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Drop Two Sizes

Page 13

by Rachel Cosgrove


  Perform the Body Weight Squats for the required time period and then hold the bottom position, which is the Isometric Squat Hold.

  OPTION: Hold on to a TRX for support to keep your form and increase your range of motion in the squat.

  PHASE 2:

  Timed

  Metabolic

  Workout

  First do the Get Moving RAMP exercises. Then perform the following exercises one after the other for 40 seconds of work with 20 seconds of rest between each one.

  Repeat these five exercises for 40 seconds on, 20 seconds rest, 3 times and then rest for 2 to 3 minutes.

  Exercise

  Sets

  Reps

  Speed

  Rest

  CIRCUIT

  1A

  Dumbbell Swing

  3 secs

  AMAP

  Mod

  20 secs

  1B

  Alternating

  Lateral Lunge

  3 secs

  AMAP

  Mod

  20 secs

  1C

  Alternating

  Bent-Over

  Dumbbell Row

  3 secs

  AMAP

  Mod

  20 secs

  1D

  Reverse Lunge

  with Overhead Reach

  3 secs

  AMAP

  Mod

  20 secs

  1E

  Alternating

  T-Stabilization

  3 secs

  AMAP

  Mod

  20 secs

  REST

  Active Recovery

  Rest for 2-3 min

  1 A Dumbbell Swing

  See full instructions .

  1 B Alternating Lateral Lunge

  START: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.

  MOVEMENT: Step with your right leg into a lateral lunge, keeping your back in a neutral position with your chest up. Drive off that outside leg to return to the start position and then immediately step out into a lateral lunge with your left leg. Repeat, alternating back and forth for the entire set.

  1 C Alternating Bent-Over Dumbbell Row

  START: Hold a dumbbell in each hand and bend over at your hips with your back in a neutral position and your knees slightly bent.

  MOVEMENT: Keeping your body still, row one dumbbell up and then the other, alternating back and forth.

  1 D Reverse Lunge with Overhead Reach

  See full instructions .

  1 E Alternating T-Stabilization

  See full instructions .

  PHASE 2:

  Complex

  Metabolic

  Workout

  First do the Get Moving RAMP exercises. Then perform 8 of each of the following exercises one after the other, moving as fast as possible. Rest for 90 seconds and then repeat. Perform four rounds.

  Exercise

  Sets

  Reps

  Speed

  Rest

  CIRCUIT

  1A

  Dumbbell

  Alternating

  Reverse Lunge

  4

  8

  Fast

  None

  1B

  Romanian

  Deadlift

  4

  8

  Fast

  None

  1C

  High Pull

  4

  8

  Fast

  None

  1D

  Front Squat

  to Push Press

  4

  8

  Fast

  None

  REST

  Active

  Recovery

  Rest for 90 secs

  1 A Dumbbell Alternating Reverse Lunge

  START: Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart and a dumbbell in each hand.

  MOVEMENT: Step back into a reverse lunge and then drive through your front leg to return to the start position. Repeat on the opposite leg. Continue alternating back and forth.

  1 B Romanian Deadlift

  See full instructions .

  1 C High Pull

  See full instructions .

  1 D Front Squat to Push Press

  Holding a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder height, perform a Goblet Squat . As you come out of the bottom squat, generate enough power to explode the weight you are holding overhead into a push press. Lower the weight carefully to the shoulders and repeat.

  PHASE 2:

  Road Maps

  Read through the following weekly road maps before you get started, and then go through them again each week as you follow the plan. Commit to following the next 30 days of this plan as closely as possible. Get yourself hooked on feeling fit, rather than focusing on trying to reach a number on the scale by the end of the second month.

  WEEK 5 (Days 29-35)

  WEEK 6 (Days 36-42)

  WEEK 7 (Days 43-49)

  WEEK 8 (Days 50-56)

  Welcome to Week Five! Now that you’ve made it through the first 30 days of the plan, you’ve started to change old habits and build new behaviors—hopefully they’re starting to feel like a part of your daily routine. But at this point in the plan I often start hearing complaints from my clients that sound like, “I’m getting bored eating the same foods.”

  If you’re feeling stale or growing tired of any aspect of the plan, use this week to shake things up. Since this is a road map for the rest of your life, you need to keep things interesting so you’ll stay motivated. You’ll have all new workouts this week, so get ready to attack those with a fresh start. And enjoy experimenting in the kitchen!

  Week Five Plan of Attack:

  Challenge yourself to try new meals and commit to getting creative. Read through the Menu Plans and recipes and pick out something for each day that you haven’t eaten before. Do whatever it takes to make meals that keep you interested and excited.

  Check out the essential seasonings and condiments list in Chapter 5 and try them out on various recipes. Take notes in your journal so you can remember what you liked or any surprisingly good combinations! Even if you don’t consider yourself a chef, you can enjoy preparing meals that help you stick to your goals. Food is fuel and will help you feel fabulous!

