Bikini Bootcamp - Weigh In #2

To say I'm pleased with my progress really doesn't say enough. 4 lbs in 1 week is pretty impressive!

In my last post I told you I was going to start Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, I'm very happy to say I have done it every day at least once and even when my body ached like I was going to collapse I still gave it all I had. I so nearly took a day off yesterday after pretty much an entire day of walking but I knew I would hate myself for skipping a day. I'm not sure that the workout is necessarily what's losing the weight as I've not moved on from level 1 yet but it definitely promotes a different outlook with regard to food. I started counting calories for the first time in my life at the same time and I've found it so much easier than I imagined. With the app on my iPhone it's so simple to look up calorie content and keep track of my daily diet and exercise. The health kick has also inspired me to get walking as much as I can. During the day Milo will allow me my 20 minutes for the workout video and then if I wanted to I could walk with him in his pushchair all day long. Yesterday I walked to town (about 3 miles) and back and was there for around 4 hours constantly in motion so where burning calories is concerned I think that's doing more for me than the workout. I will continue the shred though because I think it's keeping me focused and it's toning me up all over where walking is just cardio. I'm going to keep up my twice weekly Zumba sessions - though last week it all went wrong and I missed them both. The exercise hasn't been difficult but eating less and avoiding my favourite snacks has been tough. I haven't had coke for 2 weeks and although the craving is almost gone I keep a can in my fridge in case I ever really need it. With things I 'can't' have I might be an exception to the rule because I like to have them in the house. It takes the pressure off, kind of like if I wanted it I could have it but I'm choosing not to! Baring in mind my 4 lb loss I haven't been good all the time! I've had chocolate biscuits, aero, stuffed crust pizza, popcorn and pretzel flips (anyone remember them? YUM!) but everything in moderation and I've never exceeded 1200 cals in a day. 

I try to aim for <1000 cals and generally hit that but I'm not going without when I really want something I have it just a smaller portion than I would have had. Harder than anything else (including coke) to give up has been my cheesy pasta. I would eat that every day, sometimes twice so I still crave that whenever I'm  hungry but I've only succumbed once and again... small portion! 

But I could ramble all day about my first week, instead I'll give you a peek at a my daily diet..

Here's a good day

and here's a bad day...

That's using My Fitness Pal (link)

Basically what I'm saying is if you want quick results you have to be careful with your diet but don't completely deny yourself or you won't last! The calories you're eating are important but that alone isn't going to do it. Get in as much exercise as you can.. it's easier for me as I'm at home all day right now, there's no way I could be doing as much if I was working full time.. I'd be absolutely dead! After my 30 days I intend to scale it back and find the right balance to maintain my weight. I do not want to be dieting forever and I absolutely refuse to be the person that stops dieting for a vacation or holiday period and puts on a stone. If nothing else this diet has taught me a lot about portion control. I used to eat more food than anyone but it's completely unnecessary, I've been surprised how the smaller portions can fill me up. I'm not 'stuffed' like I was before just comfortably full which I guess is how it's supposed to be.

I've had such a positive response since I started blogging about this, so many comments, emails and tweets. It's always easier when you have support so those of you that are doing this along with me.. get in touch and as always any tips are welcome.

Miss BB