[Closed] iDave diet plan feedback

i have lost 2 stone, without even doing idave's atkinsesque diet.

carbs are a good thing for 'athletes'................. 😉

I lost 7 pounds in 2 weeks of average following of the plan. Then I lost very little in the 3rd week. having the day off really helps in the reduction of weight IMO, having two days off really hinders the plan. thats my findings.

I've not jumped on the scales yet, but it is feeling like a good thing to do. I'm hoping the free day will make it long term sustainable, although I'm being sorely tempted tonight!

there's nothing atkins like about the diet, it's not a low/no carb diet

lost 7KG's in 2 weeks.

Then I went on holiday.... 😀
A week with The White Room with free cakes beer food and wine.

I'll revisit the diet as it wasn't bad for a bit but not something I could maintain for ever.

Christ 15.4 lb in 2 weeks? I know you can make massive gains going from obese like but it doesn't strike me as sustainable with that sort of weight loss.

How fat were you luke!!

I think Luke lost a limb....

I've done about 7 lbs in 2.5 weeks without really much difficulty. That might be a bit understated as I started on a weds so I've done 2.5 weeks but had 3 days off in that time, might well have lost another couple by this coming weds.

Found a lot of nice recipes based around beans and pulses as opposed to pasta and potato. Have stuck fairly well to it, not too much deviation although I did have an ice cream yesterday which my dad bought me (seemed churlish to turn it down as he thought it would be nice)

Best of all, my appetite seems to have diminished in that I don't feel hungry between meals so my tendency to pick at biscuits and stuff has disappeared. Is that a result of a 'diet' that is higher GI than previously. Few nuts every now and then, and then usually 2 decent sized meals and breakfast.

10 lb over 3 weeks.

8lb in 2 weeks, including a long weekend of beer and bbq.

where are the details of this diet?

15.4lbs in two weeks doesn't sound like a diet anybody should be undertaking!!

I did 10 days on the plan and lost 8 or 9 lbs, then I had 10 days off the plan and put 4 or 5 lbs back on.

As of yesterday I am back on the plan again and expect the first 4 or 5lbs to fall off pretty easily

I've lost 2kgs the traditional way - extremely slow going for me but it always is, esp when I'm still speed training.

what is the diet I need it

what is the diet i need it

Here you go glyn

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/daves-diet-challenge

I must be a freak of nature then, 3rd week of the diet this week. In the first week I lost 1.2 Kg since then I hadnt weighed myself till today and it now seems that im 200g more than my starting weight!

I initially found myself feeling as though my throat had been stolen by somebody and felt really hungry pretty much all of the time, after three or four days this passed and my appetite has been significantly less than it was before although I have still to fight the urge for sweetness,mainly mid afternoon and mid eve.

Its definitely changed my diet for the better, much more veg and a lot less crap. However I found a drop in energy levels when exercising, I play rugby and pre-season is well under way and I seem to be at least a yard behind where I know I should be.

I think I might have lost some fat when I prod my body but I cant be certain and I have been really strict with sticking to it apart from one or two coffees which people have made with milk in it.

Im going to stick with it for a couple of more weeks and see what happens, but feel a bit disheartened when everybody else seems to be losing weight at sizeable levels

Yeah, its all good here. I've had access to scales recently and lost 3.6Kg over three weeks.

ime, the effectiveness of iDave's eating suggestions is directly proportional to how rigidly one sticks to the guidelines. And thats down to the individual, imo.

Cheers Dave
🙂

Solo

I lost about 6-7lbs in two weeks and then went on holiday for a week! To be fair I kept most of the weight off, and I'm now back on the plan.

I've felt hungry at times, and sometimes thinking of something to make for dinner has been a chore, but overall I'm eating a lot healthier now. I probably didn't need a plate full of rice, pasta or potatoes at 7pm every night

turin - Member
I must be a freak of nature then, 3rd week of the diet this week. In the first week I lost 1.2 Kg since then I hadnt weighed myself till today and it now seems that im 200g more than my starting weight!

I initially found myself feeling as though my throat had been stolen by somebody and felt really hungry pretty much all of the time, after three or four days this passed and my appetite has been significantly less than it was before although I have still to fight the urge for sweetness,mainly mid afternoon and mid eve.

Its definitely changed my diet for the better, much more veg and a lot less crap. However I found a drop in energy levels when exercising, I play rugby and pre-season is well under way and I seem to be at least a yard behind where I know I should be.

I think I might have lost some fat when I prod my body but I cant be certain and I have been really strict with sticking to it apart from one or two coffees which people have made with milk in it.

