R9/ D04 Cost

• Meal 1 - Low Fat Milk (200 ml x 2) = 0.200
• Meal 2 - Cheese squares (3 pieces) = 0.450
• Meal 3 - Apple (1 piece)  = 0.130  replaced with Oatmeal (.050 grams) = 0.200
• Meal 4 - Mac Garden/Green Salad + Tuna (1 big can) = 0.950 + 0.700 = 1.650

Total for Day 4 = 2.5 ($ 6.5)

+ I already know what I am going to eat today. I ended up updating what I had on schedule, since I got back home early.

* All prices are in OMR.

R9/ D03 Cost

• Meal 1 -  Low Fat Milk (200 ml) = 0.250
• Meal 2 - Sausage (3 pieces) = 0.447
• Meal 3 - Chicken (Thighs) = 1.800
• Meal 4 - Came home late so only had meal 3 as my last meal.

Total for Day 3 = 2.497 ($ 6.5)

* All prices are in OMR.

R9/ D02 Cost

Meal 1,2,3,4 -  Apples (4 pieces) = 0.576

Total for Day 2 = 0.576 ($ 1.5)

* All prices are in OMR.

R9/ D01 Cost

• Meal 1 -  Low Fat Milk (1/2 Litre) = 0.300
• Meal 2 - Yogurt (400 grams) = 0.250 
• Meal 3 - Orange (1 piece) = 0.58
• Meal 4 - Eggs (4 pieces) = 0.333

Total for Day 1 = 0.941 ($2.4)


* All prices are in OMR.


Note- Drinking 8-10 glasses of water is not calculated, however we can add an estimated value of 0.300 per day at the end of the round.

Round 9

Well I gained back 1.5 kgs! (Said sarcastically)

So 81.5 kgs and 6.5 kgs to go.

This round plan is to drop 3 kgs, and reach 78.5 kgs.

Hopefully this will be my 2nd to last round.

Let's see how stubborn the fats will be this round. (Said in wonder)

--------------

I plan to spice the blog up by posting the cost associated with this round. So will go back to posting daily on the day by day cost and by the end it should sum up to the cost an average cost of each round.

Should be interesting! (Said excitedly)

Round 8 Results

I am so close! 

Alhamdullah, I reached 80 kgs. Which means I lost 3.5 kgs in this round.

I was hoping to see the 7x kgs on the scale, yet little more patience I must.

5 more kgs to go, well will have to add the weight I might gain from the 3 cheat/free days. 

So far all is good, I am preparing myself mentally to start going to the gym once I reach my target. 2-3 times a week will be more than great. Also will be starting with playing more regular sports, like tennis and squash.

almost a month and 1/2 to go and 5 stubborn kgs to drop... 

Yes, this is reaching to an end. 

hmm, what should I be doing with the blog after that? Health talk? Sports talk? Merge it with my main blog??

much to think, yet still got some time to plan for it.

Round 8

52 Days to go...

This round starts with a 83.5 kg, targetting 80.5 kgs.

I suppose, chance are low in seeing the 7x kgs in this round, though highly in the next.

The question now, will I be able to finish it in 3 rounds? 8.5 kgs are remaining. Technically I should be possible, however most likely it will be getting quite difficult to drop flesh from here and now.

Either way, I have 2 more rounds as back up :P before the deadline.

Again, what should I give myself as a prize...

New Computer hardware? *Tempting*
New gagdet?

hmm, perhaps a 2TB Harddisk with an eSata connection! Yes I think I made up my mind... hopefully prices will drop within the next month or so...

Round 7 Results

So another round down and few more to go, wooohooo!

Was: 86 kg.
Target: 83 kg.
Achieved: 82.5

Dropped: 3.5 kgs

I do not have a sense of rounds anymore, its more like week 1 then week 2 and its over. So the sense of day 1-5 is the heaviest then 6-11 pass by like a breeze. I am getting bored, though that will not interrupt the plan.

in the recent rounds, I started to go out for dinner when I have chicken on the menu, so far I managed to find 1 good meal in Nando's and another in Stomach. Hopefully, I will find other places with good options as well.

I feel the silence, it feels that I will be facing the storm coming from behind the next wave and it will slow down my movement and my flesh dropping.

Either way, I still got more than 2 months = ~5-6 rounds before the deadline and inshallah I will meet it in hopefully 3.

Now how will I celebrate my achievement... hmm...

Round 7

This round starts with 14 items in the menu, which I think is the lowest I ever generated so far. Yet I find it interesting, since more milk is involved; which is the easiest item to consume.

