Day 16 is a recalibration day, as well as a rest day. You’ve now completed 4 of the mini-cycles on Riding the Redline, and you’re more than halfway to the completion of this program, as I’ve laid it out. This means you’ll once again assess your progress, and make adjustments as needed.
Today’s bullet list is very similar to Day 8 and what you did before you began this program. Nevertheless, it’s essential that you keep track of all the changes your body is undergoing on this program. Don’t forget to record everything in your journal!
Here’s what I want you to do today:
* Take photos of yourself
This is the best way to gauge your success on Riding the Redline up to this point. Remember to take these photos at the same time of day while wearing the same clothes as you did before you began this program and on Day 8. Also use the same photographer, location and lighting that you did previously. These photos will provide a lot of feedback for you at this point in the program, but they’ll also provide guidance later in the program and beyond.
* Weigh yourself
You already know that I’ve de-emphasized body weight as an essential part of this program. You’re not strictly trying to lose weight—your body composition goal is to reduce body fat while increasing muscle tissue. As I mentioned on Day 8 increasing lean mass will increase weight while losing body fat will decrease it. That means your bodyweight is a less valuable tool than other metrics. Still, total bodyweight taken in conjunction with these other measures does provide valuable information. Take it in stride and don’t overemphasize body weight on its own.
* Record your body measurements
Again, you’ll take these measurements using a tape measure: Mid-thigh—both sides; hips; waist; chest/bust; arms—both sides. Also shoulders—with arms relaxed at your sides.
Don’t forget that you’ll need someone to take some of these measurements for you. The tension on the tape should be moderate for every measurement. It’s important that you use the same amount of tension, and level of flex or relaxation for subsequent measurements so you’re comparing apples to apples. I also recommend that you have the same person take your measurements to remove yet another variable.
After 16 days on following Riding the Redline, you should be seeing some impressive shifts. For instance your hips and waist should have reduced, especially if you were carrying more bodyfat than you wanted before beginning this program. Remember that an increase in the size of your thighs indicates an improvement in terms of overall lean mass gain, as well as helping your waistline appear narrower. At this point, all of your measurements should be moving in the direction you desire.
* Go grocery shopping
It’s crucial that you keep nutritious foods in stock for the upcoming training days. These rest days are an ideal time to shop for nutritious foods as well as to prep meats and vegetables so you have them available. This will help prevent you from cheating or cutting calories too low on this short program. Also, include some variety, buying different types of lean meat, fish and vegetables.
* Cut carbs another 25 grams (if necessary)
I want you to assess your success to this point. If you’re pleased with the results, then I want you to consider whether or not it will be beneficial to cut another 25 grams of carbs from you daily food intake. Remember that I’m increasing training volume, so you are likely burning more calories per day than you were at the beginning of Riding the Redline. Also, if you’ve increased muscle mass, then your body is naturally burning more calories per day—muscle tissue is physiologically “active,” meaning it burns calories simply to maintain itself.
* Re-examine your program
Regardless of how much progress you’ve made on Riding the Redline, I want you to take a look at your journal and ask yourself if you’re fully adhering to all the aspects of this program. Here are the questions I want you to consider:
- Am I adhering to all aspects of my diet?
- Am I training with the intensity that Ashley recommends (including keeping rest periods short)?
- Am I getting in the supps that support recovery and boost thermogenesis?
If the answer is “no” to any of these, then I want you to step up and really ride the redline for the last 12 days of this program. It’s going to hurt, but you’ll be so proud of yourself when you complete this program.
CLEAN BURN®
Taking this product with meals helps support you in your goal of reaching your desired body composition. Clean Burn contains a powerful combination of ingredients that work together to attack weight loss from multiple angles. These include green tea extract, Gymnema sylvestre extract, capsicum fruit extract and chromium complex, all of which can help support your results on Riding the Redline. This product works through multiple mechanisms to support weight loss. These include mobilizing fat from storage and increasing thermogenesis.
YOUR TICKET TO RIDING THE REDLINE: Take 3 doses (2 capsules per) every day, getting each of these in before a whole-food meal for best results.
TIP: I haven’t talked much about supplements that support fat loss because I’ve wanted you to pour your energy into your training, nutrition and supps for recovery. But I did add Clean Burn to my list of recommended supps in my Opener. Now is a great time to add in this product if you aren’t supplementing it already—it helps in different ways, including promoting the release of fat from storage to fuel activity when you’re depleted from your reduced calorie intake.
