Fast food: Is it acceptable sometimes or no?

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
a reply to: tanstaafl
People with high blood pressure that are reducing sodium intake could also reduce sugar/carbohydrate intake and get the same effect. While also improving blood sugar/insulin.

They can also lower their BP by - gasp! - adding more high quality salt to their diet.

The inglorious myths abound, and once the blinders come off, it is amazing the things you will see (and learn)...

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: JamesChessman
However, the occasional fast food run isn't going to kill you. I actually trust people who admit to the occasional food vice more.

Well, that makes sense - if they actually do indulge in it.

I trust people who are honest, but only so far as whatever they say can be verified independently.

Personally - my only real vice is pizza. There is an excellent authentic NY pizza place in Alpharetta I 'jones' for, and indulge once or even twice a week. I order a large, double extra sauce, ham, canadian bacon, crumbled italian sausage, and extra cheese, and eat the whole thing all by myself. Yum! Been doing this for the last 12 months or so, all while losing - and keeping it off that same 12 months - the 90 lbs of excess fat I've been carrying around and trying to lose for the past 30+ years. I started about 15 months ago, and 80+lbs of it came off in the first 3 months. It was easy, once I learned the truth, and it came off really fast, even while eating this way, which is one of the reasons I know for an absolute fact that I have finally found the only real solution to not only permanent weight loss, but vital health - because I not only lost the weight, but feel 1,000 times better - far more energy, stamina, strength, etc etc...

originally posted by: tanstaafl

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: JamesChessman
However, the occasional fast food run isn't going to kill you. I actually trust people who admit to the occasional food vice more.

Well, that makes sense - if they actually do indulge in it.

I trust people who are honest, but only so far as whatever they say can be verified independently.

Personally - my only real vice is pizza. There is an excellent authentic NY pizza place in Alpharetta I 'jones' for, and indulge once or even twice a week. I order a large, double extra sauce, ham, canadian bacon, crumbled italian sausage, and extra cheese, and eat the whole thing all by myself. Yum! Been doing this for the last 12 months or so, all while losing - and keeping it off that same 12 months - the 90 lbs of excess fat I've been carrying around and trying to lose for the past 30+ years. I started about 15 months ago, and 80+lbs of it came off in the first 3 months. It was easy, once I learned the truth, and it came off really fast, even while eating this way, which is one of the reasons I know for an absolute fact that I have finally found the only real solution to not only permanent weight loss, but vital health - because I not only lost the weight, but feel 1,000 times better - far more energy, stamina, strength, etc etc...

Ok so what is the secret? You piqued my curiosity!

Also what is ur secret for high blood pressure? I don’t have that but my dad does...?

originally posted by: JamesChessman
Ok so what is the secret? You piqued my curiosity!

Also what is ur secret for high blood pressure? I don’t have that but my dad does...?

The secret isn't really a secret, just something that you have to search for. The good news, you have found it.

Read all about it in the thread I created to explain it - it's only 2 pages long (guess not many people here have a weight problem, or care about the subject). That said, I'm going to go add a final post with some additional information I put together when asked about this by family and friends. I keep an email template ready so I can easily send it to others.

a reply to: tanstaafl

Thanks, I glanced at it but the thread is very drawn out.

Intermittent fasting is good of course.

And it’s saying no calories which I’m not sure if u just mean the typical idea of no carbs, or if it means something else?

Is that basically your method?

a reply to: tanstaafl

Thanks, I glanced at it but the thread is very drawn out.

Intermittent fasting is good of course.

And it’s saying no calories which I’m not sure if u just mean the typical idea of no carbs, or if it means something else?

Is that basically your method?

originally posted by: JamesChessman
a reply to: tanstaafl

Thanks, I glanced at it but the thread is very drawn out.

It is two whole pages. Takes anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes to read, but a little longer to digest, and a lot longer to research and confirm for yourself.

Intermittent fasting is good of course.

And it’s saying no calories which I’m not sure if u just mean the typical idea of no carbs, or if it means something else.

