A man undertook a 100-hour trial of what is claimed to be the ‘world’s most extreme diet,’ and has shared the alarming effects it had on his body.
Will Tennyson has become a popular figure on YouTube, amassing over three million subscribers with his engaging content on fitness, lifestyle, and daunting challenges.
Known for testing his physical boundaries, the bodybuilder and author of a cookbook decided to experiment with the ‘most extreme diet’ for over four days last May.
“It’s time to torture every last ounce of fat off my body,” Will declared as he embarked on the challenge. “This is going to suck.”
“I have a feeling that I’m going to be so flat that I’m going to be two dimensional by the end of this.”
Will explained that he adhered to a ‘depletion’ diet aimed at starving the body of glycogen, with the intention of supercharging his muscles at the conclusion of the experiment.
His dietary regime included 235g of protein, 54g of carbohydrates, and 81g of fat, consisting primarily of a meal plan of broccoli (or other green vegetables), chicken, one tablespoon of olive oil, and a quarter teaspoon of salt, consumed three times daily. Additionally, he incorporated a protein powder shake with two scoops.
“I think the last time I had 54g of carbs in a day was the day I stopped breastfeeding. That is practically keto,” Will quipped at the onset of his endeavor.
His regimen also included four strict rules: walking 12,000 steps daily (apart from his exercise routine), consuming two gallons of water, and abstaining from artificial sweeteners or any extra seasonings beyond his allowed salt and olive oil.
Starting the challenge at 178.3 pounds, Will experienced various side effects from the highly restrictive diet over the next few days.
His coach described the depletion diet as ‘brutal’ when it comes to hunger, and Will himself noted that his energy levels dropped significantly even by the first day.
Despite continuing his gym workouts, he remarked, “Training during a depletion is like Olympic diving into a frozen lake. They just don’t go together.”
He shared with his audience his efforts to stay positive but humorously noted, “This diet is like a freaking arranged marriage because the only passion that I have is the desire to cheat on it.”
“I did not think that I would get sick of this on day one.”
After the first night, he went to bed feeling ‘starving’ and on the verge of tears.
“I feel really weird right now like my head is pounding,” he added.
By the second day, he had shed 3 pounds and found the experience even more challenging, describing himself as feeling like a ‘string bean.’
Beyond the fatigue and hunger, he struggled with feeling ‘extremely weak.’
“My body feels like it’s shutting down,” Will commented.
“On the bright side I’m no longer afraid of zombies, because I am one.”
By bedtime on the following day, after consuming chicken, vegetables, olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and protein powder once more, he experienced a pounding headache and extreme moodiness.
“I had to close the blinds, the sun hurts my head. I can’t watch TV because the TV hurts my head,” he noted. “If I stand up I’m going to fall over.”
At the end of the challenge, Will’s physical appearance had noticeably transformed.
He reported a weight of 173.8 pounds, a significant loss of 4.5 pounds over just four days.
“I definitely see a huge difference especially in my quads. They sharpened up a lot, I do look a lot flatter,” he observed.
However, he was relieved to have completed the challenge and resumed eating carbohydrates, particularly expressing his craving for a sweet potato. He also mentioned that his muscles had become so sore he couldn’t ‘connect’ with them at all.