Weight Watchers

[jojojoanne]

I've not been able to post as much lately as I have family staying and can't get to the computer much!! But I'm keeping up with everything as best I can!! At the moment, a corner of my kitchen looks like Greggs ... my boys took their Nan to Asda yesterday and convinced her that we needed UNTOLD cakes!! Luckily they have a good sell-by date - there's LOADS of various packets out there!! Luckily I'm not that keen on any of the ones she b*ght!!!

[Preston1990]

Woah Mr G - I think that your previous post is the longest one I've ever seen in all my years on FMUK! For that alone some sort of congratulations and recognition are in order.

I just wanted to say "Many Thanks" for all the compliments and encouragement you gave me in there and for actually taking what must have been a considerable amount of time and effort to share your thoughts especially regarding the content of the Horizon programme.

I have also been discussing it with some of my non-FMUK friends too. I remain fairly sceptical about the claims made in the programme. When I first watched it I was terrifically impressed by what it was saying. The message seemed clear and largely irrefutable, assuming that it's basic argument was a sound one. But I'll be the first to admit that that is one big assumption.

There is no-one more cynical than me the time when it comes to accepting unproven scientific claims and as time went by and I thought about it more, my doubts began to surface and grow.

I can remember when programmes like Horizon seemed to be more focussed of presenting science issues backed up with proper well researched empirical evidence rather than concentrating in achieving good viewing figures by sensationalising unproven claims. I guess that's just a sign of the times or maybe it's just because I'm getting older and more cynical.

I could see large holes in the supporting evidence for the claims made. If I understood it correctly, the programme was not really primarily aimed at losing weight - although that in the Horizon presenter's case was shown to be a beneficial side effect. He actually did lose over a stone pretty quickly - obvious though if you eat your normal amount for 5 days then a reduced amount for 2 days - weight loss is pretty much guaranteed.

At the heart of the issue though was a basic claim that low "Insulin-like Growth Factor 1" (IGF1) values in the blood promote longer life spans and resistance to some serious diseases. Examples were shown of this in mice and certain types of humans who had low or completely absent IGF1. They were living longer and/or without the normal susceptibility to heart disease or cancers. It was claimed that the reason behind this was that high IGF1 promoted cell growth - Low IGF1 promoted cell repair.


It was then demonstrated that having alternative feeding / fasting periods reduced the IGF1 level significantly. The presumption was then made that because of this the body would enter a repair period rather than a growth period - result longer life - less susceptibility to heart disease and cancers etc. Those are tremendous claims in my book - and certainly it was never "proved" in the programme.

If it could actually be proved it would obviously be great! But for me there was significant doubt that the supposed benefits would actually be true. And there was no real discussion about any possible adverse side effects of which I am sure that there must be many.

Having said all that - I was quite intrigued by it all. Whether it actually works or not it did spark my imagination. As I see it - its not really that much of a difference to what I'm doing now. OK so on 2 days per week I drink as much as I want but restrict my calorie intake to around 600 per day, on the other 5 days I'll eat what I normally eat (plus maybe also eat the missed calories from the fast days as well if I feel too hungry). I once had to properly fast (only water and tea etc) for two days before I went into hospital for a minor op and it was tough but achievable. At the end of the day if there are no benefits to be gained I can't see that much will change, if there are benefits then I'm sure I still won't actually notice them. So it's going to be pretty inconclusive either way

I've noticed that a few people think I'm losing heart with the weight-loss thing. That's not really true and believe me I know that putting on a pound is in no way a big deal. I suppose that after 4 months or so, I've just welcomed the chance to adopt a slightly different approach. I may not even be able to stick with it, but I am going to give it a try. I will be running it past my Doc not only to see what he thinks but because I would like him to check my blood lipid values before and after.

Well done on raising all that money for charity via the samsung smartphone app MrG whilst doing your running - That's really great!! And....good luck with the development of your squash skills - One day you will beat the Manager - You should get your challenge in now and check him out. It's unlikely that you'll beat him, from what you say, at the moment - but at least you'd get a feel for what you're up against. And...if you can challenge every month there's nothing to lose.

Oh yes, to those who asked about my hols - I'm going to Pisa for a few days and then on to Rome with my wife and two daughters.

