Hot Body Challenge: Results

The Hot Body Challenge was a complete success. Here's a detailed recap.

What I did:
For six weeks, I committed to a clean and healthy meal plan and daily workouts.

There weren't many breaks. Take a look at my daily diet and workout logs. Cheat foods were rare. And there were only four rest days without any exercise.

I ate four to six meals per day. And my workouts varied from traditional weights and cardio to yoga to Zumba to just push-ups or manual squats.

Why I did it:
I was determined to get back to my pre-pregnancy size by the time my twins turned 1. I needed to lose 10 pounds or 3 percent bodyfat to get me back to looking like my old self -- so I used these numbers to establish a six-week goal.

When my doctor gave me the OK to workout about a month and a half after delivery, I got myself back in the gym. But I started off slowly.

I didn't want to dive right back into it. My old training schedule would have been far too intense. Plus, I felt like I was in someone else's body. I had to learn how to pace myself and adjust my workouts to accommodate the 30 pounds I had picked up.

I slowly made progress ... and I mean slowly.

By the time my twins were 6 months old, I had only lost 7 pounds. It was at this point that I decided to turn up the intensity. Over then next four months, I lost about 13 pounds. And about two months from the boys' first birthday, I knew I had to get really serious.

This is when I set the six-week, 10-pound or 3 percent goal.

But I knew needed a little push! Something extra to make sure my goal became and accomplishment and not a dream.

So, I came up with the six-week Hot Body Challenge.

How I stuck to it:
There's strength in numbers, right? So I decided to get a group of friends together to join me.

Through Facebook, I put together a group of 17 friends -- each of whom wanted to make some improvments to their diet and or workouts.

I led and motivated the group with various daily challenges -- for example, do 50 push-ups, 100 squats, drink 60 ounces of water. I posted links to fitness-related articles and provided tips to help stay on track.

I supplemented this with Twitter updates and blogs posts.

This group really helped me stick to it. Accountability and support helped tremendously.

Results
I hit my goal and lost 10 pounds exactly! In six weeks, I went from 146.6 lbs to 136.6 lbs. And my bodyfat  went from 21.9 percent to 19.6 percent.

Going forward
Though the challenge is over, I will continue to stick with my diet and exercise routines.

Sure, I'll allow myself a few more treats from time to time. And I won't workout so intensely every day.

But eating healthy and exercising is not something to do for a specific amount of time. It's a lifestyle. I'm going to stick with it to keep myself looking  and more importantly -- feeling -- great!

Hot Body Challenge: Day 42 Food & Workout Log

Last day of challenge!

8:00 a.m.
1/2 cup Cheerios with almond milk

11:00
1 egg fried in cooking spray on 1 slice whole wheat bread with 1 slice mild cheddar

2:00 p.m.
10 almonds

4:30 p.m.
1 cajun tilapia fillet
1/2 cup red beans & rice

6:30 p.m.
Pure Protein bar

8:30 p.m.
1 plum
1 apple
bowl of broccoli and cauliflower

Water intake: 60 oz
Workout: 2 sessions of 1.5 hrs of cardio on StairMaster (my last push for the end of the challenge!)

Rundown: today was ok. Calories were a little low and I could have had more protein. But not bad. I got in 3 hrs of cardio for my final push!

Hot Body Challenge: Day 41 Food & Workout Log

8:00 a.m.
1/4 cup oatmeal with 1 fresh peach sliced

10:00 a.m.
10 almonds

1:00 p.m.
whole wheat tortilla stuffed with 2 oz ground turkey, 1 scrambled egg, spinach, tomato & monterey jack cheese

4:00 p.m.
Pure Protein bar
1 apple

8:00 p.m.
1/2 can tuna with light mayo
3 Wheat Thins flatbread crackers

Water total: 60 oz
Workout: Zumba (morning)
               45 min StairMaster (evening)
Rundown: ok. I should have had more protein for the day and I could have had more water.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 40 Food & Workout Log

5:45 a.m.
1 apple

8:45 a.m.
protein shake with 8 oz almond milk, 1 tbs almond butter, 2.5 oz Greek yogurt, 1/2 banana & 1 scoop whey protein

1:00 p.m.
whole wheat wrap with 2 oz ground turkey, 1 scrambled egg, spinach, tomato & monterey jack cheese

5:00 p.m.
1 can tuna with light mayo
4 Wheat Thins flatbread crackers

8:15 p.m.
cajun spiced tilapia
1/2 cup red beans & rice
broccoli & cauliflower

Water total: 75 oz
Workout: 90 min Bikram hot yoga session

Rundown: today was a good day!

