21 Day Fix Extreme - End of Week 2

Nutrition

My nutrition went down the toilet this week!  Between going out to eat and indulging on extra snacks and desserts, I was NOT on par.  Next week is a new week.

The Workouts

Plyo Fix Extreme: 

This workout was not any easier the second time around!  It pushes you hard and makes your legs burn!

Upper Fix Extreme:

I felt much more comfortable with this workout this week....but that doesn't mean that it was easy.  I actually enjoyed this upper body workout, however.

Pilates Fix Extreme:

Those bands are awkward!  I felt as though I was tied up the entire workout!  It was better this week since I started with SHOES, but I need more practice with this one!

Lower Fix Extreme:

Such a fun workout!  I think this is one of my favorites!  Definitely still feeling the burn.

Cardio Fix Extreme:

This was a tough one to get through today, but I think it was due to lack of sleep.  I got through it...but it was NOT pretty.

Dirty 30 Extreme:

My shoulders were on FIRE!  I actually put my weights down during the second run through of the first round because my shoulders couldn't handle the 4 lb. weights anymore!  I do still really like this workout.  It really isn't intense cardio, but the weights make it very challenging.

Yoga Fix Extreme:

I'll be honest....I took today off.  Yoga would be very beneficial today, but I am just not someone who can press play 7 days/week.  I need one day off....and if I'm going to take a day off, this is the video that I'm going to skip.  I'll be pressing play again tomorrow, but today, the dvds are staying put away.

End of Week One - 21 Day Fix Extreme

Nutrition

I have not been using the container system and the enclosed nutrition plan with 21 Day Fix Extreme.  I've calculated the amount of calories that I need to maintain my weight and have been using that as a guideline.  I do still have my Oreo's.  I also indulged in my neighbor's taco dip and went out to eat for a maple burger with onion rings this week.  So....yes....my nutrition could have been better.

The Workouts

Plyo Fix Extreme: 

Holy cow!  If you want a workout that BURNS your legs, this is for you.  Workouts in these rounds are only 30 seconds with breaks in between, but those are LONG 30 seconds!  You are going to be jumping while holding weights, so watch your form and slow things down if you start to get sloppy.  I felt like I was going to throw up at the end of this workout!

Upper Fix Extreme:

So, Autumn has you choose heavy weights, light weights and a band for this workout.  These exercises are one minute each.  The first 30 seconds use the heavy weights and the final 30 seconds finish off with the light weights.  What happens when you use the bands?  Oh....you get a 30 second killer hold at the end!  This was an excellent upper body workout!

Pilates Fix Extreme:

Tip number one....if you've ever done pilates before and thought, "hey...I can do this workout barefoot," well...think again.  Autumn incorporates resistance bands into these pilates moves, so, after I wrapped the bands around my feet and started pulling on them, I decided that I would probably get more out of the workout if I wasn't strangling my feet and giving them band burn.  Shoes are a must.  I'm not a huge pilates fan, but this workout was interesting.

Lower Fix Extreme:

Wow!  Autumn begins with the same warm-up as the Plyo and Upper Fix Extreme.  You are told that you will need heavy weights, mediums and a band.  The lower weights are only there if you need to replace your heavy weights due to fatigue.  The rounds are set up with 30 seconds of an exercise using the weights (like squats while holding weights) immediately followed by 30 seconds of the plyo version of the exercise without the weights (set the weights down and do a squat with a jump).  Personally, I have to be careful of the plyo moves on my knees, so I'm not getting very high with the jumping, but it still BURNS!  After each exercise, there is a break, but it is a QUICK break.  The bands are used for the final round with some floor exercises and also with a lateral slow shuffle back and forth.  By the end of this workout, my legs were on fire.

Cardio Fix Extreme:

I think I would have enjoyed this workout more if my legs weren't screaming from yesterday.  These rounds include exercises that vary in duration...from 30 seconds on up.  Some include weights and some are just simple...like jumping jacks or shuffling burpees.  This is a good cardio workout that does get you to sweat.  Modifications are still provided for those that can't do some of the plyo moves or need a lower intensity. 

Dirty 30 Extreme:

I did not get what I should have out of this workout because I was not 100% when doing it....BUT, it is a great workout.  It mixes cardio with strength training and definitely burns your shoulders!  Autumn tells you not to stop when you are tired, but to stop when you are done.  Well, if I had stopped when I was tired, that would have been shortly after the warm up.  It is an intense 30 minutes that works up a sweat!

