Day 6

Well, been a rough few days. I have followed Bob Harper's Jumstart to the tee. No mistakes, no cheating. I have been so tired and craving like crazy! I have espresso'd up when tired and beaten down the craving queen when she appears.

Here is the progress on my scale so far. Oh sidenote, I have one of those scales that read fat percentage. I know they are not very accurate but if my weight isn't going down, I like to know that my body fat percentage is. Especially in a program like this where he has us working muscles.

Day 1: 181.8 at 33.7% which is 61.27 fat and 120.53 lean
Day 2: 179.2 at 32.8%               58.58 fat and 120.42 lean
Day 3: 177.2 at 36.8%               65.21 fat and 111.99 lean
Day 4: 175.6 at 37.6%               66.03 fat and 109.57 lean
Day 5: 176.2 at 36.8%               64.84 fat and 111.36 lean
Day 6: 176.2 at 36.0%               63.50 fat and 112.90 lean

I probably should completely ignore these and go by the tape measure (which I will share at the end of the week to keep myself completely accountable) but I am such a numbers girl. I wish these percentages were more accurate. I know, yes, I have lost 5.6 pounds of weight so far. But, looking at the actual fat and lean weight screws my head up. So, I say to myself "self, you know your water weight has adjusted. You know that you are eating correctly.You know that you are exercising. You know that you when you watch Bob on his show you believe in what he's doing. You know that if you keep this up, over time, you will reach your goal."

However, here are the other voices I have going in my head: "What about that book you read about inflammation? What if you are eating things on his program that promote inflammation and you are not making the progress you could? What if you are causing problems with your thyroid or adrenals because of the stress you are putting them under with the workouts? You are so sore. You aren't giving your body time to heal. Is that good? And you are so tired! And you are craving like crazy! What does that mean? And don't forget your hormones. What are you doing to your hormones?"

I think this is why I never have been able to take the weight off for good. This back and forth and justification in my head makes me crazy. Then I end up eating everything in sight and giving up.

Interestingly, I was sooooo tired on day four. Did not know if I would be able to keep the program up for long. Woke up on day five to an increase on the scale and wanted to cry. How do you eat 800 calories a day and wake up to an increase on the scale? I decided to keep the program going at least until the end of the week and take measurements. I noticed that I felt a lot more energetic during the day. My jog and weight workout were much easier. I am guessing there was some shift in my body and I am going to trust this process. I am going to finish the three weeks to see what my body does. It may end up being a waste of time. I may end up being a great experience. However, if I learn something about myself, and how my body works, it will be worth it.

Cheers!

Day 3

Lost another 2 pounds!! Guessing it's still water weight. Followed the program to a tee and had a very difficult time today. Felt super tired today in the afternoon. Remedied that with a cup of espresso to make it through my afternoon workout. I also found myself craving like mad! I know that being on a very low calorie diet (VLCD), as Bob Harper calls it, will more than likely lead to cravings and fatigue.  However, this is short term and I have chosen this program for a reason.

Short blog today. Probably should blog in the morning when I have more energy. However, it seems that mornings are filled with workouts, cooking, showers, and whatever else has to be done for the day.

Onward to another day :-)

Day 2

Finishing up day two! Lost 2 1/2 pounds overnight. I know its water weight but I am ok with that.  Today was a bit of a challenge. Went for my slow jog (45 minutes) and then needed to stop to purchase those band stretchy things to do my workout. Went to target to get what I needed and headed home for a workout.

Got home and ate one of Bob's approved breakfasts (peanut butter and jelly oatmeal and eggs) and my electrolytes. Suddenly, I was sooooo tired! Slept for three hours!!

Got up and had my lunch (apple and chicken salad) and then did my band workout. Apparently, I purchased bands that were too difficult for me to use. Took me forever to finish the workout but did successfully get it done.

Had my dinner as well, got all my water drank, and took all the required supplements.

Hubby will be out of town this week so I can totally focus on myself. Hopefully, I won't be tempted by wanting to eat out and/or drink.

So, I have stated that I my main reason for doing this three week program is an upcoming big anniversary. 25 years! I have some other reasons for wanting to get in better shape. I have recently moved to Huntington Beach, California. Lots of beautiful people in Cali. I don't want to be 25 again, well maybe in some ways that would be nice, but I do want to be my best 46 yo self.

I worry that I will fall into the aging trap that all the women in my family have fallen into, letting themselves go. I worry that I will find myself with blood pressure problems and/or diabetes. As pathetic as it is, I mourn not being young anymore. There is something about the ever looming 50 that is difficult for me. Aging gracefully, I am not. I smell a serious mid-life crisis.

Day 1

Hello anyone who may stumble upon this blog! 

I am a 46 year old female who has fought the weight game for years.I remember being 13 years old, no where near overweight, btw, and skipping meals. Of course, getting healthy and fit seems to have become more difficult with my increasing age. They say changing hormones is to blame. :-(  Probably the reason for my panic at 13 as well. 

After reading Jillian Michaels' new book, Slim for Life (http://www.amazon.com/Slim-Life-Insider-Secrets-Lasting/dp/038534922X), I decided to blog my experience this time around (one of the many getting healthy tips she offers). Might as well give it a try since I have got to do something different. Clearly what I am doing is not working. 

I also recently purchased Bob Harper's book, Jumpstart to Skinny (http://www.amazon.com/Jumpstart-Skinny-Simple-3-Week-Supercharged/dp/0345545109/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y). Yes, I am a bit of a Biggest Loser fan. :-) His book is wicked strict but since I have 45 pounds to lose, well, I am in serious need of a jumpstart. 

His program is 3 weeks and the idea is you have 3 weeks to ready for an event. For me, the event would be my 25th anniversary. Now, I know I won't be losing 45 pounds in three weeks, but I would like to see what can be accomplished if I stick to the program as perfectly as possible.

Day one:

45 minute slow jog 

25 ounces lemon water

After jog, drank electrolytes with 10 ounces of water

Then did one of the workouts. Ugh! I did the workout with the burpees, dips, and the jumprope. I did the 5 rotations in about 30 minutes. I thought I was going to die!! This is when I realized how completely out of shape I am.

Drank another 25 ounces of lemon water

Breakfast was the vegetable frittata and toast

Took one fish oil and one multi-vitamin

Lunch was  one of the kale salads and took another fish oil and multi.

Dinner felt like a cheat meal!! Had turkey, marinara, and spaghetti squash. Yum!!

Another fish oil and multi.

Had another 25 ounces of water.

I had enough energy today to get through all the workouts, cooking, and errand running. I will say that my burpees need serious work. Bob and Jillian would be seriously embarrassed for me. 

So what is my goal for the three weeks? I would love to free my body of 15 pounds. That sounds crazy, I know. But that is the number I have in my head. Wish me luck! Before photos to follow. Ugh.