On the Road Again

How's a man supposed to get to 12% if he keeps traveling to places with good food!? Simple: He is supposed to be super good in between trips! And I have been very good since Germany and France. I haven't posted since then but I've made good choices around what I've eaten and have lost the weight that I put on when I was frequenting pastry shops in Paris!

For example, my parent's were in town a few weeks ago and my mom and I went out to lunch. We went to Honey Cafe and I said NO to the sweet potato fires (as amazing as they are) and choose the grilled sirloin salad.

I was very tempted to enjoy one of their signature desserts - cupcakes, but decided that I could enjoy the cheat another day! And that day is here....

I leave Monday night for Ukraine where I'll be for ten days. I know from a trip there last year that there will be plenty of things that will not fit into meeting my goal of 12%. My plan is to eat as cleanly as I can, and then, when there is something that clearly is loaded with carbs and calories that I like, I WILL enjoy it...guilt free!

So check back after June 20, when I return, to see exactly what I'm talking about!

Pork and Pastry

I just got back from Germany and France. Pretty much I lived on a diet of Pork (and beer) and Pastry (and coffee). I threw any thoughts of pursuing 12% out the window and lived like a local.

The most succulent pork cutlet smothered in fried onions with fries!

Bratwurst and fried potatoes with the famous Dusseldorf Altbier.

Pork shank with fried potatoes with the famous Cologne Kölsch beer.

Breakfast choices...so many!!!!

Pain au chocolate and a coffee is a beautiful way to start the day!

Chocolate dessert that was très bon!!!

The good news is that I walked 100s, maybe 1000s of miles and worked most of this off! Net gain was five pounds after diet free eating and mega movement! Not too bad...and not enough to throw me off my 12% goal. I'm back home and ready to get back on the diet....well, that is after my cheat day today!

Close the Flood Gates!

You know what happens when you open the flood gates? You get flooded! You know what happens when you start to “cheat” Thursday nights…and a bit Friday…and ALL day Saturday and Sunday??? You get flooded with fat! L OK, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but I weighed in 7 pounds heavier this Monday morning than I did two weeks ago! YIKES! Close the flood gates!!!

This may have contributed to things...

I’d like to tell you that I’m back on track and will not do any more cheating except ONE DAY a week, but the reality is that I leave for Germany and France in two days. Trust me…if left with the option of pursuing a goal of 12% or eating chocolate croissants, pistachio gelato, and local German beers…I can assure you a flat stomach doesn’t have a chance!

In my defense, I was very good at lunch today and opted for a naked burger with a side of broccoli instead of eating the bun and fries. I will eat as clean as a whistle until I arrive in Dusseldorf Thursday night…but after that I’m not responsible for my gastronomical actions! Well, of course I am, but I’d like to believe that I’ve earned a “diet free” week in Europe after eight months of (mostly) denial.

Is it Possible?

Eight months ago I started out with the question: was it possible for a 50 year old man to obtain 12 percent body fat? Throughout that time I've questioned the validity of the question. It's dawning on me (you've figured this out long ago, I'm sure) that "of course it's possible, but is it probable?"

Meaning, is it probable given the fact that this particular 50 year old man likes food! In particular he likes the kinds of foods that have a direct opposite affect on achieving 12 percent body fat!

So last night when I was in the midst of my "non-cheating" week I was presented with an assortment of pastries. The company I was with was great, I was having a blast, and celebrating with food made much more sense to me than achieving a goal of 12 percent. Possible to stick to the goal? yes. Probable? not so much. I enjoyed the pastries immensely!

This morning as I reflect on my eating choice last night I'm feeling ambivalent. On the one hand I want the original fervor I had to accomplish the goal. On the other hand I want to be honest with who I am, my love to eat with friends, and evaluate my original goal.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not throwing in the towel (this morning I had steak and green beans for breakfast). I'm just pausing to think about what I really want. I've seen the effect that a strict diet can have on my body. I've seen how consistent weight training will build muscle and burn fat. So I know it is possible. I'm just reflecting on the probability of it...but know you know what?..as I say that I'm feeling more determined to make it a HIGH Probability!