Yoga Fix Extreme:

If I had not done any yoga in the past, I probably would have spent a good portion of the first half of this video just watching to see what in the world was going on.  As it was, I did have to stop for a moment when Autumn told us, you can either stay here, or follow (whoever) doing this, or you can take it to (whatever the other option was).  It is a nice yoga routine that does give you a good stretch.

As fart as results for the week go, I do not like jumping on the scale and taking measurements every week, so I am not going to take measurements until the end of the 3 weeks.  I do FEEL that I'm working my entire body....so that is a good thing.  I'll post at the end of next week with an update.

21 Day Fix Final Review

Final Results

Reminder:  I chose the calorie bracket that would actually help me to MAINTAIN my weight, instead of to lose weight....and I still added some extra carbs here and there...along with Oreo's and Lindt Chocolates.  This past week, I've been craving chocolate and salt...so I have given in to those cravings a bit.  That said, I am happy with my final results.  If I had actually followed the system in the lower calorie bracket, I definitely would have seen a decrease in weight.

weight - 126.6 lbs.  (no change)

waist   - 28" ( lost 1/2")

hips     - 35" ( up 1 1/2".....however, I would tend to be up this week)

thighs  - 22" (no change)

arms   - 12" (no change)

The Container System

This system is EXTREMELY easy to follow.  Once you measure things out in the first week or so, you tend to have an idea of how many vegetables, carbs, fruits, etc,, you should be having daily.  It gets to a point where you can eye ball your portions and do not need to pull out the containers. 

The Workouts

Total Body Cardio Fix

This workout begins with an easy warm up and moves into "surrenders" which, are not too strenuous if you have fairly strong legs.  The cardio and work with your shoulders does pick up.  My shoulders were quite happy when we moved to the floor for core work and I was surprised that we were finished after that.

This was a nice total body workout that goes by really quickly!  And, unlike many of the other programs, the cooldown is incorporated in the time.  You don't hear Autumn call "time," tell you it is the end, and THEN the cooldown comes on.  She just goes right into it in the last couple minutes of the workout.

Upper Fix

More appropriate name would be Upper BURN.  First, when Autumn said to choose two sets of weights, one light and one heavy, I wasn't sure what "light" or "heavy" really should be.  I picked 4lbs. and 8lbs.  Part way through the first round, I was wondering if I should have chosen 2s and 5s!  When things got tough, though, I could just follow the modifier for a few seconds before getting back into it.  This workout works everything from your core on up.  You do each move for a minute with a 15 second rest in between.  It is amazing how fast the 30 minutes passes!  Even the following weeks, although I had stuck with my 4s and 8s, the challenge was still there.

Lower Fix

Autumn said to have "lights" and "heavies" again, but I wasn't sure what to grab on the first day.  I pulled my 4s and 8s again.  We started out with the heavy weights and, part way through the first round, I put down the 8s and grabbed my 5s.....We never, however, used the light weights. It looks as though they are only there incase your "heavies" become too heavy...

The warm up is the same as the other workouts.  Then it is lunges, squats, calf raises and floor exercises that BURN and get your legs shaking.

Pilates Fix

This workout is a nice break from the weights and cardio, but it is still a workout.  These floor exercises work everywhere from shoulders to core to legs, without the impact.

Cardio Fix

This is one of my favorite workouts.  It begins with the same warm-up, then follows the same format of an exercise for one minute, followed by a 20 second break.  There are four rounds...and a bonus round in this routine.  It definitely makes you sweat and increases your heart rate.  One minute of burpees alone will do that!

Dirty 30

Another favorite of mine. This starts with the same warm-up. Again, the format is the same with each round of 60 second exercises and a break between, but the exercises are different.  We needed "heavy" and "light" weights again.  I tried to stick with my 8s and 4s during the first week and found the 4s challenging during the tricep exercises...but by the third week, I was actually using my 5s for my triceps, 4s for "lights, and 10s for "heavies."  This was a fun workout that targeted the entire body.  It was not a cardio workout, but it did get the heart rate going.  This is another one that goes by very quickly.

Yoga Fix

Not my favorite yoga routine, but it does provide a good stretch at the end of the week and a break from the weights.

