21 DAY FIX! - adventuring into portions

Introduction and Week 1!

While doing P90x3 recently I noticed something crucial to my adventure to a healthier life! I was learning how to add 30 minutes a day of fitness to my life, but I am just terrible at anything to do with food! I've done weight watchers many times, and would always do well at first but would get lazy as time went on. And counting calories for every meal, yeah not for me. In comes the 21 day fix. This program includes 30 minute workouts on 2 DVD's (plus a bonus if ordered through me here), a nutrition guide, perfect portion containers, a shaker cup and a schedule to follow for the workouts. I've seen many amazing results, but truly thought for a long time there was no way I could follow it, I'm a busy mom and would never have time to follow it … WRONG!

 Let me start by introducing this program a little more. The 21 day fix was designed by Autumn Calabrese. She designed a nutrition plan that is guided by the use of color coded containers, each representing a different color for different categories. For example, green is for vegetables and red is for proteins. This is what makes this program SO easy to follow! No calorie counting or point counting, if it fits and is on the list in the nutrition guide, you can have it! The calorie target guide in the book will let you know how many of each color container you should have per day. Simple right? TOTALLY! This program was designed for people of all ages, sizes and fitness levels. My grandmother, who is 65 is currently doing it with me and loves it! (Advice #1: do this with someone you love or a friend, this will make the journey all that more exciting).

The workouts are 30 minutes a day, that is only 4% of your entire day! Everybody’s got time for that! During these workouts you will see modification options for beginners or people like myself who have limitations. I was in a car accident 4 years ago that left me with neck and back pain and weakness, so this is something I really love about these workouts!


Now lets talk food! At first glance of the portion containers I thought to myself , wow these are small I will be hungry. Wrong again! I can happily say after 1 completed week there are times I am forcing myself to eat because I know it's better if I do. I am following a plan to build lean muscle and lose weight, therefore I am eating every 2 hours and not eating any carbs (yellow container) or fruit (purple container) after 6pm. Here are some really fun 21 day fix approved meals ive made in the last week. Its been really exciting exploring new foods. And let me tell you, I dont know how I ever ate cereal and boxed food! This real food business is the real deal!
                                                      1 red : 1 egg white, 2 pieces of turkey bacon
                                                     and water infused with lemon and raspberry

 

1 purple and 1 red: Greek yogurt                                                                 1 green and 1 red: veggie salad

with fresh strawberries and blueberries                                                        with a homemade turkey burger

2 red and 1 purple: lean chicken breast and 

cottage cheese with strawberry and pineapple with a side of avocado

 1 1/2 red and 1 green: lean turkey taco salad                                 1 1/2 red. 1/2 purple, 1 green, 1 yellow: 

        topped with greek yogurt                                            chicken quesadilla made with salsa with Greek                                                                                                        yogurt and sauteed kale in coconut oil

We all know how crazy life gets, and this program does a wonderful job of teaching you how to prepare! The times we find the hardest to stay healthy are those times where we are rushing or are very hungry from forgetting to eat. Planning is essential! And trust me, coming from someone who never plans it is simple and helpful! Here is my tip, for the first week create meals and ideas you love, and keep them going for the next 2 weeks adding something here and there fore variation. This will actually save you money when grocery shopping since you will only buy what you need, and never leave you in a situation where your so hungry and the only option is pink goo chicken from a fast food place!


Now lets talk my real secret to success here... Shakeology. I've heard it all from “I dont drink my meals” to “its a scam” to “its to expensive”. Shakeology is a great source of dense nutrition.its amazing to have one shake that you can go to that gives you everything you need in one meal. you are getting natural energy, will help you control cravings, lose weight and boosts your immunity. it makes you healthy. you can put more energy into your workout because your feeding your body good food. It can be drunken in substitute to a meal, but does not have to be! Let me show you all your getting in only ONE shake!

 Amazing right. Now here is the deal, it works out to be $4 a day, that’s it! The average person
would spend more money than that on any meal, especially fast ones like pizza or fries and chicken fingers. I'm not going to lie, I was skeptical at first as-well. I mean after all, how good could this really taste and it would never work. Wrong, I have made some amazing tasting shakes. so far my favourites are chocolate peanut butter cup and vanilla frappucino. I will later reveal all my favourite flavor recipes thus far!

I used to always have painful cramping and bloating, and since drinking this daily with diet change I haven’t had it at all! I am in a better mood, have more energy and have lost 3 pounds in just over 7 days!

Stay tuned for more progress, recipes and tips as I continue onto my next 2 weeks!