Irvingia Doesn't Work On It's Own

Okay, I can conclusively say, at least with respect to weight loss, that Irvingia is not a panacea. I did the ten weeks and there was no real weight loss. I don't see the point of continuing day by day (or week by week) posts to suggest that there is no weight loss happening without a lifestyle change.

I do have good readings on my latest blood test -- but I can't say whether or not Irvingia may have helped in that regard.

Conclusion
Irvingia does not work alone. Irvingia will not miraculously make you lose weight. In fact, if you aren't going to change your lifestyle, don't buy Irvingia products for the weight loss benefit. If you are going to change your lifestyle you may not need to buy Irvingia.

Irvingia: Ten Week Summary

Well, I first started using irvingia because of the hard to believe hype surrounding the product. Lose huge amounts of weight in only 10 weeks. Etc.

Now, admittedly, my dietary habits have been atrocious but I've only lost 2 pounds in the last ten weeks. I don't know if it's fair to blame the irvingia or perhaps to give it credit for the fact I didn't gain weight. I had most of a pizza for dinner last night if you can believe it.

I've gotten almost zero exercise. I've eaten crap. I've had boatloads of stress at work and at home. I've been sleeping poorly.

On top of several months of the above I've got great blood work and fairly consistent weight.

I am going to keep taking the product. I'm hoping to see results if I start to eat like a normal human, perhaps reduce stress levels to a reasonable and bearable tension, and finally get on that damned treadmill regularly!

I don't know what I'm waiting for... perhaps the end of the 10 weeks?

Days 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 - Weight And Blood Tests

Well, I don't have the details in hand, but on Monday when I visited my doctor the latest blood work was completely normal. Nothing of concern. No worries.

Imagine, I've been eating pizza, doritos, diet soda and various other garbage for months now, like a total idiot, and my blood work gives an "all systems clear" signal. It is possible that irvingia has helped me to regulate my lipids and so forth, as it is purported to do.

It hasn't helped me lose any weight, yet. I'm still hoping we'll put aside all the shitty food and that I'll start exercising. Then, perhaps, I'll see results. Anyway, my weight this morning was a boredom inspiring 142 pounds.

Day 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 - Diet At Rest

Well, today's weigh in was 243.5 pounds. I weighed the same amount a few times during the last week but I didn't bother to record it here every day.

Basically, the same as before. I've used the treadmill once. It's the little Evolve unit rated up to 250 pounds. I got it after the Christmas season was well over for about half price. Even so, it costs a fair amount. I decided on the low end model because I'd be wasting less money if I didn't use it -- and I am not against upgrading or getting other equipment if I do get serious.

Yes, I know, the "S" word. At some point I will get serious. Things will get serious then! Until then, it's treats, snacks and a boatload of stress. Oh well, at least I filed the last four years of taxes finally.

Yes, I'm at the top of my game.

Sigh.

Day 51 - Back To The Low End

I seem to migrate between about 244.0 and 241.5 pounds. This morning I weighed in at the low end of this range. Yesterday I weighed in at the high end of this range. Strange.

Anyway, I'm still sick, though not as sick as my wife.

I'm plotting my treadmill activities while I wait to be better. Perhaps I'll wake up early, do a twenty minute hike to warm up the old metabolism and wake up. I do generally wake up a few minutes earlier than I need to once the sun is rising at the right time.

At the same time, I seem to be the last one to retire most days. I could pad on down to the basement and hit the treadmill while I watch the news. Did I mention I have a television set in front of the treadmill... with the remote on the treadmill console? Well, I do.

I even have a wireless network in the house so I can have the computer set up down there too. The only excuse I have left is laziness. I hope I don't end up playing that card all too often.

Day 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 - Another Week

You know I'd be posting every day if my weight was dropping every day. I can safely say I seem to be at a statis.

No, though I have finally assembled, lubricated, tensioned and otherwise fully installed the treadmill, I have not started using it as of yet. There has been a bit of an issue with respect to very long work days, catching of colds, and other sundry things that have made it impractical to get started.

I do have big plans... as soon as I can get more than two feet away from a box of tissues without exploding.

Oh, the weight, it closed out at 244.0, but I am posting a day behind. I've dropped a bit and will be posting today's weight in a few moments.

Day 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 - Still Using Irvingia

No, don't worry, I'm just tardy -- I haven't given up!

I'm still taking irvingia twice a day and weighing myself from time to time. For example, this morning my weight is back down to 241.5 pounds. This is a good sign as I still have not started any type of exercise program.

