[DaveC113]

But they don't overeat for comfort. That's the problem. They overeat because what they eat triggers hunger and is also addictive. It's a vicious cycle.

And that cycle causes low energy levels, the lethargy that 2bigears mentioned, which reduces activity levels and the amount of exercise the person does.

I agree it's like breaking an addiction. Luckily, I was only addicted for a couple years.... guess what caused my addiction? Besides my own ignorance, it was a 40 hour a week desk job. Weight gain was never an issue before then, I had the job for 2 years and after I left, my weight started going down. I made it up to a peak of 227 lbs, didn't even realize it until I stayed at a hotel that had a scale in the bathroom. That was a rude awakening! 

[django11]

It has been proven by reasearch, sugar and HFCS is as addictive as cocaine.

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-04-02/news/31276928_1_high-fructose-corn-syrup-sugar-consumption-table-sugar

Actually they say "According to brain scans sugar is as addictive as cocaine".  That doesn't tell the whole story.  Mind you some people use cocaine occasionally and never become addicted so perhaps in this sense what they say is true.

I pretty well gave up sugar because it did nasty things to my energy levels.   It was no where near as difficult as quitting cocaine.  Or alcohol or cigarettes for that matter.  I do eat sugar occasionally and when I eat sugar it causes mild cravings during the week following.  I would not try occasional use with cocaine.

Having said that I do believe sugar is addicting.

[viggen]

Been motivated by this thread to cut gluten from my diet.  Been at it for I think 6 weeks now? 

I've not lost any weight.  But, at 6ft and 165-170lbs, I don't really need to lose any weight although 160lbs is probably my ideal weight since I've got small bones.  But, a lot of people have noticed I've gotten slimmer in the face.  My wife noticed my tummy is tighter.

Of course, I worked out a bit more since the weather was so nice in July though not so much in August since it's been too hot.  So, both factors do contribute I guess.

I was fairly tired during week 1 like easily get dizzy and stuff.  Now, I feel normal except my sleep has improved quite a bit.  I am usually knocked out cold by 10pm.  I used to have hard time sleeping until about 1-2am.

[gprro]

I remember reading somewhere about the geneticaly modified wheat we've been using since the 60's acts on opiate receptors too. I've definately been a bread-oholic, tough to break that one.

[2bigears]

   i hear all your guys points,studies,theories, and i go a little hard-line on this..
      in the greasy spoons that people line up at.. the recipes start with 4 pounds of lard,2 pounds of sugar and so on ,,,,, it makes for melt in your mouth spectacular food that should be a treat....
     the people sit and absolutely eat themselves to death .. they are generally all very fat or obese.
        check Texas out lately.. Latest study says smarter,wealthy people are actually healthier. go figure..
  Plain and simple,,for most folks,,,,ya just eat too much crap
     and if you get a desk job, from lets say a construction job,.... you don't need a slide rule to figure you will only need a salad at lunch and that's your big meal .... Good Lord ....

[DaveC113]

     and if you get a desk job, from lets say a construction job,.... you don't need a slide rule to figure you will only need a salad at lunch and that's your big meal .... Good Lord ....

Most people have no idea how many calories are in the food they eat. I was blissfully unaware until I started gaining weight. But now, when I see fat people chugging down their 1500 calorie large ice cream shakes, it makes me cringe a little bit.

[wushuliu]

  i hear all your guys points,studies,theories, and i go a little hard-line on this..
      in the greasy spoons that people line up at.. the recipes start with 4 pounds of lard,2 pounds of sugar and so on ,,,,, it makes for melt in your mouth spectacular food that should be a treat....
     the people sit and absolutely eat themselves to death .. they are generally all very fat or obese.
        check Texas out lately.. Latest study says smarter,wealthy people are actually healthier. go figure..
  Plain and simple,,for most folks,,,,ya just eat too much crap
     and if you get a desk job, from lets say a construction job,.... you don't need a slide rule to figure you will only need a salad at lunch and that's your big meal .... Good Lord ....

It's not. that. simple. We have already gone over this. Those 'wealthy, healthy' people are not as healthy as you think they are. The BBC doc linked earlier had the reporter being shown the amount of internal fat he had vs. external, even though he is not 'fat' by any means (certainly not  by US standards).

[2bigears]

    for a certain percentage of people IT IS THAT SIMPLE ......
         WE EAT TOO MUCH  (portions are right outta control)
          WE DON'T EXERCISE ENOUGH
           STOP EATING SUGAR TOTALLY
           WE DRINK TOO MUCH
            WE DRIVE TOO MUCH
             WE EAT THE WRONG FOODS
              FEELING HUNGRY ISN'T A BAD THING
   Try staying on the outside isle of a grocery store..all you really need....
     The negative impacts of this over consuming is going to kill a lot of things ....

