Study Finds a 500 Cal Diet Makes it Hard to Keep Off Lost Weight
An article in the NYTimes says researchers were excited to find that subjects, after eating a 500 calorie diet for 10 weeks, "metabolism slowed and they experienced hormonal changes that increased their appetites." And that it "confirms their convictions as to why it is so hard to lose weight and keep it off."
I am just a personal trainer from Austin, TX. Not a doctor.
But please let me be the first to say.....No Sh#t Sherlock.
It doesn't explicitly mention this but I know from experience that this kind of thing plants a seed in the minds of people that a hormone based weight loss pill is right around the corner.Hey, they discovered Viagra so we could be close! And by the way where is my hair loss pill???
One of my clients (who is doing amazing losing 6lbs in 10 days eating 1200 cals day) asked for my thoughts on the NYTimes article. (I posted a link to the article at the bottom of this page)
Below is my email response.
..............
There is nearly nothing in that study that is false. If they tracked a million people they would likely get similar results.
Unfortunately it overstates the obvious "metabolism slowed and they experienced hormonal changes that increased their appetites", and doesn't really highlight that they fed 200lbs people 500 cals a day for 10 weeks.
Every doctor and nutritionist in the world knows that regularly eating less than 900 cals a day will completely rearrange the human metabolism to protect itself from dying. Including hormone change to stimulate appetite. We laymen call it "starvation mode".
Everyone who has lived a day in American society knows it's challenging to stay fit or even healthy, but eating 1000 to 1200 cals of food low in sugar and starchy carbs is only bringing your body back to it's more natural state and is only reducing hormones and metabolism that were added to support an unhealthy lifestyle.
However, that doesn't mean that it will let go of those "extras" without a fight!!
That is why Dr. Barry Sears who has studied thousands of people and wrote "The Zone" found that eating 40% protein 30% carbs, and 30% fat produces optimal hormonal balance where food is concerned.
Can you dig it??
If you want to be healthy and not workout 2 hours a day this IS the answer. It's my job to show you it's possible and pull, push, yank, and drag you to see the light!!!
DK
NYTimes Article