Im going to stick with it for a couple of more weeks and see what happens, but feel a bit disheartened when everybody else seems to be losing weight at sizeable levels

I am in a similar situation Turin. Stuck rigidly to the main tenants of the plan, apart from last week I had 2 off days, and found not only was I not losing shedloads of weight I was struggling for energy as well. Over 3 weeks I went from 166lbs > 162lbs > 164lbs.

I am sure the plan works, well it did, but it seems to have a short effectiveness cycle for myself. Plus I really could never stick to it long term as not a massive fan of beans/lentils.

[i]I really could never stick to it long term as not a massive fan of beans/lentils[/i]

Nor could I. Fortunately, theres loads more choice than just legumes.
😉

S

Nor could I. Fortunately, theres loads more choice than just legumes.

List them.

I must be a freak of nature then

No - just different. Lots of different body types out there, and lots of different starting conditions. If you start out as a biffer it's going to be easier than if you start out as a fit bloke with 10lbs of middle fat.

In any case, if you are playing rugby, why do you want to lose weight? Btw, I don't think this diet is compatible with hard exercise, which is why I am not doing it*

* I am not a coach or dietician.

Yeah, "loads more choice than just legumes"

Oh yes beans, eggs and meat.

+1 what Jamie said for my experience.

Lean Meat
Eggs
Salads
Stir-fry
Soup
BBQ'd veg and fish

Oh, the list is Mahoosive. Though I guess you have to know one end of your knife from the other 😉
Theres more than enough choice, but it aint gonna coming knocking on your front door though.

Neighbour has recently taken a few deer, so I reckon venison is on the radar soon.

S

I should add that on the plus side the plan does/did/has encouraged me to eat healthier. Also I will continue to keep a low carb aspect to my diet, but porridge will be making a well missed comeback as will fruit in moderation.

Then see what occurs 🙂

I would be interested to know what peoples starting weights are. As if you are a big biffer just stopping having butter in your coffee would see lbs fall off quickly 😉

Just remember that carbs are fuel for exercise...

Meals I enjoyed were chili con carne con white beans, and dhal with spicy smokey haddock. Dressed beans and tuna was ok

Everything else was a bit too beany for me

Fair points made,

I just fancy losing a bit of fat right around my waist trying to get it down before I get too old to lose it, I started out at 105.3kg but with a 34" waist. Given other people losing the pounds seem to be much lighter than me, probably with different body make ups. On the bmi scale I am morbidly obese, I know thats not a good way to measure anything, plus the scales I use have a body fat indicator,and apparently I am 45% fat!! again I dont pay much attention to that.

I used to be a really picky either, not really eating much veg, but lots of fruit, having to hide the veg from myself inside food!! just as well I have a short memory so I can forget where it was! and loading the plate up with pasta or rice.

Since starting this plan I have been doing a lot more cooking from scratch which is pretty satisfying, although I do have to fight the urge from time to time even with the one day off per week.

I think Ill try and stick with it for a couple of weeks and see if the weight or energy levels sort themselves out

you get carbs from lots of other sources than the usual pasta / rice / potatoes. I wouldn't describe myself as particularly hard training currently but have not seen any impact really on my energy evels.

I think the biggest stumbling block for me was breakfast. Eggs/Bacon and variations thereof got quite tiresome after a while. It's weird, but while there are scientific studies saying high protein promotes satiety I never felt as good to go as I used to after a bowl of porage.

Anyone tried eggs and marmite for brekkie ?

Porridge is still allowed though? Just maybe not every day.

you get carbs from lots of other sources than the usual pasta / rice / potatoes

Hard to eat enough beans etc to get a lot of carbs tho.

[i]Anyone tried eggs and marmite for brekkie ?[/i]

Is the Sun hot ?. H3ll yes, its Fab.
🙂

S

[b]IS MOLGRIPS THE NEW SFB ?[/b]

(15.8 to 15.0 in 2 weeks)

solo- XO ?

Lol. Say that again and I WILL KILL YOU!

Porage is allowed, ie its carbs but not simple carbs, just like beans, legumes and nuts

Just don't eat it with 3 tbls of sugar!

Just for reference I'm 5'8" (172cm) and was 75kg when I started and got down to 72kg. I am commuting 4 days a week, my target is to get to 70kg should be a LMFM then

I WILL KILL YOU!

Dude, Im still 15stone 😛

Doesn't matter, the rage at your comment will be enough.

Wheat is not simple carbs either btw.

What does "XO" mean ?, please.

[i]molgrips - Member
Lol. Say that again and I WILL KILL YOU!
[/i]

Molgrips, I nearly PMSL at your post. You know, although you insulted me quite badly today, I've still got to like you for your OT responses to some posts, on some threads.

Like when you offered to insert your knee into SFB's skull. Its classic and very funny, in a slap-stick kind of a way.

