Mighty Mommy Belly Burn Project: Week 1
Mighty Mommy has an update of her progress during Week 1 of the Belly Burn Project.
Cheryl Butler
A full week has gone by since I plunged in to the Mighty Mommy Belly Burn Project and I am happy to share with all of you that it has actually been much easier than I expected it to be! For those of you who are not familiar with my quest to take back my health and lose 30 pounds over the next few months, I invite you to check out episode # 226, Join the Get-Fit-Guy/Mighty Mommy Belly Burn Project, which explains how it all came to be.
I am currently working with my colleague, Get-Fit Guy Ben Greenfield, who has created the dynamic Belly Burn Project, which is a combination of the best fat burning workouts and exercises along with a customized diet plan. The best part is that Ben has made the Belly Burn program available for anyone who would like to join me!
What Is the Belly Burn Project?
The reason this program is called the Belly Burn Project is because after having 8 kids, this Mighty Mommy has a bit of extra weight in her belly! I gain first in my chin area (hard to disguise in the summer when turtlenecks are out of season) and next it’s always my stomach.
Check out my Before photo!
Our first live webcast was on Friday, April 19th when Ben described an overview of how busy moms can still maintain their health by fitting in exercise into their busy schedules. Ben’s plan is unique because it’s geared toward working little bits of exercise in throughout the day rather than logging in long hours at the gym. You can watch the video, or if you’d prefer to just listen, we have an audio-only version as well.
Our next webcast is scheduled for Friday, May 10th at 9 am PDT, that’s noon EST. Sign up for this session to watch Ben discuss how stress, hormones, and sleep play a big factor in successfully reaching your fitness goals.
What to Expect in Week #1
In my first week of the Belly Burn Project, I focused on healthier eating. The key for me is planning my meals in advance. This program provides a weekly meal plan including a grocery list to take shopping so that you can have the bulk of the ingredients on hand. I will be honest and tell you that there were several suggestions that were not appealing to me (sardines and algae are not for this girl!). But Ben has done a great job listing alternative foods and answering food questions, which you can find on our Belly Burn FAQ page.
Staring off each morning with a healthy shake has really been the key especially because I’m getting so many vitamin-rich ingredients like spinach, kale, almond milk, and bananas in a delicious and filling shake. They’re easy to whip up, really tasty (I’m not kidding!) and I’m full for the entire morning.
I can’t tell you how many years I’ve skipped breakfast because I’m rushing around getting my kids out the door for school. Like so many other busy moms, I thought I was doing the right thing by focusing on my kids’ needs first, justifying that I had to make personal sacrifices to be a good mom. What I’ve finally realized is that my kids need a healthy mom, not a sacrificial lamb. So I’m getting back to basics and treating myself to three delicious and healthy meals in addition to several good-for-me snacks each day.
I’ve always been an energetic person, but during the past few years, I noticed my energy and focus waning, especially as the late afternoon hit. In just one week of following the Belly Burn program, my energy has soared again. I’m less bloated and I’ve already shed 5 pounds. Ben said that I would probably lose weight quickly during the first couple of weeks, and he was right. This is just the beginning, however. I’m in this for a lifetime of healthy changes, so I will celebrate my victories one week at a time.
What to Expect in Week #2
The exercise portion of the Belly Burn project starts this week, and this morning I followed a step-by-step video included in the program that involved stretching exercises. I’ve made the conscious choice to park as far away as possible when I go to the store or an appointment so that I can get extra walking in. I’m looking forward to being introduced to more of Ben’s best fat-burning workouts as week two continues with a bang!
I look forward to keeping you posted each week on my progress. If you’re interested in joining us, please check out first Belly Burn webcast for more information and the tools to get started. You can even just listen to the audio on the go. Have a healthy week everyone!
About the Author
Cheryl L. Butler was the host of the Mighty Mommy podcast for nine years from 2012 to 2021. She is the mother of eight children. Her experiences with infertility, adoption, seven pregnancies, and raising children with developmental delays have helped her become a resource on the joys and challenges of parenting. You can reach her by email.