Losing the Last 5 Kilos - Michelle Bridges

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388gigi
388gigi Posts: 485 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hello,

Has anyone followed Michelle's 4 week program? Did you see results?

I just bought the book and would like to start the food plan. The food plan is based around 1200 calories a day. I am currently eating 1800-2000 calories, so it will be quite a drop. I usually burn between 500-700 calories a day. 1 or 2 days a week might be a bit less less, 1 or 2 days might be a bit more.

What are your thoughts? I would love any adivce or stories from those who have followed Michelle Bridges program's in the past.

Thanks :-)

Replies

  • Lozze
    Lozze Posts: 1,917 Member
    What are your goals though? Do you want to weigh a certain weights, or do you want to have that flat stomach and strong arms?

    Michelle Bridges is an idiot. I had a flick through the book at Coles and it was a one size fits all style book and I don't think it does. 1200 calories is not enough for an adult woman of your height and weight. I know you're having your back issues with NROLFW but getting back to the weight lifting will be better for you and your physique.
  • 388gigi
    388gigi Posts: 485 Member
    Thanks for the feedback Lozze!

    I am constantly stuck around the 70kg mark and I really want to get to 65kg - maybe even less, I'll see what I look like at 65 and then evaluate from there. I know it's not all about the weight, measurements are more important. Which I am tracking too. But that goal weight is in the middle of the healthy BMI range, and I know even with gaining muscle, I can gould go that low. Apparently my ideal weight is 62...

    I totally want a flat stomach and strong "michelle bridges" arms! lol

    I tend to agree with the "one size fits all" comment. But I also think that if I'm going to get to the body I want, I need to eat a less than I am eating now. And definitely less sugar, and smaller portions.

    I really need some discipline with my food, so I think I'm going to follow the eating plan as a guide. I'll have more snacks etc. And maybe more sides of vegies etc with the main meals. If I'm hungry, I'll eat. I think it will be good to try follow it and use it as a guide for 30 days. I really need to change my habbits with food.

    My back is pretty much 100% now, it's just bad in the mornings when I first get up but once I stretch out iand walk around t's ok (as long as I do my stretches at night) So I am back into weight lifting. Just not doing squats or deadlifts (except for pump, where the weight isn't as much as NROL). I do pump and NROL4W once a week each, and now I'm adding in TRX session once a week too (freestyle resistance rope thingys..?)
  • Lozze
    Lozze Posts: 1,917 Member
    I tend to agree with the "one size fits all" comment. But I also think that if I'm going to get to the body I want, I need to eat a less than I am eating now. And definitely less sugar, and smaller portions.

    I can't comment because I'm not at your point yet (trying to lose weight when in a healthy weight range. You are in the healthy BMI honey :) ) There's really no such thing as an ideal weight, and you have a banging body.

    For your back pain, do you do yoga or Pilates? You know I play softball so I need strong core muscles, but I severely injured my back in my early 20s. My doctor recommended Pilates and I did yoga too. I just do it on my Wii now but I have no back problems whatsoever because it's so strong. Definitely look into it.
  • 388gigi
    388gigi Posts: 485 Member
    You're right...and I am heaps happy with my body, (compared to 18 months ago) but it's still not where I want to be. The eating side of things is what I really need to get on top of!

    I was doing yoga on Wednesdays and it was soooo good!! But now there is a new teacher and I don't like her, so I didn't go last week :-( I'm going to give her another go this week though I think, because I love it and it is definitely helping my back!
  • oonga
    oonga Posts: 336 Member
    haven't read the Last 5kg but i did do her 12wbt last year.

    The idea is 1200cals for women and workout 6 days a week.

    5 days a week burn 500cals or average 1 hour
    1 day a week burn 1000 cals or average 2hours.

    From memory the last 5kg got a mention in the forum by some doing it, and the whole concept is pretty much the same, mostly unprocessed foods etc...

    The workouts she gives incorporate both cardio and strength training.
    There is also her Lean and strong program which is pretty much strength based only, for those who are at goal or only a few kg away and wanting to work on their body composition :)

    oh and when people asked if you eat your exercise calories back, they were basically laughed at and called cute, followed by a firm NO you don't eat your exercise calories back!!
    Even on your 1000calorie day, where you could also have a splurge, it was suggested you eat less during the day, so you could have more calories left over for the party or whatever you are needing the extra cals for, but you were still supposed to eat a total of 1200calories, it was just spread out differently :)
  • Symonep
    Symonep Posts: 181 Member
    She is an idiot...who was found at some Fitness First gym and put on TV because she was good looking. Had nothing to do with her 'program'. I think anyone who uses her program will be stuck eating nothing but rabbit food or they will put on weight again.
  • Lozze
    Lozze Posts: 1,917 Member
    haven't read the Last 5kg but i did do her 12wbt last year.

    The idea is 1200cals for women and workout 6 days a week.

    5 days a week burn 500cals or average 1 hour
    1 day a week burn 1000 cals or average 2hours.

    Yup, incredibly bad idea. This is simillar to what the book you bought states.

    It will take you longer doing it the way you're currently doing, but you don't need to starve yourself to lose the last 5kg. The above quote is so incredibly unhealthy it's not funny.
  • emhargs
    emhargs Posts: 63
    eating 1200 calories a day and burning 500-700 through exercise, and NOT eating anything back sounds pretty extreme to me? Am I wrong?

