A Very Late Huel and Last Progress Update

The time has finally come for me to discontinue the updates. The previous couple of months have been busy with moving, working, studying and coping with the current pandemic situation, which has led to the big gap between my last post. I was surprised to see that two months had almost past since I checked this blog, I guess time flies under lockdown restrictions. Before I get started, here is a quick summary of where things sit today.

Starting weight: 242.3 lbs

Target Weight: 170 lbs

Previous Recorded Weight: 170.9 lbs

Current weight: 170.4 lbs

 

As can be seen, my weight has pretty much remained stable since reaching what I feel is a suitable weight for me. I hit 170 and then pretty much decided that this was to be my maintained weight moving forward. At one stage I hit 168 and made some adaptations to my diet to increase my calorie intake. 

As before, I continued using Huel with the addition of oat milk to increase the calorie content. I am now using a mix of 150 ml oat milk and 350 ml of water. 100% Huel is being maintained throughout the week with some healthy snacks and the cheat days continuing over the weekends. These have remained healthy and within a suitable normal daily recommended calorie level. I have listed below my current weekly regime that I am following and will be continuing for the foreseeable future.

The Positives

I have so much more mental clarity now and my levels of anxiety have dropped dramatically. I contribute this to the combination of healthy eating, activity and Lion’s Mane extract. My University studies are going well and I have seen an increase in my grading over the last few assignments. 

I have a more positive outlook on things despite the pandemic and Christmas lockdown restrictions. It will most certainly be a different holiday season this year but it will be something we’ll look back on and talk about for years to come. Just imagine how special next Christmas will be.

I have a better body image which has affected my self-esteem. I like the person I see in the mirror now and gone are the feelings of wanting to eat to destroy myself. An odd mindset to be trapped in but one that was ultimately unhealthy and damaging. You hate what you see but you want to continue damaging it, a vicious circle and one I would suspect was based around my mental health at that time. It feels good to be free of those shackles.

The Negatives

There are only a couple of things to mention here on the negative side of things. One of which has been the difficulty with eating certain foods again. Having cut out various food types, I am finding my body experience difficulty digesting these once picked back up. As an example, I sourced fantastic DIY ramen kit as a special treat over the last couple of months. The first couple of purchases were fantastic but then on the third and fourth rounds, I experienced terrible stomach cramps and pain. I also indulged in some sour dough bread and experienced the same thing. Bread was a main staple for me before my diet, so it appears by cutting out breads and wheat, I built a little intolerance to it once reintroduced. I have experimented with smaller portions with success, so limiting is key and not overdoing things when adding them back into my diet.

The second appears to be a nerve issue which has developed in my left leg/foot. It was noticed when out for one of my walks, when I found my left foot wasn’t working properly. It was slapping against the ground rather than a normal heel to toe movement. Google research (not usually the best thing) highlights possible Peroneal neuropathy which may have been caused by weight loss. Not conclusive yet but I do have a GP consultation next week to discuss it. There are other factors to consider here as well, such as having a new desk and chair for work and study so I’ll wait until a formal diagnosis has been given before targeting causes. This has meant I have had to limit my walking for the time being but I am hoping I can pick that back up again to normal levels in the New Year.

Well, I have come to the end of my ramblings and the end of my weight loss journey. It’s all about maintenance from now on and I have built a good routine to support with this. I will be indulging over Christmas as it comes but once a year, although I will be proceeding with caution. I don’t want those nasty food intolerance issues to put a dark cloud over events. Moderation is key. 

Below I have concluded with my current weekly diet which I am using to maintain my ideal weight and will be continuing with into the New Year.

Current Weekly Diet

For 6-days a week I maintained a diet of Huel shakes, Huel Bars, Huel Hot and Savoury. Depending on mood, somedays it would be three shakes, and on others it would be two shakes and Hot and Savoury. Additional snacks consumed during the week would be Huel Bars, salads, carrot sticks, high protein low carb foods.

