Day Five: 2-Week Total Body Turnaround

July 27, 11:26 AMChicago Personal Training ExaminerHaley Stone

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Get Fit with Chris Freytag.  

Today is Day 5 on the 2-Week Total Body Turnaround and I haven't lost any weight.  However, my clothes are fitting better, and that's sometimes a better way to judge progress.  I've stuck to the 1500 calories-per-day plan and the workout program.  The only day off the program was on Sunday (I taught Cardio Blast and Hot Bod at Cheetah Gym and jogged 2.0 miles).  

It's only a few days into the program, and I'm still skeptical of the promises the book makes.  Doubts aside, there are some major pros about this plan.

1. Sprinkled throughout the book are stories of real people who have succeeded on the plan.  One story highlights a women who started to measure everything she ate.  She quickly found that her portions were way off "one serving".  A bowl of ice cream for her was more like 1/2 a gallon!  What a reality check.  This is a great example of how healthy weight loss is achieved by doing work.  It's not easy to measure everything you eat.  It takes time and dedication.  But once you put the work in, you will have success.  
2. The strength training plan  by Chris Freytag is excellent.  I teach loads of fitness classes and have taken many more, so I didn't expect to run into anything fresh or exciting.  This is both!  The plan asks that you perform the exercises slowly.  So many fitness enthusiasts think that you need a high octane workout that moves at a break-neck pace.  The 2-Week Total Body Turnaround links complimentary exercises together.  You perform each exercise for 8-12 repetitions.  Then you do them all again, much like a circuit set.   You repeat the circuit until 30 minutes has gone by (and it goes by fast!).  
3. Before beginning the 2 weeks, the program asks that you get some basics out of the way, like weighing in, taking your measurements, and visiting the grocery store to plan your meals.  It also has you sign a commitment contract.  It may sound silly to sign a contract with yourself.  However, studies show that when you write a goal down, you are more likely to achieve that goal

Today the plan includes a speed ladder for cardio and a lower body and core strength training session.  Stay tuned.