Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Log books
I would like each of you to begin, if you haven’t already, a log book. Write out what exercises you did that day and what you ate. Think about this book as being secret - like a diary. Or if you are more scientific in nature, think of this as very critical scientific data. That way you will only put down the most accurate of information. You must not lie to yourself here. If you didn’t do the last rotation – write it down. If you did an extra rotation – write it down. If you ate 3 Swedish fish in the afternoon – write it down. No one will see this book – but it will help you immensely to be able to know just why you are losing so many inches or why you haven’t seen the progress you wanted. When you get discouraged, you can look in the book and be so proud at the 4 straight days of eating 6 meals a day or the 6 straight weeks of following a new program.
In addition, this book will help me or you (3 years from now) to adjust your program if we need to. If you get discouraged or aren’t reaching the goals you had set for yourself – we can really get down to business if I can ask you questions about your logbook and you can give me exact information. If you lie to yourself and put inaccuracies in your book – neither you nor I, can help you. So be very honest. It will be more fun than you think!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
It was great to see all of you this morning at our workout. I always feel so much stronger after a workout! I hope you are all feeling the same way. And I hope you are seeing some definate changes in your body, mind, attitude etc, etc....... Keep up the good work, you will not be sorry!!!
Continue to be strong and do the diet perfectly for 6 days, then enjoy your free day. Take one perfect week at a time and you will see your body transforming. It feels so good to see results each week, even if it is small. Do NOT get discouraged because you heard someone lost 8 inches! Everyone loses at different times and off of different parts of their bodies and each person has different amounts to lose. So do not compare yourself with anyone else, just celebrate the results you have each week and you will see how they add up at the end.
I am so proud of each and every one of you for making this commitment in your life. Heck, I am proud of myself!!!! For doing this another round. It has totally changed my way of thinking about food. I truly think this is something I can do for life! I know, easier said than done, but I am sure going to try and keep doing the small meals 6 times a day incorporating everything I have learned during this time. I honestly have never felt better in my life than I do right now.
Remember, when the compliments start coming, you just bask in the glory and say THANK YOU !!!!!!
Again, have a great Free day, whenever that is and then have a perfect six days. I promise the cravings will lessen and lessen with time and with being perfect each day with the exception of the one free day.
Have a Great weekend!!!!
We are on week two and the workouts might seem easier but stick with them. They will change...and no making fun of our home video!!!
I also hate Thursday's because I have eaten so well all week and I still have one more day to go. Yes...even after 13 weeks of being on this program you want to cheat every day. I wish there was a way around it but alas....it is a struggle but the results are worth it.
It is so motivating to work with you all every week. I am starting to learn names and faces so do not hesitate to come tell me who you are and how you are doing.
I just wanted to tell you that I love this program and the way it makes me feel. I cannot imagine going back to my old eating habits. For those that are losing inches slowly....DO NOT BE FRUSTRATED. You are changing the way your body looks and building muscles. Stick with it....you will see results. Take pictures and compare from one week to your initial picture. It is the easiest way to see those results.
Have a great weekend and remember to eat right!!!!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Results
Thanks to all of you for participating. Two weeks into the program some of you have started to see some results. Please share those results on the blog to help motivate others. Some of the comments I've heard include:
-Cheryl - lost 100 points on her cholesteral level.
-Kris - lost 50 points on her cholesteral.
-unknown - lost 7 pounds (by the way, you're not supposed to be weighing yourself).
-unknown - lost 9 inches
-unknown - dropped an entire dress size
-unknown - lost 25 lbs (again, you're not supposed to weigh yourself) this person started 3 months ago.
-Many of you have told us you have more energy and feel a lot better.
If you haven't seen results yet don't be frustrated. Everybody is different, but the one thing I learned from the last group is that all of you will see good results by the end of the test period.
Keep up the good work.
Ryan
P.S. Debbie, sorry for posting the weight loss success stories. I know you'll be mad at me...couldn't help it.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Body builders vs. FDA
On the other hand we have the bodybuilders. I love these guys. We owe a lot to these crazy guys. And the reason is, they are willing to try out all kinds of different nutrition and supplement concoctions on themselves in order to find perfection in the human form at the cost of their health. No guinea pigs or rats here - what these guys discover you can apply directly to the human body since they are using their own human bodies to try it out. We know never to use steroids because of cardiovascular and reproductive damage, not to mention cancer risks. We know that extremely high doses of ephedrine mixed with caffeine and excessive dehydration, can cause a young healthy 16 year old to drop dead on the football field. I hope I've scared you enough to sell you on the fact that it is crucial to know exactly what you are taking, eating and using to achieve your goals. We have a world of research at our fingertips with the internet. Please use it. However, coming from a careful, scientific upbringing by my mentors and professors at BYU - I also encourage you to learn how to tell good research from bad research (that's for another day unfortunately).
When I began trying to find the best overall system to get in shape 10 years ago, I found the most cutting-edge information in the bodybuilding literature. These guys know their stuff. They know chemistry, biology and nutrition like any PhD I've ever met and they apply this information directly to getting a great body. Now you have to wade through magazine after magazine, article after article of dangerous crap before you get to the nuggets of real truth, but when you find those parts that make sense - you have cutting edge information.
