My 21 Day Gut Health Cleanse

The Ultimate Reset is a 21 Day Cleanse committed to eating clean and living a healthy life. 

This cleanse is NOT easy. It's created to work. It's created to learn about sacrifice.

What I learned: 

- so much about discipline

- how to grocery shop and prepare

- how to enjoy new healthy, portioned, nutritious meals

- freedom from things holding me down

- needs vs. wants

What can change: 

- A transformation physically, mentally, and emotionally

- The body's detoxification process 

- Weightloss

 - Improved my energy levels

- Postive attitude

- Better regularity

 - Improved cholesterol

Was it easy? No. Just like a good workout, this is tough and will bring challenges. 

What made it easier? A support of a ton of people online are doing it/have done it too AND the support of an accountability buddy. 

What does it entail? 

- taking targeted supplements: detox, power greens, soothe, mineralize, optimize, and revitalize.

- lots of water + sleep

- a daily meal plan with specific recipes for all 21 days of the reset

- lots of cooking and meal prepping

- an option for only light workouts, like walking or yoga

I accounted for every meal I ate, for accountability and encouragement for others on their journey. Every meal is on Instagram. 

Here are a few examples of what an average day might 

look like (this is day 2, day 11, and day 18): 

So...let's get to it. 

Why did I decide to dive in and commit to doing the Ultimate Reset? 

If you've been following me, you might know that my husband and I struggle with infertility. 

Since last summer, I haven't been able to manage my weight despite my daily workouts, my portion control, my daily superfood shake.

I have the BEST tools and the BEST accountability. 

But sometimes, things like infertility like to rear their ugly head and mess even more up. 

Why? 

A year of hormone imbalance, infertility meds, lots of pain and testing, loss, 

hypothyroidism, stress, cutting back from workouts (per doctors request), ..did I mention hormone imbalances had me shopping for new clothes and looking for change.

Hormone imbalances impact SO much of our lives. 

But you know what? Sometimes even when it feels like everything is uncontrollable...sometimes, you can eat clean, workout, stay positive but still things are not in your control. 

 I found my way to control it in 21 days. 

I found my way to control it with the Ultimate Reset. 

In 21 days...

I got rid of: 13 lbs., built up toxins, an addiction to coffee, hopelessness, the need to snack

I gained: energy, feeling  legitimately "cleaner", better sleep, hope, a perspective change, more of an understanding of food, freedom, control

This is not easy to share. But, I've committed to helping people, 

so that takes priority over my comfort zone. 

Our infertility struggle does not get to win this one. 

Let me repeat, our infertility struggle does not get to win this one. 

I'm already back to my workout routines, committed to keeping up these habits, and I'm excited for this momentum as summer rolls in. 

If you're interested in the Ultimate Reset, I would love to walk beside you as you find the freedoms I have found. Click here to join my next challenge and we'll get you started. 

21 Day Fix Extreme (Review)

You've probably heard of the 21 Day Fix...you've seen the infomercials, you've seen the containers...heck, maybe you've tried it. The 21 Day Fix was very first Beachbody program I tried and 2 rounds of it and I fired my gym when I realized that I hadn't even stepped foot in my "back up plan" in 2 months. I've been using Beachbody programs for over 2 years and the 21 Day Fix is always the one I fall back on. You can check out my review of the 21 Day Fix here.

It's my go-to program because.
1. it's only 21 days
2. I know it works
3. it dials in with nutrition, which makes me feel my best
4. the workouts are all 30 minutes

About a year after I began with the 21 Day Fix, the 21 Day Fix Extreme was released. I was able to try it out with celebrity trainer, Autumn Calabrese before the official release. I'll be honest, I was super intimidated by the program. We did lower fix and I was super sore the next day.

It was hard...

but I learned that hard isn't bad. 

Honestly, the main difference in the 21 Day Fix and the 21 Day Fix Extreme, is that it's just a little more extreme. If you've done the 21 Day Fix and want to take it to the next level, this is for you. 

If you want to dial in your nutrition, this is for you. 

If you want to break a plateau, this is for you. 

The workouts are somewhat harder and the meal plan is somewhat more extreme, 

however, the containers are the same. 

If the 21 Day Fix portion-sized containers are something you've come accustom to, 

this will be a super simple transition.

The meal plan is super simple and easy to follow.
And lastly....

