Why Dieting Often Does More Harm Than Good

[Adina P]

Even if you lose weight and keep it off for SEVEN years, your brain is STILL going to be trying to make you regain it. 

http://www.ted.com/talks/sandra_aamodt_why_dieting_doesn_t_usually_...

[Leslie and Halas]

Well then, I'm glad I cleaned it up. The first version of that sentence had a few more choice words.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well if you "cleaned it up", Les, it's your own original work. I would copyright it, quickly! 

[Adina P]

Amen.  Yes their whole purpose is enjoyment :-)  And that is okay.  They still have some nutrients and that is not 'bad'. 
I think a lot of women bond through 'diet talk' and discussing their guilt over eating and how this doesn't fit quite right and if only they could zap their baby belly or thigh fat.  And sometimes if someone perceives themselves as too fat they might say that stuff in an apologetic way...to appease what they might perceive as judgement.  And I really hate that kind of talk.  That woman would need some work in putting all foods on an equal footing, quitting the whole 'good food/bad food' thinking, and learning to pay attention to how she feels and setting up some structure.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

First 5 minutes and she made a mistake regarding what happens with energy expenditure after you lose weight. Apparently you can be well versed in neuroscience and not well versed in physiology. When your brain thinks you are starving or need to gain weight/conserve body fat, your muscles do not 'burn less energy". Your body breaks down the muscle mass; you lose muscle tissue. This in turn lowers your metabolism. It's like "the boat is sinking, get rid of the heavy stuff." Muscle tissue is the tissue that burns the most energy. Which is why a successful weight loss program always requires muscle building exercise.

[Adina P]

While what you say is true, it doesn't matter for most people.  People don't do well on diets and hardly a single person I've ever counseled is WILLING to go to the gym and do the work of building muscle...the work that actually builds muscle, not just gives them a healthy heart.  I'm all for muscle building...yay muscles! 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I like being at the gym and working my muscles. The problem is getting myself there. I don't know what is wrong with my brain that I can't motivate myself to get out of the house when I always enjoy being at the gym once I'm there.

[Adina P]

Whatever the practical reason, mental, financial, physical, time, preference, etc...the gym is just not for all people. 

[Camilla and Darwin]

I have the same issue. I actually love exercising on the treadmill, I enjoy it every time that I do. But it's hard to go, to find workout clothes, etc. And another issue is that I would like to do weight/muscle stuff but I have NO idea how to work any of those machines and they seem super intimidating.

Edit: I realize these are all very lame excuses. LOL

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I wish I lived near you. I would love to teach you how to do some strength training. 

[Camilla and Darwin]

I would love that too. Also I would be terrified. But grateful. :-)

[Adina P]

And I have no doubt Karen would be awesome!  I would go to her if she lived nearby :-)

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I would love to have karen kick my butt in a gym. I bet she'd be so motivating.