A perspective on fat loss | James Smith | TEDxBundaberg

NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk for medical advice. While some viewers may find the advice provided in this talk to be helpful as a complementary approach, this talk only represents the speaker’s personal perspective on women’s health. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...
James speaks about the final word on female fat loss which includes understanding different parts of the menstrual cycle, physiology and conditions that would be hindering your fitness progress James Smith - PT and online Fitness Business Owner. The controversial Trainer whose no BS approach to fitness has disrupted a billion dollar industry, much to the chagrin of some of the world's biggest weight loss brands. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@moncsa80]

Can't believe this comes from a man. He summed up my cycle better than I could and I actually have been living it for two and a half decade.. So accurate...thank you! Totally brilliant!

[@sniper_militia5476]

You can't believe it came from a man or you can't believe someone bothered to do some research? You know, research you could have done yourself.

[@1sammyson]

Knowledge knows no gender.

[@TheodoreChin-ih7xz]

Not just a man. THE man.

[@JamesSmithPT]

Credit to Martin MacDonald's MNU for the content on PCOS - Ted are going to add that to the credits shortly but I thought I'd mention it here also.

[@juliaconnell]

*thank you* James - thank you for acknowledging the women's fitness is different to men - *thank you* for talking about how a woman's body changes over a month, and how it affects everything - thank you - I hadn't really consciously thought about it as such, but did take it into consideration when doing weights and measures (though that was never the objective, a certain weight, a certain size, measurements) to me it's not about 'dieting' it's about lifestyle changes - I do have the occasional takeaway but I don't eat junk food, (no cakes, biscuits, crisps, fizzy drinks, nope none of that) - when I've had instruction at the gym - food expert before that - yip, doing all that already - mostly veggies with lean protein and some carbs I did empower myself - in my 40s joined a gym for the first time ever - had a personal plan developed for me, and refined by several trainers - stuck to it and more (challenged myself to do more, never injured myself) - did aqua classes every weekday, anywhere from 1 to 2 hours (depending on the day) - spent another 2 hours in gym, consistently - (and I mean consistently) 5 days a week, for 3 months did this - aqua (cause low impact) and gym consistently - (and I mean consistently) 5 days a week, for 3 months (mostly weights, some cardio, e.g. rowing machine or bike) - *for 3 solid months* - watched what I eat even more than usual - no takeaways, no alcohol, nothing - most of the day at the fitness center (aqua and gym in one) (focused on core, on quality of movement not just quantity - sought feedback was doing things right/using equipment right I felt confident - the gym guys were awesome - got respect for my commitment and my dedication - pushed myself and my comfort zone - felt confident, felt dedicated, proud of myself - I didn't obsess about measurements at all - esp for first month *BUT* I saw minimal results I saw some SMALL changes, a little weight loss, a little toning - but ALL that work over ALL that time - and so little results. I gave up. been trying to get back into it, but it's a real challenge - what did I do wrong?? I know you've got a book coming out - I've got so many books - I'm already doing everything 'right' what am I doing 'wrong'. seriously! this is where I am - stuck - completely disillusioned, completely disheartened

[@helenereeves5274]

Yay James.... u managed not to swear profusely :) Brilliant talk as ever. Makes so much sense.

[@awesomeone465]

@@juliaconnell I so feel your pain.

[@joeparkin9330]

Thanks so much for this. As a fellow PT I too was not taught any of this, its safe to say I've taken notes and will be passing this information on to all of my clients male and female.

[@aliwilkinson2485]

Was it Alisa Vitti who enlightened you to these issues by any chance? If not, give her a watch. Menstrually-active women deemed to confounding due to too many biological variables so cut out of the research. We are basically being given advice that isn’t evidence based for our population.

[@glossbaus2128]

What he is saying is so true. I realised I was hungrier towards my period and wasn't giving 100% during my workout because all I wanted was carbs despite trying to keep to my diet. When I increase my caloric intake with an extra 300-500cals during this period, I felt more satisfied, less tired and able to exercise better and I did not put on weight.

