April Challenges
FIT_Goat
Posts: 4,224 Member
There are two challenges. There is "All Animal April" which could be considered more advanced. Then there is "Ad Libitum April" which is a more moderate difficulty challenge. Details for both follow. Of course, both are compatible with each other. So, you can do both.
All Animal April
Ad Libitum April
All Animal April
- This is the challenge that has already been discussed for April. Go the whole month giving up plants. It is similar to Meativore May. I forget if we had any specific guidelines last year, so I typed this up. Let me know if I missed anything or it needs clarification.
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For the month of April, eat only from the Animal kingdom. This means no plants or salads, no vegetable oils, and so on. Dairy is allowed, but could cause problems.
Basics- Eat only from the animal world (meat, eggs, high-fat/low-carb dairy).
- Eat nothing from the vegetable world whatsoever (very small amounts of spices may be added, they are not ‘food’).
- Drink mostly water, coffee, or tea. Drink nothing sweetened in any way.
- No sweeteners.
- Short description of how it's going for you. Anything you think is important or you want to mention.
Ad Libitum April
- Yes, I am bringing it back. I know there are a lot of people who can't/won't do "All Animal April" and I still believe in this challenge. For those who weren't here last April, I am anti-calorie counting (restriction). I believe you don't need to restrict. Naturally, most people here argued against me. We had a challenge to see how wrong I was. Generally, those who participated did well. I think we had a couple people not lose weight, but they also didn't gain. I also recall someone dropping out. I can explain more of the logic, for those who are interested.
This is not for the faint-hearted. It does take a lot of trust in the effectiveness of carb restriction. -
Who here is down for a month of not counting calories? Want to see if you can live like the crazies? Here's a chance to try it out for yourself. Or, if you're already doing it, here's a chance to officially track how it's working for you. I'll obviously be sticking to my usual goals: no plants (so trace carbs only) and no counting or measuring of anything but my weight.
Basics- You can log your food, so long as you don't change how much you eat based on the calories.
- You don't need to log, if you don't want to.
- Your carb goal should be the only thing you count, if you include carbs, and should be strictly stayed under.
- You should make note of when you include sugar-alcohols and if you counted those carbs. Some people find that those do end up still counting.
- You should check in weekly* (Friday 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, and Sunday 5/1).
- You should try and stay in for the whole month. If nothing else, you'll prove to me you couldn't do it and still lose weight.
Weekly Check-In Should Include- Carb Goal:
- Starting Weight (or 0.0):
- Current Weight (or total change from starting weight):
- Short description of how it's going for you. Anything you think is important or you want to mention.
Note: You can use weight or just the overall change in your weight. I'll actually be using my trend-weight on each day. You can do a "Change in weight" track, if you would prefer people not know your actual weight. That would be a starting weight of 0.0, and then you would add or subtract the difference each week..
Example of same person, different ways:
Weight:
(4/1, 184.0) (4/8, 185.3) (4/15, 184.2) (4/22, 182.9) (5/1, 181.1)
Change:
(4/1, 0.0) (4/8, +1.3) (4/15, +0.2) (4/22, -1.1) (5/1, -2.9)
Obviously, I hope it goes better than that for people who try this.
* Yes, I realize that the final check-in is more than a week. But, that does give us the whole month worth and it was that or have one on the 29th and then another three days later. I'll also be creating a thread (hopefully the night before) for the check-ins. So, that will help remind people of the dates.
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Replies
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Would inclusion of MCT oil void the all animal option? I don't want to give that up since I use it as part of my ADHD treatment and my new RX is 10mg lower than before
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Wouldn't it be good to balance out your omega's with some plant-based oils? Or are you not concerned because it's only for one month?0
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olivebeanhealthy wrote: »Wouldn't it be good to balance out your omega's with some plant-based oils? Or are you not concerned because it's only for one month?
