Coffee matters

As anyone who's followed the other post in this blog will know, I'm starting every day with a cup of Bulletproof Coffee...well, not quite. BP Coffee maybe excellent but I'm too frugal to pay that much for a bag of it.

I originally tried this one :- http://www.grumpymule.co.uk/shop/coffees/central-american/guatemala-pocola-school-project It was a single estate coffee produced using the same methods and in similar conditions to BP Coffee...at a third of the price. It was a risk that it would contain the mycotoxins that Dave Asprey talks about in his blog but fortunately this hasn't been the case. It remains the finest cup of coffee I've ever drunk. When that ran out I tried the free bag of another coffee that was supplied with my order, now this isn't a bad coffee but it isn't anywhere near as good. I feel like there may be a mycotoxin issue with this one. I do get jittery and it tastes somewhat bitter in comparison. So I'll be ordering the original one again...and with the money saved purchasing that over BP Coffee it gives me cash to spend on supplements...or butter!

Another think I've found to improve the coffee is Coconut Oil. I've tried it with a Tbsp of MCT Oil instead but I find adding just a little Coconut oil gives it a great flavour....vanilla works well, too.

So for those of you trying this, keep it going...I'm seeing myself that it's worth it and if you are giving it a go, please leave a comment here and tell us all how you're finding it.

Sorry for the break in posting

My  apologies, it's been...ooh, days since my last post. Unfortunately, I've been very busy with a degree course I recently started but I thought I'd fill you in with the only downside I've encountered since starting this diet. Over the past few days I've noticed something...none of my clothes are fitting me now! I've had to buy a smaller belt to stop my jeans from falling down around my arse and all my shirts and t-shirts are way too baggy...I look like an extra in some film about 90's Madchester. And the inches seem to be coming off quicker than even the weight. This may be because the Bulletproof Diet reduces inflammation in your body, thus removing glycogen and retained water weight...as well as fat. So I now have the expense of buying a new wardrobe....Every silver lining has a cloud...but it's a tax I'm prepared to pay.

Tale of the tape (Part 1)

Ok, it's been nearly two weeks since I started this eating programme. It's been going well, I haven't had the hunger pangs most diets can leave you with (Bulletproof Coffee is ridiculously filling), my energy levels seem to have had a slight increase and it's been quite an easy plan to stick to....see my recipe posts for ideas of great meals you can eat while doing this. Other than one day where I had a few beers I've been careful to avoid redzone food and drinks. By sticking to th Intermittant fasting schedule I have hopefully maximised my time in a Ketogenic state.The combination of supplements I've been taking seem to have been helpful, my hair and finger nails seem to be growing thicker and healthier (Am I going to dodge the bullet of baldness?!?), I'm sleeping better, a receding gum problem I had has gone and my teeth seem to be accumulating less plaque build up, Rob jr seems to have gone into overdrive....But the most important thing is....is it working. So we'll go back to my initial measurements and see if there's been any changes.

Original measurements :- taken on 25th September 2012

•  Age 33 
• Height 6’2″ 
• Weight 334 lbs 
• Neck 21″ 
• Chest 58″ 
• Waist 46″ 

Current measurements

• Age 33 (no change)
• Height 6'2" (no change)
• Weight 325 lbs (9 lb loss, -2.7% from intial measurement)
• Neck 21" (No change)
• Chest 56.5" (1.5" loss, -2.6% from intial measurement)
• Waist 45" (1" loss, -2.2% from initial measurement)

So it turns out I have lost both weight and diameter. I'm pleased with the progress but know that some of this may be water loss so will not get too excited. I'll continue and keep upating this to track my progress. As weight and body composition can fluctuate on a daily basis what I will do is update these measurements at a fixed time each month. So my next update will be on or around the 25th October and then will do that around the same time each month.

 If you're trying this plan as well I'd advise you to do something similar so you can chart your progress, it is pointless tracking your progress daily, those days where you lose nothing or even gain weight will only cause you stress...and stress can also reduce your potential weightloss too!

Exercise - Let's make it more effective Pt2

In my previous post on exercise I explained how the traditional ideas of cardiovascular exercise had proven successful. I had flogged myself to death on elliptical walkers and treadmills for scant reward. Bur after googling I think I've found ideas that might help me to achieve fat burning nirvana.

So running for an hour on a treadmill is out. What I'm going to be doing is short, high intensity exercises. This is to increase my muscle mass...not to bodybuild, but to increase my BMR ( base metabolic rate) and aid fatburning. I will be concentrating on compound exercises (targetting more than one muscle at once) around the major muscle groups. If you don't have access to a gym or freeweights then use your own body as resistance. This is a list for those of us who are not gym bunnys.

Exercise 1

 Push-ups

I'm sorry, I know it's an exercise a lot of people hate or think they can't do...well if I can do them at my size so can you. They build chest, shoulders & arm muscles. Make sure you use a full range of motion: arms locked on the way up, nose against the floor on the way down (or chest if you're bulky enough). Put your knees on the floor if you can’t do one push-up. Switch to regular push-ups when this gets easy. Do them to the point of failure. Rest for 2 minutes. Repeat. (You'll probably do less the 2nd time...that's if you managed more than one!)

Exercise 2

Squats. 

This will build up your leg muscles and your glutes. Put your hands behind your head & bend through your knees. Keep your heels on the floor, push your knees out, look forward & squeeze your glutes on the way up. Stretch your hamstrings 3 times a week if you can’t squat lower than parallel. Again, do them to the point of failure, it probably won't take that long. Again, 2 minutes rest then repeat.
  
That's It!

For now, that's it.  Do this a maximum of 3 times a week. You're trying to build yourself up, not break yourself. If you find yourself in severe pain then stop immediately. A fatigued ache is fine, anything more serious consult your doctor. Do not bother to do abdominal crunches or situps if you have a high bodyfat percentage...no-one is going to see your Abs until your bodyfat is at a very low level.

If you do have access to a gym then use this handy guide (again from the bulletproof exec.) Use fixed machines rather than free weights.. Do the following exercises at about 75-85% of your 1 rep maximum and perform each exercise to the point of failure (when your muscles physically can't do any more). Perform each movement in a slow, controlled fashion and remember to breathe. Only do this once every 7-14 days. Make sure you sleep well.

1. Seated Row
2. Chest Press
3. Pull Down
4. Overhead Press
5. Leg Press