Starting this round with 86 kg (gained back 1.5 kgs).

Target: 83 kgs.

66 days to go and I estimate 3-4 more rounds will be needed if I maintain the same average of flesh loss.

So far, 66 days of diet (6 rounds x 11 days) and 18 days of break (6 rounds x 3 days).

Total of 84 days have passed.

Lost 57.6%  and 42.3% remaining flesh.

(I love numbers :P)

Round 6 & Result

Started it with 88 kgs. (Gained back 1 kg).

Managed to drop 3.5 kgs, so reached 84.5 kgs :D less than 10 kgs to go!!!

This round went like a breeze, I almost forget I am on diet and it became more of a life style now. Still didn't go to the gym, not that I need it with this project, though it will play a crucial role once I reach my target to sustain what I accomplish.

Moving on...

Round 5 Results

5 rounds so far! It seems like it's been forever. Yet much more to days to come.

Yes, yesterday was the end of round 5 and alhamdullah it was a success. I lost 3.5 kgs. (more than expected)

So I am 87 kgs now; 12 kgs more to go...

----------------

Went to Dubai last weekend and it was a good visit, very hard to hold back with colourful food all around! Yet, I managed somehow :P

Will be enjoying my 3 days break as usual and back to the round 6 on Saturday.

10 Exotic and Healthy Juice Recipes

10 extremely tasty, simple, and easy-to-make juice recipes with common fruits available.

Reference for more details and instructions

The list looks interesting, some of them might definitely taste weird though! Perhaps might consider to try them out on my off days or on the aftermath once the diet is over as a replacement to bottled juices or soft drinks.

Honey and Cinnamon for Weight Loss!

This seems to be a promising and interesting article, the 10 items do sound great, though there aren't any scientific references for it as well, however it is well known that honey is a great medical potential, so perhaps there is some truth to the list.

1. For Curing Arthritis
2. Hair Loss
3. Toothache
4. Reducing Cholesterol
5. Cure Colds
6. Curing Infertility
7. Stomach Upset
8. Immune System
9. Longevity
10. Weight Loss

Reference for more details on each item.

What I find relevant is the weight loss fact, might try it...

A/C and FAT!

There have also been claims, that excessive use of air conditioners can actually cause someone to grow fat. Some researchers maintain that with regulated temperatures our body stops adjusting to the temperature changes and since there is a cessation of effort on the part of our body we burn less calories and hence more fat gets accumulated. Such claims need to be clarified better.

Source

As mentioned it is not based on a complete research, however I could find some sense in it, people become lazy, sleepy when it is cold, therefore, they tend to sit idle more, conclusion they get fatter!

Either way I am glad that I prefer to be warm and avoid A/C's most of the time!

Round 5

The menu is more or less very similar to round 4, I dropped the cashew and Macadamia Nuts, and kept the Walnuts. I realised that I really like the walnuts and the fact that it looks like a brain makes it even better to eat!

I am starting this round with 90.5 kgs (gained back 2 kgs in the 3 free days).

It's day 3 and I am already 89 kgs, so hopefully I can hit my target again this round.

Target: 87.5 kgs. (3 kgs of flesh to drop)

Thinking of going to Dubai this weekend to check out the Dubai festival before its over, now that will be torture...

Round 4 Results

Now this round was really good, mashallah.

I managed to over achieve! I managed an 88.5, so lost 4 kgs! Woohoo!

Weekend was reasonable, and the food was gooooood...

Stats:

48% accomplished.

12.5 Kgs in 53 out of 151 days.

My cloths feel almost normal again, well more like I feel back to normal in my cloths.

4 round are over and I am still excited, determined and can't wait to reach my target... 

Green Tea and weight loss

Green tea catechins linked to weight loss: Study

Antioxidant compounds in green tea could help promote exercise-induced abdominal fat loss, according to a new study from the American Society of Nutrition.

The researchers concluded: “The findings of this study suggest that consumption of a beverage containing green tea catechins (625mg/d) may enhance exercise-induced loss of abdominal fat and improve circulating FFA and TG levels. Additional research is warranted to further clarify the mechanisms responsible for these effects.”

Source

--------------------------

I usually drink tea with milk on my non diet days, however drinking green tea can do well in diet days, since its mostly water as well, which I have to drink anyway.

I tried it few times earlier, though the taste isn't that great. Though with a little mental illusions I can image it is the normal tea and won't have an issue with the taste. That I shall do.