I do now have a lonely treadmill sitting in my basement too.

Unfortunately, it will probably have to wait until this weekend before I get around to completing the setup. Apparently the track bed needs to be lubricated and this involves loosening the tension roller bolts and so forth. As well, I can see just by glancing at it that the track is not centered.

Anyway, I can say with near certainty at this point that taking irvingia will not overcome the effects of horrible dietary habits. Well, it might be helping me remain at my weight instead of gaining, but you know exactly what I mean. Irvingia is not a license to be an idiot and still expect miracles.

Err, umm, not that I'm an idiot.

Day 35,36 - No Joy In Mudville

Well, yes, my crappy eating habits are to blame, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Today's weight was 242.5 pounds.

I am however going to start cheating. Tonight, if all goes according to plan, I will have a new piece of exercise equipment ensconced in my basement.

Queue music... Eye of the Tiger!

Day 34 - The Time Change Sucks

I can't fathom why we keep the time zone change. In the modern era we aren't beholden to the sun as we once were. Oh, worry, I'm whining again.

Anyway, the weight was at 242.0 pounds this morning.

At the same time I'm getting a secret weapon. Somewhere, on a truck, waiting to be delivered to my basement, is a treadmill. I've got a television down there as well as a place to sit and some weights.

I've been trying to avoid using anything other than the supplements, but my eating habits are so poor right now that even if irvingia did work it probably won't be able to overcome my habits.

However, if I introduce exercise I won't know if any weight loss was due entirely to the exercise or if it was enhanced in some way due to better blood sugar and lipid control. It's possible, if it works.

Sigh. I guess I can't expect to ever really know.

Day 31,32,33 - Diet Rebound

The scale decided I was at 242.0 pounds today.

I really can't disagree with it. Well, I find it disagreeable but I don't question the accuracy. How's that?

I've been struggling with a cold, eating crappy, dealing with a family emotional issues, blah blah freaking blah. What a pain in the ass. Whine, whine, whine.

Okay, that's enough for today.

Day 30 - Hey, I'm Offended

Who's the joker than is running the "find BBW" to date on my blog? Are they targeting me? Are they targeting my readers? Hmmph.

Anyhow, I'm still at a lilting 240.0 pounds this morning. The non-diet irvingia diet continues to show non-gain progress. Whatever. I'm planning on celebrating the end of the week with pizza tonight so we'll see about that.

On that note, if you've followed along at all you'll realize, as I did this morning while staring at my bathroom scale, that I've done nothing. I've done absolutely nothing worthy of losing even an ounce. In fact, I'm surprised I haven't been putting on weight.

How's that for a non-dorsement? Anyway, I have drifted down a few pounds and I really have nothing to complain about. In short, if it continues, despite my best efforts to the contrary, then I'll be sold.

Strange.

Day 29 - New Week / New Weight

Well, a little bit of movement in the DOW (difference of weight) today. The scale gave me the green light at 240.0 pounds.

Unfortunately, I think that this weight loss was powered by my cold. I'm sure the box of tissues I used up has accumulated almost a couple pounds of mass... yech.

Anyway, it's movement in the right direction, I'll try to keep it.

Yesterday for dinner my wife and I tried a vegetable patty made from beans and lentils. It was a bit different, but good. This is in danger of becoming a staple due to it's nutritional profile and ease of preparation.

Freezer to frying pan to plate... works for me.

Also, the appetite seems in control. This could be due to the fact I'm struggling with a cold. The jury is still out on irvingia -- perhaps it always will be since it doesn't have any pronounced effects that you can feel?

Day 28 - Still Fighting A Cold

This is a repeat of yesterday. I feel like crap. My weight is the same at 241.5 pounds.

I've taken a couple of half-days off of work to rest. On the plus side I haven't been all that hungry -- so I've probably eaten better than I otherwise would have.

Anyway, other than that, my nose hurts from all the tissues, but the diet shall go on.

Day 27 - Under The Weather

Today's weigh in yielded 241.5 pounds.

While this is my logging low I don't feel that excited about it. I seem to have a cold and it's likely that I'm mainly just dehydrated.

Worse, I have to go to the dentist today and I'm not really thrilled about the prospect of having a runny nose while my teeth and gums are being cleaned. I'm sure the dental staff are even less thrilled than I.

Anyway, perhaps it's the cold or perhaps it's the irvingia, I can't tell, but either way my appetite has been lackluster at best.

