Giving the Zone Diet a Try

I am not a dieter. The closest thing I've tried so far was to limit my caloric intake to approximately 2100 per day, but that was more an exercise in moderation and self-control--something I have always lacked. I made nothing more than a general effort to "eat better." That includes an increase in fruits and vegetables consumption, more frequent meals in reasonable portions, and moderation when it comes to my nemesis, desserts. All this was achieved with varying degrees of success. Whatever, I'm on to the next phase.

I'm going to give the Zone Diet an honest effort. The basic premise prescribed by Crossfit requires a three-pronged approach:

1. Proper proportions of the three macronutrients (Carbohydrates, Protein, Fat)
2. Proper meal times (frequent meals, meal time spacing)
3. Portion control (hand to eye method or plate method)

I'm also going to pick up a copy of the Crossfit endorsed Mastering the Zone for short money at Amazon. Take a look in the used section.

Other Resources:
http://www.zonebasics.com/gettingstarted_1.htm
http://www.zonedietinformation.com/

Starbucks Transitioning Away from Trans Fats

NPR reports that Starbucks is following the trend to remove trans fats from its bakery line.

I didn't realize that Crisco is essentially trans fatty acids in brick form. That explains why homemade cookies taste so good. Also, Starbucks cookies are just about the best tasting cookies available. There's no better pick-me-up than a coffee paired with one of these "single serving" cookies.

The Atkins Diet?

My climbing partner revealed that she's on the Atkins diet. Quoi? You mean the fad diet that shortened its founder's life? I tried hard to stifle a laugh. Now, I'm no Taoist but it seems that any diet, or exercise regime for that matter, that encourages unbalanced input to gain a magic bullet output immediately cocks my head sideways.

She's smart, works out often, and very in-tune with her body, so I really don't understand where she's going with this. She talks about maintaining weight a lot, and probing further, she admitted that one of the benefits of Atkins is that you lose weight quickly in the first week. I don't like the sound of that.

I've mentioned Crossfit to her, and she occasionally asks for advice on lifting, but nothing more. I don't push her about it either. There's nothing worse than an evangelizer.

Update:
She quit less than a week later. "That diet sucked," was all she offered.

There are clear limitations to metrics like BMI (Body Mass Index). In my case, I'm 5'4" but weigh 172 lbs. That gives me a hefty 29.5 score, deep into the "overweight," and, just shy of "obese." Now, I'm far from optimal shape, but when I was in the best shape of my life I was around 160-165 lbs with about 5.6% body fat. To hit the top side of "normal" I'd have to weigh in at a scant 145 lbs. The last time I weighed that, I was a starving intern. Before that, I was 14.

I come from a family of two body types. Tall and skinny, or short and muscular. Or, if you're my father, tall and muscular. Freak...

I once arranged for sea kayaks by phone in Maine. The guide was skeptical about my body description, and he was sure I'd never get into the thing, and worse--he thought my Grimace-esque physique would tip the kayak in a sudden swell, and I'd die because he'd never get me to shore safely. He had a let-down speech all prepared.

I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that BMI is not a good metric for me, and two, does anyone know what is?

* * *

Allow me to explain the discrepancy between my weight goal (155 lbs) and my description of best shape weight above. First, I was a high school gymnast at the time. I'll never be that strong, fit, or cut again, especially in that ratio. And secondly, I'm a rock climber now, and the extra weight is hindering my progress and I can't work beyond a difficulty ceiling I've hit. Worse, the extra weight is stressing tendons and ligaments in my arms from overuse. And three, it really wouldn't kill me to eat better and increase my cardio ability.

Calories: 1884
Weight: 170

REST

Calories: 3699

Yowza! Dinner parties can be a killer! Lay off the desserts!

1.75 hours of throwing:

Warm up throws
Long toss
Fly ball to infield
30 pitches

5 x 10 Push-ups

Calories: 2888

REST

More Kettlebell

I've given some serious thought to getting a 1 pood kettlebell. My crazy Crossfit friends from Boston continue to rave about what an excellent training tool the kettlebell is. I just need to put hand to wallet to make this happen.

Dragon Door offers kettlebells and information on how to use them to get wrecked.

Calories: 2691
I guess it was a cheat day today. I had a Pizze di Mare at Pizzeria Paradiso in Dupont Circle. Soda is also a major killer.

WOD
1 x 15 push-ups
4 x 10 push-ups

Calories: 2737

REST

Too early in the process for a cheat day. I definitely need to keep a lid on this. One thing I discovered that's very satisfying (for a while) is to have a huge salad in the middle of the day. By "huge," I mean one that fits in large mixing bowl. Luckily for me, I'm not a big dressing guy. 2 Tbs is all I need.

What killed me today: 2 packages of ramen and 4 chocolate chip cookies (852 calories!). On the latter, I didn't even like dessert until I met my wife. Now it's my kryptonite.