Why is this 'diet' plan different?

​Okay I shouldn’t use the word ‘diet’ as it’s a lifestyle change and a permanent one!  And my main motivation isn’t to lose weight – it’s to be fit, healthy and lean, the weight and inch loss are part of that though.  But why am I sticking to this?  ‘This’ being the SSS Plan and now the SAS Plan from Joe Wicks, The Body Coach.

Why do we diet, lose weight, then go back to normal eating and put it all on again, and often more?  Then start the whole cycle again.  I honestly can’t answer that one, I am no expert and it is far too complicated to try to unravel it all here – I will leave that to the experts.

But the UK diet industry is worth millions.  It terrifies me what some people will do to themselves to lose weight.  I know because I have been there too.  Now I am not overweight particularly and I have never attended a diet club because I would simply be too embarrassed as I do not have enough weight to lose and never have had.  But I have struggled in the past to lose the extra baby weight and more recently approaching menopause has meant that weight has become more stubborn around my mid-section and it has been increasingly hard to find a way to lose it.

I’ve exercised for many years with various Personal Trainers.  My current PT is also a friend and she has put up with me and my excuses for 3 or so years now.  When I asked her if she would help me with the exercise part of the SSS Plan she must have thought, here we go again!  But I think I’ve rather surprised her.  And me!  I have exercised consistently, 4 times per week, since 18th April.  And it is paying off.  I would even go as far as to say I might be enjoying it.  Certainly I am not making excuses not to do it.

So the SSS Plan is based on combining exercise and nutrition.  And it calculates for you your daily macros.  So what percentage of protein, carbs and fat your body needs – this makes up the total calories and obviously you need to be in deficit for it all to work properly.  Then add in the exercise – HIIT and weights and these exercises combined mean your body will burn fat for long after the actual workout.  Muscle takes up less space in the body so it makes sense to have muscle not fat.  And no I won’t end up looking like a body builder (or Madonna).

Of course I could do all this by myself.  I could download My Fitness Pal and work out what my body needs and input all my food every day.  But to be honest life is too short, and it all sounds way too complicated.  I graduated from the SSS Plan and I am continuing on the SAS Plan.  This is a monthly plan for graduates and it provides you with recipes tailored to your macros and a workout plan, it changes every month so you never get bored and it keeps your body guessing.  I can still use some of my favourite recipes from previous months or the SSS Plan.

I am still not sure that I know why it works though.  I think it is because I can see results.  And because it puts the two elements of health together – fitness and food and you want to stick to it!  Being told what to do really does make the difference! 

On this eating plan ….

• I feel fitter. 
• I am smaller and leaner. 
• I have lost almost a stone in weight. 
• My clothes fit so much better.
• I am never hungry. 
• I rarely have cravings. 
• I have worked out that I can eat out and make good choices. 
• I have cut down considerably on alcohol and I feel better for it.
• I am enjoying (to a point) the exercise.
• The workouts don’t take too long so they fit into my life.
• Someone else is telling me what to eat so I don’t scratch around for recipes or inspiration.
• It fits into family life.  Not always perfectly and I do sometimes cook separate meals but on the whole I have learnt to adapt things quite well.

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​So I absolutely plan to keep this up.  As the SAS months carry on and I reach my goal then I will incorporate some more flexibility but I do not want to return to making excuses not to exercise and I certainly don’t want to eat so much sugar and carbs that I feel unwell and bloated again.  I much prefer feeling healthy.

My goal – a fabulous figure hugging dress for my 50th birthday party in December.  That’s all, no goal weight, I don’t mind what dress size I am, I just want to feel confident and happy with my figure.  And I know I can do it!

Michelle x