In my research I found that the FDA wanted me to take 25 grams of protein a day. The bodybuilder literature was saying 130 grams a day (1 gram per 1 lb of bodyweight). Huge difference! You have a decision to make. If you want to know how I made my decision... I reasoned that the FDA is trying to provide a recommendation for the average American with the average American's lifestyle. I didn't want to live the average lifestyle - I wanted to have strong, lean muscles and very little fat on my body. But I also wanted my heart and brain to survive to the century mark. I had learned from real science that muscles will break down if you abuse them. If you feed them protein, they will rebuild and in addition, they will want to rebuild stronger and bigger (in preparation for the next abuse). As you feed your body and muscles enough protein for them to rebuild (discovered by the bodybuilders), your body will have to rid the waste that is associated with protein, requiring a lot of work from the kidneys. Healthy kidneys are up to the task as long as you give them lots and lots of water to do the job. Your brain on the other hand needs carbohydrates. And fat is necessary in the absorption of vitamins and nutrients. So balancing carbs with protein and fat is what I've decided is the best way to get a shapely body; a strong, energetic body; a quick, alert brain; and a healthy cardiovascular system for living beyond age 100.
Do your research. Know where your research is coming from. Understand the motivating factors and goals of people offering you information. I will tell you to trust me - but you should only smile when I say that and let it warm your heart, knowing that I simply want to motivate you - then do your research! And when you discover good stuff - please, please, please share it with the world! Be healthy, happy and beautiful - inside and out.
Debbie
Friday, May 16, 2008
Today - the small, frequent meal concept.
Let's talk insulin. You keep hearing me tell you to keep your insulin levels stable and avoiding foods that will "spike" your insulin levels. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the absorption of sugar (glucose) — your body's main source of fuel — into your cells. The pancreas secretes insulin when you eat. The insulin allows sugar to enter your cells (for energy) and, in turn, lowers the amount of sugar that's in your blood. When you overeat or when you eat foods with specific chemical compositions, your body is forced to produce more insulin to compensate for the decreased sugar in your blood. Weight gain is a common side effect for people with increased insulin. The more insulin you use to control your blood sugar level, the more glucose that gets into your cells and the less glucose that's wasted in your urine. Glucose that your cells don't use accumulates as fat. If that isn't enough, excess weight can make your body resistant to the action of insulin — which means that you may eventually need even more insulin to get sugar into your cells (think type II diabetes). (Mayo clinic 2007) Research has found that small, frequent meals stabilizes your insulin levels. The more stable your insulin levels, the better your body is able to use what you eat for energy vs. storing it. (Also preventing adult onset diabetes - nice bonus)
As women, we were raised with the philosophy that the fewer the calories, the thinner we will be. True, but what a sad, sorry life. Is thin the goal? Thin means tired, no energy, and wispy little body without shape. I lived that life and vetoed it. I bring this up because we are programmed to skip a meal if we are not hungry. "Why eat if not hungry - eating will just make us fat". Wrong. Not eating will make you fat. And overeating will make you fat. And eating the wrong foods will make you fat. My point is - Eat small, frequent meals. And do not skip one. Your tendency may be what mine is - that as the day goes on, I think "I don't really need that 3:00 meal" or "I certainly don't need the meal right before bed". But this is so wrong. If you skip a meal, you will not keep your insulin level stable (see above) and you will not be getting enough calories throughout the course of the day and you will be hungry tomorrow. Take the small, frequent meal concept seriously.
Most women don't want to be "thin". We want pretty, feminine, shapely bodies that are extremely strong and energetic. Right? Thought so. So women need to lift heavy weights and feed their bodies. Enough said. You know I will be on my soap box again soon, but enough for now.
Debbie
Thursday, May 15, 2008
I just wanted to comment on what a GREAT workout this morning was!! I was so glad to see such a big turnout. I know I did not get to personally meet everyone, but I think I can put a few more names with faces than I could last week. I am really excited to learn the new exercises. We worked on a DVD this morning for you guys to follow. It will be for "our eyes only" not the most professional DVD you will probably see, but it was fun to help to make it and I think it will be very helpful in making sure we have the moves down and the proper form.
Anyway, keep up the good work and for those of you having your first free day coming up, ENJOY! Also for those of you that have your first measurment day coming up, good luck and be prepared to see some positive results!!!!
Please feel free to share your thoughts, likes and dislikes with us. We would love to hear them and I know we would all learn from them.
Keep going strong!! You all can do it!!!!
Have a great weekend,
Mary Kaye
Team PinK
We filmed your next few workouts this morning and it just about killed me. When you get the dvds, you'll get to workout with tired, exhausted, sweaty Debbie - so be warned. The good thing is...I was worried about how heavy a bar you should buy in order to get good results - but these workouts are so intense a pvc pipe will do the trick. Trust me. (if you haven't purchased anything, I'd go for the 9 lb. weight). In the meantime, trust me on focusing on POSITIONING and TECHNIQUE this week. Please trust me. Focus on getting these movement perfect and ingrained in your nervous system. These workouts are going to get difficult and intense sooner than you think. But you will be ready if you get the positioning right this week.
