FITON out, BODi in

Beachbody on Demand was too expensive so I didn’t resubscribe when my subscription expired in August 2022. Actually, I was charged and I cancelled within the 30 day grace period. $139 seem ridiculous after I had paid $99 the year before. The first alternative I tried was so bad I don’t even remember the name. It was free or like $9 for the “Gold” version. Very low quality video and not a lot of workouts. I missed having programs so I ended getting the paid version of FITON in December 2022. They have full programs and a lot of workouts to choose from. I did workout more but after awhile, I couldn’t really get excited about the workouts. Strangely enough, I missed Beachbody. But their new price, $179! They had a deal for three years for the price of two but at $359 that wasn’t enticing either. But out of the blue, my old Beachbody coach sent me a deal after Christmas. Two years of Beachbody for the price of one plus a month of Shakeology and Autumn’s meal containers. Incredible deal. I split the cost with my sister and all of sudden I have BODi (formally Beachbody on Demand) for $90 for two years! I’ve Sure Thing with Megan Davies, whose Muscle Burns Fat program I enjoyed before. It goods to be back.

#foodaddict

I’ve been struggling with some depression lately and it only exasperates my food addiction and binge eating. I can’t stand looking at myself in the mirror. I am so heavy. I pulled my copy of Food Addiction by Kay Shepard off the shelf. The diet is strict but abstinence is key. The treatment is like that of an alcoholic. No sweets, no fatty foods (no nuts!), no snacks. It allows 1-2 servings of whole grains per day but I’ll ditch those because my body hates grains. Paleo is always better for me. No chocolate of any kind, unsweetened, sugar-free, raw, nothing. No alcohol. No butter, cornstarch, or maltodextrin. I can have fruit (provided it’s not bananas, mangoes, or dates), vegetables, starchy vegetables, low-fat dairy, and protein. I’m ditching dairy, too, because my body is inflamed at the moment and that won’t help. And I am really going to stick with paleo for a bit.

I’ve pulled my serotonin and dopamine supplements back out to help with my depression (and my cravings). Here’s hoping I am on the right track, I’ve been off track for so long…

9 week Control Freak out, Job1 in

I just can’t get into Autumn Calabrese’s workouts. I’ve tried three different versions of 21 Day Fix (original, live, and extreme). And I recently completed phase 1 of 9 Week Control Freak Off the Wall (it took way longer than three weeks). The workouts are around thirty minutes, seem to be sound, but I just can’t get excited to them; in fact, I start to dread the workouts. I don’t know if it because there’s no music and she talks too much or if I just don’t care for her style, the same way I can’t get into Tony Horton workouts. I think part of the problem is all the workouts repeat several times, although it didn’t bother me when I did ChaLEAN Extreme.

I switched to Job1 last week with a trainer named Jennifer I was unfamiliar with and I really like it. The workouts are really short, they are all 19 minutes, which may not be enough to really get in better shape but it’s so easy to make time for the workouts. There are five workouts a week and some extras if I want to add on. So far, I really like it.

I’m going back to school

Life update: I have been accepted into a masters program in Nutrition at Tennessee Tech. It’s a future education model program with has the dietetic internship included. Amazingly, nine years after graduating with my bachelors degree in Nutrition, I’ll be taking the next step to become a registered dietitian. I will admit, I never thought this day would come. I’m thrilled to be pursuing a dream of mine and I’m excited to be getting back my roots in nutrition. Much of the last nine years since graduating has been wrapped up in my group fitness career, especially yoga. I’ve spent more time and money on my yoga education than I have in any of my academic endeavors. And while yoga isn’t going away, it will certainly be taking a back seat. Next month, I finish my yoga therapy training (which I started in 2020) and finishing that really represents the end of an era with yoga teaching career. I don’t have plans to practice as a yoga therapist anytime soon. My plan is to really get my head back into nutrition in time for this next very exciting chapter in my life.

#mbf Muscle Burns Fat Review

I completed Beachbody’s Muscle Burns Fat by new trainer Megan Davies a few weeks ago. I did both #mbf and #mbfa back to back in September and October. The program is seven days a week:

Monday: Lower Body
Tuesday: Core Circuit
Wednesday: Upper Body
Thursday: Core Circuit
Friday: Full Body
Saturday: HIIT style workout
Sunday: Recovery workout

I wouldn’t say “advanced” is really harder, just longer workouts. Most of the workouts in the beginning are around 35 minutes, the later workouts are around 40. The Saturday workout was short, 22-25 minutes. I did double up some days because its easier to get six to seven workouts in four or five days than finding time everyday.

Overall, I liked the workouts and it did its job getting me back into weight training. I didn’t love the tempo of some of the workouts, some of the movements felt a little fast which prevents lifting heavy. I topped out at 15 lb dumbbells. I could’ve used a set of 20 lbs but I didn’t want to dig out my adjustable dumbbells.

I like Megan and I would do more workouts from her. The “Muscle Burns Fat” mantra isn’t new, that was the tagline of ChaLEAN Extreme, my current and all time favorite Beachbody workout. There is a little bit of cardio but it is mostly weights, which I like. The only equipment is some overpriced cordless jump ropes. I did half the program without them and then ordered some inexpensive ones off Amazon. I could and very well may do the workout programs again but right now I have gone back to ChaLEAN Extreme to lift even heavier weights.