Hot Body Challenge: Day 39 Food & Workout Log

8:30 a.m.
1/4 cup oatmeal with 1 tbs strawberry preserves

12:00 p.m.
bbq chicken thigh (no skin)
3/4 cup light cole slaw
small romaine and spinach salad with strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, sliced almonds and raspberry vinaigrette dressing

4:00 p.m.
1 can tuna with 1 tbs light mayonnaise and spices
4 Wheat Thins flatbread crackers

6:30 p.m.
protein shake with 8 oz almond milk, 1/2 banana, 1 tbs almond butter, 2.5 oz Greek yogurt & 1 scoop whey protein

9:30 p.m.
1 small bowl of ground turkey and red-skinned potato dish with spinach, tomatoes and monterey jack cheese

Water total: 75 oz
Workout: 30 min cardio on StairMaster, 20 push-ups

Rundown: today was really good.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 38 Food & Workout Log

8:00 a.m.
2 slices grapefruit
1.5 scrambled eggs
1 whole wheat bagel with 2 tbs 1/3 less fat cream cheese
1 pc low-sodium bacon

12:30 p.m.
2 slices grapefruit
beef with vegetables over 1/2 cup brown rice

4:00 p.m.
4 Wheat Thins flatbread crackers
1 can tuna with 1 tbs light mayonnaise and spices

6:30 p.m.
1/2 cup Greek yogurt with stevia, 2 fresh sliced strawberries and 1 tbs sliced almonds
2 boiled eggs: 1 whole egg, 1 egg white

8:30 p.m.
1 pc bbq baked chicken thigh
small salad with raspberry vinaigrette
homemade cole slaw made with light mayonnaise
coffee with 1.5 tsp sugar, 1.5 tsp non-dairy creamer, 1 tbs Cool Whip

Water total: 75 oz
Workout: 30 min walk

Rundown: ok. My meal timing was all off today. I need to be better about eating every 3 hours.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 37 Food & Workout Log

9:30 a.m.
1/2 BLT sandwich

2:30 p.m.
chicken salad with 2 oz chicken, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, cheese and 2 tbs French dressing

5:45 p.m.
Pure Protein bar

8:00 p.m.
beef with broccoli plus extra veggies on brown rice

11:00 p.m. (post-workout)
protein shake with 4 oz orange juice 3/4 scoop whey protein

Water total: 70 oz
Workout: 1 hr cardio on StairMaster
Weights: chest & back
Chest-DB bench press 20 lbs 3x10, seated chest press 50 lbs 3x10
Back-seated machine reverse flyes 30 lbs 3x10, one arm DB row 20 lb 3x10

Rundown: today was ok. I waited way too long to have breakfast. And the time between meals early in the day was too long. Otherwise the day was good.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 36 Food & Workout Log

8:00 a.m.
1/2 Pure Protein bar

10:30 a.m.
1/4 cup oatmeal with 1/2 apple and cinnamon
protein shake with 8 oz almond milk and 1 scoop whey protien

2:00 p.m.
bowl of chilli

5:00 p.m.
protein shake with 8 oz almond milk, 1.5 scoops whey protein, 1/2 container Greek yogurt, 1/2 apple & 3 strawberries

8:00 p.m.
2 chicken tacos with 2 oz chicken, 1 tbs guacamole, 1 tbs light sour cream 1.5 oz cheese, salsa and tomatoes
1/2 cup Spanish rice
1/2 cup refried beans

Water total: 60 oz
Workout: 100 lunges

Rundown: today was good. Diet was good. I could have done more on the workout and gotten more water.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 35 Food & Workout Log

8:00 a.m.
protein shake with 8 oz orange juice with 1 scoop whey protein

11:00 a.m.
1/4 cup oatmeal with 1 tbs strawberry preserves
boiled eggs: 1 whole egg, 1 egg white
coffee with 1.5 tsp sugar, 1.5 tsp non-dairy creamer, 1 tbs Cool Whip

3:00 p.m.
salad with arugula and romaine mix topped with 2 oz chicken, avocado, strawberries, 2 tbs nut mix, cucumber, tomato and 2 tbs raspberry vinaigrette

