My Epic Journey
Well, I have embarked on a journey of self-improvement. After many years of accepting my extra weight as a matter of fact and trying unsuccessfully to take care of the problem on my own, I decided to enlist some outside assistance.
At the recommendation of my Canadian Forces doctor and with the support of my US Navy doctor, I decided to give the SureSlim program a try. I really knew nothing about it, assumed it was just another one of these shake-drinking or pre-packaged food eating programs. I went to their info session and still wasn't totally convinced.
On the surface it seems pretty simple. Get your blood tested to determine your cholesterol levels, glucose tolerance and other tests and then create a diet to take advantage of your bodies natural ability to develop chemicals that stimulate muscle growth and reduce the conversion of food into fat.
I decided to give it a try, despite the high cost ($700 CDN). I saved a few bucks by having the lab work done at the Navy clinic and a few weeks later got the call that my new diet plan was prepared.
When I returned to the clinic, I was informed that while high, my cholesterol and glucose levels were within standards, which was good news, but I was also informed that my body type has a difficult time converting carbs (which may explain a few things regarding my weight problems to begin with). After 1/2hr of detailed instructions and taking my initial measurements (weight, height, chest and waist) I was off. One last weekend to enjoy my normal foods (including a belated birthday cake) and last Monday I was off.
The diet is somewhat similar to some other popular diets on the market, a little bit Atkins and a little bit Protein Power. Essenitally a protein (non-fat) and low carb vegetable diet, reducing sugar and salt intake at the same time and boosting Omega 3 fatty acids. That's a mouthful. Here's the nuts and bolts: I get to eat three meals a day, separated by 5 hrs (or as close there possible), each meal consists of a protein (egg, meat or cheese) and a low carb vegetable (one exception is twice a week I can have oats and whole milk for breakfast). I must eat three fruits a day with my meals but can doule or triple up at one meal (from select list of fruits - no grapes, no bananas, no canteloupe) and one fruit must be an apple. I also must consume a bevy of seeds daily, again with my meal: flax seed, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed and sesame seed. Can't be cooked. The only oil I can use (besides Pam spray) is cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, again not cooked (this I usually get in my daily salad. All my protein and veggie choices come from a list of approved foods and I must weigh them. No fruit juices and limited caffeine. I must drink 2l of water a day.
It's all quite complex, but as a nuclear trained submarine officer, I think that's probably what attracts me to the diet - the challenge. Anyways, more to follow in the weeks and months on how this thing works. Suffice to say, I felt pretty lousy the first five days as my body "detoxed" from all the processed crap I've been feeding it and now I feel great. I followed the plan to the letter (accept for one day of missed sunflower seeds). I am now on day 8 and went for my first weigh-in today. 11.5 pounds lost! Granted, I'm sure some of this was water weight, but hey, I'm 11 lbs lighter than I was last week and it feels great.
How long I last on this remains to be seen, but my goal is for a total weight loss of 65lbs. Wish me luck.
At the recommendation of my Canadian Forces doctor and with the support of my US Navy doctor, I decided to give the SureSlim program a try. I really knew nothing about it, assumed it was just another one of these shake-drinking or pre-packaged food eating programs. I went to their info session and still wasn't totally convinced.
On the surface it seems pretty simple. Get your blood tested to determine your cholesterol levels, glucose tolerance and other tests and then create a diet to take advantage of your bodies natural ability to develop chemicals that stimulate muscle growth and reduce the conversion of food into fat.
I decided to give it a try, despite the high cost ($700 CDN). I saved a few bucks by having the lab work done at the Navy clinic and a few weeks later got the call that my new diet plan was prepared.
When I returned to the clinic, I was informed that while high, my cholesterol and glucose levels were within standards, which was good news, but I was also informed that my body type has a difficult time converting carbs (which may explain a few things regarding my weight problems to begin with). After 1/2hr of detailed instructions and taking my initial measurements (weight, height, chest and waist) I was off. One last weekend to enjoy my normal foods (including a belated birthday cake) and last Monday I was off.
The diet is somewhat similar to some other popular diets on the market, a little bit Atkins and a little bit Protein Power. Essenitally a protein (non-fat) and low carb vegetable diet, reducing sugar and salt intake at the same time and boosting Omega 3 fatty acids. That's a mouthful. Here's the nuts and bolts: I get to eat three meals a day, separated by 5 hrs (or as close there possible), each meal consists of a protein (egg, meat or cheese) and a low carb vegetable (one exception is twice a week I can have oats and whole milk for breakfast). I must eat three fruits a day with my meals but can doule or triple up at one meal (from select list of fruits - no grapes, no bananas, no canteloupe) and one fruit must be an apple. I also must consume a bevy of seeds daily, again with my meal: flax seed, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed and sesame seed. Can't be cooked. The only oil I can use (besides Pam spray) is cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, again not cooked (this I usually get in my daily salad. All my protein and veggie choices come from a list of approved foods and I must weigh them. No fruit juices and limited caffeine. I must drink 2l of water a day.
It's all quite complex, but as a nuclear trained submarine officer, I think that's probably what attracts me to the diet - the challenge. Anyways, more to follow in the weeks and months on how this thing works. Suffice to say, I felt pretty lousy the first five days as my body "detoxed" from all the processed crap I've been feeding it and now I feel great. I followed the plan to the letter (accept for one day of missed sunflower seeds). I am now on day 8 and went for my first weigh-in today. 11.5 pounds lost! Granted, I'm sure some of this was water weight, but hey, I'm 11 lbs lighter than I was last week and it feels great.
How long I last on this remains to be seen, but my goal is for a total weight loss of 65lbs. Wish me luck.
posted by Paul Crowley @ 9:12 PM
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