Work was so hectic that we 3 couldn't do our workouts which eventually led to the failure of phase-1. We were working out several diet plans and exercise routines but could not execute it well. I am writing the story of my part while Felix and Marilyn will be writing their experience separately.
It happened that I had to expand my office with 4 more staff and we launched a series of websites including www.realkk.com which took most of my time. On top of it I had been running behind officials for a Gun license which I finally got . I don't want to bore you with the other not so important things happened. Inspite of all the hassles I was able to reduce 2 Kg or roughly 5 pounds which was only 20% of the expected 25 pound loss. However I consider this as a good achievement and thank everyone who had contributed in the community and motivated me to do it.
Without the motivation from the bodybuilding community, I bet I would have gained at least 10 pounds. Ok enough of it, I would like to share you the experience and the diets I used to get this very little success.
The Diet
Initially I had followed Dr.Atkins diet plan to cut down all carbs and go for protein rich foods. Being a south Indian we are very much used to eating rice from our child hood in the form of idlies, dosa, Puttu and other forms. It was not so easy to cut it off completely. Rice is very rich in carbohydrates and the body had been used to it. So I planned to have cereals for lunch on alternate days and have a light breakfast in the morning avoiding rice based foods.
So morning breakfast was eggs with noodles or two chapathis.
I chose sprouted green grams for lunch on alternate days which was less carb and full protein
Nutritional value of Green Gram (Per 100 grams)
Energy : 30 calories
Protein : 3 grams
Carbohydrate : 6 grams
Dietary Fiber : 2 grams
I had decided to go for sprouted green grams for lunch. To make it more edible chopped onions, salt and a little coconut gratings was added to it. This is what you have to do if you decide to go for a sprouted green gram lunch. I had tried several recipes and finally stuck with this.
Take about 50-70 gms of green grams and put them in a airtight vessel with water added to the level. Keep it for 24 hours. When you open it next day you will see that the grams have sprouted with about 2-6 mm shoots. Chop a small onion and fry it in olive oil or any low fat oil. Use aas minimum oil as possible. You can add one or 2 green chillies to add taste. Once the onion is fried red add the sprouted grams and stir it for a while, then add the coconut gratings to finish the dish..
It may sound a bit annoying to have only green grams for lunch, but it is a delicious dish and will give you a stomach full feeling. It keeps your energy level high and feel light..
I had avoided taking more sugars and brought down the number of cups of coffee per day. Other than that I kept off from Grape Juice which I used to take often. I am planning for a strict diet in phase-2
Exercise
As for the exercise, I did 40 minutes a day on an average of 3 days a week, which I feel is very less than what I had planned initially. Rain, work and various other factors have really affected the routine. However I did the following exercises.
1. Taichi - Yang style, Basic -8. I had learned taichi from Master Selvaraj, who is the best Taichi Master and head of Taichi India Federation. Unfortunately, I couldn't continue the classes and Master was also flying to and fro to Hong Kong. So eventually I ended in learning the basic-8 only. I do it five reps a day.
2. Slanting Bench Press with 30 kgs, - 50 reps.
3. Biceps - 8 kg (single hand) - 50 reps
4 Forearms - 8 kg (single hand)- 50 reps
5.Pushups - 10-15
6.Cycling -(one or twice a week) -11 kms.From my home to kanyakumari and back
7. Occasional swimmiing
8. Work out on a belly trimmer rope..
Apart from this I feel I did not have a killer will and most of the times the body did not cooperate to the new exercise routines. However I feel I will achieve good success in phase-2