My article in Men's Health October 2012 Edition

Ultimate Reset Review

Ultimate Reset is a beachbody cleanse product. Program is divided in 3 parts and comes with 6 supplements.

What is so different about this cleanse from other market cleanse?

Beachbody provides exact recipes with variety of supplements. Moreover, most cleanse leave your system at detox state and your health is low when you come out of it. Eating anything posts cleanse would make you gain weight very fast. You aren’t aware of your eating habits and cravings don’t go away but rather increase. I remember doing cleanses where I dreamt when this is over I will have this and that. I don’t have those cravings anymore.

Most cleanse diets cause you to lose muscles. I actually gained muscles during this cleanse.

Why do I need detox?

I was doing P90x2 and still craving all sort of food. I was high on dark chocolates. My cravings were very high. I wasn’t getting results I wanted for long time. My weight wouldn’t budge.

My old slow carb diet – I still consider it a perfect diet. However now I have way better tools to tackle it. I don’t want sugary cheat days. Rather my cheat days would be very different now with me trying lot of different stuff. For 6 days I will find a way to mash all the nutrients. Side effect of Slow carb diet was cravings which you could satisfy once a week. But your life revolved around that Sunday.

Workouts:

20 minutes brisk walk and 5  sun salutations. Nothing else needed other than drinking lot of water with mineralize.

Help:

My father and I decided to do it together so we can mutually support each other and remind each other to take supplements on time. Keep each other accountable and make other family members jealous.

Results:

Me:

Ultimate Reset doesn't make you lose muscle? 21 days no exercise and you still don't lose muscles? Well in my case I gained some definition

my dimensions

Weight 85.9 KG 79.9 KGWaist 34.9 34.2 >>was expecting more here Neck 16 16 >> Remains same - sign of maintaining muscles Right bicep 13.2 13.5 >> Gained biceps Left biceps 12.5 12.6 >> Gained biceps Chest 40.2 37.8 >> Good loss here Right thigh 24 22.2 >> Good loss Left thigh 23.5 21.8 >> Good loss
(All figures in inches)

My father doesn’t require his diabetes tablets anymore. He is still maintaining blood pressure tablets but he has never been happier. His blood pressure is very stable. For first time in years his weight has changed. He is more committed to living on this diet. He wants to lose 4 Kg more and maintain that. He doesn’t crave his daily tea anymore and has learnt to switch TV off when he is bored and go to sleep instead of passively emotionally consume unhealthy snacks. When you gain self-control and have a person to keep you accountable with you – you move to next level. You learn to say NO at the right time. My father is extremely thankful that I did reset with him. Now he doesn’t crave anything unhealthy and asks right questions while buying anything in grocery. He has lost more weight than me but he was heavier than me with less muscle definition.

My journey:

Summary and Notes:

1.       Difficult to believe for people who haven’t done it – cravings do go away or at least change with the time.

2.       I have started enjoying the veggies. You don’t hate salad and veggies – you hate the recipes and professional chefs know exactly how to make it taste good and still make it nutritious.

3.       Find someone around you who know how to experiment with tastes.

4.       As soon as you increase your water intake you start feeling lighter. You have to keep water bottle in front of you. Just one thing that would make it worthwhile.

5.       Just following recipe guide won’t help you that much in long term. You need the supplements to help you long term. Remove the cravings etc. You develop a new taste for all the stuff.

6.       I will have to find a way to get more protein in the system by consuming more protein. I will have to figure out if I want to stay Vegan or be a vegetarian. I will experiment with various cuisines such as Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican etc for vegetables.

7.       I feel I have gained class by knowing about veggies and how to mix them. I go to five star hotels and have to explain to the chef how exactly I want my vegetables.

8.       I have to learn to cook.

Day by day break down for who want detailed information.

Phase 1 – Reclaim

Day 1 – I made extremely big mistake of habitually eating chocolates first thing in morning. Then I realized I have already started reset and didn’t use it as setback. I haven’t cheated once since day 1 reset. I literally puked out all the Alkaline as taste was horrible. When I posted it on support group, I got the idea that I should consume it as a shot.  Day 1 evening I really didn’t want to have any dinner. I had such a massive headache that I just wanted to go to sleep. But I took some dinner. I slept around 7 pm and woke up straight next morning 4 am.

Day 2 – I still didn’t stick to plan prescribed. I ate tomato soup and took assorted cottage cheese plate. But at least it was healthier choice for lunch. Anything not prescribed in diet ends here.  It was Independence Day and I maintained my calorie count. In evening I was extremely tired and still was carrying headache.

