“Elephant in the room" is a metaphorical idiom in English for an obvious problem or risk that no one wants to discuss.
It is based on the idea/thought that something as conspicuous as an elephant can appear to be overlooked in codified social interactions and that the sociology/psychology of repression also operates on the macro scale.
What's the Problem?
Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with increasing rates in adults and children. In 2014, 600 million adults (13%) and 42 million children under the age of five were obese. Obesity is more common in women than in men. Authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century.
What's the Solution?
Losing weight by learning to live off of the body's own fat reserves.
What's the Rationale?
The body employs energy from three reserves: glycogen (carbs), protein and fats. First, the body depletes its simple and complex carb reserves and then turns simultaneously to its protein and fat reserves for energy. A person not in need of weight loss typically has ~1-2% of their body's reserves from carbs, ~19% from their muscle mass and 79% of their body reserves from fat.
Simple and complex carbs can prevent weight loss. The body stores approx three days' worth of carbs, therefore, one needs a protocol that restricts sugars (simple and complex) until 100% of your weight loss goal is achieved…why? Because, as long as sugar is being consumed, your body may not be burning fat. Remember, the first source of energy is derived from glycogen (carbohydrate) reserves. Therefore, the core principle must be to deplete the glycogen reserves completely, in order to compel the body into consuming its fat reserve to burn calories.
What needs to happen?:
How does one encourage the body to burn its fat reserves, but support its muscle mass reserves if both are depleted simultaneously? First, specifically designed foods must be made with high-quality protein. The quality of protein used is critical and has an impact on effective protein absorption…the lower the quality, the lower the absorption. If protein absorption is low, you may not be able to protect your muscle mass and thus you will burn muscle along with fat. If you lose muscle while dieting, you may impair your ability to burn calories post-diet, as your body uses muscle mass to burn calories.
Secondly, it's important for dieters to supplement with a multi-vit, calcium & magnesium, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids, key ingredients in muscle building and electrolytes. These supplements replace those normally found in foods restricted on an ideal weight loss protocol.
What's required?:
What people need to succeed is medical direction, scientific yet understandable education, and weekly coaching support until the desired outcomes are met and the individual can then become independently responsible for their own well-being - a comprehensive and supportive team that hold themselves accountable for your success.
Why is this requisite?
Because we do not live in an environment that supports these desired outcomes! In Australia, 67% of people aged 18 years and older are overweight or obese. And sadly this statistic is rapidly rising, especially amongst the younger population. Clearly then, it MUST be recognised and acknowledged that the past and current efforts to impact this problem have not only been ridiculously ineffective but have in fact contributed to the problem!!!
What now?
And now I'm personally doing something about this. I've set up teams of clinicians and wellbeing experts to assist me in impacting this dilemma by finally making available for people something that actually works 100% of the time!
Like / Comment below if you're interested to learn more and I will keep you informed over the coming weeks and details of the educational seminars I'll be running very soon. If you're overweight or obese then this will change your life and will transform the health system for Australia!