I started P90X but unfortunately never finished it because my job/school pulled me in too many places too often. I just started the GM diet last week (google it if you don't know what it is). It was a little rough, but I lost 9 lbs in the first 3 days. By day 4, I was feeling A LOT better and it honestly made me feel like I had energy to actually exercise every day. I will be finishing up the diet tomorrow and it looks like i'll have lost roughly 12 lbs in one week. I've decided I'm going to restart P90X or Insanity and repeat the GM diet one week each month. The best tips I can give for people is:
#1. WATER WATER WATER - Something like 70% of people walk around mildly dehydrated EVERY DAY! A lot of people think it's bland and would rather drink juices and stuff like that (thinking that juice is healthy), however most juices only contain an 1/4 of a glass of water effectively and have waaay too much high fructose corn syrup. Soooo....drink 10 glasses of water a day (yes, you do have to pee a little more often, but you'll know it's working if you're always peeing CLEAR liquid). Soda is an absolute NO-NO!! If you drink it, drink it once a week or less (try to save it for a time when water may not be an option)
#2. Fruits - As you may have read if you read about the GM diet, fruits are nature's perfect food. Let's think about this logically. The purpose of the fruit is to nourish and protect the seeds inside. They provide excellent sources of energy, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and much more!! I found that small berries, such as cherries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are excellent for food cravings. Anytime you even feel mildly hungry, go to the fridge, grab a handful of berries, chomp away happily and then give yourself 5 mins. If you're still hungry, grab some more (and a glass of water!). Melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, etc) are great for when you're thirsty AND hungry.
#3. BEEF - It's what's for dinner! Just make sure it's lean. Hamburgers made with 93% lean beef, or on a George Foreman-type grill are ideal, as are non-fatty cuts of steak. I know the fat is what adds the flavor, but find a basic rub that you like, and use that to add a little flavor. Grilling in the summer is an excellent choice since a lot of the excess fat drips and burns off. It's a great source of protein and combined with fruits, water, and some green veggies, you're all set!
#4. Salads - Boring salads make the diet suck. Instead, get creative. I found that taco salads (with very few tortilla chips) were excellent since you get your veggies and meat combined. Lay off the sour cream though! As much as I love caesar salads, you probably want to avoid them as well. Caesar dressing tends to be unhealthy as are the cheese and croutons. Stick with garden and chef salads topped with strips of chicken or steak!
Considering that my family is heavily Italian, I thought the lack of carbs (since we used to eat pasta every other night) would be horrific, however, I find myself with much more energy just eating red meats, fruits, and some veggies. It's difficult at times, and I definitely cheated a few times on the diet, but it worked great for me!!!
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