I was and still am very active, however my diet wasn't the best. As I advanced through my forties, exercise alone wasn't enough to keep my weight in check. I heard of Dr. Bruce Katsura a few years ago. However I wasn't quite ready to join a dedicated nutrition program and thought I could do it myself. Long story short, doing it myself didn't work.
After I got to my heaviest, I signed up. From the onset I knew this program would work, however it does take some dedication and it's not cheap.
However, the cost will force you to commit to the program. I'm six weeks into it, I've changed my eating habits, I've cut sugar and carbs from my diet. Most importantly I've lost 20 lbs of body fat. I've lost two inches from my waistline and I look and feel younger. My goal over the next 6 weeks is to lose another 15 lbs, increase my lean body mass, and to regain my athlete's body.
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Update: Its been 7 weeks since I wrote my initial review. I'm now at the 13th week (12 weeks is normal for Dr. Katsura's weight-losing phase). I have now been moved to the maintenance phase, where a participant slowly reintroduces carbohydrates into their diet. I went from 234 lbs when I started the program in March 2017 to 198.9 lbs at the 12 week mark. I am not sure if my blood sugar levels went down (which was very concerning), but my waist size went from a very snug 36 to now a loose 33. I had to buy a whole bunch of new clothes (thank goodness for Banana Republic Summer sales). I actually, didn't think about that when I started the program.
First I had to buy a bunch of new shorts and chinos because the older ones were uncomfortable to wear because they kept falling down without me tightening a belt (which also became too big). Then I had to buy shirts and polo shirts because my older ones didn't really match my new pants and shorts, and were baggy as "standard fit" sizes. I had to get a few "slim" form fitting sizes.
People who I haven't seen in a long time (often tell me that my face and stomach are a lot thinner). Others, (who aren't sure what has changed) kind of stare, trying to figure out what's different about me. It's fun and good for the ego. It's happened a lot lately, so much so that I am always eager to tell them what i did if they mention anything to me about my appearance.
I'm still working on losing body fat. It dropped by 10% from 30% to 20%, but I still want it lower. Probably what I am most proud of is my Body-Mass-Index Score (BMI). It went from 34 (which is classified as obese) to now 28 (just overweight).
My weight loss went from the upper portion of the body to the lower sections. It first came off my face and neck (a little weird), then my shoulders, chest, and now upper portion of my abs. I am lighter for sure. I can run and bike faster, look younger, and feel much better about myself.
I am a middle-aged guy nearing 50, but I look and feel as I did when I was 29 (when I was physically fit and very active). Just because you hit middle-age, doesn't mean you have to accept feeling old, looking fat, and frumpy. I am going to continue these eating habits for the rest of my life. If you feel like I did 3 months ago, don't accept it. Do something about it and strive to live healthy. read more