Calories Now vs. Calories Before

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I’ve had a lot of people ask how many calories I’m eating now versus how many I was eating before the joruney started.  I figured it was only fair to give everyone a sneak peak into what I was eating before, that helped me achieve the body I used to have (so long, my friend). 

Now don’t get greedy.  I’m not spilling my secrets to a healthier you while I try to see how many Cheetos I can fit into my mouth at once.  So the details will be scarce, and the calories are approximate.  But keep this in mind…I attribute the majority of my health success to the food I eat and not so much the workouts I do.  Yes, how you exercise is EXTREMELY important, but the key is is the fuel you give your body – your food choices.

The “Before I Discovered How Many Types of Cap’n Crunch There Really Are” Menu

  • 1st Breakfast
    • Spinach shake (500 calories)
  • 2nd Breakfast 
    • Low-carb protein bar (200 calories)
    • Almonds – (200 calories)
    • 1/2 banana – (50 calories)
  • 1st Lunch
    • Grilled chicken w/ low sugar marinade and steamed veggies (600 calories)
  • 2nd Lunch
    • Spinach shake - 1/2 before, 1/2 after workout (500 calories)
  • 1st Dinner
    • Fajitas without the tortilla and veggies – (600 calories)
  • 2nd Dinner
    • Protein shake with water (250 calories)

The “After I Single Handedly Kept 3 Fast Food Restaurants Open” Menu

  • Breakfast
    • Cereal (600 calories)
    • Juice (100 calories)
  • Snack
    • Granola Bars (200 calories)
    • Soda (150 calories)
  • Lunch
    • 2 peanut butter and nutella sandwiches on white bread (800 calories)
  • Snack
    • Chips (200 calories)
    • A “few” cookies (250 calories)
  • Dinner
    • Pasta with sauce and ground beef  (800 calories)
    • Soda (150 calories)
  • Dessert/Late Night Snack
    • “Small” bowl of cereal -(300 calories)
    • or Cake (400 calories)

TOTAL CALORIES: Approx. 3,950

The moral of the story?  You can still eat like a “Hobbit” (I know you’re giggling at the fact that I have 1st and 2nd breakfast in my healthy stage), but be the healthier you.  Of course, I’m also starting to appreciate that so many tasty treats are available to me in my “learning stage”.  I’m learning that the Pringles motto fits so many foods.  I’ve learned that my late night snack is becoming the ‘cherry on top” to my day. 

And if I keep this up, I may be looking at a Spinach Shake and wondering if it is really a big deal if I exchange the spinach for banana flavored Twinkies.  Mmmmmm….

 

52 comments on “Calories Now vs. Calories Before”

  • What I am most interested in is how you deal with the late night cavings in 6 months! I can eat healthy (well not 1st and 2nd breakfast healthy but let's say I went all day with no fried foods) and at 2 AM I wake up from a dead sleep craving lays chips dipped in ketchup with a diet coke! No bueno lol

    • I’m an amateur powerlifter.
      The secret to not going to bed hungry, or waking up hungry, is the protein shake before bed.
      Not only is it good for muscle recovery, it helps you feel full enough to sleep through the night.

      • It’s not hunger for me but CRAVINGS. I’ll be good as gold until nightfall and then I need saturated fat in the form of hamburgers, chips (thick fries) or chocolate. Even several sessions of water, veggies or fruit does nothing to stop this apparent need and it becomes almost physically painful. It’s pretty darned sucky.

        • I dont’ know if there is any “secret” to late night cravings. I switched to clean eating about 4 months ago. I have lost 7% body fat and 20 lbs. They say the more you stay away from the those foods, the less you crave them. It is very true. Sometimes though, you STILL crave them…even when you feel completely ill after you have them. I think the only trick is sheer determination and will power. You have to KNOW that it is not worth it and you will not give in. No tricks, no secrets…it’s how bad you want to be healthy and what you are willing to sacrifice for it. That’s just my opinion though! :)

          • I’m currently trying to loose weight and suffer from night cravings as well. No fat yogurt and crystal light in my water has been a blessing.

  • My biggest indulgence is (well was)

    Crumble half a packet of maryland cookies into a bowl. Soak a shot of Coinntreau into it. Add a tub of Ben and Jerrys. Add pieces of Green and Blacks Chocolate for decorattion. Dribble Brandy or Baileys over this. surround withthe second half packet of cookies.

    And sit down and watch a good film on telly.

    I might even add some dried fruit with it.

  • @ Lisa – I'm actually interested in that too. I hope that I'll be able to transition pretty well back into my fit stage.
    @ Geoff – I don't think I'm familiar with half of those ingredients you listed for your biggest indulgence, but I'm sure it tastes delicious right? It doesn't sound like the typical American dessert. I'm guessing you're from overseas? Thanks for your comments!!!

    • fannetasticfood.com has a recipe: it is: .5 very ripe banana…the riper the sweeter, 1 cup skim milk, and fresh baby spinach. she says as much as you want, she usually uses 2 huge handfuls…

  • @ Brenda – I will soon enough, but not yet. I have a patent pending on it. Haha jk, but it is really good. So, stay tuned. I will post a video of that recipe as well as others that I use. Thanks for your patience Brenda.