Each shake was made with 350ml water, 150ml oat milk and 2 scoops of Huel Powder (450 cal per shake including oat milk). My preferred method of preparing my shakes was to use 250ml of water and 150ml oat milk with the 2 scoops and shake. Leave in the fridge overnight and then add the final 100ml of cold water before drinking. For Hot and Savoury, I used two scoops of powder and mixed with 200ml of boiled water. Calorie intake: 2000 – 2200 per day with snacks (increased on extensive exercise days).

Huel Powders used have been Huel Black Edition Coffee Caramel (for breakfast every morning), Chocolate (mixed with Salted Caramel flavour boost), Mint Chocolate (my favourite) , Original flavour (mixed with Strawberry or Apple Cinnamon flavour boosts).

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

Huel Hot and Savoury Flavours: Tomato and Herb, Mexican Chilli

Supplements: 1 x Multivitamin and Minerals Tablet (Zipvit A-Z) daily; 1 x Time Health Lions Mane Extract Ultra Strength 50% Beta capsule daily.

On a selected day over the weekend I will use a ‘cheat day’ and return to regular food. The day will usually begin with Huel Black Edition Coffee Caramel for breakfast, followed by healthy food of my choice. Calorie count kept within recommended daily amounts of approx. 2400 calories. 

 

 

Huel – Week 28 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) , Vanilla (mixed with Strawberry or Apple Cinnamon flavour boosts), Original flavour (new 3.0 version) and Back Edition Coffee Caramel. 

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

Supplements: 1 x Multivitamin and Minerals Tablet (Zipvit A-Z) daily; 1 x Time Health Lions Mane Extract Ultra Strength 50% Beta capsule 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: 181.7 lbs

Current weight: 179.9 lbs

Weight Loss/Gain: 1.8 lbs

Overall Weight Loss/Gain: 62.4 lbs

Positive Experiences: I have now hit my target weight range, tried paddle boarding for the first time and loved it.

Negative Experiences: Too many flavours and products to choose from. Okay, not really a negative but I do struggle to pick.

Summary

A great couple of weeks, with me now reaching my target range for weight. Some new Huel products were made available which have now been added into the rotation, making choices for meals and shakes really difficult now. 

Another change to the last couple of weeks has been the inclusion of Lion’s Mane mushroom extract into my daily pill popping. After researching the benefits, there is belief it aids with depression, anxiety, mental clarity, focus and possibly Alzheimer’s. Still too soon to tell, so I’ll see how it goes. You can watch Paul Stamets discuss it below.

Exercise has been maintained, with this week seeing a total of 44-miles walked. I even tried Stand Up Paddle Boarding for the first time, which was incredibly enjoyable. It might even become a permanent thing, although I picked a good time to start with autumn approaching. Still, die-hards paddle board year round, so I guess I have no excuse. 

Now that I have achieved my target weight, I will pause the regular posts but I will check in from time to time for updates. This will also help with the upcoming move, studies which have now started and the additional work training. 

Previous week meal (family back garden picnic):

• Pork pies
• Meat pies
• Salad
• Birthday cake
• Cinnamon bun

This week meal:

• Short grain rice
• Beef Gyoza x 5
• Kangaroo Fillett 
• Salmon Fillet
• Salad

New Flavours Used and Review

Huel Original Flavour Powder: Legacy Huel users have been requesting a new version of the original flavour. And recently Huel have just released their V3. I removed my regular Vanilla from this months subscription and opted in to try the original. Love it. The flavour of the oats makes this suitable to drink as is, but it’s also great with the flavour boosts. At times, using boosts in the Vanilla Huel can produce something overly sweet, so now I have something where I get the flavours I’m looking for.

Huel Black Coffee Caramel: I said I wouldn’t try the Huel Black edition again but when they released this new flavour, I couldn’t resist the urge to give it a run for the money. It’s really good and I was surprised with the flavour after using the others previously.  I still have two bags of the regular V3.0 to get through as well, but after they are gone the Black CC will be my morning shake moving forward.

