Top critical review
1.0 out of 5 starsFirst: Obesity Code is a must read
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2018
I ordered this book after reading raving reviews of a plan that allows you to eat whatever you want, provided you do so in OMAD (one meal a day). Since I'd been following a low carb diet over a year, often adhering to OMAD (but not eating anything I wanted) and combining my efforts with IF (intermittent fasting), I had to wonder if I was missing something since this book says you can eat whatever you want during that one meal. Well, okay, after a year or more of NO sugar and few carbs, this book was very enticing, as I'd still like to eat some ice cream or pie now and then!
Though the book can be inspiring as far as a weight loss success story, I quickly found myself pitying a lot of readers that would clearly become frustrated if they've not read Obesity Code by Jason Fung prior to reading this book. While the author references Obesity Code and Jason Fung, as well as his intermittent fasting book, (among several other books/authors) my takeaway was that the author of this book was first able to learn the science behind why we gain weight (via Jason Fung and others) while formulating her own plan to lose the weight she wanted to lose. For the author, this meant she would delay certain foods (especially sugary treats) while on her journey of weight loss, but she would still enjoy some of those treats at her OMAD. While this concept worked for her and may work for others, those who are severely insulin resistant may not get away with such a concept, as insulin is the hormonal response that has caused weight issues in the majority of people in first place (this is all explained in Obesity Code). Many, many people need to completely ban sugar and severly reduce carbs in order to be successful, (even with OMAD and intermittment fasting), in order to expect good results such as weight loss, lower A1C, etc. While most people panic when faced with eliminating sugar and severly lowering carbs, once you do you soon find yourself freed from the chains of food/diet/weight loss/weight gain/ and the up and down cycle so many have battled for years on end. It is very freeing. You do begin to understand that our bodies are compromised (fattened up) based on a hormonal response that we ourselves are triggering when we ingest foods that cause a rise in insulin. This knowledge (light bulb moment) came about in my own life as I read Obesity Code. That book was life changing for me, as the science behind obesity is thoroughly explained. The antiquated "calories in/calories out," as well as "eat less/move more" theories are debunked once we allow our brains to accept the fact that FAT STORAGE is regulated by insulin! Jason Fung has turned the obesity problem on its head and by doing so, many people are now reaping the fabulous results of his efforts. Obviously, the author of this book also reaped the rewards of Jason Fung's work, as she notes in her book, though she spun it in a manner that includes carbs and sugar, which worked for her.
Admittedly, I was skeptical that I could follow the same advice, yet hopeful. I was accustomed to OMAD, so I tried her concept. I kept carbs low, but added dessert with real sugar with that meal. I tried it for five days. My blood sugars--that I had been so proud of as I followed low carb/no sugar--began to increase. I didn't like the numbers I was seeing. At the end of the five days, I had gained four pounds. When I went to the FB group, I noticed this problematic issue has been presented many times. Gin explains that one should "delay" those foods we consider as treats until a time that our weight has come under control, thus the name of the book, "Delay, don't deny." When I saw that response at the group, I have to admit, I felt a little duped. The group also advises to "trust the process" and even "expect some weight gain" as your body adjusts. I was not willing to follow that advice, as I didn't want to GAIN, nor did I want my A1C results to be affected by the rise in blood sugars. I also knew I simply felt better by restricting carbs and eliminating sugar. For me, (speaking for my own body/experience) I have learned that SUGAR in any form initiates an overwhelming urge for more, more, more. Those five OMAD, which included desserts, left me thinking about and wanthing MORE dessert! When I follow a low carb/no sugar plan, I never crave desserts or even think about food until true hunger comes. I'm happy for the author and those that can follow such a plan, but many who are insulin resistant will find this concept to be one of frustration. Granted, the author admits she loves sugar, thus I give her credit for adapting the IF lifestyle to one where she was able to lose weight while holding on to that love of sugar.
I will say this book can inspire anyone to take control of their health, as anyone that battles weight enjoys seeing the sucess of someone that has tackled their own problem. However, to gain knowledge (knowledge is power) as to why you're fat to begin with, Obesity Code is a must read.
