Permanent diet may equal longer life

I think one of the underlying reasons why it's better is that your body gets used to how much food you're eating and the body doesn't have to guess how much food is going to be eaten and then over-compensate or under-compensate depending on whether you eat a lot more or less food one day. When it has to change like this it puts a lot of stress on the body and how it functions.

It also isn't clear whether caloric restriction would extend human lives by very much, UCLA evolutionary biologist Jay Phelan said. He has combined results from animal studies with data on men on the Japanese island of Okinawa who ate 17% fewer calories than men in Tokyo. He calculated that reducing intake by 35% would extend the human life span by just two years.

Two years is two years, but still -- if that's the payoff for a life of starving and denying yourself, I'm not all that impressed.

Interesting you would point that out. Not a lot of people with heart issues have to have a life of no sex unless they are close to death with immediate issues. People with prostate issues have that problem and there is no link to poor eating and prostate cancer.


Hmmm. How does one say "that's not remotely accurate" without coming across as being a dick? I guess you just say it.

That's not remotely accurate (lest you forget you're speaking to someone in the healthcare business).

Anyone with congestive heart failure, severe murmurs, valve problems, or COPD would be restricted in terms of physical activity, including sex. That encompasses a lot of people who are nowhere near death.

Though I will say I don't care how long this study says I will live, I'm not going to change what I do. Like anything else, balance is key in life. Whether it's balance between work and home, between family time and time to one's self, between work and play, or between indulgence and discipline.

This diet might be good for the body but that chocolate cupcake is good for the soul. You need some of both.

I'd rather do my best to stay fit while still enjoying the occasional splurge.

Though I will say I don't care how long this study says I will live, I'm not going to change what I do. Like anything else, balance is key in life. Whether it's balance between work and home, between family time and time to one's self, between work and play, or between indulgence and discipline.

This diet might be good for the body but that chocolate cupcake is good for the soul. You need some of both.

I'd rather do my best to stay fit while still enjoying the occasional splurge.

I think you can balance both. Being on a lifelong diet doesn't mean you can never splurge here and there.

Two years is two years, but still -- if that's the payoff for a life of starving and denying yourself, I'm not all that impressed.

I've been doing a reduced calorie diet for a few months now, and there's no starving involved. I'm actually pretty surprised at how much I can eat and still be in my target range. I've lost 20 pounds this summer so far and it's been pretty easy.

That's about what I need to lose; maybe more like 25-30 lbs.

Can you give me a run-down on what you're eating and the quantities involved?

My biggest problem is late-nite munchies. Around 9 or 9:30 or so, I start getting the urge to pig out.

That's about what I need to lose; maybe more like 25-30 lbs.

Can you give me a run-down on what you're eating and the quantities involved?

My biggest problem is late-nite munchies. Around 9 or 9:30 or so, I start getting the urge to pig out.

I have an app on my iphone where I track everything I eat. That's the key, you really need to count your calories. It's a pain at first but eventually it becomes part of your routine and it really makes you think about what you're eating.

Based on your starting weight you'll need to determine how many calories you actually need everyday. Check out a site like this to get a basic idea

Perfect calculator to determine whether you are overweight or not. | AHealthyMe.com (http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/calneed)

Basically, I stay between 1500-2500 calories per day. It's a good idea to mix up your calorie intake from day to day to keep your body guessing.

Exercise is of course a big part. I do at least 30 minutes of cardio 3-4 days per week and I also mix in some weights as well. I cut way back on red meat and alcohol too. When I do drink it's mostly light beer.

I can post some samples of what I eat on a daily basis later. I've got to run now.

I have an app on my iphone where I track everything I eat. That's the key, you really need to count your calories. It's a pain at first but eventually it becomes part of your routine and it really makes you think about what you're eating.

Based on your starting weight you'll need to determine how many calories you actually need everyday. Check out a site like this to get a basic idea

Perfect calculator to determine whether you are overweight or not. | AHealthyMe.com (http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/calneed)

Basically, I stay between 1500-2500 calories per day. It's a good idea to mix up your calorie intake from day to day to keep your body guessing.

Exercise is of course a big part. I do at least 30 minutes of cardio 3-4 days per week and I also mix in some weights as well. I cut way back on red meat and alcohol too. When I do drink it's mostly light beer.

I can post some samples of what I eat on a daily basis later. I've got to run now.

Literally?

Anyone with congestive heart failure, severe murmurs, valve problems, or COPD would be restricted in terms of physical activity, including sex. That encompasses a lot of people who are nowhere near death.

So are you saying that people with those issues don't have sex even though they want to?
You said restricted to a life of NO SEX. (you have now changed it to "restricted in terms of physical activity") Maybe reduced, sure, but we both know most people don't listen, and to go out having sex is a pretty nice way to go. I have known people with CHF, COPD, and valve problems which included replacement. Only one had sex issues, but he took viagra (valve replacement). So not all that have those issues need to give up sex.
If you are changing your comment to say "may restrict sexual activity" then I will agree.