When I first wrote How I will Lose 20 lbs. in 30 Days: An Experiment, I knew I was truly putting myself out there. Once it went live, there was no turning back. And because of that, every time I was faced with a choice because of “life intervening,” I was very much motivated to stay on track and not deviate.
Why?
Because everybody back “home” (Adversity University) was eagerly watching and waiting for the results!
Well, gosh, it’s been an interesting week for sure.
For one thing, I’ve never had to face so much cleaning up after breakfast. For years, I started off the day with a very simple bowl of cereal followed by a couple cups of coffee. Now I’m faced with a mountain of dirty dishes, utensils and a pan that seems to require vigorous amount of scrubbing to get the residue off the bottom!
At first it seemed like a chore but I’ve fallen into a routine now that I don’t mind taking a few extra minutes to clean up. But to do this every single morning for the rest of my life? I don’t think so. Unless I hire a butler to do it for me, hmmm….now, that’s an idea! (Photo: Bathtub Junkie)
I did rather well in terms of sticking to the daily meals. I followed Tim’s suggestions very closely and made sure I ate something every 3 hours (to keep my metabolism going). Everything white was completely removed and I chugged down tremendous amount of water, literally making me pee every five seconds (a record!).
Throughout the week, I was like a kid eager to see how I was doing on the bathroom scale. That was the only promise I broke. My weight fluctuated very little, dropping 2 pounds on Friday only to shoot back up 4 overnight. (Photo: ElDave)
WTH?
Saturday was my “eat anything” day and contrary to what you might think, I did not go wild on junk food. But I did have a bowl of cereal (Kashi with Soy milk) for breakfast, salad with chicken strips for lunch (plus one peanut butter/jelly “crust-less sandwich” – the kind that’s all white with peanut butter and jelly inside and stored in the freezer). For dinner, I had another plate of salad with chicken strips (no beans). Later on that night, I went to an event at church and nibbled on some junk food there. When I got home, I gorged on peanut butter pretzels like there was no tomorrow.
On Sunday morning, I was disheartened to see I had gone up 4 pounds overnight, totally wiping out the meager weight loss I had the previous on Friday! However, today it’s back down to where I was when I first started (171.0).
On Saturday, I began experiencing enormous amounts of……
Noxious odor.
Oh good Lord, it would not stop! You want to get real about this? All those beans…….three times a day. (Photo: susiesuez)
Something was bound to happen sooner or later!
Does that mean this so-called “life-style change” is not working? Well, it would certainly look like it, right? I mean, I’m right back to where I was when I first went on this thing. And the funny thing is, I went to the gym every single day (took the weekend off though). I truly did some heavy duty cardio and weight resistance training.
So, what gives?
Here are my thoughts after the first week:
1. First of all, just when you think things aren’t “working out” is exactly when most people give up and say, “It isn’t working.” Believe me, I am VERY TEMPTED to do just that. But I made a 30-day commitment. I made a promise to myself and to YOU (it’s that accountability factor). Therefore, I will continue to follow this daily regiment for 3 more weeks. I will continue to work out at least 3 times every week, if not every day.
2. Even though the weight loss/gain was a wash, I just took a “belly to belly” measurement and was astounded to find that went down one inch! It went from 38″ to 37.” Hmmm … v-e-r-y interesting.
3. Another thing I noticed was a slight thinning of my face. Whenever you start eating better, you notice results in your face before you see them elsewhere. Unfortunately, the belly area is the last to get smaller. Another v-e-r-y interesting note.
4. My friend, Ron “Buzzoodle” McDaniel, who went on this exact same diet (lost 60 47 lbs (he corrected me – my mistake, see comments) over an extended period of time) said that since I was “thinner” with relatively good eating habits to begin with (I had started to transit to vegetarian food over the summer), it would probably take me longer to lose the weight versus someone who once wined and dined on nothing but junk food. Pretty compelling case, don’t you think?
5. One very positive result from this lifestyle change was a substantial increase in energy throughout the day. With the exception of last Wednesday and Saturday (my day off), I did not feel like I needed a power nap, especially around 3 pm. All of my workouts were more enjoyable even on the treadmill – something I usually don’t care much for – to the point where I ended up staying at the gym longer than normal because of this higher than expected amount of energy. A big plus!
6. Someone on Twitter suggested that perhaps the marked increase in pounds toward the end of the week was “water weight.” No idea if water was the cause or not.
