Day 15 - what supplements I'm using

Bought new gym gear by way of pick me up and well done for reaching week 2!

I never normally wear fitted gym pants, I've always worn lose ones but feeling a bit more confident I got a pair of legging type things and another pair which are fitted to the knees and then flare. Both looked nice and even my husband said I looked more toned than before. I can't see a significant difference myself but my husband barely notices anything so I am assuming it is fairly noticeable. I will say that my 12 trousers are pretty lose now. Before there was a little bit of room but 10's were often too tight. My size 12 workout pants are going to have to be relegated to weights workouts or slobbing about the house as they're falling down when I jump about!

Bought casein shake as instructed by my trainer. Bleh, it's not great.

If anyone is interested, these are the products I am using:

http://www.usn.co.uk/product/Weight-Loss-Supplements/Xedra-Cut-Ultra-XT-90s/151

http://www.usn.co.uk/product/Weight-Loss-Supplements/CLA-Thermo-45s/87

http://www.usn.co.uk/product/Amino-Acids-Testosterone-Boosters/BCAA-120s/76

http://www.usn.co.uk/product/Protein-Shakes-Meal-Replacements/Whey-Protein-228KG/103

http://www.onacademy.co.uk/gold-standard-100-casein


A little note on each.

USN Xedra-Cut Ultra XT
I don't know if anyone else has found this problem, but I personally find that for between 10 and 20 minutes, this gives me terrible heartburn. This is a capsicum based supplement and although I eat a lot of chillies personally, I can feel this fizzing away in my gut which is not nice. Like I said, the feeling goes away after about 10-20 minutes and it can range from a bit uncomfy to pretty unpleasant. I'm sticking with it for now because I have a whole pack. I've tried to cut down from the recommended 2 caps to 1 and while I still get the same feeling, its not as bad. I now take two in the morning (and just live with feeling a bit rotten for a bit) and I take one around lunchtime. The product overall gets good reviews so I'm hoping I see a difference.

CLA Thermo
I'd never heard of CLA before I started the challenge. The idea behind this product is that it slows down gastric emptying rate so you feel fuller for longer. I can't decide whether its because I eat a lot of protein rich foods now or whether it's this but I think it does make a difference. The thermo ones are a bit more expensive and I've tried the green tea ones as well. I think it's much of a muchness to be honest so go with either.

BCAA's
Never heard of these either before I started the challenge. Meant to take them 30 mins before a workout which I do. I take 3 and would only take 6 if I was doing a mammoth workout.

Protein shake
I use the chocolate one at the moment but I tried the pistachio recently and I am gutted I didn't get that one as it tastes lovely. This protein shake is smoother than some I've tasted, the mixability is, well, a bit mixed. It's perfectly drinkable in a shaker but I tend to find a blender gives you a better shake. It tastes very nice with water and I've not tried this one with milk. The other shake I've tried is the SCI mix and that was also really nice. A little bit more gritty in texture but the taste was equally nice.

Casein shake
It was a choice of eating cottage cheese (which I hate) or a casein shake, which as it turns out, I'm not that keen on either. This one gets rave reviews for taste and I have to confess, when I smelt it, I was really looking forward to it! The texture is a little gritty for my liking. I'm going to try it with milk tonight to see if that helps with the taste. I wasn't overly keen but I certainly didn't wake up hugely hungry this morning. I've literally only tried this for a day so that's all I can say so far.

A word on all these supplements. It's actually really expensive so shop around for the best deals.  You also need to be careful of the mg in each packet so you don't sacrifice cost for a lesser quality product. Read packaging very carefully is all I can say.

Day 14

2 weeks into the challenge now. I weighed myself but I'm exactly the same 9st 10. I'm not sure that's a huge deal as I'm not actually planning to lose a lot of weight but build muscle and tone. I measured myself and in total I've lost 3 cm from my stomach, lower part. I've lost 1 cm on my hips. I'm pretty pleased with that.

It was much easier to get to the gym this week. Eating wasn't too bad either (I don't think). I've eaten out a couple of times and I've been able to have a decent meal while still sticking to healthy eating principles.

My personal trainer said "be strict with your diet and do your workouts" so that's what I'm doing.

Day 13

It's almost two weeks since I started the challenge. When I first started it was all a bit overwhelming, the training plan, what to eat and when and what supplements to take etc. I'm much more into a routine now. I've not completely deprived myself of eating out or socialising. My month of no drinking continues for another few days and it will be interesting to see how I adapt after that. I don't want to go back to boozing at the level I was before.

