Month 1 is over and as I wait for my weigh in to be finalized I have been thinking about month 2.

Someone in the game mentioned Bob Harper's Jumpstart to Skinny... I have bought the book and will be starting a modified version of this next week. 

13 Simple Rules (some I will follow and some I won't see below):

#1 - Take control with proper proportions--40/40/20 - 40% protein/40% carbs/20% fat plus unlimited vegetables on Bob's freebie vegetable list that you want to eat.

This I can do.  I looked at this last night and made two of my own recipes within the recommended calorie constraints and 40/40/20.

#2 - Cut back on calories: 800 calories for women & 1200 for men - plus the additional calories from Bob's recommended vegetables.

I am getting back into crossfit and this is too low for me personally so I added an additional meal and protein with my snack.

#3 - Eat no complex carbs (in whole grains) after breakfast - eat whole grains with breakfast foods.

Done and probably won't have many with breakfast.  I am already mostly paleo.

#4 - Get rid of water weight by drinking more water - he explains reasons for this based on research and names other beverages that meet this requirement.

Done!

#5 - Get your electrolytes - ensure you have enough electrolytes - Bob recommends a mix he likes that is fairly inexpensive that you can add to water.

Done!

#6 - Do 45 minutes a day of low-intensity cardio, preferably before breakfast.

This I will be adding, but I may do Bob's Jumpstart Moves in the rule below in the morning instead of walking.  Either way I will be adding a morning workout.

#7 - Five times a week, do 15 to 20 minutes of Bob's Jumpstart Moves.

Done!

#8 - Cut the salt - recommended salt amount is explained.

I will be using Mrs. Dash for now as I work to reduce my salt intake.

#9 - Take advantage of the restorative power of fish oil - preferred amount is listed and why.

This I will add.

#10 - Fall back on veggies - a list of recommended unlimited veggies for optimum weight loss is provided.

Snacking is one of my weaknesses, so I will try this.

#11 - No fruit during week three - the fructose (fruit sugar) in fruit can slow down weight loss. That's the only food that changed for the last week.

As I am not gearing up for an event after week 3, I probably will not do this.

#12 - Lay off all booze - for a number of reasons including calorie count to optimize weight loss.

I will do this for 3 weeks; this one will be hard.

#13 - An espresso a day ... or two or three - Bob lists other hot beverages also acceptable for this three week plan.

Not an espresso fan, so I won't be trying this, but I will look into caffiene prio to workouts.  I know there is research out there on this topic.

Overall I am excited to try this (I will stay over 1200 calories).  The recipes look good and his Jumpstart wWorkouts can be done at home with relatively little equipment or at any gym.

I put together my Week 1 meals and snacks last night and will be heading to the store after work today.  Cooking will commence over the weekend.  I choose recipes I can make ahead and freeze if needed.  This required a bit of looking through the book (and Skinny Recipes book).  He does state that any recipe can be done in any week, but avoid fruit in Week 3 if that's your plan.

Now I just need to continue to have motivation!!