Showing posts with label daily update. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daily update. Show all posts

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Day 34: I did it!


Body Fat: 17%
Total Inches: 134.0
Weight: 144.6 lbs



I did it! My goal was to get down to 145 pounds and although it took me an extra 4 days, I've done it! It feels good - I'm down to my lowest weight in over 14 years. Previous to this 4 hour body challenge I was at my highest at about 165 - 20 pounds higher then when I got married. I suppose that's not really that bad, but it was definitely noticeable. Then Jobina went on her so called "death diet" and I lost about 1o pounds. Fast forward to May where I went on the 4 Hour Body's slow carb diet and now I've lost another 10 pounds for a total of 20 total. Before these two diets I'd never really gone on a diet before so it was quite the new experience for me. Perhaps that's why it worked fairly quickly for me?

Breakfast: 2 eggs, iced water

Lunch: Taco salad

Supper: Pork tenderloin, sauteed veggies, salad

4 Hour Body Weight Loss Eating Plan: Random Impressions

-First of all, this diet isn't the "super diet" that works for everyone. Jobina did it with me and found it wasn't as effective as other eating plans she's tried.
-If you like me are coming from a high carb lifestyle it can be pretty painful (withdrawal) to go off off pasta and cheese.
-Having a cheat day to look forward where you are encouraged to eat anything you wish is a very nice way to handle the temptations. By having a cheat day I was able to stop myself from cheating the other 6 days of the week.
-Psychological effects: Definitely my choice to track my progress was probably the biggest factor in keeping it up, followed by the public nature of this blog. Also, having Jobina do it with me meant I had at home accountability. "Misery loves company" is very true! We both felt that if we cheated we were not only letting ourselves down but the other person as well. This was powerful motivation when one of us was tempted or "whiny."
-Cheating: If you look at the chart at the top, you can see that my weight jump up after a cheat day. Perhaps if I didn't cheat, I wouldn't have experienced these jumps, but I found that the mental pressure release from the cheat day helped me to stick to the diet in the long wrong.
-Scale: Our scale kind of sucked. The body fat analyzer didn't work for me a lot of the time and so tracking this became useless. It was nice to see some total inches lost, but it wasn't as effective a motivator as I thought it would be. I think that for other people this might be different though. As long as you are seeing progress of some time (weight, total inches, body fat) it will help you to keep going.
-Feel: I don't feel much more healthy, even though I dropped the pounds. Part of it is that I have back problems right now, but a lot of is that you don't feel that great after eating lots of meat.
-Cost: This diet ended up costing us a little more then usual due to eating out on cheat days and purchasing extra meat.
-Miscellaneous: I didn't realize how often I reward myself with food (usually bad food). Several times on Friday nights I would feel lost not knowing how to celebrate the end of a week. I'd say it took me 4 full weeks before I weaned myself off this kind of thinking and substituted other things.
-Future: I can see myself going on this diet every now and then (Ferris says to embrace cycling and stop worrying about keeping your body at a constant weight) when needed. I'd like to try experimenting with other parts of the book (building muscle, building strength, etc) but my back situation might stop me. As soon as I do, I'll start posting. In the meantime, I'll slowly add some carbs to my diet but keep tracking my weight to see what happens. I would like to maintain this weight for awhile.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Day 33: Getting There

Body Fat: 17.8%
Total Inches: 134.0
Weight: 145.5 lbs

Good day today with a decent weigh in. Starting to get my weekly carb cravings. Yesterday there was a power outage and we couldn't really prepare food so we went to the nearest restaurant for lunch - which happened to be McDonalds. Don't worry, we ate healthy (salads) but it was hard smelling all the other "bad food" on a non-cheat day. Aside from that not a bad day. My goal is in sight. Will I reach it by Saturday (my next cheat day), that is the question.

Breakfast: 2 eggs, Iced water

Lunch: McDonald's salad, no dressing, no croutons

Supper: Sauteed italian veggies, garlic shrimp (yum), and salad

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Day 32: Getting Closer

Body Fat: 17.8%
Total Inches: 134.0
Weight: 145.8 lbs

Cracked 146 so that's good. I feel strangely at peace with eating plan, now that my goal is in sight. I'm not even craving carbs (like I usually am this time of week). Still not sure if I can see myself doing this long term although I know that a very similar diet is used when building muscle or strength so it might be continuing into the next experiment.

