26 July - How to break a food addiction

Time Magazine articles always offer fantastic insight into eating behaviour. This week's cover story on addiction says, “In the brains of addicts, there is reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, where rationale thought can override impulsive behaviour.”

Does this mean food addicts can now say, “I'm just less rationale. I can't help it”? I wouldn't say give in to this too quickly. I would say take some pointers from addiction treatments, which Time says are about 90 days for good reason. This is the time period it takes for the brain to reset itself and shake off the immediate influence of a drug. There is a gradual re-engagement of proper decision making and analytical functions in the brains prefrontal cortex after an addict has abstained for 90 days.

So, to become more rational and less impulsive about what you eat, stick at your healthy eating program for at least 90 days. Your can't abstain from food, but you'll help rewire your brain to break the food addiction.

20 July - Sometimes it's not worth risking treating yourself

As I was ordering my salad at McDonalds last month, this poster appeared on the wall right next to me as I waited to be served. It said, "Treat yourself to a delicious cupcake."

If I'm having a salad, I guess I deserve a treat, I thought.

As it turned out, I didn't buy a cup cake or the clever marketing, that could lead otherwise well intentioned healthy eaters to sabotage their best intentions.

So, if you can resist the tempting treats the marketing guys will throw at you in fast food outlets that now serve salads, go ahead and shop there. If you know you'd be better not risking the temptation, stay way.

Even better, find a fast food outlet that is totally healthy and won't try to spin you some treats when you are trying to be healthy.

18 July - Knuckle-walk to burn more calories

It's called knuckle-walking and it's the latest fitness craze to hit the streets and treadmills around the world. Heralded as a cure for obesity, knuckle-walking burns fat much faster than regular walking.

Scientists at the University of Arizona have endorsed the program, saying knuckle-walking uses four times the energy of regular walking for the same workout time… Wow!

Well… actually, knuckle-walking isn't a fitness craze. It's simply what chimpanzees do. According to today's New Zealand Herald, the Arizona scientists have just tested a bunch of chimps on treadmills to make the point that at some stage in human history we decided to stand up and walk on two legs to conserve energy.

At the time it was a good idea to move around in a way that conserved energy, given that the food supply was in short supply from time to time. But given the over-abundance of food now and the problem of obesity, walking on two legs just doesn't make sense anymore.

So, I suggest we all take up knuckle-walking and return to the mobility mode that we've just discovered burns four times the energy as regular walking. And now you've read this, please spread the knuckle-walking craze today.

16 July - Rip-off, not ripped abs

Yesterday's Sun-Herald TV magazine made me mad because it had an advertisement for the Power Speed Shaper. This device is an elasticised band with some handles. A bit like those stretchy tie-downs used to pack luggage on car roof racks. The full-page promo says it “…shrinks, shapes and speeds away excess fat and flab in just 7 minutes a day.”

Usually these kinds of get-slim-quick schemes include a disclaimer like, “When used in conjunction with a calorie-controlled diet and exercise program.” This one didn't. Just extremely positive claims about how effective it is. Here's a sample:

• Lost 13 cm in 7 days, 15 cm more the next 7 days
• Sure beats an hour of walks or bike rides or sweaty workout at the gym
• Imagine being 4 sizes slimmer in just 2 weeks
• …faster and more effectively than running, biking or hours of back-breaking exercise in the gym
• No dieting is involved
• Expect to lose cm from your tummy within days

We need to act quickly to eliminate this kind of advertising. That's why I called the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) today and lodged a formal complaint.

In cases where the public have been mislead, the ACCC has on occasion required companies to place corrective advertising. This would be entirely appropriate in this case. I hope we'll see a full-page corrective ad, promoting the kind of exercise that works for weight loss - 30 to 60 minutes on most days - and boosts your energy, reduces stress, increases your stamina and so many other benefits.

Top | Subscribe | Send to a friend