START DATE - 9 JAN 2012

BTW - THIS IS NOT A LOW CAL DIET SO DON"T BE AFRAID

Ok, I posting something on the Wednesday Weight Club thread about starting a bit of a healthy eating campaign, and have had a few takers. So, with that in mind, anyone who wants to sign up and see if they can lose some fat without being hungry, or feeling like crap, please reply to this thread.

Now, this thread is not for naysayers or for healthy (or unhealthy) debate on the benefits/health risks of carbs, processed food, saturated fat, high GI/Low GI etc etc). I would like it to be a thread for those that believe (or are prepared to concede) that there may be a better way to be nutritionally fulfilled, satiated, full of energy, healthier, leaner, free from constant cravings etc, If you are one of them then please jump on board.

So, where is this heading???

Well, I've been into health, nutrition, running etc for quite a while. I'm not necessarily great at any of them, but I do like to stray beyond the boundaries of what every celebrity nutritionist, tv show or magazine tells me what is good for me. I'm a little bit of a cynic, conpiracy theorist, and don't believe (or at least like to question) what I am being told in many cases. And I think that the state of the health of the population reflects that something ain't right!!!

I've worked with a few eating plans in the past, not because I have been overweight in any real way, but I like to experiment with ways to get the most energy, feel the best I can, and eat plenty without getting into this awful calorie counting thing. I've never done that, don't like it, don't believe it is a sustainable way to lose body fat and to keep it off.

I have read a lot of books, forums, articles etc, and have played with the Paleo Diet and other eating plans that advocate a reduction in carb intake, particularly from processed foods. I have never believed in any of this Atkins stuff, going into ketosis or that old bunk, but I do passionately feel that refined carbs and sugar are two of the main things that are killing us and giving us all manner of diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension and some of the other Metabolic Syndrome diseases.

This eating plan, for those that want to try it, comes partially from the book I have been reading by Phil Maffetone on endurance training, but in reality, it is not much more than common sense.

What I do like about the Maffetone 'Two Week Test' is that he asks you to make a list of all the issues you currently have such as:

Inflammation
Pain
Fatigue
Depression
Anxiety
Irritability
Stomach Problems
Lack of endurance
Any other symptoms
etc etc

The premise is that many people are carbohydrate intolerant to some extent, and by reducing carbs A LOT during this two weeks, it will allow you to see what effect that has on your feeling of wellbeing. For some, perhaps no effect, for others massive improvements and fat loss ranging from a few pounds up to many many pounds.

I will detail more later, but for anyone who wants to jump on board, take a leap of faith, and stick with this for two weeks, join the thread.

Obviously it is for you to be aware of any health issues you may have that are affected by diet, but don't worry, I am not going to ask you to do ANYTHING other than eating in a very healthy way :-)

After the two weeks, we can evaluate, discuss, and see who wants to move forward.

EDIT:

This is interesting, you might want to see where you are on the carb intake scale now. My view is that carbs are not BAD, of course not, but the sources you get them from can have very different inpacts on your insulin levels and fat storage (read simple sugars, mono and polysaccharides etc).

But of course, there are other views too, you need to be the judge of what you want to believe




*************************THE FOOD***************************

I was going to type out the food list from Phil Maffetone's book, but found it online so thought I would save time and effort by publishing it in full, with some explanations from Maffetone which are helpful

The Two-Week Test
Dr. Philip Maffetone

I developed the Two Week Test in the early 1980s to help people get back their intuition and instincts about healthy eating. This is the first step to getting off the vicious diet cycle which is perpetuated so much this time of year.

Many people eat too much dietary carbohydrate - beyond what their bodies can tolerate. The Two Week Test is a simple method for understanding and correcting this problem.

First note if you have any of the following problems, and write them down:

Physical or mental fatigue
Blood-sugar handling problems
Intestinal bloating
Sleepiness after meals
Increased fat storage and weight
Increased triglycerides
Increased blood pressure
Poor sleep
Depression
Addiction


In addition, if you are concerned about your weight, weigh yourself before starting the test. After the test, you will ask yourself again how you feel regarding these complaints, and also check your weight on the scale.

During the Two-Week Test you will significantly decrease your intake of carbohydrates. It is important that you do not go hungry. Eat as much as you want but stick strictly to the recommended foods. Before you start the test, make sure you have enough of the foods you'll be eating during the test. Go shopping and stock up on these items. In addition, go through your cabinets and refrigerator and get rid of any sweets in your house, or you'll be tempted.

As for the test itself, you merely want to eat using the following guidelines for a period of no less than two weeks.

Foods to avoid:

Bread, rolls, pasta, pancakes, cereal, muffins, chips, crackers and rice cakes.
All sweets
All products containing sugar such as ketchup, honey, etc. (read labels!).
Fruits and fruit juice.
Highly processed meats such cold cuts, which often contain sugar.
Potatoes, corn, rice and beans.
Milk, half-and-half and yogurt.
So-called healthy snacks, including all energy bars, shakes and drinks.
All soda, including diet.



