Today, as word of the project spread, I had the pleasure of impromptu interviews with several radio stations, including one in Ireland, and I haven’t even started the project yet. I was scheduled to see my doctor for a complete physical where he pronounced me in “excellent physical condition”. However, before I was able to have my blood tested I needed to fast for 12 hours and return the next morning.

I rose at 4 a.m., a little earlier than normal, for an interview with KABZ in Arkansas (Buzz Radio). I then went to the gym for 25 minutes of aerobic exercise on the Life Cycle knowing that I would have to finish the rest of my exercise routine in the evening. I then made my way over to the lab to have my blood tested where I was instructed that my doctor would have the results in three or four business days.

• Meal 1 – 0825 hrs: In looking forward to the start of my journey, I visited a McDonald’s across the street from the lab to have my first meal which consisted of an Egg McMuffin [300 cal., 18 g. protein, 29 g. carbs, 12 g. total fat], along with a McGriddle Sandwich w/bacon, cheese and egg [440 cal., 19 g. protein, 43 g. carbs., 21 g. total fat] and a cup of black coffee [0 cal]. After finishing what proved to be a tasty meal I then drove home, changed and went to the office.
• Meal 2 – 1155 hrs: I visited a McDonald’s close to my office and enjoyed a Big ‘N Tasty w/cheese [590 cal., 27 g. protein, 39 g. carbs, 36 g. total fat,], small fries [210 cal., 3 g. protein, 26 g. carbs, 10 g. total fat] and a medium Diet Coke.

An Australian radio station contacted me at 1:40 p.m. for an interview as they were intrigued by the project. I was also interviewed by Yvonne from The Yvonne Monet Show in Florida at 2:40 p.m..

• Meal 3 – 1545 hrs: I Returned to the same McDonald’s by my office to have a Quarter Pounder, no cheese [430 cal., 23 g. protein, 38 g. carbs, 21 g. total fat] and a cup of black coffee.

 I went to the gym to finish my routine working out my legs and calves which lasted approximately 50 minutes.

Before leaving for my last meal of the day I was contacted by a reporter from The Orange County Register. He said he was interested in writing a story about my project so I invited him to have dinner with me at McDonald’s. He accepted and we planned to meet a half hour later. The OC Register covers all of Orange County and some of the surrounding areas.

• Meal 4 – 2000 hrs: My last meal consisted of Chicken McNuggets (6 piece) [250 cal., 15 g. protein, 15 g. carbs, 15 g. total fat], Chicken McGrill [400 cal., 23 g. protein, 38 g. carbs, 21 g. total fat], and a medium Diet Coke. The reporter and I both enjoyed our meals.

Additional comments:

So far I’m feeling great, nothing has changed out of the ordinary. We’ll have to see how things develop. It was exciting to have an outstanding newspaper like The Orange County Register to be interested in my project.

Total Calories: 2,620

Total Gym Time: 1 hour & 15 minutes

Today I rose at 3:30 a.m. for a radio interview with WKQZ in Michigan followed by another radio interview at 5:45 a.m. with KQDS in Duluth, Minnesota. I then went to the gym and spent 30 minutes on the Life Cycle and 10 minutes of resistance training on my calves. With the change in my schedule I knew I might not have enough time to finish my morning workouts.

• Meal 5 – 0730 hrs: I enjoyed a Deluxe Breakfast that consisted of eggs, sausage, bacon, muffin and pancakes [1190 cal., 30 g. protein, 130 g. carbs, 61 g. total fat] and a black coffee [0 Cal.].
• Meal 6 – 1200 hrs: Big ‘N Tasty, no cheese, was tasty however not as filling as previous sandwiches, [540 cal., 27 g. protein, 39 g. carbs, 36 g. total fat], a hamburger, [280 cal., 12 g. protein, 36 g. carbs, 10 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.

At 2:00 p.m. the reporter from The Orange County Register came to my office for additional information about the project.

I met a photographer at 3:30 p.m. from The Orange County Register at the McDonald’s closest to my office. She was photographing me eating my McDonald’s meal for a story that would run in Saturday’s paper.