[@berryfairy68]

I remember when I'd workout with my partner and eat the same healthy diet, he'd lose 10 pounds and I'd lose 1 😑 It was very frustrating. Love this sane advice.

[@darkfoxjj]

One pound per week? That is actually perfect.

[@martinar.5722]

It's not about healthy diet but about portion size. Of course I would't serve the same portion to me and to my husband - he needs more as he's taller and heavier. That's just common sense.

[@TheCheecyw]

It's not just portion size either. It's quality of the food you eat and the goals you want to accomplish. I'm 5'10" and 150#. Husband is 6'3" and is about 278. We started a weight loss journey at the beginning of the year but now he's still going for weight loss and I am at a good weight for me so I'm going for muscle growth. We eat real food, not junk and we eat about the same amount of calories.

[@AM-uu5bb]

This happened to me just last week and i was crying because i put so much effort and lost nothing. Lol now i get why

[@LoyaFrostwind]

Same thing happened to my female co-worker and her boyfriend. They did the Body for Life plan, but he lost a lot of weight and she didn't. Same plan, same diet.

[@SolitaryGem]

Found this from Obese to Beast's reaction and this is so insightful as a woman with PCOS. I've lost 72lbs and wish I'd known this before I lost the weight. It would have helped me be more patient.

[@kabukik]

Same here, I always knew that having PCOS, made me gain weight easier, never researched why, even less that it made it more difficult to loose, and I should be patient...but I can do it and be healthier, whish I knew this as a younger woman

[@tracy_ragland]

Yes absolutely Such a good video

[@abby.rose.]

Same! Plus, I didn't even realize I had PCOS until he broke it down so succinctly

[@thebadger9302]

That’s how I discovered this video too!

[@stefania7174]

Same!!!

[@bodyandsoul17]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Need more advocates of women getting stronger and focusing on how food can fuel this vs. merely weight loss. Would love a talk on these issues and menopause.

[@RiordanLadyGaga]

Carnivore diet can help women

[@andrew4017]

Read his book, not a diet book, it goes into menopause science as well :)

[@paulad8726]

I'm so in awe and simply so grateful for this. It's a choice, unfortunately, to be interested in women's fitness, but it's so incredible to have male allies supporting women's health. James chose to look into it to help his clients. Not only is it helping half of his potential clients and half the population, but I feel men themselves would be more interested hearing this information if it comes from someone like James. Could help a boyfriend help his girlfriend, or other trainers to understand their female clients. I would have him as my trainer in a heartbeat, THANK YOU James. Mind-blowing beyond words and super helpful as an active female.

[@lizd.1486]

Thank you for this. ❤ Sincerely, a woman with PCOS.

[@sbtaylor316]

Why is no one else talking about this? If only I'd known there was a good time and a bad time to start a diet!! THANK YOU!

[@heidimegahey9926]

Shelley Taylor - I feel exactly the same Shelley! If only I’d known! Thankyou James 🤯

[@OffPHwnr]

Dont blame your failures on this new information

[@bexblah]

I've been waiting for this for a while 👀 James needs to do more TED TALKS!

[@booknerd78]

When you learn more about your period from a man than you did from your mom..

[@allisongriffiths1653]

booknerd78 yeah that’s the effect of hundreds of years of patriarchy suppressing women’s knowledge.

[@booknerd78]

@@allisongriffiths1653 more like, my mom just wasn't a good parent. She handed me a pad when I was 9 thinking I had gotten my period early. Nah, I had a kidney infection and it was two months before she finally took me to a doctor 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@roycereidpt]

@@allisongriffiths1653 hahahaha

[@furyberserk]

@@allisongriffiths1653 Considering a man made the tampon on a whim chance he noticed his wife was in pain. I can't tell if a women is on her period and they don't want me to know... But surely its a man's fault of this thing they never noticed too. Something women could have solved maybe?

