This pretty much sums it up

Lester Burnham: I figured you guys might be able to give me some pointers. I need to shape up. Fast.

Jim Olmeyer: Are you just looking to lose weight, or do you want increased strength and flexibility as well?
Lester Burnham: I want to look good naked!

Atkins journey: week 1

Phase: Induction
The goal is to eat less than 20 grams of carb per day to get the body into ketosis (a biochemical process of dissolving fat).
DAY 1
Breakfast:
2 eggs fried in butter	1.2
1 cup tomato and onions fried in ghee	7.2
Green Tea
Lunch:
1/2 roast chicken	0
Salad greens and cucumber	2.5
Dinner:
Sirloin with herb butter	0
Side of broccoli	3.4
Mix vegetables
TOTAL	14.3
The whole day I didn't feel like snacking. Lunch was late-ish but dinner was definitely late. Hunger didn't strike at all. Had a headache whole day but that might not be the diet as it started in the morning. Other than the green tea for my breakfast my beverage of choice today is plain water.
Carb count today is 14.3 g, some from the eggs but mostly from the vegetables - tomatoes, salad, cucumber & broccoli.
DAY 2
Breakfast:
2 egg omelette with turkey strips, scallions and red pepper fried in 1 tbsp of butter	3.2
Lunch
Grilled Iranian Lamb	0
Tabouleh (parsley salad)	0
Cucumber, tomato & onion salad	2.5
Snack
1 chicken sausage which I later discovered contained rusk. Worse case scenario: 10 g of carb.	10
Decaf coffee with cream and 1 packet Splenda	1.8
Dinner
Fish fillet pan fried in olive oil	0
Chili mayonnaise	0.7
Grilled eggplant & red pepper	4
Beef pattie	1
Egg	0.6
TOTAL	23.8
Water is the choice again for most of the day. I made some rooibos tea but didn't drink it as I wasn't sure if there was any natural sugar in it. I made a mistake of snacking on a potentially carb explosive piece of sausage. I will read the label before I eat anything and promise not repeat that mistake again. I also found my decaf coffee stashed in the freezer. Woohoo!
After dinner I felt hungry again. I'm not sure why so I made myself a snack.
I also went to the gym today. I go only once a week but I know this one really works. I've been going for a year now and there's noticeable difference on my physique and stamina. Check it out here.
Carb count may be higher today. Worse case scenario - 23.8 grams!
I will have to switch vegetables too. Cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers are the higher carb vegs! I'll have to stop by the supermarket and get some lettuce. I'm cooking everything at home tomorrow so I will work out a menu before I go for it!
DAY 3
Breakfast
4 turkey bacon slices	0
2 slices cheese	0.6
Decaf Coffee with Splenda	1
Lunch
4 pieces fried chicken wings	0
Caesar salad with 4 quail eggs and canned tuna	1.6
Dinner
Salad greens & onions in olive oil dressing 2 g	2
Sirloin steak 0g	0
TOTAL	5.2
I've been good today with a low total carb count of 5.2 g. The salad greens I just bought helps. I don't really like it that much but I'll just have to suck it up!
Tomorrow might be tough. I'll have all three meals in Colombo and I'm not sure what they have on the menu. I have made some snacks to bring with me just in case.
DAY 4
In flight
Decaf coffee with Splenda	0.1
1 tbsp almonds	0.7
Breakfast
2 poached eggs	1.2
Small steak	0
Mushrooms	0.5
Salmon	0
Lunch
Caesar salad with shrimp	0
2 chicken wings	0
Quail eggs	0.3
Dinner
Grilled salmon in lemon butter sauce	0
Mix salad	2
Snack
2 chicken wings	0
Quail eggs	0.3
Peanuts	9
TOTAL	14.1
It was a challenging day. It was difficult to control of what I get in-flight and at the hotel with the limited menu. My protein source in Colombo would have to come from seafood since the meet wasn't Halaal and I had to make sure it didn't come with rice but somehow I managed. I had a packet of peanuts which I later found out I shouldn't have had in this phase.
Total carb intake today is 14.1 g.
DAY 5
Breakfast
Grilled chicken	0
Beef in soy sauce	3
Coleslaw salad	1
Cheese	1.2
Decaf coffee with Splenda	1
Lunch
Beef salad	1
Dinner
Lamb kofta	0
Salad	1
Broccoli	3.4
Beef soup	3.8
TOTAL	15.4
Had breakfast in-flight which again was difficult. I had to pick through the tray to make sure I stay clear of the carbs and sugar. The crew don't seem to understand when I say I can't eat fruit or any sugar - they still served me a fruit plate and a dessert!
Lunch was light as I was really tired after the flight. I also found out that I'm eating to much vegetables.
I'm showing some symptoms of this early stage such as cramps and constipation. I'm hoping it will sort itself out by the end of week 2. Another home diet tomorrow which will be a lot easier.
Total carb count today is 15.4 g.
DAY 6
Breakfast
2 eggs	1.2
Decaf coffee with Splenda	1
Lunch
Lamb chops	0
Salad	1
Snack
Sliced American cheese	0.6
Dinner
Chicken tomyam soup	0
Mix veg in tomyam soup	5
Fried chicken	0
TOTAL	8.8
Today was easier as I prepared everything at home. I might be addicted to coffee though as I'm still having it every morning. I will try to skip it tomorrow.
I've been a good boy, so total carb count is less than 10!
DAY 7
Breakfast
Lamb Masala	0.8
Lunch
Chicken tomyam soup	0
Mix veg in tomyam soup	5
Snack
Cheese	1
Dinner
Chili Mussels	4.2
Caesar salad	2.5
Grilled fish	0
	13.5
Another relatively easy day as every meal was at home.
End of week one! I will weigh myself tomorrow but I don't think there's much difference. I have to look for hidden sugars and carbs in my food as it seems like the body has not changed is metabolism style. All I need is 48 hours of real low-carb then I should be on my way.

A new journey begins

I'm highly motivated now. A few days ago I flew with a First Officer who recently lost 15 kg. He told me about how easy his diet was and how quick he got it off. He also told me it isn't even hard to keep it off. So I went to the bookstore and bought a book. I've started reading the book and have covered the first part It was all about the science of this diet and so far I have to say I'm pretty convinced.

The second part is the 'induction'. I will find out in due time if this works but I'm very motivated now. My goal is to lose 10-15 kg. I weigh 75 kg now. My target would be 64 kg which put my BMI to 25. And if I do more maybe I can bring it down to 60 kg which would be BMI 23.4. I weighed 56 kg when I left MRSM when I was 17.

The challenges I foresee is plenty. Mostly the food I have to give up. Mind you the Malay diet isn't exactly healthy even in the conventional way but it will be difficult to give up my Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai and Masala Dosa. I even have to give my my favourite beverages. Caffeine is to be avoided which means coffee is off the menu. My post-meal ritual is in jeopardy too. Teh Tarik is tea, milk and sugar and I'll fail miserably if I get anywhere near it. Raya is coming too. Which means kuih raya, lemang and ketupat is off.

The benefits on the other hand is plenty. The low-carb, high-protein, high-fat diet leaves plenty on the plate. Meat is high on the list. I can eat as much beef, lamb or chicken as I desire. So rendang is ok! And supposedly I'll lose weight.

Of course it's not as easy as it sounds and they'll be roadblocks but I think I can do this one. So here we go....