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Fitness Influencer’s Extreme Diet Challenge: A Cautionary Tale
A fitness influencer known for his daring food challenges recently labeled his latest undertaking as “the worst week of my entire life.” Michael Alves, also recognized as Killdozer, documented his seven-day protein shake-only challenge, abstaining from solid food and water. This extreme diet experiment quickly turned sour, raising concerns about the dangers of severely restricting calorie and nutrient intake, especially for active individuals.
The Protein Shake Challenge: An Overview
Alves, a towering 6’5″ fitness enthusiast from San Diego, typically maintains a rigorous workout routine. However, after returning from a trip to Japan where he gained weight, he decided to embark on this drastic weight loss endeavor. His goal was rapid weight loss through an all-protein-shake diet.
The Goal: Rapid Weight Loss
Alves aimed to quickly shed the weight gained during his travels. While he succeeded in losing 17 pounds, the consequences proved detrimental to his health and well-being.
The Reality: Physical Distress
Despite achieving his weight loss objective, Alves endured significant physical distress throughout the week. He reported debilitating symptoms, including:
- Constant headaches
- Severe stomach aches
- Episodes of near-fainting
- Days-long constipation
- Muscle cramps
He stated, “From day three to day seven, it was headaches and stomach aches almost constantly.”
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Calorie and Nutrient Deficiencies: A Dangerous Imbalance
Comments on his video highlighted the potentially hazardous nature of his diet, considering his body size and activity level. The limited calorie and vitamin intake raised concerns among viewers.
Calorie Consumption
Each protein shake contained between 150 and 400 calories. Alves consumed an average of five to seven shakes daily, a quantity he himself acknowledged was insufficient. “Calorically speaking, this is really not enough for one day,” he admitted while showcasing his protein shake haul.
This intake fell dramatically short of the recommended 4,500 calories for a man of his stature and activity level.
Protein Overload
While the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, Alves consumed between 150g and 280g of protein daily, far exceeding his body’s needs.
From Bad to Worse: Days 3-7
The initial two days of the challenge offered a false sense of ease. However, by day three, the cumulative effects of the restrictive diet began to manifest, resulting in severe physical discomfort.
Digestive Issues
On the third day, Alves reported spending two hours in the bathroom, experiencing significant stomach issues. He also suffered from intense muscle cramps, further indicating the strain on his body.
Constant Pain and Discomfort
The stomach pain and cramping persisted throughout the remainder of the week, exacerbating his overall discomfort.
Potential Hospitalization
By day four, Alves expressed concerns about potentially needing hospitalization due to the severity of his symptoms. The challenges he faced underscored the importance of having a medical professional nearby during such extreme experiments.
The Downside of Extreme Diets
Alves ultimately acknowledged the detrimental effects of his protein shake challenge, rating it a “one out of 10.” He cautioned others against attempting similar extreme diets, emphasizing the significant risks involved.
The Larger Implications: Understanding Protein Shakes Properly
Protein shakes are intended as supplements, not meal replacements. Many contain artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols that can cause digestive issues. Additionally, they lack essential nutrients found in whole foods, potentially leading to fatigue and other health problems.
The Verdict: A Weaker Physique
Despite the rapid weight loss, Alves observed that he appeared “a lot weaker” in before-and-after photos. This highlights the unsustainable nature of crash diets, which often result in water loss and muscle breakdown rather than genuine fat loss.