7. At one point, a woman named Alexandria Armstrong caught wind of a conversation I was having with Jim Bouchard on Facebook. She poked her head in saying:
Sorry to be nosy Stephen – I’ve seen some of the interchanges between you and Jim …Re: Body for Life, etc. and just want to lend my support. As a trainer I know how difficult it is to set a fitness goal, (especially where weight loss is involved!) and more importantly, reach it. If you find yourself struggling……..
That was all I needed to hear. First, I checked her FB profile and then when I found out that she was not only a fitness trainer but also Jim Bouchard’s husband, I immediately began firing off Facebook messages. We went back and forth for almost an hour.
At one point, I told her about the “larger than expected gaseous day” to which she replied:
JEEZ – no wonder you have gas! I just peeked at your blog, and you’re like a walking billboard for Beano.
(That provoked raucous laughter from me)
Then she said:
You’re eating a lot of nutrient-rich high-fiber, high protein foods, which is great, but beans (as we all know, if you follow your “Blazing Saddles”), asparagus, nuts, flax, high fiber cereals, animal proteins and vitamin supplements are all flatulent-friendly.
Thought that ran through my mind: Don’t I know that by now? LOL
Adding just a little bit of those foods to your diet will affect your digestive system, but a diet comprised of them can wreak havoc, especially if you weren’t eating a lot of them previously…
Speaking of havoc…..
Now that we’re getting “up close and personal” as it were — are you having any trouble with bloating and constipation? All of the food sources above contain water-insoluble fibers, which can be hard for the body to break down, which also may be why you’re retaining some weight. I take it you’re probably not allowed any fruits on this plan, because of the calories and high-sugar content, yes?
YES – I was experiencing some bloating and constipation but those have trailed off a bit.
Your suspicions are probably all on point — your body is adjusting to several variables at once, so it would be safe to assume they’re all responsible in some way for many of your “symptoms”. FYI – I’m always leery of “diets” in general, because “going on a diet” indicates that you will one day “go off it”. My own philosophy revolves around the following points:
1. Portion size is key.
2. Eat several small meals a day (5-6), and try not to go more than three hours without food.
3. Eat a wide variety of foods, and include as many “colors” in your diet as possible, to maximize antioxidants, vitamins, etc.
4. Exercise.
5. Drink plenty of water.
6. Moderation in all things!
Well, I have to say a big THANKS to Alexandria Armstrong (check out her Facebook profile if you have a FB account – otherwise visit their martial arts website) for being so kind to lend me a supportive voice.
Verdict After Week #1
I am still not giving up on this. I will continue to follow Tim and Alexandria’s suggestions, eat pretty much the same meals every day (boring I know but for now….) and exercise at least 3 times a week.
The only thing I will try my hardest not to do is step on the scale every morning. But I can tell you right now that I will not succeed in that regard. It’s the first thing on my mind upon waking up. After responding to mother nature, the scale is right there, staring up at me in the face. Oh, it’s so hypnotizing………..
The original post on this “life changing” situation generated some pretty interesting responses ranging from people who want to stop eating chocolate to those who want to curb their anger for the next 30 days. Congratulations to everyone who felt inspired enough to step up to the plate and make a life-changing decision over the next 30 days.
They say it takes 30 days to change a habit. Continue to Week 2.
Food for thought: Can you make a 30 day commitment to change a habit that you want to get rid of? Report it here so we can hold you accountable!
If you liked this post and you want to be notified of the next one, subscribe via Email or Full Text RSS Feed. I would love to have you as part of the community!
9:35 pm on August 18th, 2008 1
Well done Stephen for your first week …
My only advice and one I tell all my clients is to lock up the scales somewhere for the month.
The tape measure and how you well feel is the only indicator you need IMHO.
Hmmm I have let winter catch up with me too … I wonder …
30 days you say? LOL.
Live long. Live well.
Rick
9:54 pm on August 18th, 2008 2
@ Rick Rakauskas:
LOL, oh yes! Do I ever need to lock up that darn bathroom scale.
Yes, 30 days my new friend. Three more weeks – curious to see what happens. I half expect to see myself shrunken to a point where someone might say “Honey, I shrunk Stephen Hopson.”
LOL.
10:10 pm on August 18th, 2008 3
Hi Stephen – keep up the good fight. I just started my own weight loss program 3-1/2 weeks ago. I’ve got 2 years of sitting in grad school to work off. I like Rick’s advice. I’m ditching the scale and checking out measurements once a week – waist, neck, thighs.
Good luck!
10:14 pm on August 18th, 2008 4
@ J. Erik Potter:
Oh yes, a FIGHT! LOL. Last year I did it on my own (lost 20 lbs) without following any particular regiment but gained it all back after I got “cocky” and felt like a teenager who could eat anything again.
