The Biggest Loser - My Experiment

[tarmyg]

Introduction
For a little over a month, I have been preparing a cut that will simulate the conditions on The Biggest Loser show. It all started with me watching a video some months back by Dr. Hall - The Calculus of Calories: Quantitative Obesity Research - in where his group has been studying the season 8 contestants. This was recently followed up in a research paper focusing on the Metabolic Rate. After some email correspondence with the PostDoc who visited the ranch I have boiled this down to two simple conditions, 1. big caloric deficit and 2. massive exercise. In numbers (recalculated for me) I need a 1000 caloric deficit and on top of that need to burn 2000 calories in pure exercise. This experiment is fairly insane and it is more of a "can I do it" experience than anything else. Let me narrow down the diet, exercise, and supplements that will be involved, I'll keep it short and answer questions should there be any. This time limitied experiement is running June 1 - June 30, 2016.

Diet
This will be a low carbohydrate diet broken down in the following way.

Protein: 72g
Fat: 171g
Carbs: 6g

The fat calories are divided into.

Saturated: 18.52%
Polyunsaturated: 15.41%
Monounsaturated: 66.07%

Exercise
I am currently running a 5-day split on lifting that is divided into this.

Monday: Traps & Shoulders, 30 minutes elliptical
Tuesday: Legs & Chest, 30 minutes elliptical
Wednesday: Arms, 30 minutes elliptical
Thursday: Back, 30 minutes elliptical
Friday: Chest, 30 minutes elliptical

In order to reach my calories I will do the following, on top of the above.
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday - Boot camp
Monday thru Sunday, 1h Elliptical, 1h, Walking with weighted backpack (40lbs), 1h running on treadmill
Saturday, Crossfit

Supplements
Running through June 1 - June 30
Test-E 200mg/wk
HGH 1.8IU ed
T4 600mcg ed
NAC 600mg ed
Ubiquinol 200mg ed
Vitamin D 10000IU ed
Fish Oil 3g ed
Vitamin E 400mg ed
Ephedrine 25mg 2t ed
Caffinee 200mg 2t ed
Yohimbine 2.5mg 2t ed

Technology
I am using a Garmin Vivosmart HR to track that I reach my goals each day.

I think that is it for now. I will update every single day with physical stats, mood and the overall feeling which I am sure will be terrible. I got some sleep aid to help when the hunger starts to keep me awake. I must admit I am really nervous about this experiment as I want it to go well and posting it public like this, for me, generally helps.

Thanks
~t

[joebailey1271]

What weight are you starting at and what is your goal wt.

[tarmyg]

What weight are you starting at and what is your goal wt.

Starting weight we will find out tomorrow. I don't have a target. Simply want to see how much I can do within this time period.

[joebailey1271]

You should check into the PSMF diet, basically the same except low fat and high protein, no carbs, its more geared toward short term fast wt loss, the keto takes a while, by the time your fully keto adapted you will be endingcyour run

[joebailey1271]

You should check into the PSMF diet, basically the same except low fat and high protein, no carbs, its more geared toward short term fast wt loss, the keto takes a while, by the time your fully keto adapted you will be ending your
run

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prot..._Modified_Fast

[tarmyg]

You should check into the PSMF diet, basically the same except low fat and high protein, no carbs, its more geared toward short term fast wt loss, the keto takes a while, by the time your fully keto adapted you will be ending your
run

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prot..._Modified_Fast

Appreciate it but not this run. Thank you!

[GirlyGymRat]

Subbed!

[RaginCajun]

Interesting concept bud and can't wait to see where you take this

Just some things that may/could help you in this. One way to combat the hunger at night is to fast during the day and eat bigger meals later in the day. Fasting can really help with the hunger as some days I may only eat 2 meals a day. Some days I add in some coconut oil and grass fed butter in my coffee in the morning and that helps with the hunger in the mornings.

[tarmyg]

8am here in India. Got up around 7am and just had my breakfast, one whole medium egg :-) Just having some pre-workout and then I'll start my gym time. Obviously, nothing to say on the diet front as it has been 8h into it. I am eating around every 3h with six meals in a day. Hate calling it meals as it is more of a snack but it is what it is!

Starting weight: 84.8 kg (187 lb)

Let's do this!!!

[InternalFire]

count me in brotha, I will keep my eye on this... will read top to bottom in detail when get a little nap. So far I see its similar approach to mine, I have feeling you will like it

[Noles12]

I will be keeping an eye on this.

I personally don't like the low protein but I know this is something you worked out as more of an experiment so I am interested to see how it goes.

[tarmyg]

I will be keeping an eye on this.

I personally don't like the low protein but I know this is something you worked out as more of an experiment so I am interested to see how it goes.

