This was a most interesting March.
I spent my evenings (averaging 3 to 4 x a week) huffing, puffing, punching, and twerking...in an attempt to eliminate at least 4% of my body weight.
I shopped the perimeter of the grocery store - loading my cart up with fresh, vibrant vegetables and fruits and delectable meats. I created my lists of "Do Eat"s and "Don't Eat"s. Yes to (some) fruits: berries and applies; Yes to (almost all) veggies: avoid corn; Yes to (leaner) meats: everything but pork, essentially. Yes to treats like nuts (and "No" to seeds and peanuts). My indulgences did get the best of me a time or two too many - french fries! and potato chips!. Weekends, though 99% devoid of alcoholic beverages, were nonetheless filled with culinary indulgences - except that I avoided sugar, pastas, and breads.
At the end of it all, I LOST ten pounds and won $$ in this challenge! I have never lost that much weight in one month.
I attritube the weight loss to mainly sticking to a home-cooked, fresh & whole diet. I didn't avoid healthy fats like coconut oil and olive oil - and sometimes butter - but I also didn't go overboard. For the first week, I tracked my calories on myfitnesspal to make sure I understood how many calories a typical day was for me. I needed to maintain a 1200 - 1350 daily caloric intake, which apparently I managed to do throughout the month. I upped my protein and dropped my carbs, mostly by avoiding grains, corn and sugar.
Secondarily, and probably most helpful for those days when I indulged in a fried potato stick or chip or two, I worked my BUTT off! Dancing (zumba), HIIT (boxing), and a little weight-lifting.
I took premium fish oil supplements every day, which I believe helped. Had one fast day (for Good Friday). Had one vegetarian day. Did a cleanse (felt a little backed up ...sorry, TMI). Drank the heck out of water EVERY day, making sure to fill my 40oz jug in the morning and again at night when I came home - goal of 64oz a day, but most of the time I hit 80+.
I am very happy with my progress, very thankful, praising God. And I am trying not to worry about gaining it all back! I don't plan to go back to the old way of eating coupled with sedentary living; now I feel the pressure to KEEP IT MOVING.
For April's challenge, I'm doing more of the same. I will be logging my calories every day this month on MFP. And I will be working toward an exercise schedule of 5 - 6 days a week, to incorporate a little more strength-training (this is scary because muscle weights more than fat!).
BTWs, Dietbet is a great way to sock away money and earn on top of your initial investment (as long as you're willing to discpline your body,mind, and stomach to lose the weight). Great movitator!
Congratulations to everyone in the challenge, whether you won $ or not, lost weight or not...sometimes it starts with one foot forward in the right direction to generate a change. I pray for all of us that we are on that "one good foot".