Hey everyone!
I started the year with an ambitious goal: shedding some extra pounds using the keto diet. I was thrilled to see the results after just a week – I lost 4 kilograms in 7 days without breaking a sweat. However, things took a turn for the worse a few days later. My weight bounced back to its original state, making all my efforts seem like a waste. After consulting with some knowledgeable folks, I realized I'd done everything right, but I'd underestimated the time it takes to see real results. It turns out, you need to stick to the keto diet for at least a month to see significant progress. I learned a valuable lesson – not getting the desired results won't harm me, but it'll make me more determined next time.
Choosing the right path to tackle my weight issues was a long and arduous process. I weighed the pros and cons of various diets and supplements. I was on the hunt for a solution that would help me lose at least 4 kilograms quickly, without breaking the bank, and with a 100% guarantee. I know many people might think my expectations are unrealistic, but I've wasted too much time already, and I have a deadline to meet. My boss's birthday is coming up, and I'll be attending a company gathering with all the wives. I was really looking forward to wearing a new dress, but now it's too tight. I won't share a photo of myself in it – let's just say I'm not exactly thrilled about my body at 50. Younger women can rock a bikini, but I've never been comfortable sharing photos of myself in a swimsuit, even now.
I was lucky to bump into an old school friend, and it was amazing to see how great she looks. I have to admit, I was a bit jealous. We all know how we feel about friends who are more attractive than us.
We spent two hours in a cafe chatting, and she gave me some great advice. She told me about a way to lose a few pounds in just a few days using the Hercules diet. I'd heard of it before, but never tried it. Apparently, it's the second most popular diet after the oatmeal one. As soon as I got home, I looked it up online to learn more.
What is the Hercules diet?
The Hercules diet is a type of 'monodiets', where you eat only one specific food for a certain period. Like any quick diet, it's not a magic solution for weight loss, and the weight will likely come back once you stop. It's best suited for people who need to lose a few pounds and are also exercising regularly and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Can you really lose weight on the Hercules diet?
Oats are a great source of protein, second only to oats - 10-12g per 100g. That's why they're essential for children's growth and development, and athletes love them for building muscle mass.
Dry oats have 350 calories per 100g, 6g of fat, 72g of carbs, including 12g of dietary fiber. It's the fiber in oats that makes them so useful for weight loss:
Unsoluble fibers work like a sponge to clean out toxins and waste from my gut, and they help regulate my digestive system;The soluble fiber reduces my appetite, because it expands in my stomach and I feel full faster and for longer;Fiber lowers the glycemic index of the foods I eat;Beta-glucan binds fat in my gut, lowering my cholesterol levels;Lignans boost the activity of fat-burning enzymes.I felt like I had a solid scientific foundation, so it was time to put it into practice. I knew I was short on time, so I didn't hesitate – an oatmeal-only diet was just what I needed. I was hoping for the best, and now I'm here to share the results.
The benefits of oatmeal.
OatmealOatmeal is packed with vitamins and minerals, just like other whole grains. It's got a lot of sodium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B, and antioxidants. When I eat it regularly, I can expect:
Risk of heart disease is significantly reduced;Bones and teeth get stronger;Hair and nail health improves;Immunity gets a boost.Indigestible fibers like a sponge clean out toxins and waste from the gut, regulating digestive function;Digestible fiber helps suppress appetite, as it expands in the stomach and you feel fuller for longer;Fiber lowers the glycemic index of the food you consume;Beta-glucan binds fatty acids in the gut, reducing cholesterol levels;Lignans boost the activity of fat-burning enzymes.It would be great if the oat-based diet not only helped me shed a few kilos but also tackle some gut issues I've been experiencing. But that wasn't my primary concern.
Since I decided to go for this diet without consulting a doctor, I carefully studied the contraindications first.
The oat-based diet is not recommended for weight loss for people with celiac disease, as it contains gluten. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as athletes, should also avoid it. If you have stomach ulcers or colitis, consult your doctor before starting the diet.
Only after making sure I didn't fall into any of these categories did I start following the diet.
Next up, I'll be creating a 3-day meal plan for the oat-based diet.
No complications arose, as this is a monodieta and only a limited number of products can be included. It was just a matter of sticking to the same old food. Any diet is a stress for the body, and a monodieta is an extra challenge of eating the same thing every day.Day one:
Breakfast: oatmeal and a green apple,
Oatmealand a green apple, Apple, green tea Lunch: oatmeal, a carrot salad with olive oil,
Carrot saladand coffeeMid-morning snack: one apple
Dinner: oatmeal, a glass of kefir
Kefirxa0
Day two:
Breakfast: oatmeal, a glass of kefir
Lunch: oatmeal, a salad of cucumbers and tomatoes dressed with olive oil, tea
Mid-morning snack: two green apples
ApplesDinner: granola in kefir
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Day three:
Breakfast: oatmeal, 2 apples,
ApplesteaLunch: oatmeal, carrot salad, green tea
Snack: skipped it due to a meeting
Dinner: oatmeal, glass of kefir
Kefirxa0
I made sure to use rolled oats instead of instant oatmeal packets for my oatmeal.
