Getting our skinny on...sort of.

So school friends K and J and I are relishing the last year of our 20's (this is code for, "I must be hot by the time I turn 30") so we have jumped on the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation (12wbt) bandwagon. I must admit that I was fairly skeptical, thinking "there is no way in hell I can do this for 12 weeks". We all love our cheeses, cured meat and WINE and somehow I didn't think these would fit into Mish's plan.

The philosophy behind the program is fairly simple. You pay $199 for access to the 12wbt website, you put in your measurements, set some goals and Mish spits out a nutrition and exercise plan. You get 1200 calories per day (300 per meal and 300 for snacks/drinks) and an intense six day workout plan. 

So the day before we kicked off I got the horrid flu that is going around (the one even takes out women) so I didn't feel like eating. Win! Week one consisted of me drinking sugar-free lemonade and sleeping, so I managed to lose a few kg's. Double win! Even though I wouldn't say it was strictly successful, the end result was good. 

Week two proved to be more difficult. You see, I am a little piggy at heart. I love chocolate, cake and biscuits. I eat even when I'm not hungry - I eat out of boredom, I eat out of habit, I eat as a sport. The 12wbt has taught me to be more aware of what I am putting into my body. It makes you question yourself - do you really need a giant cookie and a Mars Bar at 3pm to survive? Old me would have said, "hell yes!", but having paid nearly $200 for this, new me says, "try a yoghurt". 

We are now in week four. To be honest I have not stuck to the exercise plan (I am hoping the fact that weight loss is 80% diet will work in my favour), but the real winner has been the recipes. They are (mostly) delicious, but to stick within the calorie intake the portion sizes are small. Here are some samples of what I have made so far.

Lamb chops with mint peas

Beef and vegetable pies

Ok - just kidding! I wish!

In terms of exercise, I like to do my own thing. Doing a million burpees in the park is not my idea of fun, so I have been mixing it up with running, group circuit classes, Body Balance and Zumba. K left us both for dead and was in the gym bright and early on day one and has stuck to her program. By the end of week two J had read her exercises, but was yet to put on her runners. Love it!

To be honest, I think the program is fabulous. I guess I could try harder, and maybe I would see results quicker, but I also want to have a life. I like to go out for dinner, I like to drink wine. So I figure if I can stick to this 90% of the time, then it might be a lifestyle change, and less of a fad diet.

I'll keep you updated on how we are going. Who knows, maybe I'll post my 12 week bikini photo on here!

H x