How To Get Fat

How to Get Fat

How do we get fat? Are people so different that we need thousands and thousands of diet books that detail various ways for losing weight? The short answer is no, we don't. The human body works pretty much the same for both you and me. And yet, conventional wisdom fails us here, or else we'd have just one diet book (maybe the one you're holding in your hands!). Conventional wisdom teaches that calories and fat (a dense source of calories) are our biggest enemies. Eat more, weigh more. Calories in must be less than calories out in order for us to lose weight, right? 

But this isn't quite how our bodies work. And if it were, we'd be in some serious trouble, because no (imaginable) amount of exercise would ever get us out of that debt. We'll talk about that more in another post, but for the moment, let's just go with it: We're obviously missing something, otherwise, why are we so overweight (and getting heavier)?

The Body Works 

Lots and lots of chemical processes are happening in our body at any given time, and different hormones and enzymes all play their part in regulating fat and fat reserves. The crazy part is that the body knows just what to do to maintain balance. (It's friggin' awesome! Seriously, have you wondered at your body lately?) 

Does this nut make me look fat?

Take a look at the animal world for a moment. Realize that most animals don’t get fat unless they need to (for colder climates, etc.). Their bodies are working just like they should, because the processes that regulate fat production and storage are in balance. Squirrels and bears (and even dogs, for the most part) are slim in the summer, good and fat for the winter. And it's not just about how much they eat. When the temperature falls, chemicals released in their bodies tell their systems to store more of what they take in as fat, both for nutrition and insulation. Along with that, their energy levels drop so that they can conserve more of their fat for other needs. As winter ends, and fat stores are depleted, their energy levels pick back up and they're back to their slim selves for the spring. So fat retention and energy levels are kind of determined for them, rather than by any conscious decision on their part to "get slim," or to "have more energy." 

I'm not suggesting that temperature is the magic bullet to weight loss for humans, but I am suggesting that our bodies are capable of wonderful things and some pretty hardcore regulation. And fat retention is not something so easily manipulated by exercise or calorie restriction, two of the biggest "secrets" that weight loss books sell over and over. Our bodies know how to maintain balance, and our system is well-regulated. But when that balance is shifted, when these processes are manipulated into imbalance, then we get into trouble.

We're going to look more closely at just one of those processes, and how it gets out of control. The big one. And guess what? I'm giving away the secret for free! Or, conversely, if you'd like to donate to the cause, I'd be glad for you to contact me with monetary amounts in proportion to your undying adoration and limitless appreciation. Or would it be "adulation"?

The Best Diet You've Never Heard Of

At last count, there were somewhere near 40,000 physical books on Diet and Exercise listed on Amazon. 40,000 books that claim to have found the magic bullet for getting it right this time, for losing weight and keeping it off. They come in a wide variety, with widely divergent tips and tricks for shedding those unwanted pounds. Eat less, eat more, eat carbs, avoid carbs, lots of meat, no meat at all, there's a title to fit just about every idea out there for losing weight or maintaining a healthy body. (No kidding, I just looked, and there are sleep diets, vinegar diets, and yes, you're reading this right, a diet based on eating cookies. Yum!)

So what's a person to do? Who's telling the truth? Why am I fat, and what should I do? Am I just lazy? Do I suffer from lack of self-control? Why is it the bigger I get, the bigger I get? What can I do about the cravings? And why are there 40,000 books claiming the secret, with new ones coming out every day?

These are just a few of the questions we'll be talking about in this blog. My aim is to present you with some compelling evidence, along with helpful hints and little-known skills that will help you to at least understand how weight gains and losses work, and at best help you to shed the pounds and keep them off. If you decide to implement them, you should know that they're not hard concepts, and they're really not hard to put into practice. I'm sure you've heard that before, but stick around, you'll see.

Before we go any further, you should know that I'm a fan of meat, but for good reason. If you don't like the meat thing, I think you can still learn a lot here, including how to implement this diet anyway, so no worries. Also, I like food in general, so I'm a client as well as the author, and I've got some changing to do. Information is power, though, and there seems to be a lot to wade through. I think you'll see that I've uncovered some real gems, some of them controversial, but none of them without substance.

Anyway, I invite you to come with me a little way, check this stuff out for yourself. I'll post some excellent recipes from time to time, along with posts that have to deal with the subject matter. Hope you enjoy.