Bob Harper's "Jumpstart to Skinny"...anyone tried it?

criminey8

Pure_of_heart- Great thank you for the tips! How are your results so far?

Lemonade2013

Look forward to hearing how you get on pure at heart - I have nine weeks to a holiday and lose weight very very slowly on 1400 cals a day, coupled with lots of exercise, maybe this would be good for me, just 21 days.. sounds like you have made a good start - will go and check the book out for myself.

Sapporo

The recipes in this book are amazing. They are relatively simple without way too many ingredients and they taste good. There are a few I will use for life. I do add things like extra olive oil or extra protein here and there so my calories are not only 800 per day.
I am finding that at end of day my fats are not hitting the 20% target if I follow it to a T in the book. Anyone else seeing this?

wisefish

I have 15 lbs of baby weight to lose and am thinking of doing it for 3 weeks.

And to the people that think it's not healthy, it is almost identical to the diet I was on with a very respected nutritionist- 750cal/day, mostly in shakes/soups, so not even real food. It was EXTREME but I was healthy (other than the extra 25 lbs) so I could handle it. I think for people with underlying health issues, it needs to be taken very seriously.
However, it's not meant to be a long term thing either.

Glad to hear people aren't too hungry on the diet either!

myomy1959

I am currently doing the Jumpstart to Skinny (Week 1, Day 4)....I have to say that, so far, it is working. I have about 50 lbs too much, post menopausal (yes, 54 yrs. old) and I have to tell you...it's WORKING!!! I have lost 3.7 lbs and I am never hungry. In fact, I am so stuffed!!! I made the mistake of having my husband do this with me, but he doesn't have much weight to lose, so, of course, he does lose weight & quickly. I really wanted a cookie today, but thought that its only a few days in total & I can do it! So can you! Like every diet, you have to have time to devote to packing your lunches, but having every meal planned for you is awesome. I will let you know as I progress through this Jumpstart.

bevmcarthur

my husband and i are starting this on MOnday. I have read the book and he has you eating that many calories with out all the extra veggies i dont think that its low on the calorie rang but i think we will add more to each day he has some really good recipes in this book so i will use them his idea of no carbs after noon i like so i guess we will have to see how it goes

rdw90

So, my stats: 5'2, 22 years old, started this program at about 167-168 lbs. The lowest I've ever been is about 150, and I maintained there for a couple of years. I'd like to get back down to that or dip lower. I started this program to further that goal and prepare for an event I have in almost exactly 21 days from when I started.

I'm on day 5, and I weighed in today at 162.8 lbs. That's a loss of 4-5 lbs. I've noticed that my energy levels tend to dip in the afternoons, and my sugar cravings have been *intense.* I also haven't managed to eat all of the prescribed greens for the lunches. Some of those salads call for 4 cups of mixed greens! Yeesh. Otherwise, I'm sticking pretty closely to the plan and doing pretty well with it. I'm hoping to be solidly back in the 150's before my event.

I know a lot of people expect that people who follow this will go straight to binging after they're done (or before). I do expect that I'll gain some weight back, as I'll be out of town and in a hotel for nearly a week immediately following this - my food options are going to be severely limited. Still, I suspect several of the changes will become things I can carry with me as ways to minimize the damage (like not adding salt and limiting processed carbs) while I'm on vacation. After I get back, I intend to start another (less restrictive) meal plan as a way to keep training myself to eat differently than how I was raised to. I think the biggest mistake someone could make is to just fall into the routine of doing what one had been doing before. I'll probably go for Body Revolution, as I've come to kind of enjoy Jillian Michaels. My birthday is at the end of August, too, so I'll have just about 3 months to give myself a whole new life for my birthday.

bizgee

I'm on day 6 of the Jumpstart plan and I've lost 5 lbs so far.

I'm never really hungry. You eat A LOT of veggies. I sometimes find myself struggling to eat my meals, but I do so knowing that I need those calories.

I do experience a dip of energy in the afternoon. Yesterday I tried an espresso and that helped. Yesterday was my hardest day, I'm not sure why, I was a bit blue, I suppose. The other days have been fairly easy, surprisingly so. I did have 1 cookie Wednesday night as I was at a party and the host had made everything from scratch - hard to explain when there's a table in front of you full of desserts and the host chatting up each one. Sigh. But in hindsight, I praise myself for selecting the smallest thing I could and then walking away. I've not had mad cravings for sugar, a few emotional moments where I recognize I want a treat to support or "fix" something in my personal life, but nothing like what I've experienced on other plans, including ones that have desserts.

The early morning 45 minute low intensity work out seems like a drag, but it's all done and attainable so I find myself pleased that it's taken care of by 8 or 9 am. I am use to some severe drops in energy/borderline hypoglycemia, but no such problems on this plan so far. Am curious to see what Week 2 will be like.

The exercise rounds were too intense for me so I scaled them back and am trying to work my way up. I like the challenge and can see incorporating them into my days - they can all be done from home for 15-20 minutes. I'm working out less than I used to and not starving and losing weight. Week 1 is a success!

