I did the 10-day diet challenge!
And, it sucked for the first three or four days. Like, really sucked. But, I did it.
It's been almost two years since I shared my #FattoFitCLE updates. In that time period, I gained back the 30 pounds that I lost!
I had to give up my gym membership to the YMCA. It's expensive to belong to the Y! I stopped counting calories and tried WW. I gained weight on Weight Watchers. I was so annoyed, I gave my husband my FitBit.
Last October, I joined Planet Fitness to get back in the habit of going to the gym. I tried counting calories again, but I just couldn't remember to do it. And, I didn't really care.
After the holidays, I bought a new step tracker. Went to my doctor. Bought some cute gym clothes. And, took advantage of the 24-hour part of Planet Fitness. If I can't sleep, I get their early.
I still wasn't all that motivated to change my eating habits. Just working out was not working.
A friend mentioned that she wanted to do a 10-day challenge at the start of February. Eat veggies and proteins for ten days. Anyone can do something for just ten days.
When she told me that JLo was doing it too I almost told her no. I don't want to do anything a celebrity with a personal chef, trainer, and staff does - ever.
She sent me a link anyway.
NO - bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, sugar, caffeine, and dairy. I got to the caffeine bit and laughed out loud. I'm not giving up coffee, too.
I told my husband and he nodded like he heard me.
I wasn't entirely sure I was going to do it until the day before I was supposed to start. I found myself prepping breakfast and lunch. The husband went to the store and got proteins and veggies. And, we ate or threw out what we would not be allowed to eat for ten days.
Monday came and we started the 10-day challenge.
The first three days were super hard. I was craving sugar in my soul. The plan that I was following allowed for berries. No other fruit, just berries. Those damn berries saved me the entire ten days.
I thought chocolate would have been harder to give up since I keep it at my desk for people to take but it was actually yogurt and cheese that I missed the most.
By the fifth day, I wasn't as hungry as I had been in the beginning but I wanted ice cream. I even started texting photos of the ice cream I wanted when this was over. I had planned on getting my favorite ice cream on day 11.
This wasn't easy, but it was worth it. And, I didn't get ice cream. I had a really exceptional cookie - just one.
The benefits for me during the #10daychallenge
- Sleeping! I rarely wake-up and if I do, I go back to bed.
- Less puffy - my face and my ankles
- More energy
- Not craving sugary sweets
- Not feeling as hungry as I had been
- I'm more of a pear than an apple shape now
- Haven't eaten fast food in a month. (this has continued on after the 10 days)
- Going to the gym feels less like a chore
- I feel amazing!
The freedom from counting calories has kept me working the low carb and low sugar way of life. And, I've lost ten pounds this month! More than that - I see curves again!
I had done really well on South Beach years ago and I don't know why I haven't tried it again. Technically, I'm following phase two of South Beach and going to the gym three days a week.
Honestly, I'm not worried about losing weight. Don't get me wrong - I love it! I'm just not that pressed to do it quickly. I'm doing this to feel better. Sleep better. And, to fit into the clothes I already own.
Who knows - maybe I will be able to share regular updates again.
