How I Plan To Lose 5 Pounds In Five Weeks Following FIVE Simple Rules
So, if you don't know I'll say it again, I lost 30 lbs in a year (or two) and now I'm on the path towards being a part of the fitness industry in every way that I can. One of my fears as I got closer and closer to my goal weight was, "What if I don't keep it off?" I was afraid it would happen to me because it happens to a lot of men and women. They flux weight in 10-20 lbs increments and they just seem so... happy and unhappy at the same time!
I always envision myself as a woman who glows. I know I'm sleepy and upset sometimes, but when I think of me at 60 years old, I see a fit, postured, happy, happy, and glowing woman. She knows that she knows a few things for certain and her confidence and ability just ooze from her pores. Or I guess, from MY pores.
Lately, I haven't been glowing. I am as on fire for health, wellness, fitness, love, life and all the other things as I have been, but--maybe it's the weather--I have just found myself in a little bit of a funk! A funk that stinks enough that I weighed myself only to discover that I had gained seven pounds. Two of them are muscle (I know because for a while I was doing a lot of workout challenges that had me in the gym almost seven days per week) and the other five are me becoming soft (literally...the muscle definition just isn't there). Let's say some of it is lack of vigorous exercise and the other is poundage from salt and sugary snacks!
SO! It's time to lose those pounds again and from there, figure out a way to keep them off. I plan on doing this by working out at least five days per week for five weeks. I'm going to have an 85/15 diet (85% healthy, clean, plant-based & 15% NOT). I will drink water every day (at least one water bottle full) aiming to have 1/2 my body weight in ounces. I will cook 2-3 meals per week. I will also sleep 6-8 hours every night. The bonus (for me) is to recruit five people to do it with me! Not everyone has to lose 5 lbs., but everyone does have to follow these five rules.
For me, this has nothing to do with the weight and everything to do with how I feel. I know what my body feels and looks like when it's operating at its best and this isn't it. Snacking on junk food. Skipping workouts. Staying up past 12am looking at the internets... that's not my best me. It makes me cranky, insecure, grey looking and whack.
So here are the rules one more time if you want to do it, too!
WHAT YOU CAN DO ON THE 5/5/5 PROGRAM (5 LBS/5WEEKS/5 RULES):
1.) Workout at least FIVE days per week*
2.) Eat an 85/15 diet (85% clean-healthy/15% NOT)
3.) Aim to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water every day
4.) Cook at least 2-3 meals per week
5.) Sleep at least 6-8 hours every night
BONUS: RECRUIT FIVE FRIENDS TO DO IT WITH YOU!
So far, I have two people. I'm going to call a few more people and I really hope that one or two of the people I complete this with come from this blog post!
I am really excited about crushing this impromptu goal! I wanted to wait 'til Monday, but why put off tomorrow what you can do today? There are still five days left in the week and the rest of today. Make the commitment and go.
P.S. The most important thing to know is that you do NOT have to lose five pounds. This is a personal goal and as I began to talk with my mom (Yep! She was the first to sign on. HA!) she was like: "Oh! Five rules!" and my creative train just kept riding down that track. So for you it could just be to get moving, maybe you want to gain some muscle, clear up your skin or lose 15 lbs! Whatever it is, let's commit to being great and doing it together.
xoxO
MB
*These workouts are workouts that are authentic to you. You don't have to map out this unrealistic, intimidating and rigid plan for this challenge. We should have a plan in mind, but if you love ZUMBA, do Zumba every day. If you want to try yoga or a free week of classes at a studio by your house or job... THAT COUNTS. You can also consider buying some home workout DVDs, too! Just make sure you're doing stuff that comes natural to you. *CHEERS*
I always envision myself as a woman who glows. I know I'm sleepy and upset sometimes, but when I think of me at 60 years old, I see a fit, postured, happy, happy, and glowing woman. She knows that she knows a few things for certain and her confidence and ability just ooze from her pores. Or I guess, from MY pores.
Lately, I haven't been glowing. I am as on fire for health, wellness, fitness, love, life and all the other things as I have been, but--maybe it's the weather--I have just found myself in a little bit of a funk! A funk that stinks enough that I weighed myself only to discover that I had gained seven pounds. Two of them are muscle (I know because for a while I was doing a lot of workout challenges that had me in the gym almost seven days per week) and the other five are me becoming soft (literally...the muscle definition just isn't there). Let's say some of it is lack of vigorous exercise and the other is poundage from salt and sugary snacks!
SO! It's time to lose those pounds again and from there, figure out a way to keep them off. I plan on doing this by working out at least five days per week for five weeks. I'm going to have an 85/15 diet (85% healthy, clean, plant-based & 15% NOT). I will drink water every day (at least one water bottle full) aiming to have 1/2 my body weight in ounces. I will cook 2-3 meals per week. I will also sleep 6-8 hours every night. The bonus (for me) is to recruit five people to do it with me! Not everyone has to lose 5 lbs., but everyone does have to follow these five rules.
For me, this has nothing to do with the weight and everything to do with how I feel. I know what my body feels and looks like when it's operating at its best and this isn't it. Snacking on junk food. Skipping workouts. Staying up past 12am looking at the internets... that's not my best me. It makes me cranky, insecure, grey looking and whack.
So here are the rules one more time if you want to do it, too!
WHAT YOU CAN DO ON THE 5/5/5 PROGRAM (5 LBS/5WEEKS/5 RULES):
1.) Workout at least FIVE days per week*
2.) Eat an 85/15 diet (85% clean-healthy/15% NOT)
3.) Aim to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water every day
4.) Cook at least 2-3 meals per week
5.) Sleep at least 6-8 hours every night
BONUS: RECRUIT FIVE FRIENDS TO DO IT WITH YOU!
So far, I have two people. I'm going to call a few more people and I really hope that one or two of the people I complete this with come from this blog post!
I am really excited about crushing this impromptu goal! I wanted to wait 'til Monday, but why put off tomorrow what you can do today? There are still five days left in the week and the rest of today. Make the commitment and go.
P.S. The most important thing to know is that you do NOT have to lose five pounds. This is a personal goal and as I began to talk with my mom (Yep! She was the first to sign on. HA!) she was like: "Oh! Five rules!" and my creative train just kept riding down that track. So for you it could just be to get moving, maybe you want to gain some muscle, clear up your skin or lose 15 lbs! Whatever it is, let's commit to being great and doing it together.
xoxO
MB
*These workouts are workouts that are authentic to you. You don't have to map out this unrealistic, intimidating and rigid plan for this challenge. We should have a plan in mind, but if you love ZUMBA, do Zumba every day. If you want to try yoga or a free week of classes at a studio by your house or job... THAT COUNTS. You can also consider buying some home workout DVDs, too! Just make sure you're doing stuff that comes natural to you. *CHEERS*