I’m intrigued. I’m 42 with multiple chronic health issues but have resisted retrying any type of dieting after trying “everything” for 20 years... battling weight and hunger and a fierce love/need for wine & cocktails. I am resistant to anyone who tries to take away my alcohol and “freedom to eat whatever the fuck I want” haha. And it’s all so tricky because of the emotional side of consumption, with past traumas and mom issues etc. But I’m open and listening!
Wow, first commenter! Hi Julia. I’ve been enjoying your Substack. So yeah, fear of dementia. My mom is in Memory Care and it’s not a path I ever want to go down. Every time I challenge myself learning something new (like launching a Substack) I tell myself I’m fortifying the wiring in my brain to avoid dementia in my future. But who the fuck knows, right? Your diet has me intrigued. I’d like to drop about 15 pounds. I’d love to actually sleep through the night (hence first comment at 2:44 am). Keep writing more. And thanks
I too have dramatically changed my life. And won’t be going back. (Recovering workaholic!)
I was put on lowFODmap program to get my gut working again. Never felt better. And best part is I eat five times a day and I’ve still lost weight. “Nutrition is highly personal.” You are bang on.
Also, with two parents with dementia I can so relate. Thanks for the laugh this morning.
Tell me more. I’m listening. I have been doing intermittent fasting all wrong. My doctor and I just had this discussion this week. I’m still addicted to carbs and that is why my A1C is still not where it needs to be and why I have not shifted off the weight that I gained during the pandemic. Interestingly, when I first started intermittent fasting, before 2020, I was successful. Then, I picked up the old habit of needing to have those carbs to feel some sort of reward. Your account of why, and how you have had success on this journey is one I want to know more about. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing such heartfelt and personal stories about your life. You were recommended by the Bad Astronomer so you may have some extra science guys reading lately. I was really only expecting jokes! I've also recently lost 50+ pounds and I think it's great that you are sharing your experience, it's really important.
Yes, Yes, Yes! I couldn't agree more. I am nodding and smiling with everything you are saying. Style, Julie. You've always had it. Spot on! And I cannot wait to hear more!
Awesome realization/finding of the low carb diet. It is transforming. It’s also contradictory of the lessons I was taught by the medical folks upon being diagnosed with diabetes. For years they kept telling me to limit my carbs to 4 servings (yes, 60 grams) PER MEAL. I was NEVER going to lose weight NOR would I reduce my dependence on medications. In fact meds had to be increased. Over 30 years later I stumbled on the low carb diet, nearer 1-2 servings (15-30 grams) per meal. Or less. It’s very close to the Mediterranean diet, not as extreme as Atkinson. IT WORKS.
I look forward to your book. And I’m getting the other book you mentioned.
I feel exactly the same, and I have to thank YOU Julia, because of one tweet of yours which led me to buy the book “Metabolical” by Dr Lustig, and started following Dr Fung. I was already doing intermittent fasting for almost 2 years and it was going great but I had stalled and I knew I was not eating healthy in that six hour window. I also know like you that I cannot imagine going back to eating carbs. My last hurdle is quitting my nightly glass of wine which I found an excellent program I am about to start! I feel healthier than I ever have in my life! I have also inspired several coworkers and a few patients that I sensed were looking for something and I went out on a limb and told them about IF and LCHFMP. The epidemic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is just staggering in this country and we see it in kids as young as five years old. Something has GOT to change in medicine!! A lot actually! Thank you sooooo much 💕
I'm so excited that you started this article with the idea that weight is NOT necessarily an indicator of health. I swear that everytime I hear someone say "I just want to be healthy" when they really mean "I want to be thin" it grates on me.
As you point out metabolic health is SO MUCH MORE important than being thin. I strongly believe that metabolic health is supported in large part by what we eat - including plenty of plant sugars (and all the micronutrients that come from plants). When we support our metabolic health through our diet then we will genuinely be healthier and not just thin.
I started a low-carb lifestyle three months ago. I sleep better and have more mental clarity and stamina. I have lost 39 pounds. I don't feel hungry for snacks even when I practice intermittent fasting.
This post made me so happy, like I'd found a new friend. Okay, more like a food friend, in the sense that there was someone else experiencing something similar to what I've been barking about for the last five or so months, and I feel less like a weirdo. At least for the moment. I started a food sensitivity challenge last October because I'm getting older and my joint pain was so ridiculous I was wondering if I'd ever feel normal again. Never mind that I was powering down two alcohol free beers a night, and having sugary treats after lunch and dinner. I pretty much gave up sugar, gluten and dairy and am virtually pain free and, like you, the pounds slid off. I too haven't felt this good in at least ten years or more. Haven't delved into the carb thing too much since what I'm doing seems to suit me for now. Hooray for us!
I should share the entire essay I devoted to this subject. It goes like this:
Aging sucks. The end.
Having finished my essay, I’ll add: OK, tell me more, please. I’m interested. Because ... yuck ... obviously.
P.S. If I give up enough things I love then what’s left?
I hope the answer isn’t: A kitchen juicing machine.
