I decided to start counting the weeks of my 21 Day Fix transformation instead of days because it was getting too hard to keep track of which day I was on!  So today is the beginning of my 6th week doing the 21 Day Fix.  Instead of doing this round on my own, I have decided to join a challenge group.  I will continue to blog the whole way through this round so that you can follow me and find out what it's like to be a part of this type of group.

Since you might not know what a challenge group is, I wanted to spend some time today explaining their purpose so that you understand what I am doing and how this is affecting my weight loss transformation.  Basically, I am in a group on Facebook where I am working with other people who are also trying to lose weight and get healthy.  The  accountability part comes in because you usually do a daily check-in where you rate your workout and your nutrition for the day.  

To me, the best part about being in a challenge group is that I am not alone in this journey.  It gives me a place to go where I can talk about what I'm going through (good or bad) and get advice, support, and motivation from the other people in the group.  Sounds nice, right?  

It gets even better because the challenge group is totally free as long as you already have a Beachbody fitness program and are on a home direct order of Shakeology.  If you've already invested in these things, you might as well connect with other people who are on the same wavelength as you, right?

In order to give a sneak peak into what a full 21-day challenge group looks like, I am going to be hosting my own free 5-day clean eating group, starting on December 7,  You don't need to have purchased anything from Beachbody to join this group, so let me know in the comments below if you are interested and I will reach out to you so we can talk about your goals.  You can also sign up here: Beside Beth Clean Eating Group.

It has been a while since I updated you on my progress with the 21 Day Fix.  I finished my first round a little over a week ago.  After finishing that first three weeks, I decided to take a small break before starting another round of 21 days.  I knew that with the holiday coming up I would probably not be able to stick to the plan as closely as I would like to, so I will be re-starting again next Monday, November 30.  

In between rounds, I am still continuing to keep up with my workouts and have still been eating as healthy as possible.  I haven't been measuring food in my containers, but I feel like I have a good idea of how much food I should be eating, so I'm sticking to that and only eating when I'm hungry.  

I am excited to start another round next week, especially because I'll be joining an accountability group on Facebook with other people who are also following the same program.  We will be holding each other accountable and helping anyone who needs extra support or motivation.  Overall, it should be a great experience.

Throughout the challenge, I will be blogging to let you know how it's going and how I am feeling.  Like I said in my last post, I won't be weighing myself throughout the next round, but I will post my total weight lost at the end.  Instead of dwelling on a number on the scale, I am hoping to focus on how I feel and how my body is changing as I continue to push it through the workouts and provide it healthy fuel by eating well.

If you have any questions or would like to find out how to sign up for the 21 Day Fix, please feel free to leave a comment below and I will get back to you right away.

After over two years of writing this blog, I have re-designed my website so that it looks new & fresh.  I've also added more content, so take a look around and let me know what you think!

This is it...I've officially reached day 21 of the 21 Day Fix!  I'm going to keep this short and sweet, but didn't want to ignore such a momentous day!!

Last time I wrote I had lost 12 pounds.  When I weighed myself this morning that number had changed, so now I have officially lost 11 pounds from my heaviest weight.  After weighing myself I also checked my measurements against where I was 21 days ago.  Overall, I lost 10 inches around my body!!  And 2 of those inches were from my waist!  So I would definitely say that I saw some great results, wouldn't you?

Now you might be asking what the plan is moving forward.  I'm still going to continue with the 21 Day Fix, but I'm going to change up how I've been doing it.  On November 30 I will be joining a challenge group (also known as an accountability group) on Facebook.  This group will help hold me accountable and give me encouragement along the way.  

As I do this challenge group I am going to stop focusing so much on the number on the scale and instead focus on how I'm feeling.  I want to make sure I'm not obsessing over a number and letting that determine my happiness.  Instead, I want to spend time making sure I feel like I've done my best and that I'm proud of the work I've done. I will be blogging the whole way through the challenge so you can hear how it goes.

I hope this all makes sense and that you stick with me during this next phase of the program!

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to ask them in the comments below and I'll do my best to answer them.

It's hard to believe that I'm just a few days away from finishing my first round of the 21 Day Fix!  I can't decide if it feels like it's gone by way too fast or if it seems like forever since I started.  Maybe a little bit of both, if that's even possible.

