The 4-Hour Body Diet

The 4-Hour Body Diet

After being on a diet for over 12-years and realising that I had only really lost and gained the same 10lbs over and over again, last year I finally swore off fad diets for good; then upped a jeans size, joined a gym, quit a gym and then last week confessed to flirting with the new young thing on the dieting scene – The 4-Hour Body.

First I heard of the 4-Hour Body was from a girl in my office who lost 20lbs in 30-days on the plan.

Then the incredibly gorgeous and svelte Alice over at More Than Toast also recommended the 4-Hour Body to me and rather helpfully posted diet friendly recipes on her blog like this one for Slow-Braised Beef & Mushroom stroganoff.

The more I looked into this slow-carb diet, the more it appealed to me.  Like only having to stick to it for 6-days a week, red wine being allowed and NO EXERCISE required.

So, what are the ‘rules’?

1. Avoid ‘white’ carbohydrates.  This includes any foods that can be white so all bread, rice, pasta, cereal and potatoes are prohibited.  Hmmmmmm… so that leaves meat, fish, vegetables & legumes on the allowed list.

Could be worse, I suppose – like the meat feast that is Dukan *shudders at the memory*

2. Eat the same few meals over and over again.  Not a problem as choice is limited.

3. Don’t drink calories.  Now, usually this means no alcohol allowed.  But, Tim is saying that red wine does not appear to have any negative impact on rate of fat loss and although not essential for the diet to work, is 100% allowed.  WOOOO HOOOOOO!  Consider my attention back.

But no fruit juice, soft drinks or milk.  Even skimmed milk.  Or soy milk.  Not even a splash in my tea?  No.

4. Don’t eat fruit.  The only exception to this rule is tomatoes and avocados.  Ooooh, my favourite kind!

5. Take one day off per week.  Yes, you read that correctly.  For one day every week, you are permitted to eat whatever you want IN EXCESS.  Apparently spiking calorific intake in this way once a week increases fat loss.  Eating pure crap all day, once a week, will help you lose weight.  Finally!

And, there you have the ‘rules’.

So, I started last Monday and weighed myself on the morning of my first cheat day, which was Saturday.  I’d lost 4lbs.  In 5-days.  And it wasn’t even that hard.

My week one thoughts:

I found breakfast a real struggle but started scrambling eggs in the microwave at work and having them with ham or smoked salmon at my desk.  How very civilised!  Another day, I had half an avocado with tomatoes.  It is hard to get pure protein down so early in the morning but it’s in the rules so you have to suck it up and think of Cheat Day.

I did not enjoy Cheat Day as much as I thought I would.  I stocked up on beef & onion crisps, chocolate, pain au chocolats, white bread and cookies but by 11am I was sick of eating and could not face any more.  But, the rules say you have to stuff your face ALL.DAY.LONG. so I continued but willed the day to be over.

By the afternoon, I was lethargic, grumpy and emotional.  I was relieved when Sunday came and I could be back on the diet again.  I’m looking forward to seeing if I really can indulge as much as this and still lose weight every week.  I will let you know…

Lunch & dinner is easy – chicken & avocado salad, chili con carne, sausage cassoulet, salmon stir fry, lentil soup and roast chicken with roasted vegetables for Sunday lunch… yummy!  All washed down with a couple of glasses of red wine.

I miss milk in tea the most, but am happy enough for the time being with a cup of black earl grey in the morning and herbal teas in the afternoon.

So long as you don’t take my wine away.

Fad Diets – fan or not?

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4 Comments

  1. Grenglish
    Author
    April 4, 2012 / 9:46 AM

    Thanks Alice! This looks delicious. We are big pork belly fans in our house! I have to say that it is not too bad a diet at all really and I do feel so much better without the wheat and dairy. The fact you can eat beans and drink wine makes it much easier for me to stick to than Dukan or Atkins or even weightwatchers really. Still, only in week two so will let you know if I still love it in a couple of weeks 🙂 xx

  2. Shannon
    April 20, 2012 / 8:53 PM

    Glad you are giving this “diet” a go. I am towards the end of week 5 and am loving it. Don’t be discouraged if you are not losing the weight per the scale at any point. The best way to measure your success on this plan is to taken measurements, like belly, arm, waist, thigh. That is where you will see amazing changes.

    • Grenglish
      Author
      April 22, 2012 / 8:21 AM

      Brilliant, thanks for the tip! I will start measuring from this week. Great ‘diet’ though.

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