The mathematics of weight loss | Ruben Meerman | TEDxQUT (edited version)
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN regularly shares it in weight loss threads as a clear, precise explanation of the physics of weight loss.
What it is
Ruben Meerman presents a TEDx talk on the stoichiometry of weight loss, showing with lab demonstrations where fat goes when it is lost. He argues that most of it is exhaled as carbon dioxide.
Recommended by 6 HN commenters across 5 different months, 2017 to 2024.
What Hacker News said
Recommends agumonkey · 2017-11 · on “When somebody loses weight, where does the fat go?”
Someone on youtube made a perfect video explaining this with enough precision: not sure it's this one [this video] but close
Recommends hkolk · 2020-10 · on “When we lose weight, where does it go?”
There is a nice Ted talk about the same topic. Something I often link to people saying "I can eat everything I want in this diet..." The mathematics of weight loss | Ruben Meerman | TEDxQUT: [this video] My personal weight-loss (and now sports) is largely based on understanding how the human body works with metabolism.. carbs, fat, protein.. nice and geeky
Recommends greenbush · 2020-10 · on “When we lose weight, where does it go?”
For the science geeks, here's a great TEDx demonstration with lab experiments: "The mathematics of weight loss " [this video]
Recommends relueeuler · 2021-09 · on “Death of the Calorie (2019)”
Your description above is not how the body works. To support a mass M must require a quantity of energy E obtained from food. The attempt to alter this model with “loose” ideas about “burn rates” therefore does not make sense. The mathematics of weight loss is laid out clearly in 20 minutes here: [this video]
Recommends projektfu · 2022-02 · on “Scientist busts myths about how humans burn calories”
Fat stores are considered, metabolically, as stored energy as they expand and diminish based on the metabolizable energy of the diet, which may be different from the measured total energy. But you’re definitely right! There’s a great Mr. Wizard-style TEDx video about it: [this video]
Recommends palata · 2024-05 · on “Ask HN: Have you tried weight loss drugs?”
Whenever I have a discussion about weight loss, I like to share this TEDx video: [this video] Just because I think it is quite interesting, not trying to make a point or anything :-).
Cites pottspotts · 2018-06 · on “Losing 100 pounds in 276 days”
Really great data! Thank you for sharing. The hard part for me is mindset and willpower. Unfortunately, knowing the physics* behind weight loss doesn't make it any easier, and perhaps might make it more stressful. Why can't I do this simple thing that logically is as complex as 2+2. Our minds have their own prerogatives. I wonder then what did you tell yourself? How many times did you have a bad day? What was your mood like throughout? I'd love to know so much more about the psychology. Great article though and thanks again for sharing! * [this video]
Cites loonster · 2021-09 · on “Massive animal species discovered in half-billion-year-old Burgess Shale”
I agree that cooking is a form of digestion, but that is not what I was thinking when I made my comment. We are walking tubes. The cavity inside of the tube is still external to the tube itself. This is a video that partially explains the concept. [this video]