On Extreme, you follow the containers plan (which is what I've done). After week 1, it was easier than I anticipated. You also have the option to do the countdown to competition plan for an even more extreme results. Autumn Calabrese, the creator the 21 Day Fix is a mom AND a bikini competitor, so she shares her secrets to her very specific plan to get in ripped condition! If you're getting ready for a competition...or maybe just a big event, you can use this option to really dial in your nutrition. It's essentially, lower carb and higher protein. The plan suggests that you do 2 days on/1 day off or 1 day on/2 days off for the last few days of the whole program. 

Here are the differences between the 21 Day Fix Extreme plan and the 21 Day Fix: 

1. The workouts are tougher. There are less breaks and the modifier is a little more tough. 

2. The nutrition guide is cleaner. The calorie brackets are the same, meaning that you get the same amount of containers, however, there are no cheats. In the 21 Day Fix, you can swap a yellow container for wine or chocolate...not this round. You'll have to pass up a few things...but, remember it's just for 21 days and you'll never be more proud of yourself for being so disciplined. You'll learn more about clean eating and your sweet tooth will actually consider fruit sweet -- which may allow you to breakthrough some bad habits!

What did I learn on this program? 

1. I learned so much more about discipline..which impacts every other area of my life!

2. I learned that hard doesn't = bad. 

3. I never saw such dramatic results in such a quick timeframe. (I lost 6 lbs. within the first 10 days!)

4. I learned that it really is okay to modify. 

5. I learned so much about meal prep.

6. I broke free from mindless snacking and my "need" for desserts/snack bars (yep, even if they're healthy).

7. I learned that a plan and accountability is everything (and while I knew this, having others doing this exact stricter program was so helpful)!

My favorite results came in my non-scale victory related to the shape of my face. 

I notice that when I eat sweets, it shows in my face so quickly! (That's the great thing about this nutrition plan, it really serves as a detox and allows your body to break free of cheats and ingredients that aren't so great for us.)

If you followed my 21 day journey (I shared every workout on Instagram), you would've read that I am not where I was a year ago and that's okay. The stress  of the past 6 months, the intense nausea I've felt from various means of trying to get pregnant, and the side effects from hormonal issues (I can't wait to share more on this) reek havoc on weight gain. I continued to eat clean and work out and check in with my accountability groups, but sometimes stress and imbalances can really throw our bodies out of whack! 

When you gain weight and you're in a hard season, you've got to give yourself grace in the journey. Granted, I was sick of playing victim and I left my excuses at the door. I wanted to dive into this program 100% and that's what I did; here are my 21 day results. 

If you're ready to get extreme, let me know. 

The program + Shakeology + accountability was the key to this incredible success, incredible plateau breakthrough, and the breaking of bad habits. It's just 3 weeks, but the impact will last much longer. Just message me and let's get started. 

PiYo (Review)

If you're looking for an at-home workout program without the use of weights that is more low impact, and definitely has a change of pace compared to other Beachbody programs, PIYO might just be your next program to try. It was designed to increase flexibility and strength. This is accomplished by utilizing a unique combination of Pilates and Yoga based movements. PiYo allows you to get long, lean, and toned muscles while allowing you to burn calories with the quick pace movements. 

Celebrity trainer, Chalene Johnson created this program to not only help you get fit in your own living room but it was also created to help you understand how to eat right, gain flexibility, and increase strength. What I found that I love most about this program is the calendar. It's arranged in such a way to progressively gain endurance. This is a 60 day program. 

PiYo Live is super fun! 

Here's what you can expect from the 21 Day Fix challenge pack: 

 - 25-45 minute workouts 

- 8 PiYo workouts (3 DVD's) including additional Buns workout

- 60 day calendar

- Measuring tape to track your progress

- The Get Lean Eating Plan

- 1 month supply of my favorite & healthiest meal of the day: Shakeology

- yours truly as your coach, holding you accountable and enduring the pain, sweat, and love every single day right along side you (online)

Here are my 60 results from my latest round of PiYO

.

My favorite things about PiYo: 

- There are 2 calendars to choose from: Basic or Strength
- CHALENE JOHNSON IS MY GIRL! If you're not already aware, she's a best-selling author, health & fitness expert, athletic clothing designer, and a mother of 2. Her upbeat personality, encouragement, positivity, and comedy throughout the entire program keeps it fun and she keeps you smiling.
- She goes over the fundamentals in the beginning of the program, so there is no concern about not being experienced. 

- Everyday, there's a new workout that triggers different parts of the body
- The workouts are so different everyday
- I can take it with me on the go using Beachbody On Demand
- The meal plan is similar to the 21 Day Fix meal guide, allowing you certain amounts of each food group depending on your caloric needs, based on a whole-foods diet.
- It's truly for any age person, of all exercise levels. It's my father's favorite program!

