Diet Update
It’s been a little over 3 weeks now, and for what it’s worth, here’s some thoughts and updates on how my diet is going.
First of all, I decided to go with Nutrisystem, mainly because I wanted to be able to go on a successful diet, with minimal thinking and shopping. With Nutrisystem, they send you all your food for a reasonable price. All I have to do is have buy crackers, fruit, bread, milk, and salad/dressing. Really not a bad deal as far as I’m concerned. Other than that, everything comes in the mail.
Anyway, here are some quick thoughts I’ve been thinking about for the last few weeks:
- To date, I’ve lost 9 lbs. Not bad for less than a month.
- I don’t have to tell you what a high fiber diet does … just think.
- Speaking of, Fiber-Flakes are not a very good breakfast.
- Nutrisystem claims they are good because of something called a glycemic index. It has something to do with carbs. In reality, it’s little more than a low calorie diet. I added it up the other day, and I’m taking in somewhere between 900 and 1300 calories per day … well below the 2200 I burn in daily activities.
- Speaking of calories … I found out that a turkey-dog on a whole wheat bun, only has 125 calories. I ditched the Nutrisystem lunches that I don’t like in favor of this new discovery
- I’ve had over 50 salads since I started. I’m really starting to like them.
- Skim milk isn’t that bad either.
- Being from the south, it was hard to give up sweet tea. Thankfully, I discovered the joys of Splenda.
- OK, I’ll be honest here. I’m hungry a LOT on this diet. Contrary to what you might hear on the commercials, I’m rarely satisfied by the meals. Maybe it’s those southern portions that have messed me up. All you can eat buffets can really screw with your perception of a normal meal size
- Yes, you get dessert with the meals. But if you skip them on some nights, you’ll lose more.
- I’ve ordered the 2nd month of food already … and this time, instead of letting them pick the meals, I chose them myself. Lots of hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken breast sandwiches, pasta, pizza, and pancakes.
- My goal is to lose 30 lbs. Hopefully by the end of the second month, I’ll be down 20-25 lbs. Once I’m there, I’ll start my own low calorie diet … with a lot more cheating … and more working out.
- I do miss soda. I really like Coca-Cola. Coke-Zero just doesn’t cut it.
The first few days were torture. I’m not kidding … I almost didn’t survive (ok that’s an exaggeration). If you can make it past the first week, you’ll be fine. All in all, it’s a good experience. Yes, I’ve cheated a couple times. I’ve had ice cream once, hot wings once, seafood once, steak once, and some cookies (made with splenda) once. You’ll notice that I’ve only done each thing only one time though. If I’m good during the week, I feel better about cheating on the weekend.
Wish me luck for the rest of the diet
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You might try visiting http://www.gidiet.com. This book explains what the glycemic index is and breaks down foods into 3 categories – red, yellow, and green – which makes it really easy to follow. The book basically explains how to do the Nutrisystem diet yourself. It also includes some recipes that are easy and much tastier than the Nutrisystem stuff. My husband dropped 25 pounds in a month and has kept 15 of it off, even though we’re not stringently following the diet anymore. A lot of the eating habits naturally stuck, which is the best possible outcome.
Good to hear you found something that works for you. I put about five pounds back on from my current low of 175, I’m ramping up my exercise time (lots of bike riding…), and hopefully I can take those off plus another ten or fifteen.
Nathan,
I’ve been a silent lurker for some time. This diet you are on is dangerous. It’s not sustainable and you will gain the weight back. I’m no expert but from personal experience (lost 102 pounds in 52 weeks) Weight lifting is the key. that and cut the crap out … and yes splenda is crap.
trevor,
Indeed, this is not a sustainable diet. I never actually meant for it to be. Like you, I plan on supplementing a low calorie diet with weight lifting. But I wanted to kickstart the diet first.
Here’s my reasoning…
I have a layer of fat over most of my muscles at the current time. If I were to start working out right now … I’d just build up muscle underneath my fat. That would just make me look even bigger. I want to look more cut than big. This isn’t theory eiter … I lifted weights for 2 months and didn’t lose any fat whatsoever. In fact, because of my appetite being greater because of the workout… I actually gained weight.
So … I want to lose the weight first, then start on a workout program. That part is just theory … but I’m willing to try it out.
Anyway, yeah I don’t plan on being on nutrisystem for the rest of my life. No sandwiches, fried foods, cookies, cheese, etc. for the rest of my life? I’d rather be fat
Nathan
Well dig this, I was lifting weights 3 times a week then i went on a little 10 week bicycle tour accross canada with my church(incredible – but thats another story altogether). At the end of it all i had gained weight! Muscle is denser than fat, so one pound of muscle takes up less space on your frame than one pound of fat. The problem with starving yourself(900-1300 cal/day) is that you will end up with SFGS (skinny fat guy syndrome – think Jared from Subway). Its all about smart choices…cola is a killer, so are the white carbs and anything that has HFCS (yes the government is subsidizing your demise). Anyways, all the best in your journey.
Sorry i should have added that when your intake is dangerously low your body will first choose your muscles for energy prior to fat. This compounds the problem as less muscle drops your metabolic rate. second, and scary, response is to go into hibernation…and your metabolism will drop, your productivity will drop, you will be lethargic and the kicker…your weight will remain unchanged.
I don’t mean to treat you like an expert or anything, but what would you suggest as an alternative?
I’m currently walking for about 40 minutes a day in a local park … that should help the muscle/metabolism part … and I eat fruits between meals. I have 2 salads a day, with minimal dressing … a good breakfast with fruit (about 300 calories), and dinner is usually very filling, although only for about 2 hours (by 9pm I am hungry again … usually eating some fruit to satisfy).
Like I said, lunch is nice … not stuffing, but satisfying. I wouldn’t say I’m starving myself … I’m just eating low calorie foods like salad, turkey, cereal, fruit, etc. I don’t eat enough vegetables … and I don’t really plan to. I really can’t stand them (except corn and potatoes).
I’m afraid that if I start working out too strenuously, I really will start feeling hungry, and will probably end up eating more. I don’t want that to happen until I’ve lost some flab around my stomach and chest. Once I’m down to maybe 165 (normal for my frame), I can start eating more and working out more, without risking putting on more fat.
Where am I wrong? Any suggestions will be seriously considered. Keep in mind that I live in the city, don’t own a bike, and work at a computer desk for 10+ hours a day
You should try eating vegetables raw. I personally cannot stand eating cooked carrots, spinach, greens of pretty much any kind, celery, and a host of other veggies- but all of these are awesome raw.