So, maybe staying thin requires Herculean effort for some. Why turn your back on that particular challenge? Elsewhere you seem to take a lot of pride in your determination to “save the world,” which seems like no small feat. Don’t try to lose weight—lose weight!
I had the same experience. In my case I actually tested this and I found to my great surprise that I was more productive at tough (for me) intellectual tasks when dieting (500 calorie deficit).
It might be worth testing if not actually done yet.
I do accept that some people have terrible problems mobilizing body fat for fuel. This can drive appetite.
Weight loss is a wicked problem. There can be many reasons for overeating. Psychology (i found IFS therapy best here), high insulin from excess glycemic carbs, genetic ungiftedness, hormonal issues often driven by excess fructose and/or Omega 6 fats.
What is frustrating is you have to get it all right before you lose weight sustainably.
I love this comment. It reminds me how some days my brain is working like a champ and I can tackle any complex programming job with ease. Other days I’m simply aware that my brain is pretending to be a much less smart person’s brain, and I should stick to more menial projects. If my job required me to be smart every day, I’d have to pay much more attention to the food / sleep / whatever combination that determines how my brain works the next morning.
I’m sure you’ve seen the psych research suggesting people have a finite amount of “willpower” they can exercise at a given time. It probably does make sense for some people to worry about hard-thinking (or other endeavors) than staying in top shape.
It’s not just that you only have so much “will power” that you ration, it’s that your brain doesn’t work when you’re starving.
I had to cut weight for wrestling in high school (from a healthy 185 down to 160) and the will power to not eat wasn’t even that difficult (though it did suck), but I still couldn’t think well.
So, maybe staying thin requires Herculean effort for some. Why turn your back on that particular challenge? Elsewhere you seem to take a lot of pride in your determination to “save the world,” which seems like no small feat. Don’t try to lose weight—lose weight!
I can starve or think, not both at the same time.
I had the same experience. In my case I actually tested this and I found to my great surprise that I was more productive at tough (for me) intellectual tasks when dieting (500 calorie deficit).
It might be worth testing if not actually done yet.
I do accept that some people have terrible problems mobilizing body fat for fuel. This can drive appetite.
Weight loss is a wicked problem. There can be many reasons for overeating. Psychology (i found IFS therapy best here), high insulin from excess glycemic carbs, genetic ungiftedness, hormonal issues often driven by excess fructose and/or Omega 6 fats.
What is frustrating is you have to get it all right before you lose weight sustainably.
I love this comment. It reminds me how some days my brain is working like a champ and I can tackle any complex programming job with ease. Other days I’m simply aware that my brain is pretending to be a much less smart person’s brain, and I should stick to more menial projects. If my job required me to be smart every day, I’d have to pay much more attention to the food / sleep / whatever combination that determines how my brain works the next morning.
I’m sure you’ve seen the psych research suggesting people have a finite amount of “willpower” they can exercise at a given time. It probably does make sense for some people to worry about hard-thinking (or other endeavors) than staying in top shape.
It’s not just that you only have so much “will power” that you ration, it’s that your brain doesn’t work when you’re starving.
I had to cut weight for wrestling in high school (from a healthy 185 down to 160) and the will power to not eat wasn’t even that difficult (though it did suck), but I still couldn’t think well.