I have long been a fan of Stephan Pinto and his transformation from Web Developer to Fashion Model.
I am not sure the first time I read any of his writing or about him, but my guess is that it was about three or four years ago.
Over these years, now and then I would read some more articles about him and his nutrition as well as training.
As far as nutrition goes, I felt that he was not only espousing, but successfully living his plan.
I have made pretty good gains since 2012, I took off 75lbs and went from a 48″ waist down to 31″.
But to my shame, I put back on 30lbs over the last seven months.
How did that happen?
Stephan Pinto C Diet
Why I am Doing It
Prior to when I started to eat real food, I rarely had much social interactions with anyone.
I spent my time doing my best in web development classes, doing the assignments, trying to get back on my feet financially and stay out of deep depression, despite the challenges and estrangements in my life.
By the time 2013 rolled around, I was not as invisible anymore, I could sense that people were seeing me and over the course of the last year, I had more opportunity to interact.
Many times, if not every time, social interaction ends up at or with a meal.
And sure enough, I did not know how to navigate that.
During the last half of 2012 and first of 2013, for almost a year, I had all my meals alone, I was alone most of the time, I ate what I wanted, no one commented, no one cared, no one was either offended or curious.
Once I started to have meals with others, the questions started.
“Why dont you have some bread? It wont kill you!”
“Why can't you have some cake? Just have a little piece.”
“How about another drink? It's no big deal.”
As a new member of the human race that was no longer so invisible, I failed this challenge.
Eventually, I thought to myself as well, come on, now I am wearing 31″ jeans, what is the big deal if I have a piece of cake?
Having the cake was not a big deal, but what happened afterwards was.
I found myself continuing to crave the junk I grew up on , the nosh that I love, the so called food of my youth.
Before I knew it, I said, ah, a bagel is not going to hurt and a bagel with cream cheese and lox will not hurt.
I kept pushing the edge, adding new treats to my once real food menu plan.
Over the course of half a year, I was back up to 200lbs.
Now, 200lbs is still alot better than 250lbs, but I want to socialize with people.
I am not interested in having a great diet plan by myself and for myself.
What kind of life is that?
I need to know, practice, experience being able to have the slice of cake without turning it into a food binge.
Is it possible that I might never be able to have a slice of cake again?
Is it possible that I have some type of gluten or wheat allergy?
It is possible and perhaps I will go get the tests that can confirm or deny that.
Whatever the case might be, I need to up my game in 2014.
I have been stable at about 200lbs for the last few months, but that is not acceptable, not because of 200, but because my waist size went up to 36″ and I am going to get back to a 32″, perhaps 31″ is too slim which people were complaining about.
So, when I found out that Stephan had an actual group that he is coaching, I signed up to his Stephan Pinto C Diet.
I have been doing it for one week now, essentially I have been making the foods that I know usually work for me and documenting them with photos.
Here is a picture of what I had this morning:
1 whole egg
3 egg whites
3 cloves of garlic
2 slices of onion diced
handful of spinach diced
2 slices organic applegate turkey sliced
olive oil
light balsamic vinegar
Ben Isaac is the author of 