Friday, March 18, 2011

Preparing to start the 60-day challenge!

I totally forgot to mention that I will officially be starting the Skogg 60-day Challenge soon.  The participants in the Skogg group had such remarkable results with the program, that I wanted to join in using the home system.

Dates: Mon, 3/21/2011 - Sat, 5/21/2011 (60 days) or Mon, 4/4/2011 - Sat, 6/4/2011 (60 days)
I am expecting the birth of my first niece in the next 10 days, which will involve heavy travel and celebration. I don't want my diet to impede the festivities.  However, I figure that life doesn't have to stop because of my eating and exercise plan. I've certainly traveled while dieting for contest preparation before. It isn't ideal, but it's do-able.  Anyway, I still may start on Monday and just not start counting the timer officially until the baby gets here. We will see... :-)
Overview: The 60-day challenge has both an exercise component and a nutrition component, combining clean eating and consistent exercise. 
Exercise Component: Commit to doing 4 kettlebell workouts per week (minimum), ideally using the Skogg DVDs. I have elected to include additional cardio and flexibility training into my own personal program, with perhaps a full-body circuit training day thrown in there every 1.5 weeks or so. 
Nutrition Component: The objective for the diet is to elminate all sugar, processed foods, wheat, rice, white potatoes, and alcoholic beverages, with no cheat meals during the entire 60 days.  I will also continue with 1 gallon of water per day (minimum) and a good supplementation program.  My diet is going to be approximately 1400 calories per day.

My Thoughts
The diet will no doubt be the most challenging part.  Since I don't usually drink, the 'no alcohol component' will not be difficult for me.  However, I have taken a strong liking to rice, bread, and sugar again, which will be harder to overcome.  It's always the most challenging part of an eating plan to me, but this one actually seems more balanced.  I know it sounds counter-intutive because on the surface it looks so restrictive, but at least it's not a total elimination of starch/grains, which will help keep my energy levels up.  I'll have to pay close attention b/c my caloric intake may have to adjust depending upon my activity level. I'm pretty sure that my activity level justifies at least 2100 calories per day, but I've not eaten that much food on a daily basis in a very long time.

Anyway, I am really looking forward to this challenge. I have an incredible support system in place, and I feel strong enough to see it through this time.  After all, it's only 60 days, and my body, mind, and spirit will really appreciate the consistency. (Note: I have a nutrition coach helping me with my diet this time around, which is why I know that it has variety.  I won't reveal who I'm working with until the end of my challenge. If I don't get the results that I want, I don't want it to be a reflection on this person.  After all, the execution of the eating plan is all up to me.)

Let's see how I do....I can only take it one week at a time and do my best :-). I've given my word that I'll commit to it, which means that there is no turning back now!

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