[biggins]

Just finished packing except for the last minute things. Only away from Monday to Friday but seem to need a lot with shoes for the evening, sandals, trainers for walking etc.

Enjoy your holiday Preston - but be very careful in Rome as there are experts there in robbing people of their money etc. Don't be taken in by anyone asking directions or small children wanting you to b*y flowers as they are just trying to distract you.

Thanks MrG for your encouragement and to everyone else here on this thread. I haven't lose a lot but feel better for the weight I have lost and know now I can do it and lower my blood sugars at the same time.

Today's menu is rather a mixed bag as using up leftovers before we go. Took some things to my daughter's house yesterday for them to use.

Here's one for you Preston - I b*ght a ROCKET salad a couple of days ago but it went off before I could eat it!!!!

Have fun everyone and will catch up when I get home as no computer access while away.

[Diane65]

Just finished packing except for the last minute things. Only away from Monday to Friday but seem to need a lot with shoes for the evening, sandals, trainers for walking etc.

Enjoy your holiday Preston - but be very careful in Rome as there are experts there in robbing people of their money etc. Don't be taken in by anyone asking directions or small children wanting you to b*y flowers as they are just trying to distract you.

Thanks MrG for your encouragement and to everyone else here on this thread. I haven't lose a lot but feel better for the weight I have lost and know now I can do it and lower my blood sugars at the same time.

Today's menu is rather a mixed bag as using up leftovers before we go. Took some things to my daughter's house yesterday for them to use.

Here's one for you Preston - I b*ght a ROCKET salad a couple of days ago but it went off before I could eat it!!!!

Have fun everyone and will catch up when I get home as no computer access while away.

I was shocked to hear about you throwing away a rocket salad as its my all time favourite food - I eat it like I used to eat a bag of crisps

The problem (a wonderful problem to have) Biggins when you're going somewhere so posh is that you need so much stuff to cover all eventualities and I love the opportunity to dress up as I where Alexander workwear 5 days a week http://www.alexandra.co.uk/catalogue/healthcare/tunics/ like the navy one but in black with some rather fetching trousers. I'm going to Berlin for a city break a week on Friday and that is very easy to pack for as we basically arrive at the hotel and then head off to explore and don't return until bedtime but you can very easily add a few more bits of jewellery and a brighter lipstick to feel done up for the evening meal plus we love eating where and what the locals eat so tends to be more casual.

WOW the boys are on form over the last 2 days - getting very serious with their approach to eating whereas I'm more of a get as much good food for your calories type of girl. I must admit I am having to think re doing the low carb food regime for the next week a la Biggins - In my simplistic mind 1 carb = 4 calories so a maximum of 400 calories per day as carbs= 100 carbs except on my treat day which is tomorrow when I can have an extra 75 calories worth of carbs. Have I got this right or am I talking a load of rubbish?

Have an amazing holiday

[biggins]

Firstly Diane I didn't really through out ROCKET salad it was a joke - it went OFF as in a rocket before I could eat it!! It was humour aimed at Preston and his corny gags!!

The carb counting as far as I can see you are going too deep into it. I never counted the calories so I don't know how many I consumed daily.
You can eat plenty of other things in place of high carb foods. For example you can have a two egg omelette which is almost nothing in carbs but don't know how many calories.
So by cutting down on high carbs (I cut down on the bread which is high) you can lose weight without going too extreme. You are near the target you set yourself so no need to be drastic. The cereal and a banana also was high in carbs so I changed the banana for berries.

You don't want to spend the rest of your life counting calories and as MrG said it is the quality of the food you eat that is important.

Be good while I am away.

[Diane65]

Firstly Diane I didn't really through out ROCKET salad it was a joke - it went OFF as in a rocket before I could eat it!! It was humour aimed at Preston and his corny gags!!

The carb counting as far as I can see you are going too deep into it. I never counted the calories so I don't know how many I consumed daily.
You can eat plenty of other things in place of high carb foods. For example you can have a two egg omelette which is almost nothing in carbs but don't know how many calories.
So by cutting down on high carbs (I cut down on the bread which is high) you can lose weight without going too extreme. You are near the target you set yourself so no need to be drastic. The cereal and a banana also was high in carbs so I changed the banana for berries.