I agree with the protein concern and I do not particularly like it myself but I need to make absolutely sure I do not convert any protein into glucose which would break the Keto. You point is well taken though.

[tarmyg]

Already know I am going to update this experiment more than anything else Only way to stay on target. Just had my snack, one egg and one tbsp of olive oil. Back from the gym where I did arms, abs, 30 minutes elliptical, and 30 minutes of sitting elliptical. Now time for 1h weighted walk.

[Mr.BB]

T4 600mg ed

Is this correct???

About the topic, I really dont understand why you are doing this, you do know there is a prize in the show, which you will have none... Also taking test and HGH makes no sense if you are serious about the objective.

[tarmyg]

Is this correct???

About the topic, I really dont understand why you are doing this, you do know there is a prize in the show, which you will have none... Also taking test and HGH makes no sense if you are serious about the objective.

T4 is correct.

I am on Test and HGH year round so it's no change. I just documented everything that goes into the body.

The reason for doing this is as simple as it might be dumb, can I do it? Nothing more nothing less.

[tarmyg]

Back from 1h walking. Added 20lb into the backpack. Now having some Olive Oil and Paneer.

[tarmyg]

Just went down for another 1h of running that turned into 30 minutes of walking :-) Damn, it's heavy. Need 1h more today.

[InternalFire]

If you follow your regimen as outlined, you will switch over to Ketosis in 3-5 days without problems, but it will take few more weeks for your body to adopt fully so your metabolism should readjust accordingly, but Im not familiar how will this all workout since so many compounds are involved including T4, of course be prepared for mental crash due to KETO, its hard for first times, but keep concentrated on your goals and know peaks and valleys are inevitable, so you will deal with them like a man.

I follow the rule and it helps me throughout my journeys - Do the uncomfortable until it becomes comfortable (Jim Rohn)

I would recommend getting yourself bunch of MCT oil and use the appropriate amount of it for your diet instead of other fats if its an option for you. Otherwise raw virgin cold pressed coconut oil is another good option too, did a world of difference for my low carb approaches, read in on this MCT/Coconut oil stuff while on Keto, great reasons.

[Mr.BB]

T4 is correct.

I am on Test and HGH year round so it's no change. I just documented everything that goes into the body.

The reason for doing this is as simple as it might be dumb, can I do it? Nothing more nothing less.

Of course you can do it.

About the T4, is it T4 as levothyroxine, or some toher supplement with same name?

Because 600mg is completely overdosage, even 600mcg is a very big dosage.

[RaginCajun]

I will be keeping an eye on this. I personally don't like the low protein but I know this is something you worked out as more of an experiment so I am interested to see how it goes.

Long time no see!

[RaginCajun]

8am here in India. Got up around 7am and just had my breakfast, one whole medium egg :-) Just having some pre-workout and then I'll start my gym time. Obviously, nothing to say on the diet front as it has been 8h into it. I am eating around every 3h with six meals in a day. Hate calling it meals as it is more of a snack but it is what it is! Starting weight: 84.8 kg (187 lb) Let's do this!!!

I hate calling snacks meals as well, hence why I choose to fast most of the day and have bigger meals later.

What's your BF a Time?

[tarmyg]

Of course you can do it.

About the T4, is it T4 as levothyroxine, or some toher supplement with same name?

Because 600mg is completely overdosage, even 600mcg is a very big dosage.

Yes, actual T4, I read lowering in those lines :-) I did mean mcg though. I'll correct the typo.

[tarmyg]

I hate calling snacks meals as well, hence why I choose to fast most of the day and have bigger meals later.

What's your BF a Time?

BF is around 15%, slightly lower.

[Noles12]

Of course you can do it.

About the T4, is it T4 as levothyroxine, or some toher supplement with same name?

Because 600mg is completely overdosage, even 600mcg is a very big dosage.

I have to agree with this. 600mcg is higher than I would ever go personally.

If you dont mind me asking, how did you come up with this dosage?

[tarmyg]

I have to agree with this. 600mcg is higher than I would ever go personally.

If you dont mind me asking, how did you come up with this dosage?

Purley based on my previous experience. I do hear two people saying I should lower it, however.

[tarmyg]

Second day and wow am I tired. Did not get to sleep in and had a hard time falling asleep last night. Body feels a bit fried but I got my exercise in yesterday.

This mornings weight was 83 kg (182.9 lb)

[tarmyg]

11.30am here and just had one more egg and a tbsp of coconut oil. Behind on the workout thus far, I am so fried it is not possible to describe in words Only had my boot camp and that ended up being a half assed effort. This is one of those days where you just stand up and get going. Doing some cleaning and then I am heading out.

