mat pilates/yoga. Very energizing and the leader busted out a meditation at the end that I enjoyed.

7 comments:

  1. Somewhere in my library I have a book called something like, "Lowering your fat thermostat", written by a BYU professor who espouses the exact theory you stated about the famine theory. I believe this idea, that if you starve yourself, your body stores fat because it thinks you are in starvation mode. I do think cutting back calories works, but not skipping meals. The key is to increase calorie output.

    But can I just say that every woman I've ever known who always seemed to be dieting, were women who had control issues. I'm thinking of three women in particular. And EVERY one of those women had an eating disorder at some time in their life. And even when they aren't dieting, they are following some other kind of diet like vegetarian, raw foods, or low carbs. I really think for them, it's more about maintaining control than about maintaining weight.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jeff, check these out.
    http://www.westonaprice.org/
    For nutrient dense foods. Some are yummy. Some are not. But we get to choose!
    A book called A life Unburdened. Good book. I read it and so did Moroni.
    Nobody needs to starve. You're right, it's counter productive.
    Amen, let's eat!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jeff, check these out.
    http://www.westonaprice.org/
    For nutrient dense foods. Some are yummy. Some are not. But we get to choose!
    Also a book called A life Unburdened. Good book. I read it and so did Moroni.
    Nobody needs to starve. You're right, it's counter productive.
    Amen, let's eat!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Here you go Jeff. I just got this recipe from a friend. Try it and let me know how it turns out. lol

    Chocolate Tofu Pie
    16 oz silken tofu
    3 TBS Cocoa
    1/3 C maple syrup
    1/2 tsp vanilla
    1/4 tsp salt

    Add
    3/4 C melted chocolate chips

    mix well
    put the mixture in ready made pie crust. Chill and serve."

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yoga was one of my favorite discoveries in the last year. I did it regularly for months and it kept me limber and free from back pain. Hope it does good things for you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey Jeff.
    If you go to the Westin Price website read about tofu and other soy products and what it does for your man health.
    Also I found this interesting blog linked to the
    Westin price site on Facebook. Very interesting.
    http://180degreehealth.blogspot.com/2010/04/nourished-life-on-dair-oids.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. P.S. I have no idea what's up with the pig head.
    But the article is pretty awesome. Do not abandon
    real nutrients Jeff. They are tasty and satisfying.
    Cheers dude.
    I know, it's only raw milk, but I like it, like it, yes I do!

    ReplyDelete