After hearing about the J Lo 10 day challenge I was immediately intrigued. J Lo is adorable, beautiful and for a woman almost 50 just rocking it. Pictures of her abs could not lie and if this could help me I am game. The J Lo challenge consists of 10 days with limited carbs and no sugar. Of course she took it to the next level by doing no dairy or alcohol.

Yes, this sounds a lot like the Keto diet but at the end of the day, whatever it's called, you want results. I'm diabetic and struggle with my weight so kicking this off seemed like it was very doable. I just came from the mindset that "Hey - it's only like a week and three days".

As with any diet, the key is preparation and planning. Basic idea of J Lo's plan is leafy greens, lean proteins and healthy fats so that meant stocking up on spinach, chicken, salmon and avocados. Here's a list that helped me a lot.

Foods to eat on a no sugar, no carb challenge:

Non-starchy vegetables (including kale, spinach, celery, broccoli, lettuce, cucumbers, cauliflower, bell peppers, and zucchini)
Unsweetened teas and seltzers
Spices and seasonings
Nuts and sugar-free nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter, and soy butter) and seeds
Meat and poultry (beef, pork, chicken, and turkey)
Eggs
Seafood
Avocado
Olive oil
Blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries

Foods to avoid while doing the challenge:

Starchy vegetables—this includes potatoes, beets, sweet potatoes, parsnips, and winter squash
Candy
Baked goods—bread, crackers, cakes, cookies, etc.
Most fruits
Grains (such as wheat, corn, and rice), beans (such as black, kidney, and pinto), and legumes (such as chickpeas and lentils)
Condiments with sugar, such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, and teriyaki sauce
Sweeteners (even artificial sweeteners)
Dairy
Soda
Alcohol

I am not going to "sugar coat" it - this really does take some serious will and commitment. The first day was like a breeze but by day two I began to feel wicked cravings for anything that has sugar. That lone french fry was calling my name and I had to ignore its' screams for attention. By the end of day two the grumpiness began to set in. Again the mantra of - "Hey, it's only a week and 3 days...I can do it" really helps a lot. By the end of day three the haze begins to wear off and you start to feel human.

The best tip I had doing this was from J Lo's trainer recommending to get your exercise in first thing in the morning before you eat to start to burn more calories. That not only helped me start my day in a positive mindset...my whole body began to feel so much better.

My average weight loss doing the challenge - a pound a day - all together down 6 pounds. And then it happened...I had a girls night as soon as the challenge was complete and well, after wine and cupcakes, I felt like I lost all my hard work. I learned a whole lot doing this challenge - I discovered the solid truth that there is no easy or quick fix to being healthy and losing the weight. It's work and commitment. It's not just diet but getting that work out in. As with life, you have to learn to balance and my body is now craving those healthier things. So J Lo, I am ready for round 2!

Photo: Getty Images

KT Harris

About KT Harris