You are What You Eat : Start A Healthy Diet.

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Rachel20

Senior Member
May 7, 2013
1,639
105
63
#1
Most of us, especially when we think of weight loss, think of it as only creating a calorie deficit enough to lose weight.
Eat less, move more.

Yes, that works because obviously a deficit in your body energy expenditure is enough for you to lose weight.

If your weight is stable at the moment, meaning it stays the same week after week, then to lose 0.5–1kg a week you would need to reduce your calories by 500 to 1000 a day. That is 3500 to 7000 calories over a week. This is because one kilogram of body weight on the scales contains roughly 700g of actual fat.

For most people joining an exercise program is enough to create a vacuum in your calorie counter however I want to propose another faction or line of thinking - Eating Healthy.

According to a few nutritionists and fitness experts, 80% of your body is what you eat and the rest 20% is exercise and even genetics.

I am not sure how true that is but it feels based on the Pareto Principle…

Anyway, the benefits to your body from not eating processed junk food is worth noting into. Processed food usually contains a high levels of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, additional artificial flavouring agents, preservatives, colourants and what not.

They take lesser energy to digest and have lower nutritional content than most complex, raw foods, some even causing you to be addicted to them.


Think about when you drink an aerated drink which has high levels of sugar.

It gets absorbed in your bloodstream quite quickly owing to it being simple glucose and your pancreas and liver work hard to produce insulin to absorb it and after which your blood sugar level again drops.

Eating complex carbohydrates like oats causes your blood sugar spikes to stabilize and you are left feeling fuller and satiated throughout the day.

There are tons of data out there on the web and if you guys have any tips, just feel free to post them here.

Going on a fit journey is not only exercise and calorie counting. It means moving on to a healthier lifestyle that makes you happier and better!
It definitely does not involve starvation.

You could try out different cuisines. I love Indian cuisine and I enjoy home cooked meals. I don't recommend going out and eating at restaurants (even Indian) because of the high level of ghee and other fattening stuff that they usually use.

Know what you put inside your body. You could try Mediterranean diets like Greek food as well as a Japanese cuisine which at its most traditional is super healthy.

[People from Okinawa are probably the longest living people on earth]

These are just ideas – but try to stay away from refined, processed foods.

It’s hard to say that to someone especially when people don’t have time to cook but make it a daily option if you can.

Try alternatives.

Skim milk, soy milk or almond milk for regular milk, low fat yogurt etc.

Order a salad instead of fries etc.


Personally I also included a lot of fruits in my diet. I love mangoes and bananas are my pre workout snack. Having a lot of fruit in my diet has reduced my sweet cravings tremendously.

I no longer hanker for chocolate or other desserts. [You could try dark chocolate though if you like]

I also keep my alcohol consumption to absolute minimum. My rule is I only drink with family, not even friends and that would just be some red wine or a cocktail that I would slowly drink for the entire evening.
I also have a cup of green tea almost everyday.

Everything in moderation works out really well.

You can't avoid all foods completely and once in a while if I go out I do find myself eating a pizza or just other stuff but that's not an everyday occurrence.


Here's how you can calculate your daily caloric needs. Use the Harris Benedict Equation to calculate your BMR and then multiply with your activity level. Your BMR tells you the calories your body needs without much physical activity.

(You can use a Calorie Counter App if you wish. I use Livestrong's My Plate. There's also MyFitnessPal. I like MyPlate because it has options to plug in exercise expenditure as well as water consumption.
I drink 3-4 L in a day. )

The Harris–Benedict equations revised by Roza and Shizgal in 1984.

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]Men[/TD]
[TD]BMR = 88.362 + (13.397 x weight in kg) + (4.799 x height in cm) - (5.677 x age in years)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Women[/TD]
[TD]BMR = 447.593 + (9.247 x weight in kg) + (3.098 x height in cm) - (4.330 x age in years)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]



Give or take 210.5 k cal for men and 201 k cal for women.

