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New Diet: Week 1 – Transition

As I mentioned last week, I started a new diet that also uses shakes made from a powder by ViSalus. I hope to have updates every week to keep myself honest.

I know that the first week of a new diet is always the easiest. In this week, any residual nutrients can remain from previous weeks. It’s also pretty easy to see changes in the first week because of the dramatic changes. It’s also really easy to take the new food because the willpower is still so strong.

I consider that this first week has been a week of transition. I still had lots of food that shouldn’t be included in this new diet like red meat, white kaiser buns and cheesestrings. Now that those have been consumed or otherwise disposed, I can focus on what my trainer said I should be eating: Limited amounts of whole wheat bread/pasta, unprocessed lean meats (chicken/seafood), vegetables and fruits.

The shakes themselves are probably more psychological than just calorie reducing. Don’t get me wrong, my breakfast is now at least 300 calories less and contains way more nutrients. It’s also much quicker to eat (drink?), but that’s a different story. I think starting the day with a “nutritional supplement” sets the tone to be careful of how to eat the rest of the day.

Even though I was transitioning, there were some nutritional changes I made that I think are going to stick. I now take my afternoon fruit with some nuts. From what I am told, unless fruits and vegetables are taken with some protein, they go through the digestive system so fast that they increase hunger. I’ve also significantly reduced my simple carbs intake by eating much less rice and bread. I haven’t cut them out, just reduced the portions. As directed, about 70% of the volume of my dinner plate is now vegetables. It’s a little hard finding the willpower to resist french fries and chocolate, but I imagine it will be worth it in the end.

I weighed myself this morning and I’m down about 3 pounds from this time last week. However, my body fat is up by 2%. It’s concerning that I’ve lost weight AND that my body fat has increased. That means I’ve lost LOTS of muscle if it’s true. However, I suspect that it isn’t. I had about 1 litre of water after my yoga class last night, so I suspect that has thrown off my body fat analysis numbers.

I think I will keep doing these weigh-ins on Tuesday mornings. This feels like the Biggest Loser! Expect another update next Tuesday!