Lose A Stone in 21 Days

[Leflic]

Having successfully done the Blood Sugar Diet I was delighted to see this on.
However it’s getting a fair bit of flack. What to we think?
Personally I think the message that this is “dangerous” is a bit daft given that fat is likely to be way more trouble than three weeks following a high nutrient, low calorie diet. It was a relief for someone to say “ stop eating” rather than you need breakfast, you need 3 meals and snacks, have a big lunch etc.

It’s not on catch up until next week.

I was a bit surprised at the controversy. I think they could have chosen a better title. I can see that could be triggering to someone with an eating disorder. But I think the show was responsible overall. I think it was clear this aimed at people whose metabolic state (not just their weight) was putting them at risk. They mentioned body fat, waist size, blood sugar etc. The approach has scientific studies behind it unlike many of the plethora of dieting shows. He was clear that it was about the foods being eaten, not just total calories. It has been shown to reverse pre diabetes and he reversed his own prediabetes.

Michael Moseley wasn't pre diabetic , he had full blown diabetes type 2.
He may have put it in remission but not many of us diabetics believe it can be reversed.[he's never specifically said it's pre diabetes , has said it type 2] .If you start to eat as you did before then your blood sugars go back up to the diabetic range.

I've been diabetic for over 20 years, have come to know many others...some have put it into remission by sticking to low carbs, others have found it difficult and their blood sugars return to diabetic ranges.

My DM has nearly put her Type 2 into remission - but she only got it because she was on high dose steroids for 2 years and gained loads of weight.

Now she is off the steroids and has been obsessional about losing the weight she is nearly in remission but she still can't eat the way she used to - it's not a cure, go back the way you used to be.

I deal with people who have lost weight unintentionally through illness. A lot of those have put their Type 2 into remission but they commonly have lost stones of weight and are eating v little. They weren't trying to do it! As a serial dieter myself it's hard to do forever by yourself.

Surely remission for Diabetes Type 2 is the same as a reverse though?. The growth of the disease in the population is purely down to diet. Anyone can get it if they enough sugar/carbs that quickly become sugars for long enough.
I like the programme is mainly about health rather than bikini bodies and size zeros.
The NHS use waist measurements as an indicator of risk rather than BMI.

Sorry I had pre diabetes in my head because the woman on the show had it. Yes I should say remission rather than reverse. But essentially normal hba1c and blood sugars without medication which is a pretty good outcome. Overall I do think it was an interesting programme with an emphasis on health but maybe the title was too provocative.

It’s on catch up now. I like the very clear and blunt way he talks about the risks - we need more of that so people can understand. For example raised risk of dementia would make me think about weight loss very differently

What channel was this please?

Channel 4.

Also really interested to see that men are judging their waist size by their trouser size. Clearly some vanity sizing going on in men’s clothes too. I just checked my OHs jeans and they are size 32 but measured 38 inch. I know they do stretch during the day but that seems a long way out. He thought he waist was around 33 but it measures at 36 inches.

I think men tend to wear their trousers under their belly so the measurement is way under their actual waist measurement.

I think diabetes would only count as reversed if you were able to eat without restrictions,without it affecting you. By my understanding, people experiencing remission still have to be incredibly careful with their diet.

@ValancyRedfern yes, but the trousers I measured were still much bigger than their labelled size!

@Lurkingforawhile

It’s on catch up now. I like the very clear and blunt way he talks about the risks - we need more of that so people can understand. For example raised risk of dementia would make me think about weight loss very differently

Sorry, I haven't watched the programme yet - is there an increased risk of dementia from being overweight? Or from diabetes?

I think diabetes would only count as reversed if you were able to eat without restrictions,without it affecting you
Interesting.
Although pretty much everyone will get diabetes if they don’t restrict sugar in the diet. Are the cell changes irreversible?