Last time I wrote I mentioned that I had lost a total of 10 pounds, and yesterday when I weighed myself that number actually jumped to just over 12 pounds.  It feels amazing to see the number on the scale going down for a change instead of slowly going up and up!

Today I wanted to spend some time answering some frequently asked questions about the program.  Obviously I'm not an expert after only doing this for a couple of weeks, but I know I had some basic questions before I started and I wanted to make sure to address those for anyone else who is curious.

FAQ's:

How hard are the workouts?  Can a beginner do them?

• The workouts are actually designed for beginners.  Depending on your fitness level, you may need to use the modifier at the beginning.  After a couple of weeks of following the modifier I was able to start slowly doing the regular moves on some of the exercises, but I'm still using the modifier for some of the more difficult exercises.  Take it at your own pace, but also be sure to push yourself to try to work a little bit harder every day.

What equipment do I need for the workouts?

• You will need weights and an exercise mat.  Personally, I started out with 3-lb weights (or skipped weights entirely if I wasn't ready for them, such as with most of the lower body workout).  The workouts usually include two sets of weights, a lighter set and a heavier set, so you can pick the right weight for the level of difficulty for that exercise. 

How do the containers work?  How do I know how many containers I get for a day?

• The program comes with a booklet that explains everything for you.  One of the things you to do start out is figure out your calorie intake based on your current weight.  There are a few different ranges you can fall into, so the book will tell you exactly how many of each color container you are allowed each day.

What if I can't finish the food in all of my containers?

• You will be surprised at how much food you're allowed to eat in a day, so don't be surprised if you're not hungry enough to eat everything.  The best thing to do is still try to eat balanced meals so that you're getting enough protein, fruits, and vegetables.  

Can I follow the 21 Day Fix if I'm vegetarian or vegan?

• Yes, I am a vegetarian and am following the original program.  I modify the proteins (red containers) as best as I can.  Typically I use meat replacements in the same quantity as the suggested meats (for example, 4 slices of veggie "bacon" are equal to 4 slices of real bacon).  There is also a vegan plan available, which comes with your documentation, so check that out if you're looking for a customized plan specifically for vegans.

How many rounds should I do?

• I believe you can do as many rounds as you'd like.  Basically just keep doing it until you've gotten the results you'd like.  If you're finding that the workouts are no longer challenging, there is also a 21 Day Fix Extreme program that takes it up a notch.

As always, please remember that this information is based on my own experience and does not replace the official information that is given by Beachbody.

I hope this post answered some of your questions about the 21 Day Fix!  If you have any other questions please post them in the comments below and I'll get back to you right away.

If you're interested in starting the 21 Day Fix (or any other Beachbody fitness program or Shakeology), please click the email icon at the top of the screen and send me an email so we can talk about your goals and so I can help you figure out which program will work best for you. I'd be happy to help you get started on your own journey to health and fitness!

This past weekend I was looking for a healthy and delicious recipe for a special breakfast.  I remembered seeing an Instagram post the previous week with a recipe for a breakfast bake that I had wanted to try out.  Yes, you heard that right.  I actually found a new recipe somewhere other than Pinterest!  Shocking, I know...

I already had all of the ingredients, so I decided to go ahead and make it.  I had heard that you could also cook the dough in the microwave for 2 minutes, but for my first try I wanted to follow the recipe exactly the way it was written and use the oven.  It turned out fantastic and was so tasty & filling.  I liked it so much that the next day I made the brownie batter breakfast bake from the same website.  

Here is the link to access the original post from Running With Spoons in case you want to see her other recipes.  And here is the Oatmeal Cookie Dough Breakfast Bake  recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. almond butter (or other nut butter)
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tsp. maple syrup
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp. baking powder
• pinch of salt
• ¼ cup rolled oats
• 2 Tbsp. almond meal*
• 1 Tbsp. chocolate chips**

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and grease a small ramekin or oven-safe dish. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, combine almond butter, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla, baking powder, and salt. Mix well until fully combined. Add oats and almond meal, stirring until you're left with a sticky dough. Mix in chocolate chips.
3. Transfer dough to your greased ramekin, topping with a few extra chocolate chips and a sprinkle of sea salt if desired. Bake for 18-20 minutes, depending on desired consistency.

