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Ok so I'm 13 years old fully weight restored from anorexia with a BMI of 21 and I've been eating 2000-2500 every day,but sometimes it feels like it just doesn't satisfy me.I get so hungry so fast after I eat to the point where I feel dizzy, I get a headache,blurry vision,or like I'm going to faint :( Is it normal for me to still feel this hungry all the time?I ate well over 3000 a few times last week.I can't tell if this is extreme hunger or a growth spurt.I've also heard that it could be diabetes??Anyone else who experienced this??
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Flame-Retardant Chemicals Could Be Toxic to Kids
Study tied exposure in womb to hyperactivity, lower IQ
By Robert Preidt
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, May 6 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to flame-retardant chemicals in the womb is associated with hyperactivity and lower intelligence in children, a new study indicates.
Researchers examined the effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which were used for decades as fire retardants in common products such as carpeting, baby strollers and electronics.
"In animal studies, PBDEs can disrupt thyroid hormone and cause hyperactivity and learning problems. Our study adds to several other human studies to highlight the need to reduce exposure to PBDEs in pregnant women," study author Dr. Aimin Chen, an assistant professor in the department of environmental health at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, said in an American Academy of Pediatrics news release.
The researchers looked at PBDE levels in blood samples from 309 pregnant women and then performed intelligence and behavior tests on the women's children each year until they were 5.
They found that PBDE exposure in the womb was associated with hyperactivity at ages 2 to 5, and with lower intelligence at age 5. A tenfold increase in PBDE exposure during pregnancy was related to about a four-point IQ deficit in 5-year-old children.
While the study tied PBDE exposure during pregnancy to later hyperactivity and lower intelligence, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.
The study was to be presented Monday at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
PBDEs were mostly withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2004, but they are present in many consumer products bought several years ago and still widely used by Americans, according to the news release. In addition, PBDEs remain in human tissue for a long time and a pregnant woman can transfer them to her fetus.
"Because PBDEs exist in the home and office environment as they are contained in old furniture, carpet pads, foams and electronics, the study raises further concern about their toxicity in developing children," Chen concluded.
Research presented at medical meetings should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
When should I expect results?
I started this process this week, after hitting an all time postpartum low of eating 20 cupcakes over the course of 24 hours... Weighing in around 156 pounds. I'm on day four after dieting and working out for a minimum of 10 minutes a day as well as exclusively breast feeding. By day 2 I was at 153.8 but now on day four it says I'm back at 156? The first few days I was so hungry I could hardly sleep at night so maybe I put myself in starvation mode? But yesterday I ate super close to my calorie Max and I weighed myself again today around 2 after working out and it says I'm back at 156? Should I be cutting more calories or is it just water weight? I'm lost... I can't cut to 1200 or anything like that because I'm nursing but even when I eat 2000 I still feel hungry all the time. Please help!
Stay Safe (and Still Have Fun!) in the Sun This Summer
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so take this moment to think: When was the last time you saw a derm? And have you done a self-exam recently?
We know, we know, we're nagging. But according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, affecting more than two million Americans each year. What's more: It's the easiest to cure, if diagnosed and treated early. So get checked, people!
In honor of the month, we've put together this complete guide to staying safe (but still having fun!) in the sun. From how to fake a tan to the best SPFs on the market, check it all out right here.
And if you're itching to get checked, we got you. We're dubbing today Mole-Check Monday, and we've partnered up with Flywheel to offer free skin checks in New York City tonight (watch for us on Twitter with #SELFCheckFly). But don't fret if you're not in the area: the Skin Cancer Foundation offers these step-by-step instructions for a self-check. And it's the perfect time to put "call the dermatologist" on your to-do list... today.
RELATED LINKS:
See the Stars at the Met Ball Tonight, Iron Man 3 Rocks the Box Office and More!
Tonight is the annual NYC Met Ball (shorthand for the Costume Institute Benefit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art) -- known to insiders as the fashion industry's Oscars of sorts. Check out some of the best and worst looks at the Met ever, plus the rundown of who's expected to grace the red carpet. [HuffPost; Fashionista]
Along with SELF cover star alum Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr. and the cast of Iron Man 3 helped the film gross more than $175 million this weekend, making it the second-highest earning opening weekend of all time. Natch it was one of our May flick picks to see! [AP]
Heading on a road trip this summer? Prepare these 15 car must-haves to ensure a fun ride. [Refinery 29]
Running can sometimes feel really hard (just ask our Running Virgin). Here, five ways to make your next run feel easier. [POPSUGAR Fitness]
Sometimes the little things can really add up. Try investigating your "financial microdecisions" to save some dough. [Lifehacker]
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive
Most Effective Moves Using Free Weights
Recently, I bit the bullet (is that how the expression goes 
) and bought myself three sets of dumbbells: 3lbs, 5 lbs, & 15 lbs. This is in attempt to tone up (and drop body fat/lose weight), by working out at home when I have the time. I work shift work, all crazy hours, plus I'm in school, preparing for Med School yada yada, and with all the gyms here closing relatively early/opening at 7am, I knew this was the best way to go.
