Challenge # 2

Ok, so my sister and I are kicking off our second Challenge today and I have to say this one is a bit harder. We are actually doing Dr. Ian Smith’s 4 Day Diet. Now, I have tried a few fad diets in college but I typically avoid them because I do not think they are a balanced way to help with a lifestyle change but rather an unhealthy way to lose weight fast. However, this diet seems different and is not a “crash diet” at all but a comprehensive look into yourself, the foods/portions we eat and the amount of exercise we do and my sister and I really wanted to give it a try.


The idea behind the diet/exercise program is that every 4 days you move to a different phase in the program thus keep your body unable to get use to certain eating habits and foods while also not getting bored of the same diet. (Though I imagine you may get bored of salad as there is a lot of that in this diet!) As someone who gets bored REALLY easily, I like that idea. Plus the diet itself, though strict during the first two phases, is the most reasonable and well-rounded program I have seen. Even during the first phase which is about detoxing, you still have a good amount of food you get to eat.

The phases of the diet are:

1) Induction (Detox/Cleansing)
2) Transition (Reintroducing all food groups)
3) Protein Stretch (Higher protein and cardio)
4) Smooth (Incorporating those “forbidden” foods like pizza and fries into your diet correctly)
5) Push (A stricter eating plan)
6) Pace (A Comfortable eating plan)
7) Vigorous (A way to lose weight faster)

To do this diet/exercise program you must complete the first two phases (8 days) but after that you have the freedom to do the remaining phases in whatever order you want or for as long as you want depending on your weight loss goal. (Though Kristen and I are following it as is for 28 days.) This program has a lot of flexibility and really makes sense, but also is strict enough to hopefully get results as it has laid out meal plans so you are not trying to guess what you should eat next. I enjoy knowing that this is what I am eating today and I don’t have to count calories or figure it out on my own. It just is what it is…so deal with it!!

And for me, the best and most beneficial part of the book is the first half where he talks about the mental blocks to weight loss. He talks about how weight loss is 80% mental and 20% physical and for me, and I know many others, the hardest part is getting past those mental barriers we have created. He has chapters talking about being honest with where you really are with your weight and how you got there, setting realistic goals, motivations, temptations, positive attitudes, eating right and rewarding yourself. There are actually questions you answer in the journal you keep for each of these chapters. It is actually very revealing as even though I knew all these things, just writing them down made me think about all the issues with weight, self-image, and motivation that I have. I know that the ONLY thing stopping me from losing weight is myself and I really need to get past some of these issues I have to move forward.

I am not saying any of this will be easy, but I really want to give it a try for a couple reasons. First I really want to change the way I look at food and maintaining a healthy diet. I know I need stricter portion controls and I need to put more of the right foods into my body and less of the wrong ones. Second I want to prove to myself that I CAN do this. I am able to do anything I set my mind to so this should be no exception. Finally, I obviously want to lose weight and re-kick start my weight loss.

So if anyone is interested in learning more about this diet please let me know. I understand this challenge is not for everyone but it is something that I want to do right now so if you are interested let me know! We keep a journal with all our information, but I was thinking of also putting my daily food intake and exercises on the blog. I think it is good to share. :)

So Kristen and I are going to be posting our results every day or two and also giving you our reactions about the program. Consider it our review on if this program works and the pros and cons to it! I know the blog will mainly be about this for the next month, but I am sure these posts will also give our readers tips and ideas for their own weight loss, diet and exercise programs. We will also be sharing our answers to the journal entries and encourage anyone fighting with losing weight to take the time to answer those questions privately…or publicly if you are so inclined.