Going Paleo: Week 2
by Jason Godesky
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This week’s update was delayed by a series of happenings this weekend beyond my control, including helping a friend move and playing plumber to a flooded bathroom, but it’s also true that the news this week is not as grand as in previous reports. The second week of the diet has lacked the really encouraging numbers I saw in the first week, but that’s not entirely unexpected. My weight as of the morning of 20 March was 283.5, making for 16.5 total pounds lost since the beginning of the month. But, as is clearly shown from the graph above, it’s hardly been steady loss.
The past week has seen a lot of eating out, as you can see from my meal log. I blame this for the fluctuation. Failing to plan ahead for meals forces no option but going out, which is always a distinctly less healthy option. This week, I’ll be eating home-made for all of my meals, so we’ll see how that affects the trend.
I am beginning to notice some other effects, however. I was experiencing a noticeable increase in energy before the cold set in, and with it, a certain amount of lethargy. I’ve also noted some negative impacts of significant weight loss: mainly, cold and discomfort. Cold because my body’s metabolism has not yet caught up with its diminished subcutaneous fat layers; discomfort because I work in an office environment, and my butt is used to a lot more cushioning.
Also some of the fluctuations in your measurements could very well be due to stomach/bladder contents if you’re measuring yourself at different times during the day. I found that when I started measuring myself first thing, before I’ve even had a drink of water (but after you go to the bathroom), in the morning before my cardio I get the least amount of fluctuation. Also try to wear the same thing every time you weigh yourself.
Also eating out is the death-blow to any diet. Absolutely find the time to plan your meals, if you don’t you might as well not be dieting (even if you get the “low-carb wrap” at subway or wherever).
Comment by Cory — 21 March 2006 @ 11:43 AM
My weight is always recorded first thing in the morning, naked. When that wasn’t possible, it’s noted in the comments of the spreadsheet.
Comment by Jason Godesky — 21 March 2006 @ 12:01 PM
Nothing like helping a friend move to introduce a little weight-training to your regimen!
Keep it up, don’t let a spiky graph get you down. Its only been two weeks. I am amazed, really, that you have lost so much. Isn’t this loss enough that your clothes are fitting differently? Are you feeling better as you walk around, climbing stairs, and so on?
Before you started Going Paleo, did you consume alcohol at all?
What, if anything, are you missing/craving?
Comment by rob — 21 March 2006 @ 1:05 PM
Yup. The amount of labor I did on Saturday left me plenty tired. A month ago, it probably would’ve killed me.
Nope. With genetics like mine, you don’t take chances.
Chocolate … and the carrot cake at Aladdin’s. Mmmmm…. The chocolate cravings got so bad I actually got some more of those “sugar-free” chocolates. They use “sugar alcohols” … which mess with my digestive system and make me feel like I’m going to die.
Comment by Jason Godesky — 21 March 2006 @ 1:11 PM
16.5 pounds for the month to date (21st) is pretty impressive. Most people shoot for 2lbs/week. So, you should be happy. Weight loss is a marathon not a sprint.
Comment by Peter — 21 March 2006 @ 1:44 PM
You’re right–it takes some perspective for this stuff.
Comment by Jason Godesky — 21 March 2006 @ 2:38 PM
Get enough fiber! I forgot that when I went on my diet, after about a week or so things started, uh…, “backing up.” So however you get fiber on the paleo, double it if you can. That’ll move things along and then you’ll see it on the scales.
Yeah and 16.5 lbs for a month is frigging fast. I wouldn’t expect that to keep up the whole time anyway.
Comment by Cory — 21 March 2006 @ 3:49 PM
Fiber is not an issue anymore.
Pretty much everything I eat that isn’t meat is quite high in fiber: nuts, celery, etc.
As I remarked to Giuli a few days into this grand experiment, “One of the effects of paleo, apparently, is that my shit is now a piece of art.”
Her reply: “Jason … that’s disgusting. Never say that again.”
Comment by Jason Godesky — 21 March 2006 @ 3:52 PM
Hey –
I’m with Guili… never say that again!
Carrot Cake could be done on paleo… hmmm, let me think
Over all, looks like its going great! Mad props.:-)
Janene
Comment by Janene — 21 March 2006 @ 5:23 PM
Yes, 16.5 pounds is a large amount!
I still say that number (weight) is the smallest part of the whole experience.
Eating is our primary relationship.
Comment by Charly — 22 March 2006 @ 12:01 AM
Do you make your almond milk or buy it? One solution for chocolate cravings is to add splenda and unsweetened cocoa powder to your almond milk. It makes a delicious hot chocolate!
Comment by Vicky — 25 March 2006 @ 8:39 AM