Breakfast: 2 eggs, iced water, seasoned ground beef, salso

Lunch: 3 pieces of roast beef, roasted carrots

Supper: Pea soup (2 bowls)

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Day 31: The End?

Body Fat: 17.8%
Total Inches: 134.0
Weight: 146.4 lbs

Well today marked the official end of my 4 Hour Body weight reducing diet plan experiment. My goal was to lose 1o pounds but as of my weigh in this morning I was down 7.8 - close but no cigar. Although I'm happy with the results (I'm only 1.4 pounds heavier then I was when I got married), I'd still like to see if I could break 145. Thus, I've decided to keep going with the eating plan until at least Saturday (and possibly as long as two weeks). Jobina has told me she is not continuing with the plan so I'll be on my own - we'll see how this affects my self discipline.

Breakfast: Iced water, 2 eggs (ran out of spinach sadly)

Lunch: Chicpea curry with veggies

Supper: Roast beef, gravy, salad

Monday, May 30, 2011

Day 30: Slight Reductions

Body Fat: 17.8%
Total Inches: 134.0
Weight: 147.8 lbs

Today was a super busy day so I didn't have time for a decent breakfast, but Jobina was kind enough to drop off a taco meat salad for me at work (thanks honey!) which kind of saved me. I sense a sickness coming on so I'll have to see how that affects me tomorrow - I hope it holds off til Thursday morning!

Starting to think about what happens after tomorrow. Do I end the experiment or extend it? Or do I transition to one of the other 4 Hour Body bodyhacks; strength or muscle building. Not sure right now.

Breakfast: spoonful of peanut butter (yah, pretty sad I know)

Lunch: Massive taco salad

Supper:

Day 29: Post Cheat Gaining

Body Fat: 17.8%
Total Inches: 134.0
Weight: 148.5 lbs

2.5 pound increase after cheat day! Oh well, it shocks me less then it used to. This 30 day experiment has been interesting and today I had a new challenge. Jobina made homemade chocolate chip cookies (one of my favorite things) but we couldn't eat them. Then we had some old friends over with their kids so they all ate cookies. But I still stayed strong. Then (horror of horrors!), Jobina decided that eating a cookie (or two) would be OK for her so I was the only one left standing. Huge temptation! But somehow I sipped my tasteless tea and got through it. Social events of any kind seem to be huge when it comes to staying strong.

Breakfast: spoonful of peanut butter (we were late for church), iced water

Lunch: 3 eggs, spinach

Supper: chicken, veggies, water

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Day 28: My Cheating Heart

Body Fat: 18.7%
Total Inches: 134.0
Weight: 146 lbs

Today, after much discussion (and pressure from Jobina) we decided to make today our cheat day. I was tentative at first but then I remembered my discipline and proceeded to eat 6 pieces of French toast. Mmmm . . . French toast. From there it all got easier. Down almost a pound this morning it is a bit troubling to realize that it will all come back (with friends) tomorrow. Ah well, today was wonderful!

Breakfast: 6 pieces of French toast, apple juice

Lunch: Chicken noodle soup with lots of crackers

Supper: Tuna fish casserole, OJ

Misc: Frapuccino, many reese's peanut butter cups, chips and salsa,

P.S. Tried to do some air squats (as prescribed by Tim Ferris for binging) after one meal

Friday, May 27, 2011

Day 27: So Close!

Body Fat: 18.7%
Total Inches: 136.50
Weight: 146.9 lbs

1.9 pounds to go! Not sure I can drop that much in 4 days (to reach my second goal) but I will try. Note: By try I mean "stick to the eating plan and hope for the best!" The problem is I have a cheat day either today or tomorrow (still haven't decided which one) which will temporarily make my weight go up again. Yet if I skip the cheat day (and honestly, I don't think I have enough willpower to) then I'm breaking the rules of the eating plan. Probably when I weigh myself tomorrow morning then I'll make my decision . . .