  Week Five Grocery List

  PRODUCE

  Bananas

  Grapefruit

  Lemons

  Melon

  Oranges

  Pineapple

  Avocado (1)

  Broccoli

  Carrots

  Celery

  Cucumber

  Edamame, shelled (fresh or frozen)

  Greens, mixed

  Onion, red

  Spinach, baby

  Sweet potato (1 small)

  Tomatoes

  Tomatoes, cherry

  Cilantro (optional)

  DAIRY & EGGS

  Cheese, Laughing Cow light

  Cheese, shredded

  Eggs

  Greek yogurt, 2% (plain)

  Milk, 2% (cow, soy, or almond)

  Orange or grapefruit juice, 100%

  BAKERY

  Corn tortillas

  Ezekiel bread

  Ezekiel tortillas

  MEAT, DELI & SEAFOOD

  Chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (1¼ pounds)

  Pork tenderloin

  Salmon, wild-caught (⅓ pound)

  Shrimp

  Turkey breast, ground

  GROCERY & PANTRY

  Ak-mak or RyKrisp crackers

  Almond butter

  Almonds, raw

  Black beans, canned (15 ounces)

  Broth, vegetable or chicken

  Brown rice

  Kashi Go Lean cereal

  Olives, black

  Quinoa

  Salmon, canned

  Salsa

  Whey protein powder

  FROZEN

  Berries

  Day 29

  TODAY'S FOCUS


  Checkpoint: Splurge Check

  Go through your journal and tally up your splurges. Are you averaging three a week? More? If you overdid it during the first month, you can make up for that now by using fewer than three splurges this week. For example, if you had 16 splurges last month, reduce your weekly splurges to two each week this month.

  WORKOUT

  PHASE 2: STRENGTH 1

  You have all new strength workouts today, so focus on getting to know the new exercises. Perform only two sets of each exercise today.

  MENU PLAN

  Take supplements: 1 to 2 grams omega-3s, multivitamin, and 1,000 IU vitamin D

  Plus 1 serving of Greens+

  * * *

  Breakfast

  Smoothie: 1 cup 2% Greek yogurt, ½ grapefruit

  Snack

  2 tablespoons almond butter

  10 celery sticks

  Lunch

  1 serving Black Bean Soup . You’ll use the second serving for lunch on Day 33.

  5 ak-mak or RyKrisp crackers

  Snack

  Post-Workout Shake

  Dinner

  Chicken Pizza*: 1 Ezekiel tortilla topped with sliced tomato, black olives, thinly sliced red onion, ⅓ cup shredded cheese, and 3 ounces cooked chicken breast

  *Bake at 400°F until cheese is melted.

  Side Salad and 1 tablespoon Homemade Vinaigrette (Day 30)

  Day 30

  TODAY'S FOCUS

  ACTION: Rock your new habits!

  You have made it to the 30th day of the challenge! You rock! It takes anywhere from 21 to 30 days to build a new habit. At this point, you should start to feel like healthy nutrition and exercise have become an important part of your lifestyle.

  WORKOUT

  DAY OFF— Active Recovery optional 20-minute interval workout , or repeat the metabolic workout from this week

  MENU PLAN

  Take supplements: 1 to 2 grams omega-3s, multivitamin, and 1,000 IU vitamin D

  Plus 1 serving of Greens+

  * * *

  Breakfast

  2 eggs (any style)

  1 slice Ezekiel bread, toasted

  1 cup diced melon or other fresh fruit

  Snack

  A handful of raw almonds

  Sliced cucumber (unlimited)

  Lunch

  3 ounces canned salmon mixed with ½ cup chopped celery, 1 tablespoon olive oil mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard to taste

  3 cups mixed greens + ½ cup cherry tomatoes

  Snack

  Post-Workout Shake

  Dinner

  Chicken Burrito

  Homemade Vinaigrette

  Making your own salad dressing is a great, healthy alternative to eating fat- and calorie-laden store-bought dressings. All you need are two simple ingredients that, when combined, offer just as much flavor and zing!

  ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil

  ¼ cup balsamic vinegar

  Mix the olive oil and vinegar well, and drizzle over greens.

  Day 31

  TODAY'S FOCUS

  ACTION: Try something new.

  Pick out one new recipe and make it today! Cooking and preparing meals is an ongoing journey, and you’ll want to continue exploring new foods to keep things interesting and fun. If you’re stuck in a rut of eating broccoli as your vegetable every night, try something completely different like bok choy, or mash up some steamed cauliflower.

  WORKOUT

  PHASE 2: STRENGTH 2

  MENU PLAN

  Take supplements: 1 to 2 grams omega-3s, multivitamin, and 1,000 IU vitamin D

  Plus 1 serving of Greens+

  * * *

  Breakfast

  1 cup 2% Greek yogurt

  ½ cup fresh fruit

  3 tablespoons chopped raw almonds

  Snack

  2 pieces Laughing Cow light cheese

  5 ak-mak or RyKrisp crackers

  Lunch

  Asian Chicken Salad and Sesame Dressing

  Snack

  Post-Workout Shake

  Dinner

  4 ounces grilled shrimp

  2 cups steamed broccoli

  ¾ cup cooked brown rice

  Day 32

  TODAY'S FOCUS

  Checkpoint: Veggie Check

  Have you been eating a minimum of three servings a day? As of this week, bump your vegetables up to a minimum of four servings a day.