[@honorbliss8271]

Allison Griffiths Ooh u poor baby

[@Margheritasworld]

This man is going to change the fitness industry for good! I can’t wait for the day I’ll get to go to the gym and not see most of the women confined in the cardio area. I can’t wait for the day I’ll get to stop explaining why I’m not in that cardio area but I’m enjoying myself outlifting a lot of the men in the gym😂 This man changed my relationship with food, with training, with my body and my relationships in general, so I hope there will be more of these Ted talks so that he’ll be able to change a lot more lives! ❤️ He also has a book coming out in a few weeks, and I’m pretty sure it’ll have a lot of this and so much more!

[@teachermom560]

Girl, it's already happening at my gym. The ladies are taking over the Weight area. We still like cardio, but it's more for fun than fitness. ;)

[@susannatuttapanna2010]

I'd like to understand where he's getting this information from.

[@neversaw]

Susan Ainslie ah research?

[@susannatuttapanna2010]

@@neversaw what research tho? I'd like to understand the basis of his claims

[@roycereidpt]

@@susannatuttapanna2010 his claims? What claims. He is talking about facts known to the general public for decades and putting it into simpler terms for the basics of dieting and weightlifting. This isnt rocketscience and he is doing a great job empowering women. I dont know what you are trying to say haha

[@lizturnbull3954]

This is the TED Talk I've literally been waiting for. So grateful someone is trying to understand us more

[@katelyse]

Not to mention the changes that happen when you’re breastfeeding. Be kind to yourself

[@leannetennison1118]

James, thank you so much for shining a light on PCOS! As a PCOS sufferer, this is bloody fab. Thank you!!!!

[@michellewiese9361]

one of the few personal coaches that cares about his clients over his bank account! his honest no Bullsh*t aproach is on point ! he also explains everything that everybody can understand and doesn’t feel like a morron! thank you james for being honest, motivating and telling it as you see! and thank you for your Amazing famous Emails!!

[@ImaginaryMdA]

The real issue is that all science tends to divide humans as "normal" and "female".

[@kellyv6075]

Yessss!

[@ImaginaryMdA]

@@ColinM9991 ...did you even watch the video?

[@anglonrx2754]

ImaginaryMdA time stamp me something?

[@furyberserk]

Aka "What works consistently" and women.

[@gemmacobb7095]

Yes!!! Look at test control dummies as an ideal example. We do every safety test ever based on the male body and treat women as an anomaly but we are 50% of the population and we are built different.

[@ArchiduquesaMA]

I want natacha oceane to review this

[@ashabmodan3907]

Totally....I was thinking about her the whole time. This is exactly what she strives for..what she wants us to do, a sustainable and happy dieting.

[@Kyphia7]

I feel cheated. I could have been crushing my fitness and weight struggles my whole life if I had known any of this.

[@KSMP]

Why is no one talking about it? Because it's women's health. A very underrepresented topic in all health areas.

[@michaelatyroller9787]

I nearly cried at this... THANK YOU. Finally someone giving really good health advice specifically for women! ❤

[@suzysevern1971]

Yess! Been wondering when we will find a TED Talk from James! Excellent stuff!

[@rebekahbailey7332]

Really nice to hear you speaking in this tone.

[@PluushPlal]

My boyfriend sent me here. I didn’t know that I needed this 🤔 He’s OBSESSED with diets and exercising.

[@barbarayorkwoodside3716]

He's a keeper

[@bmelamusic]

Lol my hubby sent me here! 😂

[@aaronkendal]

Amazing, would really like to see more TED talks like this!!

[@victoriahoward9038]

So important and informative. Loved it. Everyone needs to see this!!

[@huggledemon32]

As someone with PCOS (plus a whole host of other medical conditions that make weight loss a challenge I have yet to achieve) I knew weight loss was more difficult but had NO real understanding of why!- this was really helpful!👍🏻

[@Jleigh225]

huggledemon32 have you gave keto a shot? It brought back my cycle in a month without birth control due to the insulin related pathway with PCOS. Some PCOS is not insulin resistant driven though.

