If you know me well, you’ve likely heard that after a couple week of research on many diets and work out programs that I’ve just started day one of 28 of a new slow carb diet, paired with a high intensity training program, inspired by many other people who’ve done a similar experiment.
After much contemplation over goals for the four weeks, ie. muscle gain vs weight loss, I’ve decided that it will be more of a weight loss than a muscle gain experiment. This is mainly due to the fact that I am not used to eating a lot, and will likely be unable to take in enough calories to sustain it. That, and I’m roughly 25 lbs over my typical “in shape” weight. My goal for the 28 days is to drop 15 lbs of body fat – unfortunately I wasn’t able to get in to measure my body fat % before I began, so I’ll be winging it, but I did remember to snap a few pictures.
The Diet:
I will be following a slow carb diet. Four meals a day comprised of vegetables, high protein meat source, and lentils. I’ve tested this diet out at the first of the month and made several notes so I knew what I was getting myself into. Note: I’m not counting calories, I will eat as much or as little as I want from the three categories for each meal.
Guidelines:
1. No white carbs, except for after a workout. These basically include anything that is or could be white. Potato, bread, rice, etc.
2. Don’t drink calories, only water, and lots of it – Yes, I even have to give up beer.
3. Routine, routine, routine. Although there is some variation in meat choice and legume choice, I will mainly be eating the same meal over and over again, and eating as much or as little of it as I like.
4. Take a day off – Saturday is going to be my day. During this day I can eat anything I want and can give in to any of the cravings I’m having during the week. Not only does this day ensure that the rest of the days will be successful, it makes sure that my metabolic rate doesn’t downregulate from extended caloric restriction and will actually help burn fat.
The Workout:
Only 2 days per week of weight training, which is good for me since although I’ve always loved being active, hitting the weight room was always a chore for me.
I’ll be following a high intensity training program that is a full body work out twice a week with roughly 7 exercises. Each exercise is one set to failure with a 5/5 cadence (ie. 5 seconds up and 5 seconds down).
In addition to the weight training I’ll be continuing and adding to my swimming and basketball I’ve been doing, as well as adding at least 15 minutes of yoga every day.
Why am I blogging about this?
So many “diets” and changes that people try last a few days and get tossed aside. I thought that if I tell as many people about this as possible, I will be much more likely to see it through to the end. I will also post weekly updates with my thoughts, challenges, and tips throughout the 28 days, and will save my results for the end.
If you are currently doing the same thing please comment and let me know how it is going – I enjoy reading about people who are or have already changed their lifestyle with a diet like this.
EDIT: Seems I’ve come down with quite a bad flu so will be waiting until I conquer the flu before conquering the diet.
Good Luck with the diet. I’ve been on it for 6 weeks and had some moderate results.