Up Next: Health Coach Certification

I am very excited to be taking another step in my career. I have signed up for health coaching certification. I have been mulling over a few different options for some time. I have considered going back to being some type of alternative health practitioner (I used to be a biofeedback technician) like reflexology or iridology. I looked at another nutrition degree or designation but mostly I was really looking at various health coaching certifications. One reason, is that health coaching is a growing and respected area of practice. Another reason, is getting continuing education for my various certs. And finally (and most importantly), I want to find a way to work with the public that combines well with my DTR credential.

I looked at LOTS of different health and wellness coaching programs, some recognized by the national board, NBHWC, namely ACE and Dr. Sears. I looked at some of the more expensive programs like Dr. Weil’s Integrative Wellness Coach at the University of Arizona and Duke’s Health Coaching program. Ultimately, I decided on the National Society of Health Coaches Certification. Their program really sets itself apart because they only certify actively licensed clinicians. As a registered dietetic technician, I qualify for their certification. Personal trainers, bachelors or masters-level health, fitness, or wellness providers do not qualify unless they have an active license like a nurse, exercise physiologist, licensed counselor, chiropractor, physical therapist assistant, to name a few. As a bonus, it is incredibly affordable at $595. I believe registration is $350 (ouch!) but registration is good for five years with no yearly maintenance fee. Bonus points for 42 CEs for CDR.

I’ve been feeling a bit stuck lately and really struggling with goals and this new path has really energized me. I can’t wait to get my materials in the mail and get started!

310 Shake vs Shakeology vs Isagenix

I’m back to my protein shake junkie roots! All of these brands are sold online or through “consultants” or “coaches”, these are not retail store brands. They were all mixed with unsweetened plant milks, usually Almond Breeze, Almond Coconut Almond Breeze, but occasionally Almond Breeze with Bananas and Vanilla Ripple.

310 Nutrition

Flavors tried: Salted Caramel, Gingerbread, Chocolate Mint, Peppermint Swirl

Type of protein(s): Pea protein

The Good: Tasty protein, not chalky. Compared to the other two brands, this one was the most affordable. I got a 28-serving bag on Amazon at a one time deal for $35. I bought a special twelve pack of holiday flavors (3 each flavor) for $35.
The Not-so-great: Its not very filling. Each serving is only one scoop and at only 110 calories, I don’t find it stays me with very long. It contains 5g of fiber so I expected it to be more filling.

Shakeology

Flavors tried: Peppermint Mocha and Pumpkin Spice (Plant based)

Types of protein: Pea, Rice, and Quinoa protein

The Good: Delicious! Bar none, the best of any of the three brands. More filling than 310, still not super filling although it stayed with me the longest when mixed with Almond Breeze Bananas Almond Milk (go figure).
The Not-so-great: It has actual sugar in it, (although not terrible, 5g). Shakeology is not cheap (I paid $155 for 28 packets), it is direct sales/MLM.

Isagenix Whole Blend

Flavors Tried: Chocolate, Strawberry, Chocolate Plant Based, Banana Plant Based

The Good: ….*crickets*

The Not-so-great: The flavors are okay, the best ones were the Strawberry Whole Blend and Banana Plant Based but neither one of them were special. These had the most calories, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it is supposed to be a meal replacement but these were not filling either, so they just end up being more calories.

The Bad: The whey shakes made me break out, so I had to get a refund of both the chocolate and strawberry shakes. They cost way too much (around $45/bag) to not use them. The chocolate Whole Blend whey had zero flavor, I could taste very little chocolate. The plant based chocolate was better but the plant based shakes are thick, they need a lot more fluid. The plant based shakes also have a definite aftertaste from the pea protein, it’s not inedible but there are so many better options. And of course, its MLM so they are also expensive, although less than Shakeology. (Note: No, I do not hate Isagenix, I am still using their Cleanse for Life products.)

Isagenix and Chasing Cupcakes

As my weight continues to creep, I grow more and more desperate. I end up in the endless loop of binge, pledge to do better, restrict, binge, pledge to do better…and it goes on and on. I tried yet another plant based/vegetarian diet. This time for 90 days from July 25 to October 25. I was miserable and fatter yet again. This time vowing to quit trying to be vegan or vegetarian as I have felt this has only worsened my digestion and my weight over the past year and half. Six weeks of eating though and I don’t feel much better and I swear I’m just getting fatter. I don’t have body dysmorphic disorder. I’m just heavy. How heavy? I don’t know, I haven’t been on a scale since I was working with a personal trainer last summer. I know it’s bad, really bad. So desperate times call for desperate measures. I’ve been meditating regularly mostly doing some of Joe Dispenza’s meditations, in hopes that would help. And most recently, I let a yoga friend talk me into trying Isagenix. An MLM with protein powders and cleanses for a girl that runs a health food store full of both. But I need to do something. And more importantly stick with it. So I completing my first “cleanse day” today with means nothing but Cleanse for Life in water all day. They call it intermittent fasting. Many would call it starvation. But really, there’s nothing wrong with fasting one day a week. The Braggs (yes Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar) always recommended it. As for the diet, shake days as they are called…I’m doing terribly on two shakes a day. I snack constantly just like I normally do. So I’m making zero progress in that department. I’ve certainly done two shakes a day successfully before but that was years ago, like 2004 and I wasn’t working around food all day.

