Jumpstart to Skinny
The hardest 21 day eating and workout plan I’ve ever done…but with fantastic results.
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Jumpstart to Skinny by Bob Harper
Most of my readers probably don’t know my story or background, but I used to be known as “Harper Girl”. Harper stood for Bob Harper, the Biggest Loser television trainer.
After the birth of my second child, I weighed over 200lbs, and I was a size 18/20. I’m a pretty short woman, I barely measure in at 5’0. You can imagine how weighing that much effected my health and daily life.
I was miserable.
I decided after my youngest was born, that the weight was coming off. I didn’t care what I had to do, it was coming off one way or another. I hit my breaking point.
I did it, too. After a year of working out and eating right, I lost 100lbs!
Here’s my story:
After the birth of my son, and after losing the weight. Size 18 to size 4.
What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was how hard maintaining that loss would be.
Oh, the maintenance it takes!
For me, the hardest part of maintaining my weight loss isn’t working out. I’m one of those people that honestly loves working out. I love running, spin bike classes, Crossfit, walking, and more. I feel better when I workout, I sleep better, I’m stronger, and it’s better for my overall health. Plus, I get a rush when I workout that I can’t get by doing anything else.
It’s just fun for me!
The hardest part is balancing my food intake and not going back to old habits.
I used to eat out of comfort. Anytime I felt strong emotions, no matter what the emotion, I’d run to food. I blogged back in 2011 (the year I was losing weight) that when I had to change my eating habits for good, it felt like breaking up with a toxic boyfriend. I still feel that way. Sometimes I feel like it’s an old boyfriend sliding into my DM’s trying to tempt me.
In short, I still struggle.
Especially with my health issues now (that I didn’t have then), I really struggle with eating right. I have to be even more vigilant with my “diet plan” than most because I’m more sedentary than I used to be due to my migraines. I can’t run anymore (HUGE bummer), and my workouts can’t be nearly as intense as they used to be.
So now what?
Although I didn’t gain the weight back, I’m just not feeling confident. I have a few extra pounds I’d like to lose just to feel my best. I’ve also been craving sugar like crazy, and it’s because I’ve been eating too much of it. That’s how sugar works, unfortunately.
Jumpstart to Skinny Book
The plan is all in this book. All you’ll need is this book and the food for the recipes.
Jumpstart to Skinny
After I had lost the weight and was maintaining it well, Bob Harper came out with a new book called Jumpstart to Skinny. I buy everything he puts out.
They didn’t call me HarperGirl for nothing.
HarperGirl was my nickname because I used all of Bob’s workouts to lose the 100lbs. I still use his workouts (I just did a 45 minute one this morning with my husband).
His book, Jumpstart to Skinny, is a 3 week plan that incudes a step by step process for eating and working out. It includes rules that we have to follow for 21 days. Some seem extreme, some are easy, but it’s all doable if you’re dedicated and focused.
I’ll say this though; it’s a short plan at 21 days, but it’s a hard plan.
As small as I was, and as hard as it was to lose a full pound for me at my smallest, this 3 week plan got me even smaller. I lost over 7lbs back then, at my lowest weight. That is a huge number for me.
This is a very effective plan.
There are rules for how much water to drink, and when. What vitamins to take. When to workout, how long to work out, and even specific moves of his to do (with full pictures and everything to show you how if you need that).
My goal for this blog is to introduce you to this plan/book, and document my thoughts so you’d know what to expect if you want to try this one out.
My husband decided to join me, which was totally unexpected, but it was a pleasant surprise. It’s way more fun if you have your husband or a friend join you. The first time though, I did it 100% on my own.
Here’s a before and after of just my face (I completed the program yesterday). I’m much less bloated in my cheeks. I’m down 7lbs overall (which for my size is a lot), and I’ve lost inches everywhere!
Jumpstart to Skinny Documentation
My actual thoughts (day by day) while going through this plan….
Day 1: Not bad at all. I got through my workout early in the morning, and hopped on my spin bike for a low-impact (just light pedaling) in the afternoon. No cravings.
Day 2: Lost 1.5lbs! YAY! Also..holy sugar withdrawals, Batman! This is when it gets hard. Didn’t give in, though.
Day 3: I still want sugar but it’s not as unbearable as yesterday. Having my hubby join me has made it a little easier. I have more energy, too!
Day 4: Things are easier now, I’m about to start coasting. We had steak for dinner and it was amazing!
Day 5: Coasting now. Bumped up my calorie burn in the evenings with low-impact cardio (walking/riding my spin bike).
Day 6: I’m less than .5lb from my goal weight with this plan! 🙌
Day 7: MOTHER’S DAY. I didn’t cheat, even though we had a meal at the church with everyone. I ate before I came, and just enjoyed the conversation.
Day 8: Woke up early with energy, this is amazing. I feel like I’m 25 again! Hoping to hit my first goal this week.
Day 10: I filmed today, and I noticed my face looked slimmer! My arms, too. That was a good feeling.
Day 12: My old jeans fit!
Day 15: Lowest weight on the scale so far today. I haven’t seen this weight in 4 years! I see the end in sight though, and my husband and I are both really excited to get to the next phase.
Day 17: GOAL WEIGHT ACHIEVED!
Day 20: Surpassed goal weight by 1lb! 🙌 I officially fit into clothes that I haven’t worn in 5 years.
Day 21: Finished strong 💪 Down -7lbs total, taking me back to my weight from 2018. Ready for the next phase, The Skinny Rules, for maintenance and further weight loss if I want.
Jumpstart to Skinny Helpful Tips
First, mentally prepare for this one. Take a HARD look at what you’re eating and when. Notice when you’re snacking or mindlessly eating (big issue for me). Take note what you’re reaching for…salt or sugar? You can’t change something unless you’re aware of what you’re doing.
Second, prep your food. I made a special grocery trip just for my Jumpstart food. Bob has all of the meals planned out with full recipes for you. You literally just follow the book step by step. There’s NO guesswork.
Third, don’t give in. Your body will most likely rebel and scream at you for sugar. Don’t give up. As I write this, my body is craving sugar badly. But, I know it’s good for me to say no.
Fourth, a scale for weighing food is really helpful to stay on track in the kitchen. I was able to weigh out the perfect portions for my husband and I for meals.
Lastly, remember that the more you eat sugar, the more you crave it. I didn’t realize how much sugar I was eating until I was forced to go without it. There were a few days that were really hard and I had to pray fervently that God would make my body crave the right foods.
Remember that this is a lifestyle change. If you want things to stick, you have to change your habits in the kitchen for good. That was the hardest part for me, back when I was 210lbs and even today. It’s been full of up and downs. What leads to success long term is fighting through them.
Where we go from Here
We’re starting The Skinny Rules now. Jumpstart to Skinny is the 3-week prep into The Skinny Rules. I have my cart filled with food for next week already, and I plan on making meals for the entire family now. I’ll modify the meals for my teen boys (no, they are not going on a “diet” by any means). We’re just going to eat more healthy as a family.
I’m definitely happy with the changes made, and I physically feel so much better. It’s something I want to keep up as best as I can.
Until next time,
Soli Deo Gloria,
Mandy