Day 3 and Day 4 – I started having random pains all over body. It would hurt and then stop hurting in a while. It didn’t make any sense. I also increased my water intake. I thought reset would be easy as I could add honey everywhere. Honey was my easy out on any recipe I didn’t like. I thought this won’t put me off sugar long term and I would still crave it post reset. When I read that fellow patrons were losing all the cravings. I couldn’t fathom it in my head.  

Day 5, 6, and 7 – I was feeling more sleepy than usual. I find it very good sign for someone who could barely sleep through night. Now I am getting deeper sleep. I didn’t want to do much but lie down and read books or watch TV series or chat with friends.

Phase 2 - Release

Day 8, 9, 10 – It was very conspicuous difference I felt consuming Detox. I was expecting very clear bowel but instead I was struck by heavy constipation and was bloated.

Day 11, 12 – I realized I wasn’t craving any products that weren’t prescribed in the diet. It was proving extremely expensive and hence was just consuming only one thing mentioned in booklet.

Day 13, 14 – I realized I have broken my bladder. I would have to instant go for break as soon as I consumed water. It was like take a sip and queue in for toilet.

Phase 3 - Restore

Day 15, 16, and 17 – I was struck with realization that I am getting hungrier. I have started enjoying different type of salads. I can make any salad taste better by adding Garlic sauce and extra nuts. Weight loss had really stalled and constipation did go away little bit when I increased my fruits intake.

Day 18, 19, and 20 – I craved for a decent breakfast instead of just fruits. Now I know fruits won’t cut it for me. I want something solid like roasted chickpeas, lentils or oatmeal for breakfast. Cravings change so quickly. I felt very dizzy moving around and stopped my sun salutation. Whenever I moved suddenly it would take a while before I gained focus. My vision would go blank. I decided to take it slow. Weight gain increased quickly. I was sick and tired of chewing veggies and I craved for something crunchy as choconut or butterscotch or something that sort. Something that popped in mouth and not made me feel like a cow.

Day 21 – Made few mental notes what I would continue to do. I took the day off the walking. I wanted to sleep for a while. My desire for extra sleep is a welcome change. I did go out for paintball play. I was very relaxed. I am getting deeper sleep and it feels better. I feel more relaxed and chilled out.   

Summer student diet

I am trying this diet for next 30 days. So far lost 2 kg and .8 inch on my waist in a week. Expecting to lose 2 inches by next 10 days as I will start my workouts.

Breakfast - Protein Shake + beans
Lunch - Sugarcane Juice
Dinner - Cottage cheese with veggies + Lemon Soda (Lime juice + Rock Salt + Stevia + Soda). I hate lemon juice in water.
Snack - Haldiram's Moong Dal and Coconut water

3 liters of water a day. Will post pics every 30 days. Lets go for it.
Supplement - Multi vitamin and Vit D.

Workouts I have been doing for past year

This post isn’t meant as review but more as my insights. I will write complete reviews (workout after workout some other time)

Tone it up (Duration: 30 Days)

My home work out series started when I started searching for good workouts without paying expensive gym membership and stumbled across Kareena and Katrina ( I mistook them as some Bollywood news where two top actresses decided to work together) and ended up landing to their website. They featured 30 days tone down challenge which I took on just to get workout started. Those two ladies are responsible for making me believe in home workouts. I still refer all my friends to their recipes which are mind blowing and just too delicious. We call it ambrosia.


What is better way to workout than waking up for 2 gorgeous women teaching you move after move. Sometime in future, if I can I will attend their boot camp. 

Tara Stiles (Duration: 42 Days)

In one the tone it up videos they introduced me to Tara Stiles. Luckily for me at that time she was promoting Master the Shift – 6 weeks summer slim down challenge along with my favorite cyclist Lance Armstrong.  Workout gave me very good flexibility which made aunts and uncles around me lauding my flexibility and balance. I still can’t do her hand stands. However I really believe if you want to start your yoga journey – there is no better person than Tara herself.  Her long arms may make you envious that you can’t do some poses as elegantly as she does but you still can muster up something. Her beauty and candor makes you want to work out with her more. However her workout weren’t enough to get my body where I wanted them.

Beachbody

Power 90 (Duration: 90 days)

My friend Muni Shankar told me ages ago about P90x. I was always too adamant. I did couple of DVD workouts and never liked them much. They were boring. One day I finally decided to check out P90x testimonials and site (Beachbody). I came across a FREE coach Heather Cates (@bbcoachheather). I was lucky that she knew all the workouts and guided me to pick up Power 90 as P90x was way above my level. Just to get some form, I picked up Power 90 and when I was confident enough, I switched to P90x.  I did Power 90 to get into regular gym shape.  After 40 days I was so bored of the workouts because I knew routines without even popping the DVD in.  I wanted something more challenging and hence shifted to P90x.