[Tyson]

2bigears,
I agree with everything you say, we eat too much, we move too little, drink too much, etc.... My point is that many people think this happened because we simply got lazy as a society.

It's true that fat people eat too much and move too little.  But most people think that they are fat because they eat too much and move too little.  However there is mounting evidence that it's the other way around - we have tripped a "get fat switch" in our bodies, and we are in "hibernation mode".  And hibernation mode forces us to move less and eat more, in order to gain a lot of weight, in anticipation of a famine or food shortage.  This is biologically programmed into us.

So telling someone to move more and eat less does not address how to switch us from "hibernation" mode back into "normal mode".  Try to tell a bear that is fattening up for winter to move more and eat less.  Even if you could manage to get them to do it, they would still gain fat and stay fat, because they have been metabolically set into storing energy and not expending energy. 

Once you deal with the metabolic switch properly (ie, kicking grains and sugar), higher energy levels and reduce appetite happens naturally, without willpower. 

[2bigears]

   Tyson ,, you may be right on the money for a small % of people .....
         It's time for no more bull-shit .....we have to wake up ..
          Do not blame this on new food or science please .. a lotta people have turned into baby orcas all by themselves ..... i had 10 pounds excess and could have kept going so easy .. i closed the fridge door..... ate less and hit the gym ..... have you seen the size of potato chip bags as of late ... they just keep getting bigger and bigger.. And poteen shops popping up all over the place is sooo frickin ludicrous it's mind boggling .....
      So sorry if i'm a little forward,,,, but this is a topic strong to me ....it's in plane sight !!!!
          would not make a great politician .....

[mgalusha]

I certainly can't speak for others but I gave up wheat and other grains almost 10 months ago. Sugar as well but I didn't indulge in that much anyway but looking back, more than I should have. I've lost 80lbs and all the meds I used to take. As of yesterday my blood pressure was 105/68. When I had a physical a copule of months ago the Dr. dropped all the meds except the BP but on the day of the physical my pressure was really low, low enough that they took it twice and asked if I was getting dizzy when standing. Indeed I would sometimes. They said cut the pills in half, monitor and if it's still low, stop entirely. I've stopped entirely.

Of course I also feel worlds better. I turned 52 on Friday and doubt I've felt as good since my 30's. I've had to buy new clothes a copule of times so far and even some of those are baggy now. First time I've worn a 2x t-shirt in I can't say how many years. Another 35 - 40 lbs and I'll be a happy camper. The nice part is I know I will succeed, no "I hope" involved.  Energy levels are also much better, as one would hope but still, I spent nearly my entire life being damn fat. I'm still not skinny but it's hard to overstate how much better I feel.

Big thanks to Tyson for giving me a copy of Why We Get Fat, that is what prompted me to learn more and change up my lifestyle. 

mike

[2bigears]

    koddo's Mike .... Job well done ..
         BREAD and SUGAR ARE DEADLY .....
           We consume wayyyyy too much ......

[DaveC113]

  Tyson ,, you may be right on the money for a small % of people .....
       

I think it's for a large majority of people. It is true there are people with metabolisms that may never get fat, but I think if most people eat sugar and simple carbs combined with no exercise, they will eventually get fat.

[JoshK]

Big prop Mikey on actually doing it!   Its hard to change your life style.  For me..I am 90% ok on giving up wheat, except beer.  Beer is my weakness.   I am not a spirits person.   Wine is good, but I don't love to drink it, beer I do.

[Tyson]

Mike, you are gonna need a new avatar photo soon!  Congrats on kicking all the meds to the curb, that's huge!  It's amazing how once you make the change, you don't even have to think about it, and the weight just falls off

[Pez]

Mike, that is fantastic news! To your health buddy!  <-Miller 64 

[OzarkTom]

All a person has to do is believe in the USDA's recommended food pyramid, and you will head for diabetes, obesity, cancer, or heart disease. The US government has been warned many times by specialists that  the pyramid should be flipped upside down for everyone's health sake.

[Tyson]

Its not so bad, if you remove the bottom section entirely.

[OzarkTom]

Its not so bad, if you remove the bottom section entirely.

But you need more fats and oils than what is recommended. The best oils to cook in is coconut oil and virgin olive oil, and the best food to eat to help keep your sugar level down and get Vitamin B12 is red meat.

[Tyson]

Agreed.  But I'll see your coconut oil and raise you grass-fed ghee!