For you guys wanting to shed some pounds

[dowjr1]

In hopes of passing along some information that may benefit some of my fellow brothers of the leaf: Try to take as much sugar and gluten out of your daily diet. Every year I have students join my Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy and weight loss is a common goal. I tell them to stop eating bread and other starches like potatoes, rice and pasta...eat protein and veggies. Many students have seen amazing fat loss. Also check out the book Grain Brain...the data on the long history of the damage gluten does to the human body (not just the intestines/celiac disease). These effects were unknown to me prior to reading it. Oh and I am not affiliated with the book or it's authors in any way. Hope this helps...good health my friends!

[Fosgate]

There is a documentary out called "The Perfect Human Diet". Based on scientific fact and research it supports your claim and goes much further. If you have Amazon Prime or Netflix I would highly advise anyone to watch it. Big eye opener.

[cooper669]

I fully agree, I've lost 50lb's since August 4 and believe me I am not going hungry. I just quit eating grains and sugar. Kinda like a Paleo/Atkins/Diabetic diet. Personally I just keep finding new foods and recipes so I'm not stuck with the same old stuff. As long as I can do that I think I'll be able to keep going. I still have a ways to go but so far so good.

Damon

[leftimatic]

In hopes of passing along some information that may benefit some of my fellow brothers of the leaf: Try to take as much sugar and gluten out of your daily diet. Every year I have students join my Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy and weight loss is a common goal. I tell them to stop eating bread and other starches like potatoes, rice and pasta...eat protein and veggies. Many students have seen amazing fat loss. Also check out the book Grain Brain...the data on the long history of the damage gluten does to the human body (not just the intestines/celiac disease). These effects were unknown to me prior to reading it. Oh and I am not affiliated with the book or it's authors in any way. Hope this helps...good health my friends!

A good movie to watch is Food Matters. Also read any of the Michael Pollan books. Changed my life. We grow our own vegetables and meat (pigs and chickens most feed to pound return ratios)and feed them nothing but natural foods, lots of grazing. Any beef, lamb or goat we buy is grass fed only. We make our own lard from the fat and use it for everything from baking to cooking our farmfresh eggs to making all of our own soaps. I use it to grease my woodworking tools too. Chicken lard in mashed potatoes and yams is the bomb.

I went to the doctor for my over 40 years check up and had the best cholesterol count she had ever seen. Said I was healthier than most 20 yr olds. I laughed and told her I ate three chicken eggs fried in pigs lard with homemade toast made with lard every morning for breakfast. She just stared at me and went 'Hmmph, anyway it looks good but doesn't mean it will stay that way'

Oddly enough it has. Must be doing something right. Anyhow watch Food Matters and Fat Sick and Nearly Dead is another good one. Joel Salatin is good author for anyone wanting to do natural ( I hate the word organic) farming.

[Optic101]

I fully agree, I've lost 50lb's since August 4 and believe me I am not going hungry. I just quit eating grains and sugar. Kinda like a Paleo/Atkins/Diabetic diet. Personally I just keep finding new foods and recipes so I'm not stuck with the same old stuff. As long as I can do that I think I'll be able to keep going. I still have a ways to go but so far so good.

Damon

Congrats Damon, would be happy with 10lbs.

[LordAnubis]

Cheers for the info peoples, always interested in healthy stuff. I need to lose a few as well, get some healthyness going on.

[LeafLover]

OK. New Years Res for sure!!! I need 20 lbs.

[Maplepie]

If i wanted to shed a few pounds, I'd just go to Ajay's LCdH in England and lose around 50 pounds in 2 hours smoking some pre-embargo Punch.

[Fosgate]

Even staying away from food labeled "Diet" makes a difference. Most people do not know this but those artificial sweeteners are not what they think. Sure the body doesn't process it like sugar. Instead of having a chance to be burned off as energy and excess goes to fat, artificial sweeteners instantly convert to fat. So your body then has to convert the fat to sugar for brain function through a process called Ketosis rather than Glycolysis (energy in the blood). These diets like juicing just spike the blood and lacks fiber. It is much healthier to get your sugars through whole fruit because your body actually has to work and spend calories and time to extract the sugars from fruit and absorb them over a set time. This gives your body more time to expend the energy before excess gets converted to fat.

