Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Tim Ferriss' Slow-Carb Diet Test: Day 8



Today is the eighth day of Tim Ferriss' Slow-Carb Diet, as laid out in The 4-Hour Body.

For the next 22 days, I will execute the plan, document my progress, and share any relevant observations along the way. Does it work? Is it worth doing? Do I have enough will power to stick it out? I invite you to join me on this 30 day adventure and find out.

Meals
Since my last report, I have been very diligent about eating according to the plan. For the most part, I have eaten the following foods:

Meat
  • Chicken breast: I switch between Tyson's grilled chicken and Walmart's frozen chicken breast. Tyson's grilled chicken is perfect for when I'm short on time, but the frozen chicken is so juicy when baked.
  • Eggs: I eat between 6-10 scrambled eggs a day. For color and flavor, I leave two egg yolks in the mix.
  • Ground Beef: In the evening, I'll cook 93/7 ground beef. If I can find 96/4, I prefer that over anything else.
  • Steak: Starting in week two, I bought a few lean cuts of steak. The fat count is under 5 grams per serving.
Legumes 
  • Lentils: For just about every meal, I'll have a serving of lentils. Lentils are easy to make, store, and reheat when necessary. One pound of lentils produced enough food for days.
  • Red Beans: I like red beans, but they take too long to prepare. After attempting to cook a bag, I resorted to the can for ease of use.
Vegetables
  • Mixed veggies: There is nothing exciting about my vegetables. I like cauliflower and broccoli, so I went with multiple frozen bags. A few minutes in the microwave or stove top and we're ready to go.
Beverages
  • Water: On average, I'm drinking between 8-10 glasses of water per day. I would like to reach one gallon per day, but haven't achieved that point yet.
  • Red wine: Each night, I drink 1-2 glasses after dinner. I find wine a good way to end a busy day.
  • Coffee: When available, I'll drink a cup of black coffee. 
On Saturday, my scheduled cheat day, I went crazy. I ate macaroni and cheese, ham, mashed potatoes, ice cream, cookies, potato chips, and candy. For the most part, it was nice to eat what I wanted but I felt full much sooner than normal. I was a little disappointed I couldn't eat more, but I suppose it was good for me that I didn't. 
    Physical Activities
    I only worked out once the entire 8 days. My plan was to do as I normally do, but I think the holiday has made me lazy.

    Statistics
    I weighed in and measured myself today. After 8 days, I found that I gained 2 pounds and lost 1/2 inches from my chest. Outside of that, no other changes to report. I'm not sure if it's just water retention or the scale, but the numbers speak for themselves.

    • Weight: 262 lbs (+ 2lbs)
    • Height: 6' 2"
    • Age: 35
    • Body Fat: 25.5% 
    • Chest: 45.5" (-45.5")
    • Waist: 43.25"
    • Arms: 17.25"
    • Shoulders: 53.5"
    • Forearms: 14"
    • Neck: 16.25"
    • Hips: 46.25"
    • Thighs: 26"
    • Calves: 18"
    Observations
    Since my last report, I find that I'm not as hungry as usual. Eating four meals a day feels forced, outside of breakfast where I am starving.

    As far as energy, I feel great. I'm not taking any naps or struggling to get through the day. Nothing to complain about here.

    Final Thoughts
    As I reflect on the past 8 days, I anticipated a weight loss. Even if the scale reported only a measly 2 pounds, I would have been satisfied. Unfortunately, the results have not been stellar.

    What could I have done differently? I ask myself. As it pertains to Tim Ferriss' slow-carb diet, the answer is nothing.  I followed the plan and gained two pounds. However, knowing my body the way I do, I tend to gain weight before I lose it. Therefore, as we continue the 4 week test, I realize there are still 3 weeks to go.

    Suggested Changes
    • Hit the gym
    • Increase water intake to at least a gallon per day  
    Feedback
    For those following along, how do you feel? What could you do better tomorrow? Leave me a comment in the section below and join us on the discussion board (see Community).

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    1 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    You cant weigh yourself at day 8. Weight spikes just after your cheat day. Weigh before your cheat day and make sure your eating within 30minutes of waking up.

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    Damond L. Nollan, M.B.A.

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