RP Strength 8 Week Check-In

Well, here we are again! The 2nd check-in during my 12 weeks of RP Strength. 
This month was a little smoother than the last. I didn't have to battle a bad cold (just a little one) and my schedule was more predictable. As a result I was able to lose 5 more lbs! Yay :)
Starting weight was #159 and now I am at #152. This is pretty close to my weight about the time that I found out I was pregnant last year! Getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight wasn't necessarily the "goal" but it feels good to be back to "normal". Now I just have to find out where my muscles went! lol

I started this month trying to get back on track after my rocky 1st month. I was able to get it together and lose 5 lbs. I ended up going down to the fat loss 1 template and stayed there for most of the month. Flashback to my 1st RP post from this cut and I talked about how I am balancing breastfeeding and trying to lose a few lbs. I ended up starting to feel very drained towards the end of February and I felt like it was coming from the diet. Normally I would push past that feeling but since I am nursing, not sleeping as well, and trying to be energized through the day for Emma...I decided to bump myself over to the Maintenance 1 tab (pretty much means I gave myself more calories). Within a day I was already feeling MUCH better and more energized. SO I will not be cutting my calories any lower from where I am now. I just don't think my body can handle it at this time. I think the maintenance 1 tab is as low as I can go for now. After this last month I will continue to gradually add in more calories. I think by staying on maintenance 1 that I will continue to see results as long as I am consistent. So, that is my goal for these last 4 weeks. Consistency!

Also, side note...I for sure eat more than my template tells me (I like snacks...OKAY!? lol BUT my snacks are consistent so it doesn't affect my diet too much) It's not like I'm sneaking a burger when nobody is looking but sometimes you just need a little snack to keep ya going! No harm done :) Don't get crazy people! It's about balance.

Looking back at January. I think the initial calorie cut was tough on me and that is probably why I got sick a few times. I went straight from eating chick-fil-a and cookies back to my old chicken, rice and veggies. I for sure FEEL better eating cleaner but it has been tough to figure out the balance between breastfeeding and cutting calories. I think I have finally found a happy medium. Through this process I have really been listening to my body. If I was super hungry one day I would give myself a little extra to eat. I was nowhere close to 100% compliant on the diet (and I wasn't the 1st time either). BUT it just shows that RP really just helps you create balance in your nutrition and if you are consistent most of the time you will definitely see results!

Let's be honest...this picture is only here to see how big my lil squish is getting! She likes to steal the show...and I let her :)

So my plan for this last month is to stay on Maintenance 1. Which means I will be eating more calories than I did during the 2nd month (February). It will be interesting to see if I lose any more weight and to take my final "before and after" pictures. I have a feeling I will still lose a few lbs on the Maintenance 1 template (we shall see!)
I'm not putting any pressure on myself this month. I'm using March as more of a practice month to create some balanced habits that will carry me on once I am done with my 12 weeks. I will continue to refer back to my templates after the diet is over too because it keeps me accountable. That is what I like most about RP. I always have something to fall back on when I feel like I am getting off track! 

Overall, I'm feeling great now and looking forward to my last 4 weeks!

Have questions about RP? Feel free to drop a comment below and I'd love to help ya out. 
Ready to jump on board? Grab your templates HERE and use my discount code "AMELIA10" to save a little. Get ready for the gainz!
If you need some "meal prep" ideas you can download their cookbook. I've been using it the last few weeks and it has saved me a ton of time!