This is probably old news for the Americans reading this. But to find a stevia sweetened drinking chocolate is pretty amazing here!

SUGAR FREE DRINKING CHOCOLATE Vitarium’s Naturally Sugar Free Drinking Chocolate is an innovative NEW product that combines a high quality, natural drinking chocolate with Natvia, the 100% natural, low calorie sweetener.
A TRULY GUILT FREE INDULGENCE

I had two teaspoons with some organic rice milk. AMAZE!

I was at the gym this morning and thinking back to when I first started trying to lose weight. I did EVERYTHING wrong.

I would eat a ridiculously low amount of calories per day and exercise way too much. Of course, I lost weight. But the side effects of my dangerous diet made it not worth it. And the worst part is, I didn’t even realise I was thin. I just wanted to lose more and more. Does this sound familiar?

I would sometimes have to curl up in a ball on the couch because of the pains in my stomach. I didn’t want to eat out at restaurants. I was constantly in a bad mood and always lethargic.

One of the worst things about starving yourself is becoming “Skinny Fat”. Sure, you’ll look good in clothes. But once you need to get into a bikini, it is obvious that you aren’t respecting your body.

Do YOU suffer from “Skinny Fat Syndrome”?

Skinny fat is a self induced syndrome where an individual is fairly close to their healthy weight, or even at their healthy weight, but they have little if any muscle definition. The sufferer generally doesn’t exercise regularly or is a habitual on and off again exerciser. The sufferer also generally doesn’t follow any type of healthy nutrition plan, rather they eat anything and everything they want. The skinny fat syndrome can and does lead to the sufferer becoming overweight and even obese if the condition is not dealt with. Also, even if the skinny fat sufferer never becomes overweight or obese they ARE at a high risk for obesity related diseases and illnesses.

How did I stop starving myself and start respecting my body?

By reading fitness magazines and seeing how the fitness models look WHILE having five – six small meals a day. It is possible to eat AND lose weight. I know it seems a little crazy. But if you eat the right things then you can do it!

OMG Melissa, I think I am skinny fat. What can I eat to lose weight and be HEALTHY?

Meal 1 (7 AM)
1/2 cup of dry oats mixed with water
1/2 cup of egg beaters

Meal 2 (9 AM)
Meal replacement or protein powder (around 20 grams of protein) mixed with water
1/2 Tablespoon of Flaxseed Oil

Meal 3 (12 Noon)
1/2 cup of brown rice, or medium sized baked potato, or 1 cup of oatmeal
2 cups of green beans, broccoli or any other desired vegetable
6 ounces of chicken, turkey, or lean fish

Meal 4 (3 PM)
Meal replacement or protein powder (around 20 grams of protein) mixed with water

Meal 5 (6 PM)
1/2 cup of brown rice, or medium sized baked potato, or 1 cup of oatmeal
2 cups of green beans, broccoli or any other desired vegetable
6 ounces of chicken, turkey, or lean fish

This diet will work. Or you can follow the Bikini Model Program (as I have done)

What does Skinny Fat Look like?

It isn’t pretty. I bet that in real life I would see this girl in a pair of tiny skinny jeans and be very envious. But on the beach, not so much.

What does Skinny FIT Look Like?

Here are some examples of skinny fit. Which would you prefer? I know what I’d pick!

What Exercises Can I do?

