60 days from today will be June 1st. I’ve issued a personal challenge to myself and friend/family to get off the slacker merry-go-round and start the journey to fat/weight loss.

Today, I threw down the gauntlet and said “20lbs or bust”! The plan: eating 50g carbs or less daily for the next 60 days.  According to the Primal Blueprint at MarksDailyApple.com, this is the magic number to ensure “effortless weight loss”.

0-50 grams per day: Ketosis and I.F. (Intermittent Fasting) zone. Excellent catalyst for rapid fat loss through I.F. Not recommended for prolonged periods (except in medically supervised programs for obese or Type 2 diabetics) due to unnecessary deprivation of plant foods.

50-100 grams per day: Sweet Spot for Weight Loss. Steadily drop excess body fat by minimizing insulin production. Enables 1-2 pounds per week of fat loss with satisfying, minimally restrictive meals 

 

I certainly achieved results late last year when I subscribed to this plan–which kept me on track even through the holiday season.

Since I’ve converted my diet to mostly an 80/20 Paleo plan, I’ve been experiencing a renewed physical vigor and mental clarity. I can definitely feel the negatives when I diverge from this eating plan–experiencing everything from fatigue and depression to high blood pressure and stress. Sadly, I had to endure much of the drawbacks of falling off the wagon in the first 3 months of this year–but no more! I’m fed up with feeling crappy!

A friend of mine started earlier this year on a Whole30-style eating plan and has achieved great success. He experienced many of the signs of metabolic syndrome and after several visits with doctors and specialists, he finally turned his diet around. He dropped 3 pants sizes and recently had to shop for new clothes.

My man also had to make a shopping trip earlier this month when he dropped 2 pants sizes and 1x shirt size! I was sooo happy for him–but he still has a way to go! He doesn’t want to give up the carbs–especially being on diabetic meds…but I don’t see him dropping the extra weight going the route he’s going (he loves his cereal, oatmeal and sandwiches). Still he is up for the challenge.

Another experiment I am looking forward to conducting is entering a ketogenic state. According to DietDoctor.com:

• Around 1.5 – 3 mmol/L is what’s called optimal ketosis and is recommended for maximum weight loss

Since my cabinets are full of glucose meters, I think I’ll be taking those measurements along with progress pictures to keep me motivated.

I’ve already set a calendar reminder to keep me on track for the next 60 days; plus, making arrangements with my fiance to hold us both accountable. 135lbs was the lowest I could go before the end of 2013…I’m hoping to push the envelope to 130 by the time June rolls around. Plus build up some muscle by including more weight training in my regimen.

See you in 60 days! 

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