Notes:
* If you don't have almond meal, you can replace it with an equal amount of oat flour. To make oat flour, simply grind rolled oats in a food processor or blender until they reach a floury consistency.
** Feel free to sub with raisins or nuts for some added nutrition.

Let me know in the comments below if you try this recipe and whether you think it is delicious!

I am so excited to tell you guys that I have lost 10 pounds since I started the 21 Day Fix!  I knew that I would see results, but I'm amazed at how much of a difference just two weeks has made!  And don't get me wrong, I have not followed this program perfectly.  There have been days when I didn't work out and days when I didn't eat completely healthy, but overall I've stuck to the plan and it has paid off in a major way!

The other thing I'm excited to tell you about is that I have officially signed up as a Beachbody coach.  I posted my story on Facebook, so click here if you didn't see the post and want to know the backstory.

Although deciding to be a coach wasn't something I had to think about for very long, I knew in my gut that it was the right thing for me to do.  I had a feeling that I would be able to accomplish some great things if I signed up.  My main goal as a coach is to help as many people as possible.

I know what it feels like to think your health is out of control and to feel like you will never get to a healthy weight.  Honestly, I still have those days myself and I know that I have a long journey ahead of me.  But I truly believe that everyone is capable of living the life they've imagined as long as they have the right tools, are willing to push themselves to work hard, and never give up.  That's where I am at in my weight loss journey.  What about you?

If you are ready to take your life into your own hands, then comment below or send me a Facebook message so that we can talk about how I can help you get started on this journey.

Have you ever noticed how slowly time seems to go when you're counting days? Whether you are counting down to something exciting or you are keeping track of how many days you have done something, either way time seems to drag.  Doesn't it?  

I was thinking of this last night because I was getting down on myself for not being able to see results in the mirror from doing the 21 Day Fix.  Then I realized...I've only been doing this for 11 days!  Of course I don't see results yet!!  

​Realistically, anything having to do with weight loss is going to take some time before you can tell a difference in the mirror, no matter how extreme it is.  Here's a quote I found on Pinterest that helps me keep things in perspective:

That seems about right, doesn't it?  So although it feels like I've been eating healthy and working out for a long time, I still haven't hit that 4 week mark where I see it.  I do, however, already feel some changes in my body.  I can tell that my muscles are starting to come back and my flexibility is also getting better every day.

Speaking of results, what I wanted to talk to you about today is something I don't think I've mentioned yet, and that is the part about me drinking Shakeology every day.  I started the same day I began using the containers and have definitely noticed a big difference in my appetite and my cravings.  In case you haven't heard of it, Shakeology is basically a super food meal replacement shake that provides you all of the nutrients you're probably missing from your diet.

I will admit, I was a little skeptical about the taste of Shakeology before I got my package, but I was pleasantly surprised at how good it tastes.  I especially love the chocolate flavor.  It might sound crazy, but I actually look forward to drinking it every day because it tastes so good.  The other nice part is that there are so many different ways to prepare it.  Here are some of my favorites:

• Tropical: strawberry with frozen pineapple and banana
• Mocha: chocolate with chilled coffee
• Pumpkin Pie: vanilla with pumpkin filling
• Peanut Butter Banana: chocolate with frozen banana and peanut butter

And there are so many more options...it's crazy!  You can also order the Shakeology to come in packets, which makes it nice and easy to take with you either to work or when you're traveling.  The 21 Day Fix comes with a shaker bottle (in the picture above), so you can take that with you and add water to any of the flavors for a quick and healthy meal.

So that's my update for halfway through my second week on the 21 Day Fix.  I'll post another update at the 14 day week mark so you can see how I've done after a full two weeks.  As always, if you have any questions please leave them in the comments below and I'll do my best to answer them!

Ever since starting the 21 Day Fix I have been searching high and low for vegetarian protein sources.  I used to always rely on fake chicken breasts in order to customize recipes, but I haven't been able to find them lately.  

​So instead, I went out on a limb and bought some vegetarian kielbasa the other day.  I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to prepare them or if I'd be able to find a healthy recipe to use them in, but I figured I might as well give it a shot.