I have belonged to a gym for a while in the past and I've been doing bicep curls, shoulder raises, squats, lunges, and overhead triceps (whatever they're called), but I do want to change it up.
What have you guys to be the most effective exercises using free weights toning particularly the arms, shoulders and upper back?
-V
Keira Knightley marries James Righton in secret ceremony
Keira Knightley married James Righton in secret in France earlier today.
The Anna Karenina actress wed the Klaxons keyboardist in a low-key ceremony in the South of France.
Just a dozen of their close friends and family were present.
Pictures that have emerged of the wedding party show Knightley, 28, leaving Mazan Town Hall holding hands with Righton, 29. Guests - including the rest of the Klaxons and Knightley's mum - then cheered them into a waiting Renault Clio.
Knightley wore a simple, strapless tulle dress created by Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld for the occasion, which she teamed with flat pumps and a cropped Chanel jacket. She wore a daisy chain garland on her head. See her wedding dress here.
One witness told US Magazine: "It was a very moving ceremony. Keira looked emotional during the whole thing. She cried when they exchanged their vows but was still smiling."
Another insider added: "It was a sunny day without a cloud in the sky. There were cheers of 'Well done Keira!' when she came out, but there were so few people present, they didn't make much noise.
"It was amusing to see them being driven away in a battered old Renault Clio. The car certainly looked as though it had seen better days."
The couple are expected to celebrate with a bigger party tonight at Knightley's mother's home, just a few miles outside of Mazan.
Righton's band Klaxons are expected to perform to the 50 plus guests in attendance, which will allegedly include Sienna Miller.
The couple will reportedly throw a second party when they arrive back in the UK.
SOURCE: US MAGAZINE
On 30 April 2013, we wrote...
Keira Knightley is set to marry her fiancé James Righton this weekend, it has been reported.
The Anna Karenina actress will apparently wed the Klaxons musician in a private ceremony in the South of France.
According to one British tabloid, they will tie the knot in front of a select few friends and family near Nice.
A source said: "Most of their friends will fly out for the wedding on Friday.
"They've been planning it for a while but wanted something small and private. They could get married in total private in stunning surroundings."
Knightley and Righton first started dating at the beginning of 2011, after she split from her Pride & Prejudice co-star Rupert Friend.
They announced their engagement in May 2012.
ENGAGED CELEBS
KEIRA KNIGHTLEY'S STYLE EVOLUTION
Want GLAMOUR's celebrity news as soon as it happens on your phone? Download our FREE app
SOURCE: DIGITAL SPY
On 15 November 2012, we wrote...
Keira Knightley has admitted that she and fiancé James Righton are yet to make any plans for their wedding.
Speaking to Ellen DeGeneres on her US chat show, the British actress admitted that she doesn't really "have a clue" about how to plan her upcoming nuptials.
She said: "The problem is ever since it's happened everyone keeps going 'so when is it going to happen and what's they dress like?'... I'm just not one of those girls that's had the kind of fantasy wedding thing[sic]."
She further revealed: "We haven't planned anything and it's all quite terrifying and I sort looked up on the Internet... If you're getting married what should you do?"
Ellen then jokingly asked: "That's what you're doing to get married? You're looking on the Internet to see what you do?"
Keira admitted: "I really don't have a clue... I don't get what the big deal is. You say, 'I do, I do'. You drink a bit. Anyway on the internet there are things like Bridal Tea Parties. I mean, what is a bridal tea party? I've never had a tea party in my life. So the idea that you should suddenly have tea party because you're getting married suddenly just really confused me. So the whole thing is kind of quite confusing I think."
Meanwhile, Knightley has also opened up about the time that she saw a ghost.
The 27-year-old actress said that she was scared despite never having believed in ghosts before.
Speaking on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Knightley recalled the encounter: "I was staying in a hotel in this city [Los Angeles]. The room had a bedroom and a sitting room. I walked into the sitting room. I'd just got out of the shower. There was a guy sitting on the sofa."
The Anna Karenina star continued: "He had a burgundy shirt on and he had short black hair and I thought 'Oh, some guy has come into my room'. I said to him 'I really sorry, you're in my room", and he disappeared.
"Then my mum came in and was, like "Who are you talking to?" and I'm standing there... I don't think I'd been drinking; it was early in the morning so I can't figure out what it was like other than a ghost. He was so real, then all of a sudden he wasn't there."
SOURCE: THE ELLEN DEGENRES SHOW, DAILY MAIL, METRO
On 25 May 2012, we wrote...
Keira Knightley is engaged to her rocker boyfriend, The Klaxons' star James Righton. The news first broke on Twitter and the Press Association claimed that the engagement had been confirmed by the star's PR.
"I can confirm that Keira is engaged to be married to James Righton," her publicist said.
The pair have been dating since April 2011, after being introduced by Alexa Chung and following Keira's split from Rupert Friend, three months before.
A source said: "She's extremely happy right now and really enjoying spending time with James. He's a real rocker and a lovely guy with it and she likes that whole scene."
"Keira's really smitten with James but wants to just quietly get on with it and see what happens."
