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Ever since I started the Eat Like a Bear plan I’ve been hearing about this book called The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung. I had not got around to actually purchasing the book at the time but people were raving about how it truly opened their eyes to why diets don’t work.
So last week I finally got serious after seeing some horrific pictures of myself online after a conference and I ordered the book and read it.
The other people were not lying. It really truly does dive into body’s metabolism and why certain types of eating plans really don’t work well.
Being overweight as long as I have been is definitely a concern to me so I really wanted to understand and get to the meat of the problem which is insulin resistance.
This is probably not anything new for some of you but I truly did not understand how the body processes and metabolizes your food. I’m not a scientist but I knew a lot, I thought.
Understanding and Integrating The Obesity Code
Dr. Fung breaks it down step-by-step and also analyzes and compares his research to other types of research done over the years for different diet plans and also even the US government’s dive into our “nutritional food pyramid“. That’s a scary chapter.
But what I did find that made complete sense are a couple of things.
One – I am on the right track with intermittent fasting. This practice has done remarkable things for me. Especially reducing inflammation and really controlling my eating patterns including general grazing because of boredom.
Two – his recommendation on eating is really a complete narrative instead of getting bits from here a bit from here and not knowing the truth. Knowing what is going to bust through that obesity code that our body set up to protect itself.
A lot of it comes down to basics
One of which is to dump the sugar. He lines out how sugar in any form, including sugar alternatives, is so detrimental to our systems, especially how our body uses and makes insulin. The lightbulbs just go off when you’re reading this even though you heard how sugar is bad for you and how addictive it is, etc.
Another thing that I really liked is that he is an advocate for including specific complex carbohydrates in your meal such as beans. Beans are a critical item because they’re loaded in fiber and really help balance your body’s needs.
Another key factor is fiber. I learned this from eating my salads, the more fiber I had the longer I could go without eating meals. Your body thrives on fiber which is why the lettuce, coleslaw, and beans really help your body nutritionally and help keep it cleansed.
So I did an experiment this week and I followed Dr. Fung’s layout and I dumped my soda and went back to water. I have had one soda with my meal but everything else is water.
I also ate spicy beans and meat for four or five days this week. I added cheese for the fats and I am extremely excited about the results.
Not only has my body been cleansing like crazy, but my inflammation is also just flying out the window! I’ve lost about 8 1/2 pounds in one week.
It’s a really exciting kickstart and I’ve been pretty good at staying on track with my fasting of 23 hours, although a few days I was really really hungry so I did eat a light meal in the evening. That did not interrupt anything. I am very excited about the results.
So what did my extra hunger mean to me? I needed a little bit more fiber so today I started adding back in my coleslaw and salad but still eating the protein and beans.
I’m attaching below couple of screenshots of my notes that I took as a recap of Dr. Fung’s book. If you have not read it I really suggest that you do. It opens up the understanding and realization that we have to take control and kick out the sugar and add fasting, among other changes.
Dr. Fung has included some assistance with intermittent fasting with eating plans and different ways to fast. It really is not as terrible as it sounds, if you are nervous about it. Honestly, check out the book. IT is an informative read!
The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss by Dr. Jason Fung
ISBN-13 : 979-8833286289
FROM NEW YORK TIMESBESTSELLING AUTHOR DR. JASON FUNG: The landmark book that is helping thousands of people lose weight and heal from disease.
* Harness the power of intermittent fasting for lasting weight loss, health, and longevity.
* Understand the science of weight gain and insulin resistance.
* Stop suffering and ditch calorie counting, yoyo diets, and excessive exercise for good.
Have you been diagnosed with obesity or type 2 diabetes, or told by your doctor to lose weight? In this book, you will discover that likely everything you’ve been told about how to lose weight is wrong. Weight gain is driven by hormones—in everyone—and only by understanding the effects of insulin and insulin resistance can we achieve lasting weight loss and even work to prevent and reverse type 2 diabetes and obesity naturally.
In this highly readable and provocative book, Dr. Jason Fung, long considered the founder of intermittent fasting, sets out an original theory of obesity and weight gain. He shares five basic steps to controlling your insulin for better health. And he explains how to use intermittent fasting to break the cycle of insulin resistance and reach a healthy and healed body—for good.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.