Importance of Working out!

Still going strong on this diet but the pressure is certainly on. Although I am finished with the 10 day cleanse (8 lbs lighter!!!), I am still not finished with the diet. I wanted to focus less on food choice this week and more on my workout plan. Like i said previously, the workout aspect of this challenge isn't too difficult for me. However, being a college student and doing this challenge is difficult. Finding time to workout and cook meals has definitely been my biggest stress.

Its important that you all know that i did not get results solely on just eating right. I did research on what workouts would be most beneficial and work the quickest so i would see results rapidly. After reading articles and taking advice from friends I was told to purchase the App on my iPhone called "iFitness Pro." At first i was hesitant because i believed that the fastest way to lose weight was just by running, I was indeed wrong. Distance running not only makes you bulk up but it also demands that you take in more calories which I did not want to do. A friend of mine who is a personal trainer at Lifetime Fitness in Syosset on Long Island, suggested that if i wanted to run and shed pounds that interval running was my best bet. Speeding up my heart rate and then slowing it down was key. He also shared with me that strength training cardio was the most efficient way to lose the weight. This is where the App "iFitness Pro" comes in. This app creates a workout plan for you based on your current weight, height, goal weight, gender, and desired difficulty level. I have been working out for some time now so I am currently at intermediate. Below i have attached some photos that show the workout routines I have for each body part. Each day i do a different bodypart group workout. Mondays i do arms and chest. Tuesdays abs and back. Wednesdays legs and glutes. Thursdays shoulders and calves. Fridays and saturdays are my resting days. Sunday is my activity day! I also make sure that i stretch after all of these workout routines to avoid soreness. The interval running is done prior to each of these on all workout days.

I can feel my body getting so much stronger and slimmer. This diet is working in ways i never thought. Im getting so close to the end and the results are amazing.

Week 1 days 1-3 !!!

So it finally begins, the challenge. I want to explain the diet to you guys a little better so my pictures don't confuse you. On this diet you begin with a 10 day Cleanse. I provided a picture down below to explain what days to take which pills or drinks. Im currently only 3 days into the diet and i'm already feeling great. On days 1-3 you are instructed to take the fiber drink (tastes gross) in the morning mixed with water and then take the herbal cleanse at night before bed. You must also take 2 Omegaplex pills in the morning with breakfast and 2 Omegaplex pills in the evening. It sounds like a lot but none of these items give you negative side effects. The most important and the most challenging part of the 10 day Cleanse is the foods you are aren't allowed to eat. Unlike other cleanses the AdvoCare cleanse requires you to eat food, but only certain kinds of food. I am restricted from eating any Dairy, Caffeine (soda, coffee, etc.,) Fried foods, Refined sugars, Bad starches (white breads) and to avoid all Alcohol. It mentions that you should try to eat up to 6 meals a day (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, snack, dinner.) I also had to make sure i drank a TON of water. I've been doing pretty well and have been sticking to the diet. I go food shopping at the beginning of the week and get all the groceries I need, which isn't nearly as much as I used to be buying. Yay! saving money! 

Anyways, I cook breakfast in the morning and I usually make myself eggs with a little hot sauce on them and a fruit of choice. As a snack I give myself variety of celery, carrots, and strawberries and I dip them in all natural salsa. For lunch I made myself a salad with cucumbers, romaine lettuce, chicken, and spinach and ate that with only olive oil and vinegar. Getting rid of regular dressing has been so hard even for 3 days. I brought around campus with me bags of carrots and a container of hummus to snack on. Lastly for dinner I prepared Baked Chicken and fresh steamed veggies. Eating this way has made me feel energized and has overall put me in a great mood. I've learned so much just from the few days i've been doing this diet. Makes me seriously question my old diet and many of my friends current diets at college. It's hard to eat this way all the time but its worth it. You just feel so Great! 

Lastly, I'm going to stress how important exercise also is to this diet. You must try your hardest to get in at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 5 times a week. This will enhance your overall weight loss by a lot. I didn't have a problem with this aspect of the 10 day cleanse because I normally practice a good exercise regimen. This challenge is changing my life and getting me so excited to see the results when i'm finished.