I've not measured or weight myself today. I had every intention and then when the alarm went off I just threw on clothes and got out the door. I didn't really have time to then step on the scales and get the measuring tape out. I'll do that tomorrow and post it then. I might not have changed much in two weeks. I always hope to have lost loads quickly but it's highly unrealistic. If anything has changed I'll be happy though and if not, there's still plenty of time.

So I did my cardio today which was good. Tonight I'm having the night off and going to the cinema. I will aim to get a small bag of popcorn like I did before and a diet drink and that will be my treat for the movie!

Day 12

I never sure if I'm completely scuppering myself by having a small amount of rice or tiny bite of bread now and again. You hear so much about processed carbs. I am of the view that every once in a while a little bit of what you fancy does you no harm. As was the case for lunch when I fancied a hot dish which came with rice and I asked for the rice on the side and spooned out a small handful for myself and ate the rest of the stir fry. Proof will be in the pudding as to whether I'm right I guess.

I did weights and cardio this morning and I've done the same this evening. I have to say I can see how you can get addicted. I keep thinking if I should do workouts when I get home and at that point I have to remind myself that I've already done two workouts today, a third is obsessive.

Food today has been rather boring save for lunch:
Breakfast: shake
Snack: 12 pistachios (yes I did count them)
Lunch: chicken stir fry from wagamamas
Dinner: shake

Day 10

It's been a couple of days since an update but essentially things have been going fine. I ate healthily at the weekend and did a HIIT workout from Chalene Johnson's Turbofire. Love those workouts.

Now I'm in the swing of it I do actually feel a good bit better in myself. Someone mentioned that I looked really well and a few people have commented that my skin looks good. Not sure if this is the new diet, lots of water or the sauna every morning after my cardio but either way, it's nice to get comments. I feel my stomach looks better although when I measured it there was absolutely no difference since the start. It's only been a week, I really need to stop expecting instant results.

I would show you pictures of yesterday's food but it was two shakes, one for breakfast, one for dinner and a pret chicken salad for lunch. I also had three boxes from my graze box yesterday as I was really hungry and it turns out a pret salad does not fill me up! I did discover the wonder of USN Pistachio flavour shake, that's going to be a purchase at its delicious! I did my cardio for about 50 mins and I also worked out with my friend doing weights for about an hour. On way to gym now for my morning routine of cardio, nosing at other people in the gym and a sauna!

Day 6 (Friday)

Friday night and the third with no booze. This is ok, I have alcohol free wine in the fridge and I've worked out quite a bit.

Tomorrow will be a week - its flown by.

I have to squeeze in a HIIT workout and a weights workout this weekend and I will have completed my training plan.

Did chest and triceps today, super sets of opposite exercises. It was pretty simple once I got the hang of it and I liked the fact I could get it done in about 30 mins. Even did an extra 10 mins on the stepper!

Breakfast was a shake (naturally!) with half a protein bar. Lunch was roast beef with peas and horseradish sauce. Dinner was a shake and will also be whatever I have left in the fridge which from memory is eggs and spinach. Anyways, it's going ok.

Day 5

So last night I went Thursday night drinking without drinking. It was a bit weird and I did miss it a bit but appletiser in a glass looks like wine so I tricked my brain for a bit. Was rather unhappy when I looked at the sugar content though :-(

Lunched out with a friend and had a really nice time. Didn't take a picture of my food but I had stuffed chicken leg with leeks and green beans. It was lovely.

We intended to only go for a couple of drinks but didn't get home until 11.30 and it was about midnight before we were in bed. I slept like shit and getting up this morning was very hard. Still did it though so proud of myself.

Breakfast was a shake. Lunch was the chicken. Snacks were 5 dark chocolate buttons. Dinner was protein dessert!

Big exercise day today. Cardio then weights tonight.

Day 6

Every day I get up but there is definitely a little voice in my brain says "you could have a day off today" but I'm not going to. Monday to Friday morning is gym time!

So yesterday I stepped out the shower at the gym and the fire alarm went off. There was no way I was running out in the nip to see if it was a real fire! It wasn't thankfully but I sure as hell got dressed quickly thereafter.

I know it's not a good yard stick but I got on the scales yesterday and I was 9st 10.8lbs which I was pleased with. I'm going to try not to weigh myself all the time and if I can leave it until week four until weigh myself again.

Ate out yesterday which was nice. Had beef salad. Breakfast was a shake and I didn't bother taking a picture of it but here's the rest...

Day 4

Another early start to head to do cardio. I did stairs and cross trainer this time which was much better and less boring.

Yesterday was fine. I think the only thing I ate which USN don't recommend is half a portion of white rice but my carb intake for the day was pretty limited apart from that.

I worked out at home in the evening and did 20 mins lower body and 20 mins upper body.

The plan for today is to do my weights workout, chest and triceps (I think!).