Overall Opinion

These workouts include a great variety of both strength exercises and cardio workouts.  There is a modifier in each video incase you need her and Autumn shows you how to do each move before you even begin.  I highly recommend this program to beginners on up.  If you are used to the extreme programs, this may be a little low key for you, but you can still work up a sweat and get results.

Next up - 21 Day Fix Extreme....look for my review of week one next week!

Want more information about this program?  Click here.

Day 21 of the 21 Day Fix

Nutrition Update

Went out to dinner last night, but had a great dinner of salmon, potato and veggies.  The banana bread that I had and couple of Oreo's are not on the plan, but I didn't go too overboard.

Today, I'm out of apples, but still have lots of healthy snacks in the house....still ate the banana bread, but it's better than more Oreo's, right?

Workout

Yoga Fix:  Final day.  Good end to a program.  I'll post results tomorrow.

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Next Steps

I'm going to be starting the 21 Day Fix Extreme tomorrow.  My plan is to continue using the nutrition plan as a guideline and compare the two programs, but I am not going to post daily.  I'll publish my first post next Monday, after I've finished Week 1, and continue to post the two Mondays after that.

Day 20 of the 21 Day Fix

Nutrition Update

Ok....we are throwing nutrition out the window this week!  Well....not completely....I do start my days off pretty well.  How did I end my evening?  My husband thought it would be a great idea to head over for ice cream after dinner.  Of course, I couldn't resist.  It was a rainy, gloomy, day, but Jordan's Ice Cream sounded perfect.

Workout

Dirty 30:  Motivation was not there when I got out of bed, but I did push myself and was happy I did once I got through the warm up.  This is a nice workout that goes by very quickly.  It is definitely more strength based and less cardio based.

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Day 19 of the 21 Day Fix

Nutrition Update

Started off the evening off well.  Had Pasta, but at least kept my portions under control.  My husband was eating chips while we played Cribbage, however....so, I did HAVE to have a few.  Of course, he had to remind me "these don't fit into your containers" and so he gave me the smaller ones.  :)

Today is off to a good start.

Workout

Cardio Fix:  I was pretty comfy lying in bed listening to the rain falling, but got through the morning workout.  I'm enjoying this program, but also happy to see it coming to an end.

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Day 18 of the 21 Day Fix

Nutrition Update

Actually stayed on track yesterday (minus the 2 double stuff Oreos).  Two hour delay threw me off today, but so far, so good!

Workout

Pilates Fix:  Nice low key workout today.

Nearing the end of the 21 days!


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Day 17 of the 21 Day Fix

Nutrition Update

Everything was on par yesterday....but I did still have my Oreos....  Started today well again.  At least 90% of my day is on track.

Workout

Lower Fix:  I really enjoy this workout....but I also enjoyed being finished with this workout.  It definitely makes your legs shake!  I guess, as Autumn says, "shake now so you won't shake later," right?


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Day 16 of the 21 Day Fix

Nutrition Update

Dinner was great last night.  Went to BJ's to pick up a couple things after we ate and, you'd think, since I wasn't hungry, it would have been fine.  Well, everything looked so good.  I really wanted to grab the sinfully chocolate cake and the cinnamon rolls!  Instead, we left with what we needed, I got home, and had a couple Oreos and hot chocolate.

As usual, started out today healthy....We'll see what happens tonight.

Workout

Upper Fix:  I did not get to sleep early enough last night.  I woke up with a headache and SO wanted to sleep in.  It would have been so easy NOT to push play, but I forced myself to get started.  I'm glad I did.  Once I got into round 1, I forgot about being tired, my headache went away, and I was actually feeling pretty good.  I really like the 15 minute rounds as opposed to the 2 exercises and repeat rounds.  It feels like you have more of a rest and knowing there are only two rounds to the workout, psychologically, seems shorter.  :)


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Day 15 of the 21 Day Fix

Statistics:  Week Two

Reminder:  I chose the calorie bracket that would actually help me to MAINTAIN my weight, instead of losing weight....and have eaten quite a bit that does not fall into my container plan throughout this past week.

weight -  126.6 lbs (no change) Ok....I was seriously contemplating whether or not my scale was
                 broken!  If others hadn't stepped on it before me and had a different weight pop up, I
                 would have thought it was.

waist   - 28" (up a 1/2" from last week, but still down 1/2" overall)

hips     - 33.5" (up a 1/2"...back to where I started)

thighs  - 22" (no change)

arms   - 12" (no change)

Nutrition Update

Yes...I did go to get ice cream last night.  I won't call it cheating, because that implies so many things that I do not agree with in a nutrition plan.  It screams "diet" and "deprivation" and neither are part of my vocabulary.  I am not on a diet....I am just trying to eat healthier and trying to follow the portion sizes that are recommended of my activity level and current weight.  If I go over this occasionally, then so be it.  I just need to try not to go overboard too often.

