I’ve been on the diet almost two weeks now. Gotta say, I’m impressed. I think I’ve lost 6 or 7 pounds, it’s hard to tell since I don’t have a scale but my pants are now noticeably loose. My jeans had been uncomfortably tight, now I’m cinching the belt a bit more. Plus, I actually have to tie my pajama bottoms now. Plus, I still haven’t had any dizzy/lightheaded spells since I started the diet. All I’ve done is cut out most of my carbs. All I’m eating is meat and vegetables. Gary Taubes ideas made a lot of sense to me and so far I’d say he was on the right track.
He actually advocates a high fat diet, and I’ve been following that. One aspect of his theory certainly seems true, the number of calories really doesn’t matter. I have been eating eggs and sausage for breakfast and learning to love bratwursts, kielbasas, and other sausages. I’ve had more than a few burgers in the last couple of weeks. In short, I’m sure that my calorie consumption is far higher than it had been before, but my weight has come down. Eating at work has proven to be a little more challenging, I can only eat but so many salads. There is a mall Thai place, I can eat there (with no rice) since they don’t bread their meat and they have lots of veggies. I’m going to have to find some variety there so I don’t go crazy.
As much as I love my white rice, bread, crackers, not to mention sweets, it hasn’t been all that hard to do this. Partly I think it’s because what I do eat is so filling I don’t have the cravings to munch nearly as much as before. I’ve also found some things that allow me to snack, like Trader Joes power berry trek mix (almonds, cashews, dried cranberries, and yes, some chocolate) and their Soy and flaxseed chips. I do have to watch them, but they have a lot of fiber so they aren’t as carb heavy as regular chips are.
I’m also eating more veggies. Trying to eat more salads, green beans, and mixed vegetables. Yeah, they have carbs, but not a whole lot. Think I’ll be OK with a few creeping in here and there:)
Weight is only one part of course, I’m going to try to keep tabs on my blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. Taubes is adamant that there is very little science to back up the conventional wisdom that fats clog up your arteries. Still, when you go against the grain, you need to make sure that there’s a reason the conventional wisdom is what it is.
Anyway, I plan on keeping on as long as I keep losing weight and feel good. I’ll keep you updated!