By: Sarah Hougen
They say a picture paints a 1000 words. I’ll let you decide from these photos whether you’d like to check out Every Other Day Diet and 7 Minute Muscle for yourself.

August 2007 vs July 2009 – the change is due to EODD and 7MM
Bikini pictures seem to be the "norm" for before-and-after shots; but let's face it, very few of us actually walk around that minimally dressed on a daily basis. The jeans-and-top version is a more common sight on the streets, in stores, at work, at home …
What’s not visible in itself is the difference in jeans-size. In the 2007 photo I’m wearing a size 12, this summer I’m in a size 3.
It would surprise my math teachers over the years to read this, but I actually had some fun doing calculations this week. OK, in truth, it surprised me too! Still, the results of these calculations are what literally blew me away.
Although it’s true that I don’t know my bodyfat percentage back when I was at my lowest overall weight, looking at pictures from back then I estimate it at around 18%. Doing the math, I am now 10 lbs heavier than I was then, but – and here’s the fun part – I’ve added almost 10 lbs of lean muscle since then also! In other words, if I were to remove the added muscle, I’d be back at the lowest weight I ever was!
And more fun, estimating again my bodyfat percentage at age 16 to around 20% (possibly a little higher), I’m “lighter” now at 50 than I was then – again, if I deduct the added muscle mass.
Yet, the few items of clothing I still have from back then, do not fit anymore. They are too loose! Seriously, at 10 lbs over my lowest weight, my then tight-fitting dress now looks more like a sack of potatoes hanging in all the wrong places.
My point is: do not base your rate of success solely on the scales. The number they give you are just a part of the equation. What you need is an overall picture of your body composition. As you go through the numbers on your journey to a leaner you, you will be able to compare photos of “then” to the real you now, and estimate your old bodyfat percentage. True, it’s very unscientific and inaccurate, granted. But it does give you some kind of base for comparison and will help you realize just how far you’ve actually come!
My coach, role model and Internet trainer told me last year he could see me in the low 130s. Based on today’s calculations, I’m already at 130.2 if I deduct the added muscle. The thing is, there is no way I want to reduce my lean mass!
In theory, that means I’m at my goal, right? Well, yes and no – because remember: I was at approximately 18% fat at my previous lowest weight. In other words, there is still room for improvement. However, I think a mid-130s is more realistic than low 130s and my goal is revised accordingly. For now
goals are fickle, they keep changing as we change.
Play with some numbers and see where you are today. And incidentally, my melted fat is due largely to EODD coupled with my muscle gain coming from just 7 minutes of training per day with 7MM. Who’d have thought that 7 minutes of resistance training per day could add 10 lbs of muscle in 2 years? And to a woman without the male T-levels at that!
A very personal intro letter this week, I’m not at all proud of the first photo (and it’s not even taken at my heaviest!) but I wanted to share the result of the journey with you, and my fun calculations. And I am proud of the results I might add. It’s now become a lifestyle to follow both EODD and 7MM, I’m on "auto pilot" and don’t have to think about portions or food choices, nor make an effort to go to the gym, it just flows naturally into my day.
Have a great week!
Sarah, CPT
www.trainwithsarah.com
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Lewis, Publisher
Sarah, CPT
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