May 11 2012
Mar 19 2012
Week 4 – No Meat
It is week 4 of my experiment in no meat products. No real cravings for meat which is a good thing. I tried some of the meatless chicken nuggets. Not bad.
I am on vacation this week, so I don’t really have any excuses not to continue.
Mar 17 2012
My Bodyscan Analysis Report
In an effort to share/shame myself to get in better shape, I am publishing my bodyscan results.
Height: 74.8 ”
Weight: 297 (currently 293)
Age: 39
Sex: Male
ADL: Light
Exercise: Moderate
Percent Body Fat: 31.3%
Suggested Percent
Body Fat Range: 11% to 13%
Pounds Body Fat: 92.99 lbs.
Excess Body Fat: 57.35 lbs
Lean Body Mass: 204.01 lbs.
Suggested Target Weight Range: 229 to 234 lbs.
Results and Recommendations
Resting Metabolic Rate: 2815 Calories
Personal Caloric Level for Weight Loss: 2185 Calories
Protein Range: 158-175 Grams
Mar 14 2012
Week 3 – No Meat
I am into week #3 (almost full month actually) since I gave up eating meat. I am still getting protein from beans and other vegetables.
I went to a gym function and had my status updated. I received confirmation as to where I currently am and where I need to be. There were no surprises. I did pick up a container of “meal replacement” powder that is to be mixed with skim milk and taken in lieu of meals in the weight loss process. It is soy based, and I experienced my usual reaction to soy-based products. But I have that as a back up in case I am running low on protein.
I don’t have any large cravings for meat – that’s not really a surprise. I do know that I need to eat a lot more vegetables – I’ve been lax on that.
Nothing really good/bad/indifferent to report this week. A few salads, a few grilled cheese sandwiches, a seven-layer burrito or two.
Mar 06 2012
Week 2 – No Meat
Well, it has been two weeks since I’ve given up eating meat. And since then, I have noticed some changes.
First, my skin has cleared up. I don’t know if there were more saturated fats or if it is because I am eating more vegetables and fruits, but my skin is a lot clearer, and I have noticed that there are patches of skin on my face that are sloughing off quicker than average.
Secondly, I have experienced some occasional lightheadedness. One of these occurred when I was in line at the bank depositing my paycheck. I went to a restaurant and picked up something quick. I was fine the rest of the day.
Thirdly, I sleep a lot more soundly. I now go to sleep within minutes of going to bed instead of tossing and turning.
I am obviously paying more attention to the meatless options at restaurants. And there are not a lot outside of salads.
Over the weekend, I tried a soy-based chicken substitute. I was not impressed. The texture and taste were all wrong. And the “chicken” came out grey. Not appealing at all.
That’s week two. I am trying to cut back on the amount of bread I eat this week.
Mar 03 2012
Hydroponics Lab/Garden 2012 – planting seedlings
Well, I am putting together my hydroponics lab/garden for the season. I probably started late, but its a start.
I planted some seeds in the expandable peat pots to start getting seedlings. I thought about starting from scratch, but there are some new things I want to try this season and think it might be easier… Well, I put everything in an egg carton and put it under a clear plastic shoe box – my mini greenhouse. I should have something in a week.
I’m not going crazy, this year I’m only growing basil (the usual), rosemary, and some loofah sponges. The loofah sponges grew last year, but vines were everywhere, but I never got any fruit to make the sponges. I have an idea for this year. Also, I found out that they are edible?! Who knew?
I am going to be growing things in coconut fiber (Coir). It is supposed to hold water and nutrients longer that regular soil. I used a mixture of 50/50 soil to coir last year with promising results. It’s also renewable and cheap.
I’m building a tiered container system out of plastic soda bottles, PVC pipe, and a pump with a timer. Sketches right now, but I start getting the materials this week.
I also looked for plans for a larger self-watering tray for plants with a Rubbermaid container, pump, and fabric cloth. Maybe….
