The Dilemma

Essentially there is probably only one way lose fat, and that is to cut down on your caloric expenditure. Now within that simply formula there is a whole host of paths one could take, but the bottom line remains the same..burn more than you take in.

For me, knowing what I know about me, my experience with losing and gaining weight over the decades, there are only two ways to do this really.

1. Count calories. This I have done with success at times. Though if you measure success by the fact that you KEEP doing it year after year, then no, I would be a failure at it, like so many others. 

2. Addiction strategies. Admitting you have an addiction to over eating and making one simple rule to remove the problem area. An alcoholic would have a no alcohol rule, an addictive over-eater like me might remove a certain food for life.

But for me, removing one food is not the answer, my problem area is not a single food, it is a single time frame, after dinner to bedtime...the dreaded "4th meal" if you will. What makes me obese is just 500 extra calories a day, and I get that routinely by eating after dinner, nearly every night. 

My last post I said I was going to try to eliminate it, but it proved MUCH harder than I thought. I needed something, anything, and when I took a little something, it invariably turned into a BIG something.

It is what some psychologists call AVE, or Abstinence Violation Effect. In for a penny, in for a pound kind of thing. 

So for me the dilemma comes down to trying again what I have tried so many times before, and hope that I am a little wiser and better able to carry if off, or try something new that seems like a colossal struggle, but no less what a drunk might go through giving up booze...simple, but difficult.

Comments

[Anon]

Hey there, I have been in the same boat as you for my whole life. However, take a look at this guy: www.lovingraw.com. He lost 200 lbs after trying everything. I've lost 8 pounds in a week already with raw. You likely think this is another scam, but please, check it out.

Also, just so you know, in your first sentence, you say the only way to lose fat is to cut your caloric expenditure. Actually, you would need to INCREASE your caloric expenditure and CUT your caloric intake to burn fat. :)

[FatBlogger]

Anon,

I have thought about going raw, Vegan is intriguing to me as well. lately I have been reading more about the Paleo diet too.

Good point about "expenditure" vs intake as well.

[James Reno]

When I switched to a Raw Vegan Food it allowed me to stop documenting my food intake. This is actually quite freeing and much less burdensome. I KNOW that I am eating healthy, and nutrient dense foods, and I know they have less calories. The weight has come off to prove it.

To Your Health!
James Reno (editor)
http://www.Raw-Food-Repair.com