Putting the Skinny in SkinnyPlus

For those of us who want to experience the "skinny" in SkinnyPlus, here's the new bible!

I couldn't resist the cover of this book - just look at her! And once I started reading Jackie Warner's latest effort, I couldn't put it down.

This is a common sense, no BS approach to stripping away fat, eating sensibly, and working out effectively. And it has step-by-step instructions on what to eat and how to work out.

For the first two weeks of this program, you don't remove foods from your diet - you add them. Fruits and veggies, oatmeal, and protein powder (Jackie strongly recommends whey protein but I don't use it because it contains dairy). She also recommends adding two eggs a day (I haven't done that because I like to avoid animal products as much as possible). 

After the first two weeks, the plan encompasses healthy eating for five days in a row and allows for two "treat meals" on weekends in which almost anything goes. This is an eating plan that's satisfying, realistic and, if or when necessary, cleanse-friendly.

So far it's the exercise program that's really flooring me. I've been doing P90X for the last year and have loved the results. But I was ready to shake up my workout routine. And this is doing it! For the first two weeks all you do is 20 minutes of interval training on your choice of cardio equipment (treadmill, elliptical, stair climber or bike), or swimming or outdoor walking. I'm doing the treadmill and it's kicking my ass! And I'm in good shape so it was surprising and humbling to be knocked out by a mere 20 minutes. But thanks to the intensity of interval training, I'm working up a sweat and really working my heart and lungs in this quickie workout!  

After the first two weeks, the program adds weight training three days a week and continues with cardio five days a week. The book provides photographs to demonstrate each exercise and lays out the weight training routines, one move after another. And it contains a variety of sample menus to illustrate a typical day of eating. This is a book that completely sets you up for success by laying everything out; all you have to do is follow the plan.  

Our cleanse buddy and my neighbor Kathleen is doing this program with me and she gives it a thumbs-up as well. It's fun doing this together - we stay in touch and share our experiences and discoveries each day. And I'm hoping that when it's time to weave in the weightlifting, we can do that together. Kathleen and I did our first cleanse together (I honestly can say that I wouldn't have done it without her), and when she was toning up for her wedding last year we were workout buddies, keeping each other on the straight and narrow. Doing any kind of health program is so much more fun and gratifying with a friend (that's why SkinnyPlus exists!). If you're interested in Jackie's program, I recommend enlisting a buddy. And if you can't find anyone, check in right here! I'll be your long-distance buddy!

So there you have it - a sure-fire way to slim down, tone up, and eat healthy without going to extremes. If you decide to jump on board, keep us posted here!