SOURCE: TWITTER
« Back to more Celebrity NewsMUSIC: This Week We’re Loving…
Savages don't need words - their music speaks for itself. Plus, check out Grimes' previously unreleased video for Venus In Fleurs, and the latest from Deap Vally, Valentina, Charli XCX & Marina Diamondis...
By Jenn Selby
https://twitter.com/JennSelby
Savages
Track: Various
Album: Silence Yourself, Matador, Out Now
The last time I wrote to you about Savages, it was to explain why you should look not to manufactured acts who place aestheticism and 'business' before their music, but to bands like this one to be your female role models. Bands that transcend the obvious. Bands that don't care about being pretty. That sing about more than just chasing men. More than partying, or having money, or being overtly sexual to gain attention. Bands that have something to say for themselves. That give us the courage of conviction, the courage to have opinions, to pick up and instrument and play our own music. I was shocked, therefore, by a number of reviews I've read on their frankly outstanding debut album Silence Yourself that, although mostly flattering (it really is hard to pick fault), seem to suggest that underneath it all, Savages aren't actually saying a lot. Whether these particular writers are unfamiliar with the simple, metaphorical, often repetitive rhetoric that characterizes much of the post-punk/hardcore genre, I'm not sure, but they've missed the point completely. If there was not a single lyric on this album, a single word spoken or sung, their powerful music, symbolism, image and everything they stand for as a band would speak for itself. I'm not going to tell you anything more about the album, because I want you to buy it, hear it and judge for yourselves. This could be the band that changes your life, just like this one changed mine. Get it on iTunes here.
Deap Vally
Track: Baby I Call Hell
From: Sistrionix, Island Records, 24 June 2013
Speaking of women to look up to, Deap Vally released their laser-tastic, 70s-inspired music video for the thunderous Baby I Call Hell this weekend. The Californian duo, who, rather un-rock 'n'roll-ly, met in crochet class, sound like an empowered female incarnation of Led Zeppelin, had they replaced Jimmy Page with Cherrie Currie. Definitely a live act to look out for on the festival circuit this summer. Check back on GLAMOUR.com later this week to read our exclusive Introducing… interview with the band.
Grimes
Track: Venus In Fleurs
From: Geidi Primes, Arbus, Out Now
Ah, Grimes! What a hero. We'll let her introduce this one for herself:
" actuallygrimes:
Hey - this is a video my friend Video Marsh made for this really old Grimes song from my first record. We were supposed to release it ages ago and somehow it didn't happen probably because it didn't comply with the press cycle at the time and since I've stopped caring about complying with press cycles im sharing this now.
This is the only post-genesis official Grimes video that i didn't work on myself that will ever be released : ). it's a different vibe entirely as you can see. i think it's very very beautiful and haunting and peaceful and scary
all footage is from the reifel bird sanctuary in British columbia
enjoy : ) "
Valentina
Tracks: Various
From: Wolves EP, Greco-Roman, Pre-Order On iTunes Here
Do you remember this track Joe Goddard released last year? Annie Mac couldn't put it down, I couldn't either? Well, the vocals from Gabriel belong to this lady - Italian-British singer/songwriter Valentina, who launched this four-track EP, Wolves, last week. A floating, ethereal world away from the alt-dance world inhabited by the Hot Chip musician, it's a delicate and beautiful collection of songs that range from hazy, electronica to piano-driven, pop minimalism. A real talent. Check out her video for the title track below.
www.valentinamusic.co.uk
Valentina - Wolves from Richard Forbes-Hamilton on Vimeo.
Charli XCX & Marina Diamondis
Track: Just Desserts
From: One-Off, Free Release
And let's not forget the women we should champion in pop music, either: the ones making their own beats, crafting their own songs, taking control of their own image, like grunge-goth-meets-90s-bubblebum-RnB-child Charli XCX. She's teamed up with her tour buddy Marina Diamondis (of 'And The Diamonds' fame) to gift this echo-y, reggae-infused track to the world. For free. Which is nice of her. More of this kind of attitude please, pop world.
« Back to more EntertainmentWorkout Questions
Question 1: Should a "beginner" take a complete rest day or does it depend on how they feel? I started working out last Tuesday & took both Saturday & Sunday off to be with family. I feel like crap now & am wondering if it is because I didn't work out at all. I plan on doing something daily from now on.
Question 2: Anybody confined to a wheelchair here? Just wondering what your workouts look like.
AM (3-4 days per week) - Weight Machines 40 lbs, 10 reps x 3 sets - only 4 machines are accessible at my local YMCA
AM (opposite days) - Arm Ergometer 15 minutes - 30 sec / 1 min speed intervals
PM (daily) - Arm Ergometer 30 minutes - resistance level intervals (level 4.5 for 10 minutes, level 6 for 5 minutes, repeat) & Swim 30 minutes
Get Powerful, Lacrosse Star-Like Legs With This Lunge Sequence
Lacrosse player Katie Schwarzmann knows how essential it is to pack a punch (errr...kick?) in your legs. "At [University of] Maryland, we like to run and gun!" says the midfielder, who helped her team earn a top seed ranking in the upcoming NCAA championship. "I love the fast-paced type of play," she says of her sport.