Breakfast: Iced water, 2 eggs, spinach

Lunch: Nothing (work interfered with this and I planned poorly)

Supper: 2 steaks, cooked spinach, stir fried veggies (including mmmmmushrooms), cottage cheese, a little ham

Snack: Tablespoon of natural peanut butter

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Day 26: Getting Closer!

Fat: 18.7%
Total Inches: 136.50
Weight: 147.6 lbs

Interesting. There is a real pattern developing. Every week I make some progress, then after my cheat day it takes at least three days to recover. Those three days are kind of discouraging because my weight shoots up no matter what I do. Then mysteriously it begins to inch down and then usually gets a little lower then it was the previous week. If a person can be patient enough to get through the discouraging days, you get to see small but consistent results. Today when I woke up and weighed myself I was only .2 pounds away from last weeks lowest weight. Hopefully I will surpass that tomorrow?

A side effect of doing this diet is increased discipline. I felt good when Jobina told me a story of one of her friends who her and her husband only lasted 2 hours on their new eating plan! Jobina has said that this experiment has helped her to realize she can do anything she puts her mind to. I don't know if I can say that, but I will say that I realized that I can discipline myself more then I thought I could. A very empowering realization.

Breakfast: Iced water, 2 scrambled eggs, spinach

Lunch: Salad?

Supper: Lamb chops, salad, spaghetti squash and marinara sauce

Day 25: Status Quo

Fat: 18.7%
Total Inches: 136.50
Weight: 148.8 lbs

Same as yesterday, nothing to report. Jobina whipped up a big pan of taco seasoned ground beef and I ate a lot of it yesterday right before bed, we'll see how it effects my weight tomorrow.

Breakfast: Eggs, spinach, iced water

Lunch: Taco flavored salad

Supper Taco flavored salad, 2 servings of taco meat/salsa

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Day 24: (Sigh)

Fat: 19.1%
Total Inches: 136.50
Weight: 148.8

Slight reductions, ah well.

Breakfast: Iced Water, eggs,

Lunch: McDonald's salad

Supper: Chicken and mixed veggies

Snack: Humus and veggies (humus is apparently not the best for weight gain)

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Day 23: Yuck

Fat: 19.1%
Total Inches: 136.50
Weight: 150.1 lbs

Wow, was expecting a slight drop, jumped up a little instead. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Breakfast: Iced water, eggs, spinach

Lunch: Cottage cheese, pork tenderloin salad

Supper: Mexican chicken salad

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Day 22: Post Cheat Gains

Fat: 18.6%
Total Inches: 136.50
Weight: 149.6 lbs

Yikes, jumped up quite a bit after my cheat (almost 2 pounds)! Compensated by doing a 3 hour bike ride today.

Breakfast: Iced water, 2 eggs, spinach

Lunch: Pork tenderloin salad

Supper: Chicken, mixed veggies, salad

Snack: 1/2 tablespoon of natural peanut butter

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Day 21: Cheating But Strangely Subdued

Fat: 18.6%
Total Inches: 136.50
Weight: 147.8 lbs

A few points up before cheating (which is slightly deflating) but perhaps it helped me feel a little less crazy on a cheat day. Curiously as this is my third cheat day I did not feel compelled to gorge myself (while I still could!) and didn't get completely sick like the last two times. Instead I ate a lot, but was not gluttonous. Feel better about that, it will be interesting to see if it takes longer to lose the weight as Ferris says that when you cheat, cheat good!

Breakfast: 3 big bowls of honey nut cheerios.

Lunch: Big Mac, fries, Junior Chicken burger, root beer

Supper: 3 pieces of homemade Hawaiian pizza, Dr. Pepper, chips.

Snack: Large Root beer float, 2 reese's peanut butter cups, strawberries

Friday, May 20, 2011

Day 20: Another Drop Before Cheat Day

Fat: 18.6%
Total Inches: 136.50
Weight: 147.4 lbs

One pound drop overnight - not sure why but I'll take it. Hopefully cheat day tomorrow won't undo all that has been accomplished this week! Today I had (for me) an active day - I got out of work early and spent the day doing the lawn, biking, and going for a walk with the family. I was amazed at how easily I get tired and winded. Now I am severely out of shape, but this was worse then even my usual. I think about how heavy on carbs my old "diet" was compared to now - I guess it's understandable. Since beginning this experiment I conservatively estimate that I've cut out 95% of my carbs, 75% of my sugar, and 90% of my dairy. It's crazy when I think about it. Tomorrow I dream of pasta, bread, and chocolate (ah sweet luxuries).