My opinion on this is animal omega 3's are far superior to any vegetarian option with the exception of algae sources.0 -
Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »Would inclusion of MCT oil void the all animal option? I don't want to give that up since I use it as part of my ADHD treatment and my new RX is 10mg lower than before
I think that would be ok. Like all things, you have to tweak the rules to make them work for yourself.olivebeanhealthy wrote: »Wouldn't it be good to balance out your omega's with some plant-based oils? Or are you not concerned because it's only for one month?
One of the primary benefits of removing all plant-based oils is the removal of the source of excessively imbalanced omega-6 fatty acids. All this concern about omegas comes from the fact that the standard diet is full of vegetable oils. The second source is nuts (which are also out on this way of eating). There's ample omega fatty acids, in near optimal ratios, in meat.
For me, this is not one month. This is my life. I take it very seriously and go to great lengths to avoid plant oils whenever possible. Do you know how hard it is to make a "good" bacon-grease mayo? It's nearly impossible! But, it is that or live without mayo at all (which is actually what I do most of the time). Plant oils are harmful. Avoid them, even if you're not going to do the Animal Foods only. Find healthier oils that work instead.0 -
I think I'm up for the "Ad Libitum April", with a 20g carb limit. I don't think I'm ready for an all meat challenge - *yet*. 0
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For those of you interested in "Ad Lib April," I recommend reading the thread that inspired it. The thread I link to here started a side discussion about whether or not it could work for more than just a few people. That eventually led to having it as a group challenge. If you want to do it, there's benefit in understanding the logic behind it.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10093268/doesnt-counting-calories-count/p1Let's take a look at low-carb plans/gurus and see how they align with calorie counting:- William Banting: No counting calories {often considered the original low-carb diet, before calories were understood or known for most foods}
- Robert Atkins: No counting calories {1. Don’t count calories}
- Gary Taubes: No counting calories {see any of his books}
- Jeff Volek: No counting calories {"I’ve effortlessly maintained my weight over 20 years without counting, I never count calories."}
- Peter Attia: No counting calories {“Should I be counting calories?” In a word, no.}
- Jonathan Bailor: No counting calories {see video in original post or his book}
- Typical ketogenic diet: No counting calories {Most people do not need to count calories on that diet, because they naturally start consuming a healthy amount of calories.}
I could probably go on, but what's the point. The basic fact is that traditionally, low carb diets do not require counting calories. Many of them advise against it. While you can certainly count calories (if that's your thing), it is not part of most traditional low carb diets.
While, I accept that many people will have to count (due to whatever behavioral or biological conditions which low-carb doesn't correct), that doesn't mean counting calories should be the default condition or advice around here.
It should also be noted, none of these plans are saying "intentionally eat way over your TDEE every day."0 -
Question:
Since I use MFP in mobile, exclusively, If I apply the calorie hiding script on PC, will it continue to hide calories on the phone app?
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In (for both)! I've been largely zero carb/carnivore for the last couple weeks and felt great, so I like the challenge to tighten it up.0
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I'm trialling 'all animal' this week, although I haven't yet dropped my sweetener or my coconut oil for my coffee. I'm usually low carb anyway (aiming for <20 per day) but I'm feeling much hungrier after only 2 days of this, although this may be my body still recovering from a long swim at the end of last week, I may need to increase my calorie intake if I'm going to keep this up for anything more than a few days. If I can survive this week I'll keep it going until my sister's wedding at the end of April.0
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Ooh, I am very excited about Ad Libitum April! I am in! It's a little scary since I'm trying to maintain/recomp now so I feel like it could be easier to "fall off the wagon." I might count servings of carb-containing foods but not log (e.g. aim for a certain number of veggie servings per day, 1 serving of nuts, etc. but eat the zero-carb foods to satiety).
I might do one week carnivore, too, but we'll have to see. I'm trying to be Wahls-ish until I start my new MS med on 4/8 and I might not want to mess with my diet for a bit after that until I get a feel for whether it causes GI side effects like my previous one did.0 -
Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »Question:
Since I use MFP in mobile, exclusively, If I apply the calorie hiding script on PC, will it continue to hide calories on the phone app?
