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Posts Tagged ‘calorie restriction’

Eat To Live – Midway Point

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

I’m halfway through the Eat To Live Six Week Plan. As some have pointed out, it’s not really all that different from how I had been eating anyway. It’s just that I’d let some cravings take over and got sloppy about my calorie control.

I’m happy to say, this past week went very well…

An average calorie intake of 1850

Walking and working on the treadmill every day

No alcohol (3 weeks now)

Only 2 cups of coffee in the mornings

No grains (well, ok, a little corn on the cob)

No nut butters

And, lastly, lots and lots of beans/legumes!

The results of all this “effort?” (The quotes are because it’s not nearly as hard as you may think or as it may sound.)

Feeling great, BUT same weight. I have to tell you:

The plan for further improvements this week is to 1) add in more lifting with the free weights or get back on the Bowflex and 2) continue decreasing the mid-meal snacking — I’ve made some progress in this department, but could do better.

So, how are YOU doing?!

Posted in fitness, food | 4 Comments »

Diet Challenge Poll

Monday, July 27th, 2009

One week until the big August Diet and Exercise Challenge! A week to get rid of (aka, EAT) the off-plan foods in the house. Always fun, but don’t go too crazy.

We’re not talking anything atrocious here, but this is supposed to be a challenge, after all, and a sort of cleanse, without all the hocus pocus potions. So, I’m finishing up the Kashi Go Lean, the peanut butter, and the last of the rice protein powder.

While I haven’t decided exactly which “plan” I’ll be following, even if they allow them, I’ve decided on a no-powders rule. This includes concentrates, vitamins, etc.. I’m also using this week to taper off the coffee, so I don’t have to deal with a headache.

It was asked in the comments to the previous post whether and where I’d be updating. Yes, I will, and right here. Maybe twice a week? You’re all welcome to use the comments to mark your progress as well.

OK, so here’s that poll. Maybe you can influence my decision, but no matter, we don’t all have to be on the same challenge, just knowing that others are cleaning up their diets and exercise in a similarly aggressive manner should help keep us on track.

August 2009 Challenge

Eat To Live, Six Week Plan (75%, 9 Votes)
Green Smoothies Only (25%, 3 Votes)
100% Raw, Whole Foods (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 12

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If you’re doing the six week plan, be sure to download this chart from the book. Post it on your fridge as a reminder, and if you don’t have Dr. Fuhrman’s book yet, it’s essential for clarifying the finer points and providing the motivation that comes with knowledge.

For those going the green smoothie route, my Green Smoothie Recipe Generator is a fun place to start. I’ve also got over two-weeks worth of recipes in the member’s area from when I did it last. Other collections include Kevin Gianni’s Ultimate Smoothie Recipes and Roger Haeske’s Savory Stews DVDs.

The 100% raw plan would seem to be easy-peasy, but a word of warning may be in order: Steer clear of the high fat dishes that are the usual fare. You know, all the ground nuts and seeds to make crackers, breads, pie shells, etc., and the coconuts and avocados. Oh my!

For a cleaner version of the raw food diet, there’s The 80/10/10 Diet. Some of the “natural hygiene” theories it espouses are a little over-the-top (same goes for The Live Food Factor, a massive tome I’m just getting to now). However, the food is good and certainly low-fat (10%)! Other resources include, Frederic Patenaude’s Low Fat Raw DVDs and Ann Wigmore’s Chi Diet.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone on their challenge of choice!

Posted in food | 3 Comments »

Exercise and Motivation

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

I think we all experience it at some point… You have a nice groove going, exercising every morning, controlling your coffee intake (instead of the other way around), eating until satiated then stopping, etc..

You’re on top of the world and don’t understand how others don’t find it enjoyable too. Since when is exercising a chore, right? It’s fun and makes you feel good!

Then suddenly, some disruptive force throws your “mojo” all out of whack. Maybe it’s a big life change: you lose your job (hmmm), a loved one, a marriage. Maybe it’s a little thing — harder to put your finger on — that wouldn’t seem like it should matter, say, a loooong cold and rainy streak (hmmm).

Whatever it is, you notice some weeks or even months later, what used to be routine requires extra effort to motivate yourself. Or, you’ve simply stopped doing it altogether.

Well, I’m there now. Still skinny by most standards and appearance, and still eating healthy vegan, but according to my scale, my body fat percentage (and weight, to some extent) is increasing. And, I can tell.

So, here’s the plan, I’m getting back to regular, daily, exercise, even if it’s only a 20 minute walk outside or a 10 minute jog on the treadmill. (I think that’s part of it; we get to saying, “if it’s not all then it’s got to be nothing,” but where does that leave SOMETHING?)

In addition to exercise, I want to get back to calorie restriction. To that end, I’ll be doing some sort of personal food challenge as a sort of wash-out period to banish cravings. I haven’t decided yet whether it’ll be another two-week green smoothie diet or the full six week Eat To Live plan with my online friend Em.

Either way, I’m starting on August 1st or 3rd (Monday’s seems like logical start days to me, but so do the first of a month). So, anyone want to join me in putting their foot down and committing to recommitting this summer? Which challenge would you prefer I take up with you? Please leave a comment and let’s do this!

p.s. – Have you watched my silly behind-the-scenes video of Roger Haeske’s new raw Savory Stews yet?

Posted in fitness, food, mental health | 4 Comments »

Calorie Restriction on Oprah

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

What an exciting week it’s been for calorie restriction!

You know CR is hitting the mainstream when Oprah Winfrey covers it and resveratrol supplementation on her show. (These two life extension practices are often discussed in the same breath due to potentially similar mechanisms.) To learn more about what she and Dr. Oz had to say, check out this section on her website. I guess several of our CR Society members were featured, but alas, I no longer have cable and so will have to wait for the video archive.

The other highlight was The Immortality Institute’s (ImmInst.org) “Sunday Evening Update” on Ustream. This channel was new to me, but they’re always broadcasting fascinating presentations about biotechnology, etc.. Anyway, this Sunday, the members of the CR Society were invited to join the regulars to listen to a live interview with prominent researcher Dr. Luigi Fontana regarding his thoughts on the human applicability of the animal studies and what future studies have in store. You can watch the replay here.

Did you know you can now get my cookbook, Vegan Done Light, for FREE? Just scroll to the bottom of that page and click on the Get It Free button. (Note: You may have to refresh for all the images to load properly.)

Posted in food, life extension | 3 Comments »

Low-Fat Vegan and CR Chat Rooms

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Call me crazy, but I couldn’t leave my cooked food friends and CRONies without a great place to chat too!

Of course, it’s a dogma-free zone over in the raw food chat, but for many there’s enough to think about just keeping it low-fat and vegan.

To that end, I present the VeganDoneLight Chat Rooms. Yes, rooms plural, one for Eat To Live, one for Calorie Restriction (CRON), and an area for (low-fat) veganism in general.

Remember, you don’t need me for the chat to work, so stop by anytime to see who’s in there, schedule meetup times, invite some friends, etc..

Same as with the raw food chat, there’s no need to register, just pick a nickname on the way in, and enjoy!

Posted in misc | 1 Comment »

CNN: Raw Food and Angela Stokes

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

As a nice counterbalance to the 20/20 story on orthorexia, CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, M.D., has now taken a look at the raw food diet as well.

Angela Stoke’s story of successful weight loss and energy gain through the raw food lifestyle is encouraging and should help paint a more positive picture of the movement.

Last year Sanjay Gupta did a big piece on life extension and calorie restriction in which he displayed similar equanimity. Further, he willingly submitted to public testing and evaluation of his own diet. Bravo!