While we may not be battling for balls on the field like Schwarzmann does, we do understand what's great about having super-strong stems. And we love that one of her go-to strengthening exercises is a lunge sequence that works different parts of the legs and butt -- and expands on the regular ol' lunge. "It's definitely important to have a lot of leg strength and endurance," she says. Hey, not every 21-year-old is a member of the U.S. national team, and if she's talking, we're all ears...(or shall we say, all legs?).
THE MOVE: LUNGE SEQUENCE
Forward Lunge (left): Starting in a standing upright position, step out with one of your legs far enough where your back leg is almost straight behind you, and your lead leg is at a 90 degree angle without your back knee touching the ground. Be sure to keep your chest and shoulder upright and straight forward, and your front knee does not go in front of your toes.
Diagonal Lunge (center): This is the same as the forward lunge, except you want to step forward and to the side at a 45 degree angle. All the rules apply the same to the Forward Lunge with the exception of keeping your front foot in a straight line with the wall in front of you to keep your knee stable. This will work on hip flexibility along with different muscles throughout your legs and glutes.
Backwards Diagonal (right): Still facing forwards, step back into a 45 degree angle behind you and to the side. Try to keep your upper body upright and facing forward while rotating at the hip and keeping your knee in a stable position.
RELATED LINKS:
Image Credit: Courtesy LacrossePlayground.com ; Courtesy University of Maryland
weigh in day
So today was my weigh in and i gained .2 lbs..im so upset! I started this app on Thursday but i been working out for a week why am i not losing weight! I feel so discouraged
Health Highlights: May 6, 2013
Pfizer Offers Viagra Online; FDA Criticized for OK'ing Combo Cholesterol Pill; Veterans at Higher Risk for Traffic Crashes
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
FDA Warns About Breast Cancer Drug Name ConfusionThe generic names of two breast cancer drugs can cause confusion and lead to dosing errors, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
One drug's brand name is Kadcyla and its generic name is ado-trastuzumab emtansine. The other drug's brand name is Herceptin and its generic name is trastuzumab. Some electronic health record systems pharmacy prescription processing and ordering systems incorrectly use the name trastuzumab emtansine when referring to Kadcyla.
"The dosing and treatment schedules for Kadcyla and Herceptin ... are quite different, so confusion between these products could lead to dosing errors and potential harm to patients," the FDA said.
Since Kadcyla was approved on Feb. 22, 2013, there have not been any reported medication errors related to the confusion between Kadcyla and Herceptin. However, errors did occur during clinical trials for Kadcyla before its approval.
Health care professionals should use both the brand name for Kadcyla and its full generic name when writing medication orders or using computerized order entry systems, the FDA said.
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Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea Strain 'Very Dangerous'
The impact of an antibiotic-resistant strain of gonorrhea could match that of HIV/AIDS, according to some experts.
The strain, called HO41, has been placed in the superbug category along with other antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), CNBC reported.
No deaths from HO41 gonorrhea have been reported, but this is "an emergency situation" and "it's getting more hazardous" as time passes, according to William Smith, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors.
"This might be a lot worse than AIDS in the short run because the bacteria is more aggressive and will affect more people quickly," Alan Christianson, a doctor of naturopathic medicine, told CNBC.
"Getting gonorrhea from this strain might put someone into septic shock and death in a matter of days," he explained. "This is very dangerous."
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Pfizer Offers Viagra Online
In a first for the drug industry, Pfizer Inc. will start selling Viagra directly to patients on its website.
Men will still need a prescription to buy the erectile dysfunction drug on viagra.com but won't have to deal with a pharmacist, the Associated Press reported.
Pfizer's decision to sell Viagra online is an attempt to counter Internet pharmacies that sell counterfeit versions of the drug for a much cheaper price and with no prescription needed.
Counterfeit versions of many other brand-name drugs are also sold online and other major drug companies will be keeping close tabs on Pfizer's strategy, the AP reported.
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FDA Criticized for OK'ing Combo Cholesterol Pill
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recent approval of a new cholesterol-lowering pill called Liptruzet "just doesn't make any sense," an expert says.
back to square one, and finally motivated again
about two summers ago I was so close to achieving my personal ideal weight of 160. i managed to get down to 185 (from 270) and only had 15 pounds to go!
Then I moved to a new state for an internship and now, two years later, i don't know what happened. between culinary classes, a second internship and all of life's craziness, despite the fact that I was still pretty active with bike riding almost every day to get to school and work, i managed to put all my weight back on and I'm now sitting back at 270 pounds.
I'm disappointed that I managed to let all my hard work go to waste, but I'm looking forward to getting back to where I was.
and the bright side is that it took me 2 years to gain what I lost in 1, so it could have turned out much worse i suppose.
I've been wallowing about this for a month or so now, but I'm finally back in a mind set that I feel determined to get back to where I was, hopefully reach my goal this time, and stay there
(Something that blows my mind though, is that last time I was at 270, i was in a size 22 going on a size 24, I went down to a size 14, and now that I'm this weight again, I'm still in a size 18. weird.)
