About Rev. Dr. Abbott Expertise I've spent decades dieting and living with eating disorders. Now I am not only recovered, but a nutritional consultant and counselor.
Since 'no more diets' I've also been 100% free of any weight problem. It's that easy. No dieting.
Experience Nutritional advisor and consultant; counselor (ordained minister); ongoing extension education in human (and animal) nutrition, behavior.
Question Hello...
I am a 29 y/o male who is beginning a diet as of last week. I currently weigh about 240lbs and am 6'1" with a large build (strong/muscular/big-boned). I would be more comfortable to be around or below 200 lbs at my build. I am basically looking to find out from an expert whether or not my theory on this is correct as far as my projected calorie intake for this diet (as in too much vs too little): I am aiming for around 1,000-1,200 calories per day. It is hard for me to do this since my apetite is strong. Is it too low of a calorie goal? Am I lowering my metabolism by taking in too few calories? I should preface this by saying I am doing some moderate weight training with this diet (bench press, curls, situps, pushups) but not overly too much. Also, what is your take on protein bars (Metrx Protein Plus, Zone Perfect & Powerbar Pria to be specific). My theory is that building some muscle will help shed the fat quicker than just lowering my intake of food.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Neal
Answer ANY diet has a higher than 95% chance of failure once it's stopped. Within 1-2 years of stopping it, typically ALL the weight lost is regained along with 20% more.
Metabolism is generally more sluggish as well and the next time a diet is attempted, it's more difficult and takes longer. Results are quicker to fail and even more weight is gained.
The diet and health industry makes more than $40 BILLION per year, every year. Meanwhile, the average size of the US citizen has increased faster than ever before. ALL of the weight loss products and plans indicate in small print that "results shown are NOT typical", but people continue to buy into it because those claims sound so good!
YOU have the absolute right idea in your last sentence: "...building some muscle will help shed the fat quicker than just lowering (your) intake of food'. PERFECT!!!!!! Now take that knowledge and run with it!
All you need is a guideline as to what foods to eat. NOT a diet to follow.
I've got them listed at my site. All free, no sales, no products AND those protein bars, other diets and products are evaluated and exposed.
Take a look and let me know ok? Get your calorie intake up to at least 1,400-1,600 (for a male of average build) and eventually increase it to about 2,000 with increased activity.
