scouter99 transformed

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been here.  They’ve blocked BodySpace at work now so it is much harder for me to get on here (geez- why can’t I just goof off at WORK instead of WORK??).  It is a rare treat to get on the computer at home lately….

Anyway- wanted to give my final wrap up on Tabata.  When I first started it I couldn’t do anything but rave.  And to switch things up from heavy training I do still think it has it’s place.

But 4 weeks of Tabata is definitely too long.  Way too long.  By week three I was wishing it would end and getting through week 4 was torturous.  So in the end, I think Tabata has value and it’s place in breaking a plateau or changing things up.  For 2 weeks max, though.  I also question some of the exercises that they put in the program and will make some changes should I do this again.  

So for those of you considering trying this- I still think you should!  Just consider doing it for a shorter time then recommended… and don’t be afraid to switch up some of the exercises so they will work for you (especially the bent over rows- way too much bent over for the time you have to spend there!!)

I was nosing around bb.com one day and found out that you can join Team Scivation at the Scivation website and they will create a meal plan and workout for you for free.  It is "customized" to your body and goals and stuff- and even though I did have to answer a somewhat lengthy questionnaire I would imagine this is not all the customized to me since they have never met me OR talked to me in person (ie. I bet a lot of people get this same diet plan).  Regardless of that, I decided to send in for it to see what they offer me, it is free afterall (well- they do recommend quite a few Scivation supps in order to really reap all the benefits- but if I don’t buy them then it really is free!).  I got my plan last week and finally sat down last night to review it.  It consists of a meal plan and exercise plan.  Since I feel I am doing just fine in the exercise area of my life, I am not really interested in that part of it.

The meal plan has me intrigued though.  I have been struggling these last few weeks with my body and the excess fat I carry.  I really want to do something about this and figure why not give their meal plan a try and see what happens.  The one thing I worry about is that because of how hard I work out and how much muscle I have, that this is too low in calories and carbs for me…. but I guess the only way to really know is to give it a try- right?

So here is my plan.  2010 calories a day broken down into 6 meals, 35 grams carbs and 15 grams fat each meal for a total of 210g and 90g respectively.  I am allowed 2 servings of fruit and 3-6 servings of veggies for 220 calories total to be broken down any way I see fit.  I can add 1/2 cup oatmeal or 4 oz sweet potato or 2/3 cup rice to my post workout meal for a total of 120 calories.  That’s it.  Oh- and I’m allowed one carb/cheat meal per week.

I am a total carb addict.  I crave carbs all the time.  I am really hoping that almost completely eliminating grain based and starchy carbs from my diet will really help me kick those cravings.  We will see!  All I know is that when I weighed myself yesterday it was up 5lbs.  Yes, I have been bulking these last few months so that is likely mostly muscle.  I took thigh, hip and waist measurements as well and all were the same, except my waist which was down .25 inches.  So while I keep telling myself this means it is mostly muscle- I can’t get past the number of the scale.  Never have been and I suspect I will always struggle with the fricken scale.

So Team Scivation’s CHA diet- here I come!!