Most Docs Don't Follow ADHD Treatment Guidelines for Preschoolers: Study
Some specialists turn to medications too soon while others avoid them completely
By Robert Preidt
HealthDay ReporterSATURDAY, May 4 (HealthDay News) -- About 90 percent of pediatric specialists who diagnose and manage attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preschool children do not follow treatment guidelines published recently by the American Academy of Pediatrics, according to a new study.
Some prescribe medications too soon, while others do not give the young patients drugs even as a second-line treatment, according to study author Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y., and colleagues.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines recommend that behavior therapy be the first treatment approach for preschoolers with ADHD, and that treatment with medication should be used only when behavior-management counseling is unsuccessful.
The researchers also found that more than one in five specialists who diagnose and manage ADHD in preschoolers recommend medications as a first-line treatment alone or in conjunction with behavior therapy.
The study is scheduled for Saturday presentation at the Pediatric Academic Societies' annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
"It is unclear why so many physicians who specialize in the management of ADHD -- child neurologists, psychiatrists and developmental pediatricians -- fail to comply with recently published treatment guidelines," Adesman said in a medical center news release.
Some physicians also deviate from guidelines with their choice of medication. Although methylphenidate (Ritalin) is recommended as the first drug to try when medications are warranted, many doctors prescribed other types of drugs.
"With the AAP now extending its diagnosis and treatment guidelines down to preschoolers, it is likely that more young children will be diagnosed with ADHD even before entering kindergarten," Adesman said. "Primary care physicians and pediatric specialists should recommend behavior therapy as the first-line treatment."
Awareness is lacking across specialties, another study author said.
"Although the AAP's new ADHD guidelines were developed for primary care pediatricians, it is clear that many medical subspecialists who care for young children with ADHD fail to follow recently published guidelines," study principal investigator Dr. Jaeah Chung said in the news release.
"At a time when there are public and professional concerns about overmedication of young children with ADHD, it seems that many medical specialists are recommending medication as part of their initial treatment plan for these children," Chung added.
How To Lose 20-30 Pounds In 5 Days: The Extreme Weight Cutting and Rehydration Secrets of UFC Fighters
The following is a guest post by Nate Green, who works with Dr. John Berardi, nutritional advisor to athletes like UFC champion Georges St. Pierre (GSP).
This is the first of two blog posts entailing extreme physical experiments. Absolutely no performance enhancing drugs of any kind were used.
Part 1 — this post — details exactly how top fighters like Georges St. Pierre rapidly lose 20-30 pounds for “weigh-ins.” To refine the method, Nate performed this on himself, losing 20 pounds in 5 days. The unique part: Dr. Berardi and team measured key variables throughout the entire process, including the last “rehydration” phase. As Berardi put it:
“We used GSP’s exact protocol with him [Nate]. The idea was that by doing this with a guy who didn’t actually have to compete the next day, we could measure all sorts of performance variables that you’d never get with an athlete about to fight.”
Part 2 — the next post — will share how Nate used intermittent fasting and strategically planned eating to gain 20 pounds in 28 days, emulating a fighter who wants (or needs) to move up a weight class in competition.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters put it all out in the open for the world to see: they kick, punch, laugh, cry, and bleed in front of thousands of arena fans and millions more watching at home.
But even if you’re a hardcore fan who knows all the stats, there’s something behind the scenes that you’ve probably never seen in full: world-class weight manipulation…
Done right, it can significantly increase a fighter’s chances of winning. An athlete will artificially lower his weight for pre-fight weigh-ins, then show up to the actual fight 10, 20, or even 30 pounds heavier than his opponent. It’s a game changer.
Done wrong, it can make even the toughest guy lose his edge… and probably the fight. There’s serious risk of organ failure if done haphazardly.
Even though boxers and wrestlers have been manipulating weight in this fashion for decades, it has the air of illicit activity. And though it’s legal in MMA competition, you should *never* try this at home or without medical supervision. Excessive dehydration can kill you. “Cutting weight” has no place in real-world dieting or behavior.
This is NOT an article on sustainable weight loss or healthy living. Rather, it’s a fascinating look at how far athletes and scientists will go to manipulate the human body for competitive advantage.
Here’s how it works…
Imagine this: It’s Saturday night and you’re a top-ranked MMA fighter who just stepped into the cage to fight for the 170-pound Welterweight Championship.
Question: How much do you weigh?
The answer may seem obvious: 170 pounds, right? But if you followed the steps of extreme weight manipulation, the real answer is that you weigh somewhere between 185 and 190 pounds. That’s 15-20 pounds more than the “cutoff” weight of 170.
24 hours before you stepped into the cage, however, you did in fact weigh 170 pounds. You had to. Friday night was the official weigh-in where you and your opponent both stripped down to your skivvies, stepped on the scale in front of the judge, and prayed that the number on the scale hit 170 or lower.
But once you stepped off that scale it was a race to gain weight.
I find this kind of physiological puppetry very interesting. Most of us regular guys have a hard time gaining or losing just 5 pounds at a time.
