4-Hour Body: Day 1

Yesterday I started the 4-Hour Body diet. I directly blame this on seeing myself in the Bickram yoga mirror on Sunday. (I secondarily blame Sonya, who gave me the 4-Hour Body audio book.) So, for the next while, however long this lasts, I will post what I eat ALL DAY, every day. I will also, at the end of each post, include How I Cheated, because I don't expect to be following the diet all that strictly.

Actually I'm not even finished listening to the audio book yet. What I'm doing right now is just based on the first chapter. Key points of this chapter include avoiding all white carbs (eg. bread, pasta), constructing all meals of protein, legumes and veggies (no grains), and taking one whole day off a week, when you can indulge in anything you want. Sound healthy? I don't know. The author of the book is not a doctor, "nor does he play one on the internet." Allegedly having that day of indulgence once a week stops your metabolism from slowing down due to the lower caloric intake during the rest of the week. (Did that make sense?) The indulgence kicks it back up again. And there is supposed to be some exercise happening somewhere in there, but I haven't got to that part yet.

Anyway. Here's what I ate.

Breakfast: E3Live; lentils, eggs, tomatoes & spinach; coffee

Breakfast #2: green smoothie: spinach, dates, goji berries, strawberries, banana, lime & maca powder

Snack: broccoli & carrots with lemon dill hummus

Lunch: black beans & salsa

Snack: black plum

Dinner: zucchini spaghetti with Szechuan peanut sauce & tomatoes, with lentils, peas & onions


Also: some peanuts and a glass of red wine (red wine is the only alcohol you're allowed to consume on this diet.)

Exercise: walking from vet to vet at lunch, in pursuit of flea medication for oversized cats (about 20 min.)

How I Cheated: Fruits (except for tomatoes and avocados) are not allowed on this diet because they are so high in sugar. However, I refuse to give up my morning green smoothie -- it took me a long time to get into the habit of making them, and I don't want to lose that habit. HOW BAD CAN STRAWBERRIES AND BANANAS BE FOR YOU. The Szechuan peanut sauce is probably also cheating due to its sugar content, but I am ok with that.