Self Challenge
By treeoflife43
@treeoflife43 (118)
United States
March 2, 2007 11:56pm CST
Hi, Just curious if anyone on here has every participated in the Self Challenge (from the magazine "Self"). They have it in their magazines every year, and it's a 3 month exercise/diet program. I already exercise and try to eat healthy, but I thought I might check it out. My goal is basically just to get in shape and be healthy. I'm not really trying to lose weight, but just shape up a little before summer. I registered online for the challenge. Just wondering if anyone has ever followed that program, or if anyone is participating in it now. Or even if anyone is beginning an exercise/weight lose program. I need to become more dedicated because I often find myself being lazy :) I just replied to another post about motivation...that's something that I need to explore for myself too-motivation...
1 response
@babyjane (1390)
• Philippines
16 Mar 07
When to Start Dieting?
This one is for women:
Never start a diet one week before your period. The hormonal imbalances will drive you nuts, will make you frustrated, and the water retained in your body will make appear as if you haven't shed a pound. Actually, you will look as if you took pounds. So spare yourself!
The best moment to start a diet is two days after your period has started, when your cravings subdue and your body starts eliminating the retained water.
It's better not only from a psychological point of view, but also from a physiological one.
So, girls, did you know that the body retains up to 1 liter of water before and during your period? Keep that in mind next time you are complaining that you cannot lose weight. Personally, I retain even more sometimes.
Anyway, I started this new way of eating. My friend lost 20 pounds almost following it in the US, and if she could do it there, I can do it here!
The basic principles are the ones I have mentioned already. 5-6 meals a day and two or three more substantial. Never eat until you are full, just until you are not hungry anymore. Take out sugar so your insulin is not high and stopping you from losing weight. My daily intake varies from 1,200 calories to 1,500 calories. I don't think that going under this is helpful or healthy.
In the morning I'm having a Diet Cereal Bar and half a glass of yogurt. Two-three hours later I have lunch (for example today I had three small pieces of chicken nuggets and 3 large spoons of eggplants and yogurt salad). Then I had one Diet (with fructose instead of sugar) fruit cheesy yogurt. Then I had dinner - other 3 pieces of nuggets, one egg, and lots of lettuce - and then one more fruity cheesy yogurt. I could have added more, but I feel ok. I am not hungry. I could use some fruits though.