In 2020 Gary Taubes published “The Case for Keto.” As many of you who follow me know not only am I a fan, but his work is ultimately what turned my health around, see story here. Thanks to my husband Robert for discovering Taubes’ original NY Times article “What if it has all been a big fat lie.”
Recently and frequently, I re-read books, and The Case for Keto was on the summer docket. A revisit to any book or research offers a new perspective. This time Taubes’ “Lessons to Eat By” in the book really jumped out.
It also reminded of a health coaching client I had a couple years ago who was overwhelmed after reading this book and it really supported our efforts together. In conversations with her she offered “I felt he was describing my whole life experience struggling with weight.” As a coach Taubes’ perspective in The Case for Keto presents an invaluable lesson in understanding what countless individuals have experienced for decades.
“The System” read medical experts and current mainstream advice is move more and eat less. See post 50-years of Bad Advice. Basically, saying if this doesn’t work for you, it is because you didn’t do it hard enough are lazy and undisciplined. This is IMHO borderline criminal. When individuals get the right support and guidance a whole world opens.
Client Message
“I think of you often. You helped save my life and you saw value in me even though society thought I wasn’t worth it. I have so much respect and love and gratitude for you and all the support you provided me. I will be forever thankful for your support and guidance.”
Understanding the hormonal hypothesis or rather the role of insulin and insulin resistance on weight gain should be required knowledge among professionals. Sadly, the contrary remains a popular method of treatment. Although there is hope on the horizon as individuals become more vocal through organizations like Nina Teicholz Nutrition Coalition, Professor Tim Noakes’ The Nutrition Network, The Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners and Dr. Ken Berry with the newly formed American Diabetes Society. Look them up and follow their work.
Back to the book which I highly recommend reading. In respect to not give away all the highlights if you’ve not read it, below are 3 of the 6 “Lessons to Eat By” Taubes’ suggests: great food for thought.
“This is not something you are going to do. This is what you are to become.”
Realizing your nutrition needs to be a way of life, not a temporary diet fix. Being in it for the long haul. This doesn’t mean it stays rigid, but a certain foundational level needs to remain. Myself for example, I’ve been doing some variation on a low-carb lifestyle for 18 years. First began just low-carb then moved more ketogenic till now what we (both husband and I) a “meat-centric” or keto/carnivore blend. See post “What Do You Eat, Version 3.”
Additionally, the “this is what you are to become part” reflects to me the sustainability piece. One of the very common critics placed on the low carb/ketogenic/carnivore lifestyle is it isn’t sustainable so don’t try it. Sustainability is personal, no one can decide for you what is or isn’t going to last. More in post here.
“If you do fall off the wagon, at least you know there’s a wagon to get back on.”
There is no perfection in life. Stuff happens; you adjust and move on. When you have a solid foundation in place there is somewhere to return to. As a coach, I see paramount to this having a community to lean on, working at times with a coach to reboot and recharge. It might mean sitting down and re-reading a book like mentioned here.
Being and staying healthy requires a team effort. Tap into yours on a regular basis. That does of course mean you first need to put a team in place!
“Weight loss and weight maintenance are learned skills. You have to practice.”
We accept in everything in life be it sports, performing arts, painting, gardening, teaching, business on and on, that practice is essential to improvement. You don’t learn how to speak a new language well until you have many hours of practice. Becoming a good gardener doesn’t happen overnight. I didn’t learn how to dance professionally from a 6-week course. You learn by your mistakes as well as your successes.
Practicing healthy behaviors takes time, effort, good guidance and lots of practice hours. Colloquially said, N = 1 experiments teach us an abundance about ourselves.
Final Note
There is an incredible push from both mainstream media and the medical system that getting old means, frail, weak and basically you should just give up. I’m here to say, don’t succumb to the propaganda. You can change; you can age with strength. I’ve got an 88-year young client doing fantastic. Age is not a determinant of your health. Take charge and invest in you every day.
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
~~Coach John Wooden