Huel Hot and Savoury Thai Green Curry and Tomato and Herb: Oh boy, this stuff is so good. I was able to snag up some bags of these new products before the official launch next week. I wrote more on them here. I’m still torn on my favourite out of the two new flavours. The Thai Green Curry has a nice bit of heat. Not too hot, just enough to bring some warmth to the tastebuds. The Tomato and Herb is so flavourful that I find I savour every bite. Defiantly worth a try if you prefer something more solid. 

 

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.

 

Huel – Week 24 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 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: 188.5 lbs

Current weight: 184.5 lbs

Weight Loss/Gain: 4.0 lbs

Overall Weight Loss/Gain: 57.8 lbs

Positive Experiences: Weight still dropping at good rate, almost at my target weight.

Negative Experiences: Stressful couple of weeks with study deadlines and work/finances/possible move.

Summary

Apologies in advance, this entry will be a little shorter than most (hooray,  you cry). August is proving to be a busy month. The last couple of weeks have been a rollercoaster ride with work related concerns, possible house move and end of module assignment all hitting at the same time. With the levels of stress I’ve had to deal with, I’m surprised my weight has still been dropping. I’m sure my system is flooded with cortisol, which can affect insulin resistance. More on that here.

Last week, I logged my best ever activity week with over 40-miles trekked. But this week has seen a decline in mileage, mainly due to study deadlines and working hours, mixed with the poor weather that has hit the UK. I’m all for walking in the rain (did that this morning), but I’m not a fan of walking in the woods during lightening storms.

Still, almost at my target weight, which I have updated to be between 174 and 180 lbs. 180 is at the upper end of the scale, so being in-between would be more ideal. Or maybe that’s my brain trying to keep me on Huel for just a little bit longer.

On to the next two weeks when pressures should have eased a little bit, and then going into September where I should hit my target weight. I got this!

Previous week meal (barbecue):

• 2 Quarter pound beef burgers
• Cumberland sausage x 3
• Chicken wing x 4
• Smoked Salmon Sushi

This week meal:

• Sweet and Sour Venison Cabbage Rolls
• Rice
• Smoked Mackerel

 

 

Huel – Week 22 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 (sooooo good), Banana (new addition for the next month) and Vanilla (mixed with Strawberry or Apple Cinnamon flavour boosts).

The Huel Bars used have been Salted Caramel, Raspberry and White 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: 180 lbs

Previous Recorded Weight: 190.7 lbs

Current weight: 188.5 lbs

Weight Loss/Gain: 2.2 lbs

Overall Weight Loss/Gain: 53.8 lbs

Positive Experiences: My brain is now addicted to walking, if I don’t walk I get cranky.

Negative Experiences: Furlough/finance stresses (walking does help but I can’t walk 24/7).

Summary

The past couple of weeks have been a little trickier than most. For the first half, the threat of redundancy and trying to sort out financial plans should the worst happen has  proven to be extremely stressful. This has led to increased cravings to snack, and when coupled with a trip to see family, my calorie counting has failed on a couple of days. But that’s in my opinion and I am possibly being too hard on myself.

Weight has still been dropping, just not at the pace I have come to expect. A wake up call to ensure I’m on the correct diet once my ideal weight has been reached. Oddly, I’ve also become addicted to pickled gherkins which are low in calories, so they’ve helped curb the cravings.

My final assignment for my degree unlocked this weekend, so I have that to keep me focused over the coming weeks. Submission deadline is the 3rd of September, after which I will have a few weeks off before my next module begins. But given modules open a month beforehand, I’ll probably get started early to get a head start.

Previous week meal:

Family barbecue (yeah, I let my hair down on this cheat day):

• 2 Quarter pound beef burgers
• Cumberland sausage
• Chicken wing
• Chicken leg x 2
• Fresh Trout
• Salad

This week meal:

• Roasted Duck Bao Buns
• Homemade Maki (salmon and cucumber) and Nigiri (imitation crab) Sushi
• Salad

 

New Flavours Used and Review

Huel Banana Powder: this has a really nice banana flavour in the mix. My wife had used this during her Huel routine and I had sampled it then. Not sure if this is a keeper in my stocks, but I found I had a little extra coffee flavour left over before my subscription was shipped, so I cut back a bag and replaced it with the banana. A new flavour to rotate through the week.

