I've never been a fan of fad diets, but after hitting rock bottom with my weight, I knew it was time for a change. As a skinny fat person, I was stuck in a cycle of yo-yo dieting and poor eating habits.
A little backstory: I've always been on the lean side, but after years of indulging in junk food, I found myself struggling to break the habit. Before I knew it, 'I'll just have one more' turned into 'I'll just have one more day.'
Fast forward to the pandemic year, and fitness somehow found its way into my life, specifically CrossFit. I got hooked!
But, as it turns out, fitness comes with its own set of consequences. I bulked up and became more muscular, which means I look pretty sturdy, not exactly skinny.
And, of course, there's the whole issue of water retention. So, my ideal physique is still a far cry from reality. To look really lean and dry, you need a good diet – there's no other way around it.
When I was buying swimsuits for my vacation, I was shocked at how I looked. All puffy and bloated. I looked like a swimmer, not exactly the most flattering look. My appearance was so off-putting that, aside from lymphedema, I decided to try a different approach – I started paying attention to my diet.
Long story short, my friend and I decided to cut out carbs and sweets for a month as a joke, and it was surprisingly easy. So, I figured, why not try to detox a bit? I started eating mostly oatmeal and, if I needed some protein, I'd have chicken. That's it.
And that's how I ended up on the buckwheat diet. I'd tried it before, but this time I committed to it fully, and it became a staple in my diet.
One thing I've learned from my experience with this diet is that it's usually around one to two weeks long. It's worth keeping in mind that sticking to a super strict diet for too long can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
I'm excited to share my thoughts on the mono-diet and how I plan to incorporate it into my daily routine to maintain my new physique.
The Buckwheat Diet
So, where do I start?
Let's begin with the basics: buckwheat. I always buy the same brand, Fix Price's 'Uvelka', 4 packets for 50 rubles.
First off, it's super affordable, and since I'm cooking for one, I love that it comes in individual portions. It's amazing how much better my meals turn out when I use this stuff – no more guessing games or overcooking!
Each packet lasts me exactly two days, and I eat twice a day: lunch and dinner. I usually have coffee for breakfast, sometimes with a bit of something, but often just black.
The core idea behind the buckwheat diet is that it's so low in calories that we end up feeling full without consuming too many calories, which in turn helps us lose weight. I'll explain this in more detail below.
One thing to note is that this diet is 'mono', meaning we only eat buckwheat – no other ingredients allowed. If you want the best results, stick to just buckwheat.
Excluding sugar, salt, meat, and dairy products from your diet is a crucial aspect of the buckwheat diet. These products can slow down weight loss and negatively impact your overall health. Excluding sugar and salt helps reduce water retention and improves digestion.
I have to admit, I'm a bit skeptical about this aspect of the diet. Here's why.
Main focus of this diet is on calorie intake. So, it's pretty standard for any diet, really.Remember, once and for all, you can only lose weight with a calorie deficit.
That's it. A calorie deficit. That's the only way.
Just get that tattooed into your brain and remember it forever. It's the first step to understanding your body.
I'm a bit of a fitness enthusiast, so I hit the gym regularly. I do CrossFit, which burns around 650 calories per hour – 100% of my daily deficit. Why torture myself by eating only oatmeal when I'm already in a calorie deficit? I can afford to have a piece of chicken with it and still be fine, since I'll be in a deficit either way.
Naturally, if you're a couch potato who doesn't exercise, and your only 'exercise' is walking to the bus or driving to work, then yeah, it's not exactly the best approach. But if you're into running, swimming, or any other form of exercise, then you can give yourself some leeway – there's no harm in it.
Another thing is salt, spices, and dairy products.
Just like any other diet, there are some 'no-go' zones, but you just need to know your limits. Don't dump an entire packet of spices and salt into your oatmeal – a pinch will do.
Don't drink a liter of kefir or milk at night – a couple of sips will be fine.
No harm will come of it, you just need to know your limits.
And let's be real, any extreme restrictions are just stress for your body. If you have an eating disorder, then these stressors will likely trigger more relapses and binges. Do you really need that?)
Don't torture yourself – the world won't end if you have a sip of kefir, and a kilogram won't magically appear on your body.
