After Ana

I’m ditching the Warrior Diet for a Body-for-Life type plan.

Although I HAVE increased my muscle percentage, my body fat has only changed minimally. I enjoyed the freedom that comes from eating one meal a day, but wanted better results than I was getting. As I progress, I might go back to it, I think there’s some very good science behind it. That’s the problem I guess… there is reasonable science behind A LOT of different diet plans, that is why most people are hopelessly confused!

Also, I’m afraid WD is slowly wearing away at my resolve NOT to go back to my disordered eating. My attitude towards food of late has been less than stellar, (hence my long absence) and I was finding myself heavily restricting again in an effort to speed up my fat loss. BAD IDEA, I know. *sighs* I really don’t want to go down that self destructive path again, so I’m turning around now, while I can still see the forest, so to speak!

Based on Skwigg’s great results (I’ve been a secret fan of hers for a long time) I’ve bit the bullet and committed myself to a 12 week Body for Life Challenge. That means lots of small meals, with emphasis on protein and workouts 6 days a week, 3 weights sessions, 3 cardio. There’s a cheat day every week and a sleep in too. (Ahhh…. bed. I love my bed.) I’m not sticking to the BFL plan exactly, I’ll use it as a rough guideline with most of my nutrition coming from whole traditional foods (obviously) rather than protein bars, shakes and products. I’ll use a shake or two here and there for convenience but not every second meal! The whey protein concentrate I use is cold filtered and plain, with no flavours or sweeteners, mixed with water.

Unfortunately, because I’m from Australia, I can’t actually enter the comp. So, I thought I might enter this one instead. Not quite the same prize pool (pity, the extra cash would have come in handy :)), but it is the same length and gives me something to work towards, a tangible goal. Besides, it’s not about the money, it’s about how I feel, setting and achieving goals, self esteem and discipline. Most importantly, I want to GET RID of the bad eating demons who are always hovering in the background. I need to prove to myself and dismiss the doubt that eating regularly is not going to eventually make me fat. I have never in my LIFE been able to get up out of bed at 6:30am! Not that I didn’t want to or that I had no alarm, the reasons to get up just weren’t good enough and my bed is so cozy and warm…. Ah, no, I’m NOT a morning person! So even if I can achieve THAT, this attempt will have been worth it.

I printed out a diary with every day for the next 12 weeks, workout plans, meal plans, actual meals, milestones and measurement goals. I’ve also taken some before shots and stuck them on the fridge with the date. As I complete each month, I’m going to take a new photo and stick it up there alongside the original. So motivating! I’ve outlawed banned substances such as biscuits and there is a strict edict that will be enforced regarding chocolate consumption and location. I’ve set alarms and reminders on my phone until DECEMBER (I’ve TRULY lost it this time), 6:30am wake up call for my morning workout, 10:30am snack, 12:30pm lunch, 3:30pm snack. They’ve been very helpful already, when I get busy at work I easily forget to have a mini meal.

Day 1 went extremely well! I’m feeling very motivated now I’ve committed to this plan. Anyone else out there doing it or have done it before? Let me know, I’d love to hear what worked for you and possible hurdles I might encounter.

Meal 1: 2 whole egg (free range) omlette with chopped tomato, spanish onion, feta, basil, parsley, garlic chickory tea
Meal 2: Protein shake, red apple, water
Meal 3: 2 tandoori chicken legs, 1 scant cup of fruit (pineapple, strawberries), water
Meal 4: 1 cup of beef and vegetable curry, herbal tea, water
Meal 5: Medium sized steak (grass-fed aged black angus) cooked in butter, steamed carrots, roast beetroot, roast onion and tomato gravy, diet coke (slaps wrist… someone left it in my fridge… )
Meal 6: Protein, half a tangerine, herbal tea

Day 1 exercise: 6:30am 45min pilates session, 6:30pm 45 min weight training - arms

So it’s day 2 today, and I managed to get out of bed for two days in a row!! (Shocked gasps from the audience) Trust me. I did NOT want to, but how could I pike out on the second day! Unthinkable! Quite stiff and sore from the shoulder presses we did on Sunday (damn DOMS) and took the dogs out for a long hike before brekky. They are POOPED. Hee hee, they’ll get fit too… super pups! Might keep the neighbours happy that they’re too tired to bark.

So far I’ve had…

Meal 1: 2 whole egg (free range) omlette with chopped tomato, spanish onion, feta, basil, parsley, garlic chickory tea
Meal 2: Protein shake, piece of pineapple, water, herbal tea
Meal 3: 2 tandoori chicken legs, sprouted chick peas, grape tomatoes, water

Got some cardio tonight, I can’t wait until I’m able to run. One of my goals is to be able to run for half an hour without stopping. : )

About the Author...

I've finally overcome my destructive eating habits by learning to accept myself, applying the WAPF nutritional principles daily. I'm now at a stable, healthy, slim weight, have lots of energy and no more guilt. I've been happily married for 7 years and am a graphic designer. In the near future I'm hoping to start a nutritional course and start practicing as a qualified nutritionist. At the moment it's all self education.