Unfortunately, I don't think so. The script is modifying how the specific browser is displaying. So if we are using a different browser or device, it isn't going to work.
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In for Ad Lib April btw.0
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baconslave wrote: »In for Ad Lib April btw.
I'm also in. Since I follow Atkins, he also recommends not counting calories, but carbs. It will be a good chance to learn when I'm physically full. I have issues with distinguishing the difference between emotional and physical fullness. Time to get over it I think!0 -
olivebeanhealthy wrote: »Wouldn't it be good to balance out your omega's with some plant-based oils? Or are you not concerned because it's only for one month?
One of the primary benefits of removing all plant-based oils is the removal of the source of excessively imbalanced omega-6 fatty acids. All this concern about omegas comes from the fact that the standard diet is full of vegetable oils. The second source is nuts (which are also out on this way of eating). There's ample omega fatty acids, in near optimal ratios, in meat.
For me, this is not one month. This is my life. I take it very seriously and go to great lengths to avoid plant oils whenever possible. Do you know how hard it is to make a "good" bacon-grease mayo? It's nearly impossible! But, it is that or live without mayo at all (which is actually what I do most of the time). Plant oils are harmful. Avoid them, even if you're not going to do the Animal Foods only. Find healthier oils that work instead.
Thank you for the good explanation! I'm still un-learning some conventional nutrition
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What about processed meats, like sausages containing a couple of grams of carbs?0
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I'm in for All Animal April. I am going to be counting calories though. I am curious as to how well the TDEE calculators actually predict TDEE. I get between 1500 and just over 1700 kcals for my sedentary TDEE but that seems low. I seem to be able to eat more than that lately and not gain weight. Is a calorie just a calorie? Doubt it.
I am starting early with the week long bacon challenge that was mentioned a few weeks ago. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10348067/what-happens-when-you-eat-nothing-but-bacon-for-30-days-straight I plan to eat about 1600 kcals of just bacon, plus one tablespoon of coconut oil in coffee, until Saturday night (Easter dinner) at which time I will reintroduce other animal products (meats and eggs - no cheese *sob*). I'll still keep my calories at about 1600.
My weight has been pretty stalled at about 150-151 lbs for about 4-5 months. At the most I am losing half a pound per month. Not bad but I'd still like to be in the 140's, after breakfast, with winter clothing on. I am hoping to lose a couple of pounds but I will stick to about 1600 kcal per day; trying not to let it dip below 1400 or go over 1800.
I am hoping this will have a positive effect on my fasting blood glucose too which has been drifting upwards over the last few months (especially this past month - possibly due to autoimmune issues). I will be incorporating some exercise into this month so that may have an effect too - not a very pure experiment but oh well.
Starting weight (3/21): 150.8 lbs
FBG (3/21): 5.7 (~103)0 -
I'm in and I'm going to try both. My only issue is gonna be the coconut oil I use for my "bulletproof broth". Other than that I've been pretty much vlc for a few weeks now.0
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Since I started on Saturday I'll post my starting details:
18/3 Weight 155.6
Waist at narrowest point 30.5
Hips at widest point 39.5
(BMI 29.29)
(Body fat calculated 27.25)
I've upped my calorie goal to 1800 for a few days, if I can find a sweet spot where I feel like I'm eating enough without gaining weight I may try to eat just to hunger.
My weight is down 1lb since Saturday but that's pretty standard day-to-day fluctuation.0 -
I'm gonna jump on all-animal April, but only for a week - have family coming in to town the second weekend of April, and it's tough enough explaining why I don't eat fruit. The no sweetner thing will be my biggest hurdle, but if I can do it for a week, then I'll be able to do it for longer in May.0
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I think I'm in for the Ad Lib challenge!0
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What about processed meats, like sausages containing a couple of grams of carbs?
In general, I read the labels and avoid anything with more than 1-2 grams of carbs per serving (and make sure the serving is what I would eat). So, if something has 1 gram per serving and two servings per link, I might eat it. If it was 2 grams per serving and two servings per link, I might not. That's borderline. I definitely wouldn't have more than one in a day. These are also foods that I wouldn't make a regular part of my diet. As a treat, sure. But, I don't eat them every day. I might eat them a few days in a row, to finish off the package, but it wouldn't be long-term.
