OK, so our “week one” was comprised of 9 days, if anyone wants to be a real stickler about it.

Already, Trish is seeing some nice movement in her numbers:

4.6 pounds lost

Of that, based on bodyfat percentage, a full pound was pure fat (the rest probably waterweight, which is to be expected)

Nearly a full point on the BMI scale lost

For the next week, the program remains the same.  Trish is still “ramping up” on the Slim in 6 program, and a main challenge is making sure she is eating enough food.  We want her eating about 1600 calories per day (though her focus remains on eating all her portions, not counting calories), and then we’ll revise that as the weight starts to come off. 

Why not a 1200-calorie Biggest Loser diet?  Remember, our goal is ATTAINABLE and SUSTAINABLE.  We want Trish to be eating an appropriate number of calories for the body she has, not the body she is going to have.  In other words, she’s got enough extra weight on right now that I challenge anyone to carry an equivalent weight around all day, every day, up stairs and hills, at work, while working out, EVERYWHERE and tell me that a 1200 calorie diet is appropriate for the effort.  Trish has a history of low metabolism, and the best way to ramp the metabolism up is to get her eating frequent, nutrient-rich, low-calorie density foods.  The more her digestive system is revving, the more her metabolism is revving. By following an approach closely related to the core ideals of volumetrics, Trish should be able to stave off hunger and get enough high-quality energy in to fuel the workouts that will help her build muscle, which will in turn rev the metabolism.  The “engine” or “furnace” anaolgy are ubiquitous for good reason.

Please join me in sending Trish a hearty “HELL YEAH!” for her week one accomplishments, and loads of support for the challenges ahead.