Why The Wolverine Diet Challenge? – 5,000 Calories Part 2

A few months ago I wrote about how Hugh Jackman was basically doing LeanGains while preparing his body for The Wolverine and in response to that e-mail I got a few readers questioning the human bodies ability to actually consume 5,000 calories in an 8 hour period.  Well, a couple of weeks ago I did the challenge in 2 hours but it included about a 30 minute break between the main course and dessert (The Wolverine Diet Challenge, 5,000 Calories).

Also, the last time I did the challenge, due to low battery life on my camcorder, I had to stop recording while I was actually eating the food…so a few readers were still suspicious.

This time I had a camera fully charged (see video below) and planned on attempting to eat about 5,400 calories in one sitting!

What Does + 5,000 Steak ‘N Shake Calories Look Like

To achieve +5,200 calories this time I took the fam to on of America’s most finest establishments…no not Waffle House….Steak ‘n Shake.

Originally I thought the a 5,000 calorie challenge at Steak ‘n Shake was going to be a breeze due to their high calorie food selection…but it wasn’t that easy.

To achieve + 5,000 calories at Steak ‘n Shake I  ate:

  1. Three (3) Triple Steakburger w/Cheese = 1,830…wanted to eat Four (4) but had to change the game plan and drink two kid shakes instead…I just couldn’t get the Fourth one down.
  2. Two (2) Large French Fries = 1,280
  3. One (1) Regular Vanilla Shake = 610
  4. One (1) Kids Chocolate Shake = 390
  5. One (1) Kids Vanilla Shake = 380
  6. 32 oz. of Coca-Cola = 400
  7. Six (6) Tablespoons of Ketchup – 120

So, Why Really Do This…Again…?

Well, other than to prove it to a reader, there are a number of reasons why I wanted to share this with everyone.

For starters it is to help prove that, once you’ve reached your target weight, you can really eat anything you’d like if you’re working out 5-6 days a week and following the LeanGains approach to eating.

Secondly, to prove that, once you’ve reached your target weight, if you continue to follow the LeanGains approach it will be very difficult to reach your target calorie counts which means that…

…Calorie counting will be a thing of the past if you’re looking to maintain your current/desired weight

FURTHER EXPLANATION CAN BE FOUND HERE

So, What Does This Actually Mean?

Well, it means that your calorie count will be higher than your normally used to eating so to gain weight/mass you will actually have to actively eat more than you, and/or most people, are used to eating.

For example, if I would have eaten my regular Steak ‘n Shake meal (one Double Steakburger w/Cheese, one order of Large Fries, a 32 oz. Coke, and one Regular Vanilla Milkshake…they no longer sell the Large Shakes if not I would get that) it would only total about 2,000-2,200 calories.  This would  leave me, depending on the day’s workout regiment, anywhere from 800-1,500 calories from my daily goal of 2,800 to 3,700 calories.  These 800-1,500 extra calories for that day are equivalent to eating 1-3 more Triple Steakburgers w/Cheese.

So, even if I find myself splurging and eating two extra Triple Steakburgers w/Cheese I would still be well within my days calorie count.

I DON’T KNOW HOW ELSE TO STRESS THE FACT THAT ONCE YOU’RE AT YOUR DESIRED WEIGHT YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO CALORIE COUNT TO MAINTAIN WEIGHT IF FOLLOWING THE LEANGAINS APPROACH TO EATING AND MAINTAINING AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE!

The Steak ‘n Shake Challenge  vs.  The Costco Challenge?

COSTCO CHALLENGE RECAP  –

After eating the + 5,000 calories via Costco and Chips Ahoy I must say I felt a bit sluggish for the following 48 hours.  I mean my next two workout’s where noticeably less intense and I really think it was because of the challenge’s food choice.

STEAK ‘N SHAKE RECAP – 

ON THE OTHER HAND!!!!

THE STEAK ‘N SHAKE AFTERMATH WAS 100% DIFFERENT!!!

Yes, right after consuming the 3 Triple Stacks w/Cheese , 2 Large Fries, 1 Regular Shake, 32 oz. of Coke, and 2 Kid Shakes, I felt a bit uneasy.  BUT, the very next morning. I mean from the moment I woke up I felt 100% okay…maybe even 110%.

The point is that I actually felt really really good the next day…except for one little CAVEAT!

THE LEANGAINS CAVEAT

What Is The LeanGains Caveat?

It is my warning to all those out there living the LeanGains lifestyle thinking once you get past the first few weeks (or, as was the case for me, a few months) of fasting for over 12 hours that you’ll never again feel hunger pains while fasting.  Well my friend, this IS NOT TRUE!  I have been living the LeanGains lifestyle for over a year now and there are still days where the hunger really kicks in.  And, though it is true you learn how to deal with hunger, and cravings, the truth is it is harder some days than it is on others.

But the real question is WHY?

Why do hunger pains come earlier and cravings come harder on some days and less on others?

WHAT IS THE SECRET?! 

That my friends is for our next post…I mean we have to keep you coming back somehow!

And, wouldn’t you rather see me consume the afore mentioned Steak ‘n Shake feast…?

The 5,000 Calorie Challenge Part 2 Documented

In real (fast-forwarded) time!

VIDEO