Happy Mother's Day to all of the awesome mom's out there! I celebrated my Mother's Day by starting Mark Macdonald's 8 week challenge with my husband - crazy, right? I got some grief from people that we were starting today - but there is always SOMETHING that we could postpone for (such as the upcoming Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, or waiting until after our anniversary next month so we can go out for a nice dinner). It was a joint decision to do the 8 week challenge since we knew we would have to be supportive of one another for either of us to be successful.
So, what does our 8 week challenge involve? Well, the first week is considered a cleanse week and our diet is very restricted - no beef, no pork, no egg yolks, no grains, no caffeine (yes, this is what is killing me), no dairy, etc. In addition to having a limited diet, our portion sizes are smaller (for me 3oz of protein, 3 oz of carb, .5 oz of fat for one meal) and we are doing supplement shakes twice a day (that don't taste horrible!). Hubby has bigger portion sizes and has the ability to drink 2 additional shakes per day if he would like to, so I have been glaring at his plate each meal (there is a big difference between 3oz and 5oz) in jealousy. We have both survived the first day and will live to see tomorrow. The biggest issue I have had today is the caffeine withdrawal headache - but I knew it was going to happen (and that it will last at least 2 more days).
Aside from the eating plan, I have been pretty consistent in my training for the Avon Walk that is coming up at the end of the month. I use the elliptical regularly, do some light weight training, and have taken a few classes at the YMCA to mix things up. I also have a few awesome people now that are very encouraging and supportive - it is AMAZING what a difference there is when you surround yourself with positive people! My trainer, Jessica, was always incredibly positive and I didn't realize how much I was missing that now that she is gone from the YMCA.
So, starting weight on day one of the challenge is 261. I don't have my measurements done, yet, but I will try to post those soon. I am now off to bed - my husband insists I am supposed to get more than 4 hours of sleep each night and the alarm will be going off at 530am since we have to eat on the same schedule. Good night all - hope you had a fabulous Mother's Day!
So, what does our 8 week challenge involve? Well, the first week is considered a cleanse week and our diet is very restricted - no beef, no pork, no egg yolks, no grains, no caffeine (yes, this is what is killing me), no dairy, etc. In addition to having a limited diet, our portion sizes are smaller (for me 3oz of protein, 3 oz of carb, .5 oz of fat for one meal) and we are doing supplement shakes twice a day (that don't taste horrible!). Hubby has bigger portion sizes and has the ability to drink 2 additional shakes per day if he would like to, so I have been glaring at his plate each meal (there is a big difference between 3oz and 5oz) in jealousy. We have both survived the first day and will live to see tomorrow. The biggest issue I have had today is the caffeine withdrawal headache - but I knew it was going to happen (and that it will last at least 2 more days).
Aside from the eating plan, I have been pretty consistent in my training for the Avon Walk that is coming up at the end of the month. I use the elliptical regularly, do some light weight training, and have taken a few classes at the YMCA to mix things up. I also have a few awesome people now that are very encouraging and supportive - it is AMAZING what a difference there is when you surround yourself with positive people! My trainer, Jessica, was always incredibly positive and I didn't realize how much I was missing that now that she is gone from the YMCA.
So, starting weight on day one of the challenge is 261. I don't have my measurements done, yet, but I will try to post those soon. I am now off to bed - my husband insists I am supposed to get more than 4 hours of sleep each night and the alarm will be going off at 530am since we have to eat on the same schedule. Good night all - hope you had a fabulous Mother's Day!