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Ask HN: Any weird tips for weight loss?

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Re: Ask HN: Any weird tips for weight loss?

#901

Post by buzzert »

listenallyall wrote: post #850

Since you specifically asked for weird tips (not necessarily smart or healthy): consider smoking cigarettes. They do a pretty remarkable job at both suppressing hunger and substituting for a snack. You don't need to chain-smoke, something like 5 per day might be enough. I'll take more shit for saying this, but I think the negative health effects of smoking are quite minimal, for most people, for the first 20 years or…

It’s not just the nicotine that acts as a appetite suppressant; it’s mostly the menthol. You can get the same effect just consuming cough drops. They’re cheaper and won’t cause cancer.

Re: Ask HN: Any weird tips for weight loss?

#902

Post by unixhero »

1. Get hungry between eating. Really hungry. 2. Eat 0.5 regular portions 3. Light exercise, just to build the body. But very mild, not some extreme stuff is needed. 4. Stop drinking sugars and limit alcohol severely.

Stay with it. 6 months in it will be a new you.

Re: Ask HN: Any weird tips for weight loss?

#903

Post by type_Ben_struct »

Timpy wrote: post #514

This is a weird tip I think I could only share with the hacker news crowd. Once I learned about gut bacteria I started thinking of my cravings as something external to me. Like instead of saying "I'm hungry and I'm in the mood for something sweet" I would realize "the hormone ghrelin is sending hunger signals to my brain and the gut bacteria in my body is asking for something that's not actually in my best interest."…

Wow. I think this applies to a lot in life. I’m struggling a hell of a lot with a bad breakup and this has helped me view things through the same perspective. Thank you.

Re: Ask HN: Any weird tips for weight loss?

#904

Post by Ishmaeli »

wdurden wrote: post #788

There's alway's John Walker's approach, the founder of Autocad The Hacker's diet archived at fourmilab https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hacker%27s_Diet https://www.fourmilab.ch/hackdiet/ Under your theory, more respirations would work "in theory." I forget what they say about theory and practice ... Don't get an oxygen tank, "You'll burn your lungs out kid!" Uncoupling mitochondrial metabolism can actually work with…

The Hacker's Diet worked for me. Lost 20 lbs in 2014 and kept it off since.

It's nothing weird or special, just an approach that resonates.

Re: Ask HN: Any weird tips for weight loss?

#905

Post by scsilver »

knicholes wrote: post #710

I'm shocked to see how many people are saying that exercise is the way to lose weight. Exercise is a great way to strengthen your lungs, heart, and other muscles, but it's not going to be the way you lose fat. Diet is the answer. I know this because I've seen it time and time again, and because of recent research showing that a tribe who moves far more than we do burn about the same amount of calories as those who ar…

Because a body that exercises is better able to manage their diet, not just on the calorie level but on the stress and craving abatement aspects. It helps with adherence to diet.

Re: Ask HN: Any weird tips for weight loss?

#906

Post by milkytron »

convexfunction wrote: post #897
listenallyall wrote: post #850

Since you specifically asked for weird tips (not necessarily smart or healthy): consider smoking cigarettes. They do a pretty remarkable job at both suppressing hunger and substituting for a snack. You don't need to chain-smoke, something like 5 per day might be enough. I'll take more shit for saying this, but I think the negative health effects of smoking are quite minimal, for most people, for the first 20 years or…

Probably goes without saying but vaping the nicotine would be the 80/20 approach here (or perhaps just 100/20), and I'll second that oral administration is also good. Lozenges in particular seem to have no downsides as long as you can find a flavor you like. (gum is great but stains your teeth) (EDIT: the gum probably does not stain your teeth, or at least I can't dig up anyone claiming it does)

> gum is great but stains your teeth

I thought gum was supposed to clean your teeth and remove leftover food particles, is nicotine gum somehow different?

Re: Ask HN: Any weird tips for weight loss?

#907

Post by listenallyall »

buzzert wrote: post #901
listenallyall wrote: post #850

Since you specifically asked for weird tips (not necessarily smart or healthy): consider smoking cigarettes. They do a pretty remarkable job at both suppressing hunger and substituting for a snack. You don't need to chain-smoke, something like 5 per day might be enough. I'll take more shit for saying this, but I think the negative health effects of smoking are quite minimal, for most people, for the first 20 years or…

It’s not just the nicotine that acts as a appetite suppressant; it’s mostly the menthol. You can get the same effect just consuming cough drops. They’re cheaper and won’t cause cancer.

