Starting South Beach
Thought I’d try and start a running journal. (Hopefully though
historically im very bad at journals-have been keeping a food journal
for 2 weeks though.)
Two years ago I began exercising regularily (cardio + weight 4-5
times a week average about 45 minutes in the gym). I dropped from 385
to 320 over about 6 months. The last year and a half I’ve lost little
if any weight despite the fact that I’ve consistently and further
restricted my diet. Over the last 6 months I doubt I’ve averaged more
than 1800 calories a day with one month that I stuck strictly to a
1500 calorie limit(and looking at the food journal for the last two
weeks I pretty much know what i’m eating. And no I don’t drink cokes,
I had one small gourmet pizza over the last 3 months, and I use low
fat dressing.) However, I was eating fairly refined products and when
I had excess calories I would indulge in sweets near bedtime. This
was especially irritating since I had dropped to a 44 inch pant size
from the 50-52 which I was at when I initially hit the 320 number.
Which implies a good deal of muscle which should be busy burning fat
even if the amount i ate was staying the same. (And I should be able
to consume over 3000 calories a day given my body composition and
exercise level.)
So I consulted with an internist last wednesday who suggested
cutting out refined carbs totally and limiting myself to one slice of
whole wheat bread with meals. I said that sounded like south beach
which he said wasn’t necessary (just try the one slice wholegrain
thing). However, he didn’t have any objections to trying the south
beach so here I am. (I like structure).
So I started phase one strictly last friday (this is monday
night). The bad news is I’m kinda woozy and don’t feel terribly
great. (But my parents made me try sugar busters several years ago so
I can recognize the sugar depletion effects and I know it will go
away.) I worked out today (25 minutes weights plus 45 on the
elliptical trainer) and I felt really woozy till I ate some almonds
and a handfull of grape tomatos when I got home. I weighed myself and
it looks like ive lost about 8 pounds since thursday which is the
good news and I can seem some trimming up.
My overally goal with this is to get down to 250 or a 70 pound
weight loss which would give me about a 12% body fat given the
estimated 32 or so percent Im at now. The % is really what I’m aiming
for and I don’t mind being highly muscular.
Anyway I hope this turns into an informative journal thread.
PS Im a law student if that helps anything.