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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Why We Eat (Too Much) thread 6

1000 replies

TheLeadbetterLife · 15/07/2022 10:59

Whoops, we let thread 5 get away from us a bit there...

I'm going to boringly copy-paste the previous thread opener, because it's too hot to be imaginative.

Welcome to thread 6 of discussion, encouragement and advice inspired by the book Why We Eat (Too Much), by Dr Andrew Jenkinson.

The basic principles of this "diet" (it's not one in the traditional sense, as it's meant to be a permanent set of changes), are as follows:

Cut out ultra-processed food

Massively reduce sugar, carbs, refined flours and wheat

Eat a wide variety of vegetables, whole grains and fruit

Eat full fat dairy and other healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil

Improve the ratio of omega 3 to 6 by eating greens, fish, eggs and grass-fed meat, and cutting out ultra-refined seed oils

Important lifestyle changes include getting plenty of rest, relaxation and sleep, as well as taking a moderate amount of exercise (or more, if you like that sort of thing).

You don't need to count calories (in fact, you shouldn't), though it may help to count carbs or glycemic load, at least to begin with, until you get the hang of it.

Some of us share recipes by following each other on Copy Me That - www.copymethat.com/recipebox/the-leadbetter-life/6661160/

As well as the book mentioned in the title, the principles are similar to those espoused by the likes of Rangan Chatterjee, Robert Lustig, Tim Spector and Michael Mosley.

There are many successes on this thread, and the main thing is that we are aiming to make permanent, sustainable changes to adjust our weight set-points downwards.

Join us!

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Thread gallery
29
blessedarethequichemakers · 07/06/2023 07:04

Thanks all. No way my kids would eat courgette, sadly. I didn't even think about the emulsifiers 😞. I'm doing more dishes with rice and potato, for pasta dishes I'm having lentil pasta. I often get a catered lunch at work so have asked for the gluten free option. It's usually cardboard flavour rolls plus mayo - terrible!

Words · 07/06/2023 15:34

Gluten free fare is often full of additives too I'm afraid.

LSSG · 08/06/2023 20:52

Freeee brown rice pasta is lovely imo.

Words · 10/06/2023 05:20

Interesting development here. This week I've reintroduced rice and bananas to assist ( successfully!) with stomach issues. I've lost nearly three pounds this week - the most in a very long time.

The extra carbs have boosted my stamina and also curbed my appetite, assisting with portion control. Sad to say I was also advised to cut back on dairy a little also and I think that might have played a part too.

It illustrates there is always more to learn about this thing, and one size doesn't fit all.

Words · 10/06/2023 05:30

Oh yes, and with the current focus on UPF I have examined my top shelf emergency chocolate stash.

Montezuma Fitzroy dark choc - no additives Smile
Montezuma Oramge and Geranium dark choc - no additivesSmile
Montezuma milk ( I know, I know) coffee and cocoa nibs - emulsifiersSad Warning - this requires self control to have in house
Lindt dark choc with hazelnuts - emulsifiers Sad

I'm not going to get too exercised about this, as a firm believer in a little of what you fancy...

Words · 12/06/2023 06:10

Morning All

I did a very nice roast pork loin on Saturday, with an apple, onion and cider sauce.

Highly recommended :

www.copymethat.com/r/s15Tgd66q/roast-pork-with-crackling/

Words · 17/06/2023 06:50

Hi Everyone

How's it all going ? I survived my mini break despite cooked breakfasts and a very good dinner on one night and fish and chips on the other.

Still 12 pounds off my ultimate goal so keeping on keeping on.

I'm considering adding swimming to my exercise mix, but hate all the faff and am blind as a bat without my lenses.

Aria999 · 17/06/2023 20:12

Hi @Words that sounds good.

I am still bumping along in a kind of plan-adjacent way. Could stand to drop 2lbs again which might happen if I stopped having more bread and chocolate than I can really get away with.

TheLeadbetterLife · 19/06/2023 16:25

Hi all,

I'm struggling with sleep again. Absolute nightmare. Nothing bloody works.

Anyway, I'm currently reading Ultra-processed People and enjoying it very much. I thought it would be more of the same, stuff I already knew. To an extent, it is, but Chris Van Tulleken is a wonderful writer and it's one of the best books I've read on this topic. A much more enjoyable read than any of the ones by Lustig, Spector or Jenkinson.

I've met the van Tullekens through work and they are delightful.

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CornedBeef451 · 19/06/2023 18:44

I've just downloaded the book @TheLeadbetterLife, it's next on my list.

I've been eating this way since October and I've lost 1 1/2 stones which is approximately 10% of my starting body weight.

But now I'm stuck! I think it's the dreaded plateau so I'm just trying to carry on and hoping my body readjusts and lets me lose more weight.

I need to lose another 1 1/2 stone to be merely overweight based on BMI so I have a long way to go but I do feel much better generally.

samthebordercollie · 19/06/2023 20:21

TheLeadbetterLife · 19/06/2023 16:25

Hi all,

I'm struggling with sleep again. Absolute nightmare. Nothing bloody works.

Anyway, I'm currently reading Ultra-processed People and enjoying it very much. I thought it would be more of the same, stuff I already knew. To an extent, it is, but Chris Van Tulleken is a wonderful writer and it's one of the best books I've read on this topic. A much more enjoyable read than any of the ones by Lustig, Spector or Jenkinson.

I've met the van Tullekens through work and they are delightful.

I second this. I finished listening to the audiobook and it's very well written and debunks a lot of 'theories' about eating. Well worth a read (or listen, there are several discussions between Chris and his twin which are interesting (and amusing!)

samthebordercollie · 19/06/2023 20:47

@TheLeadbetterLife sorry about your poor sleep, hope things get easier for you soon 💐

Aria999 · 19/06/2023 22:04

Hang in there @CornedBeef451 it is quite likely it will get itself going again.