  WORKOUT

  DAY OFF— Active Recovery or complete day of rest.

  MENU PLAN

  Take supplements: 1 to 2 grams omega-3s, multivitamin, and 1,000 IU vitamin D

  Plus 1 serving of Greens+

  * * *

  Breakfast

  1 cup Kashi Go Lean cereal

  ¾ cup fat-free milk

  ½ banana, sliced

  Snack

  2 tablespoons almond butter

  10 celery sticks

  Lunch

  Rice Bowl

  Snack

  Post-Workout Shake

  Dinner

  Turkey Tacos

  Day 33

  TODAY'S FOCUS

  ACTION: Plan ahead.

  What is your plan for the weekend? Figure out your strategies today to be prepared. The weekend tends to be the hardest time for most people because it’s a break from the normal routine. Take time to think through potential obstacles and have solutions in mind so you can tackle any situation with ease.

  WORKOUT

  PHASE 2: STRENGTH 1

  MENU PLAN

  Take supplements: 1 to 2 grams omega-3s, multivitamin, and 1,000 IU vitamin D

  Plus 1 serving of Greens+

  * * *

  Breakfast

  Smoothie: 1 cup 2% Greek yogurt, ½ grapefruit

  Snack

  A handful of raw almonds

  Lunch

  1 serving Black Bean Soup

  5 ak-mak or RyKrisp crackers

  1 cup fresh fruit

  Snack

  Post-Workout Shake

  Dinner

  4 ounces roasted or grilled pork tenderloin

  1 small baked sweet potato

  2 cups steamed spinach topped with 1 teaspoon olive oil and lemon juice, to taste

  Day 34

  TODAY'S FOCUS

  ACTION: Reward yourself.

  You’ve been pushing your body like an athlete and working out hard. Are you taking time to recover, too? This includes stretching, foam rolling or other self-massage, and rest. Think about booking yourself a massage at a spa as a reward.

  WORKOUT

  PHASE 2: TIMED METABOLIC

  MENU PLAN

  Take supplements: 1 to 2 grams omega-3s, multivitamin, and 1,000 IU vitamin D

  Plus 1 serving of Greens+

  * * *

  Breakfast

  2 eggs (any style)

  1 slice Ezekiel bread, toasted

  1 cup fresh fruit

  Snack

  2 pieces Laughing Cow light cheese

  5 ak-mak or RyKrisp crackers

  Lunch

  3 ounces canned salmon mixed with ¼ cup chopped celery, 1 tablespoon olive oil mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard to taste

  3 cups mixed greens

  Snack

  Post-Workout Shake

  Dinner

  Chicken Pizza

  Day 35

  TODAY'S FOCUS

  ACTION: Be prepared.

  Get focused for the week. Plan ahead through the next 24 hours and even through the next week. Don’t forget about your journal: Continue the habit of writing out your meals a day ahead, as well as when you’ll do your workouts. Cook food ahead of time so it’s easily accessible in your fridge and ready to go when it’s time to prepare meals.

  WORKOUT

  DAY OFF— Active Recovery or, if you want more structure, hit the optional 20-minute interval workout . Go for a walk or a hike or do something active you enjoy, as long as it’s not too taxing. Or take the day completely off and relax!

  MENU PLAN


  Take supplements: 1 to 2 grams omega-3s, multivitamin, and 1,000 IU vitamin D

  Plus 1 serving of Greens+

  * * *

  Breakfast

  Smoothie: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 cup fresh fruit, and ½ cup 100% orange or grapefruit juice

  Snack

  2 tablespoons almond butter

  10 celery sticks

  Lunch

  Asian Chicken Salad and Sesame Dressing

  Snack

  Post-Workout Shake

  Dinner

  5 ounces cooked salmon

  ¾ cup cooked quinoa (cooked in chicken broth instead of water for extra flavor)

  Side Salad with 1 tablespoon Homememade Vinaigrette

  Energy to Spare

  AMY NOLAND > dropped four sizes

  Every Mother’s Day, our church’s primary leaders ask the kids “What is your mom’s favorite thing to do?” Two years in a row, my kids’ response was “Lay in bed and watch TV.” I remember after the second year in a row of this response (from both my children), I was mortified and humiliated. After we got home from church, I remember crying to my husband and saying, “Is this how our kids are going to remember me—a couch potato who can’t even get up and do anything?”

  I didn’t know how that had happened, considering I was very active with them when they were little, but maybe that’s because I had to be. Two three-year-olds running away from you in opposite directions will make you actively get up and move! But all that changed and I had sunk into being so lethargic. I had no energy. I would get up and get them off to school, and then return to bed and the TV where I’d remain sometimes until they came home from school. It’s embarrassing for me to admit that even now.

 

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