Aren't cough drops mostly sugar? Seems that would be a hindrance. As far as cigarettes, I understand there is a small amount of menthol in non-menthol cigarettes but is that enough to have an effect? Finally, I think part of the suppressant part is the length of time needed to smoke, it gets your mind off the immediate desire to eat -- versus a cough drop which typically lasts 15-30 seconds.

Re: Ask HN: Any weird tips for weight loss?

#908

Post by chousuke »

echelon wrote: post #148
chousuke wrote: post #108

Get ADHD meds. Appetite suppression is an effect. :P Joking aside, the path to losing weight is not dieting, but changing what and how you eat permanently. Weight is an equilibrium, and to reach a new equilibrium, you need to change something about your habits permanently or you'll just bounce back once you stop "dieting". For me personally, reducing sugars and filler carbohydrates was the most effective change to ma…

I've never lost weight faster than when I was on ADHD medication. It makes you stop realizing you're hungry, and you can easily go an entire day without eating anything at all. You'll feel tired, but not instinctively realize why. It was really unhealthy, too. I felt like my heart was racing throughout the day, and I couldn't stand it. Ultimately, ADHD is a unique kind of superpower when applied correctly. It gives y…

The problem with the hyperfocus is that it's kind of hard to control when it hits. My medication helps me focus on things I actually need to do instead of just bouncing between distractions and not making progress at anything.

I deal with the appetite suppression pretty well since I'm used to fasting anyway, and while it does raise my tension slightly, I've noticed that as long as I don't drink too much caffeine while on meds, it's fine.

Re: Ask HN: Any weird tips for weight loss?

#909

Post by itsmejerry »

I have a lot of tips, probably share some similarities with other people here:

1. Drink a lot of water. Like, a lot. I aim for 1 gallon of water per day.

2. Don't drink calories. Water and La Croix are your friends

3. Intermittent fast. I don't eat from 8pm to noon the next day. It's easier than it sounds. After a week or two, your body will get used to it.

4. Your first meal after breaking your fast should be very filling but low calorie. I eat 3 eggs, 2 veggies (typically tomato + jalapeno/bell pepper), 1 avocado, a 100-calorie yogurt, and a protein shake. This will fill you up and its only around 500-600 calories.

5. On that note, focus on high-protein meals. These fill you up quickly and you stay full for longer.

6. Hot sauce is the secret. Hot sauce is low calorie (generally 0) and varies flavor substantially. Your budget for new hot sauces should be unlimited.

7. Limit eating out as much as possible. Not because you can't eat healthy while eating out, but you're introducing more room for error. Plus, restaurants vastly underestimate the amount of calories in their food.

8. Go for an afternoon walk. It's good for you mentally and physically.

9. Exercise is great for a lot of reasons. Of course it makes you feel great, but it also motivates you to eat healthy because you won't want to "waste" the hour you spent at the gym by eating unhealthy. It will not directly lead to weight loss, but burning 500 calories per day in a work out sure makes it easier.

10. Weight yourself every week. If you aren't making progress, diet harder. Weight loss is not a secret. You can be methodical about it.

11. If you need to snack throughout the day (which is normal), try to eat relatively healthy items. Beef jerky, protein bars, etc. Also, rice cakes. These fill you up but aren't high calorie. I like the Quaker cheddar ones.

12. Perhaps most importantly, try to stay busy throughout the day. When I'm not working or doing something is when I eat the most.

Re: Ask HN: Any weird tips for weight loss?

#910

Post by thefunnyman »

My weight fluctuates a lot ( especially if I find myself consuming more alcohol) but I have a system that’s always worked for me when I want to drop weight 1. Only black coffee for breakfast. Maybe a banana or granola bar if you really need it but try to avoid any calories before noon 2. Light lunch (~400cal). Think something like peanut butter and jelly or a soylent. 3. Pretty much whatever you want for dinner. 4. Avoid any calories after 8pm.

Counting calories helps a lot at first just to get an understanding of how much you can eat each day. Myfitnesspal works well.

Limiting calorie consumption to an 8 hr window made a huge difference for me. If you get hungry outside that window try decaf coffee, tea, water, or anything else with no calories.

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