Dear Diet: I’m Smarter Now!

So, I kinda said last week that I wouldn’t give weekly diet updates. And I meant it. Truly. But some changes & additions to my diet program over the past week prompted me to write about it … again.

If you’re just reading this blog for the first time, I am participating in Curves Complete, which is a 3-month program involving diet, exercise, & motivation to help me to lose 20 pounds of body fat.

To recap, here’s how Week 1 went, if you care.

Last week, on Week 2, I was introduced to Curves Smart. Now, I’m not 100% sure that Curves Smart is a part of the Curves Complete diet program, but I *think* it is. And the reason I say I’m not sure is that each Curves location is a franchise. So the owners have some liberties to make modifications to their plans for members.

Anyhoo, the point is, I was started on Curves Smart. And the best way I can describe Curves Smart is that it’s a customized exercise experience for the member. What happens is, I have a little card that I insert into each of the 13 circuit machines (which I use twice each workout).

Not my actual Curves - image via Google

Based on the info programmed into the card, the machine tells me how fast (or slow) I should be going on each machine. And when I’ve reached the program set goals, the card tells me to progress to the next machine. And then rinse, wash, and repeat. So, basically, the 30-second workout per machine no longer applies. It’s more like 35-40 seconds, give or take.

via Google images

By the time my workout is complete, I am ready to collapse from sheer exhaustion. I’m not even kidding. Using Curves Smart really bumps up the intensity of the exercise. It’s like having a personal coach throughout the entire 30 minutes. And, unfortunately for me, it’s a coach I can’t punch in the larynx when it tells me to go faster. Cuz otherwise, I totally would.

After I’ve finished my workout, I download all the info from my card onto a computer, and it gives me a detailed assessment of how I did that day. And I mean, detailed! For instance, each time, it tells me what machines I was slacking on, which exercises I “cheated” on (by not using my full range of motion), how many calories I burned (I’m burning about 250-275 calories per workout), the consistency of my workout, where I excelled, yada, yada, yada. And there are even pie charts, yo!

The computer geek in me is totally amazed by what this Curves Smart card can detect in my workout. I searched high & low for some sample screenshots of the report that the computer gives me, but no such luck. Here’s a little video, though, if you’re curious →

As for the eating portion, I am on Phase 2, and I expect to be on Phase 2 for most of the diet, at this point. It’s a high-protein, low-carb, 1,500-calories-a-day diet, and I eat a lot. [Read my list of favorite snacks here.] Really, I am eating more than I normally do. And weird food, too. Well, by that, I mean, food I usually wouldn’t buy for myself. Which also means the weekly grocery bill is astronomical. So, that kinda sucks. But we are saving money by not eating out. And I’m not starving my head off either, so that’s good. And the recipes are rather tasty. Even my husband likes them (cuz yes, I make regular portions for him – I ain’t cooking two different meals, you know).

Yesterday, at my weekly meeting with my coach, I stepped on the scale and gained a few ounces, which discouraged me. I told her that I feel like I’m eating too much food. (I mean, aren’t you supposed to be starving when you’re on a diet? – I am not!) So, she measured my body fat percentage. Typically, they hold off on those measurements until the first month is complete. But, get this, yo – I LOST 4% BODY FAT IN TWO WEEKS!!!!! She told me that she’s never seen such a high drop in body fat in the first 2 weeks. And maybe she was just saying that to make me feel better, but whatev’s, cuz it worked! HOLLA!

I’m still taking vitamin supplements twice a day, drinking 64 ounces of water (blech!) and am walking 8,000 steps a day at this point. Which is a lot of freaking steps. And it’s only week 3, so … Boo! But, hey, let’s not forget that 4% lost body fat phenomenon.

Go me! Go me! Go me! (infinity, infinity, ad nauseum)

*Note: Once again, due to all the traffic I’m getting from reviewing the Curves Complete diet program, I feel the need to mention that I am NOT being compensated for my opinions. I wish I were, cuz that would be awesome.