This is a BEGINNER workout program. A great place to start

Monday (chest and bis)
Chest
Dumbbell Bench Press 3×8-12
Incline Dumbbell Bench 3×8-12
Dumbbell Flyes 3×8-12

Biceps
Incline Curls 2×10-15
Alternating Dumbbell Curls 2×10-15
Barbell Curls 2×10-15

Abs
Crunches 3 sets of max reps
NB: Don’t add any side Ab exercises in if you are aiming for an hourglass figure

Wednesday (legs and delts)

Quads
Squats 3×12-15
Leg Press 2×10-15
Leg Extension 2×8-12

Hamstrings
Leg Curls 2×10-12

Calves
Standing Calf Raises 3×12-15

Delts
Dumbbell Press 3×8-12

Friday (back and tris)

Back
Lat Pulldowns 3×8-10
T Bar Row 3×8-12
Bent Over One Arm Dumbbell Row 3×10-12

Triceps
Pushdowns 2×8-12
Close Grip Bench Press 2×8-10
Lying Tricep Extensions 2×12-15

Abs
Leg raises 3x max reps

Are you serious? That is BEGINNERS? It sounds really hard!

It isn’t hard! I know all the different names are confusing. I suggest you look up the exercises on youtube before doing them. If not, you could ask somebody at the gym to help you (one of the personal trainers perhaps).

How Can I Get Motivated?

Start by looking at photos of bodies you admire. You could print them out and put them somewhere that you will see every day.

Motivational quotes can be very inspiring!

My personal favourite…”Be the best Melissa you can be!”. You’d obviously insert your own name where ‘Melissa’ is.

When should I start?

Right now! Stop being a “my diet starts tomorrow” person. Tomorrow never comes does it?
You need to lose weight for the right reasons. Do it for yourself! If you’re doing it to impress others or for your boyfriend, it isn’t going to work. If you decide to do it because you want to feel confident, pretty, strong and healthy. Then you are going to succeed!

NO MORE EXCUSES!

Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.

~Don Wilder and Bill Rechin

Want some more motivation? Watch this video!

This week I’m going to focus on eating very clean and healthy foods. I’ll also be going to the gym 6 times!
What is your goal? I think it’s a good idea to take things one week at a time! I’ve made a progress chart for the week. It may not be a good idea for everyone to weigh yourself daily. I find that it helps me stay motivated so perhaps you’re the same. If you step on the scales and haven’t seen a change..will you be upset or not phased?
If you will be upset, this chart is not for you!

"I don’t feel the need to be super skinny, but being in shape is important" - Bar Refaeli

Here are some cool weight loss affirmations that you may find helpful

I enjoy burning fat
I am getting closer to my ideal weight
At this meal, I will only eat food that takes me to my goal
I’m going to feel awesome after I exercise
I’m boosting my metabolism everyday
I’m getting leaner every day
I like the way I look
I am 100% able to achieve my goal
I will do whatever it takes
I love healthy food
I love working out
I make the time for my goal
I can do it
I like myself

Download Mel’s Weekly Weight Loss Chart by Clicking Here!

UPDATE: The link above doesn’t work for everyone. Here is the PDF version in a .zip file. CLICK HERE

Today I got a text from my sister saying that she’s going to go on the ballerina diet. I was kind of surprised as I’d never heard of it before, have you?

Apparently one of the girls she works with lost a lot of weight by drinking ballerina tea. I decided to ask my trusty friend google what this so called ‘Ballerina Diet’ really is!

What is the Ballerina Diet?

It’s basically a slimming tea. From what I gather it works as a diuretic and apparently makes you absorb less carbs? I don’t know how accurate the information I found is.

How to do the Ballerina Diet

Direction: Begin drinking tea in small amounts and gradually increase the amount to suit your needs. We suggest you first pour 2 cups of boilng water over 1 teabag and cover for 2-3 minutes. Drink hot or cold after your meals and in the morning or evening. You can dilute your tea more water if desired. Gradually increase your tea strength after one week by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tea bag. Drink 1 cup after each meal with a maximum of 3 cups per day.

Anyway, I’m not sure if theres a specific meal plan you are supposed to follow or if you just have to drink the tea with food.
I personally will not be trying this! I drank ‘dieters tea’ back when I did the master cleanse and it was horrible! It tasted bad and gave me terrible stomach cramps. I’m not sure if the Ballerina Tea will be the same but it’s not worth the risk.

Anybody out there tried it?