Making the Cut!

In May, I finally embarked on a 30 day challenge issued to me by the fierce eyes of Jillian Michael's (of the Biggest Loser) staring up at me from the cover of her book "Making The Cut" as it sat on my kitchen table for months, after borrowing it from a friend. 

I originally borrowed it with the intention of checking out the recipes, as I have become quite the hoarder of healthy, but yummy, dishes to make.  One day, however, I noticed that the promise she makes on the cover is that her book will help you lose that last 10 to 20 stubborn pounds! 

Friends, I have spent over the last 10 years of my life figuring this weight thing out.  For as long as I can remember, I've struggled to maintain a steady exercise regime, but always faltered in and out of my commitment levels at some point.  Eventually, the nutrition of trying to eat better came into play and when I focused on both together, I have had great results.  However, I feel like I've always lost weight to a certain point, always just short of my goal and then, again, my commitment level falters and inevitably, I would gain some of the weight back; never all of it...but some. Keeping me always just shy of my goal weight.

I have always been fine with this to be honest; to some degree at least.  As much as I could count on my commitment level dropping, I too knew I could count on it picking back up again!  In the last little while, however, I became annoyed that something inside of me stopped me from truly seeing this through to my goal.  This is a common theme in my life and I wanted to tackle this goal once and for all!

After months of mental preparation, in May, I tackled the 30 day Making the Cut challenge ...and quite frankly I kicked some butt!  Or, at least kicked some of the weight off my own...!  But not all of i!  Bums need some meat on them...this is fact! 

Essentially, for 30 days, I followed her exercise and meal plan exactly.  I had absolutely no alcohol, no treats, very little complex carbs and definitely never for dinner.  In 30 days, I lost just under 12 lbs and just under 12 inches overall and I have never felt better!

Most importantly, though, I was amazed by how my mindset changed around food.  Portion sizing has always been an issue for me.  I'm Italian, after all; I had a new portion in my plate before my first one was done!  Some of the portions on her plan seemed minuscule and almost laughable, but you know, I spent very little time feeling hungry in those 30 days.  It was amazing to me how I no longer experienced those spikes of feeling really hungry and then really full.  I ate in time for my body to not get hungry and just enough, so that I would stay satiated throughout the day, but never bloated!  My body remained on this even keel and it made me realize that I don't need that much food to feel satisfied for the day!

The reason I felt that this was an important venture for me; other than my own personal desire to look the way I want, was that as an actor, there are so few things in your control when you walk into an audition.  One of the things I wanted to maintain control of is my weight; meaning, I wanted to take it off the table as being an issue; I wanted to remove it as a factor they would keep in mind when considering casting me for a project. I am aware of how shallow this sounds and in the back of my mind I hear a quiet little voice saying it shouldn't matter how I look; real people have all different kinds of body types, and this is true!

If I'm being honest though, I wanted it for me AND I chose this career and I can't pretend to not know that this industry can often be a shallow one and if I want to play in it, I will do whatever it takes to better my chances!  Besides, I have done nothing drastic and feel healthier and more fit than I ever have. 

Now that the 30 days are over, I have continued to exercise regularly which doesn't feel like a chore and I have maintained a lot of the same eating habits, especially the portion sizing and keeping complex carbs out of my dinners for the most part.  I've discovered that I really do have a passion for finding delicious and healthy recipes!  And, that can never be a bad thing!  In fact, I've not only maintained the weight, but lost another 2 lbs on my own!

My next battle?? Continuing to tone!  Oh, why do you elude me so...