Okay I’ll stop now and wait for the next installment.
I’m intrigued. I’m 42 with multiple chronic health issues but have resisted retrying any type of dieting after trying “everything” for 20 years... battling weight and hunger and a fierce love/need for wine & cocktails. I am resistant to anyone who tries to take away my alcohol and “freedom to eat whatever the fuck I want” haha. And it’s all so tricky because of the emotional side of consumption, with past traumas and mom issues etc. But I’m open and listening!
Wow, first commenter! Hi Julia. I’ve been enjoying your Substack. So yeah, fear of dementia. My mom is in Memory Care and it’s not a path I ever want to go down. Every time I challenge myself learning something new (like launching a Substack) I tell myself I’m fortifying the wiring in my brain to avoid dementia in my future. But who the fuck knows, right? Your diet has me intrigued. I’d like to drop about 15 pounds. I’d love to actually sleep through the night (hence first comment at 2:44 am). Keep writing more. And thanks
Love it!
I too have dramatically changed my life. And won’t be going back. (Recovering workaholic!)
I was put on lowFODmap program to get my gut working again. Never felt better. And best part is I eat five times a day and I’ve still lost weight. “Nutrition is highly personal.” You are bang on.
Also, with two parents with dementia I can so relate. Thanks for the laugh this morning.
Can hardly wait for more.
Tell me more. I’m listening. I have been doing intermittent fasting all wrong. My doctor and I just had this discussion this week. I’m still addicted to carbs and that is why my A1C is still not where it needs to be and why I have not shifted off the weight that I gained during the pandemic. Interestingly, when I first started intermittent fasting, before 2020, I was successful. Then, I picked up the old habit of needing to have those carbs to feel some sort of reward. Your account of why, and how you have had success on this journey is one I want to know more about. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing such heartfelt and personal stories about your life. You were recommended by the Bad Astronomer so you may have some extra science guys reading lately. I was really only expecting jokes! I've also recently lost 50+ pounds and I think it's great that you are sharing your experience, it's really important.
Yes, Yes, Yes! I couldn't agree more. I am nodding and smiling with everything you are saying. Style, Julie. You've always had it. Spot on! And I cannot wait to hear more!
Tell me more !!!!
Awesome realization/finding of the low carb diet. It is transforming. It’s also contradictory of the lessons I was taught by the medical folks upon being diagnosed with diabetes. For years they kept telling me to limit my carbs to 4 servings (yes, 60 grams) PER MEAL. I was NEVER going to lose weight NOR would I reduce my dependence on medications. In fact meds had to be increased. Over 30 years later I stumbled on the low carb diet, nearer 1-2 servings (15-30 grams) per meal. Or less. It’s very close to the Mediterranean diet, not as extreme as Atkinson. IT WORKS.
I look forward to your book. And I’m getting the other book you mentioned.
I feel exactly the same, and I have to thank YOU Julia, because of one tweet of yours which led me to buy the book “Metabolical” by Dr Lustig, and started following Dr Fung. I was already doing intermittent fasting for almost 2 years and it was going great but I had stalled and I knew I was not eating healthy in that six hour window. I also know like you that I cannot imagine going back to eating carbs. My last hurdle is quitting my nightly glass of wine which I found an excellent program I am about to start! I feel healthier than I ever have in my life! I have also inspired several coworkers and a few patients that I sensed were looking for something and I went out on a limb and told them about IF and LCHFMP. The epidemic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is just staggering in this country and we see it in kids as young as five years old. Something has GOT to change in medicine!! A lot actually! Thank you sooooo much 💕
Also, congratulations on finding something that works so well for you, sticking with it, and turning your health around!
I'm so excited that you started this article with the idea that weight is NOT necessarily an indicator of health. I swear that everytime I hear someone say "I just want to be healthy" when they really mean "I want to be thin" it grates on me.
As you point out metabolic health is SO MUCH MORE important than being thin. I strongly believe that metabolic health is supported in large part by what we eat - including plenty of plant sugars (and all the micronutrients that come from plants). When we support our metabolic health through our diet then we will genuinely be healthier and not just thin.
https://mattcook.substack.com/p/these-are-the-carbs-men-should-be
I started a low-carb lifestyle three months ago. I sleep better and have more mental clarity and stamina. I have lost 39 pounds. I don't feel hungry for snacks even when I practice intermittent fasting.
This post made me so happy, like I'd found a new friend. Okay, more like a food friend, in the sense that there was someone else experiencing something similar to what I've been barking about for the last five or so months, and I feel less like a weirdo. At least for the moment. I started a food sensitivity challenge last October because I'm getting older and my joint pain was so ridiculous I was wondering if I'd ever feel normal again. Never mind that I was powering down two alcohol free beers a night, and having sugary treats after lunch and dinner. I pretty much gave up sugar, gluten and dairy and am virtually pain free and, like you, the pounds slid off. I too haven't felt this good in at least ten years or more. Haven't delved into the carb thing too much since what I'm doing seems to suit me for now. Hooray for us!