Instant oatmeal packet Those packets have so many artificial additives and sugars that you might not be able to get the full benefits of the grain.That's why I opted for plain rolled oats.
Rolled oatsNow, let me share my
Recipe for a healthy oatmeal.
I settled on a serving size of 200 grams, and I found that a cup of water and two tablespoons of oats worked perfectly for me.
Then, I'd bring the mixture to a boil and simmer it for about 10 minutes.
Here's what my oatmeal looked like.
I didn't add any salt, oil, or extra spices or ingredients to it.
I didn't prep for the entire day, but instead, I made a fresh batch each time.
I'd soak the oats in cold water for 2-3 hours, or even overnight for an early morning prep. Either way, it was no big deal.
Why the soak?
I did it to activate the beneficial compounds that were dormant in the oats. Second, many plant-based foods – grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds – contain phytic acid. This acid not only isn't absorbed by the human body but also hinders the absorption of proteins, fats, and minerals by blocking digestive enzymes in the stomach. Often, it's phytic acid that's behind anemia or an allergy to a particular food.
To maintain my figure and enhance the effects of the oatmeal diet, I continued going to the gym.
A Group Fitness Class I managed to visit the place twice over these three days. I even attended one group fitness class. A Fitness Class I still walked to my workouts. No spare walking around. It's invigorating, and it's good for my health.
Now, let me share
My Experience with the Hercules Diet.
Honestly, I didn't expect it to be this tough. Three days, that's all. I've tried other diets before, some lasting 14 days. I'll leave the links to those at the end of this review.
The first day went smoothly. No issues at all.
By lunchtime on the second day, eating a plain, tasteless oatmeal was already a challenge. However, I managed. Having a salad with cucumbers and tomatoes for lunch helped smooth things out. The two apples I had for a snack in the afternoon were also a lifesaver, as I started to understand the presence of hunger even when sticking to my regular meal times.
By the end of the second day, I had a mild constipation issue. I had to rely on a mild laxative to help. I had a poor night's sleep on the night of the 2nd to 3rd day of the diet. I was constantly hungry, and my stomach was growling.
In the morning and at lunch on the third day, I just couldn't look at the oatmeal anymore. I was lucky to miss my snack time due to a meeting.
In the evening of the same day, after dinner, I went to bed feeling hungry.
Now, let me tell you
About the Results.
I started the Hercules 3-day diet with a weight of 71.0 kg.
My weight before starting the dietBy the end of the second day, the scales showed 68.4 kg.
My weight at the end of the second dayI didn't expect to lose 2.6 kg in just 2 days thanks to this diet.
After completing the diet, the scales were already showing 67.2 kg,
My weight after the dietwhich is an additional 1.2 kg.
My struggles were worth it. Losing almost 4 kg in 3 days is progress.
The results left me completely satisfied. The event went better than I expected, and I at least looked no worse than the others. I'll have to buy a new dress, though – adjusting my figure is getting harder with age.
I almost forgot to mention my stomach. After the diet, I started feeling better. The heaviness was gone, and my digestion improved significantly.
Leaving the diet
was a pleasant experience for the first time. In the first days, I cooked boiled potatoes and a salad made from grated boiled beets. In the following days, I had fruits. I didn't stop going to the fitness center.
I was expecting a bigger drop in weight after completing the Hercules diet, but unfortunately, it didn't happen. My vitamin levels took a hit during the diet, and I had to supplement with dietary supplements ASAP.
Three days after finishing the diet, the scales showed 67.7 kg.
My weight three days after the dietI gained 0.5 kg, and two weeks later, it was 69.7 kg.
My weight two weeks after the dietMy weight did go up, but it was nowhere near the 71.0 kg mark I had set as my diet goal.
It looks like I was right on the money. The diet gives you a temporary boost, but your weight tends to creep back up after a while.
I think that's all I needed to say. Time to sum it up and make some CONCLUSION.
Here are the pros:
It's effective;Prep is a breeze;It's super low-calorie;And the cons:
There are some contraindications;The food can get pretty monotonous;It's hard to stick to for more than three days;It's not enough calories;I have to say, the Hercules diet really worked for me. I managed to lose a whopping 3.8 kilograms in just three days. Now, I'm not gonna lie, it wasn't all smooth sailing. The diet was pretty bland and hard to stick to, but the end result was worth it. I achieved my goal, and that's what matters. I'd definitely recommend giving this diet a try, but make sure you're aware of the potential risks and whether you're ready to put yourself through three days of it. My previous diets were definitely more humane.
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By the way, here are some discounts on other diets that might be of interest:
Gruel Diet
Maggi Diet
Protein Diet
Rice Diet
Keto Diet
Evalar Lipotropic Factor
KRKA Orsoten (Healthy Weight Loss)
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Hello, and thanks for joining me on this review. I've had a chance to put the product through its paces, and I'm excited to share my thoughts with you.
As I've been using it, I've noticed a few things that stand out to me.