...and stretch. Take long hot baths, drink lots of water and stretch. Can't wait to see you again - Debbie
Friday, May 9, 2008
Day Switching
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
For now, write out each day of your nutrition plan for this week. Write out exactly what you are going to eat and when. Then follow it perfectly. You will be changing the way you feel about, look at, and use food. Whereas previously you may have used food for comfort, or because you were bored or stressed or simply for pleasure, you are going to switch entirely over to eating for health and performance for 12 weeks. Not forever – just 12 weeks. At the end of the 12 weeks you will look at food differently and believe me, you will enjoy it more than you did before. But you will be in control of it. Don’t think of this as changing the way you eat for months or years, but only for one week. Go one week at a time. Take each day seriously. Take each meal seriously. Each glass of water. Then cross off every day as you succeed in following the plan you have written. At the end of 6 perfect days you will feel so great! Do this with me!
Because of the switch in how you use food, you may find these first two weeks a challenge when you are faced with breaking old habits. A couple of tips I’ve learned over the years: 1. Take a warm or hot bath. Doesn’t matter what time of day it is – if you need food when it’s not in your plan to eat it – get in the tub. It gives you that warm comfort feeling and acts as a kind of time-out so you can make a more rational decision. 2. Drink Water. Lemon or ice water – just drink instead of eat to break the habit of putting food in your mouth. You’re not hungry – so be in control of what goes in your body. 3. Zinc Lozenges. Zinc is good for you but it also coats your mouth and throat and totally kills any food craving. Magic.
Be strong. One day at a time. You can do ANYTHING for one week. We are only focusing on this one week. See you very soon and I’ll be bringing a really fun and effective workout!
Debbie
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
MK
I was great to see so many faces this morning. I wanted to congratulate each of you for taking the time to become more informed, and to show dedication to changing your lifestyle to be healthier, fitter and happier. I know it can seem a little overwhelming to have so much thrown at you so quickly, but remember that is why we are here! ask~ Take it one step at a time, just one day at a time, you will be surprised at the strength and confidence you will have after successfully lifting and eating right each day. I really struggled with the eating idea at first. 5-6 meals a day is no problem (remember me, turbo graze), it was the 20/20 protein/carb. healthy part. but after sticking through one day I had accomplished something I hadn't before and I found myself challenged and charged for the coming days! I am sure you will feel the same!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Hope you don't mind me thinking of you as a team - if you've never been on one before - you are now! Welcome, welcome, welcome! I have done this program alone and with friends and it is so much more fun and effective with friends so I'm glad to be doing this with such a big group this time.
I am very impressed with your courage to not only try something new, but something hard and do it in front of peers. You are an impressive group. You need to know, coming from a real person, that strength training and feeding your body will make you beautiful...well, even more beautiful - on the outside and inside.
I not only want to help you learn this, but I'm excited about it! Weightlifting is something I have learned to really love and I absolutely enjoy sharing it. I will be keeping in close (very close) contact with your team leaders who are well prepared to answer your questions. These ladies are the real deal. They have been there and done that - and only 12 weeks ago transformed a few major parts of their lives successfully. I will be seeing you on a regular basis, posting to the PINK blog, and eagerly answering any questions you may pass along through your team leaders. This is like nothing you've ever done before and you have a constant peer group for support. Email or Blog every question at any time of day if you need advice, encouragement, or you're just excited about something and want to share it.
I live the nutrition plan and have lived it for 10 years (unless I'm celebrating a win or throwing all caution to the wind because I'm pregnant!). I am always in training for some competition, well really just because I love it. I train in Salt Lake and you have my personal invitation to come to my gym and lift with me. I might not share my olympic weightlifting coach with you, but I would love to workout with you if a group wants to come down. This is going to be a lot of fun - and when you have your bathing suit body, you won't mind at all having eaten all that spinach and broccoli...it's so worth it.
I look forward to hearing how your first week goes. You should get a very rough outline of the nutrition plan. It will likely be a little overwhelming. Don't despair! Keep it simple. Trust me and I'll explain everything when I see you in person. If you follow the nutrition plan, stretch, learn and practice the weightlifting basics like the squat and deadlift, you should lose about 1-2 inches this first week. I promise. Commit yourself with everything you've got. You will find an inner strength you never knew existed if you go one day at a time - perfectly. Every decision you make tomorrow will make a difference. Write out a plan for what you are going to do (food and lifting) and do every single thing exactly like you planned. No mistakes. You can do this. You have more self-discipline that you know. Forget dieting and scales and everything you've ever learned about weight loss in the past. Women are strong, amazing, beautiful people. I want to meet every one of you in the next couple of weeks. I look forward to lifting with you soon and to hearing from you on the Blog or from your leads.
Debbie
P.S. Some tips I've learned...tell as many people as you can what your goals are and it will help your resolve. I find that when I tell people I'm going to squat 200 lbs. or have a six pack, or win a competition, I feel a lot of pressure to make sure I am good on my word. Let people see what you're eating - they will want to talk about it and again - it will help your resolve. And drink LOTS of water! :)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Allison