😀

S.
EDIT: [i]scruff - Member

I WILL KILL YOU!

Dude, Im still 15stone
[/i]

Oh, please stop, I can't breath.
fantastic

Molgrips, I think you miss the point to an extent - you get carbs from the veg, beans etc, but if you are lacking in energy you need to up your fat content. Clearly Omega 3 good fat as opposed to trans fat, but fat is the new black, don't you know?

I haven't followed the plan properly because I've been living in a hotel since forever, but I have managed to avoid spuds, pasta, white bread and rice, had salads instead of butties for lunch. I have eaten brown bread at breakfast and occaisionally I have had cereal but I've still lost around 5lbs in 3 weeks.

If and when I'm back at home I'll probably give it a good go because my SO is a veggie and lives off beans/lentils etc.

LeeW.

Considering you're staying in a hotel, I think you've done quite well.

If your SO is already eating that kind of stuff, then you have an inside track on meal ideas for, as you put it, if and when you get home.

😀

Thanks, it's amazing the difference losing 5lbs makes - I can put my hands on my hips and they stay there resting on the hip bone rather than sliding off the flab. 😀 😀

Molgrips, I think you miss the point to an extent - you get carbs from the veg, beans etc, but if you are lacking in energy you need to up your fat content

Wel yes you get carbs from the veg and all, but not that much. When training, you need a lot of carbs, and I couldn't eat that many beans.

Upping your fat content will do nothing apart from make you fat. It doesn't replenish your muscle glycogen stores, and (as I understand it) your body uses dietary fat and stored fat in the exact same way. In other words, fat you eat is just more fat you have to burn up alongside the stuff around your waist.

Solo, if youre asking what XO is you are not a proper fan of Marmite.

What are other peoples experience/advice regarding energy levels and endurance on the diet?

I started on this on Monday and went out for my first off-road ride last night since being on the plan - I felt good and had plenty of power for most of the ride, but I felt my endurance was well down and nearly bonked after a long climb. Last week on the same route, I had less power (sun/mon road riding probably helped increase that) but had no problem with the endurance.

I've stuck to the plan, so didn't take any additional carbs to those allowed through the "approved" food types.

The weight is dropping already (about 4lb in a week), and I feel slimmer too so I'm keen to stick with the exercise and diet, but am concerned that I may not be able to do as much exercise as I want to do with the energy provided by the diet? Doing the Exmoor explorer in just over a week so I need to make sure I will have enough endurance for that - should I maybe make my off-day the day before so that I can load up on "banned" carbs ready for the long ride?

Is this a phase that I will probably push through after more time on the diet?

Any similar findings or comments appreciated.

I have found that in general my energy levels are not the same as they were before I started the plan. I just dont seem to have the same energy for shorter bursts, my endurance hasnt really been affected but I do feel a bit more lethargic. Like you mentioned, Im hoping its a phase.

quick update 2 1/2 weeks in. 9 1/2 pound lost. Felt crap for the first 3 days the rest of its been pretty easy. No real diffence in energy levels.

Gave up on the thread as there was too many weiners knocking around. sad because there were a few really good people to bounce ideas and thoughts off.

anyway

I did it for 2 weeks and started on 12stone5/6 and dropped to 11stone11.

Im now eating better regularly but back to "normal" and maintaining the 12stone whilst putting on more muscle

I have taken some valuable lessons from the idave diet and eating habbits have changed and food awareness.. for eg this morning i had some fresh spinach with balsamic vinegar and a poached egg rather than something greasy or stodgy.

lots of other meal ideas that the people who tried it would know.

I think it was a worthwhile plan and the fact that im still 12stone confirms that for me as its not a 2 week fad.

In the interests of scientific advancement, I took one for the team and went back to the 'old diet' for three weeks.

The data is back from analysis at CERN, and I conclude that.....

I put on 7 pounds
Felt lethargic
Mind not as sharp
Food bill went up

The change in diet wasn't huge. Biscuits occasionally with a cuppa, toast and cereals for breakfast, rice, potatoes and pasta. Odd bar of chocolate, packet of crisps. But not a huge shift to ready meals and pizza etc.

As of now, I'm back on the true path. As I said in my first post on the subject I have never been 'on a diet'. This is a shift in what I eat.

There is a diet I've read about this weekend called the paleo diet, which seems to resemble this plan, but without the calorie spike day. And with books to sell etc.

As someone reasonably well educated, with a good level of understanding of how the body works, I would have to say I'm now convinced - if nothing else that refined carbs and simple sugars are big fat bastards.

Well i lost a stone in 4 -5 weeks and i'm sticking with it. i'm now finding i'm having to go out of my way to eat something on the "band" list on my off day. Although the sugar and milk in my coffee on a Saturday morning is bliss.