Only oils I use are olive, coconut or animal sources. Canola, rape seed etc are all heavily processed. Rule of thumb, oil comes from a fruit of a tree or root and you can virtually squeeze out the oil by hand it general ok (Almond butter, etc). Also note they are usually associated with proteins and complex carbohydrates.

[ramon_cojones]

^I got lean juicing but then I use a blendtec.

I thought it was common knowledge if you cut sugar and carbs you'll lose weight no? I mean if you're just eating proteins and vegetables that's a pretty basic diet for weight loss. I don't do any cardio and I'm about 11-12% bf, people ask me what cardio I do too. I eat as much fat as possible. My doc said all my blood work was phenomenal and my vitamin D was off the charts.

[Fosgate]

It is common knowledge but people think this Atkins, Paleo diet as just another fad when in reality they are based on human diets prior to cashing in on on the diet craze. If you look at many people who try to debunk some of these diets have something to push themselves. Even Atkins has jumped on the band wagon selling their grain protein bars loaded with artificial sweeteners. Thing is look at our biology and digestive tract and compare it to other animals. Look at animals that process dry grains, multiple stomachs, re-eat their feces etc. Our stomachs are not efficient enough to process, that is why we grind the grain down into powders so we can get nutrients out of them. Here is the catch, we get primarily sugar from grain. So eat whole grain, ok but the down side of whole grain is that there are enzymes and tanins within whole grain that block absorption of other nutrients from foods like green vegetables that are in your stomach as well. Burping and farting are signs of what? Indigestion right? Greatly reduce grain consumption and you greatly reduce gas by eliminating the fermentation process of the yeast and sugar in your digestive tract and the enzymes. By doing this you bring balance not just to your weight but also the chemistry of your body like your PH level for proper kidney function, skin care and fungus problems disappear and the list goes on.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1961994009

[dowjr1]

^I got lean juicing but then I use a blendtec.

I thought it was common knowledge if you cut sugar and carbs you'll lose weight no? I mean if you're just eating proteins and vegetables that's a pretty basic diet for weight loss. I don't do any cardio and I'm about 11-12% bf, people ask me what cardio I do too. I eat as much fat as possible. My doc said all my blood work was phenomenal and my vitamin D was off the charts.

Well to many it is not common knowledge...sadly. They consume "diet" foods and continue to gain weight or just stay the same weight. I really have to tell my guys "Bread and Gluten is the enemy!" Then they perk up a bit and listen.

[ramon_cojones]

It is common knowledge but people think this Atkins, Paleo diet as just another fad when in reality they are based on human diets prior to cashing in on on the diet craze. If you look at many people who try to debunk some of these diets have something to push themselves. Even Atkins has jumped on the band wagon selling their grain protein bars loaded with artificial sweeteners. Thing is look at our biology and digestive tract and compare it to other animals. Look at animals that process dry grains, multiple stomachs, re-eat their feces etc. Our stomachs are not efficient enough to process, that is why we grind the grain down into powders so we can get nutrients out of them. Here is the catch, we get primarily sugar from grain. So eat whole grain, ok but the down side of whole grain is that there are enzymes and tanins within whole grain that block absorption of other nutrients from foods like green vegetables that are in your stomach as well. Burping and farting are signs of what? Indigestion right? Greatly reduce grain consumption and you greatly reduce gas by eliminating the fermentation process of the yeast and sugar in your digestive tract and the enzymes. By doing this you bring balance not just to your weight but also the chemistry of your body like your PH level for proper kidney function, skin care and fungus problems disappear and the list goes on.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1961994009

I don't really believe in paleo, my diet is pretty much wapf endorsed. Sadly I don't think many cigar smokers are motivated enough to actually make these sorts of lifestyle changes.

[coblos]

I eat a lot of white rice and noodles and I'm not overweight, Asia eats a lot of white rice and noodles and compared to the west is not overweight. I honestly don't understand why in so many of these diets rice is one of the enemies. Seriously when people cut all this stuff from their diets they are probably just eating less and maybe that is the real answer.

[Bclass1]

If i wanted to shed a few pounds, I'd just go to Ajay's LCdH in England and lose around 50 pounds in 2 hours smoking some pre-embargo Punch.

Can't wait to visit there btw...In the case of shedding pounds, remember: you are what you eat. Salute all..