7:30 p.m.
2 chicken tacos on corn tortillas, 1 tbs guacamole, 1 tbs light sour cream, 1 oz cheese, tomatoes and salsa
1/4 cup Spanish rice
1/4 cup refried beans

10:30 p.m.
1/2 container Greek yogurt with 1/4 apple diced
hot water with lemon

Water total: 85 oz
Workout:
(morning)
45 min cardio on StairMaster
legs: plie squats 30 lb DB 3x15, deadlifts 27.5 lb DBs 3x15, bar squats 45 lbs 2x10, leg extensions 95 lbs 2x10, standing one-curls 25 lb 2x10, no weight calf raises 3x20

(evening)
1 hour cardio on StairMaster
shoulder circuit: 5 lb DBs for all exercises. Upright rows, lateral raises, overhead presses 3x15

Rundown: today was good. I got in two workouts! The only thing I would improve on is eating every 3 hours instead of 4 or more like I did and I should have had more protein.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 34 Food & Workout Log

7:45 a.m.
1/2 Pure Protein bar

9:30 a.m.
2 slices grapefruit
1.5 eggs scrambled with mushrooms, tomato, avocado and light cheese
2 pc low-sodium bacon
1/2 whole wheat bagel with 1 tbs 1/3 less fat cream cheese

12:45 p.m.
bowl of chili with .5 oz cheese

3:00 p.m.
1/2 container Greek yogurt with stevia, diced apples and strawberries
1/2 Pure Protein bar

6:30 p.m.
2 chicken tacos on corn tortillas with 1 tbs guacamole, 1 tbs light sour cream, 1 oz cheese, tomatoes & salsa

10:30 p.m.
protein shake with 8 oz almond milk, 1.5 scoops whey protein, 1/4 apple and 2 strawberries

Water total: 60 oz
Workout: none

Rundown: today could have been better. I skipped going to the gym. But in my defense I haven't taken a day off in a long time so I think my body actually needed a break. My diet was good although my last meal was late, I should have had it an hour earlier. Water total should have been higher.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 33 Food & Workout Log

9:30 a.m.
2 slices grapefruit
1.5 eggs scrambled with mushrooms, tomato, avocado and light cheese
2 pc low-sodium bacon
1/2 whole wheat bagel with 1 tbs with 1/3 less fat cream cheese

12:00 p.m. (not a meal, just logging because I had it)
coffee from Starbucks-tall regular with 2 Splenda packets and light cream

1:30 p.m. (was out and didn't have anything to eat on me!)
medium fruit cup from Chik-fil-a

3:30 p.m.
bowl of chili with 1 oz cheese (homemade)

6:30 p.m.
protein shake with 8 oz almond milk, 1.5 scoops whey protein, 3 strawberries, 1/2 container Greek yogurt

9:30 p.m.
1 tilapia fillet
6 brussels sprouts
hot water with lemon

Water total: 75 oz
Workout: Weights-arms
                Hammer curls 5 lb dumbbells 3x15
                Tricep kickbacks 5 lb dumbbells 3x15
                Tricep dips 2x15

Rundown: today was ok. I would have liked to have gotten in some cardio on top of my weights. As for the diet, I recovered after I was caught out running errands with no food. I had to eat something and I refused to eat any junk, so I stopped and got a fruit cup. Not much, but at least it was something. The rest of the day was good.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 32 Food & Workout Log

8:00 a.m.
1/2 Pure Protein bar

10:30 a.m.
1.5 scrambled eggs
2 pc low-sodium bacon
1/2 whole wheat bagel with 1 tbs 1/3 less fat cream cheese

11:45 a.m.
1 apple

2:30 p.m. (post-workout)
1/2 banana
protein shake with 8 oz almond milk, 1.5 scoop whey protein, 1/2 banana, 1 tsp natural peanut butter, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 container Greek yogurt

5:30 p.m.
1/2 chicken salad sandwich with apples and walnuts on whole wheat bread

9:30 p.m.
1 oz baked chicken with 1 tsp bbq sauce (random leftover)
1 tilapia fillet cooked in cooking spray
2/3 cup peas

Water total: 100 oz
Workout: 90 min Bikram yoga session (afternoon)
                Zumba (evening)

Rundown: today was great! I got in two workouts, no cheats on the diet and I got about 128 grams of protein. Water total was increased from my usual 75 oz, so that's really good.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 31 Food & Workout Log

