I have always wanted to be healthier but during the school year, I use a million excuses not to be. Well, over the summertime, this teacher decided it was time to be stronger than her excuses (tagline stolen from Autumn Calebrese, BeachBody trainer).
A year ago, I did the Cize workout program, which was fun! But I did it during the first trimester of pregnancy (before the miscarriage), so I sometimes had to go throw up in the middle of dancing and therefore feel like I didn't give it my all.
When I decided to do the 21 Day Fix, I was going to give it my all.
But I was nervous- as someone who has struggled with anorexia in the past, I was worried the regimented eating, taking measurements, and weighing myself would trigger me back into starvation mode. So I prayed and thought and prayed some more before deciding to actually jump in. I prayed for God to keep me from walking down that path again.
Here is my day-by-day review of this program. I'm not being paid by BeachBody, and I am honest.
Day 1: OK, I can do this! I downloaded the 21 Day Fix app on my phone, which makes tracking my food so much easier. Instead of actually using the containers to measure everything (because that would be a LOT of washing dishes), I also use regular measuring cups. I do LOVE the color coding #typeAprobs The cardio workout wasn't that bad, either. I can do this. I have a Facebook accountability group, and that helps, too!
Day 2: I cannot do this. How do I get my coffee in ?! I haven't been to Starbucks in 48 hours and don't know what to do! I mean, I can drink black coffee or put a splash of almond milk (if I want to take away a yellow container, and I can still only do that three times a week).
Day 3: Ah ha! Figured out how to get my coffee in, thanks to some online digging: make a cup of black coffee, chill it, and use as base in my Shakeology! Brilliant! I have enjoyed playing around with Shakeo recipes- chocolate vegan, ice, coffee, and a splash of vanilla extract is my favorite right now.
Day 4: Let's talk about these workouts. I know some people hate Autumn's coaching style, but I LOVE it. I don't need someone to be high energy and yell at me while I'm lifting (as much as I love Shaun T, that energy feels...idk...fake?).
I love her focus on correct form over speed. I love how she gives multiple suggestions about how to modify exercises, like dropping weight or only doing one arm/leg at a time for a bit. I feel like I am getting the max number of reps in each round because I can modify without being scared I'm not doing it right. I'm moving the whole time. And I keep drooling over her body, but when she lifts her arms up, I'm pretty sure I can tell she has a spray tan ;)
Day 9: I ate too many vegetables today. I was hungry, and I read that it's better to overindulge on veggies or protein than, say, carbs or fats ;) One pound down from day 1.
Day 12: The workouts are still working me. I am getting a little more flexible (except my right ankle that I sprained in April). I think I see some abs trying to peek out from behind my belly button, but I'm not sure.
Day 15: Autum's spray tan still bothers me. I hate yoga. But I've lost five pounds and three inches so far, so I'll take it. The crucial part of my success? Accountability. Thanks, Facebook challenge group! Seriously.
Day 21: OK, fine...this program works. The workouts offer variety and modifications that I was able to progress through. The nutrition plan was challenging at first, but now that I have it down (and can keep track on my app), it's actually not so bad.
Final results after round one: I was down 7 pounds total! I'm not as good at measuring inches because I think I measure inconsistently but it's somewhere between 5-8 inches
I loved the program so much I did it two more times.
I lost a total of 18 pounds and like 11 inches.
And now I am doing (and loving) Core De Force...on day seven and down three pounds AND feeling like a total bad ass.
Again- I am not trying to sell you on anything BeachBody. But...I'm living proof that the nutrition, exercise, and accountability WORK. I feel healthy, I feel strong, and I feel more confident than I have in YEARS, and I have met some AMAZING people along the way.
