Friday, November 7, 2014

Phase Four - Days One, Two, Three., Four

Phase four Begins!!!  Tuesdaystarting cabbage soup cleanse(can also be used as a fast-diet) I eat this for breakfast and lunch. I eat a regular dinner if I want.   I plan to do this cleanse for the next 10 days.  If you are joining, please comment below and let me know how you are doing! 


The trick to a good cabbage soup cleanse is the spice and ingredients.  The spicier the better –red pepper, paprika, chili sauce, etc.  Besides cabbage, I add other leafy vegetables and veggies with some substance.  For this week’s version, I used Low sodium Vegetable juice as a broth, cabbage, collard greens, mushrooms, and onions for added sustenance.  I know there are those of you out there who need meat with every meal.  Use poultry or fish if needed.  Also, if you are raising your protein intake but don’t want meat, use beans.


Got up at 4am to cook and workout.  
    20mins bike with 10lbs weight vest.  
   Weighted Sidebends with vest on 30 on each side.  
     Planks with vest on. 90 sec hold, 60 sec hold, 30 sec hold. 
    30 leg lifts, 
     30 side leg lifts, 30 sec hold each side, 
     30 side leg lifts each side (feet together), 
    15 jackknifes each side. 34” waist today.  Not bad considering my period started this AM so bloaty, etc. 

I should digress here and discuss Progress Monitoring –
            Using scale is not the most accurate measurement as it does not account for BMI or muscle/fat ratio but feel free to do so.  The best way to track this in house is via loss of inches.  I concentrate on waist and each upper thigh area that makes up lower hip, then mid-hip that includes glutes.  Waist is a tricky measurement.  I use my bellybutton as a general guideline.  Each week I will do a before and after.  Since we didn't start Phase Four until Tuesday, we will do before/after Tuesday/Saturday this week




I went out with some friends after work today.  The cleanse worked wonderfully.  Everything that went in came out so I went with a 0 calorie deficit meaning I could indulge a tad.  I had a small bowlof black beans, rice, and eggs.  Idrank 4 Hot Toddy’s Nashville style.  At home, I did nothing.  So bummer.

Wednesday – Day two of the cleanse. Once again working perfectly.  Running Late.  Change of time and rain really messes with my internal clock so no AM workout.  Met up with a friend at Best Kept Secret Happy Hour in Nashville.  Had 16 thin slices of ahi tuna rare no sauce, ginger, and cucumber.  2 Hot Toddy’s Nashville style.  Then I had an indulgent dessert drink – Patron Café!  Yumm…….

PM WorkOut
    Did 100 crunches before bed

Thursday – Day 3 of the cleanse!  
AM Workout
   50 plank push ups
  120 standing calf lifts (60 both feet, 30 each foot), 
  30 weighted squats.  
   Wall squats with arm weights (90sec, then 60sec, then 30 sec) 
   airplane holds (60 sec each leg). 
   80 weighted side bends (40 each side), 
   10 -10 second leg lift/straight pose hold (equivalent approx 100 leg lifts), 
    80 side leg lifts feet together (40 each side)

Did I mention this cleanse is working super duper well?!

PM Workout
  100 crunches before bed


Food: Cabbage soup is running low on content, mainly broth.  When this happens, I add a protein.  Tonight, I reheated the soup and cooked in Tilapia.  This should last through tomorrow.

Drinks: Liver gets the day off.  Just water and tea!!!

Progress Monitoring: Already down an inch and a half in the waist!!! Yes!!!!!!!!





Friday - Day 4 of the cleanse!
  AM Work out 
      100 crunches
      30 leg lifts
      20 bridges (30 second hold)
      L pose holds (10 seconds) 14 total

  PM Work Out
      100 hip raises
      55 Plank Push Ups
      100 side bends Legs together (50 each side)





Pre Phase Four Warm Up

Sunday – Light calisthenics – 
    100 hip raises
    45 plank push ups
   25 weighted squats
   40 weighted (20 on each side) side bends.  

  Food: Sautéed tilapia, broccoli and black beans.  That’s what I ate all day.  
  Drinks: Approx – 4 Hot Toddy’s (12oz), 20 oz water

Monday – AM Calisthenics – 
      25 weighted squats
     40 side leg lifts (20 each side)
     75 calf lifts
     20 bridges plus 30 second hold
     90second hold boat pose
     60 second hold crunch pose into hovering

        
Food:  Egg white flatbread Subway
            chopped turkey salad Subway (I should note that I do not add dressings to salads.  Only mustard, preferably spicy to aid in digestive health.  On sandwiches, only mustard, sometimes (rarely) ketchup, never mayo.  I add pepper to most meals when possible to aid in digestion as well)
           Sushi – with brown rice(I only order raw rolls, preferably tuna, salmon – nothing cooked, fried, tempura, or with sauce)
 Drinks: 12 oz Sake, 20oz hot green tea  8oz regular tea, 8 oz water 
            

Upping the Ante

I've been asked to up the Ante and post daily now that we are starting Phase Four.  

If you need a recap:

Phase Four is crucial both in timing, caloric consumption, and amount of time devoted to exercise.
Timing - Phase 4 starts three weeks before Thanksgiving and will last through the holidays.  Ok - I know Crazy.  This will be the High Intensity Component of the workout cycle.  Literally go hard or go home.  We've eased into it because if you are like me your body and mind needs time to adjust so this feels more like a gradually natural thing vs. I'm really freaking out my body.  

Be warned: 
The High Intensity component will allow you to take three days off - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years.  Otherwise, it is game on!

Why Phase Four now - I've been stagnant at this measurement now for the past month or two.  On on the one hand this is good, not having regressed.  On the other hand, it's taking me nowhere nearer to my goal of size 2.  So time to ramp up.

Double hit:  Lower caloric consumption and ramp up work outs