7:30 a.m.
1/2 Pure Protein bar

8:30 a.m.
1 boiled egg

10:30 a.m.
1/2 container Greek yogurt with 2 fresh strawberries and stevia
1/2 whole wheat bagel with 1 tbs 1/3 less fat cream cheese

2:30 p.m. (post-workout)
protein shake with 8 oz almond milk, 2 fresh strawberries, 3 pineapple ring slices, 1 oz pineapple juice, 1 scoop whey protein, 1 tsp sugar

5:45 p.m.
1 small bowl homemade chicken and vegetable soup

8:45 p.m.
3 oz baked skinless chicken
7 brussels sprouts

11:00 p.m.
5 mixed nuts

Water total: 75 oz
Workout: 90 min Bikram hot yoga session

Rundown: today was really good. I increased my water and protein amounts.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 30 Food & Workout Log

8:15 a.m.
protein shake with 2 oz pineapple juice, 4 oz water, 1 scoop whey protein
1 pineapple slice

11:30 a.m.
Pure Protein bar

2:30 p.m.
tuna melt on whole wheat with 1 tsp butter

5:45 p.m.
1/2 container Greek yogurt with 2 fresh strawberries and stevia

8:45 p.m.
3 oz baked skinless chicken
3/4 broccoli cheddar rice
6 brussel sprouts

12:30 a.m. (snack craving)
.5 oz mixed nuts

Water total: 50 oz
Workout: 45 min StairMaster
                300 crunches              
                Weights: legs

• Plie squats with 30 lb dumbbell with 25 lb dumbbell deadlifts 3x15
• Leg extensions 90 lbs 3x10
• Seated calf press 90 lbs 3x20

Rundown: today was decent. My water total was a lot lower than I would like. I could have done without the late night nut snack. 

Hot Body Challenge: Day 29 Food & Workout Log

9:30 a.m.
1/4 cup oatmeal with 1 tbs sugar-free strawberry preserves
1 boiled egg
coffee with 1.5 tsp sugar, 1.5 tsp non-dairy creamer, 1 tbs Cool Whip

12:30 p.m.
5 rosemary herb crackers
.5 oz cheese

2:30 p.m.
caribbean pork chop with pineapple
1 svg peas
1/2 svg black-eyed peas

6:00 p.m.
protein shake with 4 oz water, 2 oz pineapple juice, 1 scoop whey protein
1 slice pineapple

8:30 p.m.
5 mixed nuts

10:00 p.m.
1/2 tuna with light mayo, sweet relish, egg, red onion on lettuce and 7 rosemary herb crackers
.75 oz assorted cheese
coffee with 1.5 tsp sugar, 1.5 tsp non-dairy creamer, 1 tbs Cool Whip

Water total: 60 oz
Workout: Look at Me Now Cardio Circuit
               Weights: back, shoulders & chest

• Back
• One-arm dumbbell rows 10 lb 3x10 each side
• Supermans 3x10
• Chest
• Push-ups 3x10
• Dumbbell bench press 10 lbs 3x10
• Shoulders
• Overhead dumbbell press 10 lbs 3x10
• Dumbbell upright rows 10 lbs 3x10

Rundown: today was pretty good. Protein and water amounts should have been a little higher. Workout was good. 

Hot Body Challenge: Day 28 Food & Workout Log

7:45 a.m.
5 rosemary herb crackers

10:45 a.m.
1/4 cup oatmeal with 1 tbs sugar-free strawberry preserves
1 boiled egg

3:00 p.m.
protein shake with 8oz soy milk, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 3 frozen fresh strawberries

6:00 p.m.
1 cup shrimp ratatouille

9:00 p.m.
caribbean pork chop with pineapple
1/2 svg black-eyed peas
1 svg peas

Water total: 100 oz
Workout: 90 min Bikram hot yoga session

Rundown: today was good. Water total was great. Protein amount was good.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 27 Food & Workout Log

9:30 a.m.
1 boiled egg
1/4 cup oatmeal with 1 tbs sugar-free strawberry preserves
(155 calories)

12:30 p.m.
omelet with 2 eggs, avocado, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, mushrooms and turkey lunch meat
coffee with 1.5 tsp sugar, 1.5 tsp non-dairy creamer, 1 tbs Cool Whip
(375 calories)