• Meal 7 – 1530 hrs: I relished a Quarter Pounder with cheese [540 cal., 29 g. protein, 39 g. carbs, 29 g. total fat], Chicken McNuggets (4 piece) [170 cal., 10 g. protein, 10 g. carbs, 10 g. total fat], small French Fry [210 cal., 3 g. protein, 26 g. carbs, 10 g. total fat], and a Diet Coke.

I went back to the gym at 5:15 p.m. to finish my chest workout which lasted approximately 45 minutes.

• Meal 8 – 1945 hrs: I dined on a Big Mac [600 cal., 25 g. protein, 50 g. carbs, 33 g. total fat], a side salad [15 cal., 1 g. protein, 3 g. carbs, 0 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.

Additional Comments:

Although I’m enjoying the meals thus far, I’m anticipating the pleasure to diminish as the days go on. My energy is way, way up, but I attribute it more to the surge in public interest about this project. The attention it has received has been great in combating the conventional wisdom that the fast food industry is to blame for obesity in America and around the world.

Total Calories: 3,545

Total Gym Time: 1 hour & 15 minutes

Today was the first morning that should have been similar to my regular routine. However, I woke up at 4:00 a.m. and was unable to go back to sleep. I jumped on my computer to respond to some emails while I waited for the Orange County Register to be delivered in anticipation on the story about The McDonald’s Diet.

At 6:30 I headed off for the gym where I spent 30 minutes on the Life Cycle and an hour of working on my back and bicep muscles.

• Meal 9 – 0845 hrs: Still enjoying the process I had the Big Breakfast with eggs, sausage, hash brown and biscuit [710 cal., 24 g. protein, 45 g. carbs, 48 g. total fat] and a black coffee [0 cal.].

At 1:00 p.m. I met a photographer from The Daily Pilot at McDonald’s in order for him to get a picture with me eating to be printed with an article on Sunday about The 30 Day McDonald’s Diet. The Daily Pilot is a local newspaper covering Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Corona del Mar and is distributed through the LA Times Sunday Edition.

• Meal 10 – 1300 hrs: I had a Cheeseburger , [330 cal., 15 g. protein, 36 g. carbs, 14 g. total fat], Chicken McNuggets (10 piece), [420 cal., 25 g. protein, 26 g. carbs, 24 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.
• Meal 11 – 1600 hrs: I enhaled a McChicken Sandwich [430 cal., 14 g. protein, 41 g. carbs, 23 g. total fat], Filet-O-Fish [410 cal., 15 g. protein, 41 g. carbs, 20 g. total fat], medium French Fry [450 cal., 6 g. protein, 57 g. carbs, 22 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.
• Meal 12 – 1930 hrs: I ate a Double Cheeseburger [490 cal., 25 g. protein, 38 g. carbs, 26 g. total fat], Grilled Chicken Caeser Salad [200 cal., 29 g. protein, 9 g. carbs, 6 g. total fat], and a Diet Coke.

Additional Comments:

Still feeling good however, I noticed my body is starting to retain some water. I attribute it more to the large amounts of sodium in the food.

Total Calories: 3,440

Total Gym Time: 1 hour & 30 minutes

Today I rose at 6:00 a.m. and went to purchase a copy of The Daily Pilot, containing the story about The McDonald’s Diet, on my way to the gym. I spent 30 minutes on the Life Cycle.