So, about me: I wasn't chasing some extreme weight loss, I just wanted to lose a bit of water weight, and I wasn't planning on doing it super quickly. So, I just ate oatmeal with some meat, and that was it. And I've been eating like that ever since.
♥ The good stuff about oatmeal diets.
I think it's pretty obvious why I like them. It's accessible. You can buy oatmeal at any store – no need to think about it or spend money on anything. Boil it, eat it, and you're good to go.
Oatmeal really does clean out your system. I mean, it's not like it's a magic solution or anything, but it's definitely better than a junky diet. And if you're someone who's used to washing down chips with soda, your body will definitely thank you for switching.
And if you're really careful about cutting out salt and all that other stuff, oatmeal won't make you retain water, which is a big deal for a lot of people.
♥ The not-so-good stuff about oatmeal diets.
There are some contraindications, which is totally fine:
Oatmeal diets are not recommended for people with stomach and digestive issues – like gastritis, stomach ulcers, or ulcers in the small intestine. And, of course, pregnant women and new moms should avoid it too.
And, just like any other mono diet, it's not for everyone. My friend, for example, can't stand oatmeal and barely eats it. But I love oatmeal and it keeps me full, which is a big plus.
It really comes down to personal preference. I'm not a big fan of yogurt or cottage cheese, but some people love them. So, the lack of variety can be a drawback.
I'm not picky when it comes to food, and if you dig through my conversations, you'll notice I tend to eat the same things over and over, and that's totally fine with me.
And I mixed it up even more. But without something exciting.
I usually combined it with chicken patties, which I cooked on a small amount of oil:
I could've added a cucumber slice. But I wouldn't recommend it if you're trying to lose weight and get rid of water retention.
I could've also made my favorite tuna salad with cucumber and egg. It's a protein bomb, and considering I wanted to lose a few pounds, it was the perfect dinner.
♥ Result.
You're in for a detailed story about how I started, what I wanted, and what I achieved.
It all began with trying on that swimsuit. I realized it was still early in the season, but I was already puffy, and I wanted to lose a few pounds.
I know exactly what you're going through if you've ever tried to shed a few pounds. Losing 10kg is way easier than trying to get rid of the last 5kg. It's like the water weight just melts away, but those final few pounds are a real challenge.
I've been there myself, and I know how frustrating it can be. So, let's get down to business. Here are my starting stats:
As you can see, my weight was all over the place from January to May. It was like my weight was in a constant cycle, depending on what I ate the day before and a million other factors. I'm sure any woman can relate.
My average weight was around 56.5-57kg.
My goal was simple: get down to 55kg.
And here's where I'm at now:
Physically, I was feeling pretty normal, but I just didn't like the way I looked. I was feeling a bit bloated, and my stomach wasn't exactly what I'd call toned. I wanted to get rid of that extra padding, but it seemed like my solo workouts just weren't cutting it.
Of course, I had thought out my diet pretty thoroughly. I'd cut out all the carbs, stuck to my protein and veggies, and only had salad once a week. But somehow, I just couldn't seem to get the results I wanted.
I didn't want to starve myself, so I'd allow myself a small treat in the mornings sometimes. But more often than not, I'd eat only half of it because the oatmeal really made my stomach shrink and I ended up eating a lot less.
So, that's basically how much I was eating in a day - around 1000-1500 calories, probably somewhere in between, around 1200.
I was also taking a diuretic during the first week, which really helped, and I'd definitely recommend it later on.
So, here are my starting stats:
And then, the oatmeal and diuretic combo started showing some results. You can even see the progress in this photo.
My belly went away, and so did the puffiness and water retention. But I didn't stop there, and in May, I continued with the oatmeal diet. My weight started going down.
I've got to say, not all of the weight I lost was fat, and that's what's slowly disappearing. I can understand that, since I'm naturally pretty lean and I've been struggling to lose body fat. It's not happening overnight, that's for sure.
After about two and a half months, I managed to lose 1.5% of my body weight. For my body composition, that's a huge deal, and it's definitely visible that I've become leaner. It's no surprise, really – all athletes eat chicken breast and rice to get lean, right?
