January is coming to an end, so I thought I would update everyone on how the diet is going. So far things are positive.
My Weight is Down
I’ve lost about 5-6 pounds in January. If I can keep that up, I should be in beach body shape by summer. Not that I go to the beach a lot, but if I do, maybe I’ll be showing off a six pack.
The Body Fat is Down
As important as weight loss is fat loss is even more important. I have one of those fancy scales that analyzes body composition. I know they’re not completely accurate, but they’re a good tool. Plus, what the scale says also agrees with what my mirror says. My overall body fat is now in the green. Yeah me! I still want to lose some weight, but I’m at the upper end of normal. Unfortunately, my visceral fat is still high. So, I still have weight to lose.
I’m Off Caffeine
I’ve quit caffeine. I’m not worried about trace amounts I may get if I eat a sliver of chocolate, but I’m off tea and other caffeinated beverages. I’m sleeping deeper. I still haven’t quite gotten my energy back up to normal, but that is supposed to take some time.
I’m Exercising Regularly
I have kept up exercising. With quitting caffeine, I think I may need to moderate what I’m doing and take it easy for a while, but I’m still moving and grooving!
Fasting is Becoming Easier
I’ve been incorporating fasting into my lifestyle. Right now I’m in my fifth fast of the year. I’ve completed three 66-hour fasts and one of about 63 hours. I’ve chosen a 66-hour fast, because it gives many of the benefits I’m looking for—weight loss, a bump in growth hormone, increase insulin sensitivity, autophagy and healing. It’s also short enough that I can do it weekly while still getting in enough calories and nutrients the rest of the week. Anything much longer couldn’t be done on a regular basis. On the days I am eating, I often fast for 14-16 hours a day.
Back to the Vegan Lifestyle
I’m back to eating a primarily whole food plant based diet. I do allow allowances for religious celebrations. For example, we have challah bread on Shabbat where I attend. I’m certain that may occasionally have something like eggs or butter. For something like Pesach (Passover), I would eat some lamb if it were served. So, I’m basically eating about 95-99% whole food plant based.
Summary
Things are going well. The weight is going down and my health is going up. Hopefully I can exit 2023 much healthier that I entered it.
