Here are my observations and experiences from my first week of trying the Shangri-La Diet. Read this introduction if you’d like to know more about why I started it and how I think it works.

Here’s a chart of the week’s progress:

Saturday (Day 1 | No Data):
Of course, I forgot to weigh myself before I started. But figured I wouldn’t lose anything that day anyway. I didn’t notice an appetite suppression, but actually found myself kind of freaking out during the hours when I wasn’t supposed to eat anything. I craved something sweet, but I wasn’t hungry. And I was anxious about not eating even though I wouldn’t normally eat during those times anyway.

Sunday (Day 2 | 16 from goal):
Went to Aikido class before lunch which usually makes me pretty hungry. I wasn’t starving for lunch though I didn’t feel compelled to eat any less than usual. I was neutral about dinner as well. Not particularly hungry but not feel full any sooner.

Monday (Day 3 | 14 from goal):
Lost 2lbs, but not unexpected the day after Aikido class. I typically fluctuate a good deal during the week anyway. I noticed the appetite suppression for lunch. I am normally the person rounding up my friends at 11:30 to head out but I didn’t get hungry enough to bug people until 12:45. Since I waited until I was hungry I ended up eating my entire lunch. But I didn’t want my usual dessert (a couple of pieces of low-carb chocolate). Dinner we went for sushi and I ordered my normal portions but had a hard time finishing everything. I also felt very full for the rest of the evening.

Tuesday (Day 4 | 15 from goal):
Gained a pound. Not that unexpected because the sushi wasn’t low carb (I had rice and eel with the sweet sauce). Didn’t feel like eating my whole breakfast though, and waited till about noon to eat lunch. Again passed up on my sweet after lunch. I felt a bit tired all day. Not sure if it was related to the diet. Went to Aikido class that evening.

Wednesday (Day 5 | 14.5 from goal):
Lost half a pound. Pretty hungry for breakfast but that is also typical for mornings after my night Aikido classes. Felt satiated before I finished and didn’t eat the whole thing anyway. Taking the oil at mid morning kept me from getting hungry again until about 12:30. I ate a small lunch for me and actually felt pretty full. Skipped the after-lunch sweet again and decided I’ll quit bringing them to work. Felt tired again but still not sure if it has anything to do with the diet.

Thursday (Day 6 | No Data):
Forgot to weigh that morning. Wasn’t dying for breakfast and didn’t eat the whole thing again. Wasn’t hungry at 11:30 but my friends were. I had a small bowl of chili for lunch with a side of mushrooms. I felt very full afterwards. Wasn’t hungry again until I got home from work and finished the bar I half ate for breakfast. That tided me over quickly. Ate a little more than usual after getting home from Aikido class that evening.

Friday (Day7 | 12.5 from goal):
Lost 2 pounds from Wednesday. Only had half what I normall do for breakfast. Wasn’t hungry until I actually sat down to eat lunch. Friday’s are typically my day to “cheat” so I had some chips with lunch. Ended up eating more than I did yesterday. Wasn’t hungry until about 4:45 then suddenly it hit me. Cheated again at dinner with bread and a dessert, but its Friday. I’ll probably gain back the weight but we’ll see what happens tomorrow.

Summary of week:
Basically I think that the diet has been working at least as an appetite suppressant. Whether it was what really made me lose the two pounds is up to question since my weight fluctuates a lot with Aikido training anyway. We’ll have to see what happens next week. Also, I’m a bit concerned with how tired I have been, though today I wasn’t particularly.

Next week I will quit bringing my snack after lunch since I haven’t eaten it all week. I might also leave part of my typical breakfast (yogurt and a breakfast bar) at home. After Aikido class I will up my dosage of oil a bit for the next day to see if that makes a difference. And I will try to observe what is making me tired and if I think it’s related to the diet.

Update: Results from Week 2.
Week 3, I’m done.