t has to be said putting on the weight is always that much eaiser than taking it off even when it seems you are eating sensibly and with an eye on the calories.
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But according to a theory being put forward by Dr Mark Hyman it’s because our bodies are not keen to give up the weight that easily.
He states that our bodies are actually genetically programmed to deal with lack of food so when we try our best to lose it our body tries to hold on to it.
Isn’t that a bummer?
Yes it might shock you but it’s that good old DNA we are all so fond of these days that makes is slim or other wise overweight.
Our bodies do not cope well with the vast amount of processed food which is usually cheaper and contains high levels of fat and sugars which our system does not cope with well.
Dr Mark Hyman says that the answer is to try and teach or if you like re-program our bodies to lose weight by healthy eating natural wholefoods,which stimulate our fat burning genes to action.
It’s all available to read in Dr Mark’s book Ultra Metabolism The Simple Plan For Automatic Weight Loss.
Here are 7 reasons why according to Dr Hyman we find it so easy to put on weight and so difficult to lose it.
1. Appetite Control :- In today’s modern life style with to little time to do anything many of us eat irregular meals and to few us eat a regular 5 portions of healthy food like fresh fruits and vegetables which means our appetites fluctuate rapidly from bouts of hunger to bloated ness. By eating just an extra 100 calories of food of the wrong type and the wrong time can lead to an increase in weight of 10 pounds in a single year.
This can be avoided by eating meals at regular times this way you will tend to eat much less and burn fat more effectively. Foods which control the appetite well are fruits, vegetables, fish , nuts and seeds and whole grains. Foods which should be avoided include sugar, artificial sweetners (which can actually encourage the body to retain fat) and foods containing refined carbs such as white bread,pastries, cakes and chips. Another big problem area for those who eat at irregular times is eating fast food especially late in the evening when it is not easily digested or burnt off.
Inflamation of the stomach and bowel : – If your stomach feels bloated it is possible you have inflamation or swelling. Other indicators are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) , mood swing and sensitivity to certain foods and allergies. This inflamation can lead to weight gain which will make the problem progressively worse.
A good way of preventing this to eat antioxidant foods a small amount of high cocoa content chocolate (about 4 or 5 squares of a small bar) is in fact good for this. In addition oily fish such as Mackerel and small amounts of berries and grapes. Foods that make the inflamation worse are those which contain gluten – which is found in wheat , rye and barley and oats and also in sugar. Try removing these for a couple of weeks and see if the situation improves.
Other common food allergies may be triggered by dairy products, soy, peanuts and corn. If unsure as to what foods are to be avoided speak to a nutritionist for advice.
Stress : – Stress is probably to blame for people overeating as much as anything else signs of stress are tiredness , cravings for comfort foods such as sweets and pastries and ice cream , headaches , need for extra salt on food and greater vulnerability to infections such as coal sores and mouth ulcers and colds.
A good way to combat stress is by learning to relax one good method is deep breathing or breathing control techniques. Massage and Yoga may also be effective. Dr Hyman recommends stress reducing foods which are fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Foods which should be avoided include foods which contain high levels of sugar or refined carbs.
Free Radicals attack your body : – If you are sensitive to chemicals such as prescription drugs ,perfumes , household products or you eat a lot of fried or junk food and rarely eat fresh fruit or vegetables then you are likely to be exposing your body to free radicals- these are molecules which attack the cells in your body. These free radicals can lead to your skin and body aging prematurely and can also increase the risk of cancer. The other more visual effect on your body is they reduce your metabolism which means you start to gain additional weight more quickly.
The best way to prevent free radicals is to eat anti oxidant rich foods and to avoid over cooking any foods or burning them. Sugars and sugar containing foods and refined carbs such as chips and alcohol should all be consumed in moderation and ideally avoided. Smoking and even passive smoking can make the situation worse.
You may be suprized to know but keep plants in the house helps reduce the free radicals in your home as they absorb them. So plenty of plants in the home is not only attractive but also good for you.
Under active Thyroid :- According to Dr Hyman as many as 20% of women have a lazy or under active thyroid which results in the metabolism being less effective. This can lead to rapid weight gain and also result in dry skin , thinning of the hair , excessive feeling of cold , period problems and lethargy.
Exercise is good way to boost the metabolism but may be difficult depending on the severity of the problem. Certain foods help the thyroid such as seaweed, fish (oily fish are best), dark leafy greens such as spinach and Brazil nuts. There have also been some research done that has linked gluten in the diet to thyroid problems. If in doubt speak to a medical practitioner.
Lazy or Ineffective Metabolism : – If you feel constantly tired , have mood swings , can’t concentrate easily , suffer with aching muscles and have started putting on weight this could be an indicator that you metabolism is running below par.
The best cure for this is to take regular exercise such as a brisk walk every day or swimming by keeping active your body is stimulated to work more efficiently. If you have a dog take it for a good walk he or she will love you for it and so will your body. Once you kick start your metabolism you will even burn fat while at rest (I will tell you more about that another day)
Toxins : – They are killing you if you suffer from constipation, IBS, headaches and feel tired even when you have not been busy or maybe you have strong smelling urine and are sensitive to strong smells then you might have overloaded your body with toxins which can screw up your metabolism.
Ways to avoid these sorts of problems is reduce your use or exposure to chemicals at work and in the home and do not cook in aluminum pans. When possible eat organic produce , filter your water ideally with a reverse osmosis filter if not at least buy bottled water for drinking. Eat lots of what are called crucieferous vegetables (broccoli,watercress etc) and drink green tea.
I highly recommend Dr Hyman’s book and judging by the interest by the stars of Hollywood it could be diet many of those we admire will be following.
- The Church Diet (andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com)
- Home Exercise Programs Suitable For Weight Reduction (thediamondringreview.com)
- Gaining Muscle, But Not Weight (strengthandphysique.blogspot.com)
