Week One: Always Eat After 7PM- Why I Chose This Diet
As many of you can probably relate, when the gyms and fitness centers temporarily shut down during the pandemic I was unsure about how I was going to stay as active as before. This month would have been my 2 year anniversary of kickboxing. Kickboxing is my favorite workout that I enjoy the most and not being able to go kickboxing has caused irritability, weight gain, and stress. Instead of dwelling on what I can’t control I decided it’s a perfect time to get serious about shedding some excess weight, increasing my energy and just feeling better in general.
Earlier this month, I received a physical copy of “Always Eat After 7 PM” by Joel Marion. Over the next month, I’ll be sharing my experience of the book and diet (and hopefully some awesome benefits!) Basically, the Always Eat After 7 PM plan consists of: The 14-day Acceleration Phase to kick-start the program and see rapid results, The Main Phase where you’ll learn exactly which foods to eat when in order to achieve your weight-loss goals, The Lifestyle Phase to keep the weight off for good.
I’M IN!
Mid-March was the last time I really weighed myself. I was avoiding the scale as if ignorance was bliss, but after months of inactivity, I had put on the COVID- 19 pounds. I had a rude awakening when I started a virtual one mile improvement challenge and I ran the slowest mile of my life. So slow in fact, that my fitness app categorized the mile as a “walk”. Months ago, when I was in better shape and doing at least three kickboxing classes a week, I could easily do 10-12 minute miles (not particularly fast, but decent since I’m not an avid runner). At this point, I was disheartened and I am willing to commit to get back into shape.
Why I Chose this Diet
There are two reasons why I chose this diet; scientifically-backed research and the emphasis on living a healthy lifestyle. For instance, I learned about Portion Volumization™– to seek out nutrient-dense, delicious foods that fill you up and give you a “free pass” to eat 5 to 10 times the amount of food you’d normally eat while consuming considerably fewer calories (p.28). Joel Marion also debunked many food myths that I had previously been told. I am also a fan of the book’s emphasis on dieting being a mental journey and the importance of creating healthy habits:
10 Mind-Set Strategies to Success (p.57-64):
- believe you can and lose the excuses
- excommunicate negative people from your life
- live in the present
- redefine who you are
- start!
- develop a simple morning routine
- Examples: (make the bed, take probiotics, meditate for 10-15 minutes, two minutes of movement, journal, and fuel you brain with one of the 3-minute fat-burning rituals.)
- allow yourself bad moments, not bad days
- recognize failure as a teacher, not a final destination
- own your results
- briefly celebrate success, then move on
Toning up my body and increasing my stamina are at the TOP of my list of health goals. I’m excited to dive in and I’ll post an update next week, so stay tuned!
In the meantime, check out this video on Joel’s Intro and how/why he wrote his book:
Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase. Learn more about the book and how to purchase here.
***This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed above are my own.***
I love the mindset strategies for success! “Lose the excuses” is one of the best I’ve heard. Finding a diet that works for you that you can stick with is so hard.
Sadly, I think may of us have put on the COVID weight. I know the combination of being home all the time without our usual activities with the new medications that I started in March (which are known to cause weight gain) has really has an impact on me! I’ve just started trying to be more aware of what I’m eating and when I’m working out in an effort to get it all in check.
It’s not the first time I see this book. It’s very curious. Sadly it wouldn’t work for me because my belly gets upset if I eat late
This is a very interesting concept. I’ve been trying to get healthier in the past few months but have realised that what works for some doesn’t work for me. This would be worth looking into for me.
This diet seems to be a big thing at the moment. After this lockdown I may need to check this out x
That‘s an interesting book, makes me want to pick it up to check why/ how this diet works.
I love step nr. 5, sometimes you just have to start! My friend would like to begin a new career and he has all the skills, but he is so reluctant to go for it – no amount of good advice will work for him unless he just starts. The book sounds like it does a great job helping with this mental attitude to dieting.
I’ve been reading this book as well because I am in the same boat you are. The Coronavirus quarantine has made me fat. Like I’m about to die tomorrow kind of fat, and it upsets me that I can’t even go for a walk with my husband without feeling like I’m going to die in the process. It has caused a lot of tears lately. Meanwhile my husband exercises all day while he’s at work, and I’m feeling stuck on the couch at home gaining the weight that he is keeping off. I am excited to keep up with your progress here, Thuy!
My fiance and I are working on our health as well. Got a gym membership went the last 3 days. It has been so much fun. I am definitely going to check out this book.