A few of you have asked me what EXACTLY I did to lose 14lbs and 4 inches off my waist in 21 days for the Naked Fitness Challenge. Well, I am FINALLY getting around to telling you! Sorry for the weight wait.

1. I walked 2 hours a day. Period. It was the dead of winter here in Chi-town, but I spent time either walking in front of the TV (during breaks of the Golden Globes, for one example). My pedometer was broken so I just kept time on my Timex Ironman watch. Everytime I started to walk, I pushed start on the timer. Everytime I stopped, I pressed stop on the timer. When I got to 2 hours on the timer, I stopped. Now I work toward 15-17K steps a day. It is hard, but I do it. Pre Naked Fitness, I would walk about 45 minutes and be DONE. It was never longer than 2-3 miles. I can do 7-8 miles easy now. Crazy I know.

2. Eating plan. Because the trainer (Andrea) is going to be coming out with a book soon, I can’t post the actual menu on my site. BUT, she did post the first week menu here. I followed that menu religiously (except for the polenta chili– I didn’t like it so I ate Chicken and veggies instead.) 2nd week was very close to the first week, and week three we really were on our own, but sticking with 2 hours of walking and eating 1200 calories a day– 80-100 grams of protein,  25 grams of fiber and 8-11 fruits and veggies a day.

3. Elations. I owe my joint comfort to Elations Drink. I have bad knees and usually am in a lot of discomfort during and after working out. After a week  drinking Elations, I had no discomfort in my knees at all.  When I stopped drinking it (becuase I ran out) my knees were pretty sore. Back on the drink, no discomfort at all again. (*disclaimer: Elations was a sponsor of the Naked Fitness Challenge. I was given a case of the drink, but have purchased it for the last month on my own. I will be passing out Elations at Fitbloggin ’10, but am not being paid or sponsored by Elations to do so. They just will be giving me the free product to pass out.)

4. Alignment exercises. Andrea Metcalf, the trainer, gave us specific movements to do depending on how we assessed ourselves in the mirror. Is one hip higher than the other? One shoulder? Which way do my hands face? If you would like more information about her techniques and to get an assessment, please follow her on twitter @andreametcalf or visit Andrea’s website www.andreametcalf.com.

5. Stretching and “rehab”. For me, this was the most important part. I am REALLY out of alignment when it comes to my hip and lower back. Without Andrea’s help, I would not have been able to continue with the program. When I walk, my lower back and hip tense up and I am pretty much pulling all my muscles. With her help (and a few of her Pain Free Videos) I can manage the pain through stretches alone. I can’t tell you how many chiro appts I went to over the years to help me fix this pain– literally, after TWO 20 minute stretching workouts, I was about 80 percent pain free. I could not believe it. I still do the DVD about 3 times a week to help keep the pain at bay.

6. Group work. Just meeting with the 30-odd other contestants kept me sane and on program. I met really nice people and made a few friends along the way. I truly believe the group helped me keep on the program.

7. A bit of greed. I can admit now that the thought of winning a cool new treadmill at the end kept me going a few of the hard days. Thought I was not “the biggest loser” and didn’t win the treadmill, I was still happy to cheer my fellow contestants on.

OK, that;t it– really. That’s all I did. Nothing fancy– walking and eating healthy.