Depending on your physical activity, you can further calculate your intake as such


The following table enables calculation of an individual's recommended daily kilocalorie intake to maintain current weight.
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]Little to no exercise[/TD]
[TD]Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Light exercise (1–3 days per week)[/TD]
[TD]Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.375[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Moderate exercise (3–5 days per week)[/TD]
[TD]Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Heavy exercise (6–7 days per week)[/TD]
[TD]Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.725[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Very heavy exercise (twice per day, extra heavy workouts)[/TD]
[TD]Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.9[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]




If you feel lazy you can use this site.


Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and Daily Calorie Needs - Calculator Online (Harris-Benedict equation)


The point is... start taking note of what you eat, don't forget to exercise (try for an hour 5, 6 times a week) and sleep.
7-8 hours is a good goal.

If you don’t sleep enough, your body starts producing a lot of the stress hormone cortisol which is actually responsible for all that visceral belly fat. Your body also starts reducing its production of ghrelin hormone which is what tells your brain you are full.

So you will end up eating more than usual.

So anyway. Hope that helps.

Take every day one day at a time. Pray and worship and ask God to help you out and you will feel so much better.


Don't worry too much, no matter what it is and give God the glory for everything..

I know there were many threads similar to this but I just wanted to create a new one instead of looking for them.


God bless.
 
Last edited:
S

Shouryu

Guest
#2
*tilts head sideways*

Did someone hack into Rachel's account?

This doesn't quite...sound like her.

Even when I try to read it with her voice in my head.
 

Rachel20

Senior Member
May 7, 2013
1,639
105
63
#3
*tilts head sideways*

Did someone hack into Rachel's account?

This doesn't quite...sound like her.

Even when I try to read it with her voice in my head.


Ha! Why?

What's different? :confused:
 
Dec 26, 2014
3,757
19
0
#4
that's a great idea (and very very old one at that) to seek out a good diet/ nutritional not harmful.

research a bit each step of the way, and pay attention to a few details

that are the opposite of what is true (some 'health' products are harmful all the time; and some 'bad' ideas are the very best;;;; too much money is made with greed instead of truth as the motive, so all of society has been very
thoroughly tricked into doing what hurts instead of what helps, over all) ....

the most prevalent and dangerous things harmful to health can be found by searching online for 3,4 or 5 "white poisons" (all processed items except one, one that is toxic unless it is fermented for 4 months - and that one has made 1 out of 4 people in the world sick--- many times the rate of any other illness)
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,910
8,163
113
#5
A word about lowfat stuff - the word is wrong. It's just... wrong. Especially lowfat dairy. The stuff they have to do to lowfat milk to get it to look and taste right... just wrong.

(Not to mention the taste of lowfat yogurt is very, incredibly wrong. I like yogurt, but lowfat yogurt doesn't even taste like yogurt.)

Eating normal food in moderation is better than eating food that has been processed to death just so they can slap a lowfat label on it.
 

Roh_Chris

Senior Member
Jun 15, 2014
4,728
58
48
#6
Here's how you can calculate your daily caloric needs. Use the Harris Benedict Equation to calculate your BMR and then multiply with your activity level. Your BMR tells you the calories your body needs without much physical activity.

(You can use a Calorie Counter App if you wish. I use Livestrong's My Plate. There's also MyFitnessPal. I like MyPlate because it has options to plug in exercise expenditure as well as water consumption.
I drink 3-4 L in a day. )

The Harris–Benedict equations revised by Roza and Shizgal in 1984.

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]Men[/TD]
[TD]BMR = 88.362 + (13.397 x weight in kg) + (4.799 x height in cm) - (5.677 x age in years)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Women[/TD]
[TD]BMR = 447.593 + (9.247 x weight in kg) + (3.098 x height in cm) - (4.330 x age in years)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]



Give or take 210.5 k cal for men and 201 k cal for women.