[InternalFire]

Good progress, keep your head up, you will get there in no time, concentrate on your goal and look down on the emotional mental part you're going trough now as though you already have passed it and it was nothing of importance to worry about.

One thing I have learned when on keto - you may seem like you are so tired, so exhausted, but its because you dont know your own strength, this first week your body is gonna go trough hell of a roller-coaster, and dont be deceived by your brain telling you feel weak/tired. Lift weights the same way as prior this journey and you will discover that your endurance capacity will be growing beyond your mental capacity, that was my experience. I felt so tired I could actually want to fall asleep while doing my cardio, but as I spend time on the machine I have to re-learn my body and re-teach my mental part of understanding how keto made me feel and what it allowed me to do. In other words I was surprised I outlasted my brain. Brain says fu*k no Im giving up, but muscles were still full of energy, now thats what Im talking about.

Have you heard of MCT oil?

[tarmyg]

Good progress, keep your head up, you will get there in no time, concentrate on your goal and look down on the emotional mental part you're going trough now as though you already have passed it and it was nothing of importance to worry about.

One thing I have learned when on keto - you may seem like you are so tired, so exhausted, but its because you dont know your own strength, this first week your body is gonna go trough hell of a roller-coaster, and dont be deceived by your brain telling you feel weak/tired. Lift weights the same way as prior this journey and you will discover that your endurance capacity will be growing beyond your mental capacity, that was my experience. I felt so tired I could actually want to fall asleep while doing my cardio, but as I spend time on the machine I have to re-learn my body and re-teach my mental part of understanding how keto made me feel and what it allowed me to do. In other words I was surprised I outlasted my brain. Brain says fu*k no Im giving up, but muscles were still full of energy, now thats what Im talking about.

Have you heard of MCT oil?

Thank you, this is WAY harder than I imagined having a daughter and job to take care of at the same time.

I have used MCT before but prefer Coconut Oil. I cut down on coconut oil to get a lower amount of Saturated Fats in this diet.

[tarmyg]

Have fallen asleep two times today. Once after the boot camp and a second time after my gym visit. Still only at 2h of workout today. Luckily I got cardio equipment in the basement so I'll head down there in a while. Doubt I hit my goal but I intened to get as close as possible as soon as this feeling of imminent death disapears.

[InternalFire]

Once your body switches over to ketosis you will start feeling it like day and night, one morning you will wake up like nothing ever happened and feel full of energy and alert beyond what you usually are, you will run circles around same tasks that days before felt impossible or very difficult physically, but it gets much much worse before it gets better, so concentrate on good things, and I wish you great attitude toward your goal!

Im suggesting MCT oil only for the benefit that it carries in aid switching over to ketosis quicker/tapping in to your body-fat storage sooner, and for the most part the great benefit this oil has on the brain. I think, if Im not mistaken, you need twice as much of coconut oil to get that amount of MCT as in 2:1, I may not be accurate so I stay open to corrections.

[RaginCajun]

So I went back and re-read somethings

You are training for 3-4 hours a day?

[InternalFire]

So I went back and re-read somethings

You are training for 3-4 hours a day?

to my understanding it is so, and he should be switched over to ketosis by now full blast, by my personal estimates

[RaginCajun]

to my understanding it is so, and he should be switched over to ketosis by now full blast, by my personal estimates

Ah makes sense

[tarmyg]

5 am and Day 3. Went to bed at 8.30 pm and slept like a log. Got a boot camp at 6.30 am. Already know I am feeling MUCH better compared to yesterday.

Today's weight 81.6 kg (179.9 lb).

[tarmyg]

So I went back and re-read somethings

You are training for 3-4 hours a day?

3-5 hours yes to simulate the BL conditions.

[tarmyg]

Back from Boot Camp and my energy levels were very high. I slept from 8.30 ish pm to 5 am and it made a HUGE difference. Just had one egg and another cup of coffee and I am off for my chest workout and the remaining 3h of cardio.

[tarmyg]

Just hit Chest followed by 30 minutes of elliptical. That drained me. Just ate one egg and one tbsp of olive oil. Taking a nap before eating lunch and then finishing the day with a walk and run.

[InternalFire]

Great great progress I can with almost certainty say that your body is in full ketosis since this morning as you reported feeling alot better and have alot more energy, how is the mental side of things with you now? Better/sharper? more/less focused?

[tarmyg]

Great great progress I can with almost certainty say that your body is in full ketosis since this morning as you reported feeling alot better and have alot more energy, how is the mental side of things with you now? Better/sharper? more/less focused?

I got Ketone Test Strips that uses blood test so we shall see what it says. My lancing device broke so I am waiting for a new one. Remember, I am training 4-5 hours/day so feeling "great" is a subjective feeling :-)