In short, it's not a big deal if they're not an everyday thing and they aren't a huge portion of what you eat. I don't count carbs. I have no intention of starting to count them, because I avoid things with carbs in the first place.
I worry less when eating out. If I am getting smoked ribs, for example, I don't stress about the carbs in the dry rub. They are what they are. If I am getting sausages, when out, I can't know for sure how many carbs are in one. I don't freak out about it. It is one meal, on one day, in a lifetime of meat eating. It's not going to be a huge setback. I do avoid things that are obviously sweet or carb-filled. For example, I won't get ribs covered in BBQ sauce.0 -
baconslave wrote: »Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »Question:
Since I use MFP in mobile, exclusively, If I apply the calorie hiding script on PC, will it continue to hide calories on the phone app?
Unfortunately, I don't think so. The script is modifying how the specific browser is displaying. So if we are using a different browser or device, it isn't going to work.
That's what I expected. I'm going to just not log at all probably. It's funny that I will find that difficult. Lol
Hmmm. Or maybe like he suggested, log it but don't let calories dictate anything and I'm already "eyeballing" my entries anyway.0 -
At the end of my first bacon day I am really really hungry. I had my bacon eaten by 3:30... twelve slices wasn`t a lot. I think I might cut back on my coconut oil so I can have more bacon.
Protein was really low too. Only 46g for the day. The fat to protein ratio for my bacon is 3:1. that does not leave much wiggle room.Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »baconslave wrote: »Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »Question:
Since I use MFP in mobile, exclusively, If I apply the calorie hiding script on PC, will it continue to hide calories on the phone app?
Unfortunately, I don't think so. The script is modifying how the specific browser is displaying. So if we are using a different browser or device, it isn't going to work.
That's what I expected. I'm going to just not log at all probably. It's funny that I will find that difficult. Lol
Hmmm. Or maybe like he suggested, log it but don't let calories dictate anything and I'm already "eyeballing" my entries anyway.
You could always assign the foods a 1 kcal value for April. For example, 1 oz of cheddar could be logged as cheddar - April 1 kcal. It would be more work but you would be truly blind to calories.0 -
Started all meat today, wish me luck.0
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Best of luck @krazyforyou !!
I'm in for both, since I do them already, too! Will report in when the threads are up. I did begin the ground beef challenge today, so my first three weeks of April will be that, then I will continue with foods from the animal kingdom only!0 -
Good luck, everyone!0
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I'd like to do one of these challenges, but I'm curious, what's the benefit of eating all meat instead of meat and vegetables? Don't you need vegetables to be healthy? I understand not eating bread or any kind of crap like that, but I guess I don't see the point of cutting out vegetables. Or is there some reason why it's good to cut them out temporarily?0
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At any rate, count me in! I guess I'll be doing Ad Lib. Basically, just meat, eggs, vegetables, and a little bit of dairy, nothing else. I could do that.0
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lisawinning4losing wrote: »I'd like to do one of these challenges, but I'm curious, what's the benefit of eating all meat instead of meat and vegetables? Don't you need vegetables to be healthy? I understand not eating bread or any kind of crap like that, but I guess I don't see the point of cutting out vegetables. Or is there some reason why it's good to cut them out temporarily?
You actually don't need vegetables at all. Meat contains way more nutrients than it's ever been given credit for. It is a complete food that meets all of our nutritional requirements.
The benefit of doing it? Well, you would have to give it a shot and see if there is benefit for you. Maybe there wouldn't be, but I know that I heard from some that tried it last year that they felt great and never realized they could actually feel even better. Kind of how we are so surprised by all of little ways low carb made us feel better... Turns out, it's possible some people reach even greater health on carnivore.0 -
Count me in for AAA ! I will likely start right after Easter. The timing is right, can't wait.0
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