This. I hope this article doesn't discourage anyone from trying.

It was doctors who promoted it in the first place, following a lot of research. You might not like the idea, but that doesn't mean it's a fad diet. Youtube the BBC Horizon documentary.

A good rule: do not get your nutritional advice from the same source that gives horoscope readings.

Most sensible people realise that the majority of those tips are ridiculous, though. They come from the same silly magazines which have horoscopes. That says enough.

"Honestly, the science to losing weight IS easy - expend more/consume fewer calories. What's difficult is HOW best to accomplish that"

This. Except hardly anyone on this site agrees.

If they were trying to be nice and cheer you up, making them feel bad is pretty shitty. You could've just accepted it as a compliment and seen the best part of a bad situation.

No, it's absolutely not like anorexia. It's more like Ramadan or any other religious fasting, just for health reasons. Two days a week won't kill someone. You should youtube the Horizon documentary.

I still drink alcohol quite regularly and I've kept my weight low by fitting it into my calorie goals. I know everyone here seems to hate food diaries and calorie counting, but it allows you to have some of everything you want.

She probably meant that it would keep you fuller than a chocolate bar and make you healthier, rather than thinking it was calorie free.

I think I know the reasons why I'm doing something, you patronising troll. You can ignore all the studies you feel like.

"Some people have no problem at all eating bread and pasta. My ass blows up just by /looking/ at processed grains (my body just doesn't process them well regardless of how they're prepared.)"

"You mean, if you're willing to give up things you love in the name of vanity."

"Also, many fat people ignore health problems because they fear going to the doctor because they don't want to be told they should lose weight again or because their doctor is contemptuous of them and it comes through."

"Can you tell me where this mythical place is where fat people are being congratulated on their being fat?"

I have OCD and it isn't affected by 5-6 cups of tea a day, as long as they're spaced out by a few hours. However, I start getting symptoms again if I drink more than that. Or take energy drinks at all. I wouldn't try caffeine pills either.

I have a few days a week at 1300 - 1800/2000, so I'm at maintenance. I've stayed at roughly the same BMI for the past few months, so it really does work.

"Have you seen a dietician about that diet? Because 1200 calories per day is a starvation diet that causes metabolic changes that will permanently cause you to gain weight if you eat more than 1200 calories."

I agree that fruit or wholemeal toast (or anything that keeps your blood sugar stable) genuinely helps lift a bad mood. I usually have artificial sweetener in my tea, so that it won't lead to a crash later in the day.

Sometimes if I'm having a really low mood day and I have plans I can't get out of, I'll have a few cups of strong tea in a row. Then suddenly I'm able to pull myself together and get on with it. Caffeine really does help more or less instantly, unlike antidepressants which take 'at least 5 weeks' (if they ever do).