Huel – Week 26 Results

Over the last 2-weeks I have been continuing with my method of 100% Huel each day, with only one regular meal on the weekend.

I maintained a diet of Huel shakes, Huel Bars and Ohso Good Chocolate (1-daily). Depending on mood, somedays it would be three shakes, and on others it would be two shakes and two bars. I like having this option. I stuck to regular times which has kept my body in a routine, which has led to hunger pangs starting approximately 30-minutes before my next shake or bars were due.

Each shake was made with 500ml water and 2 scoops of Huel Powder (400 cal per shake). My preferred method of preparing my shakes was to use 400ml of water with the 2 scoops and shake. Leave in the fridge overnight and then add the final 100ml of cold water before drinking. Calorie intake: 1200 per day (up to 1600 on extensive exercise days).

Huel Powders used have been Coffee, Chocolate (mixed with Salted Caramel flavour boost), Mint Chocolate (my favourite) , Banana and Vanilla (mixed with Strawberry or Apple Cinnamon flavour boosts).

The Huel Bars used have been Raspberry and White Chocolate, Chocolate and Peanut Butter.

Supplements: 1 x Multivitamin and Minerals Tablet (Zipvit A-Z) daily.

Ohso Dark Chocolate Bar x 1 daily (Orange and Raspberry flavours used).

Exercise Goals: 30 miles walking per week.

Starting weight: 242.3 lbs

Target Weight: 174 – 180 lbs

Previous Recorded Weight: 184.5 lbs

Current weight: 181.7 lbs

Weight Loss/Gain: 2.8 lbs

Overall Weight Loss/Gain: 60.6 lbs

Positive Experiences: End of module assignment has been submitted so I have time to unwind, walk and celebrate until study resumes in October, work stress alleviated.

Negative Experiences: Slower weight loss, but due to introducing additional foods to prepare for a regular diet, losing fellow team members.

Summary

More of an uplifting couple of weeks over the last period. Work pressure has eased, with my role evolving into a new position. The details so far are exciting, so I am looking forward to things being finalised so I can get stuck in. It does come at cost though, as I have lost some of my fellow team mates, people that I have looked up to as mentors. It’s a very strange time, you feel like celebrating yet there is still a dark cloud hovering over you. At times like these I find it hard to find words to say, so I mainly say nothing at all.

Outside of work, my studies have currently ended as my final assignment has been proofed, proofed again and then proofed again before submitting. The first module of my degree is now finished and I have a little bit of a break before moving on to the next in October. I will be making an early start in September, but officially the start date is October, 3rd. Now the painful wait for the final mark begins. I’ve found I’m a little lost without the structure of study to focus on, so studying Japanese has intensified. I’ve got to keep the brain active.

Monitoring my BMI, I have now dropped into the “Healthy Weight” range according the NHS BMI calculator. I have not been a healthy weight since at least 2002, so this has really surprised me and it has given me a positive boost with everything that I have been doing.

Before Diet (Mar 2020)

Current BMI (September 2020)

As before, I have listed my cheat meals below. But for this week I have been introducing the odd evening meal, mainly to experiment with slowly getting back to a regular balanced diet. This has been mostly salads, I just can’t seem to get enough of the green stuff. Low in calorie, yet filling. I have also been experimenting with jalapeños to satisfy cravings. This has helped on days when I have taken all my Huel, yet have a late night hunger pang. A handful of peppers leaves the mouth too hot to handle anything else.

So, I am almost at my target weight. It looks like I will be coming out of the Covid crisis having firmly hit the reset button.

Previous week meal:

• Homemade Peperoni Pizza

Extra Midweek Meal:

• Fried Venison Meat Balls
• Salad

This week meal (barbecue):

• Quarter Pound Burgers x 2
• Cumberland sausage x 2
• Chicken Wings

New Flavours Used and Review

Huel Chocolate Bar: I have seen this on the list for some time but haven’t gotten around to trying yet. I’m finding two boxes isn’t enough to see me through the week due to the need to snack on something after 10-mile walks. So, I decided to try add the Chocolate Bars to the mix, the last flavour for me to sample from the collection. This is a really nice tasting bar and the chocolate flavour reminds me of Coco-Pops.