You do need to sit down and prepare your shopping lists, prep and chop food and have your meals ready to roll out. Today felt like a long kitchen day, but I'm finally beginning to see how this approach works as a system. I am learning how to rely more on veggies, less on easy carbs or processed foods. I feel better. I am taking each week as a commitment unto itself and trust, do dream of introducing several more items back into my meals, but overall, I'm really taken with this plan. I don't know if I'll lose the 20 lbs, but I can foresee 10 or even 15. I'd been struggling and keeping my calorie intake between 1500-1700 plus working out 1 - 2 hours cardio plus 15 - 20 minutes light weights in an attempt to budge some pounds. This is far easier.

Will let you know how it goes. But for those worried about being hungry. There's a giant list of veggies that you can snack on or supplement any meal with and you're encouraged to do so. I told myself that depending on my results and how I felt that I would check out Bob's Skinny Rules. This jumpstart is helping me feel full, successful and more in tune with my health. I wasn't expecting that.

bizgee

@Sapporo I haven't noticed that, but will take a look. Must say, the meals with avocado = heaven!

LaraMc71

Re the fat %: would guess that this might be connected to the type and quantity of olive oil spray you are using. I use one of the manual pumps - I feel like I am hitting the fat.

bizgee

@LaraMc71 Great idea! How many pumps are you using?

Wanted to add that taking your measurements is helpful. I didn't lose any more lbs. this AM but noticed that my measurements have dropped somewhat significantly. That was enough to help keep me on the path.

Honestly, while there are some delicious dishes, at this point I'm very much looking forward to Week Two's menu. I am someone who needs to mix it up foodwise and I'm grateful that Bob Harper thought of that.

Best of luck to those who are also trying this plan!

MorgueBabe

MorgueBabe

So is he pretending that veggies don't have calories if you're allowed to snack on them when you want?

Amy62575

It's a set-up for failure.

dianeb613

there is no way I am going to eat ONLY 800 calories a day.

MorgueBabe

So basically this diet is just eat clean and healthy and nutrient dense veggies? I.E common sense? cool. I should write a book.

cubsgirlinny

bump for curiosity's sake

bizgee

No, veggies have calories and carbs.

The plan is 40/40/20 protein, carbs and fats. You need these. Then you add veggies and there is a list he's specific about, along with limited fruit. He says that veggies are fiber rich and low in calories, which will help you stay on this short term plan, fill you up and assist with losing weight. There are no potatoes on the list, for instance, and the plan is heavy on greens. Additionally, it illustrates how to replace a lot of the processed carbs many rely on, showing you ways to integrate more fresh produce once you return to your regular way of eating or skinny rules if continuing with his day-to-day approach after the 3 week period ends.

Skinny Rules may be what you're seeking if you want ways to approach lifestyle changes that are reasonable and fit within a normal schedule. Or there may be another approach that works for you. My only intent in coming here was to test this plan and find some support.

LaraMc71

Bizgee - The lid pumps air into the sprayer, I would say you get about a quarter teaspoon per pump-up.

pure_of_heart

So is he pretending that veggies don't have calories if you're allowed to snack on them when you want?

Not at all. The list happens to be very low in calories. I find it hard to believe anyone would go over a 100 calories in just one snack of his list. Plus, the list are the vegetables that are mostly water and fiber, which is probably another reason he doesn't see the addition having a major slow down in your weight loss.

pure_of_heart

It's a set-up for failure.

This is indeed a set up for failure if you're an emotional eater who when deprived processed grains, sugar and dairy fat will feel so deprived you're prone to binge. As I'm one of those types, part of the reason I am trying to stick to this for 3 weeks is to start to break that cycle.

It is also going to fail if you don't have the time to shop and prepare ALL your meals. (No eating out)

Again, this is NOT supposed to be a way of eating for life. If you read the book, he specifically says this and explains he's targeting the people who are so desperate to lose weight for some event they would normally turn to one of those crazy cabbage soup type diets and screw up their metabolism. Or for those like myself, who want a "cold turkey" program to start to break the food addiction aspect. At end of the program, he recommends his program that is sustainable for life.

pure_of_heart

So basically this diet is just eat clean and healthy and nutrient dense veggies? I.E common sense? cool. I should write a book.

If you have some kick-*kitten* and tasty recipes, go for it ! I've never knew "clean eating" could be so easy and yummy!

pure_of_heart

So a couple of days into week 2... lost a total so far of 10 pounds. On Saturday, a friend who had no idea I was on a diet who had just seen me the Saturday before commented how they could tell I lost weight. I suspect she was noticing the loss water weight, some of which I think is in my face. In other words, I don't believe for one second I lost 10lbs of fat... but volume is volume and given part of my goal is to look good... mission accomplished!

As far as long term goals, I've broken my daily habit of having my coffee with those flavored creamers. This little change will make a difference for me. In past, I loved them so much, I'd allow for the calories in my daily diet... now when I'm off his program, I personally will have an extra 100 calories each day to go towards a food that is more nutritious as well as satisfying.