Huel Salted Caramel Bar: I’ve been using this bar for around a month now, but I still love the Peanut Butter. Just not enough flavour in the salted caramel to keep me coming back. I think my use of the salted caramel flavour boost in my chocolate Huel is too hard to beat and I was expecting more from this bar.

Huel Raspberry and White Chocolate Bar: this is a brand new bar from Huel, so I amended my subscription to replace the Salted Caramel. These are really good and a nice addition to the monthly routine and will probably remain on my subscription for a while. Peanut Butter still retains top position for me though.

 

Huel – Week 20 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).

The Huel Bars used have been Chocolate Orange 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)

Starting weight: 242.3 lbs

Target Weight: 180 lbs

Previous Recorded Weight: 194.4 lbs

Current weight: 190.7 lbs

Weight Loss/Gain: 3.7 lbs

Overall Weight Loss/Gain: 51.6 lbs

Positive Experiences: My brain is now addicted to walking, if I don’t walk I get cranky, continued weight loss.

Negative Experiences: Furlough/finance stresses (walking does help but I can’t walk 24/7)

Summary

MyFitnessPal Data

Overall, another positive couple of weeks. The weight continues to fall and the walking has certainly helped with dealing with the current furlough and reduced finance stresses. Only when I’m walking do I feel free of the mental torture of not knowing what will happen in the coming months.

Thankfully, I haven’t resorted to stress eating. Oh but the need to do it has been there, I’ve just had to push it aside by walking it off or reaching for a Huel bar or on occasion, Miso Soup.

I’m currently researching a Japanese diet to switch to once I have reached my target weight. You will notice that my cheat day meals are starting to incorporate some of these for test runs. I’ve invested in a few Japanese cook books, rice cooker and various Japanese ingredients to experiment with.  I’m not going to lie, seaweed thins are surprisingly addictive with little to no calories.

So once I have hit my target weight, my plan will be to continue with Huel for breakfast each day. I still can’t eat solid food in the mornings, no matter how good a Japanese breakfast looks. I will also keep a supply of Huel Bars for trips away from home. Prepping bento boxes might be an option, but the convenience of Huel is much more appealing. I will need to experiment more with bentos before ruling that out.

Previous week meal:

• Teriyaki Roast Chicken
• 1/2 cup Toyama Koshihikari rice (buttered)
• 1 cup cucumber
• Soy sauce for seasoning

This week meal:

• BBQ Beef Gyoza
• 1/2 cup Toyama Koshihikari rice (buttered)
• Bonito Flakes
• Salad

 

 

Huel – Week 18 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.

The Huel Bars used have been Chocolate Orange 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)

Starting weight: 242.3 lbs

Target Weight: 180 lbs

Previous Recorded Weight: 198.9 lbs

Current weight: 194.4 lbs

Weight Loss/Gain: 4.5 lbs

Overall Weight Loss/Gain: 47.9 lbs

Positive Experiences: Plenty of energy to support my 30-miles of walking per week, continued weight-loss.

Negative Experiences: Not taking in enough water after long walks.

Summary

I tried a new product during the last couple of weeks and now added this to my daily routine. Ohso Good Chocolate is a dark chocolate bar that contains probiotics and claims to be gluten, nut and sugar free. These are designed for 1-per day and have around 64 – 72 calories per bar (depending on the one you opt for).

So far, I’ve tried the Ohso Orange (54% Dark) and Ohso Raspberry (70% Dark) and they add a little something special to my day on top of the Huel. I prefer the Ohso after my lunch Huel with a cup of coffee, followed by my dark chocolate sneezing. An ‘Orgasm of the Face’ apparently.

At the time of writing, they are currently offering 50% off for the first month’s subscription using code ‘ohso50’ and then it comes in at around £15.90 per month after. Not bad considering that would be a month’s supply.