P90x (Duration: 90 Days)

When I started P90x, I had too many doubts about nutrition and it was beyond one person to answer my queries. I really annoyed hell out of my coach. I slowly started finding all the people who do P90x or know anything remotely about nutrition and Beachbody products.

P90x is just a beast.  I would take breaks and more breaks just to finish one workout. Initially it took me about 1 hour 30 minutes to finish 45 minutes workout.  It was really difficult to stick to the regime for 90 days.  Workouts are ranged for pro athletes and people who want great looking body.  I couldn’t afford advanced equipment and hence shifted to free club gym where everyone would stare at me. I would advise people with form and posterior. Everyone thought I was most hardworking and most knowledgeable person in gym. Even trainers would come up to me and ask about workouts while some of them really felt threatened watching me workout.

P90x won’t make you look huge but good enough to make you look superb.  I couldn’t finish 90 days as I needed to shift to Delhi and couldn’t carry equipment around with me.

If you have money to get right equipment and never get bored , P90x is your answer.  Who does P90x? http://abcnews.go.com/Health/slideshow/celebrities-fit-p90x-14756726#.Tp1zWrV8-k1.facebook

Insanity (Duration: 60 Days)

I thought Insanity was same level as P90x but without any equipment. I was partially right. Initially Insanity workouts were same intensity as P90x cardio workouts but less fun But I kept at it because it didn’t require any equipment. However I didn’t form much muscle definition but I toned down like crazy.  

However, when second month came, Insanity truly became insane. It felt like I was going to choke off, heart rate was off limits and I understood requirement of heart rate monitor and hence started using one. Insanity is toughest DVD workout on planet – bar none.  It pushes your cardio muscles to the edge.  Doing Insanity with Slow carb diet was like match made in heaven. Now I just have such an incredible stamina that I sometime crack up watching other people trying to just keep up with me.

Just to confirm – Now P90x cardio feels too easy and I can finish P90x workout without single break. That is amazing stamina for someone to have.

Hip Hop Abs (Duration: 34 days)

I used Hip Hop abs as recovery workout after I finished Insanity and boy – it felt like insult. I didn’t even feel like I was working out. I would finish whole DVD without shedding much sweat.  However workouts are fun and I would suggest people to do hybrid version of Hip Hop abs with Power 90. This workout is for people who hate workouts and would prefer something fun.

Asylum (Duration: 30 days)

Asylum is meant for Insanity / P90x graduates. You can do Asylum without doing Insanity or P90x but you will realize its potential when you have gone through Insanity training. Insanity provides you raw training, Asylum gives you direction and motivation to continue the training.

Insanity is all about plyometric workouts and jumping. Asylum is all about core and controlled movements.  It gives you direction for the movement. If you feel it’s not as difficult as Insanity, just add overtime with your daily workout and see the results.  I suddenly got biceps which I never thought I would get doing such a workout.

P.S: P90x gave me the strength, Insanity gave me stamina, and Asylum gave me explosiveness and the direction.

Maya Fiennes (Duration: 60 days)

Kundalini yoga by Maya is fantastic low intensity workout. I use them as recovery or some day when I am not very fired up. It’s all about chakras and providing your body deep strength and maintaining youth. Everyone from Kids to Grandmas can do this workout. Some moves are extremely difficult, however, most of the workout is easy and fulfilling. This workout isn’t for your exterior looks but rather interior body.  This will fix your weakest areas. I would suggest to alternate between Maya and Tara Stiles.

It really helps that Maya is really hot and her voice is very melodious. You want to keep your eyes glued to her. I am still wishing to master all my chakras.


Future workouts:
1. Hybrid version of P90x, Insanity, Asylum
2. P90x2
3. Bob Harper - Inside out method


Special Thanks to :
1. Jenny Winter - For solving all my queries the best you can.
2. Mike French - Thanks for being the inspiration and role model.

Summer guide for extreme weight loss

My results:

I lost about 26 kg (57 lbs) total and about 16 kg (35 lbs) from February 15. I also went from (28% body fat to Single digit body fat percentage) in just about 3 months. I achieved following with zero knowledge of ingredients in my food. I don’t know how to cook and I have to eat out all the time. To further etch my troubles I am a vegetarian (don’t eat eggs either).  This seriously created elongated search for food that I can consume that can provide me sufficient amount of controlled protein.

I didn’t work out at all for one and half month due to outside temperature being above 42 C (105 F). I didn’t have access to any air conditioning or even controlled bath temperature.  Due to lack of control on external temperature, I avoided workouts as they created skin tearing and excessive sweating that lead to dehydration. Workouts are meant to improve your fitness not decrease it. I would shower in whatever the temperature of water was.  I just showered late in night or early mornings so that I could shower in water temperature that I enjoyed.

