Why is weight loss so difficult?
The 7 step solution to a perpetual problem
“The most confused you will ever get is when you try to convince your heart and spirit of something your mind knows is a lie.”
― Shannon L. Alder
I am a physician.
I am a wellness-oriented physician.
People see me for their wellness.
The wellness as they see in themselves is related to their increasing weight.
They have tried everything “out there”.
So why is weight loss such a challenge?
We need to look to places where issues with weight are not a challenge.
It is usually countries that are poor and have a limited supply of food. ( Vietnam, Madagascar, etc.)
Japan on the other hand is a developed nation that has a low rate of obesity.
So what really causes obesity?
Simply one word-Abundance!
The abundance of what?
Saturated fats and processed foods.
I know with the keto movement everyone is being told that eating high fat will make you lose weight.
If you eat mostly animal proteins and fats and do not lose weight, you may be the example it does not work.
So what does?
Let’s go back to the countries that do not have a weight problem and see what they eat.
It is mostly locally grown plants and grains.
Or with fish from the sea.
So why is that there so much confusion about nutrition?
It is because we are trying to adapt our recommendations to what people want to be comfortable doing.
Comfort does not bring you success.
So let us understand something about fat, so we can resolve this issue.
Fat is the storage form of energy.
When energy is more than what the body can use, it gets stored.
If it cannot be stored (the skinny fat people), then it causes disease.
Every human being develops fat cells or fat “shelves”.
The number of shelves you build in your body is determined in childhood and early adolescence.
This does not change no matter how much weight you will lose.
Have you experienced a significant weight loss only to gain it all back (the weight) and then some?
It is because these shelves you just emptied (by losing weight) are waiting to be filled.
The minute you go back to your “comfort “ zone the shelves will not only fill up but will overstock.
So why are there scores of papers on keto diets, paleo diets, and low carb diets that show consistent weight loss?
These studies are conducted on men.
Information can be broadly categorized as those from studies on animals( lab) or on men, anecdotal or physician practices, and social media.
The internet is buzzing with information, from both men and women who are highly motivated that they work out maniacally, on how this keto, carnivore, or paleo diet works for them.
If you are anything like me, working out for 2 hours in the gym is not practical.
So what do you do if you have failed several times?
They are all lessons you have learned about your own body. It does not mean you quit. You change direction till something works and is sustainable.
Removing one of the macronutrients from your diet does not work well.
It does work initially as a lot of the processed foods which have both saturated fats and refined processed carbohydrates have been removed. Every diet promoted, calls for the removal of processed foods and sugars. That alone will move the needle.
As you may be experienced doing this on and off, is not sustainable.
So what is sustainable?
Being satisfied with your meals and feeling full after a meal. So you are not thinking about food constantly.
How do you get there?
Go back to what seems to work all the time.
Eat locally grown plants and eat only what is needed.
If you eat when you are bored, or emotional, or simply because you have access to food that is the recipe for building those fat shelves and filling them.
So here is the 7 step solution and it will work like a charm- Do this only for one week and see if it works.
Eat only plants (2 to 3 pounds)
Eat all colors.
Remove oils and fat.
Remove animal protein.
Walk briskly for 10 minutes a day, yes only 10 minutes but be brisk.
Drink water.
Sleep early.
I guarantee you will lose weight.
dR.Chellam works for Parsley health, though none of the content here is approved by Parsley, and is her own observation, experience, and readings, from the practice of medicine.
Her other company Holistic ICON is dedicated to teaching patients about various disease conditions and how to find healing opportunities. Check out the classes available here