So I need additional help. I bought a book a few months ago with some kindle credits called Chasing Cupcakes by Elizabeth Benton. I didn’t know anything about the book or the author but it sounded interesting and the reviews were good so I bought it. Last night, I started it and it’s like hitting myself in the face. She sounds a lot like me except she’s beat her endless cycle of bingeing and gaining. I’ve read my fair share of food addiction books and they all have an eating plan but no tools. This book has tools and she says over and over again, the tools are still useless if you don’t use them. I keep reading self-help and power of the mind books yet I haven’t been able to really control my behavior. I hope I am close this time. I hope this cleanse day is a start in the right direction. Believing in myself that I have the power to change and focusing on just winning the moment not the battle.

Morning Meltdown 100 Review

Started: Tuesday, April 19, 2020
Completed: Thursday, July 23, 2020

The Workout Program
Five phases of twenty workouts, all 100 workouts are different but there are ten different workouts repeated
Day 1: Cardio Meltdown – lots of high impact cardio (burpees, jumping jack variations, lots of jumping) around 30 minutes
Day 2: Upbeat Strength – 2 sets of six different strength exercises for upper body, 25-30 minutes
Day 3: Core Inferno – Abs, 25-30 minutes
Day 4: Total Body Badass – basically barre, small weights for smaller muscle groups and some plyo, tougher than it looks, around 30 minutes
Day 5: Freestyle Flow – Yoga, 25-30 minutes
Day 6: Lit Cardio – HIIT style cardio, again a LOT of jumping, usually only about 20 minutes
Day 7: Upbeat Strength – same as Upbeat Strength just lower body instead, 30 minutes
Day 8: Fight Club – MMA style fighting-based cardio, 30 minutes
Day 9: Melt-Con – mishmash of the other workouts, two sets of ten moves(1 minute each), 30 minutes
Day 10: Revibe – Tai Chi and stretching, 20-25 minutes

What I Loved
The length of the workouts, many days I was able to do two workouts
The music was great, DJ Jessie Blake is a great addition to the workouts
Jericho, she’s very likeable and does most of the workouts with you, very little running around and “motivating”

What I Didn’t Like
I hated all the high impact cardio. Post childbirth, my pelvic floor just isn’t what it used to be so I have to modify a lot of the jumping.

Overall, it was a good program. I definitely don’t think is sufficient enough for someone already in good shape, the workouts are too short, so for those people it would be better to double up. Also not a good choice if you’re looking for more weight lifting. It makes a pretty good choice if you’re trying to get in shape but I can easily see someone getting pretty frustrated with the advanced cardio, especially early on. It’s hard to pair well with another program because it does incorporate so many different types of workouts. Again, better to double up, they do have a calendar for doubles. I did get a little tired of the workouts by phase 5 but that usually happens with most Beachbody programs for me by the end. That being said, if there’s a Morning Meltdown 2.0 I’m in.

Beachbody on Demand

During this whole COVID crisis, I decided to sign up for Beachbody on Demand. It’s been awhile but I used to be quite the fan of their workouts having completed ChaLEAN Extreme, Insanity, PUMP (no longer a BB program), Insanity Max 30, and T25. For $59 I have a six month subscription to every single Beachbody workout program plus workouts that have never been released via DVD but have on,y been available on the BoD platform. First of all, let me say, I am not a Beachbody coach, I don’t drink Shakeology (I hate MLMs), and no one is paying me to promote Beachbody. I am loving Beachbody on Demand! Why didn’t I do this last year instead of laying $600/month for a personal trainer? The workouts can stream to my TV using our Chromecast and I’ve had zero issues so far.

I’ve been doing Morning Meltdown 100 with trainer Jericho McMatthews. I remember her from the Les Mills PUMP program. At between 21-30 minutes, these workouts are short and sweet. There are the right amount if intensity mist if the time, they are recommended for intermediate and advanced exercisers which I am definitely not advanced and frankly, intermediate feels like a stretch at this point. There are five phases, 20 workouts in each phase. I’ve been doing two a days on the days I can workout to make up for the days I can’t get one in. Some days I do an extra workout like 10 minute Trainer (Tony Horton), Cize (Shaun T), or a yoga workout from the Beachbody Yoga Studio.

It’s funny because I used to work out exclusively at home. I was never a gym rat. It’s a lot more convenient and I have so much variety with all these workouts at my disposal. I’m halfway through Morning Meltdown, I started April 21. I’ve spent a lot of money over the years on weight loss, shakes, pills, workout programs, equipment, books, challenges, you name it. This has probably been the best money I have spent. And for less than I would have spent on one program!

The gyms are back open but I’m still working out at home and I plan to be indefinitely. It’s always where I’ve been most successful and I feel right at home.