Last Stretch of the Challenge

So we are finally in the last two weeks of the challenge.  This is what they call 'peak week.'  This is crunch time, time to get serious and make it count.

There are a number of things that people do to prepare for the end of a challenge and the final progress photos.  Some people cut down on calories, carbs, add extra cardio, or even go to crazy extremes to deplete their body of water or fluid retention.

Some methods of peak week are completely healthy, some are very dangerous, but most all can assist in leaning your body out for an awesome final photo.

The problem here is what happens after the final pics and the challenge is over?  If you drastically change your routines, diets, and completely manipulate your body during peak week, what do you think will happen that very next day when you go back to your regular schedule, or even worse (and often times) off the diet and workout schedule all together?

As soon as you start adding back in all of the extra calories, especially if you're going to give yourself a huge cheat meal reward or stop being conscious of what you eat, and  performing less intense workouts there's a good chance your body is going to add back weight fast.  You can also put yourself at risk for metabolic breakdown, in which your metabolism is going to slow down and not efficiently burn fat.

Again, some methods of peak week are completely healthy and doable and will give you amazing results.  Just know that as soon as you stop this routine, your body will adjust as well, meaning that you will not maintain that 'final photo' physique forever.  

This is a lesson I learned first hand after last year's challenge.  I cut out most all carbs and added extra cardio and got into the leanest shape of my life... for a few days.

This year I have made a plan to do it differently.  I will not change my diet or routine.  I will continue with what I am doing, eat all of my normal meals, do my normal routines without adding anything crazy, and try my hardest not to get Sweet Frog for the next two weeks (but no promises).

I don't want my final result to be something that only lasts a short time.  I think it was this point last year when I really learned what it meant to make it a lifestyle.  I don't want a tight, toned body for one day, I want one for life!

And I can definitely tell you that it will not be as lean as it could be through peak week modifications, but it will be the real me.  It will show what I work hard for every day.  It will show my dedication and commitment to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  And I know that it will continue to get better and better everyday!



I hope everyone is working hard to transform to their best selves and really hope to hear some great transformation stories!!  MAKE YOURSELF!!

Challenge Update

Honestly, I've been avoiding this post for a couple weeks.

I'm embarrassed to say... I screwed up.

And it wasn't anything crazy like binging or not getting in my exercises, I just made some rookie mistakes in my routine that caused me to plateau and stall out my progress.

First mistake was adding bread to my high carb days.  Even though I stuck to only whole wheat and low calorie bread, I was eating it way too often and my body didn't like it.

Second was when I switched around some of my supplements and didn't realize that I wasn't getting some of the nutrients that I needed and was used to.

Third was getting off my usual schedule.  I was getting my exercises in, though I wasn't doing them first thing and just trying to fit something in wherever, many times minimizing my cardio sessions and not being able to push as hard in strength training.

 Fourth was sticking to my usual routine.  I stayed on the same workout routine for too long and my body reached a plateau.

All this on top of the crazy stress I've had lately had left a nice layer of 'fluff' around my midsection.

So, all that said I managed to completely screw up the first half of the challenge.

However, I managed to figure out all of the stuff that was holding me back and I've been working on correcting everything for the past week or so and finally starting to see results.  I've changed up my workout routine, got in some new supplements, and am sticking to more complex carbs on high carb days.

I will also admit that I entered into this challenge unsure if I was going to be able to finish it.  I was hoping to have the opportunity to do something towards the end of March/ beginning of April that would have limited my training for the last few weeks of the challenge, and honestly I wasn't being too strenuous about it.  However, my opportunity has been pushed back, therefore allowing me to train hard for the duration of the challenge and really push forward with determination.

I hate that I screwed up so bad the first half, but you live and learn.  I'm not a professional, don't claim to know it all and a lot of this is trial and error.  But I'm ready to see how far I can push myself with the last stretch.  Hope everyone else is doing awesome and continuing to MAKE YOURSELF!!

Beginning Challenge Pic
(relaxed - not flexing)

Finally starting to see progress!