Fit at 50: A Journey Begins
30 December 2024Green Faces Diet: My First Four Days
As I blogged about a few days ago, I decided to take on a new challenge to jumpstart my fitness and health journey for 2025. Part of my plan includes the Green Faces Diet, a simple yet effective strategy. This diet strips away all the complications and focuses on whole, nutrient-dense foods. I’m journalling my progress here…
What is the Green Faces Diet?
Dan Go, the founder of the High-Performance Founder program, explains the diet as simple and foolproof. The rules are straightforward:
- If it’s a green vegetable (or came from the ground), you can eat it.
- If it had a face or would’ve grown up to have a face, you can eat it.
- If it’s not green (or didn’t come from the ground) and has no face, don’t eat it.
The diet works because it eliminates processed foods, provides ample protein and fiber, and re-trains your taste buds to crave real, whole foods. Plus, it’s hard to overeat on this plan due to the nutrient density of the foods allowed.
Why I Chose This Diet
In addition to its simplicity, the Green Faces Diet aligns with my fitness goals. It helps:
- Deplete glycogen in the liver and muscles, making the body efficient at burning fat.
- Break sugar and carb addictions.
- Identify potential food sensitivities and allergens.
My First Four Days on the Diet
Day One – Monday, 30th December 2024
Total Calories: 1,337
Protein: 136g
- Breakfast: Omelette with 2 eggs, 1 slice of ham, 1 red pepper, 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
Calories: 220, Protein: 17.3g - Lunch: 200g of broccoli and a 195g pork loin steak.
Calories: 423, Protein: 54g - Dinner: Boneless salmon fillets (128g) with a side salad and homemade lemon drizzle (half a lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil).
Calories: 752, Protein: 74g
Day Two – Tuesday, 31st December 2024 (New Year’s Eve)
Total Calories: 948
Protein: 86g
Workout: Pull Day – 39 minutes, 437 calories burned 🔥
- Breakfast: Chicken sausages, 2 eggs, closed cup mushrooms, 1 teaspoon olive oil.
Calories: 258, Protein: 23.6g - Lunch: King prawn salad with chili and coriander marinade.
Calories: 149, Protein: 13g - Dinner: Baked chicken breast (Shwarma seasoning) with 150g of broccoli.
Calories: 329, Protein: 47.6g
Day Three – Wednesday, 1st January 2025 (New Year’s Day)
Total Calories: 1,154
Protein: 136g
Workout: 20-minute bodyweight HIIT session, 237 calories burned 🔥
- Breakfast: Steak and eggs grilled on the BBQ. Starting the year strong with a protein-packed breakfast. Grilled outdoors for extra flavor and paired with perfectly cooked eggs and vibrant red pepper slices. Calories: 742, Protein: 74g
- Lunch: Baked halibut with green vegetables (eaten at a local pub).
Calories: 345, Protein: 50g - Dinner: Half a pack of chili prawns. Calories: 67, Protein: 11g
Day Four – Thursday, 2nd January 2025
Total Calories: 810
Protein: 101g
Workout: Push Day – 38 minutes, 352 calories burned 🔥
- Breakfast: Spinach, ham, and mushroom omelette (2 whole eggs, 1 egg white, Aromat seasoning).
Calories: 260, Protein: 25.9g - Lunch: Garlic and herb chicken salad.
Calories: 145, Protein: 25g - Dinner: Chicken fajita salad (diced chicken breast, fajita mix, vegetable stir-fry).
Calories: 405, Protein: 51g
Reflections So Far
Four days into the diet, I already feel energised, full, and motivated. My workouts seem to complement the plan perfectly. I was hoping to start noticing improved focus and reduced cravings, but honestly it’s a big adjustment for me! Also, while dining out in our local pub posed a minor challenge, sticking to the core principles of the diet ensured I stayed on track. Admittedly, it was only day three of the plan, so I was determined to not fail at this early stage!
What Happens Next?
The Green Faces Diet is designed to be followed strictly for the first 14 or so days. After this initial phase, I plan to transition into a more balanced diet, while maintaining the core principles of clean eating. Here’s what the next stage is going to look like:
- Meals per Day: Continue with three meals daily.
- Carbs: Two meals will include carbs from fruits and plenty of vegetables. One meal will feature a single serving of starch, such as rice, potatoes, quinoa, grains, granola, or sourdough bread.
- Protein: Any lean protein remains a staple, with options like chicken breast, fish, turkey, or eggs.
- Fats: Minimise high-fat items, avoiding nuts, peanuts, oils, fried foods, heavy cream, or anything overly fatty.
This approach allows for flexibility and sustainability, ensuring I can fuel my body effectively while still working toward my fitness goals.
Why This Is Working for Me (So Far…)
The Green Faces Diet fits my busy lifestyle, prioritising simplicity and efficiency. It’s a no-nonsense approach to clean eating, and I’m already seeing the benefits in both my physical performance and mental clarity.
If you’re considering trying it, I highly recommend reading Dan Go’s blog post for a deeper dive: Dan Go’s Green Faces Diet. Let’s see how the next few weeks unfold as I continue this journey! I will blog more in the coming days, as well as documenting my body measurements!
