4 ms·

Can you answer a) what 'can't' means quoted, b) current body fat (or at least where she is on the graph), and c) whether you have a decent set of scales (which

by Jedd 11y ago

Can you answer a) what 'can't' means quoted, b) current body fat (or at least where she is on the graph), and c) whether you have a decent set of scales (which will answer b). With (a) -- the 'slow carb' thing popularised by Tim Ferris in The Four Hour Body was easy to stick to, had some good science behind it, and most importantly was clearly successful for many people. With (b) -- there's an effective asymptote which makes it hard to shift the 'last bit' - though it sounds like she's not at that point. With (c) -- without an accurate measure of body fat & muscle percentages it's basically blowing in the wind as you experiment with changes in your diet. And, lots of exercise - building muscle - will add more mass over the same volume of fat, of course. While carefully weighing food may work for some people, I think if it's not working after several months then you are obliged to accept it doesn't work in this case. Has she consulted a GP? It's possible there's a metabolic problem (statistically unlikely, but possible).

mistermann 11y ago
For "can't", I think it's too emotionally draining for her, which is often followed by physical manifestations of pain. It seems to be a tough diet if you don't have the right mindset. I'll look into the "slow carb" thing though. She hasn't consulted a GP, I highly doubt it's any sort of a metabolic anomaly, beyond just that which comes from aging.
- Jedd 11y ago
  Okay. Personally I'd find it hugely more draining to be tracking and worrying about volume / mass of every bit of food I ate. 4HB - go buy / borrow a copy, and read the first fifth or so (that's the bit about diet and weight management - there may be some useful stuff regarding exercise in the latter sections for your wife, by the sounds of it). Basics are: drink more water, reduce your salt intake, cut out starch (the 'avoid anything white' rule of thumb), eat much more (seriously) food to compensate for lack of starch / carbohydrates - often up to three times the mass of what you'd be eating previously, eat (lots of!) beans - they have some carbohydrate component, but often locked up or less digestible, and they're a cheap, nutritious, environmentally-friendly versatile food, monitor your weight very carefully, don't fret about fat (but watch out for fatty foods that contain lots of salt), have a high protein breakfast early, say with 30-60m of waking, and one day a week eat however much you like of whatever you like at lunch & dinner. That last thing is what makes it a particularly palatable (ha ha) and sustainable diet for many people. To be candid I've never felt any aspect of it was especially tough - there's the social outings that may complicate things, but that's the same problem for anyone considering what they eat. Good luck. : )

by Jedd 11y ago

mistermann 11y ago

For "can't", I think it's too emotionally draining for her, which is often followed by physical manifestations of pain. It seems to be a tough diet if you don't have the right mindset. I'll look into the "slow carb" thing though. She hasn't consulted a GP, I highly doubt it's any sort of a metabolic anomaly, beyond just that which comes from aging.

Jedd 11y ago
Okay. Personally I'd find it hugely more draining to be tracking and worrying about volume / mass of every bit of food I ate. 4HB - go buy / borrow a copy, and read the first fifth or so (that's the bit about diet and weight management - there may be some useful stuff regarding exercise in the latter sections for your wife, by the sounds of it). Basics are: drink more water, reduce your salt intake, cut out starch (the 'avoid anything white' rule of thumb), eat much more (seriously) food to compensate for lack of starch / carbohydrates - often up to three times the mass of what you'd be eating previously, eat (lots of!) beans - they have some carbohydrate component, but often locked up or less digestible, and they're a cheap, nutritious, environmentally-friendly versatile food, monitor your weight very carefully, don't fret about fat (but watch out for fatty foods that contain lots of salt), have a high protein breakfast early, say with 30-60m of waking, and one day a week eat however much you like of whatever you like at lunch & dinner. That last thing is what makes it a particularly palatable (ha ha) and sustainable diet for many people. To be candid I've never felt any aspect of it was especially tough - there's the social outings that may complicate things, but that's the same problem for anyone considering what they eat. Good luck. : )