Eat Stop Eat

I have begun a program called "Eat Stop Eat." I have been aware of this program for awhile, but I have not started it until recently. While I have not read the online book, I used to be subscribed to the list serve. I believe that I am well-informed enough that I can safely follow the program, I have done research, and it has several great reviews on reputable diet review sites.

Eat Stop Eat allows you to eat whatever you want to eat, most of the time. That is the "Eat" part. Two non-consecutive days a week you fast - water, black coffee, diet soda and tea are all acceptable on your fasting days. That is the stop.

To maintain and build muscle, you must weight train, so that your body will use fat stores instead of muscle. The program will not put you into starvation mode, you will not binge after, you will not pass out from hunger. All of that is myth from the diet industry.

Fasting a day or two a week is surprisingly easy. Although it goes against conventional wisdom, it is scientifically backed, and actually makes logical sense: if you eat less, you will lose weight. If the average person eats 1500 calories a day, then saving twice that (3000 calories) a week can significantly effect your weight-loss efforts. (remember: 3500calories is 1lb)

Now I am not doing this without eating healthy on my eating days. I feel like Eat Stop Eat is a tool, but it cannot replace nutrition and common sense.

This program is probably not for people with health problems (aka diabetes) or who are pregnant...

Weight-loss to date: down to 148.8lbs from 157lbs.
Current BMI: 26.4 (YAY!)

Breaking the Coffee Dependency

I regularly drink coffee. I buy one almost everyday between my classes, sometimes more than once a day.

My regular order is a Grande Non-fat Mocha with flavored syrup. According to Starbucks, my "little" indulgence is between 280 to 350 calories per cup(remember 1lb=3500cals).

If I get once drink 5 times a week, it costs me around 1500 calories. That isn't even considering the pastries that I sometimes get if I forget breakfast.

If I replaced that morning coffee with tea instead, it would help break my caffeine dependency, but also help me lose an extra pound every two and a half weeks.

In terms of money, I would save a significant amount as well. I have a limited budget, so the extra $4.50 per coffee could be used in a much better way. I could use that money to buy painting/school supplies, or organic produce, or new gym clothes, or going into savings (oh my!)....

So this morning I made myself a cup of green tea instead of stopping at the coffee shop. I didn't even miss my 350 calorie mocha.

Weight-loss to date: 153.9 from 157
Current BMI: 27.3

Image from Starbucks.com

Weight Loss Blog

My final whole quarter of school has begun. It is the beginning of Week 2 of 10 weeks of classes. It is also the beginning of my active lifestyle FOR GOOD. I am going to update this blog at least 4 times a week with my activities, tips, recipes and exercise advice.

By the time June comes I will be within my BMI range, thinner than I was after mono, and fitter than I was in high school when I was a competitive runner (cross country and track). I will be eating fresh vegetables, not wasting money on caffeine, and running daily.

This blog will help me track my progress, improve my writing skills, help other people educate themselves about nutrition and health, and keep me motivated.

Tomorrow I will post an image of myself in a sports bra and shorts, with all of my stats and measurements. Get ready for the most epic 10 weeks of my life!

Weight Loss Start: 157lbs
Current BMI: 27.8 (Overweight)