Week 1 of my first dive into the Tone It Up Bikini Series is in the books. No one is more shocked than me to say that I’m actually REALLY enjoying the plan.
And I am definitely doing the scale happy dance because I’m down 6.2 pounds from last Tuesday.
Now, I really need to qualify that number. I went big during the 4th of July holiday and ate whatever I wanted. I don’t recommend doing this, but it’s the truth.
So my weigh-in last Tuesday was a lot of bloat. In fact, the next day I was at 141.2, which is a much more realistic weight to use as my start.
But even with that taken into account, I’m 138.8 today, which is down 2.4 pounds in a week! That is awesome for me.
It’s also nice because I’ve seen a shift in my measurements as well. My arms and hips are down a half an inch. It’s nice to have some of my pants feel like they are no longer suffocating me.
So beyond the vanity aspect, I can’t deny that I feel significantly better. My energy level is way up throughout the day and I don’t have a weird food hangover anymore. You know, that “not quite right” sluggish feeling you get most mornings, even after a full night’s sleep.
The thing that has absolutely surprised me the most is my food cravings have dropped way down. Generally, when I’m on an eating plan I am consistently complaining about being hungry, missing my traditional nightly desserts, and almost in tears at restaurants when I feel like all my options are gone.
So far, I can honestly say this hasn’t happened.
Sure, it’s only week one and no doubt that might come up in the future. But I promise, on past eating plans it was sad the very first day, so I’m cautiously optimistic.
As I mentioned in last week’s post, I don’t cook. When I saw some of the recipes in the plan I was totally intimated, but they have been way easier than I thought. They don’t require a lot of ingredients or complex preparation techniques, so I’m doing fine.
In fact, there hasn’t been one thing I haven’t been able to make, which is pretty surprising.
And the food is really good! Like shockingly good. Just this morning, I had the Coconut Chica Smoothie (I skipped the coconut, I’m not a huge fan so I figured why add it in?) and it was seriously so good- Like an ice cream shake good!
The plan has also helped me integrate protein into my meals throughout the day. Before, I’d have fruits and veggies until 5 pm, and then be starving when I got home from work. That was when I’d overeat because I had been “so good throughout the day”.
Now I think because I’m getting little bits of protein all day long, my 5 pm cravings are low or nonexistent. Funny how this whole nutrition thing really does work!
The workouts have been really good for me too. For about the past two years, my weight training was the extent of the 4-minute hand weight exercises at the end of spin class.
Now I do a Tone It Up video every morning and work different muscle groups. Now, I realize how weak I’ve gotten compared to a few years ago when my workouts were better rounded, but it also motives me to stick with it more than ever.
Plus, Karena and Katrina’s positive and fun attitudes make the videos enjoyable, even when you think your arms are going to give out.
Some lessons learned from this week- They weren’t kidding when they said food prep will take some time. It does.
I think as time goes on I’ll learn shortcuts and figure out how to make things in batches, but for now I have to allocate at least 45 minutes a night for food prep.
I also have to think ahead. For example, I won’t be home until late tonight, so yesterday I prepped for today and tomorrow. No big deal, but thinking ahead is key.
Also if you don’t do all your shopping at Whole Foods you may have to hit up a few grocery stores. In the past week, I’ve been to Trader Joe’s, Nugget Market, Raley’s and Walmart to get everything I need. I was able to get it all, and some things I won’t need week after week, but again planning is key.
So the overall take way- One week in and I could not be happier. I’m trying not to be totally scale focused, as I know the weight loss will slow down as time goes on, but I’m feeling really good about getting in the 130 range in time for my trip to Hawaii!
