I like the plan. I like the idea of the plan. It brings all sorts of common sense ideas together about eating and exercise along with daily video messages from Chris Powell. You have scheduled cheats so you don't feel deprived of your favorite things. You log in every morning for your meal plan and exercise assignment and you get to look at Mr. Cute and Motivational Personal Trainer (and really - he's just so happy and
But the plan has me eating protein at every meal. Five times a day. I can't take it! Don't get me wrong, I love me some steak or chicken or shrimp occasionally, but not 5 times a day! YUCK! Yes, there are alternatives. His list of acceptable proteins also includes turkey, tofu, tempeh, white fish, tuna, egg whites and cottage cheese. And I like all of them - once in a while. I've complained on the Reshape the Nation message boards and the other members suggest using protein bars and shakes in place of the meat/soy. And I've been doing that a little. I still feel like it's just too much.
Now, it's not like the plan has you ONLY eating protein. At every meal you are eating a sensible portion of protein, more carbs and even more veggies. I think that my problem is that I want carbs to be the biggest portion, veggies next and then optional protein.
The plan also has me off anything with added sugar, no dairy beyond fat-free cottage cheese and non-fat plain yogurt, and I haven't had a slice of bread or fruit for over a week. Instead I am filling up on LOADS of veggies and potatoes, brown rice, ezekial (sprouted) pitas and steel cut oats. All prepared without added fat or sugar.
I feel like I should be 10lbs lighter.
I'M NOT!! The plan warns you not to weigh yourself daily. In fact, it suggests weighing only once every two weeks. But really, who does that? I've been on the scale every day. It bounces around like crazy as I cycle through the high and low carb days. I would say that I have dropped maybe 2.5lbs total. At one point I thought it was 6lbs but I haven't seen that number for a couple of days now. I can only HOPE that my body is going through some sort of muscle/fat recomposition and that is why the scale hasn't moved more. I know that I am eating healthier. I know that my calorie intake is less. I know that weight loss is supposed to be slow if you want to keep it off. BLAH BLAH BLAH. But I'm a spoiled American looking for instant gratification!
It's just so hard to keep going without those instant results, ya know?
Now - on the plus side - all of this clean eating and eating more often has given me boat loads of energy. I'm not going through the crazy sugar energy highs and lows that I would experience before. Getting up with June in the night is easier. I generally *feel* better. I'm not experiencing the guilt that comes with eating a candy bar or icecream (because I'm not eating that candy bar or icecream, haha). I want to do more of... everything. My house is staying cleaner. We're not eating out (but spending a small fortune at the grocery store on fresh vegetables, haha).
So am I going to stick with this? Yes. But I'm going to go after it with a more vegan approach. I've been reading about veggie based protein powders. I'd feel better chugging down a couple of those shakes a day instead of 4 cups of meat.
It should also be noted that finding time to exercise daily has been challenging to say the least, especially with a husband that is working 12 hour days. I've managed to get out about every other night for a power walk and I try to squeeze in simple resistance exercises as I go about my day. I would like to do more and I'm sure that would speed up the weight loss process. Not quite sure how I will find those extra minutes every day for dedicated cardio. I'm working on it.
So anywhoo... that's my update for now. I will post again at the two week mark with a weight loss total and measurement comparison.
If you have any words of encouragement - I'd love to hear them ;)