One of the things I noticed was how long the effects of diet lasted. So I did 800 cals for six weeks, 4 years ago, at 12’ 6. I lost significant fat around the middle - to the point of having a flat stomach (I’m apple shaped) and a stone and a half.. I then totally stopped calorie counting, happily went back on the wine and grazing but stayed off carbs and stayed the same size.

Since Christmas I’ve been eating processed carbs again. Still didn’t really change shape until Lockdown when I’ve been baking and eating from boredom. The tummy came back first which Dr Moseley reminds you is stored fat from the unused sugar.

I hope they revisit this group every year to see if they keep it off.

@Thisismytimetoshine yes, apparently there is an increased risk of dementia although I don't know the details. Also most of the participants were over 30bmi rather than just 25bmi so I don't know if that affects it. I was pretty shocked though.

This is what I found and looks like waist size is a risk factor: www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/blog/does-obesity-increase-dementia-risk

I'm enjoying this but beginning to find his rather smug middle class family a bit annoying...

I feel terrible for saying it but I find his wife very annoying. Also a small piece of meat plus mushrooms and creme fraiche is not "filling"! It may be tasty and healthy. But filling is a having a jacket potato, or even half, on the side.

Also that banana thing was awful. I'm pretty sure most people who need to lose weight aren't just overeating bananas. Too much fruit isn't my issue! Too much focus on the blood sugar issue.

To be fair it isn’t about getting thin as such. It’s about losing that fat around your organs. So no sugar.

On the other thread in Chat I did mention that I don’t think his wife likes him that much! She gets a bit short with him. I’m not sure the massive house and smug son lolloping around helps the programme much. Would have been better with more realistic candidates. If 16 stone shift worker Kelly and her 3 kids got healthier it would have had more impact.

I'm quite interested to see what happens in the final programme. Of course they'll all lose weight and their blood sugar will reduce.

But I don't think this way of eating is realistic long-term for most people. It all looked very appetising dished out by Mrs Smug but not everyone has the time or motivation to hunt down smoked salmon every breakfast time.

And yy to the bananas - who stuffs themselves on bananas fgs? Or fruit?.

I liked the fact that MM tried to illustrate the damage sugar can do but his annoying smugness got in the way of the message, which is a shame.

It’s not long term. 6 weeks is recommended and then 5:2. So two days in the fasting 800 kcal and 5 days of just low carbing.

It’s a bit of a reality jolt isn’t it though. These people don’t look enormous but at that much overweight they’re seriously at risk of lots of obesity related diseases. I probably often tell myself I’m not overweight.... I certainly wasn’t overweight for years. But gradually the list of things that ‘don’t suit me’ is massive. I would never wear a nice shirt, or a structured suit with a tucked in blouse, or a vest, or skinny heels, or dungarees. I’ve started needing to wear my hair longer because it’s more flattering to my new chin.
I position my camera at a flattering angle for conference calls then keel over with shock when I accidentally take a selfie with a side view. I had to speak on camera and when I watched it back I wanted to kill the camera man. How dare he make my arms look so fat?!
My friends wouldn’t say I was fat. (At least to my face ) but watching this show has totally reinforced just how my tiny daily habits are contributing to a disaster. Today, the first day of the rest of my life!

I wouldn't call 800 calories a fast, personally..thought it was 500 per fast day on 5:2?.

I hear you, @Therollockingrogue. I once saw a round black object in a shop window and I was shocked to realise that it was me.

I've lost 1 1/2 stone since but it's s bugger to keep off. It's almost a full-time job in itself. I have to be completely focussed on it which is counterproductive as I'm now obsessed with calorie deficit. Ah well.

I'm fitter now than I've been for a while; I'm 60 and starting to suffer with pains in my knees which the doc put down to "wear and tear". . I don't get the pains now, and my knees dont click alarmingly either.

The people on that programme are younger than me and I DO wonder how their health will be impacted if they remain overweight.

I always used to think that healthy weight was about vanity; now i don't so much.