21 Day Fix Week 2 Review

Sorry for the lack of posts!  Things have been crazy busy at work lately.  Then when I get home I've been doing double workouts and I haven't had a ton of free time to blog!

I wanted to give a review of my week 2 on the 21 Day Fix.

Week 2 was definitely easier that week 1.  I feel like my body is adjusting a little more to the smaller portions.  I didn't have to go out to eat any. So that helped.  Even though you totally can eat out (there is a restaurant guide).  I just prefer not to.  I really like to know what is in my food.  Its hard to tell that when you go out.

All week I pretty much ate the same things.  Shakeology for breakfast, greek yogurt and fruit for snack, salad with some kind of protein and quinoa or a turkey sandwich on Ezekial pita, hummus with a pita (if not for lunch) and then a lean protein and veggie for dinner.

This weekend posed a whole new threat for me- Mardi Gras...  My husband actually loves it way more than I do. I tend to get stressed out with all the crowds around.  But he invited his sister, brother in law, and 2 kids down to go to the Endymion parade on Saturday.  So I knew I had to go.  My biggest problem was going to be what the hell to bring to eat?! And of course... not drinking... lol...

We actually went out to the parade route Friday night and set out our stuff to secure a good spot.

Then Saturday morning my husband went back to check on everything.  I had breakfast of eggs, oatmeal, and fruit for breakfast first.  
While he did that I got in a Dirty 30 Workout from the 21 day fix.  I was so proud of myself.  I reasoned with myself for a good hour about why I didn't have to do it. I was going to be walking a lot, I had not missed a work out yet, I deserved it, etc... Finally I sucked it up and just did it! I was so happy I did.

Then I had a snack of apple & almond butter.  Then started to get ready.  Around 12:30 I ate my lunch. I had baked chicken, brown rice, and green peas.  I was upset with myself because I didn't notice until afterwards that I measured the peas in the wrong container... OOPS!  Oh well, could've been worse.

I knew that I would need 2 meals while we were out.  We were leaving around 1, but the parade didn't start until 4:00, and lasted about 3 hours.  I decided to pack a ton of water, a packet of shakeology, and a meal of a pita; turkey; hummus; bell peppers.  I figured all of those things were easy to eat.  My husband brought beer, Reese's eggs, and beef jerky... ha!

The day went fine.  I was a little hungry. But around 3:00 I ate my turkey and bell peppers and dipped my pita in the hummus.  It was easy to eat and delish!  I ended up having 1 Reese's egg (I couldn't help myself) and a few pieces of beef jerky.  I did open a beer then after a few sips realized it was stupid so I gave it away... I had to keep my focus on my goals!!!!  I ended up not even having the shakeology until when got home around 8.  The parade was over around 7:15 and we had to pack up and walk back to the car.  Plus, I wasn't super hungry.

The parade was fun! I was proud of myself.  Our niece and nephew had a great time at their first Mardi Gras, and I was so glad we went!

I weighed in Monday morning.  I was only down 1 pound from the last week- which I think makes 4lbs total. I was down to 127.8.  But the big exciting news is that my body fat % is at 19.8!!!!!  I'm so excited.  I reached my goal already!  I also took some 2 week progress pictures, and I was very pleased with them!!!  I'm down a few inches too in different places but I don't have the numbers in front of me.

So far I am extremely impressed with this program.  Its simple, easy to follow, and teaches the average person (that may know nothing about clean eating & fitness) what to eat.  If you are interested in the 21 Day Fix let me know.  I have accountability groups starting all month long.  

-Heather

21 Day Fix Week 1 Recap

So I know I sort of dropped off with my daily recaps. But I felt like it would be boring and a little silly to keep telling you I eat the same 2 days worth of meals for 7 days...  I basically alternated 2 days worth of meal all work week.  Its cheaper and simpler for me to do that.  Plus, if I find 2 sets of things I like it doesn't bother me at all.

I loved the workouts all week. My favorite part is that there is a different one for each day of the week. So if you don't like one- you only have to do it two more times!  But I actually liked them all.  Each workout is a 30 minute interval training type workout.  1 minute work, 30 seconds rest. next exercise, then repeat those 2. Then move on to another set- 4 times total.
Here's the schedule:
Monday- total body cardio- loved this one. really hard!
Tuesday- upper fix- i need heavier weights for this
Wednesday- lower fix- this was very challenging b/c my legs were sore from my leg day at the gym monday
Thursday- Pilates- really enjoyed this. it was a nice active recovery type day
Friday- cardio fix- skipped to run
Saturday- Dirty 30- LOVED!!!! circuit style weight training
Sunday- yoga- very well needed and deserved

Along with that schedule I also worked out with my husband at the gym twice. I did Monday legs and Thursday back and biceps. I skipped my other workouts with him because I was really tired.

My workout for the program was cardio for Friday afternoon.  But I had a phenomenal day Friday, it was gorgeous outside, and I get off early.  So I decided to go for my first run in MONTHS!!!  OMG! It felt AMAZING!  I had that euphoric runners' high afterwards where I felt like I could conquer the world .

And Friday was a good mail day!!

