It's all about moderation [apparently]

[Redundant]

My wife tells me it's time to go on a diet, I was a bit taken aback because I didn't know diets had "time", and it seems a little bit unfair that diets get time and other stuff [apparently] doesn't, like browsing the tool section in a hardware store.   Anyway, we got into quite a heated discussion on the subject [of diets]; that's how it works in this household, reasoned debates which can from time to time grow a little heated, but which allow all sides to voice their opinions.

So as from today I am now on a "Protein" diet [I lost the argument - ran out of breathe], and at first it didn't sound too bad as we "discussed" it, it seems protein consist of stuff I like, chicken, meat, beans, even cheese!   And then we got on to the other side of the Protein diet, "Carbohydrates" [and yes I did have to look it up to spell it]. Sadly, and not very surprisingly, these are mostly made up of stuff I really like, potatoes, rice, dairy products...cake!

While I can I will obviously try to keep posting on Beau Peep [pause for sighs of disappointment], but eventually I will become too weak to type, and will, I am assured, become a shadow of my former [substantial] self.   Visually I will appear to shimmer or fade in and out, this will be caused by turning sideways and seeming to disappear.

Thank god for reasoned debate at least, knowing this was [apparently] my own decision will no doubt ease the pain of transition.

[Mince]

If you fast for two days out of five, you can eat anything you want, and fasting has many health benefits.

If you're determined to eat just protein, read protein and heart disease and other topics on that site first.

If you're going to diet and reduce your calorie intake, make sure the calories you do eat give your body the nutrients it needs. So avoid chicken, meat, and cheese. Eat all the beans you can: they are healthy and extend lifespan. Potatoes are okay but could be avoided. Avoid dairy like the plague. As for white rice and white bread, they have 100 times less nutrients than the wholegrain variety: you might as well just eat bags of sugar. And make sure you eat berries, fruit, vegetables (especially dark green), nuts, and ground flax seeds.

[Redundant]

If you fast for two days out of five, you can eat anything you want, and fasting has many health benefits.

If you're determined to eat just protein, read protein and heart disease and other topics on that site first.

If you're going to diet and reduce your calorie intake, make sure the calories you do eat give your body the nutrients it needs. So avoid chicken, meat, and cheese. Eat all the beans you can: they are healthy and extend lifespan. Potatoes are okay but could be avoided. Avoid dairy like the plague. As for white rice and white bread, they have 100 times less nutrients than the wholegrain variety: you might as well just eat bags of sugar. And make sure you eat berries, fruit, vegetables (especially dark green), nuts, and ground flax seeds.

Ye Gods, I'm married to Mince!  Thanks Mince, it really helps to have both sides of an argument, or in this case the same side of the argument from two different people, who allegedly like me...

[Mince]

Quick Google: Research which tracked thousands of adults for nearly 20 years found that people who eat a diet rich in animal protein are four times more likely to die of cancer than someone with a low protein diet.

[Egg]

Quick Google: Research which tracked thousands of adults for nearly 20 years found that people who eat a diet rich in animal protein are four times more likely to die of cancer than someone with a low protein diet.

Well that's cheered me up no end!

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Eat less, walk more.

You will lose 3.5 to 4 stone in a year.

I just did.

And I still eat chicken...and cheese...

[Diane CBPFC]

My wife tells me it's time to go on a diet, I was a bit taken aback because I didn't know diets had "time", and it seems a little bit unfair that diets get time and other stuff [apparently] doesn't, like browsing the tool section in a hardware store.   Anyway, we got into quite a heated discussion on the subject [of diets]; that's how it works in this household, reasoned debates which can from time to time grow a little heated, but which allow all sides to voice their opinions.

So as from today I am now on a "Protein" diet [I lost the argument - ran out of breathe], and at first it didn't sound too bad as we "discussed" it, it seems protein consist of stuff I like, chicken, meat, beans, even cheese!   And then we got on to the other side of the Protein diet, "Carbohydrates" [and yes I did have to look it up to spell it]. Sadly, and not very surprisingly, these are mostly made up of stuff I really like, potatoes, rice, dairy products...cake!

While I can I will obviously try to keep posting on Beau Peep [pause for sighs of disappointment], but eventually I will become too weak to type, and will, I am assured, become a shadow of my former [substantial] self.   Visually I will appear to shimmer or fade in and out, this will be caused by turning sideways and seeming to disappear.

Thank god for reasoned debate at least, knowing this was [apparently] my own decision will no doubt ease the pain of transition.

Where does she stand on fruits and veggies?  I hope you don't get scurvy.

[Redundant]

Whilst I am...something that sounds like grateful for all the sound advice, I was looking for more of a:

"That's appalling Red, you go eat 'til you drop [albeit permanently] my boy"

"Send me your snail mail address Red, we'll send you some pasties in an old 'Amazon' box"

"Sob..."

"A cake a day makes the pallbearers sway"



If I wasn't so weak...

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Sorry, Red. Can't help you there.

Whilst I've never been an advocate of 'thinner is better' in the beauty stakes, I do have to admit that, having lost almost the equivalent of a large sack of spuds in the past year, in terms of my health, being able to tie my shoelaces again without grunting, holding my breath, or hurting is, in and of its own, a result that makes it all worthwhile.

That I now really enjoy and look forward to the 2-mile walk I do almost every day, as opposed to enduring it, is a bonus. That happened fairly early on, when it soon became apparent that the weight loss was working; my pace picking up as each pound was shed. Music is not only a help, but a joy on these walks, and walking (marching eventually) to the beat from my earphones is something I actually look forward to now. I have around a thousand songs/tunes on my phone, set to play at random. My favourite walking music comes from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards with some truly stirring bagpipe blowing, but I listen to all sorts. It works for me! Occasionally, I even run, now that I'm back down to the weight I was when I last ran for fun, over 25 years ago. This time last year, that was a "never again" scenario.

Prune juice also helps, but I won't go into that here, save to say that medically it's not a long-term solution, and no more than one cup a day (with meal) does the job...

What really helps the most though is having a 'diet partner' to do it all with. Needn't be in the same household - you can text messages of support, abuse or both, along with a daily weigh-in, providing you both use exactly the same scales and they are calibrated in tenths of a pound rather than full pounds (this is key - even small losses can be hugely encouraging!). A bit of banter and 'friendly' competition means you're not doing it all alone, and can even make it fun.

Good luck - no pasties...sorry!

[Redundant]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Or to put it another way, many thanks for the encouragement.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

  I really look forward to the day you mean that!

Tarquin Thunderthighs No More (30" waist - stretch denim...)

[Mince]

Red, if you really want to lose weight, Tarks and I will sort you out.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Oh, didn't I mention who my 'diet partner' was?

(Just don't ask him who won... )

[Mince]

(Just don't ask him who won... )

And are you down to your ideal weight yet? 

[Redundant]

Red, if you really want to lose weight, Tarks and I will sort you out.

You two are starting to scaring the bejeezus out of me, where oh where did I ever say I want to lose weight?  I like me, I remind myself of a young Mr Micawber, My favourite pizza place is almost ready to name a pizza in my honour!!! [again albeit posthumously]. Stop siding with my wife! Good grief...I feel faint, someone pass me a Mars bar...