Starting a 2 week Challenge

I did this a few years ago and felt great.  Since I have been barely eeking out 30 minute workouts with the final stages of the studio construction, I really want to get back at it.  I am following the David Kirsch New York Body Plan.  It is all about clean eating, 45 minutes of cardio and 45 minutes of strength training.  It is for two weeks. You can do anything for two weeks!!  I love the book because it has delicious recipes and he combats every excuse you could imagine.  This isn't gimmicky; it isn't drastic; it is do-able and very healthy.  Apparently there is a video that goes with the book for the strength training workout, but the book has the entire workout and is very easy to follow.  I have the book on my kindle and it is easy to reference.  I am excited to start this today and will be posting about it for the next two weeks.  

The food plan is NO A B C D E and F's.  no alcohol, no bread, no carbs, no dairy, no extra sweets/fats, no fruits.  You also do two protein shakes per day.  It would be hard to hit your needed caloric intake without them.  It is essentially lean meats and veggies.  You are allowed one tablespoon of olive oil for cooking and making your own salad dressing for the day.  When I did this the last time, i wasn't hungry.  I did miss cream in my coffee but I added a bit of protein powder and it was actually very good.  Day three for whatever reason was tough... but after that it felt GREAT!  I understand it is hard to fit in an hour and a half of activity a day -- but for two weeks and phenomenal results it is worth it.  

Anyone else in?  Has anyone else done this?  Let me know!  My motto is safety in numbers so let's try this together!

Are you in it for the looooong haul?

I hate when people come to me and want to lose weight for an event.  When the event arrives--whether they have met their goal or not--their mind has moved on.  I believe it should be about a lifestyle.  I think it is much less daunting to think I can have the cookie later.  I don't need it today, but it is not NEVER.  When you begin to make smarter choices,  you are creating habits.  You are creating cleaner eating habits, exercise habits, sleep habits, etc.  When you are beginning to make these changes it helps to log so you learn your triggers, what foods fuel you better for your workouts or which foods do NOT work well for pre-workout, etc.  Some people sleep better if they exercise at certain times of the day.  The log can help with all of these.  

Some people get on the fitness/clean eating train for an event but then realize how great they feel, etc. and they stay on it, however that is rare.  I do believe in "whatever gets you moving," but I just hope it keeps you moving.  So if you are losing weight for an event, think past it too.  I.E.: a reunion; if your going to one, think about the ones to follow.  A wedding, think about kids/grandkids, being able to keep up and lead by example, etc.  Also, when you are thinking long term, it is much easier if you fall off to get back on.  One day of bad eating won't sabotage the rest of your life, but it will a ten day diet.  Isn't that less daunting?