It keeps surprising me by dropping again after I thought I was done! Several of us seem to have had periods of up to a few months with no movement before it starts falling again.

How long have you been stuck for?

Aria999 · 19/06/2023 22:05

@TheLeadbetterLife sorry to hear that about the sleep ☹️

CornedBeef451 · 19/06/2023 22:32

@Aria999 I think maybe 6-8 weeks or so. I keep losing and gaining the same 2lbs, it's frustrating but luckily not tempted to binge like I would if I were dieting so that's positive!

I've been reading the thread and taking heart in some people still gradually losing weight after stalling!

Maybe I need a refresher on the book and mix up my food a bit, I'm in a bit of a rut.

TheLeadbetterLife · 20/06/2023 19:02

samthebordercollie · 19/06/2023 20:21

I second this. I finished listening to the audiobook and it's very well written and debunks a lot of 'theories' about eating. Well worth a read (or listen, there are several discussions between Chris and his twin which are interesting (and amusing!)

Is there a podcast for this book? I enjoyed their previous one.

I especially appreciated the references in the book to Richard Wrangham, of whom I am a big fan. I recommend his books Catching Fire and Demonic Males, if anyone is interested in evolutionary biology. He has a fascinatingly feminist take on anthropology for a male scientist, and is a great writer too.

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samthebordercollie · 20/06/2023 22:21

@TheLeadbetterLife no I don't think there's a podcast, but throughout the audiobook there were several conversations between Chris and Xand discussing UPF and other things. It was interesting to hear Chris's opinion on the current trend of maximizing protein intake. Basically it's all b@ll*s, as are most diets!

TheLeadbetterLife · 20/06/2023 22:42

samthebordercollie · 20/06/2023 22:21

@TheLeadbetterLife no I don't think there's a podcast, but throughout the audiobook there were several conversations between Chris and Xand discussing UPF and other things. It was interesting to hear Chris's opinion on the current trend of maximizing protein intake. Basically it's all b@ll*s, as are most diets!

Ha, yes I believe I have bored on about the protein bollocks several times on these threads! It's clearly just pushed by the purveyors of whey powder.

Same goes for drinking gallons of water when you're not thirsty. Completely unnecessary.

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Words · 21/06/2023 05:39

Sorry about the sleep @TheLeadbetterLife. That sounds hideous. If keeping cool at night is a contributing factor, I can recommend the ( pricey alas) Vornado fan. It's virtually silent but effective. My bedroom is under the eaves and gets hotter than Hades in the summer. The fan makes it bearable.

@CornedBeef451 - that's amazing progress, well done. You're doing absolutely the right thing in keeping on and staying with it. I've hit a number of plateaux over the last couple of years and I just try to remind myself how much better mentally and physically I feel, even if the scales aren't moving.

Interesting about the van Tulleken book - I will look out for it. I am so glad that UPFs, fad diets and other myths are being debunked.

Re protein- I undoubtedly eat too much. I am currently trying to moderate a bit and introduce slightly more carbs and bulk in the shape of rice and bananas to achieve a better balance, and settle digestive issues I am experiencing at the moment.

TheLeadbetterLife · 21/06/2023 07:41

I doubt you’re eating too much protein @Words , I’m ranting about this 2g protein per kilo of body weight cobblers we see everywhere now.

it’s impossible to achieve without supplementation (with UPF), so it’s clearly a load of shite.

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TheLeadbetterLife · 21/06/2023 07:42

I have air con in the bedroom, so the heat isn’t a problem. The problem is my stupid bloody brain.

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CornedBeef451 · 21/06/2023 08:14

@Words that's good to hear, thanks. I keep thinking that even if I stay at this weight it's still better than before and better than yo-yo-ing like I've done for years.

I'm enjoying the book, I liked their old podcast and tv show too. Chris is very funny, lots of science but self deprecating humour and odd details, why did he tell us the operation was specifically on his right testicle!

@TheLeadbetterLife I'm glad to hear the brothers are nice in real life, it would be disappointing if they were secretly horrible!

Hope you get some sleep, insomnia is just horrible.

Words · 22/06/2023 05:14

I agrée Corned Beef. BMI wise I am still 'overweight' with about 11 pounds to go to ultimate goal. I was within about five pounds of that last summer and want to get there again as that's where I felt most comfortable. When I do, I will decide whether I want to pursue the original goal I set myself. It may be unrealistic, as I am healthy and very strong and fit.

I am considering doing what Leadbetter does once I have shed a few more pounds, and taking waist measurements instead to keep an eye on the visceral fat/middle age spread rather than obsessing with the scales. I can never remember thé formula though, so need to look it up and memorise it.

TheLeadbetterLife · 22/06/2023 05:31

I've just realised why I've been thinking about making corned beef recently...

The formula for the waist measurement is that it should be less than half your height (at the natural waist, which should be the narrowest point). Much simpler than BMI and apparently more relevant for health outcomes anyway. I also know based on the fit of a couple of skirts when I'm in the safe zone (not at the moment - around 4cm over due to stress, insomnia etc)

I found that for me, 1cm on or off my waist tended to be directly proportional to 1kg of weight lost or gained, which is handy!

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Words · 23/06/2023 06:46

Ooh that's useful re the 1cm/ 1 kg Leadbetter.

I found a site that calculates automatically as my maths is rubbish, and am currently in safe zone. Some of my clothes are still a bit snug though so will press on, and continue weighing as well for now as an incentive.

Yesterday I had a square of so called good choc for pud which was so disgustingly sweet I had to ditch the rest of the bar. It triggered a massive midnight sugar craving as well. I caved, breaking my 18/6 fast into the bargain.

My taste buds have definitely transformed over the last few years.

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