Day 24,25,26 - The Walking Zombie

Okay, so I'm still tired. I have something of a pet project I'm working on but the only hours I can do that are after work, after my toddler has retired for the evening and generally after my wife has called it a day.

So, into the wee hours I while away burning the midnight oil.

Oh, hey, today's weight in was 243.0 pounds. Back in stasis... and I'll take it. I did notice this morning that I was decidely unhungry. This could be the irvingia. It's strange, I feel unhungry in the sense that I feel bloated and fat. Strangely, I am bloated and fat.

Reality vs irvingia? Psychological effect vs irvingia? Hopefully, over the course of weeks this little drama will unfold.

Day 23 - A Bit Tired

Okay, I have a gift for understatement.

I'm sitting here at work yawning my face off. Anyway, the weigh in today measured in at 243.0 pounds.

Nothing interesting to report except that I have a weekend coming up... and my household does not yet make good food choices on the weekends. Somehow it is something of a ritual -- no cooking, ordering in, throwing a relaxation fest to unwind from the tough week.

Must. Change. Habits.

Day 22 - Doritos For Dinner

Yes, I know, just shut up.

Anyway, the weight this morning is 243.0 pounds to start week 4.

Of course I'm thinking that at some point I may want to start acting like I'm on a diet. Hell, I've been in great shape before, for years actually before getting married and having a child.

Now I've got work stress, home stress, sleep deprivation, and not enough time to look after myself.

Anyway, none of these are meant as excuses, just the realities of life that everyone faces. I guess I need to develop better coping skills.

Day 21 - No Trend Here

Well, with the help of Nanaimo bars, pizza and a boatload of stress I'm in danger of busting out of my statistically insignificant downtrend.

Today's weight: 243.0 pounds of fun.

Tick, tick, tick. Time is ticking. Let's get this diet under control...

Day 20 - Feeling Good

Today's weigh in yielded a slight return to the good at 235.5 pounds. The jury is out on whether or not I'll have a speedbump in my gradual weekly loss or not.

Anyway, I feel really good. I think there may be something to the idea that irvingia can attenuate leptin resistance, effect lipid profiles and so forth. When I used to go to the gym a lot I'd sometimes notice a long term warmth brought about by eating a meal.

It's as if the body is trying to find something to do with the food energy other than stimply storing it as fat or pumping it around in circles as high blood sugar. The opposite, feeling tired after eating, isn't a good thing.

Psychology or reality? It's also possible that this metabolic change is being brought about by consuming an extremely high quality multi and fish oil. While I'm on the topic, my belief is that you simply give the body the ammunition, and if it happens to need it, it will do the best it can with it.

People who pish-tosh at the expense of quality vitamins must have something of a different point of view. Perhaps they don't realize that the body generally resists illness for as long as it can, but eventually, if it doesn't get the resources it needs to fight effectively, something may win out.

Heck, when I'm on my vitamin regimen I simply feel healthier in general. I get colds less often... and so on. Pish-tosh on that!

Day 17,18,19 - FatBoy Was Bad

Yes, I have to admit pizza and homemade nanaimo bars were a major part of my dietary plan over the weekend.

What the hell was that about?

Have I mentioned lately that I've been dealing with a lot of stressful issues?

I'm thinking of pulling in the heavy guns and going to the gym, but that would somewhat ruin my experiment. I'd never know if the irvingia worked on it's own if I started hitting the gym.

As funny as it may sound, I'll probably cave and hit the gym. When I get right down to it being serious about my health is more important than whether or not irvingia is working for me.

Oh, I weighed in today at 245.5 with plenty of disgust weighing me down.

Day 16 - Short Term Weight Stasis

Yes, you guessed it, today's weight was 241.5 pounds.

I certainly don't mind holding steady. This is especially true with the boatloads of stress going on in my life right now. I really don't have any clue if the irvingia is doing much for me or not at this point.

I'll have to see if the potential downward trend for weekly results continues. That is the pudding that the proof should be targeting.

Day 15 - My Weight Is On A Hovaraound

Okay, okay, maybe not, and maybe that's a trademark, and no I'm not casting aspersion at anyone that requires one. It's just that my weight is hovering around and going nowhere in particular.

Today's weigh in had me at hello. I mean, I weighed 241.5 pounds on the scale.

No, I'm not delirious with the progress from yesterday. No, I didn't get any last night. Yes, I'm somewhat happy in general today.

Strange. I slept horribly.

