Weight Loss Isn't the Goal, But...

While the previous post about this month's experiment focused on Gary Taubes' "Why We Get Fat" and the role of carbohydrate in that process, it is important to note that we entered this month not focused on weight loss. Our main interest in this experiment was to see how we would fare, how we would feel if we cut out sugar and other nutrient-scarce foods.

Image Credit: http://flic.kr/p/7r8zR4

Those who are overweight are certainly at higher risk for many health problems - high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, etc., so loosing excess pounds, kilograms or stone would be a health benefit. For the purposes of this experiment, weight is but one measure of health. We are also tracking body fat percentage as well as more subjective markers like energy level, food cravings, digestion, to see what effect this change in lifestyle has on us.

It is important for those who want to consider this way of eating (Paleo / Primal) on a more permanent basis, that we not to think of it as a diet, and not to refer to it by that term. Our modern culture is littered with fad diets and most of us have tried some version of one, perhaps lost a few pounds with difficulty and subsequently regained them without much difficulty.

If Gary Taubes is correct, the reason for this yo-yo effect is not a lack of willpower, a sedentary lifestyle, or eating more than we burn. It is primarily the massive amounts of dietary sugar and refined carbohydrate that we typically consume. Discovering what to eat for optimum heath is the goal, and weight loss (if starting overweight) is one trackable metric.

That said, here are the starting and mid points:

Patient Zero:

Friday June 1
Weight: 213.4 lbs
Body fat: 26.4%
BMI: 28.2

Friday July 15
Weight: 208.4 lbs
Body Fat: 25.6%
BMI: 27.5

Patient One:

Friday June 1

Weight: 220 lbs

Body fat: 32.3%

BMI: 35.5

Sunday July 17

Weight: 214.2

Body Fat: 31.2%

BMI: 34.6

No carb counting, no calorie counting, no additional exercise - but more to say about that later.

These measurements were taken using a cheap bathroom scale, so there is some percentage of error, but they were taken consistently, so they are useful for comparison. Body Fat percentage, when measured electrically can differ based on one's level of hydration. The important thing to note is that the markers are moving in the right direction - down.