Wrong!
Now it’s a uphill battle to lock myself into a 30-day commitment and then keep it down afterwards.
I ought to follow Rick’s advice too – I admit looking at the scale every day is a bit obsessive. LOL.
10:47 pm on August 18th, 2008 5
You can do this!!
But one note?
“First, I checked her FB profile and then when I found out that she was not only a fitness trainer but also Jim Bouchard’s husband, I immediately began firing off Facebook messages.”
I read carefully and I’m fairly certain SHE is not Jim’s husband…
Nonetheless stick with it. I joined the Tweightloss challenge for the very same reasons – it’s tougher to fall off the wagon when there are others watching!
1:53 am on August 19th, 2008 6
First off Stephen, congratulations on your dedication and progress so far. It is a pain to cook healthy food and clean up dishes rather than eating cereal for breakfast, and I feel your pain =)
Regarding your comment about a butler – I actually had the same problem, it was such a chore cooking healthy food. I ended up taking a different approach and hiring a cook. I blogged about my experience so far, and I think you might enjoy it:
http://sidsavara.com/personal-productivity/the-price-of-my-dreams-60-a-week
7:13 am on August 19th, 2008 7
Hang in there Stephen,
BTW, I have lost about 47 lb, not 60! And I lost something like 12 the first 30 days, not 20.
I always found that after the cheat day I gained some back, but then two days later I seems to get down again – but I later stopped cheating much because it was annoying to undo hard work.
7:24 am on August 19th, 2008 8
@ Ron McDaniel:
OOPS, I went back and crossed out the 60 and replaced it with 47 – my bad. Thanks for correcting me.
Ah, you only lost 12 the first 30 days? Interesting, I didn’t know that. Hmmm……maybe that’s where I’m headed too (because of the slow results so far?). We’ll see.
I’m finding out the same thing about what the cheat day can do (undo a whole week’s worth of hard work) and then a few days later go back down again (that’s what happened to me this week- yep, you guessed it, I weighed myself this morning and I’m under 170 again (169.5 to be exact).
Thanks for your contribution.
Sorry for the numerical error – I thought you had said 60 lbs. but I guess not.
7:29 am on August 19th, 2008 9
@ GeekMommy:
Thanks for the support! Appreciate it much.
Well, if you go to her Facebook profile, you’ll see where it says relationship status: “Married to Jim Bouchard.” That’s where I got that from.
Yep, it’s tougher to fall off the wagon when you hold yourself accountable the way I have with this one.
I just heard from Ron “Buzzoodle” McDaniel who corrected me about his total weight loss – it was 47, not 60 but STILL, that’s a lot. As a measure of further encouragement, he told me he only lost 12 pounds the first 30 days, not 20 but stuck with it and went on to lose 47 lbs! Now THAT’S ENCOURAGING!
We shall see – thanks a bunch for your feedback and support. BTW, I love the name you’ve attached to yourself GeekMommy. But what’s your real name? I try to encourage people to leave their real versus business names to personalize things a bit.
7:50 am on August 19th, 2008 10
@ Sid Savara:
Glad to know you know what it’s like to clean up after cooking “healthy” meals all the time. No wonder we’re a nation of fast food eaters! Everyone wants the convenience and ease of eating on the go, without having to do any work – and that usually leads to unhealthy eating habits. Go figure!
So you hired a cook? Really? I’ll definitely go check that article out because it’s VERY RELEVANT to this discussion (as opposed to someone blatantly self promoting a link, which I would have removed in the past). Good taste Sid!
8:55 am on August 19th, 2008 11
Stephen:
Thanks for including me in your journey…Your efforts have provoked a lively discussion!
BTW, I agree wholeheartedly with Rick’s comment re: the scale – ditch it, and see how you “feel” in your clothes.
Warm Regards,
Jim’s Husband
9:01 am on August 19th, 2008 12
@ Alexandra Armstrong:
Yes, it’s certainly a lively discussion isn’t it? It was my pleasure to introduce you to the Adversity University community because you were so generous, helpful and cared enough to guide this hapless boy learn his way around the “lifestyle change” he subjected himself to.
10:04 am on August 19th, 2008 13
Keep your chin up, Stephen! I’m rooting for you, silently that is, cuz what’s the point of shouting if you can’t hear?
Btw, don’t you have a dishwasher? Or better yet, get a lil’ doggie who would be quite happy to lick all of your dishes clean and save your time!
Maybe your new cat would do the wonders?
Don’t you think age should be considered in this factor of losing weight? I noticed as we grow older, it takes a bit longer to lose weight as metabolism decreases slowly.