You obviously did not read or comprehend what I said. This is not something you can just casually glance at to comprehend. If you're not willing to take at least the few minutes necessary to read that entire thread, then you're not willing to learn what is necessary. Sorry, not trying to be rude, just telling the truth.

The 'no calories' part only applies to the 'fasting window', and no, it has nothing to do with the concept of low carb. That is part of dealing with what to eat - which is absolutely almost as important, but nothing to do with IF.

Is that basically your method?

Again - asking that simply proves that you didn't bother to read. Sorry, I can't help you. If you ever change your mind, and decide you want to learn and have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out.

originally posted by: tanstaafl

originally posted by: JamesChessman
a reply to: tanstaafl

Thanks, I glanced at it but the thread is very drawn out.

It is two whole pages. Takes anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes to read, but a little longer to digest, and a lot longer to research and confirm for yourself.

Intermittent fasting is good of course.

And it’s saying no calories which I’m not sure if u just mean the typical idea of no carbs, or if it means something else.

You obviously did not read or comprehend what I said. This is not something you can just casually glance at to comprehend. If you're not willing to take at least the few minutes necessary to read that entire thread, then you're not willing to learn what is necessary. Sorry, not trying to be rude, just telling the truth.

The 'no calories' part only applies to the 'fasting window', and no, it has nothing to do with the concept of low carb. That is part of dealing with what to eat - which is absolutely almost as important, but nothing to do with IF.

Is that basically your method?

Again - asking that simply proves that you didn't bother to read. Sorry, I can't help you. If you ever change your mind, and decide you want to learn and have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out.

Well then later I’ll just put some time into reading your thread.

You don’t need to assume badly of me for not doing so at first though. At first glance, at most of the first page, the thread still didn’t say exactly what it’s about yet. So it’s literally not user friendly. But I will spend the time later to read it.


Also it so happens that my normal desktop is not working so I don’t have my normal internet usage / reading, which would be on there.

I’m only using web on my phone which I generally don’t enjoy doing.

So my web usage is just currently very cramped and limited altogether right now.

But to be clear, I love reading in general, including online; and I’m not one of those idiots who is against reading, lol.

Just everything online sucks for me right now lol but later I’ll look into your thread.

originally posted by: JamesChessman
Well then later I’ll just put some time into reading your thread.

Or maybe next time, just say 'thanks, I'll read it late, and reply if I have any questions or anything to add'...

You don’t need to assume badly of me for not doing so at first though.

I assumed nothing. You commented on it as if you had read it, but your words proved you didn't. That is what prompted my negative reaction.

At first glance, at most of the first page, the thread still didn’t say exactly what it’s about yet.

It is in the final two paragraphs.

So it’s literally not user friendly.

Again, only if you don't spend a few minutes to read it. You could have simply skipped the background info and scanned down to the meat within literally 15 seconds... far less time than has been spent with us talking about it.

But I will spend the time later to read it.
...
Just everything online sucks for me right now lol but later I’ll look into your thread.

I hope you do, but do so with an open mind.

The strange thing is I actually lost weight during my sojourn at McDonald's.

At least the fish fillet (which hasn't been available in SA for a year now) and vegan burger and small fries.

Often due to being very bankrupt, or nothing else open (like the Christmas Holidays).

I think portion size matters too.

My trainer has actually asked me if I've been eating a lot of junk-food sometimes.
And then there's always this huge argument about what qualifies as "junk-food".
Although strangely that's when I lose power in the session too soon.

I mean at 46 I can't stay thin thin as a plank while I expect my upper-body and arms to grow (more of my goal in a crime-ridden country, where I have to be a deterrent for my myself and my elderly parents too). Besides, I'm HIV-poz, and before I began ARV treatment I was actually underweight.

So I'm a bit unimpressed with these late 2000's documentaries that blame "fast-food" for obesity, because let me say there's some home-cooking and staples like bread or certain breakfast cereals that are also problematic in the wrong quantities.
It could also be however that "fast-food" has adapted quite rapidly since then, and what I'm getting now is no longer equivalent to what was served in 1999, for example.

a reply to: tanstaafl

Alright I’m looking at your thread more closely, at least your posts in the thread.