  • Ironically enough, I am sitting here drinking my spinach shake while I read this post. Don’t worry Drew, your secret is safe with me. One of the benefits of working with you as my trainer for 8 months I guess.

  • It seems like there is only 1,000 calorie difference between your healthy diet and the unhealthy one. That should make you pack on 2lbs/week. Based on your actual weight gain rate of 3.1 lbs/week your lack of exercising is responsible for the remainder of the gain so that’s another 600 calories a day. Sounds like your math checks out perfectly! It’ll be very interesting to see your cutting phase on 1,800 calories and full on exercising to get back to your previous self!

    • @Greg – Haha. You’re awesome man. I’m glad someone checked on that for me. I’ve never looked into it so detailed like you did so thanks for that man!!!

      • Calories are meaningless. A dead log has calories. What everyone should look at is that he goes from less than 15g of carbs a day (healthy) to over 250g! I would also like to know what you put in your spinach shake. Love the blog, you’re an inspiration!

  • Would love to know what you put in your spinach shake… Mmmmm, twinkies. My uber downfall… I can’t have those things in the house or I eat the whole box in two days.

  • Your typical meal plan before the change looks really good.
    You should post videos after the fit to fat on what you cook.
    I should try eating what you used to eat, it looks pretty fulfilling.

  • Man, how did I stumble across this? Glad I did though. Great blog and idea to go through this journey. Looking at your “unhealthy” diet it looks a lot like what I consume on a typical day and at the time think I am not doing so bad! Chalk it up to poor planning and convenience foods. As someone said in a previous post this is inspirational. Thank you. Look forward to seeing the next phase…

  • Drew it was nice to get an idea of your pre-diet. How many hours did were you working out a day? Nice to see you talking with your fans and those you inspired here. i hope as you get bigger and bigger in the media you don’t lose that completely (:

  • Why do things that are good for you always taste so yuk? You talk about your spinach shake but it sounds nasty? I’m serious about this. I think you are awesome for doing this. I have worked out with trainers and I honestly don’t think they understand (not critizing) but they have never been on my journey. You will know how to help people emotionally as well. Bless your heart!

    • a spinach shake (or green smoothie) doesn’t taste bad. just make a shake or smoothie like you normally would and add spinach. lovely/scary color but the taste doesn’t change. esp with spinach and romaine lettuce. things like parsley and kale are a little more bitter.

  • What cereal are you eating that you could eat 600 calories’ worth in a serving? That equates to 5 servings of Cap’n Crunch (maybe 4 if adding whole milk), or 2 servings of McDonald’s oatmeal (which is notoriously high in sugar).

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  • Just found your site after Yahoo did a story on you. Love this concept, Drew!

    After reviewing the two menus, I can see why I struggle so with my weight – the idea that a spinach “shake” is a meal (first thing in the morning and without coffee no less) is repulsive to me down to the depths of my soul! Uck! And I love spinach, don’t get me wrong. Please promise when you start the 2FIT food portion, you’ll include some meals that are actually sort of normal in terms of what average folks would *consider* eating, at least to start. Like the poor guy with the peanut butter and honey sandwich…please tell me the substitution doesn’t involve tofu. You’re going to have to ease us into this, Drew, you know that, right? You can’t cut cold turkey from Pepsi Max to spinach shake and expect we’ll be able to follow…in a couple of months, maybe. After some success and some self-esteem building, possibly. But be gentle, ok? I wanna succeed.

    It is my fervent wish that this journey creates in you a deep empathy for us fatties and helps you truly “get it” in terms of helping us start what needs to be started and built up the momentum. We’re at ground zero in terms of inertia – I can see you’re experiencing that in it’s full glory now. You may be the only trainer I would trust to follow at this point in my life because you are writing the words that are in my heart and that I live every day. Remember how this feels.

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  • Being a male I’m planning on trying to follow your diet but I was curious if you would be posting a list of foods you would recommend a female to eat at the same time you list the foods that you will eat?

  • I’m still reading your “fat” phase and I’m already MASSIVELY inspired. I’m still reading through blog entries so maybe this is mentioned elseswhere but do you have a list of things we’ll need in the kitchen to do things like make spinach shakes? Will I need to go buy a juicer, , etc?

  • I’m a newbie, looking forward to following your progress. You are brave to do this. I’m scared to death of getting fat. I’m thin now, but once my metabolism slows down I’ll be in trouble. I’ve got the exercise down, and even though I try to eat healthy, I know my diet needs some major tweeking. I’m on board with everyone else–I want the green smoothie recipe! I will be patient.

  • I am with Jacque.. What should female intake when trying to get fit and toned? If you could post what a female should eat, how much and when at the same time you post yours when you get to your “2 fit stage.” I WILL be TRYING to get fit right along with you and a list of how much and what would be great. I THOUGHT I ate a healthy diet but after looking at your post and page NOW I know why I cant lose my legs and tummy from after the kids.

