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Paul McKenna Promises "I Can Make You Thin" |
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I
asked members in our Kimkins Pinky Swear weight loss challenge group:
"Did anyone watch "I Can Make You Thin" last night on TLC?" I'm always
interested in behavior mod techniques for weight loss, which is Paul
McKenna's message.
Apparently he feels his techniques work on a
variety of addictions and phobias because the list of books he's
written says he can make you stop smoking, not be afraid of flying and
be more confident.
His website sells his 6 DVD "I Can Make You Thin" series for $119.
We talk about metabolism a lot at Kimkins. I don't agree with Mr. McKenna's opinion on starvation mode, but I did agree that
our metabolisms are living, breathing systems that fluctuate constantly. Reports also show that around age 40, our metabolisms drop about 1% per
year, 10% per decade. So a 70 year old person is burning 30% fewer
calories than she/he did at age 40.
When we lower calories,
our metabolisms drop but not drastically. Look at people immediately
after gastric bypass (the non-cheaters) at 500-700 calories or on the
old Optifast 500 calorie shake diet. Indeed they lose very quickly.
Now, of course they may regain because most dieters don't make the
permanent lifestyle changes that maintenance requires. It's true,
Weight Watchers has been reported to have a 97% recidivism rate. But
they don't regain because of the lower calories.
During our deep
sleep period (1-3 am?) our metabolisms drop to their lowest basal rate.
Do you set your alarm to wake up and have a snack to keep it going? I
hope not. When we wake in the morning, our metabolisms increase. In fact, some
infertility techniques require women to track body temp with special
basal thermometers. They aren't even allowed to open their eyes because
that simple activity will begin raising metabolism.
During the flurry of routines that happen every morning in every house:
get the kids ready, get yourself ready, morning housework or morning
office routines -- our metabolisms stay raised. Then we sit down with a
cup of coffee, relax while the baby sleeps or attend a long meeting --
and our metabolisms drop. This cycle repeats throughout the day.
Fitness
experts will recommend frequent activity during the day to keep
metabolism higher. This is why people are advised to take stairs
instead of elevators, engage in 20-30 minutes of exercise and/or walk
after dinner or during lunch each day.
Now, there's another
argument for lower metabolism. Exercise and food calories increase
metabolism which increases oxygenation which increases oxidation. This
destroys cells. This is why antioxidants are so popular now. If
anyone's interested in the hows & whys do a Google search for more
info. Interesting reading.
Dr. Oz also discussed on Oprah
recently about oxidation and aging. Also a quick mention that research
indicates that restricting calories [at maintenance] increases
longevity.
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