Depending on your physical activity, you can further calculate your intake as such


The following table enables calculation of an individual's recommended daily kilocalorie intake to maintain current weight.
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]Little to no exercise[/TD]
[TD]Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Light exercise (1–3 days per week)[/TD]
[TD]Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.375[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Moderate exercise (3–5 days per week)[/TD]
[TD]Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Heavy exercise (6–7 days per week)[/TD]
[TD]Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.725[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Very heavy exercise (twice per day, extra heavy workouts)[/TD]
[TD]Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.9[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]




If you feel lazy you can use this site.


Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and Daily Calorie Needs - Calculator Online (Harris-Benedict equation)

For measuring your BMR, I would recommend having an InBody analysis done as this is more reliable. I had used the link you shared and it turns out that my BMR is about 1559 calories. On the other hand, the result of my InBody analysis done in April showed that my BMR was 1456 calories. Secondly, there are many theories for what must be an individual's calorie consumption. What I follow (and this comes from my trainer) is that it depends on the individual's Fat Free Mass (in lb) * 10. The Fat Free Mass can also be accurately measured through an InBody analysis.

Weight loss or weight gain, exercise is only 40% of the job. The rest, as you rightly pointed out, comes from a healthy diet and good sleep.
 

Rachel20

Senior Member
May 7, 2013
1,639
105
63
#7
For measuring your BMR, I would recommend having an InBody analysis done as this is more reliable. I had used the link you shared and it turns out that my BMR is about 1559 calories. On the other hand, the result of my InBody analysis done in April showed that my BMR was 1456 calories. Secondly, there are many theories for what must be an individual's calorie consumption. What I follow (and this comes from my trainer) is that it depends on the individual's Fat Free Mass (in lb) * 10. The Fat Free Mass can also be accurately measured through an InBody analysis.

Weight loss or weight gain, exercise is only 40% of the job. The rest, as you rightly pointed out, comes from a healthy diet and good sleep.


Every device, however accurate it seems has an observational/measurement error associated with it. Whatever scientific algorithm/system used to estimate your BMR is at the end of the day never completely reliable.

Also not everyone has such a device. If you are using it to calculate body fat percentage, then well and good.

But for someone at home just starting out, the Harris Benedict Equation is quite sufficient to have an idea of how many calories they want to consume from a baseline point of which they can decide how they want to move on to a healthier lifestyle.

These are anyway just suggestions.

Within the 95% confidence interval mentioned [Give or take 210.5 k cal for men and 201.5 k cal for women] your BMR lies well within that range.


 
Last edited:

Rachel20

Senior Member
May 7, 2013
1,639
105
63
#8
Finally I just want to add that I am no expert on fitness and nutrition. So whatever I put are just suggestions.

All our bodies are different and we are all on our own fitness journeys trying to figure out what is best for us.

One thing though I want to add that food, health and taking care of our body is just one facet of our lives. We are definitely more than our bodies however we have just one body to carry us through this life.


We have one life to enjoy what is around us and to praise God for all that is with us.

I have seen two kinds of people - one kind which can't enjoy food. They don't have an appetite and every ounce of food causes them a lot of worry because of calories and what not.

Worrying about every thing you eat may even lead to all sorts of eating disorders. I see this in so many young women who barely eat anything at all.

There is also another set of people for whom food is a form of comfort.

Every emotional high or low leads them to yo-yo on their foods.

Both are bad.... remember that your figure and your body is just one aspect of who you are. You are more than your looks and you are worth more than just your physical exterior.

Enjoy food. Enjoy having new experiences. Everything in moderation and remember to give thanks to God for everything.


Yes all my posts are long here... but I just wanted to share whatever I have learnt and compiled for the benefit of all. (These may be old news to some of you)

God bless .
 

taggerung

Senior Member
Apr 26, 2009
219
2
18
33
#9
Also, usually when something is low in fat, sugar is added to increase palatability
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,910
8,163
113
#10
Oh sugar is the tip of the iceberg. In many lowfat things (lowfat ice cream for example) they add "cellulose gum" to replace the texture that a full-fat product has. Cellulose gum is "cellulose" made from wood.