But also it’s extremely unpleasant to read on my phone, in general, so I apologize for not looking into things more thoroughly, which I would, on my desktop.

Insulin levels: Very interesting. I normally consume very little sugar so I don’t usually think about insulin, but if the point is more that we are eating too often, and we should do intermittent fasting, then it sounds very compelling.

And interesting that it’s the opposite idea of keeping up a fast metabolism by frequent small eating.

But anyways, I DO know that fasting sometimes, is very healthy and awesome altogether.

And I agree that we should do that regularly for our health etc. so I think you’re onto something there.

...

HIIT also sounds great and I do want to get back into biking which I love, and which sounds good for HIIT.

...

I haven’t ever really tried only one meal a day, but I do think that you are probably really onto something.

Assuming very healthy food of course lol.

...

Btw I’m familiar with occasionally fasting / starving for weight loss as a former high school wrestler, so I really do appreciate its health effects and weight loss.

But I have not made a regular schedule or pattern of it. Just something I’ve done occasionally.


I’m going to look more into the one meal a day. Hmm.

I think I could do that pretty easily if I made a point of it.



...

Also I’m not fat, to be clear what we’re talking about lol, I made the thread more for health considerations. But also I always want to be a bit slimmer, of course.

I definitely agree with the thread that it’s not worthwhile to obsess over calories though.

a reply to: tanstaafl

The longest fast I've done is a 33 day water only fast. It was exhilarating.

Woah!! You literally didn’t consume anything for 33 days?! And so you were essentially starving and shedding weight the whole time?!

I can’t really imagine lol but I have done water only for several days and it can feel great.

Well actually I usually eat something like salad etc. but almost no eating, for several days, it can feel amazing.

originally posted by: JamesChessman
a reply to: tanstaafl
You literally didn’t consume anything for 33 days?! And so you were essentially starving and shedding weight the whole time?!

Correct, except... there is a big difference between fasting and starving. You will learn all about this during your journey.

One big difference is your mindset. I will say this only once... you must be perfectly comfortable with whatever you are doing. Do not do anything if you are fearful or in doubt, because that will cause stress, and stress wreaks all kinds of havoc on the body, mostly caused by elevated cortisol levels - which, like insulin, also drive weight gain.

I can’t really imagine lol but I have done water only for several days and it can feel great.

Well actually I usually eat something like salad etc. but almost no eating, for several days, it can feel amazing.

The second you eat any calories, you break your fast. What you were doing was 'caloric restriction' - which also has its place and purpose - think epigenetics/life extension - but serious long term weight loss is not one of them.

This is a massive point about fasting that you really have to completely grok in your bones. Until you do, you won't understand fasting.

There is no such thing as a 'juice fast', or a 'salad fast'. There are two kinds of fasting... water fasting (you consume only water or other liquids completely devoid of any calories, like black coffee), or dry fasting (no foods, no liquids either, absolutely nothing). Dry fasting is an excellent tool for shrinking and tightening loose skin - especially the kind of loose skin one will have after losing a lot of weight they've been carrying for years quickly doing intermittent fasting.

originally posted by: JamesChessman
a reply to: tanstaafl
Alright I’m looking at your thread more closely, at least your posts in the thread.

Good - be sure to read the most recent last two I just added, I included a whole lot of links to videos/authors (mostly medical doctors) that explain this stuff far better than I ever could.

But also it’s extremely unpleasant to read on my phone, in general, so I apologize for not looking into things more thoroughly, which I would, on my desktop.

No worries, I'm sorry if I was a bit harsh before you described your situation/problem.

Insulin levels: Very interesting.

Yes. This was the lightbulb/dinner bell moment for me - well, not just elevated insulin levels, but the syndrome one develops - insulin resistance. Those were the two missing pieces for me. I already knew or had been exposed to most everything else at some point in my 35 year journey to vital health.

