BIG ASS SALAD (BAS) ON CHEAT DAY

Okay here it is- I did an IF until lunch and missed my workout because I was busy with work. I was not that "hungry" but felt compelled to hammer Sweet Tomatoes on one pass through the salad bar. 2 plates, spinach, veggies, blue cheese crumbles, blue cheese, other dressing's, and a load of chicken from the premium area.This is my BAS- Big Ass Salad- but I think the veggies must chew up to take up less space- this is how I "carb" up on a cheat day. I was actually too busy to get to the gym and had to go to a business meeting where I ate some Indian food for dinner- I stuck to the chicken dishes and what I thought was cauliflower- it was so good I went back for a second round. I know I am eating way too much! But after the meeting I went back to the gym and walked on the treadmill for 3.5 miles and then road 30 minutes on the stationary bike with a 4 minute 90% Tabata- I did not go 100%...it still hurt the legs though and got me out of breath with my heart rate close to 150 bpm.

I am doing a 36 hour fast day today (it is almost 8 pm and I am heading to the gym- I want to lift arms and do slow cardio for 1 hour- then eat a normal meal- so it will be a 24 hour fast). And I have been reading about the BulletProof Rapid Fat-Loss-Protocol which is an improvement of the Atkins "FAT-FAST" concept. For my program I try to do a 24 or 36 hour fast once per week- but this week I need to see if I can kick off some real fat loss (more than 4 lbs)- I decided I am going to try to do two 24 or 36 hour fasts- Today Thursday 4/26 and on Monday 4/30. I am kicking around the idea of loading up some coffee- but I am not quite sure how to do it. Typically I try to drink green tea all day long during a fast day. This seems to help me stay not so hungry and of course I take my supplements. I have not taken BCAA's since I thought the shorter fasting period would not affect much muscle tissue- but maybe I will add some if I am working out heavy the day before the fast I need something to keep the muscle recovery going. I don't think I will be able to gain much muscle if I am doing 2 fast days per week. But what I really want right now is to drop an additional 20-40 lbs right away! I want to get down below 260! If I can do that I will really know I am on my way! And my dream of a "six-pack" and sub 10% BF will be a reality!

I want to be clear about "cheat days"- going forward I will only "cheat" with either low-carb approved foods or "safe starches". I won't be hitting the junk food like I did last week eating corn chips and quesadilla's. The shear volume of my BAS is like a cheat day or a warrior meal.

I am doing another thing that I thought I would try- Cold Thermogenesis Living An Optimized Life Dr. Jack Kruse I started this program last week. I think I am somewhat cold adapted since my body typically runs hot and I don't need a jacket or sweat shirt when most other people need them. But I thought I would try to get my body fully cold adapted- I know during the winter time when I duck hunt I become cold adapted since I spend a lot of time out in very cold conditions and can get acutely cold for a few hours. But I know there is nothing that makes a person more mentally tough that enduring a cold shower or plunged for 10 or 20 minutes in  ice cold water. So far- cold water still sucks! But my low back is certainly feeling better. I am taking a cold bath in 55F water and using a couple of ice packs on my gut that does not get exposed to the cold water. I keep my head out of the water right now and my arms and hands- it will take a few more weeks before I go in all the way. When I feel a little hypothermic with a shiver coming on I end the session between 35-40 minutes.

I have not hit the "groove" yet in my weight loss since I feel like I am just eating too much- but it sure is a fun and satisfying "diet"...I hope I can get in the groove and lose 6-8 lbs per week. I think with 2 fast days per week, daily IF (skipping breakfast) and cold thermogenesis  while going low-carb (Paleo/Primal) <25 grams 4 days per week, with a ~100-150 carb gram leptin boosting day/meal (cheat day) and probably less than <50 grams the other 2 days along with supplementation. I should be able to put myself into an optimal fat burning groove. Looking back at the salad was HUGE!