The Three Week Experiment was my way of putting this to the test. It was a no lose situation (pun not intended). Either I would finally get the hang of eating properly and lose weight, or I would have proof that even if I followed a completely designed meal plan I still wouldn't lose the weight.
I spent a weekend running around from store to store gathering all the specialty items (PB2) and new foods (kale) that I was going to be experiencing for the first week. I was prepared and I was motivated. On Monday I stepped up on the scale and got out my measuring tape. I know, I know, sometimes the scale doesn't move but you get smaller. Yada, yada. I was going to gather as much data as possible.
The first few days were rough. They were terrible, terrible ordeals. I was so hung up on being perfect on the plan that I completely obsessed about food. I was anxious about when to eat, that I was eating too much, that I was eating too often, that I wasn't eating often enough. I was still motivated but frustrated as well. Clearly, I had been eating too much all along. After the first day I did a quick calculation of my total calorie intake and it was only 1200 calories. Too low. I was being too stingy with the food because I was so worried about going overboard. I modified for the rest of the week and made sure that I was eating plenty of veggies and protein to stay full. I have to tell you, the first two Friday's on the plan were unbelievably hard. I think it was all in my head but I had decided that I deserved to treat myself on Fridays. I was angry that I wasn't able to eat. I was a bitter, mean person. So, I ate. The first Friday I splurged on thin crust veggie pizza with pineapple. I was satisfied.
I did notice changes almost immediately. My weight dropped as it always does when I go on a restricted eating plan. Four pounds fell off in the first few days. I was also feeling good. My sleep was great. My workouts were awesome. I was fueling during my workout with carbs because I knew that I wasn't eating enough. It was amazing to me that even with new foods I was able to easily complete my runs. The plan got easier with each break through.
By the middle of week 3, the plan was routine. I knew what I was going to eat and somehow managed to like Muscle Milk. My body felt great and workouts were still going well. I also noticed that my usual aches and pains had diminished. The pain that has plagued my left hip and ankle have become very minimal to non-existent issues. Maybe finally following a true anti-inflammatory diet has made the difference. I started to look back at the types of foods I was eating and determined that I had pretty much eliminated wheat and dairy was minimal and only in the form of Greek yogurt and a stick or two of string cheese. How did I manage to survive without my daily doses of cheese?
In being completely honest, my weekends were not perfect. I ate out at least once a week. I tried to keep my portions realistic and I think I succeeded. I also managed to have a couple of margaritas during the weekend. I love margaritas.
By the end of the three weeks I saw changes. However the food was no longer challenging. I didn't feel like I was eating that much less than I had been all along. Yes, I have stopped my daily Starbucks trips and my sweets have been few and far between but it hasn't been a complete lifestyle make over. I understand the plan. I see the value of high quality protein and carbs at each meal. I am grateful to have broken my sugar addiction. I am fairly certain it was sugar withdrawal rather than calorie restriction that made those first few days hell.
So, the final data for the experiment looks pretty good. I lost 6 lbs and 6.25 inches in three weeks.
You'd think that would have me jumping for joy. I am very happy that I feel better but I am not impressed with the weight loss.
I am still stuck with the same struggle I've faced for the past 5 years. I start an eating plan (diet, whatever) and I immediately lose water weight (4 lbs) then I might lose 2-3 more pounds and then it stops. This is where I am right now. I have continued with the eating plan and I am stuck. I lose a pound and I gain a pound. There is not a steady decline and it is infuriating.
I would just be happy at this point if the scale was going the right direction by 1/4 pounds, anything, really, anything would be better than being stagnant.
What now? I keep chugging away at it, keep training for Tinkerbell in January, and keep trying to motivate others to do awesome things.
“You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find,
you get what you need” ~The Rolling Stones
