Scientific results (math is involved)

As previously stated, weight loss was not the primary goal of this month's challenge - rather it was to learn about how certain foods affect us and what changing one's dietary composition can have on health, energy, stamina, etc. Weight loss is, however, an important measure of what changed. Here are the mathematical results:

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

2 week % weight change: 2.53%

2 week % body fat change: 3.03%

Sunday July 31
Weight: 206.4 lbs
Body Fat: 24.7%
BMI: 27.2

2 week % weight change: 0.96%

2 week % body fat change: 3.51%

Month-long % weight change: 3.28% reduction

Month-long % body fat change: 6.43% reduction

At the mid-month point, patient zero spontaneously decided to begin a light strength-training exercise program. On 10 days in the last half of the month, each of the following was done:

• 10 pushups
• 10 squats
• 10 situps
• 30 second plank
• 10 second side planks

A total of 8.7 miles was walked in these two weeks, and he biked the 10 miles to work on 4 occasions. Had we been measuring muscle mass, this would likely explain for the slowed loss of pounds in the second half of the month - building muscle offset fat loss., but fat loss was a higher percentage with the exercise.

Even with this slowed weight loss, it is interesting to note that patient zero is also currently in the middle of a weight loss phase - a vegetable-focused Atkins plan. This program began in February, from a starting weight of 235. Prior to the July experiment, average weight loss was 0.84 pounds per week. In July, with no calorie or carb counting, the average was 1.74 pounds per week. The difference is likely better quality of food, with less artificial sweeteners, bars, shakes, etc. Patient zero plans to continue eating real food.

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

2 week % weight change: 2.63%

2 week % body fat change: 3.41%

Monday August 1
Weight: 212.0
Body Fat: 31.2%
BMI: 34.2

2 week % weight change: 1.03 %

2 week % body fat change: 0 %

Month-long % weight change: 3.63 % reduction

Month-long % body fat change: 3.40 % reduction

Patient one decided not to exercise any more rigorously in the second half of the month. Without exercise, patient one still lost more weight (lbs) than patient zero. It is remarkable how similar the percentage weight loss results are between these two patients, even with different ages, different activity and stress levels.

Fat loss is somewhat different - the exercise increased fat burning in patient zero, and the continuing weight loss mode is also likely a contributing factor to patient zero's consistent fat loss. Patient one started this program, and the initial weight loss is more likely in part to be water weight as the body adapts to burning fat instead of carbohydrate.

Again - this is just from controlling what you eat, not counting calories or carbs, or trying to control how much you eat. The foods selected are more nutrient dense, and more satisfying - second helpings were very rare this month. Neither patient felt like they were starving ourselves, and that's a nice feeling.