I normally consume very little sugar so I don’t usually think about insulin, but if the point is more that we are eating too often, and we should do intermittent fasting, then it sounds very compelling.

Exactly. It has nothing to do with sugar or any specific food, it has to do with the fact that eating anything at all with calories (more than one or two) will spike your insulin levels.

And interesting that it’s the opposite idea of keeping up a fast metabolism by frequent small eating.

Yes, this is one of the many big lies we've been force fed the last 50 years - coincidentally (I'm being facetious) starting about the time the big commercial foods industry was getting started.

But anyways, I DO know that fasting sometimes, is very healthy and awesome altogether.

And I agree that we should do that regularly for our health etc. so I think you’re onto something there.

When I started OMAD, I thought it would only be for a while, but I've since decided that it will probably be a permanent lifestyle for me.

With OMAD, I'm already doing a 22 hour fast every day, but I'm also incorporating longer fasts - 48 hours, and sometimes 72 hours - to stimulate autophagy (anything more than 72 hours and you start losing the benefits of autophagy, though there are other benefits to much longer extended fasts, if you're up for it).

HIIT also sounds great and I do want to get back into biking which I love, and which sounds good for HIIT.

Yes, you can adapt HIIT to pretty much any exercise. My absolute all time favorite is the mini rebounder. It is the absolute best form of exercise for multiple reasons - it dramatically stimulates the lymphatic system, it is gentle on the feet/ankles/knees, anyone can do it (good ones come with a handlebar for those who are older or not very stable), and and there are exercises for beginners up to the most advanced level.

I haven’t ever really tried only one meal a day, but I do think that you are probably really onto something.

Assuming very healthy food of course lol.

Something else to understand...

What you eat is one aspect of health.

When you eat is another aspect of health.

They are related, but separate and independent.

You can lose any and all excess weight without a massive change in diet ('eating healthy').

But, yes, absolutely, you should strive to change your diet to eating as healthy as possible.

But there is a huge problem there too...

What constitutes a healthy diet? We've been lied to about this yet again. Lies upon lies.

The biggest problem here is, there is a lot of conflicting information, and even a bit of what I would call warring factions - over what constitutes a healthy diet. Some people try to put it in terms of 'the perfect diet', but I don't believe there is such a thing.

That said, what I can with absolute certainty is, the claim that animal based foods are bad, especially with respect to animal fats, is not just a lie, it is an extreme lie of the opposite. Animal based foods - from healthy, humanely and pasture raised animals, are some of the healthiest and nutrient dense foods on the planet.

In fact, some people like to talk about a category of foods called 'super foods'. Well, the most superest of all foods is beef liver, and the other organ meats come a close second. Organ meats - liver, kidney, brains - are the most amazing and incredible super foods on the planet.

Btw I’m familiar with occasionally fasting / starving for weight loss as a former high school wrestler, so I really do appreciate its health effects and weight loss.

Now you just need to stop referring to or thinking about fasting as 'fasting/starving'. They are not synonymous.

I’m going to look more into the one meal a day. Hmm.

I think I could do that pretty easily if I made a point of it.

It is amazingly easy, once you create the new habit.

Changing habits can be extremely hard - the hardest part of OMAD for me was quitting the snacking at nighttime. But once I got into the new pattern - it is amazing how easy it is, for many reasons. You have more free time, you spend less money on eating (so are able to afford to pay more for healthier food for when you do eat), and best of all, I get to eat a lot when I do eat (I've always liked eating).

Also I’m not fat, to be clear what we’re talking about lol, I made the thread more for health considerations. But also I always want to be a bit slimmer, of course.

I definitely agree with the thread that it’s not worthwhile to obsess over calories though.

Understood... in that case you'll be mostly interested then in the benefits of 24, 48 and 72 hour fasts for stimulating autophagy (and the longer extended fasts for the other - what I call spiritual/mental benefits).

