​I have decided that my word for this year is going to be "fearless".  Not because I plan on living without fear, but because I want to embrace my fear and let it push me out of my comfort zone.  I want to do things I never thought possible and that usually only happens when you've got some level of fear.  Hopefully you will see a theme in my posts for the next year where I talk about doing things I never thought I would do or overcoming a certain fear by facing it head-on.  So stay tuned to see where this takes me!

Also, I wanted to give you an update on my 21 Day Fix progress.  I weighed myself this morning and have lost exactly 16 pounds since the middle of October.  I am really happy with these results and am proud that I got through the holidays without gaining it all back!  

Out of curiosity I looked to see how long it had been since I weighed this much and it turns out it was almost exactly a year ago.  Part of me was actually kind of frustrated because in a way it feels like I wasted a whole year.  If only I had stayed on track this time last year then maybe I'd weigh much less instead of the same.  But, with the helpful advice of an amazing friend, I realized that I need to look at this as an inner growth and know that I have learned a lot about myself in the past year to get me where I am today.

I almost lost that motivation this afternoon when I realized the day had mostly gone by and I hadn't worked out yet.  The "old me" would have told myself that I could just workout tomorrow, but the "new me" knew that I'd be frustrated with myself for not doing something I told myself I would do.  So I turned on my DVD player and a short 30 minutes later I was done with my full body cardio workout and proud of myself for finishing it.

It's nice to see that with the right attitude and the right support system, we really can accomplish anything we set our minds to!

That's it for tonight, but stay tuned for more!

Today I am starting another round of 21 Day Fix, but because I'm doing things so differently I feel like I'm actually starting over.  I was really successful with my first round and ended up losing 11 pounds in 3 weeks, so I was very happy with those results.  I posted the picture from above after finishing my first round and was surprised to see how much change I could see in my face.  The biggest difference I noticed was how much happier I look in the picture on the right.  It's amazing how much can change in such a short amount of time, both physically and mentally!

The second round I completed was in December and I didn't do quite as well.  I basically stopped trying mid-month and didn't even finish out the 21 days. At first I was really disappointed in myself, but then I remembered that I'm trying to not be so hard on myself, so I gave myself a break until after the holidays were over.

The round that I am starting today will technically be considered my second round "do-over" since the last time didn't go so well.  I plan on doing things differently this time around, so I'm going to go over some of those changes to give you some tips & tricks that might work for you if you're trying to get healthier.

Meal Planning:

Before the Tone It Up Bikini Series last year I decided I wanted to write myself encouraging letters to read each week along the way.  That's what you see in this picture.  I'm going to do the same thing for this round of 21 Day Fix so that I can give myself pep talks before I start each week.  They're basically all going to say things like "you can do this" or "don't give up", but I'm hoping that reading them each week will remind me why I'm doing this and help me to stick to it.

Workout Tracking:

This is an idea I got from Pinterest.  Basically you use page flags to write down the number of days you want to workout and then stick them somewhere so that you can peel them off each day you complete a workout.  In my example above I did five days a week and each week is a different color.  

​I've found this to be highly motivating because it makes me feel good to peel a flag off every time I workout.  It's also a nice visual reminder because it gives you an idea of how much further you have to go.  I'll be doing this for the next 16 weeks before my next cruise, so I'll have 5 flags a week for 16 weeks.  I'll probably do them separately for each round of 21 Day Fix so that it doesn't feel so overwhelming!

Cheat Meals vs. Treat Meals:

When I first started 21 Day Fix I decided that I would have one cheat meal every week where I could eat whatever I wanted.  It actually worked out pretty well because it allowed me the freedom to dream about eating something unhealthy all week and then enjoy it on Friday night.  The only thing I'm changing about this is that instead of thinking of it as a cheat meal I'm going to start referring to it as a treat meal.  Because technically I'm not cheating by eating something outside the plan, I'm actually making a logical decision to eat something I've been craving all week and therefore "treating" myself.

And so those are some of the ways I'll be changing my approach to following 21 Day Fix.  Let me know if any of these ideas were helpful or if you have any tips or tricks of your own that you would like to share!

This is going to be a fairly short blog post.  Basically, I wanted to check in and let you know that I finished my second round of 21 Day Fix yesterday.  Due to a number of reasons, I had some issues with staying motivated during this round, so I definitely didn't do as well as I would have liked to.  

My main goal after this round is to take a break for the holidays and come back in the new year feeling refreshed and ready to kick some butt in 2016!  Like the quote above says, I know I CAN do this and that means I WILL do this.  

We all know that nobody is perfect and it's impossible to do things 100% right all the time.  In the spirit of being completely honest, this has probably been the hardest week I've had since starting the 21 Day Fix.  My motivation has been lacking big time and I haven't felt nearly as dedicated compared to how I had been feeling.  

I think a big part of it is that I've been so busy with the holidays coming up and I basically just don't have the energy or time to focus as much on my health and fitness.  That probably sounds like an excuse, but it really is the truth.  I've been so overwhelmed trying to get through the days that I feel like I can't even focus on following a strict nutrition plan or working out every day.  

Part of me does feel disappointed in myself, especially because my weight loss journey is so public and I feel like I'm supposed to show everyone how hard I can work and how successful I can be when I put my mind to it.  But in all honesty, I know that I am doing my best and I am trying not to beat myself up too much for falling short of my goals.

And overall, I know this is a temporary setback.  My company closes on Friday for two weeks, so pretty soon I will have a lot more free time to spend on working out and making meal plans.  And then once the holidays are over I am planning on getting back in full swing.  I've already made so much progress that I am determined to keep going and prove to myself that I really can do anything I set my mind to.

I hope this is a good reminder that we all fall short of our goals sometimes and that the best thing we can do when we fail is to pick ourselves up and try again.  

Now I'd like to hear from you.  What are some ways that you re-charge your motivation when you're having a hard week?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Today is the beginning of my second week doing my second round of the 21 Day Fix, otherwise known as "week 7".  I've officially been doing the 21 day Facebook challenge group for a week now and it's really going well.  Each morning we get a post about something motivational or informative and each night we check in and rate our nutrition and workout for the day.  It's been a great way to stay motivated, especially knowing that I'll be checking in later that day to report how my day went.

Today is also the first day of the clean eating challenge I'm running on Facebook.  There are 7 of us total in the group and it feels like a good number of people.  Not too many where it's overwhelming but just enough to keep the posts interesting and give people a chance to interact with each other and motivate each other.  I will be running a free group every month and they won't always be clean eating groups.  I'll be switching it up and making them different each month so that there's always something new for the people who have done one before.

As far as my own personal progress goes, I feel like I'm still noticing a big difference in how I look and feel.  I'm not working out 7 days a week like the schedule says, but I am still happy that I am getting a lot more exercise than I was before I started this whole thing.  

I'm also eating SO much better.  It's amazing that I don't actually crave junk food anymore.  The first couple weeks of my first round I indulged on pizza for a Friday night treat, but lately that hasn't even been sounding good to me.  It's nice knowing that I can treat myself if I want to, but also a great feeling to know that it's not something I need to do unless I really want it.

Another bonus is that I'm actually looking forward to getting weighed at the doctor for my annual physical coming up in January.  It will be nice to see the number go down for a change instead of stressing about how much it went up!

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.

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!

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.