[Colt45]

I eat a lot of white rice and noodles and I'm not overweight, Asia eats a lot of white rice and noodles and compared to the west is not overweight. I honestly don't understand why in so many of these diets rice is one of the enemies. Seriously when people cut all this stuff from their diets they are probably just eating less and maybe that is the real answer.

Yes, cultures who've eaten bread / rice / grains as staples for thousands of years must have something wrong......

Certainly try to reduce empty calories and keep overall calorie consumption in check. Maybe even get our faces out of our "smart" phones and get a little exercise. If you read it on the internet it might be true. A little common sense goes a long way.

Did paleos get to eat three squares a day every day.......

[paulF]

Taking out grains out of your diet is really not the answer to loose weight as grains contains not just carbs(sugar) but also,fiber,protein,anti-oxidants,vitamins,minerals... Grains also make you feel full so you eat less.

To loose weight, you simply need to cut down on calories.

Eating healthy foods like whole foods(milk,eggs,meats,veggies,fruits...) is the way to go for sure but you shouldn't really cut out any food from your diet especially fat as your body needs that too since that's what most people do when dieting..

Best of luck to all and and one more thing, don't diet, change your lifestyle to be more healthy by eating better foods and exercising. only way to sustain good weight/health. You'll be very surprised on how much less food your body actually needs to have once it adapts!

PS: WATER!!!! Drink lots of water daily.

[MIKA27]

Thanks for sharing, good tips are always appreciated.

[dowjr1]

I eat a lot of white rice and noodles and I'm not overweight, Asia eats a lot of white rice and noodles and compared to the west is not overweight. I honestly don't understand why in so many of these diets rice is one of the enemies. Seriously when people cut all this stuff from their diets they are probably just eating less and maybe that is the real answer.

Yes I love rice and noodles also...rice noodles are my favorite in fact. You may be right in that they are eating less. But making your body use fat for fuel instead of starch has a fair amount of science behind it in terms of weight loss and insulin sensitivity. Eating rice and bread spikes blood sugar levels more than eating a candy bar. The other part about Asia vs others is portion size.

[Fosgate]

I eat a lot of white rice and noodles and I'm not overweight, Asia eats a lot of white rice and noodles and compared to the west is not overweight. I honestly don't understand why in so many of these diets rice is one of the enemies. Seriously when people cut all this stuff from their diets they are probably just eating less and maybe that is the real answer.

Your probably more active. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-asian-paradox-how-can-asians-eat-so-much-rice-and-not-gain-weight/#axzz3JvvAEc10

Rice is actually a good source of nutrients.

http://ancestral-nutrition.com/why-white-rice-is-healthier-than-brown-rice/

Dry grains like wheat, barley etc may have some of the nutrients we need, vitamins, fiber etc but those can be found in other sources that offer all that plus complex carbohydrates that don't greatly increase insulin levels. Not saying one needs to absolutely stop eating grains but a diet where dry grains are maybe 70% or more of the diet is not healthy. Cut it down to maybe 30-40% and see how that start gets you and maybe adjust from there.

Another thing in the states people forget is dairy products. Lactose in dairy is basically sugar (Glucose, Sucrose, Lactose, etc). I consider the states the land of "You want cheese on that?"

Like someone said you don't need to diet so much as change your lifestyle. You don't have to eat lettuce the rest of your life. Just be physically active and be aware of the biology of your body and what your putting in it. Even little changes can make a difference.

[ramon_cojones]

I definitely would not avoid dairy, just commercial dairy.

[Habana Mike]

Cutting out white foods (rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, etc.) worked wonders for me. Also reduced portion sizes and changed frequency of eating.

Dropped 30 pounds in a few months and all the vitals fell into line.

Still a few pounds to go to an ideal target weight but I'm happy with the results so far....

[leftimatic]

I definitely would not avoid dairy, just commercial dairy.

Like all processed foods. Its the processing that kills you. Go as natural as you can. I don't want to freak people out but the lower the fat the more sugar is added and processed sugar is the enemy. I wouldn't touch low fat products with a 99 1/2 foot pole.

[Chelsea8]

I have to admit to liking highly processed grains. Just had a few drams of the stuff from Islay to pair with my cigar

[forgop]

Another Netflix watch is Food, Inc. Good info on all the processed crap in our food nowadays. Biggest reason why I went away from buying pork and beef from the store. I now buy whole hogs and sides of beef from a farmer and pay for the processing. Best meat ever.