Today, I'm back into the swing of things and planning a nice dinner with fish tonight.

Workout

Total Body Cardio Fix: I really do enjoy this workout.  Just when your shoulders feel as though they will fall off, Autumn switches is up.  It's a good mix of cardio and weights.


Want more information about this program?  Click here.

Day 14 of the 21 Day Fix

Two Thirds of the Way Done!

Nutrition Update

Stuck to my containers last night....although I didn't get quite enough greens.  Still had my Lindt chocolates.

So far, today is also going well.....even on Easter.  :)  However, I think we'll be making a stop at our favorite ice cream place soon.  Not really looking forward to taking measurements tomorrow.  Most of this week has NOT been on par....  I guess we'll see how "off" it has been tomorrow.

Workout

Yoga Fix:  Good "rest day" workout.  Personally, I enjoy Tony's P90X3 Yoga workout more, but that is just my personal preference.

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Day 13 of the 21 Day Fix

Nutrition Update

Ended the day yesterday high on carbs.  I had more than my share of yellows.  I also added a couple Thin Mints to my evening.

Started today with a good breakfast, did well with snacks and lunch.  It's always after 4 o'clock that becomes a challenge.  We'll see what happens today.

Workout

Dirty 30:  I really enjoy this workout.  Although it was tough for me to get up on a Saturday morning to work out, it felt good once I got going and was a nice start to the day.  I did need more than just two sets of weights, however.  Most of the time, for the "heavies," I did use my 8s, but I grabbed a 10 for the side bends to work the obliques.  I also did not use them for the tricep exercises....but didn't want to use my 4s, either (which was what I was using for my "lights"), so I used 5s for those.


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Day 12 of the 21 Day Fix

Nutrition Update

Completely failed in the nutrition aspect at the end of the day yesterday.  We went out to eat, which didn't have to be a bad choice, but I did say "yes" to the sour cream on the potato...and then agreed to share mozzarella sticks with my husband.  Since I had already felt like I was off track, a couple extra lindt chocolate truffles seemed like a good idea.  Today is a new day.

Started with a good breakfast and packed my lunch and snacks.  I've also been better about drinking more water.  We'll see how the end of the day pans out.

Workout

Cardio Fix:  I absolutely needed this workout today.  Did I say that I needed to start extreme?  Umm....I worked up quite a sweat during Cardio Fix today.  That was a fun workout that definitely felt like I may have burned off a mozzarella stick.  :)



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Day 11 of the 21 Day Fix

Nutrition Update

Dinner last night was definitely not container worthy.   My oldest LOVES Hamburger Helper, so that was dinner last night.  So not healthy, but I at least kept my portion under control.

Planning on a less carb heavy dinner tonight, so I changed up my breakfast to include half an English Muffin.  Brought my usual fruit for snacks at school.

Workout

Pilates Fix:  I understand that today was an active recovery day, but I feel like I need to be doing more.  For someone who is getting into a fitness routine, this is a great program.  After doing a few of the extreme programs through Beachbody, this is feeling like I'm giving myself a break.  I was sore last week, obviously working muscles in a different way, but I'm not working as hard as I was in the other programs.

I'm almost at the end of week 2 and will stick through the third week, but I am anxious to try the Extreme Fix.

Want more information about this program?  Click here.

Day 10 of the 21 Day Fix

Nutrition Update

Still using the containers as a guideline.  Still having my Lindt chocolate truffles at night.  Still not feeling a bit guilty.  :)

Workout

Lower Fix:  This time, my lower body wasn't screaming before the workout even began.  That was a good sign.  It was, however, burning throughout the workout.  I guess that is a good sign, too.  I tried to stick with my 8 lb. weights through the first three rounds, but did drop to 5s during the curtsy lunges.


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