Thankfully, Pinterest came through once again and I found a clean eating recipe for a healthy hash made with kielbasa, pepper, onion, and potatoes.  The recipe is from a site called The Two Bite Club.  You can follow this link to see the original post and the amazing photographs.  

Here are the quick & easy instructions on how to make it.

Ingredients:

• 1 (14 ounce) package turkey kielbasa, cut into 1/4 inch rounds
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 yellow, red or orange bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 small or 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• olive oil
• salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. In a heavy bottomed skillet (I like to use my cast iron), heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add the potatoes to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, around 8-10 minutes, stirring a few times to ensure even browning.   
2. In a separate skillet, brown the sliced kielbasa for around 5 minutes in 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat.  Remove the kielbasa from the pan and set aside.  Add the peppers and onions to the skillet and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.  Cook for 5 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally.  
3. Add the cooked potatoes and kielbasa to the skillet with the onions and peppers and mix everything together.  Serve nice and hot!

Notes

• I use two skillets to make this recipe.  I used to make it in one, but something always came out wrong.  I've learned that when I cook my potatoes in a separate skillet they cook more evenly and stay nice and crispy when they're added to the other ingredients right before serving.
• Sometimes I'll add some minced garlic to the peppers and onions, but it tastes just as good without it.
• Source: The Two Bite Club

So that's what I ate earlier this week.  It made a lot of food, so I had leftovers for a few days.  For the 21 Day Fix I counted a serving as 2 red containers, 1 green container, and 1 yellow container.

I hope you give this recipe a try.  If you do, let me know in the comments below if you liked it!

I wanted to check in again now that I've officially completed one full week of the 21 Day Fix.  It might seem like that's all I'm posting about lately because it's honestly a big focus in my life right now.  I have spent way too much of my life being unhappy and unhealthy, so now is the time that I'm dedicating to making a better life for myself.

Hopefully my posts are helpful to you if you're thinking of starting a new fitness program, whether or not it's the 21 Day Fix.  My goal is to show you what someone can accomplish when they set their mind to it so that this can be an inspiration to anyone who doubts their abilities to change their life. 

Today I'd like to focus on the workouts for the program.  They are all 30 minutes long and you do a different one each day of the week.  The materials that come with the program explain that the exercises have been scheduled in a specific way so that they are the most effective in changing your body, so they urge you to follow the schedule instead of choosing randomly based on what you feel like doing each day.

Here is the schedule of workouts and their description:

• Monday - Full Body Cardio Fix (Keep your heart rate up and your metabolism revved high long after the workout is over) 
• Tuesday - Upper Fix (Targeted resistance training helps shape your chest, back, shoulders, arms, and abs)
• Wednesday - Lower Fix (Firm and tone your entire lower body while you blast fat and burn calories)
• Thursday - Pilates Fix (Strengthen your core, elongate your muscles, and firm your hips and thighs)
• Friday - Cardio Fix (Get your heart pumping and your body moving as you melt away the pounds)
• Saturday - Dirty 30 (4 rounds of fat-burning exercises help carve out a leaner, stronger physique)
• Sunday - Yoga Fix (Improve your balance, flexibility, and strength as you help relax your muscles)

You also get 10 Minute Fix for Abs that you can add on at any time.  This can also be used in the third week when you have the option to do double workouts in order to get even greater results.

All together the workouts are challenging, but not to the point where you can't get through them.  Most of them focus on 60 second intervals and as Autumn, the trainer, says, "you can do anything for 60 seconds!"  Personally, I'm so out of shape at the moment that I have to use the modifier on almost all the moves.  I like that they give this option so that the workouts truly are for all fitness levels.  

I made the mistake of not doing the workout on Friday because I had a busy day and didn't think I had time for it.  I also wanted a little break, but ultimately it backfired because then I had a rough weekend and didn't workout on Saturday or Sunday either.  For me, I always re-start on Mondays, so I knew I would be back at it today.  I wish I hadn't missed those three days, but I'm trying not to be too hard on myself and just remember in the future that a one day break could snowball into much more.

I hope this was a helpful glimpse of what workouts you can expect if you do start the 21 Day Fix.  If you're on the program, let me know in the comments which workout is your favorite one!