1066 All Stars

Previous week

With Christmas and New Year slowly fading to a distant memory, this week has seen an attempt to get back on track, ready to tackle the C9.

Knowing that I was starting such a restrictive plan, there was a temptation to food splurge, to have one final week of indulgence. But instead I tried to maintain a balanced eating and exercise plan, with just the odd wobble.

Food Diary

The McDonald’s was unplanned but kept to a modest amount whilst the fizzy drink and popcorn is somewhat of an indulgence but, hey, Star Wars.

I had hoped to reduce my tea intake down to virtually nil by the end of the week, phasing out perhaps a morning, afternoon or evening beverage. I cut out the odd one here and there but frustration and boredom conspired against me so that Friday was pretty much back to normal.

I am nervous but excited to get going with the plan, the weekend set aside for a day 3-9 shop and purchase of some snacks from the ‘free foods’ list.

Goals

Before we get going, time to reaffirm my hopes for these 9 days. These can also be recorded in the information booklet included within the pack.

For a goal to be truly effective, it should follow the SMART principles – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timed.

Skin – tackling my greasy, spotty neck, shoulders and back

Mind – restoring energy and concentration

Body – breaking through the 11st barrier, perhaps slimming down to a 32” waist

For context, it is worth remembering that I am two and bit years removed from therapy for anxiety and depression. I am well aware that issues of the mind are not fixed by a magic pill and that depression in particular can leave you feeling low energy, unmotivated and lacking concentration.

Whilst these issues are not and will not ever be permanently behind me, I am able to recognise the signs and can confidently state that I am not currently afflicted with depression. On that basis, I am hopeful that changes to diet and routine can make a genuine difference to my mindset.

It is important to keep in mind that anxiety is caused by my own thoughts and actions, not external factors, and I am therefore responsible for addressing these behaviours. Perhaps though the C9 can go some way to clearing away the cobwebs, giving me the energy needed to tackle the malaise.

Weigh in & Measurements

These can also be recorded in the information booklet included within the pack and should be taken on days 1,3,6 and 9.

Weight: 11st 3lbs

Chest: 39 inches

Biceps: 10 inches

Waist: 35.5 inches

Hips: 37 inches

Thighs: 21.5 inches

Calves: 13.5 inches

After a previous day weigh in at 11st 4lbs, a pleasant surprise this morning to find I had reached my starting weight target of 11st 3lbs.

Most of the other measurements mean little to me at the moment although it is strange to see my waist come out at 35.5 inches given that I wear a comfortable 34 inch trouser.

Smile For The Camera!

Okay, time to capture this for posterity. Warning, images may contain flab!

So this is me. Handsome fellow, huh?

I would consider myself to be in reasonable overall health. I am overweight but not grossly so, the areas of particular concern around the chest or ‘moobs’ whilst the stomach would benefit from a bit of tightening up.

My skin issues flare up across my back, neck and shoulders, to the extent that I have been reluctant to get my hair cut due to embarrassment at what would be revealed, and concern over what might be clipped.

On the bottom half, my thighs are a little chunky, although my regular walks have definitely contributed to a slimming down here.

I have little in the way of muscle definition but then hey, a guy can’t have everything, right?

First 2 days

These will very likely be far and away the most difficult part of the plan as there is effectively no intake of ‘regular’ food. I will detail each day in full as I go but broadly speaking, days 1 and 2 will look like this;

Breakfast

• 2x Forever Garcinia Plus Softgels

• 120ml Forever Aloe Vera Gel

• 1x Forever Therm Tablet

Lunch

• 2x Forever Garcinia Plus Softgels

• 120ml Forever Aloe Vera Gel

• 1x Forever Therm Tablet

• 1x Scoop Forever Lite Ultra

Dinner

• 2x Forever Garcinia Plus Softgels

• 120ml Forever Aloe Vera Gel

Evening

• 120ml Forever Aloe Vera Gel

• 250ml of water

Snacks

• 1x Packet Forever Fibre

• Snacks from the ‘free foods’ list

Exercise

• 30 min minimum of low-intensity exercise

Fluids

• 8 glasses water (2-3 litres)

Next Steps

Blimey, this is really going to happen, isn't it?

I'll check in each day with a report on what I've had to eat and drink and how I'm feeling whilst on days 3,6 and 9 I will share my weight and measurements.

And don't forget, if you would like to take the plan yourself, search on Facebook for Aloe Vera Dreams or follow @AloeVeraDreams on Twitter.