And, a friend told me if you use cans of beans, it will make you give out gas. Better soak and then boil the raw beans. Or if you cant, you could drain the can and wash with water before you warm it up. (lot of sodium anyway).
Just my thoughts here and there… Oh, you giving me a quarter for my thoughts? (palm handing out)
10:20 am on August 19th, 2008 14
Stephen,
Thanks again for putting the spotlight on being healthy and congrats for hanging tough through week one. Even if you didn’t end up where you expected on the scales, you have to reward yourself for your discipline in your regimen and your pledge stay committed for 30 days (The Power of 30 Days would be a great article).
Also seems like the plan you followed before worked for you more easily, you just fell off the wagon. Is that an option for this 30 day challenge or is the plan to follow this regimen to the letter? This I know about you…when you set your mind to do something, you get it done!
We’re with you all the way. I was so inspired I went to the health food store this weekend and made a conscious effort to drink more water and take a daily “joy walk.”
You can do it!!!!
Sharmaine
10:25 am on August 19th, 2008 15
Stephen,
Nice to see that you have taken measures to enhance your life. As a former chef of a health-spa, i recommend that you purchase several books from Canyon Ranch. These are wonderful books to go by because it isnt about the amount of food, but the quality that is put into your body…Like the old adage “Garbage in- Garbage out!”
On another accord… i saw your picture of dishes and pots and pans…Also, how many times do you find yourself washing the same pot or pan because it is dirty? usually if you are going to pair the food items togther, i would not consider it dirty, use the same pot. if it is sort-of messed up, rinse it off. There! You have a new “clean” pot or pan. If i may recommend you devote a couple of hours just cooking several dishes, primarily the ones that you eat most often (staples) and variate from that. Since we are a nation of quick food eaters, that doesnt mean we can cook the food to make our lives easier for us…
Good luck bud,
Stu~
10:26 am on August 19th, 2008 16
@ Nita:
This one made me smile – I could just see your palm extending outward for some quarters. LOL.
Thanks for the silent rooting – it’s not the sound that matters but the energy behind it. And I’m getting lots of that here!
Yes, I do have a dishwasher but it’s one of those that don’t work very well. In the few times I’ve used it, I still see streaks of stain and residue on everything. So I rarely use it. Figure good ole’ scrubbing would get the job done. But seriously, one day I might ramp up the courage to hire a butler or something. Then what would I do with all that time? LOL.
Yes, I suppose age could have something to do with it but then again, what do you make of the 41 old woman who competed in the Olympics and won a silver medal? She was out to prove that age is just a number. The mind does have a lot of power you know, and I think that extends to how it regulates your body, etc. Of course, this is extremely complex stuff but I think it has some merit.
Interesting suggestion about the can of beans because I am using cans of beans for all of them. Hmmmm….I’ll take your idea of draining them, washing with water before warming up. I tend to put them in the microwave so I guess I don’t need any liquid from inside the can. Interesting. Thanks for the tip.
10:32 am on August 19th, 2008 17
@ sharmaine:
Yes, I definitely get things done when my mind, body and spirit are firmly committed and aligned. That includes this 30 day experiment.
As for the “plan from before,” (that would be last year when I lost 20 lbs.), there wasn’t any particular regiment I was following. I merely cut out a lot of junk, ran like hell on the Treadmill every day (I think that’s what made me fall off the wagon because who wants to run 100 mph every single day?).
I’ll tell you one thing I know. The best way to get rid of the fat is to run. That’s based on my experience. Running on the treadmill seems to burn the fat naturally. But running super hard is not my forte or desire. I just want to burn the fat off but at a more moderate pace.
So I’m learning, through this 30 day experiment, whether a more moderate running pace combined with light weight resistance workouts and healthy eating habits would do the trick. We’ll see.
Wow, you were inspired to step up to the plate too? Way cool. What did you buy at the health food store? I’m curious. Taking walks is definitely a healthy habit to get into.
They say as long as we are continually moving, we’re exercising our bodies. Stay tuned!
10:37 am on August 19th, 2008 18
@ Stuart Slutzky:
Wow, what an unexpected delight to hear from you! Thanks for your input on this Stu.
Canyon Ranch? I’ve not heard of this group of books. I’ll go to Amazon and check it out.
Good advice about pots and pans getting dirty and the requirement to clean em up. I ought to have you cook for me sir. Maybe one day you’ll travel the world with me and be my chef. Wouldn’t that be cool? I’d be honored and blessed to have such a dear friend be at my side, making sure I eat right.
But then I know you have your lovely family to tend to – oh well, I can dream, can’t I?