But the top combat athletes can lose up to 30 pounds in just 5 days leading up to the fight. Then they can gain nearly all of it back in the 24 hours between weighing in and going toe-to-toe.
They do this to gain a massive competitive advantage. In other words, the bigger guy who retains more of his strength, agility, and endurance will likely win. The guy who weighs in at 170 — and then fights at 170 — often has a world of hurt coming his way.
That’s why Anderson Silva – arguably the world’s best MMA fighter — normally fights in the 185-pound class even though he actually weighs 215 pounds. A few days before he fights, Anderson “cuts” 30 pounds to make weight…then gains most of his weight back in 24 hours in time for his fight.
Georges St Pierre — arguably the world’s 2nd best fighter – normally walks around at 195 pounds. He ends up cutting 25 pounds to make his 170 pound weight class, and then gains 20 of it back before his fight.
Sneaky, huh?
Just how do these guys do it? And what does this rapid weight loss and weight gain do to their performance?
I’m lucky enough to be friends with Dr. John Berardi and Martin Rooney, two guys who regularly work with UFC athletes.
Recently, I told them I wanted to see what cutting weight was like. Is it really possible for a regular guy like me to drop 20 pounds in a few days then gain all of it back in 24 hours?
And if it was possible, what would it feel like? I heard cutting weight was one of the hardest things fighters do throughout their career. Was I man enough to handle it? Or would I give up when things got tough?
They agreed to help me cut 20 pounds in one week, and then put it all back on again in 24 hours.
Nervous doesn’t even begin to explain how I felt.
Before pics. Full of water and feeling happy.
Now extreme weight manipulation can go horribly, horribly wrong. Even a lot of UFC guys don’t know how to do it the smart way. Instead, they put their bodies in real harm by doing stupid things like taking a lot of diuretics, not drinking any water, skipping meals, wearing trash bags while exercising (sometimes in the sauna) and generally being idiotic.
They lose weight, of course. But they also lose energy and power and develop one bad temper. None of which helps during fight time.
With the help of Dr. Berardi and Rooney, I decided to take a smarter route, instead of putting my health in serious jeopardy.
I started at 190.2 pounds and had 5 days to lose 20 pounds.
Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional strategies we used — the same one Georges St Pierre and other elite MMA fighters use before a big fight. (Remember: we know this because Dr. Berardi is Georges’ nutrition coach).
STRATEGICALLY DECREASE WATER CONSUMPTION
Dropping weight fast is all about manipulating your water and sodium levels.
For a fighter who wants to cut weight quickly and safely, here’s how much water he would consume in the 5 days leading up to his weigh-in:
Sunday – 2 gallons
Monday – 1 gallon
Tuesday – 1 gallon
Wednesday – .5 gallons
Thursday – .25 gallons
Friday – No water till after weigh-in at 5PM.
As you can see, the amount of water starts high with two gallons and decreases with each day till he’s drinking hardly any water on Thursday and Friday.
This is to ensure their body gets into “flushing mode.”
By drinking lots of water early on, the fighter’s body will down-regulate aldosterone, a hormone that acts to conserve sodium and secrete potassium.
And when he suddenly reduces the amount of water he drinks in the middle and end of the week, his body will still be in flushing mode, meaning he’ll hit the bathroom to pee a lot even though he’s hardly drinking any water.
What happens when you excrete more fluid than you take in? Bingo! Rapid weight loss.
DON’T EAT MORE THAN 50 GRAMS OF CARBS PER DAY
Since one gram of carbohydrate pulls 2.7 grams of water into the body, it’s important for fighters to keep their carb intake low.
By doing this, they also deplete muscle glycogen (a source of energy) and keep their body in “flush mode”.
DON’T EAT FRUIT, SUGAR, OR STARCHES
These are carbs that should be avoided entirely while cutting.
EAT MEALS THAT CONTAIN A LOT OF PROTEIN AND FAT
Fighters have to eat something. Since they’re avoiding carbs, Dr. Berardi advises them to load up on high-quality protein like meats, eggs or a vegetarian sources of protein. It’s also the perfect opportunity to eat lots of leafy vegetables (like spinach) and cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower).
Georges St Pierre normally has his meals prepared by a private chef so he doesn’t even have to think about this stuff or make decisions. Recommended reading: here’s an entire article detailing GSP’s training diet.
DON’T EAT SALT
Since the body likes to hold on to sodium (which will hold on to water), dropping salt helps the fighter’s body flush water out.
CONSIDER A NATURAL DIURETIC
This step isn’t always necessary, but it can help when you’re getting down to the wire and still need to lose water. Opt for a natural diuretic like dandelion root, but wait until the last 2 days to use it.
TAKE HOT BATHS
We sweat a lot in hot environments. However, we sweat the most in hot, humid environments. Since hot water offers both heat and 100% humidity, fighters lose water quickly by taking hot baths and fully submerging everything but their nose for 10 minutes at a time.
SIT IN THE SAUNA
This is the “finishing touch” to flush the last few pounds of water and is only used on the last few days leading up to the weigh-in.