Advice I took in account:

1. Cut down gluten and dairy.
2. Drink cold water only.
3. Don’t eat anything white in color except cottage cheese that has high amount of casein.
4. Take supplements
5. Whey proteins shake as soon as you wake up.
6.  No fruits
7.  Cheat day on Sunday (there is zero limit to it)

My Experiments:

Cheat Day:

Earlier I found myself consuming too much liquid only calories on cheat days. I didn’t have enough energy to last throughout the week. So I decided to allow any sort of drinking calories on Saturday and eat solids on Sunday. After I lost enough weight, I experimented with idea of cheat weekends where I would binge throughout weekends. I personally found binging alternate weekends most fruitful.

1^st week – Cheat day only on Sunday

2^nd week – Saturday and Sunday

3^rd week – Only Sunday

4^th week – Saturday and Sunday

This has been most fruitful for me. Moreover, on 1^st and 3^rd week I would consume last meal on Saturday and 1^st meal on Sunday were at least about 16 hours apart.  

Post - Workout:

I started working out with Beachbody Insanity DVD program after external temperature reached acceptable level. I have habit of working out earlier in the day that is before I go to office. Insanity is such a demanding program that you feel drained out in your office and you can’t give your 100% to work,

I started trying foods that provided me complete recovery after workout. I didn’t want to spend extra money on supplements. I wanted something that would fill my stomach. I always found myself extremely hungry after the workouts. I found sugarcane juice (mixed with mint and ginger) to be most promising post workout. I felt absolutely no tiredness after 30 minutes of consuming sugarcane juice.  I believe this is the best natural recovery drink

After sugarcane season was over, I wanted to find something that could provide me with same results. So far combination of Acai berry shot of 30 ml (mixed with pomegranate, blueberry and raspberry) and coconut water (with coconut cream), provided good results. It wasn’t as good as sugarcane though. I figured consuming a bite of jaggery along with it.  I feel completely invigorated after consuming these foods.

Temperature Moderation:

I didn’t have access to Air Conditioning in such high temperatures that I was forced to find alternatives that would provide me refreshing sleep. I figured putting my shawl in deep freezer through the day and bought an ice pack that was kept around my cushion. I was able to get very fine sleep with such setting.

DVD workout:

When you live in a small town/city, it can be very arduous task finding a quality fitness instructor who can provide you those results you desire. There are very few instructors who know how body works and even though they know how it works, they aren’t updated with latest techniques that can provide maximum results in shortest period of time. It can also cost a fortune to hire a good instructor who can give you what you desire. If you aren’t getting any noticeable result at all in first month, chances are you aren’t doing it right.

For you the best bet is DVD workouts which you can do at your home. There are thousands of DVD programs out there in market that promise you to give your day worth of workout. Different workouts suit different people according to personal dreams. Some people just want to be thin, while other desires to achieve something with their body. Some want to jump longer, run faster, look ripped or even do some serious body building.  Deep down core need is to look better than you looked month before.  Funny part about your fitness is you are growing older by month and not younger, yet you want to look better than before.

Choosing a good DVD program:

Select a program that gives you time table and schedule in which you will achieve results. There should be lot of variation in the workout where you can train every part of your body. It shouldn’t be just upper body or lower body. Workout should train all your weak spots. Moreover, there should be variation in the workout where you do different workout on different days. Workout should come with a nutrition guide that provides optimal nutrition for program with help of specialist who you can contact. You should be able to talk to Developer Company in case you have any question. Company should have specialist who can answer your queries. Possibly with someone having mastery in sports nutrition

Recap for requirement of good workout DVD:

·        Variation

·        Provide you time table in which you will see results.

·        Train every body part

·        Nutrition guide with contact person to ask queries

·        Message board where you can interact with people who are doing same program as you

·        Should be challenging enough that you feel out of your comfort zone

My personal favorites:

Beachbody Insanity

Beachbody Power 90 and P90x

Tara Stiles 6 week challenge with Toneitup free videos

Beachbody is consistently producing great workout DVDs and hence I signed up as a coach to avail discount on products. There is some business opportunity with them too if you are American citizen. I am not in USA and hence not interested in developing business there.

My supplements:

PAGG stack – Check out Tim Ferriss book 4 hour body for more details.

Creatine Monohyrdate – Consume only if you are doing intense workouts.

Whey Protein – Consume it first thing in the morning irrelevant of you working out or not.

For any other supplement information, just drop me a line, I will tell you about supplements as per your requirements. 

Books:

Tim Ferriss - 4 hour body

Tony Horton - Bring it

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