I'm baa-ack - and my plateau is BROKEN!!!

L Sass

L Sass

Cathlete
WOW! This was a looooong 2 weeks. I signed off from you all 2 weeks ago because I was about to follow David Kirsch's Ultimate New York Body Plan. I hovered around 130lbs after dropping 30 lbs between last April and October. Still had 10 lbs to go and NOTHING seemed to be working. I discovered Cathe at Xmas after being a long time Firm user. I tried diet (South Beach, BFL, Abs Diet blah, blah, blah) and that last 10 wouldn't budge.

Then I discovered this book. I like to read and educate myself on all the different theories because I know different things work for different people. THIS IS A HARD PROGRAM!!! When I say clean, I mean really prepare yourself if you are considering doing it. The hardest thing for me to give up was coffee and switch to green tea. My amazing DH did the program with me (hey - it's only 2 weeks) and when I asked him what he missed the most he responded "flavor".

But the day my scale showed 129.5 I nearly jumped out of my skin. I actually began the program at 133 and I'm now down to 127!!!:) :) My weight should come in around 125 but I'd like to get down to 120 to give myself some wiggle room. And now I KNOW I CAN DO IT. You know how the hardest thing is to get past that one stubborn point? Well let me tell you this can kick it into high gear. David has a strenuous workout program, but as I went through it I discovered that most of the moves were in my Cathe workouts. So I did substitute hers for his - but I planned out the full 2 weeks of workouts so I could parallel his concepts.

And the food is minimal - quite healthy - but minimal. But I feel incredible. So listen up everyone who has struggled with those last pounds that just won't move. You CAN DO IT!! Is it hard? Damn straight it's hard. Is it worth it? I'm 41 with 3 babies -the youngest is 14 months - and I haven't seen the 120's since high school. It's more worth it that I can possibly tell you here. But THIS WORKS!! So if anyone needs any encouragement - let me know. It feels great to be back and to share this with you all. I missed you guys!
 
Welcome back! i'm am proud of you for sticking to it and thrilled for you that you saw results! that is awesome! inspiring post! GOOD JOB!

jes:7
 
LSass, that is AWESOME!!!! Can I ask a few questions here? :

1. How tall are you? Just want to figure out your weight to height ratio to see if we match (I'm 5'6")

2. How many calories do you think you had per day?

3. Which Cathe workouts did you do?

4. Did you do any other exercise and are you active in general or sedentary? (Meaning sitting down most of the day.)

Thanks so much. And Congratulations!!!
 
Thanks! To answer your questions:
1. I'm 5'4" and genetically predisposed to pear shape large hips/thighs. I've struggled with weight all my life and usually come in around the high 130's to low 140's.

2. I'd estimate that my daily caloric intake was around 1000-1200.

3. My workouts: I have Cathe's intensity series and some of her body blast series. David's program calls for the following. On 3 days the first week and 4 days the second you do total body sculpting with weights for 45 min - 1 hour and then an additional 45 min of cardio (I have an elliptical crosstrainer). On 4 days the first week and 3 days the second you alternate between his abs workout and his legs and butt workout along with the additional 45 minutes of cardio.

As I said I did all Cathe and some Katami (for the abs stuff). Muscle Endurance, Boot Camp, and Supersets were my total body workouts, and I alternated between PLB & L&G for lower body. For abs I either did my Katami or PUB with the great abs section. I either did my elliptical everyday or KP&C or IMAX 2 for the cardio. On 6 of the days when I did my elliptical I also did an extra cardio session in the evening like KP&C, IMAX 2, cardio and weights or step blast.

I'm really lucky however because I gave up my desk job a few years back and now take care of my kids full time. So I'm following a 3 and 1-yr. old throughout the balance of my day.

Hope this helps!:)
 
Next question. How due you sustain this low caloric intake once you are where you want to be? I don't know that it's possible.
 
I don't either. In fact that's my biggest challenge for today now that the intense two week part is over. But David's program is an ABCDEF approach. Off limits are:
Alcohol
Bread
starchy Carbs
Dairy
Excess sugar (or sugar substitutes)
Fats and Fruits

I know that's severe. But after the 2 weeks you add one category back into your diet. For me that's going to be the dairy I mix in with my protein drink. Then in the 2nd week out you add a 2nd category and monitor what your weight is doing. It's then a matter of fine tuning and adjusting. But after eating very clean for 2 weeks I'm much more aware of everything I put into my mouth. I really feel like I've given my digestive system a break from garbage and I really don't want it back again.

Like I said - this is NOT an easy program by any definition. I think it's a matter of awareness and empowerment once you see what you can do. But you certainly can't be unhealthy no matter what program you follow.
 
So basically, you are eating very lean protein and veggies. I'm glad this is working for you and hope you get the results you want.

I know when I've eaten like this...and I have, it's difficult to maintain without totally blowing it because of restriction in both calories and food variety.

Good luck! :)
 
Oh it was tough - you're right. That's why I'm glad it was only 2 weeks and only to break that plateau and get me remotivated. This is definitely NOT a plan for everybody. But I had that plateau for over 3 months and needed something extreme to break it. For those who are at their wits end this can be a very viable alternative. It's also helped me take more individual responsibility for what I put in my mouth - not just follow a pre-set plan. But boy are you right - those veggies and lean proteins can get bland can't they!x(
 
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