I didn't care for the Kale salad. I don't know if it is because the kale I had was tougher because not as fresh or I just prefer it cooked. I will have to get creative with all the left over kale in that bag as I know kids don't like it. Which is another thing to keep in mind with his meal plan, you can't always buy the small quantity a recipe calls for that week at the store. He does often have recipes that week that use the other half of that avocado for example (store in a bag with lemon juice to keep from browning), but you might have left-overs. The fruit, I freeze for future smoothies... and the veggies, I am thinking about finding a recipe for a low-calorie soup for them that I can freeze to use when I'm off his program.

Also didn't LOVE the "scrambled pasta" so not saving that recipe. But for sure the "Pizza Toast" and "Quinoatmeal" is now in my permanent rotation.

MissNordicLight

Just out of curiosity (I have not read the book), can anyone give me some examples of the nutrion dense foods? And examples of those expensive and hard to find foods? Thanks!

bevmcarthur

veggie veggies veggies fruit NON PROCESSED food lots of eggs greek yogurt turkey beans

pure_of_heart

Just out of curiosity (I have not read the book), can anyone give me some examples of the nutrion dense foods? And examples of those expensive and hard to find foods? Thanks!

Nutrition dense foods: Lots (like 5 cups in one meal lots) of green leafy vegetables... broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, tomatoes, berries, apples, avocado (also a fat)... then lots of bulky veggies like squash, zucchini. Protein includes salmon, haddock, and boneless/skinless turkey & chicken breasts as well as eggs and walnuts. Complex carbs focus on quinoa (required a trip to Whole Foods for me), Ezekial bread (in the special frozen "health section" at my store and more expensive than regular bread) and whole wheat pasta (50% more expensive than regular pasta in my store).

I've heard that some local stores don't carry persian cucumbers. My store didn't have spaghetti squash yet and was out of Swiss chard the day I shopped but had it the next day.

The herbs can get expensive too... I relied mostly on dried ones I already own as I hate wasting and that is what would have happened as some recipes only call for a tablespoon and you have about 2 cups worth!

MissNordicLight

Just out of curiosity (I have not read the book), can anyone give me some examples of the nutrion dense foods? And examples of those expensive and hard to find foods? Thanks!

Nutrition dense foods: Lots (like 5 cups in one meal lots) of green leafy vegetables... broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, tomatoes, berries, apples, avocado (also a fat)... then lots of bulky veggies like squash, zucchini. Protein includes salmon, haddock, and boneless/skinless turkey & chicken breasts as well as eggs and walnuts. Complex carbs focus on quinoa (required a trip to Whole Foods for me), Ezekial bread (in the special frozen "health section" at my store and more expensive than regular bread) and whole wheat pasta (50% more expensive than regular pasta in my store).

I've heard that some local stores don't carry persian cucumbers. My store didn't have spaghetti squash yet and was out of Swiss chard the day I shopped but had it the next day.

The herbs can get expensive too... I relied mostly on dried ones I already own as I hate wasting and that is what would have happened as some recipes only call for a tablespoon and you have about 2 cups worth!

Thanks for the answer! I tried Ezekial bread once (my local 'bio' store has it) and I must say it was not a hit! Apart from that it looks like a nice list of food.

linar98

I started today. It is a calorie deficit diet by the recipes are delicious and I think it's a great way to get out of a plateau. In my case I'm exercising and eating healthy but I'm not losing that much weight anymore, so I'm doing this for 3 weeks and then continuing with healthy habits and exercise.

samacooper

Mmm, I love the ezekiel bread with avocado on it....that might have a bit to do with how hungry I am once breakfast is ready though, ha....but the morning is the only time I'm finding myself very hungry. and I haven't even been eating the full portions at meal time! Most salads call for too much greens for me. Also, my arms are KILLing me from trying to do the metabolic training routines; I wasn't even able to do the full set of burpees and chair dips with jump rope, and my arms. are. killing me.

Regarding the Kale salad-- I had it on spinach instead of kale but the rest of the ingredients as listed, and it was quite tasty. Very complementary flavors.

Does anyone on the plan see any issue with swapping lunches and dinners for each other? I made an extra portion of the herbed turkey soup, easy lunch the next day, that way you aren't ONLY eating salads for lunch?

I made the turkey bolognese last night, yummmm, I will make that again soon to use the rest of the marinara. My fiancee gobbled it right up too!

pure_of_heart

Does anyone on the plan see any issue with swapping lunches and dinners for each other? I made an extra portion of the herbed turkey soup, easy lunch the next day, that way you aren't ONLY eating salads for lunch?

I made the turkey bolognese last night, yummmm, I will make that again soon to use the rest of the marinara. My fiancee gobbled it right up too!

I've gotten sick of salads for lunch and switched out... they seem to be the same combo of simple carbs, protein and fat.... whereas breakfast works in the complex carb.

And I love the turkey bolognese! I had switched that out for a lunch last week when I was really tired of salads! It is another one of the recipes I intend to make a permanent part of diet!