Day 14 - Step Away From The Food

Okay, the weigh in this morning offered a slight reduction back down to 235.5 pounds. I really want to see this downtrend continue.

It's still very early in the irvingia regimen to know if it is having an effect or not. However, anecdotal evidence suggests I am moving my fat around. What does this mean? It means that some areas of my body appear visibly to be a bit leaner though my total mass and waist size seem to be the same.

I'm sure it's all massing around my heart... :p

Day 12,13 - No Joy In Mudville

Oh, unhappy fat gain, who invited you to the party?

Yes, yes, I'm sure you can tell already. The weigh in this morning was not a bearer of good news. I massed in today at 245.0 pounds. It's not like I don't deserve it. The scale can only reflect on what you actually did... n'est pas?

Anyhow, it's been a stressful week, weekend and I'm sure this week will be stressful too. Hopefully, the irvingia will be fully kicked in by the time work is no longer in such a tough phase. We are pushing for a tight deadline and it means lots of hours, complexity, interruptions and unfortunately an undue amount of work on my plate compared to others.

Day 10,11 - No News Is Good News

I didn't bother to look yesterday, but today I weighed in at 241.0 pounds. I'm pleasantly surprised -- even if I suspect that perhaps I am a bit dehydrated this morning.

Time will tell on that front.

Anyway, I've eaten large lunches, pizzas for dinner and generally done nothing that should have me doing anything except gaining a couple of pounds. The fact that I have apparently stayed in stasis this week is great!

After this upcoming week my work induced stress levels should drop by an order of magnitude. I'm hoping that it will become much easier to make appropriate food choices once that happens.

Day 9 - Diet Stasis

Nothing interesting to report today.

The weigh-in providing a nice boring number of 242.5, despite some malfeasance on my part due to climbing stress levels at work.

We have a software release due soon and we ran into some issues...

Day 8 - The Dietless Diet Continues

This is the strangest "diet" concept that I've ever been on.

There are simply no guidelines of any kind. I have the vague notion that I might have some level of metabolic syndrome and that irvingia may be useful in such a case.

Wait, of course the supplement literature does suggest that a healthy diet and regular exercise would be good, but they all say that. What's the point in a diet supplement if it is a change in routine that causes the potential weight loss anyway?

This means that I'm unlikely to introduce strict food controls or regular gym visits until after I'm able to tell if irvingia alone is having an effect.

Today's weigh-in yielded a weight of 242.5 pounds.

Day 7 - Irvingia By Day

Okay, another day another dollar.

Today's weight was 242.5 pounds. No clear direction in weight and still nothing clearly noticeable in terms of hunger.

I may dig out a tape measure and and that to my daily tracking. It is possible that a metabolic shift could lead to a size change prior to a weight change -- and I'd be happy if that were the case.

Anyway, as I've mentioned repeatedly, this is something that is supposed to kick in over time, so we'll just have to be patient during the first weeks.

Day 6 - Back On Track

It's day 6 of my irvingia program. I'm weighing in this morning at 241.0 pounds. Nothing notable to report at this point, as expected.

Now that I'm almost a week in I'm starting to expect some change in terms of hunger, eating, or something. Maybe this is just conditioning from the way everything else in the diet industry works.

They pump you full of stimulants and/or caffeine. This way you feel something and believe it must be working. Also, if you aren't usually taking a lot of caffeine you are likely to have some water loss. Bingo, aren't you the lucky recipient of an amazing weight loss miracle.

Irvingia seems to be the opposite. You feel nothing. No stimulant. No caffeine. Is it doing anything? Honestly, in the instant gratification world we live in, this is doomed to leave most consumers flat -- even if it should turn out that it does have a demonstrable effect.

I will also note that I'm aware that shifts in body chemistry take time to build up. If irvingia does do what it's supposed to do it is very possible for it to take a month or two to build up an effect. It takes time for the body to activate new pathways, adjust to different hormone levels, express different genes. Unlike the instant stimulant effect we are used to -- these are very slow processes.

Think of it like healing a wound. Even a scratch can take a week or more to fully heal. If your metabolism is whacked from years of abuse you can't expect it to undo years of abuse overnight.

Day 5 - Not A Happy Camper

I start today annoyed from the stresses of yesterday, with a headache and a weigh in at 243.0 pounds.

None of this has anything to do with my irvingia trial and it pisses me off.

Now I get to start a very stressful week with important deadlines and a lot of work to do to meet them.

None of this has anything to do with my irvingia trial and it pisses me off.