Foods to eat:

All cooked or raw vegetables (except potatoes and corn).
Whole eggs, unprocessed cheese, cream.
All unprocessed meats including beef, turkey, chicken, lamb, fish and shellfish.
Tomato, V-8 or other vegetable juices such as carrot juice.
Nuts, seeds, nut butters.
Oils, vinegar, mayonnaise, salsa and mustard (check labels for added sugars).
Sea salt (unless you are sodium sensitive).
Water! At least six to ten, 8-ounce glasses each day.
Dry wine, coffee and tea if you normally consume them.


After the Two-Week Test

Re-evaluate your list of complaints. If you feel better now than you did before the test, or if you lost weight, chances are you were previously eating too much carbohydrate and would benefit by lowering your intake. Any weight loss during the test is not due to reduced calories, as many people eat more calories than usual during this two-week period. It's due to the increased fat-burning resulting from reduced insulin production. While there may be some water loss, especially if you are sodium sensitive, there is real fat loss.

If your blood pressure has been high, and especially if you are on medication, ask your health-care professional to check it several times during the test. Sometimes blood pressure drops significantly and your medication may need to be adjusted, which should be done by your health-care professional.


Adding Carbs

If the Two-Week Test improved your signs and symptoms, the next step is to determine how much carbohydrate you can tolerate, without a return of these problems. This is done in the following manner.

Begin adding small amounts of carbohydrates to your diet with every other meal or snack. This may be an apple for a snack, or some brown rice with dinner. Begin with fruits, lentils, rice and honey, and afterwards try bread, potatoes and others. Whatever you add, make sure it's not a refined carbohydrate: no foods containing sugar, no refined-flour products (like white bread, rolls or pasta), brown rice instead of white, etc. Don't add a carbohydrate to back-to-back meals, as insulin production is partly influenced by your previous meal.

With each addition of carbohydrate, watch for any of the symptoms you had previously that were eliminated by the test. Look especially for symptoms that develop immediately after eating, such as intestinal bloating, sleepiness or feelings of depression. If your hunger or cravings disappeared during the two weeks and now have returned, you've probably eaten too many carbohydrates. If you lost 8 pounds during the test, and gained back 5 pounds after adding some carbohydrates for a week or two, you've probably eaten too many carbohydrates.

Saturday 7 Jan

Some recipe links

Here are some recipe links that you may find useful. I tend to eat a fairly repetitive diet over the two weeks revolving around protein and salad or vegetables. so it is not that hard, but for those who want to know up a quiche or something to eat over a few days, these might 'float your boat'. Just REMEMBER - OMIT FRUIT FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS

BUT YOU CAN EAT SOME CHEESE, DOUBLE CREAM, FETA ETC - NO MILK

http://paleodietlifestyle.com/paleo-...cipes/#recipes

http://www.healthhabits.ca/2011/01/2...paleo-recipes/

http://www.4hourrecipes.com/recipe-category/_breakfast/ - -OMIT PULSES IN FIRST TWO WEEKS OF THIS TRIAL

cheers

__________________
Steve

My Trail Running Blog - Join Our New Trail Running Forum

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Sign me up

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2012 Goals:
5k <24 mins (cur 25:35), 10k <50 mins (cur 53:00), 5 mile <40 mins (cur 42:19), run 1000 miles (447/1000)
10 mile <1 hour 30 (1:25:50) done, half marathon <2 hours (1:57:30) done

Me to!

Um pencil me in but if I drop out it's because i am already 10st and there's not much left of me!

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http://hewhotrainstrains.blogspot.com

I'm in.

If you don't need to lose fat this won't make you thinner, only perhaps healthier.

Whether fat loss is the goal or not, everyone can benefit from more stable blood sugar levels, less bloating, general feeling of wellbeing etc

I have amended the original post, let's start beginning of 2nd week of Jan to see who jumps on board. 1st Jan would be great, but having people jumping in late might make it all tricky.

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Steve

My Trail Running Blog - Join Our New Trail Running Forum

Follow Wild Runner On Facebook and Twitter - I need friends

I'll give it a go.

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10k challenge is sub 42:00 in 2011 Fail Moved to 2012
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Ok cool thanks

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http://hewhotrainstrains.blogspot.com

def sounds good and by starting on 9th would give me a chance to finish all the yummy stuff we still have in abundance, hate to waste things so it all has to be eaten first.

you West Sussex lot are real gluttons.....oops I was one myself for most of my life. Sunny Bognor Regis, touted as 'the gateway to the Sussex Riviera' in the 50's apparently

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Steve

My Trail Running Blog - Join Our New Trail Running Forum

Follow Wild Runner On Facebook and Twitter - I need friends

My thoughts exactly I'd like to give it a go but I'm not sure I want to commit to anything for another week or so. Can I ask how will we measure fat loss unless we have scales that measure body fat (I don't)

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2012 RACES

18th March Liverpool Half marathon - 2:21:42
29th April Greater Manchester marathon -5:29:25 (the weather gods played a joke)
20th May Bupa Great Manchester 10k - goal-to get under 60 mins

me 2

Me2

I'll do a small shop when I get back to England from my Xmas vacation so I can do a larger shop to fit in with this trial :-)

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Recently completed the Bath Half http://www.justgiving.com/TimMahy

My Blog - http://therunningvip.blogspot.com/

and me

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I'll give it a whirl. Count me in I reckon

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2012 Goals: PB's at every distance
1000 miles (339.55 mi/1000)/200lbs (14st 7lbs on 01/02/12)
My Garmin & My Blog Running in memory of my Dad