What Is Your Percent NOW!!!???

There’s been a lot of protein consumed since I last shared my thoughts on my journey to 12%. The big question, of course, is: “What is your percent NOW?!” Since I’ve avoided posting any photos of me you really have no idea! Well, those that live close by do and have observed that I’m looking “lean” (nothing like a good pair of jeans and sweater to make any man look lean!).

Ok, all jokes aside, it’s been awhile since I’ve stepped into the BodPod. At first that was because I refused to have another measurement until I KNEW that it would be lower than the last. With all my birthday celebrations…followed by Katherine’s birthday…followed by Easter…followed by eating the Easter candy…my confidence level has not been very high on the body fat side of things. However…and maybe more importantly I’m now in that thankful position of giving up one well warn belt hole to move to the next unused hole!

Last week I was in China and while I ate anything I wanted, I lost a few pounds. The typical Chinese diet is great. Loads of veggies, some meat, hardly any dairy or refined sugars! We were on the coast which meant lots of foods from the sea too.

I’m now back and keeping away from the beans, which still seems strange to me. I’m not doing any special cooking or recipes these days. I’m just piling on the protein source (mainly eggs, chicken, beef, fish) and veggies (mostly raw: beans, carrots, peppers, salads). I say NO to grains, dairy and sugars (refined and mostly to fruits). I’ve been having nuts now.

I’d like to get into the BodPod in one week to see how close to 12% I am, which means that I will enjoy my cheat day tomorrow (yes, I’m still cheating once a week) and then eat super clean all next week! Check back in a week to see if it is possible for this 50 year old man to inch closer to his goal!

Life After Beans

I'm done with beans...and while it's been a nice change of pace, I'm observing a few things.

• First, I'm hungry all the time now! The beans had the affect of both filling me up and slowing the digestion, thus keeping me fuller, longer.
• Second, the beans made it really easy to put a meal together. Open a can, rinse the beans, put them in your mouth! Can't get much easier than that!
• Third, I'm realizing that having a clear diet made it easier to keep the course. With this new way of eating, which is "Paleo" there are more options and thus more opportunities for abuse and get off focus of my goal.

               NOTICE: No beans were used in the production of this chicken chopped salad!

Which brings me to my goal - 12 percent body fat. That's what this blog is all about, right?! Supposedly I'm changing up the diet to give a kick to my metabolism and tell it keep burning up the fat.

I've not gotten into the BodPod for a while now because I want to make sure that the next measurement is lower than the last one! I know that my weight is down (I hang out in the low 160s these days) and that all my pants are falling off me. But...has my body fat changed? I think it's time to find out!

My hope is that going Paleo I'll drop some more fat. I'm learning as I go, but here is link that you can check out that will tell you more: http://paleodietlifestyle.com/

Seven Pound Drop

Since last Sunday I've dropped seven pounds! Now my son (no shirt) is quick to point out that "most likely it's muscle weight loss!!!" He's a wrestler, and apparently is an expert on weight gain and loss! But I beg to differ.

I've been working out all this week and I've been eating very cleanly. What is interesting is that I've had less or no beans with many of my meals. I've been wondering for awhile if changing up the Ferris "4 hour body" diet has run it's course for me and my body needs a shift. so ever so slightly I'm eating less or no beans. I'm still keeping the protein intake up and having lots of vegetables. But still no sugars (including fruit), dairy and wheat.

So a typical breakfast will be to sautee some bell peppers (I'm still high on the reds), some onion, drop in a few beans, and then crack two eggs on top and scramble. It's easy, fast, and hits the key elements to start the day right.

My goal at the start of this week was to get into the low 160s by the end of the week, and the scale told me 161 this morning! By Saturday morning if I can be 159 I'm going to have A LOT of fun cheating this weekend for my daughter's 21st Birthday!!!