Maybe you're allergic to something besides what you think you're allergic to.
 
Aug 2, 2009
24,580
4,268
113
#11
Finally I just want to add that I am no expert on fitness and nutrition. So whatever I put are just suggestions.

All our bodies are different and we are all on our own fitness journeys trying to figure out what is best for us.

One thing though I want to add that food, health and taking care of our body is just one facet of our lives. We are definitely more than our bodies however we have just one body to carry us through this life.


We have one life to enjoy what is around us and to praise God for all that is with us.

I have seen two kinds of people - one kind which can't enjoy food. They don't have an appetite and every ounce of food causes them a lot of worry because of calories and what not.

Worrying about every thing you eat may even lead to all sorts of eating disorders. I see this in so many young women who barely eat anything at all.

There is also another set of people for whom food is a form of comfort.

Every emotional high or low leads them to yo-yo on their foods.

Both are bad.... remember that your figure and your body is just one aspect of who you are. You are more than your looks and you are worth more than just your physical exterior.

Enjoy food. Enjoy having new experiences. Everything in moderation and remember to give thanks to God for everything.


Yes all my posts are long here... but I just wanted to share whatever I have learnt and compiled for the benefit of all. (These may be old news to some of you)

God bless .
That would be me.. :rolleyes:
 

Roh_Chris

Senior Member
Jun 15, 2014
4,728
58
48
#12
Every device, however accurate it seems has an observational/measurement error associated with it. Whatever scientific algorithm/system used to estimate your BMR is at the end of the day never completely reliable.

Also not everyone has such a device. If you are using it to calculate body fat percentage, then well and good.
I just wanted to point out that neither do I own such a device nor am I recommending that everybody purchases one. I go to a gym that has this device.

God bless you.
 
C

Cairparavel

Guest
#13
I totally agree with you on the eating healthy thing. I've been in this weight loss game almost my entire adult life and let me tell you changing your lifestyle and HOW you eat makes a big difference. In the last 2 years i gave up soda (diet and regular) and drink only water, tea, and coffee. I also try to eat "clean" as much as possible, had to throw out gluten because i had to, but i didn't go nuts with GF processed junk, i just enjoy them on occasion. I've also added healthy fats like nuts and avocado on a daily basis. Eating large salads i make at home with tons of diff veggies in them is my new "normal." My old lunch normal was fast food and sandwiches with very little or no vegetables as a "side." Now veggies are the STAR of my meals! If my meal doesn't have some kind of non-starchy vegetable it doesn't feel right now...I feel like i'm really missing something.

Unfortunatley, I didn't lose a massive amount of weight like some people do who go mostly Paleo, but my naturpath dr. told me there's alot of other stuff going on in my body: hormone imbalances like (adrenal fatigue,thyroid) vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and toxic load from the environment like BPA, etc... (this is why its WAY easier for a person in their 20's to lose weight than someone in their 40's - they haven't lived long enough to be full of toxins). Our bodies are complex, so don't give up if you think you are doing everything right and still can't lose weight. That means there's something else going on, like a food allergy you didn't know you had (corn, wheat, soy, eggs, dairy) low thyroid or whatever. (btw. us hypothryoid people have to work extra hard and avoid goitrogenic vegetables, and exercise a LOT just to maintain weight!)

But I have been losing weight very very slowly...and slow is better than not at all! My body shape is better overall too. While before I felt like i was sick and dying and felt like a 95 yr old (heart palpitations, dizziness, drained, hair falling out, pain), now i have more energy than i ever had and feel good overall. I really feel like God has led me to the Clean eating lifestlye which had made a major difference in my life...weight loss or not! amen!