As you can see, this is what I looked like during my vacation – it's the first week of June. My stomach's gone, and I've got a pretty decent core going on. I mean, it's not perfect, but it's a start.
By the way, my weight at the time of this photo was 55.5 kg. I know that for a fact, since I weighed myself at the hotel.
I'm really happy that I don't look gaunt or anything – my curves are still intact, and my breasts are still in place. I've just become leaner, that's all.
I have to admit, I was on vacation for a week and pretty much ate whatever I wanted, but the weight didn't come back. And I think I know why - it's all about sticking to the rules that help you maintain your new weight norm. Here are the ones that worked for me:
I didn't overeat. And even with the smorgasbord at the buffet, this diet really did shrink my stomach, so I ended up eating five times a day, but in small portions. Plus, with my fast metabolism, nothing was stored and I didn't experience any bloating, constipation, or other unpleasantness.
I stayed active. I swam, we walked a lot, and I tried not to lounge around like a seal on the beach - even when I really wanted to. So, I think that's why I didn't put on weight, thanks to the calorie deficit I managed to maintain.
I didn't eat junk. Even with all the temptations around me, I tried to stick to relatively clean and tasty food. No soda, fast food, or processed snacks. Meat, veggies, salads - that kind of thing. I did allow myself some sweet treats, but not to the point where I'd devour five slices of cake in one sitting (and that's not even a challenge for me, because I can eat a whole cake if I'm starving and have nothing else to eat!).
Against this backdrop, I came home and went back to my old habits - including the dreaded grechka. And you know what? It was easy, because I hadn't eaten a ton of food and I didn't have to get used to eating small portions. I just slipped back into my familiar routine and it felt like no time had passed at all.
I took this photo in July and, to be honest, I was looking pretty lean. I managed to maintain my physique and even lost a kilogram. I think it's because I started working out three times a day for a few weeks, which definitely made a difference.
Fast forward to now, and I look like this:
I'm pretty dry, and I'm actually happy with my lean physique. It doesn't look unhealthy, even though I still have a bust, a bum, and toned legs. I've managed to maintain my curves without any bloating or sagging.
♥ My trusty sidekicks.
So, what else can help besides diet?
Exercise. And, please, remember this. If you want to lose weight, CARDIO IS KEY. I'm talking about running, jump squats, burpees – anything that gets your heart rate up to 170 and leaves you gasping for air. I'm a huge fan of CrossFit, which combines cardio and strength training. It's perfect for building endurance and losing weight.
However, if you just go to the gym and lift weights without doing any cardio, you'll end up with a bigger, bulkier physique. Your muscles will be covered in a layer of fat, and you'll look even bigger.
So, to recap: for weight loss, it's all about cardio and diet. Once you've achieved your desired weight, you can add strength training to maintain your muscle mass and improve your overall physique.
Massage. And that's the truth. I didn't exactly have a great experience I went - but that's just not my thing. I know that massage really gets deep + it improves circulation, removes knots, and lets fascia not stick together.
Myofascial Release (MFR). I'll write a review about it someday, but this video is a lifesaver for those with knots and swelling. Swelling goes away instantly, but you need regularity. I go to a session once a week like clockwork.
Swelling remedies. I'd only recommend these under a doctor's guidance. You might have kidney issues, and in that case, these are completely off-limits.
I really liked lymphomyosot - it's effective, even if it's not the most budget-friendly option.
You can also try Evalar's lymphotransit. It's not bad either.
And then there's proper nutrition. If you eat only oatmeal for a week, then go back to your old eating habits the next week - the pounds will creep back on in no time. No magic happens here.
Personally, I've stuck to oatmeal in my diet: more than 4 months now, other carbs (pasta, potatoes, rice, bulgur) I don't eat at home. Just oatmeal.
And let's be real, 80% of my diet has been all about the meat – and I'm not just talking about any meat, I'm talking about the good stuff.
My results: I've lost around 4 kg, and I've got a whole new level of definition in my body. For someone with my body type and weight, that's the holy grail – if you want a lean, athletic physique, this is the way to go.
♥ The verdict.
I've got to say, the diet itself is solid, and the product is top-notch – as long as you know what you're doing. So, if you're looking for a reliable option, I'd definitely recommend the buckwheat diet.