Fat and Fifty - Day 1 - It's Time to Get Serious About My Diet!

 Oh boy, did I mess up yesterday! I was planning on writing a blog post, but instead, I decided to give into my temptations and indulge in some of my favorite treats that are a big no-no on the Keto diet. And let me tell you, I went all out! I had cookies, beer, blueberry muffins, and ice cream - you name it! I basically turned into a walking carb coma by the time I was done. I couldn't even muster up the energy to do anything else besides binge-watch Netflix. And to think, I had the nerve to wonder how I could possibly put on weight again! I mean, let's face it, I'm a junk food junkie through and through. We all want things quick and easy, and junk food, processed food, and fast food fit perfectly into that lifestyle. But Keto requires discipline and time - two things I'm not exactly known for. It’s definitely time for me to start practicing some patience, not just for my body but for my mind too.

My final meal before starting my diet was so over-the-top, it felt like the last supper of a man facing a firing squad! I went all out, ordering pizza, cold beers and ice cream. If anyone ever asks me what gluttony looks like, I'll just show them a picture of that meal.

It's time to get serious! After yesterday's epic indulgence in all my favorite non-Keto foods, I woke up feeling like a bloated whale. But enough with the self-pity and excuses, today is a new day and I'm ready to tackle the challenge of the Keto diet!

Yes, that's right, today marks Day 1 of my Keto journey. And let me tell you, it hasn't been easy. I'm used to indulging in all sorts of junk food and processed snacks, but now I have to say goodbye to those guilty pleasures and embrace a healthier lifestyle.

But you know what? I'm excited! Because with Keto, I can still enjoy some of my favorite foods like bacon, cheese, and steak, while also shedding some pounds and feeling better both physically and mentally. So, bring on low-carb veggies, healthy fats, and plenty of water. Let's do this, Keto!

Let's talk about my Keto game plan, or as I like to call it, "Lazy Keto with a side of Intermittent Fasting." Lazy Keto means I'll be restricting carbs while being more chill about my protein and fat intake. I won't be sweating over macros, but I know it's important to keep an eye on my progress. Without monitoring my macros, I could be flying blind on my weight loss journey, and we all know how frustrating it is to be lost without a map. 

But wait, there's more! I'm also hopping on the Intermittent Fasting bandwagon. Intermittent Fasting is basically an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting. I'm not talking about starving myself for days on end, just limiting my eating window to 8-10 hours a day. The other hours are for drinking water, coffee, and other non-caloric drinks. 

Intermittent Fasting has some impressive benefits for weight loss. First, it helps me cut back on calories because I'm not eating around the clock. Second, it helps me get into ketosis faster, where my body starts burning fat instead of carbs. This means I'll see results faster and have a better body composition. 

And let's not forget that Intermittent Fasting is the perfect partner for Keto. Together, they'll help me get into ketosis even quicker while keeping my calorie intake in check. I'll be doing 18:6, which means I'll be fasting for 18 hours and then eating within a 6-hour window. Don't worry, I'm not going cold turkey on food. I'll be building up to this timing in increments because I'm not a superhero (yet). 

Let's not forget I promised my beginning weight!  I snuck into the local hospital like a ninja on a mission and found an unattended scale. I hopped on, held my breath, and...261lbs! Not too shabby for a Fat and Fifty guy, am I right? I was actually pleasantly surprised. I was fully expecting to see a number north of 270, but I guess I'm not quite as massive as I thought. Sure, there's still a lot of work to do, but for now, I'll happily claim the title of "Fat and Fifty at 261lbs."

Now, let's talk goals. I believe in setting both short-term and long-term goals. Why? Well, because if you only focus on the long-term, you might get discouraged along the way and give up. And if you only focus on the short-term, you might lose sight of the bigger picture. So, here are mine:

Short-term: Lose 31 lbs by July 20th (I've got a special event coming up, you see).

Long-term: Get below 200 lbs by April 1st, 2024.

I know some of you might be thinking, "Hey, those goals are too easy!" or "Those goals are too far away!" But hold on there champ. Keto is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix. I like to keep it real when setting goals. If I aim too high and fall short, I'm more likely to get discouraged and spiral into a pit of despair (and junk food). So, set achievable goals, celebrate your wins along the way, and don't beat yourself up if you don't hit them all right on the mark. Remember, slow and steady wins the race (and loses the weight)!

Day 1 of my keto journey is officially in the books. And let me tell you, I'm feeling pretty accomplished - I made it a whole 14 hours without food! Sure, I may have been counting down the minutes until my next meal like a prisoner waiting for release, but let's focus on the positive here.

Now, let's talk about my meals. I started the day with a little something I like to call "The Salty Lime Surprise". It wasn't as bad as I remembered, but it still puckered my face up like a cat's butt. And for lunch, I had some chicken wings and veggies. Dinner was a simple grilled chicken salad with ranch dressing - I'm keeping it basic for now, folks.

But don't worry, I'm not stopping here. Tomorrow, I'm aiming to push my fasting to at least 15 hours, and eventually work my way up to 18 by the weekend. And stay tuned, because I'll also be sharing my meal plan for the week. Let's just say it involves a lot of veggies and very low carbs - gotta get this body into ketosis as quickly as possible!