Trying a diet experiment

[Brewman_Jax]

I workout roughly 5 days a week, and I seem to have hit a plateau. I'm not seeing results, i.e., the pants aren't fitting better. I've concluded that my diet must be at fault. I was eating Chinese at lunch most days, but I'd split the lunch in half. The other half became dinner.

The experiment is that I'll do (most of) my own cooking and only marine meat sources at least 3 weeks. The first week has passed. I'll let you how it goes.

Now that I've posted this, I can't be a slacker. :P

[H3Dakota]

1. Your own cooking is always better!

As much as I adore Chinese food, it really can get very high in fat & calories between the sauces & the oils used in cooking. Unless you are ordering the steamed platters? If that is the case, then look for "hidden" calories elsewhere!

[flvegan]

2. Let's look at your workout routine, too.

What you're doing (changing your diet around) is good. Gotta shock that body to grow. Same rule applies in the gym. Are you doing the same routine/exercises each day/week? Gotta change those movements around too, if you want to experience growth.

Plateaus suck.

[Brewman_Jax]

3. Good point

I have fallen into the gym routine. There are 3 group sessions that I do enjoy and don't like to miss. I can change the others and get outside on the weekends, weather permitting. On the group days I get on a cardio machine for another 10 mins, which adds 20% to the total workout.

I may have to change my rest day, too.

[Brewman_Jax]

4. End of Week 1

No change. Weight is the same, pants are the same. Haven't lost ground.

I'm also increasing my water intake. I'll do 3 liters per day. I've read where most people don't drink enough water, esp. if they're active.

Did a cooking marathon last night. I've made enough food for at least a couple of days. I have soup, salads, casseroles, apple sauce (unsweetened, a touch of Tabasco sauce spices it up nicely. :9 ) and anything more can be cooked quickly.

[Brewman_Jax]

5. End of Week 2

I've stayed on track, in spite of our taichi association's annual banquet. Down 1 pound, the test pants show slight improvement in the seat, the waist is still tight.

I have to add more water throughout the day.

Tho' time consuming, the time spent cooking is evened out by having readily available food that's good and can be heated in the microwave. I have in the refrigerator seafood bisque, corn cake batter, broccoli casserole. I have the ingredients for quiche, stuffed fish, burritos and quesadillas. Those are quick and easy to make.

The money savings is remarkable! A work week's worth of purchased lunches would cost $26. The same money in the supermarket gets me ingredients for about 7 days of meals and snacks.

The weather is improving, so I can get and run and practice soccer more, especially on the weekends. I'll probably need 1 or 2 double workout days, and run on the weekends.

The experiment is going along quite nicely. The prognosis is good!

[DemExpat]

6. Lookin' good!

Home cooking is so much better imo....and I am often amazed at how quick and instant some meals can be with some planning and organizing beforehand to have everything at hand.

:thumbsup: :hi:

DemEx

[wildeyed]

8. It is amazing how much you can save by not eating out.

After I had my first baby, I cut back to only working part-time, which meant less money. To make it up, one of the things we gave up was eating out and convenience food. In addition to saving $$$'s, I felt healthier and managed to lose 3 pounds more than my pre-pregnancy weight.

[Brewman_Jax]

7. Some of my menu items

Omelets, green bean casserole, squash casserole /w corn cake crust, easy seafood bisque (a touch of dry sherry is the secret. :thumbsup: ) stuffed fish (tilapia or salmon), black beans and rice, red beans and rice, corn cakes, stuffed baked potatoes. :9

I can give recipes and hints on request.

[Brewman_Jax]

9. End of Week 3

Changed the rest day to Wednesday, worked out everyday from Thursday to today. Did a soccer practice on Sat and Sun. No trouble maintaining the diet plan, even if going out. The "roomy" pants (size 36) seem to be roomier, and I forgot to try the test pants this morning. The scale shows down 2 lbs.

Since the experiment is going well, I'll add another week to it. :thumbsup:

[wildeyed]

10. Excellent!

:yourock:

[Brewman_Jax]

11. On the test pants

slight improvement--still close in the waist, but better in the seat. Showing progress, which is the important part.

[Brewman_Jax]

12. More menu items

Spiced applesauce, seafood quiche, crawfish jambalaya, seafood chowder. :9 Kroger had frozen crawfish (8oz) and I had to thaw the whole package and use it all. The label says not to re-freeze.

I like my cooking!

[Brewman_Jax]

13. End of Week 4 and experiment

The weather was good yesterday, so I did a dble workout, 30min step aerobics followed by 3-1/2 mile run.

The experiment is ended.

Conclusions: If nothing else, I noticed a definite financial savings, which is not news to anyone. :dunce: More importantly, I've learned to vary my menu selections and keep them easy for ease of storage.

There's been no significant weight change, but the test pants continue to show improvement. I'll have to back off the Chinese lunch platters, not more than twice a week, and continue to eat half early and the other half later. I've reloaded the freezer with frozen veggies for casseroles and other stuff. I'll look on the healthy menu and definitely make lower-calorie choices.

Now that the weather is improving and daylight is longer, I want to add double workouts once during the week, and once on the weekends. That will definitely up the heart rate. Also, I will experiment with limited fasts, like juice only, for instance, for 12-24 hours. I will do those on rest days.

That's all for now. I'll let you all know when I can wear my college ring again. It's still in its original state, no extension installed.

Don't forget--You can do eet, Waterboy! You can do eet!