4 weeks ago, I embarked on a weight-loss journey, a journey that began through a
SheSpeaks Sponsored Program called the Fast Metabolism Diet. (You can read past posts about it
here and
here.)
A diet program that enticed me as it proclaimed simplicity and guaranteed results, Haylie Pomroy said so... There was something about the challenge that made me want to do it even more so than the fact that it was a sponsored program... It was something that I needed to do and had been wanting to do, but hadn't found the right incentive or discipline to go at it AGAIN alone.
A month of fresh eating, healthy eating and specified eating, that would probably be challenging because my beautiful family has a supreme taste for life and food. I found myself cooking double meals during the first 2 weeks, but during the last 2 weeks, I learned to adapt their meals to what I was able to eat, and made it a lot less challenging. The massive amounts of veggies and fruits had taken over our refrigerator a time or two, while we always had eaten veggies and fruits before, we had never indulged in such a vast variety before, that made the diet even more appealing, trying new things, eating new foods. Plus the book shared lots of recipes, and we even tried a few, but definitely pinpointed a favorite since week one of the diet.
I'm happy to report that within the last 4 weeks, I did not cheat, NOT ONCE, although I did make a few minor infractions of eating something on the wrong day (a fruit or vegetable, as it changes phase to phase in a week of 3 phases). I've come to know what I am allowed to eat and not eat and on what days for the most part. The book became my food bible, I carried it with me everywhere, I referred to it over and over and over again. I really made it my own and the diet began to get easier and easier for me. Granted running around trying to find the right deli meat, jerky and bread was a bit challenging in the beginning. We all know that eating healthy will take a mighty toll on your pocketbook, but none the less we managed!
The kids even gave my food the once or twice over with excitement and enticement, and some meals,, were to die for, really, really delicious! I've also learned to cook differently. Being Hispanic, I've always cooked around my heritage, using Goya Spices and seasonings (which really becomes mundane, redundant and expected), but being that they contain preservatives, I had to try alternatives, which really got me exploring different herbs and seasonings, and really revved up my cooking and made it enjoyable again.
I will admit though my favorite of the three phases is phase 3, because I get to indulge in the healthy fats (I NEED THEM), olive oil and avocado, my two faves! Plus you get to have Almond butter, and raw nuts, which really makes the diet a bit more appetizing and appealing. Sacrifice pays off at the end of the week and I am happy to indulge in every single solitary minute of it! 3 WHOLE DAYS, makes it all worthwhile.
Now I didn't "measure up" before I started The Fast Metabolism Diet, but I did monitor my weight probably more often than I should have and there were highlights, during the 1st week I lost 6lbs!
I was amped and ready week two, which is when I hit my slump. Exercise took the back seat, I know. You're supposed to exercise 3 times in the week, phase 1 requires 1 day of cardio, phase 2 requires 1 day of strength training and phase 3 requires 1 day of relaxing exercises like yoga and my discipline went out the window, though I will admit, I was never inactive during the diet, I just wasn't doing as I was instructed. Weeks 2 and 3 were the slowest, and I was worried that my laziness and lack of discipline would impede upon my progress... And then it happened, I reached my mini goal, with an overall weight-loss of 13.6lbs in 1 month!!!!!! I'm pretty certain that had I followed precisely, I would've hit 20lbs! But I'll take what I can get and I'll admit, that even though I didn't lose 20lbs, I did gain a lot more perspective, confidence and yes, I'm down 1 pant size and headed towards being down 2, so I couldn't be more pleased!!!
Going forward, I am going to continue with the diet as long as possible, I plan on sticking with it until I reach a comfortable weight and try to incorporate the changes, but I've got time to figure all of that out later... Until then, I will keep you posted on my progress from time to time and I promise to keep it real!
Until Next Time,
PS. This is not a sponsored post, just sharing my journey with my readers.
.tiff)