4:30 p.m.
protein shake with 8 oz soy milk, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 3 fresh frozen strawberries, 1 scoop whey protein
(240 calories)

9:00 p.m.
shrimp ratatouille with 1/2 cup brown rice
(200 calories)

10:30 (late snack)
3 cups Smart Pop Popcorn
1/3 Cliff bar
(130 calories)

Total calories:  1100

Water total: 50 oz
Workout: Zumba and legs

• Leg routine
• Seated leg extension 105 lbs 3x10
• Seated leg curl 90 lbs 3x10
• Standing calf raises 90 lbs 3/15

Rundown: today was less than my best. My water total was very low and some meals were spaced out too far (I like to eat at every 3 hours). Also, my calories were a little low, I could have had another light meal added to the day. 

Hot Body Challenge: Day 26 Food & Workout Log

5:45 a.m.
apple

9:15 a.m.
1/4 cup oatmeal with 1 tbs sugar-free strawberry preserves
2 pc low-sodium bacon
1 boiled egg
coffee with 1.5 tsp sugar, 1.5 tsp non-dairy creamer, 1 tbs Cool Whip

1:00 p.m.
5 rosemary herb crackers
1 oz cheese slice

4:00 p.m.
salad with 2 oz chicken, avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons, mushrooms, cheese and 1 svg light ranch

7:00 p.m.
protein shake with 8 oz soy milk, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 3 fresh strawberries, 1 scoop whey protein

9:00 p.m.
bbq chicken pizza on Lavash bread (low cal, homemade)

Water total: 100 oz
Workout: 90 min Bikram hot yoga session

Rundown: today was good! Diet was good, even the bbq chicken pizza was low cal. I increased my water total, which took a little work, but I got it done.

Hot Body Challenge: Day 25 Food & Workout Log

5:45 a.m.
apple

9:15 a.m.
2 pc low-sodium bacon
1 pc whole wheat toast
1.5 scrambled egg

1:00 p.m.
5 rosemary herb crackers
.5 oz sliced cheese

4:00 p.m.
salad with 3 oz chicken, 1/2 oz cheese, avocado, tomatoes, croutons, cucumbers and 1 svg light ranch

8:30 p.m.
whole wheat turkey wrap with 1 slice cheese, lettuce and horseradish

10:30 p.m. (post weight workout)
protein shake with 1 scoop whey, 6 oz soy milk, 1.5 tsp sugar

Water total: 80 oz
Workout: (morning) 90 min Bikram hot yoga session
                (afternoon) push-up challenge 3 sets to failure 18, 12, 9 reps
                (evening) 20 min on StairMaster
                               Weights: shoulders, back, chest

• Shoulders
• 2 step laterals 5lb dumbbells 3x10
• overhead press 15 lb dumbbels 3x10
• Chest/Back
• push-up with dumbbell row 10 lb 3x10
• reverse flyes 30 lbs 3x10
• seated chest press 50 lbs 3x10

Rundown: today was great! I got in 2 full workouts and a bonus (the push-up challenge). Diet and water was really good. 

Hot Body Challenge: Day 24 Food & Workout Log

8:30 a.m.
1/4 cup oatmeal with 1 tbs sugar-free strawberry preserves
1 boiled egg
1 pc low-sodium bacon
coffee with 1.5 tsp sugar, 1.5 tsp non-dairy creamer, 1 tbs Cool Whip
(235 calories)

11:45 a.m.
1/2 PB&J on whole wheat
(180 calories)

2:45 p.m.
Pure Protein bar
(170 calories)

6:15 p.m.
5 rosemary herb crackers
1/2 oz pepperjack cheese
3 oz watermelon
(200 calories)

7:45 p.m.(@ Paradise Bakery)
1/2 chicken walnut sandwich
1/2 blue cheese salad
bite of chocolate chip cookie
(550 calories)

Total calories: 1335

Water total: 70 oz
Workout: 90 min Bikram hot yoga session

Rundown: today was ok. Protein total was low, probably around 60 grams. I would like that to be more around 90 grams. Calorie total was good. Water was decent, I'd like that to be higher too. Good thing is that I did eat continuously throughout the day. I did slip and have a bite of cookie, I could've done without that. With that said, I really should have had something different than the Paradise Bakery meal. Although it seemed healthy, it was really high in fat and didn't have enough protein.