Beach Body - 21 Day Fix : Week #1

On 9/7/2015 I decided I was going to get serious about losing weight. I had been kicking it around in my head for a while, you know the conversation: Me to Myself:  "I am getting older and I really need to start taking my health seriously. After all my I have a long history of heart disease and my mother recently had a stroke."  I just so happened to be watching regular TV, you know, not Netflix or Hulu, but regular broadcast television with commercials and everything.  I saw this information on Beach Body's 21 Day Fix and I  could not stop thinking about it.  Of coarse, I only watched about 10 minutes before I turned the channel, but what I saw made alot of sense.

I just kept having this lingering though even though, I was already working out 2 hours a week and I wasn't eating terribly bad. However, I needed direction to really tackle my weight. I set a goal to lose 15lbs. Honestly, I need to lose about 20 to be in the appreciate BMI, but I like to have a bit of curve to my shape.  I knew I needed something, and when I saw the infomercial I knew the 21 day Fix was for me. Why, How?

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Why I Chose the 21 Day Fix to help me meet my Goal

Yes, it is a series of exercise videos and yes they tell you what your modified meal plan should be, but the difference was they did the measuring for me. I  didn't have to weigh anything or count calories. I simply picked from a list of food types (meat, veggies, fruit, fats, etc) and fill the appropriate container for that day.   It seemed really easy and I wanted to try it. It also came with a variety of videos so you don't get board, and a plan outing what video to do on each day of the 21 days. It just takes all the thinking out of it. I spoke with David, my husband and he purchased it for me as a surprise. I am a really decisive person. Which can be a blessing and a curse, means I am stubborn but I don't waste time. When I spend money on something I use it. So he knew it would be money well spent.  Upon arrival  I was super excited, but I made sure to pump the brakes and map out my plan of attack. 

SET UP FOR SUCCESS
First, I studied the Meal Plan and created a weekly menu to the "T"! Then, I went grocery shopping to make sure I didn't have any reason to deviate. Unless you purchaseextra containers, which I did,  it is difficult to package your entire days meal in advance. Prepackaging takes away the thinking when you go to grab something to eat. Your healthy choice is already there waiting for you. I committed to precooking meats weekly (Gotta LOVE the CrockPot) and packaging my daily snacks & lunches nightly Next,  I committed to doing the workouts first thing in the morning. I seriously hate to start, but love the way I feel when I am done with a work out...

My Daily 21 Day Fix Journey

Day 1 of my 21 Day Fix was exciting. The first workout on the schedule was intense.
It was a Total Body Cardio work out. I could definitely tell that my other workouts were not cutting it.  My body hurt so badly for the 4 days or so.  It was very clear to me why I wasn't loosing the weight I wanted to lose... I was eating way too many of the wrong GOOD things. And sitting on my bump all day for work didn't help.

 I am a meat eater and a pasta and potatoes lover. I have always eaten my veggies and fruits, but on occasion would smother them in some form of liquid fat dressing or sauces.  

Day 1 Continued
For the first day I was SOOO hungry, I 
drank so much water to keep me from eating another serving of meat or carbs.  It didn't take long for my body to adjust to the new portions. 

Day 2 - It was still somewhat of  a novelty. I  hopped out of bed ready to work. The Leg workout  turned my legs to mush. I was so sore, I just didn't realize how weak I was until these work outs.  

As Far as food was concerned I was still starving, but I knew it was worth it. I even took my lunch to a work event and ate it instead of the Panera Beard packed lunch that was offered. Seriously, that was like what?!:, who are you turning down great bread and cheese?! 

Day 3-  At this point real life had kicked in and I didn't want to get up at 5am to work out.  I dragged myself out of the bed and did it anyway. It was so nice to hear my husband say, "I am so proud of you babe". He is the only one who understands just how much I love to sleep in. Even if it is just for a few more minutes.  By Day 4  The determination had set in I knew I could do it. The hunger had subsided and I was preoccupied with a very business weekend. 

The Freakin' Weekend  Days 5, 6, and 7
This has ALWAYS been my eating right Achilles Heel. How do you eat out  with friends and not eat something off of each of their plates? Yeah, I am that person! The beach body does allow for a bit of sweet tooth substitution and even an alcohol allowance. 


 Day 5 -  I attended  the Powerful & Pampered Drive that lasted until 10pm. I ate most of my allotted food in a rush in the car, but was bored and hungry (with no water bottle) at about 8pm. To the buffet I went. I only ate lean meat, 3 pieces of cubed cheeses and 3 bite sized Beef Wellingtons (SO FREAKING GOOD)!!! But I knew for the day I was over my fat, and meat allowances. 
By now, I am  pretty good at pushing through the morning workout routine pretty well now, I still weren't in love with them, but I do without complaining.

Day 6  (MY Meal Plan Epic Fail) The next day, I had an early appointment and had to prep for another event, so I had to work out in the after noon. Once the day has started and other things and people are demanding my attention, it is hard to stop to do one of  my least favorite things. But I did it and I was proud of myself for choosing to take care of me. That morning, my loving and supporting Hubby brings home a Dozen Krispy Kream Doughnuts, but I held strong, even though I wanted to kill him then eat a Strawberry Glazed. The event I had was  a Fund Raiser for Abby's dance team, I was a good girl and packed my lunch, however the wind blow it from my hands mid -bite. So I had to eat Abby's processed lunch meat and cheese stick, while she went to Dairy Queen for lunch with her girls. No biggie, I wasn't too far off of the plan.

 Then that night, I when to a bar with friends to hear this wonderful Jazz Band play. We had dinner and appetizers, I had 2 Tacos, the meat was a more than my needed portions, but other then that I felt good about the choice. Then the waitress brought out the Potatoes Skins, they were smothered in melted monetary jack cheese, shredded chicken and sour cream. They are my FAVORITE, I won't lie - I ate 3 of them. I figured the dancing I was going to do in 5 inch heels would help work some of it that off.  I know it was bad, but it was so good.  Now on the to alcohol, I was pretty good in this area, drinking a ton of water and only having two drinks with the occasional taste of a friends Long Island Iced Tea (again, they know it is my favorite).

All in all, day 6 wasn't a good eating day.

Day 7-  I did the yoga workout. It was easier than I thought it should have been, but then again I have been working out with a dance team and flexibility is kind of their thing.  Anyway, how did the eating go? -- I did good, except for that damn Strawberry Glazed Doughnut.  Being at home throws off my schedule, but I am working on it.

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Week 1 Results

After all the work, planning, scheduling and bad eating, did it pay off?  Yes, I lost 3 lbs and 3 total inches. I am very pleased and will stick with the 21 Day Fix. I purchased the 21 Day Fix Tracker App to help me keep track of my weight and inches. I will be sharing the results weekly. 


The one Negative thing that I will say about the videos in the program is it doesn't really speak to how to protect the knees at all times.  I have a  some weird knee issues and want to make sure I don't injure myself. The modified  guide (the person doing things a bit slower) in the video isn't always visible and sometime the exercise is being modified to accommodate the upper body. So, there  are few times where I will change my stance to alleviate awkward pressure from my knees. In my younger years, I was addicted to heels (now I just buy then for special occasions). 


Please leave comments, let me know how you curb the cravings. How can I better plan for outing? What do you suggest?

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