    I eat 1300 calories a day, and do no cardio, cos I'd rather not stuff my face, than stuff my face and then spend 7 hours a week on a treadmill..... I'm losing weight slowly and losing inches fast!

    I was always taught not to go under 1200 calories? Subtracting the 500-700 leaves you at around 600 calories a day - is this what she is recommending?
  • KristyWay
    KristyWay Posts: 3 Member
    I've done it recently and found all of the recipes to be very summer based... Not sure where you're located but here in Melbourne it's quite cold ATM and I found that I was constantly having to switch out 'salad dinners' for something more comforting (I used mish's other cookbook Crunchtime for soups etc). I will give it another go to follow more strictly later in the year when it warms up as some of the salads look quite yummy!
  • kr3851
    kr3851 Posts: 994 Member
    I did the 12WBT last round and found the 1200 cals a day okay - but struggled to keep everything under control when factoring in the 500-1000 cal burns. I just got too hungry! I lost 7kg in the first four weeks but was a total ***** so ate more and stopped losing. I'm really not interested in losing fast if I'm going to be a total ***** towards those I love. Not worth it!

    This round, I didn't sign up for the program. I am however, still trying to stick to 1200 calories a day. I'm not too concerned about the burn numbers though, as the 1200 is 200 or so less than what MFP suggests so if I go over it's not a massive deal. I also have a fitbit and it calculates extra burn for me if required, so I still try to stay in the green. This means that most days I eat my exercise calories back if I'm hungry enough, and some days I go over completely.
  • bazfitness
    bazfitness Posts: 275 Member
    Just going to give an opinion from a guy's point of view. You won't find many guys doing the equivalent of this. Feel sorry for women in this regard because you have been under the marketing spotlight for many more years than us guys and I believe lied to about the best way to get fit (I won't say lose weight - because while that maybe important it can be over-focused on) . 1200 cals a day is too low for all but the smallest of adults. I'm not saying it won't work as a temporary solution but imho it's not the right way to go about getting fit.

    The last bit of weight is always the hardest to come off, finding that to be the case myself as down to my last 4 lbs to shift,it's a recurring theme here, however I don't think you should throw out sensible healthy eating and exercise habits though in desperation to get there. Just keep to sensible weekly deficits, and regular, if possible intense calorie burning exercise and eating nutritious healthy balanced diet. No need to be eating only a measly 1200 calories when that's not the healthiest or best option. Anyway good luck with whatever method you choose to get fit/lose weight.
  • Biggipooh
    Biggipooh Posts: 350
    Hello,

    Has anyone followed Michelle's 4 week program? Did you see results?

    I just bought the book and would like to start the food plan. The food plan is based around 1200 calories a day. I am currently eating 1800-2000 calories, so it will be quite a drop. I usually burn between 500-700 calories a day. 1 or 2 days a week might be a bit less less, 1 or 2 days might be a bit more.

    What are your thoughts? I would love any adivce or stories from those who have followed Michelle Bridges program's in the past.

    Thanks :-)

    That would interest me too...... how do you lose the last 5 kg???
    Funny, I am 5'3 and my BMI Middle Weight ist 60 to 62 kg. I am a lot shorter than you. I am stuck with 67 kg and eating 1200 cal, burn 500 through exercise without eating it back and do NOT lose anymore weight, so I guess that program wouldn't help me at all. I guess, the calorie intake is to low or my body just stays where it wants to stay with its happy weight.
  • emhargs
    emhargs Posts: 63
    the last time i was eating 1200 calories and not eating back my exercise calories, my body stopped losing weight too - funny that! i would only consider doing something drastic like that if i had say 3 weeks to fit into a wedding dress or something, and i would be fully prepared to put the weight back on once i started eating better. it sounds like it would mess up your metabolism. slow, steady & sensible is the way to go for me, and its actually a lot easier to stick to, and more pleasant, and life is good!
  • 388gigi
    388gigi Posts: 485 Member


    That would interest me too...... how do you lose the last 5 kg???
    Funny, I am 5'3 and my BMI Middle Weight ist 60 to 62 kg. I am a lot shorter than you. I am stuck with 67 kg and eating 1200 cal, burn 500 through exercise without eating it back and do NOT lose anymore weight, so I guess that program wouldn't help me at all. I guess, the calorie intake is to low or my body just stays where it wants to stay with its happy weight.

    I am 5'4' - and my BMI mid range weight is somewhere around 65/66 kilos, so that would make sense, as I am only an inch taller.



    Thanks for all of your opinions. I have definitely taken it on board! I am going to follow her food program but add more healthy snacks etc, so the calorie intake will be higher than 1200. I was concerned about dropping to 1200, so I'm glad you all agree!

    I probably won't be able to follow her recipes on most weekends either as I am away most of them!

    And I will probably add in protein shakes after lifting days.
  • 388gigi
    388gigi Posts: 485 Member
    I am not 5'4" LOL!!

    I got confused, i was thinking 174 cm's... sorry!!

    So yeah, that is a bit of a height difference! At 70 kilos I am near the top end of the healthy weight range..
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