Bear in mind, these bars are small. I’ve added a picture as the Amazon reviews for these did make me chuckle. Some people didn’t realise that a 13.5g bar would be small, so for clarity I wanted to show them. You get 7 in a box (so 28-bars in a 4-box subscription), and the point is to have one treat a day. So if you enjoy Mars or Snicker bars, think smaller. I’ve never been a dark chocolate fan but since the health kick, I’ve grown to like these and the flavours take the edge off of the dark chocolate taste. You can buy them from Amazon, but they are more expensive there so I stick with the official Ohso site.

I’ve become addicted to walking, to the point where my anxiety increases when I don’t get out. Even the weather is no longer a factor, as I’ve grown to appreciate walking in the rain. Using the MapMyWalk app, I’ve set weekly time and distance goals and used their provided challenges to keep on track. I’m now hitting 30-miles per week which I split into periods of long distances, days off and top ups when needed. My preference is a long walk at the beginning of the week on Sunday,  which allows for interruptions during week days as a result of work or other factors. If I’ve had a larger cheat day meal on the weekend, I’ll follow this up with a 7 – 9 mile walk.

Previous week meal:

• Family barbecue (Buffalo burgers, Venison Sausage, Chicken wings)

This week meal:

• Home made pizza (using sugarless dough recipe)
• Home made pizza sauce
• Grated Mozzarella Cheese
• Pepperoni Slices

My company has now cancelled future furlough rotations, but reduced working hours to 3 days a week. Financially, things are starting to get a little scary but walking is helping get rid of that stress. I’ve booked a week of annual leave for next week, which will bring in a little extra and also give me the time I need to complete my next written assignment for my degree.

I’ve been researching diets to use once I’ve hit my target weight, so that I can maintain a healthy weight moving forward. Huel will remain a part of that as I struggle with solid food for breakfast. So at the very least, I will carry on with a Huel Coffee shake for breakfast, with a balanced diet for the remaining meals during the day. I’ve almost settled on what that diet will be and I will provide details once it’s been ironed out.

 

Huel – Week 16 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 and Huel Bars. 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.

The Huel Bars used have been Chocolate Orange and Peanut Butter.

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

Starting weight: 242.3 lbs

Target Weight: 180 lbs

Previous Recorded Weight: 204.1 lbs

Current weight: 198.9 lbs

Weight Loss/Gain: 5.2 lbs

Overall Weight Loss/Gain: 43.4 lbs

Positive Experiences: I’ve finally dropped below 200 lbs for the first time in years, weight loss has increased.

Negative Experiences: None over the last 2-weeks.

Summary

With the shin splints finally healed and new shoes worn in, I managed to get back out and complete 8 miles of walking last week, followed by 28 miles this week. This has helped me mentally and physically to get back to a regular routine. I was concerned that being back at work would impact my mileage, but I just switched to walking later in the evening and longer distances on weekends. This has resulted in the weight loss speeding up again after the plateau I went through.

The return to work was a welcome change, although a second round of furlough has been scheduled for the 1st of July. At least that will only be for 3-weeks this time. I have two final written assignments to complete for my degree, so I will using my furlough time for those plus some extra exercise.

Previous week meal:

• Home made pizza (using sugarless dough recipe)
• Home made pizza sauce
• Grated Mozzarella Cheese
• Pepperoni Slices

This week meal:

• Wagyu Beef Steak
• Boiled Potatoes
• Garden Peas
• 1 White Pita Bread

As I get closer and closer to my weight goal, I need to start planning how I will continue a healthy diet to maintain weight. I am currently researching foods to support this and I’m pleased not to have any urges for junk food or sugary snacks. It would seem I have finally trained my brain to think more healthily. Better late than never.

 

Huel – Week 14 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 (yes, I was supposed to be Huel only again but explanation is below).

I maintained a diet of Huel shakes and Huel Bars. 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 (except on regular meal days).

The Huel Bars used have been Coffee Caramel, Chocolate Orange and Peanut Butter.

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

Starting weight: 242.3 lbs

Target Weight: 180 lbs

Previous Recorded Weight: 207.2 lbs

Current weight:  204.1 lbs

Weight Loss/Gain: 3.1 lbs

Overall Weight Loss/Gain: 38.2 lbs

Positive Experiences: Weight still going in the right direction.