[@iamgazz2756]

huggledemon32, I've had PCOS for years and have never had a regular period. I had surgery to remove the cysts a few years ago and they all just came back. My insulin resistance was off the charts. At the beginning of his year my period had pretty much disappeared and weight was still an issue. After doing some research, I've been following a 16:8 intermittent fasting with low GI during feeding sessions. Since then, I've had the occasional period - they're getting more frequent - and have lost about 15kg's so far. This is working for me, is easy to do and there's no breaking the bank to buy special "diet" foods. And the best thing is I'm seeing results with just keeping my diet low GI, which, with the fasting giving my pancreas time to recuperate, is getting my insulin production under control. Hopefully this time next year my PCOS will be a distant memory.

[@AmitCantPlay]

Been watching james for a long time! he's helped alot.

[@user-cz5jw5iz4n]

I wish I saw this before today. It took me a long time to figure this out for myself as a female and especially why dieting and exercise seemed fuitless for around 10 days within my cycle each month. Most fitness influencers (including my favourite female ones) don't mention this and they should. Now when I track my weight and food intake, there is a distinct pattern in line with my menstrual cycle, which makes things so much clearer for me in achieving my fitness goals.

[@SilkyPinkPanter]

@James Could we have more information on weight loss during pre-menopause and the actual menopause when our hormones are all over the place and the weight keeps increasing.

[@jinanrichards2137]

So very well articulated- thank you 👏

[@adultdanceteacher]

Brilliant talk James, very informative. Thank you so much!

[@lauriedmills7581]

Awesome!!!!! Terrific to see someone speaking up. I hope he also helps women in the other half of their life - peri/menopause.

[@dhruvtripathi8420]

Great talk! Really amazed at how simple but true all the concepts are!

[@valerierosales7401]

Loved this video! This video has made me feel great about having non aesthetic goals and having more performance goals when it comes to my training! Thanks James for providing fantastic content!

[@maizalima2493]

This is literally brilliant! Thank you!

[@HenyaGirl]

Thank You so much for this! very enlightening. hope this information will go Mainstream soon. 👍👍👍❤

[@daciadoo2]

As someone that deals with PCOS, thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@alissonvonderlane862]

Thank you for acknowledging our hormonal related struggles, they're real!!! And even 'we' tend to dismiss them. ❤

[@marieofstad6984]

Awesome talk! This is information that I have not encountered at all before, very interesting and definitely something I'll look further into. Thank you!

[@pyonzon]

EYE-OPENING!!! thank you so much for this james smith, it really helps to know why your performance might worsen etc!!!

[@Italiza587]

Very informative! Thanks!

[@crackerjacks1990]

Thank you so educational. I learned so much. He understands our cycle better than me :)

[@caitlinruby1637]

So awesome! This information needs to be more readily available

[@zhazhagab0r]

This should be required viewing for every doctor, coach, and personal trainer. I had no idea how drastically my metabolism changes throughout my cycle. Also, as a woman with PCOS, I truly can't thank you enough for the most helpful information I have found regarding my condition and weight loss.

[@Kobizcoaster]

Such a well presented presentation James! I hope this message can continue to be learnt by many more people. Looking forward to seeing more TED talks in the future 👊🏼

[@sandramuckenhuber2524]

Thanx James, your're doing a fab job. Would love to hear more of you on TED.

[@nutriaf4004]

Whenever I see videos from James Smith pop up on my facebook I always scroll past, wasn't a fan of his aggressive manner or his derogatory comments. But this video is brilliant. Either the social media presence is a character to boost engagement, or he has seriously improved his speaking. Either way, this video is fantastic and I hope to see similar coming soon!

[@EskimoProjectTV]

Nutri AF this is really more like his podcasts to be fair

[@elouisemillard7022]

Fantastic talk, very insightful. It's crazy that this information is not taught to those moving into working in the fitness industry. Can't wait to do more research on this and share it with my clients!

[@nl294]

I always notice this. I know my strong part of the month. And my month starts really I’m stronger, I plan my life around this.

[@juleswilson1973]

Thank you James, I've so been looking forward to seeing this.

