The T-Shirt Diet

   Out of all the diets around, this might have to be one of the most interesting ones I have read!  It seems as though people are getting so tired of “conventional” diets that they are creating their own! 

 A year ago I had a herniated disc. I survived the operation with an intensive rehab session for back training, in which I had to stay completely disciplined. I had to make drastic changes in my diet, because I had gained so much weight. My doctor said it was a combination of bad diet, and the results of the operation. So I created the t-shirt diet – where I took a photograph of an old t-shirt, and daily photos of myself until the very day I could fit into it.

There are so many wonderful diets and fitnessprograms. I have tried many of these, some that were successful, and others not so much. But since my herniated disc my weight has not been purely an “aesthetic” problem but more a medical necessity. If I continue with regular exercise, I could easily live a life without back pain, and according to the doctor if I reached a weight of 88 kilograms and stayed there it would be beneficial. At a height of 1.78 meters you might say that that is not an illusionary goal either.

But the reality is different: I weigh today, as depicted in the photo 102.7 kilos. A year ago, I weighed only 91 kilograms. That was after my intensive rehabilitation phase. I was able to hold weight for some time. Statistically speaking, I have gained a kilogram every month. Now I stand before the Christmas season. The big gluttony of the holidays and Christmas holidays is just around the corner now, and I already weigh as much as I would have never thought I would allow myself to weigh.

In the insight of disciplining myself, I have decided to create my own diet: the t-shirt diet. Every day I will take a photo of myself and my belly and post it on fitness.com until it is gone! If not, and the stomach remains, I must live with this shame. This additional pressure is basically my last hope of succeeding. I can no longer fool myself, and the photos will be direct evidence of that!

I will begin with the FDH – Diet: Eating half of all that I normally eat. So I will steer clear of bad eating habits. Instead of juicy steaks I will buy low-calorie substitute fish. In the Fitness.com forum, I will report every day how much I weigh, what I’ve eaten, and what training I do that day. Some days I will even post a self-driven message. Here goes nothing – let’s make that t-shirt fit!

    As weird as this diet may seem; taking pictures of your self as you make diet and exercise changes can be a HUGE motivator.  Never underestimate the power of a picture.  You see yourself everyday in the mirror; which makes it very hard to see the subtle change that occur over time.  Having “hard proof” of your success could change your outlook on your overall progress and keep you on track (even if the scale isn’t showing you what you want).

   If you want to follow his story then go to fitness.com to watch his journey

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT BS)