Here's yesterdays food. Breakfast was a shake, lunch was wagamama chicken and courgette thing where I only are half the rice it came with then dinner was tuna salad with egg white. I then had a portion of protein dessert (USN product) before bed but I didn't take a picture of that as it kind of looks like a turd in a bowl.

That snack protein bar tastes like a Kit Kat peanut chunky. It's totally yummy.

Day 3 and day 4

Yesterday was day three and it wasn't too bad.

Felt very virtuous by getting up early and doing cardio for 40 mins. Have to confess it was rather boring and I think today I'll break it into intervals, 20 mins on one thing and 20 on another.

Drinks with pals were cancelled so I went to the gym and did some weights. Never really strayed into the "boys" part of the gym. Feel very out of place there at the moment, am sure I'll figure it out eventually!

Day 2

It's day 2. Rest day in terms of workout but me and the hubby did do a reasonable amount of walking.

Breakfast was eggs, spinach, feta, tomatoes and seeds.


Lunch was a Leon chilli chicken salad.

Dinner was salmon and salad.

We're at the cinema now and I've got a small bag of popcorn and a diet Pepsi. Not too bad.

Haven't felt deprived or hungry by any means.

I actually did it - I signed up

So at about 7.30am today, I registered for the USN body makeover challenge. Here's my confirmation email.

The USN team would like to congratulate you on registering for the USN Body Makeover Challenge. The 12 week Challenge is all about self-improvement and there are some great prizes to reward the people we think have made the biggest transformations! 


Its official. I'm doing it. I've posted my before pictures and uploaded my measurments,  there's no going back. I must be mad.

 

You're nuts - I'm not doing that

Me and a friend of mine have a long workout/crazy diet history. This is basically us. 








In January of this year she told me she was doing something called the USN body challenge. I'd never heard of it. She told me that she was doing something like 14 workouts a week, two a day basically and was eating really healthily and had given up alcohol. Sounded hellish to me, I've never understood why people give up alcohol in the most depressing month of the year. Nevertheless I wished her well on her journey. 

My friend posted loads of updates of her healthy meals (she managed to time her posts well  - just when I had a croissant in my mouth or a massive glass of wine in hand). At first I thought it was all a bit full on. No one can possibly keep this up and it couldn't possibly be fun. 

One step at a time

I saw her a month or so into her challenge, I thought she looked great. I decided to get a training and diet plan from the same personal trainer and do what I could myself. Not going to go crazy but I can aim to get similar results at a slower pace.

I continued to workout and eat fairly healthily but with the usual splurges, desserts and wine being my vices of choice. "I'll start my plan next week" I'd say to myself or "I just need to attend that party/birthday/social thing and then I'll definitely start the next day". Next day came, nothing changed, next week came, nothing changed, two months on, nothing had changed.

I also wanted to cut down my alcohol intake. I like to drink a nice glass of wine but I should not be able to stand after 8 of them and I could. I knew it wasn't right. I wanted to give myself a break but I didn't know how. I have  ZERO willpower. A friend suggested I give up for a month for charity. I wanted to give to a charity which I think is important and for me that's Stroke Association, my mum having suffered three of them. So I gave up (I still have some time to go). Feel free to donate - http://www.justgiving.com/Lisa-O-Daly1

Not so easy

My friend was 9 or so weeks into her challenge and she was posting regularly about her progress. She was looking amazing and it was getting on my nerves. Every healthy post annoyed me. Why? Was it jealousy? If I said there wasn't a tiny bit of me that wasn't a little green about her new flat abs, I'd be a lying cow. But that wasn't the real thing. It wasn't really annoyance at her. It was frustration at myself. I would love to get a figure like that through hard work but that nagging self doubt in my head kept telling me "you can't do that, you'd never be able to do anything like that, you'd give up". 

I went to see my mum for her birthday. My mum is disabled, she's been in a wheelchair for almost 15 years. The strokes have robbed her of her speech and much of her movement on the left hand side but she's still smiling. Recently she astonished me by teaching herself to stand so that she could shuffle a very small distance to a seat or a bed. She tells me that its  painful but she has to do it to be as independent as possible. I've genuinely never met anyone so determined to overcome such significant physical obstacals as my mother. Seeing her on her birthday kind of made me think that life is too short, you never know what might happen and take away your mobility. You're actually really blessed to be able to workout.

Why not do a body challenge? I'm pretty fit, healthy and I might not be that way forever so stuff it, might as well make the most of it and see what I can achieve.

And you know what? I'm actually pretty excited. Its called a challenge for a reason and I'm actually really looking forward to cracking on. 

The big question - will I do it?
Hell yes. 

I'll keep you posted...