So if we take all of that and break it into a weekly plan, it looks like this:
SUNDAY
Carbs: Less than 50 grams per day. No fruit, starches, or sugars.
Protein and Fat: As much as you want in 3 meals
Water: 2 gallons
Salt: None
MONDAY
Carbs: Less than 50 grams per day. No fruit, starches, or sugars.
Protein and Fat: As much as you want in 3 meals
Water: 1 gallon
Salt: None
TUESDAY
Carbs: Less than 50 grams per day. No fruit, starches, or sugars.
Protein and Fat: As much as you want in 3 meals
Water: 1 gallon
Salt: None
WEDNESDAY
Carbs: Less than 50 grams per day. No fruit, starches, or sugars.
Protein and Fat: As much as you want in 3 meals
Water: 0.5 gallon
Salt: None
Sauna in afternoon
THURSDAY
Carbs: Less than 50 grams per day. No fruit, starches, or sugars.
Protein and Fat: As much as you want in 3 meals
Water: 0.25 gallon
Salt: None
Sauna in afternoon for 30 minutes, hot water bath at night
FRIDAY (WEIGH IN AT 6PM)
Carbs: Less than 50 grams per day. No fruit, starches, or sugars.
Protein and Fat: Eat 2 very small meals until weigh in
Water: None till weigh-in
Salt: None
Sauna until weight is met
(Note from Tim: You can download the entire weight-manipulation plan that Nate used here: Weight Loss and Rehydration Protocol.)
Dry as a bone and none to happy about it.
So that all looks fine on paper. But what does it actually feel like to go through it?
One word: Hell.
I started my cut on Sunday at 190 pounds. Here’s a quick rundown of what it looked like.
SUNDAY – 190 POUNDS
I carry a gallon water jug with me wherever I go, which makes me feel ridiculous. But I have to make sure I get my two gallons of water in. Overall, though, I feel fine. It actually doesn’t seem that difficult. I’m not sure what the big deal is.
MONDAY – 187 POUNDS
I’m starting to miss the taste of salt. All of my food is bland. Now I’m drinking one gallon of water instead of two. Still not that bad.
TUESDAY – 182 POUNDS
I go to the bathroom 13 times in one day. A new record, I believe. And I’m still drinking a gallon of water.
WEDNESDAY – 179 POUNDS
Now I’m down to half gallon of water per day, which means I have to ration it out, which feels weird. I have a little with breakfast, a little with lunch, and a little with dinner. It’s definitely not enough water.
My mouth is dry. I feel dehydrated. I’m drinking straight espresso instead of drip coffee because it contains too much water.
In the evening, I try my first hot water bath. I generally enjoy baths, but this one’s different. My apartment’s water doesn’t get as hot as Dr. Berardi wants it to be — “hot enough to cause moderate pain but not burn your hand” — so I fill two pots and a kettle with water, put them on the stovetop until they boil, and pour them into the bath tub.
I get into the bath and immediately regret the decision.
10 minutes later, I’m lying naked in the middle of my living room trying to catch my breath. My eyes are rolled back into my head. My entire body feels like a giant heartbeat. I want to drink some water, but can’t.
This is starting to be less fun.
THURSDAY – 175 POUNDS
I am a zombie. A zombie who sits. Mostly in the sauna or on the couch.
In the sauna I watch beads of sweat collect on my skin. I see my precious water run down my arms and chest and legs and know that I won’t be able to replenish any of it when I get out.
I only have .25 gallons of water to last me the entire day. I’m ready for this to be over.
FRIDAY – 169.7 POUNDS AT 5PM
I look sick, very sick.
I spend the last 30 minutes before the weigh-in in the sauna and drink four sips of water throughout the entire day…
OK, I’ll save you the rest of the journal entries and share some performance data.
While the fighters are tested in competition, no one has ever really documented how much strength or power they lose by dehydrating. (Or how much strength and power they regain after they get all their weight back.)
So we decided to check.
And it turns out, losing 20 pounds in 5 days is not conducive to being strong, powerful, or agile. (Surprise!) I couldn’t jump as high, lift as much weight, or run as fast or as long as I had just a week before during our baseline testing.
POWER TEST: VERTICAL JUMP
Baseline: 31.7 inches
After Dehydration: 27.6 inches
STRENGTH ENDURANCE TEST: 225-POUND BENCH PRESS
Baseline: 15 reps
After Dehydration: 5 reps
ENDURANCE TEST: MAX TIME ON TREADMILL
Baseline: 3 minutes and 14 seconds of sprinting at 8mph with 6% incline
After Dehydration: 1 minute and 28 seconds of sprinting at 8mph with 3% incline
It’s no wonder these guys try to gain all their weight back immediately after weighing in. They’d be screwed if they didn’t.
Speaking of which…
Once UFC athletes cut weight and weigh-in, they’d never be able to perform at a top level. (Which is obvious from my less-than-stellar performance in the gym).
So what do they do next? They gain as much weight as humanly possible in 24 hours.
Here’s how they do it. (And how I did it, too.)
DRAMATICALLY INCREASE WATER INTAKE.