After a quick search, it is recommended to not exceed 3 cups per day, which is more than fine with me.

Round 4

Weekend was hectic, though food wise enjoyable!

I will be starting this round with 92.5 kgs (gained 1 kg back in the break).

Target will be 89.5 kgs.

This is the list of food items I will be enjoying in this round:

Chicken
Sausage Links
Frozen Yogurt Dessert
Tuna Salad Plate
Walnuts
Fruit Salad Dessert
Cashews
Scrambled Eggs
Low Fat Milk
Regular Cheese Slices
Bowl of Oatmeal
Macadamia Nuts
Roast Beef Slices
Fresh Oranges
Banana Milk Shake
Fresh Apples
Fresh Pears
Deli Meat Sandwich

A total of 18 variations. I added in this round besides to the usual, Walnuts, Cashews and Macadamia Nuts; they should be an interesting option, will consider to have them.

Round 3 Results

Finally, round 3 is over, it was a good round, almost didn't feel it, I suppose I am getting used to the diet routine again and I actually enjoy having an organised eating habit.

I started with 95 and I reached 91.5 kgs, alhamdullah. So I lost 3.5 kgs, better then expected, woohoo!

now the fun begins 3 days of anything-ness! I will however try to avoid fast food this time and attempt to minimise my gaining to at most 1 kg.

It has been over a month now and overall I lost 9.5 kgs that is 38% of my 25 kg target, based on time I believe I am on schedule and there is a good chance that I might even reach my target ahead of schedule, inshallah.

I am looking forward to seeing the 80's on the scale!

Round 3

The break was refreshing, though as I mentioned in round 2, the trip already got things mixed up, so I ended up gaining 1 kg back.

Now starting today round 3 with 95 kgs and a target of 3 kgs to loss. I can feel and witness that it is already getting harder to loss the weight, they are getting stubborn and slow in dropping, though happening.

Will update by the end of Round 3 to state the progress.

Round 2

It's round 2, another beginning. Starting with 97 kg. This round's target is at least 3 kgs of flesh to drop...

I managed to drop to 94 kgs, managed to loss those 3 kgs.

Been extremely occupied in the first week and on a business trip on the second.

Round one was a good example of the type of food I eat, the times I eat and overall experience. From now on I will focus on updating the results of each round and post now and then about any relevant topics I find interesting.

So to all you 1,733,993,741 possible fans, do not be alarmed, I will still be around and keeping this blog alive at least semi-monthly.

To add, maintaining the diet when abroad did not go smoothly, I tried my best to keep as close to the menu, however, I ended up at least not being close enough for 2 out of 4 meals. However despite all that I did manage to loss the targeted weight, alhamdullah.

R1/Day off 3

Long day I say? Well more or less, the whole weekend was all about an group assignment for college. Despite how intense it is, it is definitely something I enjoyed doing. Though it's driving us crazy to get it sorted.

Food wise, lunch was fasty, and dinner was bread and cheese...

Day off's are over and moving on to round 2!

I gained back 1.5 kgs, which is normal, usually it is around 1 kg though.

R1/Day off 2

What a long day it was! Had a sandwich for breakfast, pizza for lunch with soft drinks. Dinner ended up light with a small slice of oreo cheese cake and chocolate bar.

hmm, another fatty day...

R1/Day off 1

Woohoo! Eat anything, drink anything... what a feeling! The old desires are unlocked; the cravings are unleashed looking for the tasteful to grab and eat...

hmm, I sound like a monster... well, its my holiday off the diet, I say I shall treat myself well.

I lost 5.5 kgs, Alhamdullah.

So far I had
- 1/2 a mug of tea with milk (I have a big mug).
- one long bread chicken sandwich for breakfast.
- 2 pieces of chocolate.
- A good amount of Mandi (Type of rice dish mixed with red meat or chicken, I had rice with red meat).
- Drank two cups of pepsi.

and will be going out with family for dinner, will most likely have a light meal and dessert.

I do not think I will be eat anything else today, and will be keeping the habit of drinking water.

Am I pushing it? Well that is the idea of the cheat days! I might gain back 1 to 1.5 kg, though that is totally fine, since it is part of the process...

R1/D11 status

Yesterday, that was a long long time ago, the time when my choice of food was limited, my eat desires locked within...

Anyway... Alhamdullah; I managed to eat all my 4 meals and the fruit salad and tuna were lovely, well eat-able; though I really didn't care at that point since they were the last...

R1/D11 menu

The last day of round 1!

