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Top 10 Things to Know Before Starting the 21 Day Fix

Top 10 Things to Know Before Starting the 21 Day Fix

When I started the 21 Day Fix, I was woefully out of shape.  Of course, I didn’t think I was that bad.  What’s a few extra pounds…or 60 as the case was? I mean, really, these workouts were 30 minutes. Ha! How bad could that be?

Well, three rounds later and 17 pounds lighter, I decided it was time to make a list of the things I wish someone had told me about the program before I began.  I hope it helps you as much as it would have helped me! 😉

Top 10 Things to Know Before Starting the 21 Day Fix

1. The first week is hard.

If you’re looking for a quick fix, easy peasy workout plan, sister, this is not it.  The first week is tough.  Let me rephrase that…after the first 7 minutes you may think you’re going to pass out.  I very clearly remember thinking, “Sweet baby Jesus, I am going to die right here in my living room.”  After the first 7 minutes.  And the first 5 or so of those were the warm-up!  So, prepare yourself.  Expect it to be hard, because it is – especially if you’re carrying around 60 extra pounds like I was.

2. You’re going to be sore.

No matter how good of shape you’re in, you’re going to be sore.  SORE sore. Like, “Oh my goodness someone is going to have to drag me up off of this floor…or maybe I’ll just lay here forever” kind of sore.  Stairs will be your nemesis and sitting down to use the bathroom will be a groan fest.  Heating pads, essential oils, and ibuprofen were my best friends when I first started.

3.  A minute lasts about 3 hours.

One of Autumn’s favorite sayings is, “You can do anything for a minute!” And, in theory, you can.  Until you start working out with Autumn Calabrese and a minute lasts for three long hours.  Okay, it’s still just a minute, but you’ll have a brand new appreciation for how long a minute can actually last.

4. The meal plan is non-negotiable.  Even the veggies.

If you want to see results on this program (or any program for that matter), you have to start changing your diet.  The 21 Day Fix meal plan is easy to follow and you get a lot of food.  If you’re going to invest in yourself and change your life, it really does begin in the kitchen.

5. You must plan your meals out ahead of time.

In order to make the meal plan work, you have to make sure that you’re surrounded by foods that are good to eat.  If you don’t, you’re going to be like a hungry squirrel foraging through your cabinets and eating an entire bag of gummy fish because you can’t figure out what to eat.  Not that that ever happened or anything…   Just plan it out.  It’s going to be a lifesaver!

6. You absolutely, positively MUST take before pictures and then a picture each week.

I know, I know, no one wants to take the before picture, because it’s the before picture. But listen closely, the scale is a big fat liar and the first place you’re going to see results is from your pictures. Trust me on this.  You don’t have to show anyone, but you have to take the before picture.  After my first week I was depressed because the scale showed only about a 1.5 pound loss, but I took my first week progress picture and I compared it to my before picture.  And I cried. Because that scale, that stupid number, was meaningless. I had gained definition in my abs, my stomach didn’t stick out as much, and I was stronger! Please, take the before picture.

7. Once you see results, you start to fall in love.

After I started seeing those results, I was and continue to be a huge advocate for the 21 Day Fix, fitness, and healthy eating.  If you’d asked me 6 months ago if I’d be writing about exercise, I would have said you were crazy. But here I am and I am telling you that you will fall in love.  You’ll fall in love with the exercises, you’ll fall in love with healthy eating, and you’ll fall in love with your body.  Because that body can do amazing things if you work for it.

8. You’ll say some really rude things to your tv.

This is especially true when you hear the phrase, “Bonus Round!”  Just typing it makes me think unladylike phrases.

9. People will try to get you off track.

They don’t mean to do it, but sometimes it’s like dodging a minefield of exploding cookies and cakes.  They want to support you and they’ll see you sore (and hear you plead for someone, anyone, to just drag you to the shower), and they’ll want you not to be sore.  So, they’ll tell you it’s okay to skip a workout or okay to have a muffin the size of a toddler’s head.  They’ll want to comfort you in the way that they always have. Don’t let them. Be stronger than the temptation and tell them that what you really need is tough love.

10. It doesn’t get easier, you get stronger.

Honestly, that whole first two weeks I was miserable. The workouts were so hard for me and I was discouraged that I could only follow Kat, the modifier.  But you know what?  On week three I started doing some of the non-modified workouts and I did them longer.  The workouts didn’t change, I did. And my before and progress pictures were proof of it…as were my new found baby muscles! =)

 

Okay, one more…it’s like a bonus tip! Ha!

11. You are worth it.

When you feel like quitting, don’t. When you don’t feel like pushing play, do it anyway. When someone doesn’t support you, ignore them. When your legs are sore and your abs are on fire, just. keep. going.  You are worth the time, the energy, and the investment that it takes to change your life.  YOU are worth it.

 

Would like more support in your 21 Day Fix journey? Would you like to start your 21 Day Fix Journey?  If so, please complete this application to be considered for my next 21 Day Fix accountability, support/challenge group! There are new ones starting each month!