• Meal 13 – 0900 hrs: I lavished over a Sausage McGriddle Sandwich [420 cal., 11 g. protein, 42 g. carbs, 23 g. total fat], Hotcakes and Sausage [780 cal., 15 g. protein, 104 g. carbs, 34 g. total fat] and a black coffee [0 Cal.].
• Meal 14 – 1200 hrs: I had a Crispy Chicken Sandwich , [510 cal., 22 g. protein, 47 g. carbs, 26 g. total fat], McVeggie Burger [360 cal., 22 g. protein, 49 g. carbs, 8 g. total fat], Apple Pie [260 cal., 3 g. protein, 34 g. carbs, 13 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.
• Meal 15 – 1530 hrs: I enjoyed a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese [770 cal., 46 g. protein, 39 g. carbs, 47 g. total fat], Fruit’N Yogurt Parfait [380 cal., 10 g. protein, 76 g. carbs, 5 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.
• Meal 16 – 1945 hrs: Tonight I moved into McDonald’s Salads & More section having a Whole Wheat Grilled Chicken [320 cal., 25 g. protein, 42 g. carbs, 6 g. total fat], Chicken Fajita Roll-up [190 cal., 2 g. protein, 21 g. carbs, 7 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.

Additional Comments:

Although I’ve only been on the McDonald’s Diet for four days now, due to all of the documentary filming, newspaper and radio interviews and the work involved to put this together, it seems as though it’s been much longer. I’m not complaining because I’m enjoying the entire process. I’ve had quite a few people inquire if I’m getting tired of only eating McDonald’s yet. I have to say no, the meals are still satisfying to me.

Total Calories: 3,990

Total Gym Time: 30 minutes

Well I’m nearing the end of the first week and I have to say that I’m still feeling great. I got up at my usual 5 a.m. this morning and responded to some emails before heading off to the gym at 6 a.m. for 25 minutes on my friend, the Life Cycle.

My first interview for the day was at 6:45 a.m. with WAYZ radio in Atlantic City.

• Meal 17 – 0710 hrs: I then headed over to my local McDonald’s to have my first meal of the day which I was actually looking forward to. It consisted of a Sausage McGriddle Sandwich w/sausage, egg and cheese [550 cal., 20 g. protein, 43 g. carbs, 33 g. total fat], a Sausage Egg McMuffin Sandwich [450 cal., 20 g. protein, 29 g. carbs., 28 g. total fat] and a side order of Scrambled Eggs [160 cal., 13 g. protein, 1 g. carbs, 11 g. total fat]. I wasn’t thinking and forgot to order myself a coffee.

I was interviewed at 8:10 by KSFN in Las Vegas and then at 8:30 a.m. by KTYD in Santa Barbara which is in California. Both radio stations were positive and very supportive. And both want to follow up with me in a couple of weeks. I’m looking forward to talking to them again because I really enjoy doing the radio interviews and getting health and fitness education out to the public. Morning disc jockeys seem to be a little hyper so I feel very at home with them.

• Meal 18 – 1110 hrs: I returned to the same McDonald’s by my home and my next meal consisted of Chicken McNuggets (20 piece) [840 cal., 50 g. protein, 51 g. carbs, 49 g. total fat], a Grilled Chicken California Cobb Salad [270 cal., 33 g. protein, 9 g. carbs, 11 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.

• Meal 19 – 1600 hrs: For my next meal I had a Cheeseburger [330 cal., 15 g. protein, 36 g. carbs, 14 g. total fat], Grilled Chicken California Cobb Salad [270 cal., 33 g. protein, 9 g. carbs, 11 g. total fat], Fruit’N Yogurt Parfait (snack size) [160 cal., 4 g. protein, 30 g. carbs, 2 g. total fat] and a Diet Coke.

I went to the gym at 5:45 to finish my routine, working out my shoulders and triceps which lasted longer than usual (90 minutes) because I had a friend of mine that I have been coaching to lose body fat (40 pounds to date) and my regular training partner. So with three of us rotating it takes a little longer.

• Meal 20 – 2030 hrs: My last meal consisted of a Big N’ Tasty [540 cal., 24 g. protein, 38 g. carbs, 32 g. total fat], Cheeseburger [330 cal., 15 g. protein, 36 g. carbs, 14 g. total fat], Chocolate Chip Cookie [160 cal., 2 g. protein, 22 g. carbs, 8 g. total fat] and a medium Diet Coke.

Additional comments:
I’m still feeling good. My energy has not diminished nor has my strength. I will be working on the website to make it more user attractive by adding more photos and graphics.

Total Calories: 4,060
Total Gym Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes