After 16 weeks, June 22, 2015

Weight. 174 lbs.  Fat.  18.5%.  Stomach.  36 ”

My goal was to get in great shape by my 50th Birthday which was yesterday. I had dropped 20 lbs in 15 weeks and starting to show a little 6 pack.  Well, we partied for 5 days at the cottage, ate anything I wanted to, drank as much beer as one could.  No regrets, but I gained 5 lbs.  How much of the gain is water and how much is fat I hope to know by next week.  I have now decided to continue the experiment, to see how far it can go.  I will now be adding cardio in the form of mountain biking, do lots of ABS and core exercises, while eating the Atkins way.  Can I, at the age of 50, still get six pack ABS, simply by eating low carb?  Let’s find out!

After 15 weeks, June 15, 2015

Weight:   169 lbs.  Fat:  18.2 %.  Stomach:   35″.  Fat Loss:  19.5 lbs

One week to go until my 50th Birthday and goal date.  1/2 lb to go to have lost 20 lbs in 16 weeks, which seems to be working out.  As summer starts to take fold, the temptation and exceptions start to overwhelm.  My advice would be to make sure to get the diet in before summer.  One week to go and I will have beer, pizza, bread and more.  Can’t wait.

After 14 weeks, June 8, 2015

Weight:  171 lbs.  Fat:  19%.  Stomach:   35.5″.  Weight loss:  17.5 lbs

 

No change at all this week.  There was a day in Niagara on the patio followed by a late concert and 3 days at the cottage, where I ran out of Atkins approved food.  Not a good diet week, but if I can maintain while going out and having fun several days of the week, not so bad.  Instead, I pulled out a pair of pants size 32 I bought Boxing Day, so small I could not even try on.  The plan was to be able to wear it by summer.  It fits perfectly.  I think it is a good idea to buy cloth that you plan to fit into as a motivator.  Two weeks to go, hope to be down 20 lbs total weight loss by then.

 

After 13 weeks, June 1, 2015

Weight:  171 lbs.  Fat:   19%.  Stomach:  35.5″.  Weight loss:  17.5 lbs

The 2 reasons why this diet has worked so well for me.  1)  I know it works if you follow the rules.  I’ve done it once before and it worked, so I knew it would work again.  2)  Setting up realistic goals.  Have realistic weight loss targets in a realistic time frame that you can manage.  1 to 2 lbs per week are realistic.  Need to lose 20 lbs?  Plan to be dieting for up to 20 weeks.  Setting goals that are unattainable will lead to disappointment and you will drop out too early.  Another example:  don’t start this diet in summer if you enjoy patios out with friends, there will be too much temptation.  Start after summer or in spring.  Set yourself up for success.

After 12 weeks, May 25, 2015

Weight:  173.5 lbs.  Fat:  18.8 %.  Stomach:  36″.  Weight loss:  15 lbs

Well, another week and another lbs lost.  Have started eating a slice of rye toast with breakfast this week, to add a little grain to the diet.  Not sure what effect it may have, but tastes good.  Weight and fat percentage continue to drop, but stomach stuck at 36″ for a while now.  I see more fat loss above the stomach tire, which will probably be the final battle.

Went to an all out pub crawl with the guys for a 50th birthday party.  After a massive steak dinner, we hit the town.  I had my two strong rum and diet at the dinner, and then had a great excuse not to drink beer after beer as did the others.  The diet has given me a great excuse and reason not to have to drink with the others, but still go out with them.  We all had one shot of tequila and then I drove home at 3 am.  Pre diet days would have ended quite differently.  I was able to enjoy a few drinks with the guys, but had no interest drinking beer.  Patio days are coming and will present a new challenge.

After 11 weeks, May 18, 2015

Weight:   174.5 lbs.  Fat:   19%.  Stomach:   36″.   Weight loss:   14 lbs

Weight loss continues at a rate of about 1.25 lbs per week which seems healthy enough and will help keep it off after the diet changes. Meals are becoming heavier in carbs, but the body is adjusting nicely, as fat burning and use of fat for energy are now the norm.  At this stage the body simply prefers fat as an energy source and less effort needs to be made to loose weight.  Fantastic diet, can’t weight to see the end resul

After 10 Weeks, May 11, 2015

Weight:  176.5 lbs   Fat:  19%.   Stomach  36″.   Weight loss  12 lbs

No weight loss this week. I suppose partly because of Mothers Day weekend, as many meals were had, celebrating with various mothers in my life.  It simply leads to over-eating.  It could also be for adding creatine, which tends to hold more water in the cells.  The fat percentage did drop, so I should still be losing fat.  The bigger achievement may be that after 10 weeks I am still on the diet, where we would have lost most others on the complicated calorie counting diets.  As the food continues to be great tasting and I don’t go hungry, it’s not that hard!

After 9 weeks, May 4, 2015

Weight.  176.5.   Fat. 20.4%.  Stomach  36″.  Weight Loss.   12 lbs

   

 

12 lbs fat loss after 9 weeks is not too bad, though I would have liked a little more.  The weekends are becoming more challenging than expected as the weather warms up.  I am surprised to see any improvement after this weekend.  A Friday afternoon visit from a friends and a few drinks, the Mayweather fight party at my house where friends brought food and drink, Sunday afternoon patio lunch out with family and an evening BBQ at the neighbours.  What is so fantastic about this diet is that you get to do all that, really enjoy life, while still on a ‘diet’.  Now, no extra carbs were had, no beer, no wine, no bread, etc.  I certainly feel thinner, and this is often enough to actually enjoy the diet and want to continue.  Who really on a calorie counting, hunger inspiring, and food depriving regular diet is having any fun and is ready to do more, especially as the warm weather arrives?  This week I will be adding both creatine and blueberries into my daily smoothie.  The creatine to help preserve muscle and the blueberries to keep this diet on the healthy track.  So far I have not done any cardio at all, but hope to ride my bike and maybe rollerblade a little.

After 8 weeks, April 27, 2015

Weight:   178.4.   Fat:   20.2%.   Stomach:   37″.  Weight loss:   10.1 lbs

   

Well, I managed to gain a pound. Although this is more a question of water and hydration, I was hoping for better. And again I am not in ketosis.  The sun came out this week, spent some time out and about and had fun this weekend, including several rum and diet coke.  I am guessing again too much protein and not enough fat, as I do stick to the diet.  I will refocus this week and control the protein and fat intake better. Time is running out.

After 7 weeks, April 20, 2015

Weight:  177.0.  Fat:  20.3%.  Stomach:  37″.  Weight loss:  11.5 lbs

What a difference, back in Ketosis and weight is dropping again. Added lots of fish in oil, much less protein, maybe 75 g per day.  Smoothies now only get 15 grams of protein powder, along with hemp and other seeds.  Not sure how much water is involved when looking at this nice weight loss.  Fat percentage and belly have stayed constant. Next week will be interesting.