Workouts: 

- Align: The Fundamentals (40 mins.)

- Define: Lower Body (20 mins.)

- Define: Upper Body (20 mins.)

- Sweat (35 mins.)

- Core (35 mins.)

- Core (30 mins.)

- Strength Intervals (25 mins.)
- Drench (45 mins.)
- Sculpt (30 mins.)

- Buns (25 mins.)

Watch the PiYo Promo here!

I have seen my challengers/teammates....

- break sugar/fake sugar addictions

- have freedom in life 

- increase energy levels
- lean out
- increase arm stregnth
- ABS! 

- build confidence

- improve health in blood work results

- gain self control

- no longer in need of medications 

- drop sizes, inches, and weight

- influence their family & friends to lose weight and be healthy

To purchase the PiYo challenge pack & join an accountability group, click here!

21 Day Fix (Review)

This is the program that started me on my journey. 

It has taught me so much about fitness & eating right for my body. 

Celebrity trainer, Autumn Calabrese created this program to not only help you get fit in your own living room but it was also created to help you understand how to eat right with correct portion sizes that your body needs to lose weight....do it the healthy way....and enable you to create habits so that you keep the weight off. This is a 21 day program, however, I see it as a tool to jumpstart new habits and a new lifestyle. 

When I first purchased the 21 Day Fix challenge pack, I jumped in an online accountability group so that I had accountability everyday. I learned quickly that in order to stick with a new lifestyle, having accountability is key. I've created a video about what the expect from the 21 Day Fix challenge pack & what it's done for me, here: 

Here's what you can expect from the 21 Day Fix challenge pack: 

 - 30 minute workouts (you will need to purchase your own hand weights) with cardio & strength training, with an option to do low impact modified versions -7 workouts per week + bonus workouts

- colored portion control containers

- a shaker cup

- 1 month supply of my favorite & healthiest meal of the day: Shakeology

- simple control nutrition guide (plus, Autumn has released a new cookbook strictly for the 21 Day Fix called Fixate - order here!)

- yours truly as your coach, holding you accountable and enduring the pain, sweat, and love every single day right along side you (online)

Here are my side by side results from my latest round of the 21 Day Fix. 

My favorite things about the 21 Day Fix: 

- This program targets every part of the body
- Before this program, I was on my own to figure out what to eat & how much to eat
- I learned just how much nutrition effects weight loss

- Everyday, there's a new workout that triggers different parts of the body
- The workouts are ONLY 30 minutes each
- I can take it with me on the go using Beachbody On Demand and use a resistance band instead of weights
- The meal plan has changed the game for me. We know that nutrition is SUCH a huge part of weightloss. This plan is simple to follow - no calorie counting, no fake sugars, no point system, just simple colorful containers and a guide. (There are even apps to keep track throughout your day)
- I can still drink wine & eat chocolate...AND lose weight...what??!
- It's truly for any age person

The Meal Plan: 

Each colored container represents different types of food and depending on your weight, you're allotted a certain amount of containers per day. You can even drink wine on the 21 Day Fix...who wants to lose weight & go out for a glass with me!?

To make things even easier, Autumn created a cookbook with 101 recipes for the 21 Day Fix. You had me at chocolate chip cookies & easy pizza, Autumn. 

Workout Descriptions: 

- Total Body Cardio Fix:  Gets your heart rate up and keeps your metabolism revved

- Upper Fix: Targeted resistance training to shape your chest, back, shoulders, arms and abs

- Lower Fix: Tones your entire lower body while blasting fat and burning calories

- Pilates Fix: Develop long, lean muscles while you target your hips, thighs, and core

- Cardio Fix: Exactly what it sounds like. Heart pumping cardio in just half an hour.

- Dirty 30: 4 rounds of fat burning moves in a mix of cardio and strength!

- Yoga Fix: Improve your balance, flexibility and strength (and get a tiny bit of a break)!

Seeing results from my challengers are a huge motivation, however, seeing what the 21 Day Fix has done for me and my challengers on the inside, is truly what matters to me most. 

I have seen my challengers/teammates....

- break sugar/fake sugar addictions

- have freedom in life 

- increase energy levels

- build confidence

- improve health in blood work results

- break free from arthritic pain

- gain self control

- no longer need a cane/wheelchair

- lower blood sugars

- no longer in need of medications 

- drop sizes, inches, and weight

- influence their family & friends to lose weight and be healthy

To purchase the 21 Day Fix challenge pack & join an accountability group, click here!