I've also discovered ASDA's "make" more veg than just carrots and peas 🙂

The rest of the office, who doubted the plan, are now trying it out. Two questions they have raised.
1. is cous cous allowed (i've said no)?
2. can they have sweetener (in their porridge/coffee) again i've said no?

Thanks for the plan iDave.

Any chance of a wee linky linky to this famous plan? Could do with shifting a few pounds after a year of operations, illnesses & eating!

if nothing else that refined carbs and simple sugars are big fat bastards.

Hmm, I vaguely remember reading somewhere that different people handle carbs differently. Given the differences in reported experiences on this thread, that would seem to be a possibility. Some people report lethargy, bloating etc etc when eating lots of carbs - I can honestly say I've never experienced this.

Lost 2.5kg so far over the summer (the traditional way) which is quite remarkable for me - never managed to lose weight whilst speed training before.

After losing 8-10 lbs at peak, I decided to ditch the "diet" for a couple of weeks to see what would happen. Have somehow only put on a couple of lbs in that time, and that's with me eating rice/curry/spag/potatoes/bread/ciabatta/cereal/crisps/chocolate and drinking beer/wine and also biking only a couple of times.

Will return to it shortly and see if I can shift the next few lbs and generally create a more aggressive base weight for winter training.

All in all I believe it works - it's just a case of adapting it to your lifestyle and mindset.

I've incorporated the suggestions and lessons I've learnt, into my ongoing eating habits.

I have like a bean salad type thing of my own design, in the mornings, which I much prefer to the two or three rounds of dry-white-toast, I use to have.

I was having soup for lunch before I discovered all this, and as I really enjoy my soup, thats an ongoing thing too.

Dinner is veg and lean meat stirfry, salads, veg chilli, steamed veg and fish, loads of different stuff, too many to list.

Weight has gone down and I have stayed with it, in my own version of it, and expect to continue to do so. I don't miss anything, and on the "Day off" I may choose a sandwich or something, but its no great shakes.
I never ate pasta, rice, spuds regularly anyway.

Simple.
🙂

Ive lost 1 stone in 5 weeks which I think is great. I havent been able to exercise much as Im really busy at the moment, but managed a couple of rides. Felt better, although the first ride I had I crashed on the couch afterwards and felt ill. But since then been having something to eat when I got in and thats helped. Generally feel a lot better, had a dry skin issue on my legs for ages, and this has cleared up completely. Still a long way to go for me as I was 20 stone when I started, want to get to 16st. Looking at this as the long haul so doesnt feel like a stress to follow it. And the foods you can have are very tasty so all good. The other thing Ive noticed and not sure if its related, but my heart rate is returning to normal a lot faster than it was doing previously when I stop exercising.

Weighed in this morning: 15st4lb. That's a total of somewhere around 13 pounds loss in 3 weeks (hard to be precise as I started the plan without really getting a base weight, but it was over 16st). The loss has slowed in week 3, but I've been doing less cycling last week as in week 1 and 2 I was getting miles in for the Exmoor Explorer.

Have made tried to make saturdays my day off, the last couple of weekends it's been from Friday night to after lunch Saturday because of various social plans, but on those days off I tend only to stray slightly and have porridge in the morning, maybe a couple of biscuits or a pizza or something through the day and a couple of beers in the evening. Would like to see the weight continue to drop to around 14st.

I am still trying to work out how to manage eating around exercise as I do find that I have less endurance, but I have read that lower-carb diets can take 2-4 weeks for your body to acclimatise to so I'm sticking with it for now and seeing if things improve. My thoughts are to continue with the healthier style of eating but to perhaps start to introduce some carbs back into the diet in moderation, and take simpler carbs for fuel during workouts.

A couple of questions though:
* People seem to be still eating porridge, is that allowed with something like Soya milk on?
* As someone mentioned above, is couscous allowed? I've been saying no as it's durum wheat, just like pasta, but all the low-gi reading I've seen say it's low-gi? What about Quinoa?
* What is the idea behind banning dairy, is it the fat content or something else? The lack of cheese is the thing I miss the most and the thing I enjoy most on my days off.

idave. Re your weight gain. Back of fag packet sums make that an average of around 1200 extra calories a day for three weeks. That's not exactly a minor change

nick, i hardly gave enough detail for any calculations, but have you factored in 2 rounds of toast actually being fewer calories than a chorizo omlette for breakfast? i didn't have biscuits/crisps everyday etc. how are you getting 1200kcal a day???

almost 1 stone in 2 weeks.

Saved me buying another spring for my coil shock it did!

Tried it again after my MTB alps holiday but couldn't stick it, I blame stress at work but will go back to the iDave diet again for more weight loss later in the year.

It wasn't that bad considering the weight loss.