Body Combat, Shakeology Sampler Packets; Kiki La Rue Tailored to Perfection Pants

Saturday morning I woke up feeling great! I wanted to weigh myself since it was day 6... I was just really excited.  I did re-measure myself yet though. Here are my stats:
Starting weight 2/17- 132.6lbs.                  2/22- 129 lbs.
Starting Body fat % 2/17- 20.7%               2/22- 20.4%

I was ecstatic.  My ultimate goal is to get my body fat % to 19.5!  I'm almost there.  This is the first time I have seen my numbers drop in SUCH a long time.  So because of that I did my Dirty 30 workout, had  my strawberry shakeology mixed with water (to DIE for),  and went to the mall for a little treat :)

Shiseido moistuirzer (free with my  points), Formula X nail polish, GlamGlow mask; Hourglass ambient blush

Saturday night we had a surprise Bday dinner planned for a friend of my husband.  I knew this would be a struggle for me because I am very much a social eater and drinker.  I like to participate in the festivities like everyone else.  And we were going to a really good seafood place.  I had stalked the menu ahead of time but still couldn't figure out what to eat.  The dinner wasn't until 7.  I had all my normal meals for the day except a yellow container of carbs.  I was saving that for a glass of red wine- that is allowed on the program 3 times a week.  I had 1 red container (protein) 2 greens (veggies) and 1 yellow (carbs) left.  I had my apple & almond butter around 5:30.  We ended up not eating until about 9.  I was starving to death by then.  Everyone ordered an appetizer.  I just wanted to eat something. So I asked for a salad- no dressing- bring vinegar on the side.  When my salad came so did fried pickles, charbroiled oysters (my favorite), and fried mushrooms for everyone else.  I will be honest.  I had about 3 pickles, 1 mushroom, and 1 oyster.  I couldn't help it.  I also had 2 glasses of wine... lol oops.  I vowed not to eat a yellow the next day too.  I order a 6oz filet with steamed broccoli.  It was really good.  I'm sure it was cooked in butter. But hey, whatcha gonna do?  My husband order boiled crawfish and I ate 2 of his.  I went home feeling a little disappointed, but still felt ok about my choices.

Sunday morning I woke up feeling really crappy...  My stomach hurt, I was dehydrated, My fingers were swollen from the salt.  Immediately I got up and started drinking water and had my shakeology for the day.  My meals went like this:
M1: Chocolate Shakeology with Water
M2: 2 poached eggs over spinach, sprouts, and cilantro on an ezekial pita with goat cheese

TO DIE FOR!!!

M3: ground turkey over veggies
M4: apple & sunflower seeds
M5: baked chicken and steamed brussel sprouts

We were so lazy all day. I barely left the bed. I watched about 8 hours worth of The Following- oops... We finished the first season on netflix. I love that show!

I also decided I would make one of the approved treats that you can swap a yellow container out for up to 3 times a week.  It was a healthy cookie recipe.  I made them expecting to just keep them on the counter until i wanted one this week.  Bad idea.  I had about 5 of them.  Oops... Lol... Whatever it could've been worse.  My husband ate McDonalds next to me and I didn't even have a fry.  That is huge!  Fries are my fave.

I was so lazy I didn't even feel like doing my yoga video.  Finally around 8:30 that night I got out of bed long enough to do that for 30 minutes.  I'm so glad I did.  It felt amazing.

I worked really hard all week.  I'm proud of myself for completing my first week.  I had a couple slip-ups but hey that's ok!  My body is adjusting to the smaller portions already.  I really enjoyed the workouts all week too.  I really think this program is a game changer b/c nutrition is the worst part for so many people.  Hell, me included... I struggle with it a lot.  My scale hasn't moved in months despite being in the gym some times 6 days a week.

Week 1 done- 2 more to go!!

21 Day Fix: What's Included

Some of you may have seen all of the buzz going around about Beach Body's new program- the 21 Day Fix.  It sold out in the first 2 days after its launch!  Crazy! I think its because the plan is very affordable and the challenge pack is an awesome deal!
What it is: a fitness and nutrition program that focuses on 30 minute effective workouts daily and perfectly portioned balanced meals! Sounds easy, right?!

So here's the specifics of the plan:
The base kit includes:

• 7 portion-controlled color-coded containers for each food group
• 6 workouts
• a bonus Plyo workout when ordered through your Coach
• start here guide
• 3 day fix (a fast track 3 day plan)
• 21 day fix eating guide

Challenge Pack- This is a PHENOMENAL deal
Includes:

• all of the above plus a shakeology cup and a 30 day supply of shakeology 

Mine arrived early last week. I immediately opened it up to read through the guide and take a look at the containers.  The guide is very easy to follow and simply laid out.

Here are the containers:
red- protein
purple- fruit
green- veggies
yellow- grains and starches
blue- cheese, hummus, avocado, nuts
orange- seeds

I'm super excited to get going with this program Monday!  I have a group of people all starting at the same time and doing it together. I think that is what I am most excited about!

Anyone else doing this program?

My Favorite Shakeology Recipe

Happy Friday!!!  Today I wanted to share my favorite shakeology recipe. I have been having this for breakfast each morning this week.  It keeps me full for a good 3 hours or more. I try to eat every 2-3 hours anyway. But I'm definitely not that hungry by the 3 hour mark.  So I am able to have something small- instead of feeling like I need to eat lunch already at 10:30!!  

Ingredients:

1 Scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 Cup of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

1 Small Container of cottage cheese

4 ice cubes

Here is the nutritional info:

 Don't be turned off by the cottage cheese.  You can't taste it. It gives it a creamy taste.  It adds 10 grams more of protein. So its definitely worth it!!!  Let me know if anyone tries it! Its good stuff!