Today's menu says:

• M1 - 1/2 L low fat milk @ 0950
• M2 - 4/5 slices of Roast beef @ 1300
• M3 - Cup of fruit salad @ 1630
• M4 - Pieces of chicken or Tuna salad @ 2200

Round 1 is about to be over, I lost X amount of kgs (will reveal it with the status of the day), not a bad start. Now the real flesh drops challenge will start. The first round is usually the easiest in dropping, after that its on an average from 1-3 kgs, mostly around 3 though.

R1/D10 status

I had a very late 4th meal, @ 2430. The oatmeal was quite good, and a warm meal to have before sleep. Earlier the Banana milkshake was as good like last time, though I think that it was not enough, I'd probably request for a bigger size next time.

Before that the Milk and sausage at work became a classic. Some colleges usually approach me, when they see me eating the sausages and claim it is not healthy, I respond that it is convenient.

(Though I have researched about sausages before, however will do another one to blog about it)

Note to self: research about sausages.

R1/ D10 menu

Today should be another interesting day. And I am looking forward to them...

Menu:

• M1 - 1/2 L low fat milk @ 0900
• M2 - 4 pieces of sausage @ 1300
• M3 - Banana Milkshake (Yum...) @ 1700
• M4 - Oatmeal @ 2000

Again banana milkshake should be fun to have... should be leaving work now and go grab one.

And the woohoo! tomorrow is the last day of round one then heaven will be opening its gates! Well at least a little :O

R1/ D9 menu & status

Yesterday was a fully fatty day, though nothing new about that! Either way, didn't get around to update about it. Nevertheless it was another good day!

The menu I had:

• M1 - 2 medium sized Apples @ 0930
• M2 - Pieces of cooked chicken @ 1300
• M3 - 5 slices of roast beef @ 1815
• M4 - Fruit Salad @ 2240 (Got it from Al Fair, it was OK, not great)

Not much water... though tried to have a good amount in the evening...

R1/ D8 status

Vegetable day, it was better than I expected. Best part of meal 3 and 4 was that I was able to add 3 tea spoons of low fat mayo, which made them taste even better... 

Is dieting a delusion

Is it really the food? the exercise? The willpower? the the the...etc

Or is it just a matter of good habits, despite what you eat, how much exercise you do and determination you have.

What I know and realise from all related information I came across related to dieting and how to eat healthy; that it is all about your eating habits. If you balance your eating timings around the day, have smaller portions and have a reasonable amount of water; then consequently you should be able to stabilise your weight, stay in shape and most important have a healthy eating routine.

We do many things everyday, a lot of them are part of our natural routines, by natural I mean anything a human being would naturally do, we use our mouth to talk, our legs to walk...etc and from that prospective when we walk we would most likely walk in the same style, talk in the same style...

Now shouldn't we eat in the same style? Perhaps when it comes to food, it is different, since it has a lot of different methods and styles that can be adopted, like before I start my diet, my style was to always favour fast food, soft drinks and chocolates, cakes...etc

I believe my salvation to not get into the style of dieting, then eating freely then dieting again routine, I shall find a style that fits best with my life style and integrated it to be part of it.

To be continued once I consider what are the best styles and routines I would want to adopt.

R1/ D8 menu

4 more days to go! And 1.5 kgs for this month to achieve it's 5 kg per month objective. I believe I will be able to make it, I hope I can go beyond it as well.

Today's menu is all about vegetables!

• M1 - M4 = 1 cucumber, 1 carrot and 1 tomato each.

Will have the first two meals at work and the last two at home. Based on my previous diet, this amount was enough for each meal to make me feel satisfied. Should be another interesting yet challenging day.

It still feels good to be on diet.

R1/D7 menu & status

Today's menu was good as well:

• M1 - scrambled eggs @ 1100
• M2 - Chicken @ 1400
• M3 - 1/2 low fat milk @ 1700
• M4 - 2 pieces of cheese  + 4 pieces of sausage

 The eggs tasted great! Chicken had mix of cocunut chicken dish + pieces of chicken from an Iranian restaurant; both were excellent. And finally the mix of cheese and sausage, what is there not to like...

Tomorrow will be a tough day, probably even harder then day 2.

R1/ D6 status

I miss eggs! Luckily it shows up on the menu for tomorrow. The oatmeal was quite good as well. Though I must say the banana milkshake was fantastic! Bought it from G cafe, though little expensive, yet was worth trying it out. I wonder what will the milkshake taste with the ice cream, since I requested for milk and banana only.