Alright so this is the diet plan I’m working on and a friend has expressed concern so I’m trying to get further knowledge from those smarter than me. I’m 6’6" and weigh around 320 lbs (probably less now, I haven’t weighed in weeks). I have a medium body frame. I’m 22 years old and live a fairly sedentary life working in the office. I’m hoping to exercise more in the future, but I’m about to move and so I just can’t.
In any case, my diet right now consistes of a Nutrigrain bar in the morning, a lean pocket and diet coke for lunch, a nutrigrain bar in the afternoon and then whatever is made for dinner. I drink water through the day as well. By my count, with dinner, the daily average is around 1400-1500 calories.
Is this healthy? I feel better and am losing weight, but with a friend’s show of concern I wanted to get further input.
Thanks folks.
Can you give a few more specifics about the ‘lean pocket’ and ‘whatever is made for dinner’?
I can imagine a few worries if your dinner is a small bowl of white rice or a deep-fried lamb, not so much if it’s a big bowl of fresh bean salad with feta cheese and olive oil dressing.
Also, are you taking any vitamins or similar supplements?
The Lean pocket: http://www.hotpockets.com/lean/ – Usually I have the meatball one, sometimes pepperoni.
Dinner is usually a meat (chicken, beef) with pasta, bread, rice. Canned vegetables sometimes make an appearance depending on the dish. We also have pizza once a week.
Dude, substitute more veggies for the pasta, bread and rice.
My gut feeling when it comes to others always tells me that you should look at the recommended daily amount of carbs and achieve about half that without using grains, cereals, fruit, processed sugars or potatoes. Then just pad it out with not-overcooked lean meat and lean milk products with fruit for dessert. I am not a doctor, but it always seems that if you’re really trying to lose weight than eating any amount of grains (or grain like things) is somewhat silly. Try a whites-only omelete with green vegetables and skim-milk instead of that nutrigrain bar for breakfast, for example.
1400-1500 calories for a guy your size sounds very low. I’d be surprised if you can stay on that for a long time, unless you already are doing it, in which case more power to you. You should be able to increase you calories/day and still lose weight.
Also, throw in some exercise. While exercise isn’t the most effective part of losing weight (eating less is much more important) it makes me feel better, helps me to sleep, and seems to help control my appetite.
Healthy? Not by my estimate. You could lose weight and eat much more at your current size. Will you lose weight? Definately. Sometimes diets that induce weight loss aren’t the most healthy, but they can produce results.
Lose the diet Coke. It is a useless liquid designed to tease your taste for sugar. If you want long term results, you have to lose the taste for sugars. Drink water exclusively, no fruit drinks or energy boost drinks.
Increase vegetable intake. Try spinach salads with things like walnuts, mandarin orange slices, grated carrot, chicken breast.
Exercise is an essential part of lifestye change. Walk whenever you can. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you have to drive, park at the furthest spot from the entrance.
Good luck! Changing dietary and exercise habits takes years, not weeks. Think long term.