Anyway, I guess I can't stay all gloom and doom. Time to get busy...

Family And Diet Sabotage

If you want to be in control of your life, of your habits, of your stress level, of your food consumption, then I have to warn you about getting married and having children.

It's become very clear over the last few days how much stress the last few years have introduced into my life. Unfortunately, part of my coping strategy seems to be eating. It makes me angry just to say this.

Shit. I sound like a woman.

Anyhow, needless to say I've been to the kitchen a few times this evening.

Irvingia isn't going to do f*ck all about my stress levels.

Day 4 - Eat When Hungry

I'm eating pancakes for breakfast as I type this. Syrup on the keyboard, the whole works.

I guess that is part of the reason I wanted to give irvingia a try. There are no instructed dietary changes involved. If it's going to work it will simply increase the effectiveness of the leptin being produced by my fat blanket.

So, I'm sitting here typing, thinking, do I need more pancakes. My default answer is yes, I love breakfast and generally enjoy a large meal on the weekend. However, I'm trying to assess my stomach. Am I hungry?

I certainly don't have hunger pangs. Heck, in todays world, at least in our affluent societies, this is rare. I can't remember having true hunger pangs since childhood. Food is always at our beck and call. Have a couple bucks? Someone will sell you a cheeseburger or an ice cream anywhere and anytime.

Back to the question under consideration. I have some type of feeling in my stomach, but it's not clear what it is. I could interpret it as a signal to eat. I'm sure I have many times.

Maybe I'll wait until it's ready to speak more clearly.

Reduced Hunger?

Once again, I think I might have experienced reduced hunger again today.

As strange as it may sound I didn't eat any less than I otherwise would have. From now on, whether or not it is psychological, I am going to start eating less if I don't feel as hungry as normal.

I know, I know. I'm fat, I'm not hungry, I'm eating. It sounds stupid to me too!

Day 3 - Normalcy Returns

I think the major psychological impact of starting a new dietary plan is fading. I've taken my morning pill, hit the scale, and the day begins. It's just like any other day.

With that out of the way here is my weight pattern so far:

Sat: 240.5 am
Fri: 240.5 am
Thu: 244.0 pm

Of course, once again, I really can't expect any changes given the proposed mechanism of action for irvingia.

Also, I'm trying to avoid pushing away food at times that I would otherwise have eaten just because I'm hoping to lose weight. It wouldn't be a fair test if I purposely cut back calories -- so I hope that the effect of increased leptin sensitivity will eventually scale back my desire to eat.

Hunger Returns

It's still day 2.

I noticed that I had built up a nice normal hunger by the time lunch had rolled around. In other words, I can't tell if anything at all is going on or not. This is actually appropriate -- though very different from all the stimulant style weight loss supplements out there.

People want to feel it. They want to notice a different for their money. It has to happen right not. It has to be noticeable.

I'm patient. I'll wait. If it doesn't work that will be unfortunate but it's not like I'll be out anything other than a couple bucks. I am okay with that.

Day 2 - Does Irvingia Suppress Hunger?

I know there is a basis for irvingia to suppress hunger. However, let's get real. This is only day two. I don't think this can be anything but psychological at this point.

Yes, upon waking this morning I felt mildly disgusted at the thought of food. Perhaps this is how I feel every morning but never do any introspection to notice? Oh, my weight also changed by about 3 lbs during the night. I'd imagine simple dehydration and so forth... but I'll track these things and see where they lead.

Anyhow, psychological or not, if my hunger is suppressed then I'll eat less. Works for me! I know I've been hungry or at least interested in food a lot of the time lately. Sure, part of it is stress, but part of it really could be the C-reactive protein binding to leptin and that rot.

Don't worry, eventually I'll start to write about how this is supposed to work and all of that. Well, let's get serious, if I feel this is working for me I'll be motivated to continue blogging about it regularly.

Day 1 - My Irvingia Has Arrived

I ordered my Irvingia supplement from the LEF. I've been a member for a long time and have learned a lot about health and nutrition by reading their magazines over the years.

Today, I start.

My weight this evening was 244 pounds. Not big enough to look hugely obese but well above where I should be. I find my appetite is a regular problem and I have a propensity to store my weight in my midsection.

I'm 41 years old and am quite likely to have some level of metabolic syndrome due to my current sedentary lifestyle.

The dose is apparently 2 pills per day. I took one around noon and then another later this evening. Obviously, I have nothing significant to report at this time.