Thanks for your fantastic input – and let me officially welcome you as your first time in commenting here. I know you’ve been a subscriber for a long time now but it’s wonderful to hear your “voice” here. I hope you continue to contribute in the future. You have a lot to share with the world.
2:53 pm on August 19th, 2008 19
@Stephen
You’re right, America in general is always about convenience. And thanks for heading to my blog, reading and commenting – I appreciate it! I am glad you enjoyed it, I considered not linking for a minute, but felt it wasn’t spammy and directly related to your goals.
Back to the point – here in Hawaii, I have a hard time finding healthy food even in restaurants. Everything is based on convenience, and taste. It is unfortunate. I have considered trying to open my own restaurant when I have enough time and money, just making the simple foods I know that are healthy and flavorful, but I imagine it would go out of business from lack of interest =). Careful what you wish for I guess – America wants quick, cheap, good tasting food – and you can’t have all that without sacrificing ingredient quality and how healthy the food is!
4:52 pm on August 19th, 2008 20
OMG
Is this really worth it?
I told you you looked good the way you were!
Why don’t you settle for 10 lbs and slow it down a bit.
We are suffering with you here~
5:37 pm on August 19th, 2008 21
@Stephen – thanks!
But I think you still missed my point
As in you posted “she was not only a fitness trainer but also Jim Bouchard’s husband” – replace husband with wife, or put that Jim Bouchard is her husband and you’re good to go, but you had a glitch in your wording there.
“Well, if you go to her Facebook profile, you’ll see where it says relationship status: “Married to Jim Bouchard.” That’s where I got that from”
- no matter what her marital status is, SHE isn’t Jim’s husband – she might be his WIFE, but she’s definitely not his husband…
And my name is Lucretia. Good luck again with your journey, you can do it!
5:46 pm on August 19th, 2008 22
@ Sid Savara:
It seems like a catch 22 situation you’re describing here. The desire to open a restaurant that provides healthy food, which would certainly attract a following but maybe not large enough to sustain the bottom line – which is indeed unfortunate.
Love having you participate here! I really enjoyed reading your experience in hiring a cook. I even announced it to my Twitter community since I liked it so much.
5:47 pm on August 19th, 2008 23
@ Corinne Edwards:
LOL. Actually my sweet friend, I’m not really “suffering.” It just looks like it.
But there’s no going back – I remain steadfastly committed. I want to see how this turns out but thanks for the compliments.
5:50 pm on August 19th, 2008 24
@ GeekMommy:
There, Lucretia, nice to meet you.
You’re right – I did miss the whole point – I didn’t even realize I had misread your comment about the status of Alexandria’s relationship with Jim.
I actually woke up to the “mis-labeling” she gave herself (“Jim’s Husband versus Jim’s Wife) and alerted her to it.
Her response was she did it on purpose for humor purposes and said I could leave it alone even after I offered to fix it.
Thanks again for the moral support here – it’s an interesting journey to say at the least! I’m doing pretty well so far – not straying far off course and actually enjoying it. Stay tuned for Update # 2 next week!
7:55 pm on August 19th, 2008 25
@Stephen
Thanks! I enjoy your blog and your community, and I’m flattered that you enjoyed my post =). I’ll be waiting for Update #2 next week to see how this is going for you =). With any luck, you’ll find suitable bean replacements (well, or get used to it!).
8:57 pm on August 19th, 2008 26
@ Sid Savara:
I also can’t wait to write the follow up to this post and see how it’s going. I can tell you right now that looking at my belly lately tells me something is working in some way, form or shape.
As for replacing the beans, LOL, well, that won’t happen until the 30 days is up as it’s part of the regiment. However, the…..well…you know….hasn’t happened as much as it did last Saturday.
Perhaps my body is adjusting? I’m just glad I’ve embarked on a new journey and am able to share it with the world at large through the use of a blogging platform. It’s really cool, to say at the least.
1:11 am on January 29th, 2009 27
Love your spirit, Stephen…absolutely love your spirit
9:41 am on January 29th, 2009 28
@ Teresa Silverthorn:
Thank you Teresa! I appreciate you coming here and browsing through my blog. When I write, I like to write with an open heart and allow myself to be held accountable for the things I say I am going to do.
As you follow this progress, you’ll see what happened and how it led me to do what I am doing now (raw/living food lifestyle).
Welcome!
11:43 pm on June 22nd, 2010 29
Does anyone have a complete list of protein foods ?;:;
3:00 am on September 14th, 2010 30
protein foods are great if you want to build muscles while doing saome bodybuilding routines*~*