Thursday, December 11, 2014

Paleo Diet: Day 11

11 days ago, I started myself on the Paleo diet.  There was no cheating in these 11 days, as I ate nothing but the diet allowed and restricted myself from all the things I could not eat.  I was very determined to remain disciplined and was rewarded by losing 7 pounds in the first 5 days! 

During the diet, I mostly baked and grilled meats like chicken, pork, steak, and salmon while adding only peppers, Mrs. Dash, and parsley/cilantro leaves as my seasoning.  I'd prepare a big bowl of salad with raw mushrooms and tomatoes thrown in that I could add to my meals throughout the week.  I'd fry eggs with olive oil and add them to the salad to add some extra flavor, since I wasn't allowed to use any dressing.  Other sides included steamed broccoli and cauliflower or corn on the cob.  I'd have one freshly sliced orange every morning, a banana for an afternoon snack, and grapes or apples late at night if I wanted a snack.   As for drinks, I didn't have anything but water.  Some people recommended tea, but I just don't like tea and couldn't find anything else I would rather drink...so I drank tons of water, lol.

In the first week, I had already noticed that the fat around my face was gone.  Mentally and physically, I felt fine.  I didn't have any cravings to eat any of the foods I was abstaining from.  In fact, I felt like I couldn't eat as much in a single sitting and after my meals, my stomach never felt bloated.  I also noticed that I didn't have to 'deuce' as often, and when I did, it wasn't as much. I could really tell how effective the diet was in terms of eating healthy and losing fat.  One thing I did notice however is that my body became sore from workouts more easily, but this was probably due to the drastic change in nutrition.

After 5 days, I had lost 7 pounds, but I noticed my waist wasn't trimming as quickly as I hoped.  In addition, I didn't continue to lose weight as quickly like that first major decrease and I continued to hover around 183 lbs the next 5 days.  While I had lost an inch around my waist, it was becoming apparent that the fat around the stomach requires a lot more time to trim.  As stated by my friend Matt, "the belly is the place we retain the most fat" and so it will take the longest to reduce.
Day 11: front view (right)- 183 lbs, 35.5" waist
Day 11: side view (right)- 183 lbs, 35.5" waist
Nonetheless, I have been very happy with the results.  However, in light of my discovery that I probably won't be able to lose that much more weight through December 20th (which was my original goal), I have decided to back off the hardcore Paleo diet and transition into what I will call the "Palineo Diet!"  Thanks Matt for the name suggestion.  Pandeo was another choice, but sounded too much like a diet for a panda bear.

The Palineo diet will consist of a normal diet without as much restriction, which some Paleo insight.  For example, it all starts at the grocery store for me.  In the past I would buy lots of breads like hot dog and burger buns and also a lot pastas to make things like spaghetti and fettuccine.  The Palineo diet will not allow me to make these purchases individually for myself.  I will continue to just shop the meats, fruits, and vegetable aisles for my home cooking.  Rice will become my main grain if I want to compliment meals.

Palineo will allow me to have salt and sugar.  Sugar has never been a problem for me, but it is an additive in many drinks and sauces.  My old seasonings will return and there won't be any restriction on that.  In additional, I will cook with only olive oil and will no longer be using vegetable oil.

As for drinks, beer is allowed again, and I celebrated my success (and diligence on such a challenging diet) with a couple Bud Lights last night.  I am allowed to drink milk again, but will alternate my morning glass of milk with fresh fruit.  Sodas will also have a restriction.  Instead of soda everyday, I will limit myself to one can every other day.

I should expect to have some of the weight I lost come back, but my hope is that in time, I can continue to lose weight or maintain what I have lost with a renewed perspective on the way I eat.  190 lbs and the way my face had pudged up was just too much, and personally I felt a diet was necessary.  I'm proud that I was able to stick with it for 11 days,  and I'm ready to move forward toward a healthier and thinner me!