5DSD results are in

Guys... I am proud of myself for completing the 5DSD the right way and sticking to it the whole week.  For me, the biggest accomplishment had to be two-a-days for 5 days in a row!  That's a big deal for someone who has a really hard time with workout motivation.  Once I get going I'm good... But starting off sucks... And a lot of time I just don't do it.  I know this will be a real challenge since as of today I no longer have a gym membership.  Its going to take some real determination to work out at home. 

I have to say- it wasn't bad.  It was pretty easy for me.  I tried to 7DSD in the original Tone It Up plan.  And it was really hard for me.  I was starving every single day.  And I think I ended up cutting it to 5 days b/c I had plans that weekend.  I might have lost a pound that week. I can't remember.  I just remember I got really bored with the food and very hungry. 

Also, the two-a-days weren't bad either.  I am an early-morning person anyway. So I alternated either a run or the HIIT the beach routine every day.  And both of those were done within 30 minutes.  Then in the afternoon I would either run or do a 30 minute toning routine.  So I didn't feel like I spent tons of time working out.  I just got up about 40 minutes earlier than usual and then spent 30 minutes in the afternoons. I still had plenty of time to do what I wanted. 

Saturday morning when I woke up it was really rainy out so I didn't go for a run. I really wanted to get in a longer run.  But I also kept telling myself that I should just let my body rest for a day.  Then it felt sort of weird.  I feel like that 5 days helped to set a habit for me.  I eventually ended up just doing some yoga poses and stretching because I felt like I needed to do something.  The first thing I wanted was grains!  I had not had any grains all week.  So I opted for some oatmeal! 

So overall, I would HIGHLY recommend everyone trying this if you're a few pounds away from your goal weight, just want to jumpstart your weightloss, or want to reset your way of eating. 

I weighed and measured myself that Sunday before starting.  I hope I measured correctly.  Here's my results:

Starting Weight: 132.4
Ending Weight: 128.2
Total Loss: 4.2 lbs!

Starting Measurements:
Calf: 14"
Thigh: 20.5"
Hips: 35.5"
Waist: 25"
Arms: 10.5"

Ending Measurements:
Calf: 13.75"
Thigh: 20"
Hips: 35"
Waist: 24"
Arms: 10"

Total inches lost (counting both sides): 4"

I was in extreme shock! I feel like that's a lot!  Hopefully I measured correctly. I definitely feel like my pants are looser!  Its really weird b/c one of my thighs is like .5" bigger than the other... starting and ending. Its strange. Anyone else like that?

Since today is the start of a new month I want to set a goal for myself for the month of October.  My goal is simply to get moving for 30 minutes/day 6 days a week.  I know I can do it because of the 5DSD!  Now I just have to remind myself of that!  What are your October goals?

Is anyone else doing the 5DSD this week?

XO-Heather

 

Motivational Monday: Tone It Up

Good Monday Morning!

I recently started following the Tone It Up nutrition plan.  If you've never heard of the Tone It Up girls go to their website quick!  You will love them!   TIU was started by 2 best friends, trainers, and nutritionists: Karena and Katrina.  These girls are gorgeous and in amazing shape! 

First they had a fitness studio together in California.  Then they started doing YouTube fitness and diet videos. And eventually developed their own nutrition/lifestyle plan, website, DVDs, and online social networking site. 

You can purchase the nutrition plan from their website, www.toneitup.com for $150.  It includes a 150+ page guide with recipes, lifetime updates, and access to the TIU community.  I highly, highly recommend it!  $150 is a little steep.  But its extremely worth it if you plan on following the plan.  The information you gain from it will help you forever.  It should be something you follow for the rest of your life- not just a quick weight loss plan.  

Here's a little glimpse into how I got started with it:

I've been around size 6 weighing about 138 lbs for about 5 years now.  But that certainly didn't mean I was healthy.  I've never thought I was overweight, but I've wanted to be around 128 for a while now.  I've tried several different fad diets, and I'll admit it- diet pills!  I worked for a medial weight loss clinic for a while in college so I have the knowledge of what it takes to live a healthy lifestyle.  But I love to eat. And I mean LOVE it!  I wake up thinking about what I'm going to eat.  When I eat one meal I'm asking my husband what's for the next?!  So my massive appetite and bottomless pit stomach has made it very hard for me to lose weight.  I didn't consider myself to be an unhealthy eater for the most part, but my portions were way too much.  Oh and I love sugar, candy, cakes, and junk food.  I've been a pescatarian (eliminating land animals) since October of last year.  But just because I don't eat meat certainly didn't mean I ate healthy.  I was eating a lot of junk food!  

About 6 weeks ago, my gorgeous friend, Victoria, told me about "eating clean." She said she read about it online.  I went crazy researching this term and dove right into it!  So I made a decision at that point to cut out processed foods, white flour, white bread, white sugar, etc... (when possible. sometimes in social situations its just not possible. I try to do the best i can when I can)  I wanted to switch to whole, healthy, clean foods. So I did, and I lost about 3 lbs just from doing that.  I felt absolutely amazing. My running time and endurance improved.  But then I hit a weight loss plateau.  I think I was still eating too much food.  So while doing a ton of research I came across the Tone It Up girls. 

I've been following the nutrition plan for several weeks.  I've lost 5 more lbs.  Its so easy to do!  Its nothing crazy or even really new.  But it teaches you how to fuel your body properly- like an athlete- with 5 small meals a day.  It also teaches you how to combine your food at the right times for optimum fat-burning!  They promote healthy living, not being skinny!  That's what I love.  They're extremely encouraging with their facebook and twitter followers.  And their workout DVD is awesome! 

I didn't measure myself from the beginning. But  I know I've lost several inches because my clothes fit differently, and I definitely feel like I look more toned.   

Also included in the TIU Nutrition plan is a slim down plan.  Today I'm starting the 5 Day Slim Down.  I need to reset my mind-frame with food. The past 2 weeks I haven't been eating very clean.  There's been a lot of temptations, and I gained 2 lbs back.  I'm determined to lose the last few lbs and a few more inches.  So this week I will be documenting what I'm eating and what I'm doing for my workouts (I'm aiming for two-a-days).  Obviously since this is the first day, and I don't have any pictures of my food yet. 

They recommend working out first thing in the morning.  When I run I do it before work anyway.  So getting up early is very easy for me!  This morning I did a 20 minute HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout from their Beach Babe DVD.  And I'm doing a 45 minute step class after work. 

Here's my meals planned out:

M1: protein pancakes

M2: peach

M3: teriyaki tempeh wrap

M4: green juice (spinach, carrots, cucumber, and pear) and some pineapple

Step Class

M5: quinoa stuffed mushrooms

Have you ever heard of TIU or "eating clean"?

XO-Heather

*All of these opinions are 100% mine.  I was not compensated or asked to review their plan.  I'm sure they have no clue who I am! LOL

*All pictures are from toneitup.com