Body Revolution Kick Starter Week 1 Results

I told my brother that he gave me the best opportunity to get into shape.
He's getting married in January!
MAZEL TOV!
Now it's time to get my big tush into a gorgeous gown.

Last spring I did Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 Workout and I found it not only challenging, but effective. I lost 10 pounds between Passover and Shavuot so I knew that I wanted to use Jillian again. A friend of mine told me about Body Revolution a 90 day extreme fitness program. So I decided to look into it.

THE PROGRAM:
You get (15) DVD'S, a 90 day journal, 30 day online membership, 7 day Kick Start Diet, a Meal Plan, and fitness guide. If you order through the website you will also receive the resistance bands for the work outs, but additionally you will need a set of dumbbells (3,5,and 8 pounds) and a mat. The program costs $70 or $100 if you want the deluxe version (comes with 2 extra DVD's and a level 2 resistant band). Both plans can be divided up into 4 payments.

THE MEAL PLAN: 
The program starts off with a 7 day Kick Start meal plan. I decided that I could definitely use a kick in my tush and chose to really stick to the plan. Jillian gives you the exact foods she wants you to eat for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner adhering to a 1200 calorie diet. This is the same calorie amount during the rest of the program the only difference is that in the first week you are basically only eating proteins and vegetables; you're not allowed to eat carbs or fruit. The entire program is broken up into a 250 calorie breakfast, 400 calorie lunch, 150 calorie snack, and 400 calorie dinner. She divides all of her meal ideas into 90 days and the best part is that she includes all the recipes to prepare the meals. So it's really a no brainer.

THE FITNESS GUIDE:
The Body Revolution 90 day program is divided into 3 phases with 5 workout DVD's for each phase. Included are 4 strength training workouts and one cardio workout.  All of the workouts are just 30 minutes long. You are meant to complete one workout for 6 days, but during the 7 day Kick Start week you are told to do 2 workouts per day; one in the morning and one in the evening. The workouts of course get progressively more intense, but since they are used on a rotation basis it allows your muscles to recover before attempting those exercises again.

I knew going into the program that I would have to tweek a few things.

#1 I'm kosher and adhere to a strict kosher diet, so some of the foods that Jillian wants to you to eat, I can't.

#2 I'm allergic to milk and eggs, so that takes out a lot of the meal choices too.

#3 Almost 7 years ago I fell and shattered my left ankle. The only way the docs could fix me was to install a metal plate on the left hand side of my leg and pins on the right side of my ankle. I tend to stay with more low impact activities, although I am getting stronger and can do jumping jacks and kick-outs. 

Yah, it pretty much sucks :(

HOW DID I DO??
I was supremely excited to get started. The first couple days were not an issue, but the 3rd day was very challenging. I was totally having withdrawal and I was out all day long doing deliveries and meeting with clients. I ended up getting a salad from a restaurant only to find that it was totally wilted and inedible, but I didn't have time to get something else, so I ended up just stomaching it.

And that's the day I wrote this on my Facebook page. 

I was beyond ecstatic for Shabbos. I wanted to have at least one 24 hour period where I could eat challah and matzah ball soup and not feel bad. I of course planned to stay within my calorie threshold, but instead of 1200 calories I upped it to 1500 which I think is beyond reasonable for us God fearing Shabbos eating gals.


I never cook big meals on Shabbos unless we are having guests. My husband grew up eating the chicken from the soup and when I used to make a main course it would not be eaten.  As long as there is grape juice, challah, gefilte fish, matzah ball soup, and chulent he is a happy man - and don't we love to make our men happy???

My family and I have fallen into a routine of eating very yummy delicious small meals with a variety of salads that really fill us up. Thank God these dishes fall into my diet calorie plan!

Friday Night Menu
Homemade Whole Wheat Challah
Israeli Salad
Roasted Beat Salad
Gefilte Fish
Matzah Ball Soup (Made with a whole chicken that we will eat along with all the veggies in the soup)

Shabbos Lunch
Whole Wheat Challah
Chumus
Guacamole
Salsa
Garden Spinach Salad
Gefilte Fish
Chulent

The whole wheat challah came out beyond delicious. You can find the recipe here. I used all whole wheat flour and instead of white sugar I used honey. I also used 3 cups of hot water and 3 cups of seltzer which makes it extra fluffy. The calorie count is roughly 112 calories per slice.

THE RESULTS:
Drum roll please........
After the first week I lost 5 pounds and 10 inches all around my entire body. I honestly feel like my belly is flatter and I definetly have much more energy.

I can't wait to finish week 2 and tell you guys all about it!

Till next time!
Abbey