the inevitable xmas on-slaught of December 2014 prompted renewed vigour to get my weight down...but this time i sought some insight to make plain the truth about discipline needed to make it happen! just how long would it take.
the simulation examines weight lost over 100 days based on a weekly regime of food intake between 2500 and 1000 kcal [i.e. with two fasting days] and exercise 3 times a week expending 500 kcal a go.
the variable called surplus or deficit calories [calculated from food intake less normal body needs less additional exercise] drives the weight loss. though imperfect, the model assumes that 3500kcal is equivalent to one pound of body fat [or 0.45 kg].
to my surprise, daily fluid intake which can weigh up to 2.5kg [i.e. up to 2.5litres] does not affect weight gain since water takes only an hour or so to pass through the body. of course, calories which attend the fluid intake [be they sugars or alcohol] are not passive and do impact total "food" intake!
total body weight is calculated as body fat + body fluids + body flesh and bone. given that flesh and bone does not vary much over a 100 day period and body fluid the same interday, the goal really is to reduce body fat.
and the result? it really does take a while! based on the pretty tough regime of fasting and regular exercise, the model shows that it will take me about 73 days to reach the goal to lose 6 kg over 2 months.
in each of the variables, i have added some narrative to capture some of my learnings about body digestion along the way
