The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss (Why Intermittent Fasting Is the Key to Controlling Your Weight): 1 Paperback – 1 Mar. 2016

I'm writing this review 18 months after reading the book because after this time I can conclude that it's been life-changing.On the book itself, I'd say it was a fascinating and compelling read. Fung clearly explains quite complicated physiological mechanisms and provides evidence that I found very convincing (with one exception). 18 months on, the bits that have stuck are not the complicated issues but simply:1 My body, and especially my liver, needs a regular rest from eating and from the constant blood insulin levels that frequent eating produces.2 I'm probably stuck with whatever level of insulin resistance (and consequent stored fat) that developed through my adult life (I'm over 60) but I can help prevent further damage.3 I shouldn't feel hungry when I fast intermittently (This was the life changer for me because I found it's true!).4 Try to avoid discussing your intermittent diet regime with family and friends. They will simply go on and on with the usual uniformed diet rubbish that I used to believe myself.The one exception in terms of evidence, was the value of cider vinegar. I wasn't convinced by Fung's evidence, so I haven't tried it.So, how has the book changed my life? I haven't lost much weight but nor have I really tried to. I have lost about 6 pounds over 18 months but importantly this is against a history of putting on a pound or 2 every year. What I have done is put 'breakfast' back to 7pm or later every day. I only consume water or black coffee/tea up to that time. And the magic part is that I don't feel hungry even when sitting with others who are eating scrumptious meals. So, it doesn't require any willpower! If it did, I couldn't have sustained it. I still feel amazed and empowered every day when I realise that I haven't eaten for 19-21 hours and I don't feel hungry. As Fung points out its easy and its free!In May this this year my diet was put to a pretty tough test. I cycled the North Coast 500 over 9 days. This is a challenging and hilly route, averaging about 57 miles/day. I didn't expect to stick to my fasting regime but over 15,00 miles of training in 11 weeks before the trip (60-85 mile days) I discovered that it was not a problem! I added calorie-free electrolyte replacement to my water bottles and never experienced dips in energy due to low blood sugar. With that now behind me I am as confident as I can be that I won't need or want to change my eating pattern in future.This book gave me a basis for trying something that flew in the face of a received wisdom that had me trapped in a cycle of eating and craving, which seems to be the common experience of almost everyone I know. I would strongly recommend it as a serious contribution to better understanding of the effects of diet on insulin release and the effects of excessive insulin release on long-term health.

I bought this 2 1/2 months ago and have been following the guidelines for the past 2 months. I am getting great results, feeling so much more energetic, stopped feeling the hunger pangs I used to get and best of all I get to eat everything I want, but the right foods.Fasting is a really interesting concept I never thought I would ever do but I have done around two 24-hour fasts a week since reading this. I am losing weight as well which is excellent, the real test if whether it stays off, but that will take 1-2 years until I am able to say. I have lost lost of weight on various diets over the years but this appears to promise to be sustainable and has a program to stop the body from attempting homeostasis (ie. to take your back up to your pre-diet weight). It is EASY to follow, and cheap! The science behind it really makes sense too, I completely get it, wish I'd have read this years ago.The basics of the theory is that our weight is controlled by insulin and therefore we should try not to spike our insulin too much and too often. I can only say I feel amazing doing this, I love it. This is what I have been doing:1. Eating 2 meals a day, a later breakfast and and earlier supper2. Drinking water/tea/coffee only, no fizzy drinks3. Not eating refined carbohydrates - sugar, pasta, bread, etc4. Having 18 hours between meals, eg. supper at 4pm and breakfast at 10am.5. Making sure I eat enough calories a day, so also eating 90% dark chocolate and nuts as well, which I have grown to love.Please please read this, even if you are not overweight, it will teach you so much about how your body operates that we seem to have forgotten over the years. A real eye opener.This is the best book written by Dr Fung in my opinion, I have read all of this others since reading this.I would also recommend Eat to Live by Dr Fuhrman, which with this book has given me a great grounding in nutrition and health.