Over the Hump

Can I first say how fast April flew by? Wow! I can’t believe it’s already May—almost summer—and we’re halfway done with our 60-day challenge! Even though I still have a long way to go, I am feeling great with the progress I’ve made and the changes I see(no matter how small they might be).

My clothes are fitting better each week and I’m more motivated to go for a run or hit the gym everyday. I’ve also noticed my new, healthier diet is having me feeling lighter and more energetic. Instead of feeling sluggish and ridiculously full after a huge pasta dinner, I feel refreshed and content after a nice piece of fish and salad.
This isn’t to say that the whole process is getting easier—because I can assure you it is not. But the power of results and a positive attitude are infectious and overwhelming. I know I need to work for every little bit of change I want, and that is perfectly OK with me. I’m ready for the challenge and can’t wait to see what the next half of our challenge will bring!
To the gym!
Dana

60 days to a better body

As many of you know, my wedding is right around the corner. In fact, tomorrow marks the 60-day countdown. That's a mere two months until "I do." For the past few months, I have been tweaking my diet and adding exercise into my weekly routine to get me where I want (or need) to be, and I am just beginning to notice a change. 

Like any of you out there who have a major deadline approaching such as a family or high-school reunion or just the fact that bikini season lurking around the corner, you know that teeny tiny changes won't cut it. This is precisely why tomorrow, with 60 days left until my wedding, I will embark on a fitness and health journey to banish this extra flab on my body, and reveal the bikini-struttin', shorts-wearing, sleeveless-top-donning slender Tova that I want to be. 

I work better as a team, so I have enlisted Blush Editorial Assistant, Dana to do the program with me. Since she, too, dreams of parading on the beach this summer in an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka-dot number, she is willing to go through a torturous two months free o ice cream with me. 

The best part about this Blush challenge, is that we are going to share it with you—Blush readers—every step of the way. I keep hearing from fitness enthusiasts that accountability is key. So, I am now accountable to Dana, and every single one of you. If you need the accountability too, then buddy up and log on to the blog—and you can choose to do the program with us, or laugh at our fun-loving attempts to try anything.

So...to task No. 1

I told Dana today that we MUST take "before" pictures. She wasn't too happy about this, but I feel it's necessary for everyone to look at themselves and love their bodies the way it is today, before any of us can expect more out of it. So, that's right, tomorrow we are both grabbing a camera and snapping a few shots. 

Now, I must say, I am a wee bit terrified to put on a swimsuit of any kind right now, but that's the point. I need to know and come to terms with where I am right now. So that means weighing in and snapping the evidence. It's quick and relatively painless—and anyone can do this step. But this doesn't mean I am showing you guys...yet. 

I received food guidelines via Dolvett Quince, celebrity fitness trainer at Body Sculptor Inc.—a highly respected gym facility in Atlanta, Ga (www.bodysculptorinc.com). I am sharing these tid bits with you, if you choose to get on the plan as well.

Now on to the program guidelines:

Include a protein source at each meal. 

Include a healthy fat source at each meal. Healthy fats include extra virgin olive oil, ev coconut oil, raw butter, avocados, and nuts (but not peanuts and cashews). Fats from whole organic eggs and meats are OK. Trans fats, on the other hand, are not healthy fats. 

Include a fibrous carbohydrate at each meal. Good fibrous cabs include vegetables and fresh fruit. 

Only include a serving of Complex Carbohydrates after a workout. Complex (good) carbs include brown rice, natural grains, oatmeal, millet, quinoa, beans and sweet potatoes. 

Eat every 2-3 hours. This means you will be eating 5-7 small meals each day. Here's a sample schedule for eating: 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Drink 1/2 of your body weight in clean water each day. This means, if you are 200 lbs, you should be drinking 100 ounces of H20 daily. And, add an additional 8 ounces of water for every cup of coffee you have.

Avoid all processed non-foods. This even includes "health bars" 

No more processed sugar and artificial sweeteners. Now, I know you ladies might like your pink, blue and yellow packets, but these chemicals can lead to some serious weight gain by making your body crave sugar. If you would like something to add sweetness, try Stevia—a plant-based alternative. They have this at Greenlife Grocery, and other health food stores, and now can even be found at typical grocery stores as well. Check out www.sweetleaf.com for more information.

Eliminate all wheat from your meal plan. I know this sounds extreme, but this is what Dana and I will do. I actually can't have wheat due to an intolerance to it, but most people are highly intolerant to products containing wheat and are unaware. Even if you don't have any problems with wheat, it can still cause that lower-ab area to pooch with gastrointestinal distress.

Add a high-quality Omega 3 supplement in your meal plan.

Take one "reward" meal per week. This is so you can have that cake you've been eyeing all week in the fridge, or enjoy a birthday party or special occasion. One splurge meal won't get you off track, don't worry. 

OK, that's it! Tomorrow we begin, stay tuned! E-mail me with updates and questions: editor1@blushmag.net.

We can do this together!  

With hope,

Tova