[@katescott5663]

So important! It's so frustrating (as a woman) to try so hard and not get the same results as others... And even through the month, my body shifts so much... THANK YOU for explaining why and for helping me know how to measure appropriately - week 1 vs week 1, etc. Thank you, James!

[@hellcat3586]

Lovely! I loved the Physiology vs Society debate :)

[@joshuaroberts9667]

Brilliant Talk from James, highlighting some key issues with the fitness industry! Looking forward to hearing more from him

[@lynnmillard1666]

Interesting and fascinating perspective, thank you!

[@davidwilson2337]

There should be millions more views to this, outstanding!!!

[@knittingdoula]

For those who want more info when it comes to perimenopause and menopause as it relates to athletic performance, please see Stacey Sims' excellent book ROAR.

[@leeheywoodakakaizen4923]

Good work on the Ted talks james ....👍The fitness game is constantly evolving and aslong as we give the knowledge and power to our clients to apply the theory then it is my belief that the practical application of that knowledge through sustained practice leads to the best results. Keep fighting the good cause for us PTS striving to create change in the industry.

[@Higherselffitness]

Good talk as a coach my self for over 10 years I agree with his point of view

[@emilyrini6329]

Came here from Obese to Beast.. loved this ! People need more awareness on these subjects. I'm a woman with hypothyroidism. It's not the same as PCOS, but it makes weight loss extremely difficult as well. I cut my calories below 1200 and was working out 4 times a week only to lose 1 pound in almost a month :( it's rough out here!

[@kassandrat375]

Brilliant talk, so informative! Can’t wait for James’ book!

[@pamelamendez7052]

I learned so much regarding diet and exercise. I do not feel guilty eating during my monthly cycle days.

[@lovelesscosplay7864]

Curious on how birth control affects this

[@VeiledGlory]

"Pop" pills, or progesterone only pills make the body mimic the luteal phase all the time and suppresses ovulation. From the information above, you can then deduce that Pop increase calorie use/craving and weight gain.

[@liahk1000]

Yeah you wouldn't get that testosterone peak before ovulation, since there's no ovulation, and testosterone ofcourse helps weight loss.

[@kgal1298]

@@VeiledGlory But wouldn't this also depend on the brand you use? Not all birth control is hormonal and then some will change your estrogen and testosterone levels depending on multiple things. I don't think there's been a mass study on different birth control pills and weight loss, but if anyone knows I'd be interested to read it because I've wondered about this and the use of plan B. Plan B only last a for a certain amount of time, but has the ability to change your period and I'm guessing those spikes.

[@alexiachapman6823]

@@kgal1298 All birth control pills are hormonal. Implants are hormonal. Even some IUDs, e.g. Mirena, are hormonal.

[@Kyphia7]

I don't know about other types of bc but I had the arm implant and I feel like it made some things harder and some things easier. Definitely easier to control my cravings when I was on it even though it gave me my period at random times for random amounts of days. There was a point where I would only get my period on the weekend and then not through the rest of the week and it happened like 3-4 weekends in a row

[@loverofJesus45]

The best TedTalk I’ve ever watched!

[@lolosh99]

I can hear him talk all day

[@haveabanana2930]

I love this! It all makes sense now why I ruin my diet and binge every month about a week before my period 🤦‍♀️

[@cassiecrayford6723]

I recently been diagnosed with PCOS not really knowing too much about it the gp obv told me the basics about it !. But have always struggled with my weight since being diagnosed so this has been interesting watch because I have very limited knowledge with managing pcos

[@francescaselvaggio1337]

Love this. Fitness is about health not becoming a shinier form of objectification.

[@heyitsgugu.5629]

MIND BLOWN.

[@naseema3536]

This is tad talkd has a very important message, this really helped me, bc. 2 weeks of the month i eat very few, and the other twoo i eat a lot mlre but i don't really gain weight, heck i think i even loose some eventhough i eat more. This really helped me understand my own physiology more and how my body works. Thank you, i know how to customize my diet and exercise routine better now🌸🤗.

[@Alfyyxxx]

Quality!

