One Fit Mommy's 21 DAY BIKINI BODY CHALLENGE!

This Fit Mommy ran in a half marathon this weekend. Despite having my training derailed for 3 weeks with an annoying illness, I completed it in not my best time but better than I thought I would. Now on to a different goal - BIKINI SEASON! Yes, I know bikini season is already among us but with all the time I have I spent running, thinking about running, thinking about missing my runs, etc. I didn't have the time (or energy) to add another goal. So my solution is a 3 week, kick butt training and healthy eating combination. This is NOT a diet - I don't like that word. It is a cleansing, detoxifying, anti-bloating super charged eating program!

Want to join me? It is really simple to follow and only 3 weeks, which is about as long as this Fit Mommy can devote to a regimented eating plan (what?? grilled cheese crusts aren't on this diet?) However, to make it even more simple for me, I cook and prep my foods a couple times per week (it also helps that my husband is also doing his own challenge, so we are eating a lot of the same foods - what a great opportunity to get your husband on this bandwagon too!). I portion my food into individual baggies and pack them in a small cooler I keep in my car for when I am on the go being mommy chauffeur or at the pool and my healthiest option is a mayonnaise laden Waldorf salad over greens.

My plan involves six mini meals throughout the day - TRUST ME - this really keeps your metabolism furnace stoked so you actually burn more calories in total. I have also added a simple 20 minute weight routine (remember weights vs. cardio - you do need BOTH) that is simple enough to even be done at home. And it's ONLY 20 MINUTES!! Okay - here is what week one looks like. I'll be doing this too so let's all keep each other motivated!!

MEAL 1:
3/4 C oatmeal (non-instant, but it doesn't have to be steel cut oats either, just don't choose the "quick cooking" or "instant" kind, my oatmeal takes 5 minutes in the microwave)
1 orange OR banana

MEAL 2:
1 apple

MEAL 3:
1/2 C rice (preferably brown)
4 oz. skinless boneless chicken breast (I grill up 2 or 3 at a time to last me through the next few days)
1 cup summer squash, chopped (I saute with some olive oil cooking spray, pepper and a *smidgen* of salt, this also tastes great cold the next day)

MEAL 4:
2 C celery
1 T natural almond butter (I look for the individual packets that usually contain 2 T per packet, lasts two days and is already pre-measured for you!)

MEAL 5:
6 oz. fish, grilled or broiled
1 C zucchini
1 C asparagus
3 C salad greens (serve the fish over these with lemon juice)
*I usually also throw the veges on the grill with olive oil spray, pepper and again only a *smidgen* of salt

MEAL 6:
1 C mixed berries (this is my favorite thing in the world, but it takes willpower to only have 1 cup!)
1 scoop casein protein (this really promotes muscle repair, strength building and helps stamina) -OR- 1/2 C cottage cheese

In addition, add one or two snacks or substitutions per day as needed. If you don't need one, don't eat one, but if you are doing a harder workout, your body will probably be telling you to eat more. Keep your snacks and substitutions around 100 calories. I usually add one to Meals 2, 4 or 6. Some ideas are 12 raw almonds (85 calories), an extra tablespoon of almond butter (90 calories), an extra piece of fruit (60 - 100 calories), hardboiled eggs (5 eggs, whites only is 85 calories or with yolks 1 large egg is 78 calories). Check back later for the 20 minute 3 week BIKINI BODY WORKOUT!! Good luck!

Yours In Fitness,

One Fit Mommy