  • As someone who has 80lbs on your fat self, but still has to do heavy lifting and yard work around the house… I think you’re going to be in for a shock when it comes time to cut.

    Your muscle strength should still be there, hell you’ve probably gotten stronger in some spots. But your joints are going to ache. I carry 2 80lb bags of concrete to the checkout counter and out the store routinely… It’s amazing how your body will eventually adapt to the weight.

    As for the testosterone, for me that was the most important part of it… Low test levels suck. Getting them back up made me feel like a god, felt like I had the energy of a ADHD ten year old.

    Good luck to you sir. I’m starting my second portion of weight loss today. 3 months on, three months maintenance, trying to slow my weight loss to avoid the saggy skin.

    Oh yeah, you have that to look forward to.

    If you have any questions feel free to ask.

  • Drew – what I would like to know is how the change in eating habbits affect what your wife and children eat. Have they switched their foods or have they been able to maintain healthly meals. Does your family have meals together with a seperate diet for them and how do you deal with it all? Keep up the good work. I can’t wait for you to start the next phase.

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  • hi Drew,first I’d like to say you’re a hottie, second you really are an inpsiration to us all. Today is the first day I ever heard of you and after watching the vid it got me so interested in what you’re attempting to do, no less you will achieve that goal seeing you’re a personal trainer and know all the tricks in the book. I guess you also have to have will power to stick to something. My downfall is carbs and snacking after dinner before bed. I love bread although I did cut if out of my meals drastically. It’s very hard to loose weight for me even though I exercise an hour a day doing the treadmill but no luck in losing weight. I wish I could get a simple meal plan that I could follow with everyday ingredients that a person has in the kitchen. Not some wierd ingredients that I* never heard of. Hopefully this will be the start of something good for me watching and following your transformation. Good luck.

  • It will be great if you post pics of your daily intake with sizes/ingredients.

    Also, if there is an alternative I’d love to know. The spinach shake just doesn’t sound like something I’d wanna have.

    Thanks, good luck!

  • I just found out about your challenge, and let me say thanks for trying to understand what it’s like to be addicted to these unhealthy foods! I am going back to your first blog and reading up to get current on where you are. I think losing the weight in 6 months is kinda crazy, but needed in desperate times, and would love to know how you will do it. Side note, your blogs are humerous, and I am thinking you are starting to like those Twinkies! lol

  • I’m curious to see what a 30 day intake looks like before you gained. I mean no one eats that perfectly every single day unless they are training for a show. Neither before or after match my diet.

  • Ok not gonna lie: Your meal plan from before sounds….predictable. I mean no one eats like that (except you apparently lol) and what about going out? Do you just never eat out with friends in order to be healthy? It’d be cool if you could talk about eating healthy while going out. Also I really hope that eating healthy doesn’t have to be that tame because I’m really adventurous. Like Ethiopian food adventurous lol. Keep up the awesome work on your blog and I’m keeping an open mind about spinach shakes! :)

  • Shew. Staying thin is obviously not easy. Your before meal plan sounds kind of depressing actually and your after plan obviously not being good doesnt seem anywhere nearly as bad as I would have thought to put on so much weight.

    I notice that in neither plan do you eat much fruit. half a banana.

    I look forward to seeing your lose weight plan!

  • Funny how when you have a clean diet and are used to eating well, how disgusting and absolutely revolting the fattening foods seem. Reading the “after” menu made me want to throw up. I indulge sometimes, of course, but I would rather my oatmeal and egg over sugary cereal any day.

    Eating well should be enjoyed, not a chore. I don’t understand what it is about engorging that people love… I guess that’s why you’re doing this experiment :)

  • Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info specifically the last part :) I care for such information much. I was seeking this certain information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  • Go Drew….GO! Being Fat has Ruiend my Life! YOUR THE TRAINNER, so i will do what ever you say to do….even if its NO Coffee,lol i will do it. Green shakes, purple shakes, shit shakes, i dont care….Thanks for doing this, after seeing your videos i know cannot lie to myself anymore, i eat the wrong foods and i have done this to myself.. Period… There is nothing wrong with my thyroid…lol dont forget us Girls when you make your meal plans. Thanks and lota love…

  • drew ,I saw this on gma AND YOU REALY CAUGHT MY INTREST ! I will be following the 2 fit ,im just wondering what is your take on someone that is hypothyroid ?I am on levothyroxine(.100mg)100mcg)last tsh 3.240 free t4 0.86 t3uptake 26. have been hypo about 10 years. gained about 60 pounds in 3 months while working 3 jobs and got REALY tired thats what made me go to doc and they found the hypothyroid org tsh was 15.2 through the years even on meds has gone up and down. any advise or HELP?? THANKS

  • Drew…I really do hope you’re going to post food choices and workout adjustments for women! There is no way a woman can lose weight on your before diet – it equals approximately 3000 calories. We women need about 1/2 that (1600-2000 depending on current weight and activity level) in order to lose weight safely. Guidance for the female readers of your blog would be wonderful!