[@blancaguardado1403]

Wow this was just great!! Loved it!! Super interesting!

[@grimpixel6060]

My male best friend and I have similar diets. He’s lost 13 lbs so far following what I eat for the most part. I’ve lost 2 lbs and have plateaued. It’s infuriating.. Really enjoyed this TedTalk and hope to learn more about this. It was definitely something I didn’t take into consideration.

[@lindasmith7423]

Also life after babies, I didn't realise how much your body changes and how long it takes your body to adjust. One big factor, it is very hard to find baby friendly gyms, no feeding chairs, they have a creche sometimes but only at certain times, I live in proximity of 4 gyms, none have a creche.

[@smithasureshholisticnutrit6287]

Great talk. He has really dived into uncharted territory. I wish he had also spoken about Mommy bodies and their special requirements. Diastasis recti for example means that we shouldn't be crunching or planking as much as we need to be engaging our core.

[@courtneylewis5355]

In my life I’ve had 4 awful sporting injuries, and every time I was on my period, or 1-2 days before starting my period. This explains so much! Can’t believe this is spoke about more.

[@sharroon7574]

Is it just me or do other women feel clumsier at this time too?

[@graceho8296]

@@sharroon7574 Idk maybe im distracted because I'm not sure if my tampon is leaking? 🤣

[@BretSimmons]

I'm not a woman and I got information I can use myself out of this talk. I've already shared it with some women I know. Well done.

[@l_a_u_r_e_n_j_h]

Great talk by James! Would love to hear him talk for more than 18 minutes, so I hope we see more Ted Talks from him in 2020!

[@stephensmith416]

He has a podcast on Spotify

[@l_a_u_r_e_n_j_h]

Stephen Smith - Yeah I’ve listened to his podcast episodes, but it’s nice to see him and hear him when he does talks like this Ted talk.

[@DORITA801]

Well said

[@Jdonaleshen]

I have noticed this for years. Glad someone finally put it out there

[@caroleshelton1892]

I was curious because my friend had lost weight and I wished to know how. They will suggested that I visit *2WeightLossFast. Com* . Once I listened to their advice, I lost 16 and a half pounds.?

[@realtalkswitharedhead]

Brilliant stuff man!

[@nicknation6769]

Great talk James. Took away a lot in a short talk!

[@SueKF64]

Brilliant talk! Thanks James. Bought the book. Anything about menopause in it?

[@b.mcleod4872]

Strong has already overtaken skinny as far as I'm aware.

[@sheadoherty7434]

Almost. Still some weirdness about it.

[@EskimoProjectTV]

Unreal! We need more Ted talks like this!

[@cinderellapowerfit819]

I always follow your channel, I think it's one of the best

[@carolinar3638]

Omg yes thnk you!

[@J1mmyMack]

Interesting trouser choice.

[@chosenone599]

👏👏 liked and shared!

[@030Lizz030]

Finally someone that’s speaks up about this! In certain weeks my stomach doesn’t seem to get filled at all! It makes me thing, that a lot of science was bases on men.

[@mollybeere8019]

"I went for a run so I can have a cookie" I feel so attacked... This is the video I never knew I needed.

[@meryemyuksel4278]

Such a good presentation. A man that finally understands a woman.. Love you James Smith 🥰

[@melmo8899]

This is amazing

[@lisakennedy8069]

Well done James, this man is from Venus

[@elissa3188]

I wish this was more known...how do we get all nutritionists and trainers and people to know this. How do we craft diets for this.

[@jamesallen74]

I wish these TED talk producers would learn to show the slides. This is common sense for any video production company come on.

[@mariafreehill3069]

Fantastic memory and speaker times everything by a gazillion 💜😀🍀💚🦋 happy paddy's day M83 xxx

[@ariesasmr25]

Love this and love his mentality about women and what their bodies go through!!

[@coral-annbirnie4159]

Brilliant James! You’ve explained the reasons I work hard to eloquently, Strong > Skinny

[@kcpark6629]

Game changer! I love this content. It was so insightful