According to Dr. Berardi, the body can absorb only about 1 liter (2.2 pounds) of fluid – at maximum – in an hour. So he advises the fighters he works with to not to drink any more than that. Instead, he tells them to sip 1 liter (2.2 pounds) of water per hour.
However, the fighters won’t retain all that fluid. In fact, probably about 25% of it will be lost as urine.
So, here’s the math for someone like Georges St Pierre:
9 liters (20 pounds) of water to get back.11 liters (25 pounds) of fluid between Friday weigh-in and Saturday weigh-in to get it all back.24 hours in which to do it. 8 of which he’ll be sleeping and 3 of which will be leading up to Saturday weigh-in.This leaves 13 total hours for rehydration.
So as soon as Georges steps off the scale, he literally slams a liter of water and carries the bottle around with him, refilling it and draining it every hour until 3 hours before his fight. (There isn’t a bathroom in the cage.)
EAT AS MUCH CARBOHYDRATE (AND PROTEIN AND FAT) AS YOU WANT
Now’s also the time for fighters to load up on carbs and pull all the water they’re drinking back into their muscles. It also helps them feel more human and look less sickly. (Something I definitely experienced during my super-hydration phase.)
Dr. Berardi has his fighters eat a big meal directly after they weigh in. He doesn’t restrict calories – his athletes can eat as much as they want in that meal as long as it’s healthy food like lean meats, sweet potatoes, rice, and vegetables. (Gorging on junk food is a bad idea.)
Then on Saturday (fight day), Dr. Berardi has his fighters eat a satisfying amount of healthy food in a few small meals leading up to the fight.
ADD SALT TO EVERYTHING
Since sodium helps the body retain water, fighters are encouraged to add extra salt to their meals.
Here’s what my super rehydration schedule looked like:
FRIDAY AFTER WEIGH-IN
Carbs: Eat as much as you want in one meal after weigh-in and testing
Protein and Fat: Eat as much as you want in one meal after weigh-in and testing
Rehydration Beverage: Drink 1 liter of water mixed with 1/2 scoop of carbohydrate/protein drink for every hour you’re awake. (We used Surge Workout Fuel.)
Salt: Salt food
SATURDAY
Carbs: Eat satisfying amount in four meals before weigh-in
Protein: Eat satisfying amount in four meals before weigh-in
Rehydration Beverage: Drink 1 liter of water mixed with 1/2 scoop of carbohydrate/protein drink for every hour you’re awake but stop 3 hours before testing.
Back to normal-ish.
First things first: Personally, I ended up gaining 16.9 pounds back in 24 hours. Not bad.
But the real question: How much strength and power do you really gain when you super-hydrate?
Answer: A lot.
While I didn’t perform as well as my baseline (when I did all the performance tests before I started the experiment), I got really close. Which means that even though I put my body through a week of torture, it was almost 100%.
And I totally annihilated my performance numbers from just 24 hours before when I was sickly and dehydrated.
I ran faster and longer, jumped higher, and lifted more weight for more reps.
POWER TEST: VERTICAL JUMP
Baseline: 31.7 inches
After Dehydration: 27.6 inches
Re-hydrated: 29 inches
STRENGTH ENDURANCE TEST: 225-POUND BENCH PRESS
Baseline: 15 reps
After Dehydration: 5 reps
Rehydrated: 12 reps
ENDURANCE TEXT: MAX TIME ON TREADMILL
Baseline: 3 minutes and 14 seconds of sprinting at 8mph with 6% incline
After Dehydration: 1 minute and 28 seconds of sprinting at 8mph with 3% incline
Rehydrated: 3 minutes and 25 seconds of sprinting at 8mph with 6% incline
For an MMA fighter, this is about the time when he’d be getting ready to step in the cage and fight, which means it’s about the same time you’d turn on the TV and see him in his corner, jumping up and down, getting psyched and ready for battle.
How much does he weigh?
It’s safe to say at least 10-30 pounds more than the weight class he’s fighting in.
And now you know the “secret” to extreme weight manipulation, something 99.9% of guys who watch MMA will never know.
Pretty cool, right?
If you have questions, please put them in the comments and Dr. Berardi and I will do our best to answer them.
###
Nate’s not done yet. Next we’ll have Part 2 – How To Gain 20 Pounds in 28 Days: The Extreme Muscle Building Secrets of UFC Fighters.
For more about Nate and his work on building muscle and gaining strength, check out Scrawny To Brawny.
Posted on May 6th, 2013Help/advice on how to stop binging!
So lately I have been having a horrible time with binging. I've been in rehab multiple times for Anorexia and Bulimia but truly never had the urge to binge on great amounts of food before. Lately before I go to bed I will eat breakfast and lunch before I even go to bed, excersise, and than only have coffee till dinner the next day. This once again has gotten so out of control, when I binge I know what I am doing and where it is going to get me, but it is so uncontrollable. All my old thoughts and fears are coming back but in new ways. The good news is that I am not purging after, but excersising. I am worried though, I already have complications, can binging cause stress on your body?I would just like to know if anyone else is going through this crazy cycle. I dont even feel in control, i feel out of control.
Thanks for listening!
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