A Whole week on Whole Foods. So…?

As we began this thing, we read a number of promises regarding eating PB. After seven days, how do these promises compare to my real life? Let’s do a quick review.

And, see if I lost any weight.

PB Promises…

Waking up refreshed and with energy
Better sleep
Increased stamina and focus throughout the day
A more positive outlook on life in general
Enjoying the food itself
Health improvements (too many to list!)
Weight loss

My Reality…(so far)

Remember, this is only one week. We still have two more weeks to go. We’re working with a small sample. Consider these “PB first impressions.”

Waking up refreshed and with energy?
1. Not that I can say. Getting out of bed is hard as always.
Better sleep?
1. Yes and no. Some nights I slept very well. A few nights I still had a hard time resting. But it certainly isn’t worse!
Increased stamina and focus?
1. Do I feel incredibly alert? No. Not like some people claim. BUT, I will say I feel, as Larry David says, Prettay, prettay good, all day long. So, it’s a yes.
A more positive outlook on life?
1. Yes. I do more feel more positive. I know I’m eating the best way, and that really does feel good when it crosses my mind. Plus, no nagging guilt about sneaking chips or pigging out.
Enjoying the food itself?
1. If I do not compare it to what I am missing, a definite (and surprising) yes, I am enjoying the new flavors. But if I thought I’d never have a burger again? I don’t know yet if PB is enough, long term.
Health improvements?
1. This is something I have to trust right now. But, after my research (including watching Gamechangers on Netflix, twice), I believe in this way of eating. I believe it will make me healthier long term.
Weight loss?
1. I’ll address this below.

Random thoughts on PB (so far)

I feel more positive about eating Plant-based after a week, not less.
I appreciate, intellectually, how this kind of diet would make me healthier. I’m a believer now.
So far, the hardest part is eating out. There is still not a lot of love for the PBers out there.
But, I did learn a set of Rules, so I really think I could do it. But it would take work!
Prep time is heavy. My wife, God bless her, has been doing a lot of slicing, dicing, chopping and cooking. So far, it hasn’t gotten easier, she says.
The first trip to the supermarket is overwhelming. But the second trip is easier.
Our fridge looks awesome inside. I feel healthier just looking in there! (Our son put a Coke inside, and we almost disowned him.)

OK. But do you feel any different, Mike?

This is where my skepticism kicks in.

In the book, he claims I’ll be leaping out of bed each morning, awake and just itching to seize the day.

Well, that hasn’t happened. At least not yet. I wake up not-so-eager to crawl out from the warm covers.

But, here’s one big positive. I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux recently. This isn’t as much of an issue now. No heartburn or problem sleeping. And that is really a good thing. And Heidi says I’m not snoring as much. Which helps her sleep better!

Understand, I am a skeptic, and that costs me.

I realize, much of life is telling yourself something, and then you’ll believe it. I will never be as happy, perky, full of faith, and optimistic as some people. I’m not boasting; I’m simply owning. But truth is very important to me. I choose to seek truth first. So I lose out on some of the benefits of a sunshiney attitude. I accept that. If you’re a positive person, or less skeptical…you’ll probably get even more out of this than me.

But. I will tell you this interesting, truthful story.

A few days ago, I decided to start exercising again. I started with jumping jacks. I used to do about 10. So I started…10…15..20..

So I just decided to keep going. I stopped at 60, and I could’ve done more.

It was weird, man. It just felt…good…to keep jumping.

Even as a skeptic, that was plain and simple, progress. I have more energy. That’s the truth.

Blah blah blah, Mike. What about your weight?

I said my primary goal for doing this wasn’t energy, or health, or saving the earth. It was losing weight.

I said if I lost seven pounds during the 22 days, I’d consider it a success.

Drumroll, please

Here’s the (embarrassing) scale results when I began, 7 days ago:

(Sorry for the dust; the scale hadn’t been used in a loooong time.)

I am NOT proud of that number. It’s probably the most I have ever weighed. I dunno how it happened, frankly. But, it did.

That shameful number pushed me to start this 22 Day PB Challenge;

I did it to see if there was any hope to change the direction I’ve been going.

And here’s the scale after day seven:

I’ve lost 8 pounds. In one week.

So there’s that.

Do I expect to lose that much more? No way. I know it’ll be harder the rest of the way.

But. Can I keep losing weight? Will I gain more energy? Will I ever learn to like Kale?

Stay tuned. On to Week Two!

NOTE: I’ll be posting less the rest of the way. But I will continue posting until the end.

Don’t miss the exciting conclusion! Sign up to get my posts first…and right in your Inbox.

Something you can do right now:

If you’ve been reading along, Thank you. We really appreciate the support!
Consider trying just one day of eating only plants. See what you think.
And watch the first 15 minutes of Gamechangers on Netflix. It really is a good introduction to this whole PB thing.

Day 8: ‘Sup so far (& my weight)