Middle of Week 3
OK folks… I’ve been on the meal plan now for close to 3 weeks. I’ve been through a high carb day and have now reduced my fat calories to begin stripping body fat. Here are my observations about the meal plan so far…
1. The first 5 to 8 days were a bit tough, with nagging headaches and some lethargy. But, it was no worse than coming off of caffeine cold turkey… actually it was easier.
2. Breath is fresher than usual.
3. I have no cravings and do not get hungry between meals, even after a significant 500 a day drop in calories. Keep in mind that the initial 2 weeks were spent at higher calorie levels of 2500. I guess they figure that you don’t need to be hungry while you are trying to make a metabolic shift.
This lack of appetite is a welcome change, and is so nice after the years spent being food fixated, especially in recent years when I became much more interested in physique competitions.
4. Blood glucose levels have dropped and leveled off to the point where I may consider decreasing or discontinuing meds. I have a new GP who is willing to supervise this, and has counterparts at U of A who may be able to use some data in a current study… (wow, fame… LOL!!!). I’ll post more info on this as I get it.
5. Energy levels are high and stable, without that afternoon "wiped-out" feeling that I was attributing to "aging"… I’m only 40… that’s the "new 25"… isn’t it?? LOL!
6. Skin is clear and firm … great news for a "25 year old"…
7. Along with energy levels, moods are stable as well.
All in all, to quote a famous restaurant, "I’m lovin’ it"… with the exception of one thing… the high carb day. I’m hatin’ that. A real shocker to anyone who knows me really, really well. I can eat an entire box of chocolates or a whole liter of ice cream. Cheesecake… not a food group?? So, to hear me say that the high carb day came and I REALLY didn’t want this stuff would seem really odd, especially after being "denied" anything that even resembles sweetness for 2 weeks.
However, the meal plan dictates that I have at least 1 high carb meal per week. After this intake of carbs, my energy was gone and I felt lethargic. Within hours I felt dehydrated with awful dry mouth and had high blood glucose (expected). On the bright side, the next morning there were no carb cravings… bonus.
