Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kaypea]

I Atkins failed today.

"짜짱면 먹을까요!"

"No... no... ok, just today..."

Why am I telling you guys about this?

[gypsymaria]

Aw man... I LIKE potatoes and rice and pasta! Sugar, too, but I know I can do without it if I'm diligent. Giving up my starchy staples, though... That will be harder.

I'm just doomed, aren't I?

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I'm surprised at how easy it was to ditch bread. I didn't eat much of it before moving here, but I'd started eating a lot of toast and sandwiches.

I like being off the bread teat. What I'm really craving is a nice bowl of oranges. I have one a day, plus my vitamin supplement, but I used to have a few after dinner every weeknight, or with breakfast on the weekends.

Anyway, 2 weeks down, 2 kilo down. Keep it up, everyone!

[DorkothyParker]

I drank half a bottle of cab and ate fried chicken.
Oh. :/
Phony hashtag #SelfDisgust

PS. In about 3 hours, it might be a whole bottle.
Phony hashtag #JustTheFacts

[SinclairLondon]

[gypsymaria]

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

[gypsymaria]

The milk and cheese thing I have to be careful with, as I'm lactose intolerant. Also mildly hypoglycemic/borderline diabetic, which is probably one of the many reasons I should be cutting down the carbohydrates, and why I have so much trouble losing weight. Unfortunately, I've yet to find a doctor that can actually recommend to me a diet I can actually EAT--while taking into account certain food allergies/intolerances as well as various other medical issues--and still function. So, I'm just going to have to self-moderate, hope that the choices I'm making are the healthier ones, and watch my portions (which isn't usually a problem--I get full so much more quickly now, too). I'm not expecting miracles, just improvement.

I think having a regular, planned physical activity like hapkido, yoga, or bicycling when the weather gets nicer, will really help a lot. Even if I only take the lessons once per week, it'll get me motivated to exercise at home more to keep up (at least, it did when I was in aikido, so hopefully that still holds true).

The very existence of this thread is already improving my mindset. I think it helps when I believe there are other people holding me accountable to the things I promise myself (even if none of you actually care ).

[CHUD]

For the last couple of months I have been using the Shangri-La diet
book as a guide http://www.sethroberts.net/ Plus, since I live in the Itaewon area, I hike Namsan almost every morning weather permitting. I have lost some weight, but the biggest result is fat loss & fat gut is nearly gone.

[LGSakers]

[Tamada]

Yesterday I went to Costco and bought four big blocks of cheese (zero grams of carbs).

I also had Shabu Shabu for lunch and treated myself to a cafe latte. I took a break from the gym yesterday, but was back there today and already did my workout this morning.

In the last couple of days I've slided pretty much onto full on Atkins though (apart from a little treat yesterday).....and am mainly eating tuna, meat, cheese, eggs. Drinking lots of tea as well.

I've managed to stay alcohol free for the last 8 days, which is pretty good for being in this country!

I shall post back tomorrow after the weigh in.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I've done all of those things, LGS. That was my natural diet back home. I only ate noodles and bread here. I never lost more than a kilo a week when actively dieting, and, actually, maintained my weight for 6 or 7 years with that diet. Only when I worked out for a few hours a day for a boot camp did I lose more than that.

[Illysook]

My mom was studying for her master's degree in human nutrition while I was in high school, and naturally I was interested. That was in the 80's and she was already worried about trans fat molecules. She also baked her own granola and joined a food co-op to save money. I learned to eat reasonably healthy and to enjoy cooking a bit.

The first rule of nutrition is to eat a wide variety of foods. One should therefore be suspicious of any diet that eliminates entire food groups.
Another truth is that you won't stick to any diet that you don't enjoy. So if you love a particular food it should be included in your diet, but you may want to moderate your intake.

As far as calories and types of food go, fats come in at 9 calories per gram while carbohydrates and proteins are only 4 calories per gram. Foods that have more fats will have more calories. It makes sense to eat fewer high-fat, high calorie items if you want to lose weight, but fat functions to carry the flavor in foods and it makes you feel full longer, plus your body needs some fat. This is why calories from fat shouldn't be more than 1/3 of your total.

Carbohydrates are your brains fuel of choice and if you want to burn fat as you exercise, carbs are like the kindling that gets the fire started.

Proteins are the building blocks of muscle. Your body wants to use them to build muscles, replace blood cells that wear out, heal any cuts and scratches that you may experience, and things like that. Once these things are taken care of, your body will use the calories from proteins, but it prefers to use carbs. They are easier to break down. Diets like Adkins limit carbs and make your body use proteins, but it can't use the entire protein molecule, so you go into ketosis. This condition is similar to diabetic ketoacidosis. It's hard on your kidneys, but you do lose weight. This is why you shouldn't stay on it for very long.

[SinclairLondon]

[Harpeau]

I lost about 2/3 of a kilo this past week. I'm on a funny diet. I'm mostly off of caffein. (I may treat myself to a 1/2 a cup of coffee every few days.) Giving up most simple carbs and eating mor complex carbs. Cutting back on meat & eating more fruits and veggies. Cutting back on sugar and salt~ a little sea salt here and there. Eating healthy foods and walking a lot. Detoxing as well. Also doing an Oriental Medicine regimen. Wish me luck!