Doug McGruff (ER doc & Body by Science guru) has an interesting take on the Biggest Loser approach to weight loss:
[Bob and Jillian's] contempt for the obese was obvious as they spewed insults (and saliva) in the faces of the contestants. I don’t care how fat or desperate I was, if someone did this to me I would punch them in the face and storm off the set. I checked in on the show between patients. The diet and exercise shown were prescriptive for ravenous hunger and ultimate failure. As I continued to work, I kept thinking about the importance of biologic signaling, and why it does not have to be this hard.
Read the entire post for more, but here’s the point:
The key to turning around these sorts of metabolic disasters is to send the correct biologic and hormonal signals. … A brief, but intense workout that fatigues the musculature activates growth hormone, testosterone and adrenaline which all signal to empty glycogen and fat, both short and long-term. A hunter-gatherer diet creates a low insulin signal which triggers the body to defend a lower body fat set point.
Contrast that with:
Overtraining (especially in the obese) triggers cortisol and other stress hormones. A low fat, high carbohydrate diet signals insulin release. These signals defend a high level of stored fat and drive hunger…a true prescription for misery and failure.
I know which approach I’m taking!