Negative Experiences: Shin splints cut back my exercise goals.

Summary

Things started well, my walking had increased from around 15-miles per week to 30-miles. To those in the know, this was breaking the 10% rule for increasing exercise activity and I paid the price. After a 7-mile walk at the end of last week, I developed shin splints in my left leg.  Aggravated by new walking shoes and increased distance, I rested up for a day (I had been walking daily up to this point). On the second day I still had a little pain but it felt better. I wanted to get back out there and keep my activity at it’s usual level. Big mistake. After a 3.5-mile walk, the pain was worse. This resulted in a week of no activity. It’s almost cleared now but I’m trying to resist the urges to get out and walk until it feels 100% normal.

On top of that, my renewed 100% Huel didn’t last long. I received a delivery of flour and made a bucket load of pizza doughs that are now stored in the freezer. I think the mental torment of not being able to exercise and the boredom of furlough threw me off the rails. I made up a pizza to try it out and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have stuck to the meal on one day of the weekend and then 100% Huel for the remaining 6-days. Even with reduced exercise, the weight is still coming off, so I’m happy about that.

With only two more days until furlough ends, I’ll be back to work next week. This will get me back to a normal weekly schedule and I’ll gradually build up to a suitable exercise level. 

Flavour Boosts

Salted Caramel – my daughter had reported to me how good this boost was and my wife had purchased some to try. I was never a salted caramel fan….until now. I tried this in Huel Vanilla and the flavour was great and powerful. I halved the recommended amount and tried it in the Huel Chocolate and it was delicious. Another flavour added to my list of regular purchases. 

 

Huel – Week 12 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 and Huel Bars. 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.

The Huel Bars used have been Coffee Caramel, Chocolate Orange and Peanut Butter.

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

Starting weight: 242.3 lbs

Target Weight: 180 lbs

Previous Recorded Weight: 210.8 lbs

Current weight: 207.2 lbs

Weight Loss/Gain: 3.6 lbs

Overall Weight Loss/Gain: 35.1 lbs

Positive Experiences: Exercise has increased with no sense of a lack of energy, getting closer to my target weight.

Negative Experiences: Diet plateau hit, needed to amend exercise duration to overcome.

Summary

I experienced my diet plateau during the first half of this period. I reached 209 lbs and then just couldn’t seem to drop any more. I reviewed my weekly walking distance and amended my goals to increase my exercise. As I am consuming around 1200 calories a day, it would have been dangerous to decrease this any more, so the more logical step was to increase the exercise. I was averaging around 1.5 miles daily for my walks to keep active during lockdown. So this has now been increased to 3.5 – 4 miles per walk. This has helped and the weight began to decrease again.

My water intake has become a problem again for me over the last couple of weeks. I have always struggled with drinking water as I hate the taste and prefer squash and zero calorie fizzy drinks. I’ve noticed dizzy spells which has prompted me to guzzle but I need to stay hydrated throughout the day, not just when the dizzy spells hit.

Previous week meal:

• Buffalo Meatballs in Bolognese sauce
• Grated Cheddar Cheese
• Spaghetti

This week meal (barbecue):

• Venison Burgers x 2 (with bun)
• Venison Sausages x 2 (with finger roll)
• Chicken Wings x 4

Having the barbecue was enjoyable, but I paid the price afterwards after overdoing it. I’ve read others’ experiences from eating too much after staying on Huel, so I should have known better. This has shifted my brain back on to the 100% Huel method I was using at the start. As of tomorrow (Monday) I’ll be returning to 100% Huel for another 4 weeks. I’m also going to start logging water intake on my diet app to help keep this at the correct level.

Furlough has been a strange experience. It’s an odd feeling of guilt for being paid not to work but I am trying not to think about it too much and remain focused on my studies. I’ve been able to plough through my module and have almost finished all weeks of study materials. I currently have one TMA due at the end of June (about 80% completed) and then I’ll be starting on my final EMA in August.

So, a new 30-day Huel diet begins next week and furlough continues. Lets see where things will be in two weeks time.