You don't want to spend the rest of your life counting calories and as MrG said it is the quality of the food you eat that is important.

Be good while I am away.

Yikes I can be a bit slow at times

I hadn't got a clue re counting the carbs hence getting a bit carried away with myself but I get the jist of it now. As for the not counting calories for the rest of my life - what will I do with myself? Once I'm at my target I will have to slowly increase my calorie intake but have no idea how many I need as if I go up to 14 000 a week instead of my now 8 700 with 6 hours of exercise a week ie an extra 5300 calories a week I will put on weight as on average I have lost between 1 and 2lbs a week if I don't keep up with the 6 times a week exercise regime. Ideally I would like to keep to 4 or 5 lots of exercise per week so I will need tips on the way.

[biggins]

I hadn't got a clue re counting the carbs hence getting a bit carried away with myself but I get the jist of it now. As for the not counting calories for the rest of my life - what will I do with myself? Once I'm at my target I will have to slowly increase my calorie intake but have no idea how many I need as if I go up to 14 000 a week instead of my now 8 700 with 6 hours of exercise a week ie an extra 5300 calories a week I will put on weight as on average I have lost between 1 and 2lbs a week if I don't keep up with the 6 times a week exercise regime. Ideally I would like to keep to 4 or 5 lots of exercise per week so I will need tips on the way.

I think if I were you and at my target weight I would try to eat sensibly without counting calories. Keep up the exercise and weigh myself weekly and then you would see if you were fine to continue as you were doing or cutting back for a week if you had put on some weight. I think is harded to keep at your target weight than losing it as that has been my downfall in past years. I lose weight then think everything is okay - didn't weigh myself for weeks and then find I have put on a little weight and convince myself that's not bad but before you know it weeks have passed and then you are horrified to find clothes getting tight again and the weight has crept up again.
That's why with not counting calories and adjusting my carb intake I hope that it will make it easier to maintain when I eventually reach my target.

[anakin]

Wow, a couple of days of no FMUK and more PMA than one can shake a stick at!

Great to see Anakin's weighty encouragement here. A long time ago, I was pondering with a little hesitancy on changing my career and train to be a health fitness professional, she said if my heart is in it, dont hesitate, go for it, and I did. I would have done so but to have that kind of encouragement which money cant b*y, it just rockets my confidence and positivity :) That was great great advice for Rawr_xoxo btw. Sorry it just triggered my memory of your advice to me once upon a time

This bit made me blush Am happy to have had a positive effect, so thanks for saying so

Biggins, I think your advice for Diane's way forward is spot on - you can't count calories forever more! Diane, over the last four months you will have gained a feeling of what is good and bad, or rather how much is too much or too little. You yourself have said that you can't eat as much as you used to because your body doesn't need it, so trust your body, and adjust as you need to. Keeping up with your walks, DVDs and DIY will be enough to keep any slightly naughty days from doing damage!

Love the rocket joke btw, and I didn't get it the first time either! OOPS!

Enjoy holidays people, and see you back here afterwards. I am going to bed again soon (am ok, thanks Diane, just need to get to bed early!) so be good and stay out of trouble! Two weeks and counting till my holiday! YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

[Diane65]

Thanks Biggins and Anakin for your advice and you are both so right I am worried that when I get there ie losing the last couple of lbs I am worried that I will slowly put it back on but can't calories forever. Where are you going for your holidays Anakin?

Its treat day today and weigh in day (I still am apprehensive every time I step on the scales)

Menu of the day:
Fruit and Fibre and a black coffee (300 calories)
Ham salad sandwich plus 2 plums (300 calories)
2 black coffees and a large slice of cake (700 - 900 calories)

Exercise of the day:
Most of the DVD apart from the floor work as although I did say that I would paint the kitchen in the autumn I thought that I would make most of the opportunity will DD is off college and doing the housework plus its bank holiday next weekend and I've nothing planned. Hence I have moved everything out of the kitchen so once again no floor space to do the floor work so I can do a bit of sanding down the paintwork after work

Have a fun day everyone and I hope that all you holiday people are having a wonderful time

[Diane65]

Pleased to say that I weighed myself today and I have lost 3lbs (that's over 2 weeks) - so I have hit my target and very happy Now the hard work of maintenance begins