Everyday Systems

Why "Eat Less, Move More" Is the Least Helpful Diet Advice Ever

This might be relevant to people's interests.

Perhaps I don't understand the point of the article. But after reading it twice and following all the embedded links I'm left thinking, "Huh??"

What is no-s plus urban ranger or shovel glove if not eating less and moving more? To my mind, the nice thing about No-s is that the rules are simple to learn and once implemented yield results that seem to be sustainable over a lifetime.

I can only make sense of it, if I assume the point of the article to be: [/i] saying "eat less move more" without giving/making a concrete plan of action is silly advice. Otherwise, I don't understand how one will loose weight or become fit if no changes are made to create those changes.

I think the point is that the advice is too inexact. How does a person eat less? What are the conditions that make that a sustainable habit? Same with moving more.

I just saw a link on CNN about "how to really lose weight." (You mean as opposed to phonily losing weight?) Some famous health commentator touting the same blah blah 500 calories less a day blah blah. Exact, yes. Likely to be sustainable? History says no. Plus 500 calories less than what? Micromanaging from the outside.

I liked the recommendation of Laurence Morehouse, who was the astronauts' fitness expert WAY back when. He said something like cut out one Scotch and some bread each day, and be sure to move around on your feet for two hours a day. Very cazh! Plus three vigorous 10-minute bouts of calisthenics a week. 'Course, this was before the onslaught of snack foods, immoderate restaurant portions, and increasingly sedentary lives. I think he assumed most people were getting most of their food at meal time.

Oolala

cut out one Scotch and some bread each day, and be sure to move around on your feet for two hours a day.

This puts me in mind of my dad who lost weight (and kept it off the remainder of his life) in the 1970's by following the "push away" diet.
When he was finished eating he "pushed away from the table. oh, if only it were so easy for us.