If you don't know what autophagy is, you can search on it, but in simplest terms, it is the body's 'clean-up' process for breaking down old/broken cells into their constituent molecules, and recycling them into new perfect cells.

a reply to: tanstaafl

Correct, except... there is a big difference between fasting and starving. You will learn all about this during your journey. One big difference is your mindset. I will say this only once... you must be perfectly comfortable with whatever you are doing. Do not do anything if you are fearful or in doubt, because that will cause stress, and stress wreaks all kinds of havoc on the body, mostly caused by elevated cortisol levels - which, like insulin, also drive weight gain.

I meant “starving” in a good way though, and I thought it was well known that actual real-life wrestling involves starving ourselves sometimes to make weight for a lower weight class, at which point we can then manhandle the poor opponent who is the same weight with a lot less muscle and strength lol.

So it’s comfortable to occasionally starve oneself on purpose, occasionally, to drop weight and cleanse the body.

In my modern life this means donwtimes, for a specific time period: just drinking water and minimal eating things like salad or even some food that’s mainly all protein like tofu etc.

See but it’s in that context of deliberately starving and cleansing occasionally, so it makes sense in THIS context. Whereas I usually don’t believe that the “no carbs” people really understand wtf they’re talking about lol.

Anyway I think the longest I’ve done such mostly-fasting like that, is for nearly a week, maybe 5 or 6 days, I slimmed down, cleansed the hell out so I felt healthy and clean.

I was even feeling buzzed from it lol. Tingling hands but I promise I was still healthy lol. I was staying hydrated and making my body burn off my fat, it can feel amazing.

I’ll post more later but I can’t overemphasize how much I dislike using my phone for internet like this lol so it’s cramped my style, altogether; i.e. it’s just stupidly uncomfortable for me to use the internet like this lol.

a reply to: tanstaafl

How much weight did u lose in the 33 day water fast?!

I really can’t imagine lol

a reply to: JamesChessman

No, fast food, regardless of eating only the best offerings on the menu, is never a good thing to do.

One big reason.......it's all loaded with complex salt compounds to keep it fresh for months as it moves throgh the manufacturing process to the warehouse to the truck to your local outlet. You might just as well ingest brine.

originally posted by: JamesChessman
a reply to: tanstaafl
See but it’s in that context of deliberately starving and cleansing occasionally, so it makes sense in THIS context. Whereas I usually don’t believe that the “no carbs” people really understand wtf they’re talking about lol.

Anyway I think the longest I’ve done such mostly-fasting like that, is for nearly a week, maybe 5 or 6 days, I slimmed down, cleansed the hell out so I felt healthy and clean.

I was even feeling buzzed from it lol. Tingling hands but I promise I was still healthy lol. I was staying hydrated and making my body burn off my fat, it can feel amazing.

You should try a real super cleansing semi-fast then...

Combine spirulina and chlorella+CGF for your drinks, add a pinch of good quality salt, and drink 3 or 4 of those a day.

originally posted by: JamesChessman
a reply to: tanstaafl

How much weight did u lose in the 33 day water fast?!

Not that much actually, maybe 20 or 30 lbs.

I lost double that easily in the first month of intermittent fasting/OMAD. Took me about 3 1/2 months to lose about 85 lbs, and then it slowed to a crawl, maybe 10 lbs in the next 4 or 5 months, then it got even slower.

I'm getting ready to implement a series of 48 and 72 hour fasts (the last 24 hours of each will be dry, not even any water) to speed up losing the loose flab that is left over from losing all of the weight. It is still coming off sloooowly, but I'm getting impatient. Oh - and the dry fast is what works the magic for eliminating the loose skin.

Once or twice a year I get a real hankering for McDonald's fries . Can't say why..

I made a point to get a mcrib for nostalgia..

I don't think once in a while is bad.

I'm blessed I live with my retired parents and my mother is the best chef I know.. I eat homemade almost every day, maybe once a month we order Chinese from the restaurant in st. Johnsbury.

They make a to die for won ton dumpling soup,
I always order an extra quart because it really is that Damn good.



Respectfully,
~meathead