Breakfast: Iced water, 2 scrambled eggs, spinach

Lunch: Pork tenderloin leftovers and spinach

Supper: Mexican vegetarian soup, cottage cheese, lots of water (Jobina makes it spicy!)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Day 19: Keeping on Keeping On

Fat: 18.6%
Total Inches: 136.50
Weight: 148.4 lbs

Not too much to report. I've given up on photo documenting my meals - I'm beyond the point where that would affect my discipline. 24 hours until my next cheat day - and I can't wait. Tried thermal loading again - twice with the cold water in the shower. By the way, I'm doing a max of 60 seconds of cold - something I've slowly worked my way up to. Tim Ferris is right - it wakes you up like a foghorn (although in the evening after the shock has worn off then I think it actually helps me to sleep better). 10 more days and three more pounds to go.

Jobina and I have been doing this together but because she was having some unpleasant symptoms (dizziness and extreme fatigue) she has "tweaked" her diet to include some small amounts of carbs. Logically I support her 100% but a piece of me (the emotive side) feels abandoned to suffer the cruelty of the eating plan alone. I have felt a little dizzy after getting up some times as well and wonder how the lack of carbs is affecting me. Nothing else has been problematic.

Breakfast: Iced water, spinach, 2 scrambled eggs (this is now my go to breakfast)

Lunch: Chicken Teriyaki Salad

Supper: Pork tenderloin (orange glazed), salad, grilled veggies

Evening Snack: A tablespoon of natural peanut butter (yes, it's sad, but it's the closest to desert we have)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Day 18: More losses?

Body Fat: 18.6%
Total Inches: 136.75
Weight: 148.2 lbs

I was pretty shocked to wake up and see I'd lost over a pound - especially as I didn't feel really disciplined yesterday. I'm wondering if my use of cold water during showers (not the whole time, only about a minute) is what's putting me over the edge? Not sure really, but we'll see how things go tomorrow. Here's what I ate today:

Breakfast: Iced water 25 minutes before eating, 2 scrambled eggs, spinach

Lunch: Salsa salad, sliced baloney

Supper: Teriyaki chicken, stir fried veggies (peppers, beans, mushrooms, water chestnuts, etc)

Extras: Did one 60 seconds of thermal loading in the shower, 50 air squats directly after a meal

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Day 17: First Goal Achieved

Body Fat: 19%
Total Inches: 136.75
Weight: 149.9 lbs

Well today I reached my first goal, 5 pounds lost at day 17. That leaves less then two weeks to lose the last 5. What do you think my chances are? I'm hoping to do a big bike ride this Saturday (from my house in Winnipeg to Grand Beach (anyone want to come along?) so I'm hoping that I might lose a good pound or two on that, even though it is my cheat day. Today though I celebrate progress!

P.S. Although I've reached my first goal, I expect that my weight may jump again over 150, but I can live with that. Two steps forward, one step back seems to be the way of this eating plan.

Breakfast: Iced water, 2 eggs, spinach

Lunch: Roast beef, brocolli

Supper: Roast beef salad, water

Day 16: Feeling Good

Body Fat: 19%
Total Inches: 136.5
Weight: 151.5 lbs

Today I had a good feeling and woke up renewed in my zeal for this whole 4 hour body experiment. Not sure why, maybe a good night's sleep? Anyway, felt good about my meals and it really helped that Jobina made my lunch for me. Anticipating losses tomorrow, especially since I tried doing some air squats before lunch and had two showers where I tried 60 seconds of cold water (more thermal loading). Yikes, that wakes you up fast!

Breakfast: Iced water, 2 eggs/spinach

Lunch: Salsa salad with spiced lentils and chicken

Supper: Roast beef and brocolli

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Day 15: Post Cheat Gains

Body Fat: 20%
Total Inches: 136.75
Weight: 152.7 lbs

Breakfast: Iced water, bowl of lentils/spinach/taco meat/eggs/salsa

Lunch: Taco salad with salsa

Supper: Thai Peanut butter chicken stir fry (very yummy)