So I was going to do the V-Diet without telling anyone because I've always been the type to keep to myself. But after reading various admonishments from Chris and others, I've decided to at least share my journey with the T-Nation community.

However, no one in my personal life really knows that I'm doing this (people in my circle seem to be against supplements and "extreme diets").
But after starting the diet yesterday, I know that I will need some support from some people to get me through it.

However, that's not to say that I am not self motivated--because I am!!
I don't have my before measurements handy but will post them later today or tomorrow. But for the basics:
female
height 5-4
weight 177
...............................

YESTERDAY

I must say, the day before yesterday (Sunday) I was really stoked about doing the V-Diet. I could barely sleep--I just wanted to get started. So when Monday finally rolled around, I was up at 6:30 am getting prepared to take my morning supps/shake (my plan was to get up around 8 or 9, as my school is on spring break).

To my surprise, the shakes were sort of hard to get down (I have ALL chocolate). However, I had absolutely NO cravings which was nice. But the hunger pains hit me pretty hard in the late afternoon/early evening. I just drank some water to try to quell the hunger.

I did my NEPA in the morning(walked the dog for about an hour) and lift (I felt good during/after the lift--although I think I need to lower the load because my work tempo probably should be faster.

It was very hard for me to sleep. I kept waking up every couple hours,had the most bizarre dreams, and went from hot and sweaty to having the chills. Nevertheless, I awoke this morning feeling good about Day 1 and did some meditation, focusing on what my ideal body would look like.

Speaking of which, my goal is to lose 17 lbs, as I am considering joining the military. Today (Tuesday) is my non-lift day, so I am going to do some NEPA and work on my soft tissue (foam roller).

Feel free to poke in and introduce yourself. Hopefully I can get some photos up soon--don't have a camera and am sort of technologically challenged.
Good luck to all who are trying to accomplish their goals!

I mentioned that I was wondering if I should lower my work weight on the lifts (intermediate level). Here is what I did yesterday:
Front Squat: 135
Lat Pull down: level 8 (not sure what each plate weighs--any ideas?)
Dumbbell Bench Press: 45 lbs (each hand)

The weight did not feel extremely heavy, but I feel as though my tempo was not where it should have been. How can I tell??

Hi Mica,

Welcome to the challenge! I am on day 9 and things are going well.

I, too, do not have any support outside this community, and I have to say that it really has helped me, just to check in to see how everyone else is doing and to document; I need to document to keep myself accountable.

I am not the one to answer questions on lifting and weights, for I am definitely a beginner.

Best of luck,

Donna

Started the diet on Monday as well and the first day was rough but feeling good now. You are a stud on the weights though!

As the questions for tempo what do you mean? From what I have read, most of Chad's workouts aren't so much tempo but more focused on rest times, technique and amount of reps. You are a strong woman!

You go girl, get it done!!

Hi there...I just started today (I have a blog as well Xray Chick and her V-Diet) and I'm having a hard time with the shakes already. YIKES I hope my day two is also better.

Sounds like you had a great workout...Keep it up. I wish you only the best!
Jamie

Good luck, the shakes can be a little too sweet for the long haul, especially if you have all chocolate.

It is a mental thing, you have to think of them as fuel for your weight loss and not food.

here are my before measurements (in inches):
neck 13.5
chest-upper 36
chest-lower 30.75
waist at navel 33
waist at largest 34
hips at largest 44
upper arm L 14
upper arm R 14
upper leg L 27
upper leg R 27
lower leg L 14.5
lower leg R 14.75
ankle L 9
ankle R 9
.......................
still workin on the photos. anyone know how to get photos off your phone without having a cord to hook up to the computer??

Just finished my morning NEPA. Going to hit the weights in a little bit.

My morning supps are really doing a number on my stomach. Does anyone else have issues with the pill part of the diet?

Other than that, I'm feeling good.

Having the shake first, helps me out a lot and I do not do the superfood and leucine at first shake, usually the second.

Also, when my stomach is upset I nibble on the Fiber tablets, they seem to act like a tums.

Hang in there, and way to go on the heavy lifts - you rock.

Donna[/quote]

Thanks Donna!

I will definitely test that out.. Heading to the gym now for workout #2 of the week (will post lifts later today). It amazes me how a few words of encouragement can go a really long way!!

thanks for stopping in mica. good luck with the diet. it's really all about pushing yourself as hard as you can in the gym and being mentally tough enough to stick to JUST what's on the diet. Take it day by day is my advice. Just ask for the strength to get through ONE day. Then repeat that 28 times.

Stay strong.

hang in there! the shakes were hard for me towards the end of the first week but i'm in week 3 now with no problems. making them very thin helps me. i had to ban the chocolate. i see that you have ALL chocolate. you may want to try mixing it with some things. spices, extracts, instant coffee, etc. you're coming up on the hardest days. make it through week 1 one day at a time and it'll get much better.

I had not been feeling well for most of the morning--kept burping up HOT-ROX and fish oil. used a different cup for my morning shake to mix it up--sort of worked. Ha!

So finished up my lift a couple hours ago. I was determined to have a great workout. I kept to the rest intervals everytime and went hard!

Reverse Lunge
35 lb dumbbells/hand: 18/12/14
(am definitely going to add more weight b/c I did the prescribed RM on each leg as opposed to splitting it)

Bent Over Barbell Row
95 lbs: 9/7/6/6/6/3/3
(need to look at video for this again--questioning how good my form was)

Barbell Push Press
70 lbs: 8/8/6/6/7/5
(this felt good--want to add more weight though)
Barbell Curl
55 lbs: 8/5/4/4/4/3/4/4/4
(this was challenging--will keep weight same)
Reverse Crunch
20/10/2/8
(at first thought these were a piece of cake; but as you can see on my 3rd set I had a little trouble with a charlie horse in my lower abdomen!--loved it though)

Overall, I thought it was a great workout--definitely going to make some adjustments though.

I did some NEPA in the pool--VERY slow swimming..is that okay? I'm a horrendous swimmer (actually am still in the process of learning) but want to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong..I really enjoy being in the water..let me know what you think.

I've been feeling great--no hunger pains, no burping, etc since my pool NEPA.

At one point earlier in the day, I questioned why I was doing this--took a look at my photos and thought "oh yeaaaa, that's why.."

I'm not having any food cravings whatsoever, which is nice. When I do have moments of doubt/weakness, it's usually because my stomach is nauseated and nothing to with wanting to eat solid food.

One day at a time. I really believe that I can finish this challenge. One day at a time. And as I reflect more and more (seem to have a ton of time to do this!), I realize that the V-Diet will render great immediate results; but more importantly, it will give me the discpline to continue eating healthy, long after the transition phase is over. I suppose I'm saying that originally I felt that the immediate weight loss was the main course; but in reality, the immediate weight loss is just an appetizer. The meat and (sweet) potatoes of the V-Diet is the DISCIPLINE (forgive my food reference!)that we'll gain!...But don't get me wrong--I look forward to this app!!

Welp, forgive my random stream of conscious writing; I have to do something other than watch tv!

Hopefully this works (trying to upload photos).

Front

Side view: holy hell!