My Experiences with a Country Heat Beachbody Challenge

Country Heat, Beachbody, Shakeology and Me

Let me start by just prefacing this.  I was a little apprehensive (like I assume many of you are) about signging up to do a beachbody challenge.  I have incorporated some of their other programs such as Insanity, P90X and T25 into my workout routine for some time, but I have never actually completed an entire challenge start to finish and followed the nutrition plan.  Let me tell you.. I WAS DOING IT WRONG BEFORE NOW.  I am here to share my experiences with using the workouts, the shakes and the nutrition plan for anyone who may be interested in learning a little more about it.

The Before and Current ( I'm always a work in progress, in more ways than one :)  )

Inches Lost by Part

Weight:

Starting Weight: 195.8

End ChallengeWeight: 187.2

Total Weight Lost During 30 days of Country Heat: 8.6 lbs

Average Weight Lost per week:  2.04 lbs

My weight loss is super average and what is considered healthy and safe by most professionals.

Inches:

Total Inches Lost: 7.6

Where I was mentally/physically

I had just finished buying and renovating my house. I had gradually put on 50+ lbs over the last two years in preparation for the move as well as too much gluttony with my main squeeze (you can see him in other posts here on my blog).  I had been active up until that point, training and running half marathons and always at the gym, until I just stopped doing it all. I couldnt tell you why, I'm still not really sure why I did, but I do know the effect that it had.  It was harder to move, harder to get going. I felt like garbage ALL.THE.TIME. So I knew something had to change. 

I was emotionally broken as well, as I weighed more than I have ever weighed before. I am pretty sure I was over 200lbs but I avoided a scale for a bit, until I started going to the gym again, and when I did weigh in.. it showed me as 198.9.  This was a huge shock for me. I had never seen my weight crawl that high. I think before this time, the last high number I had seen on myself was 188 in 2013, and that was also scary to me.  

This prompted me to go into overdrive. I was working out 4-5 days a week and using a calorie counting app to monitor my intake and my progress. Well, there wasn't a whole lot of progress. I think in 5 weeks I lost maybe 3 lbs. I hit bottom. I know, as most know, that the older you get, the harder things get, but I mean, I am only in my 30s!

My Thoughts During the Workouts

For any beginner to fitness, I really recommend this workout program! The steps are pretty easy to follow, and the program itself eases you into harder combinations week by week (so it isn't all thrown at your at once). I think that Autumn is great, as well as many of the background dancers and the modifier Julie. On the topic of the modifier- she does a great job of showing you the moves as low impact as possible, and the editing crew did a great job of showing her on the moves that you may be more likely to modify (mostly jumping moves). The program comes with additional videos to learn the steps prior to pushing play. I didnt actually use the step videos, as I have a dance background and can pick up choreography relatively quickly (with the exception of wacky feet which I have yet to master).  I really loved the dance conditioning video as I felt like it was more true to my dance roots with many plies and releves through in there. 

I used a Fitbit to track my calorie burn, and I actually burned less than the estimated 300 for the program. My calorie burn would range from 225-275 on average, unless I also did Dance Conditioning, in which I would hit around 450 calories burned. I basically just recalculated my portion container needs based on the calories (which actually didn't change).  More about the portion control system below!

My Thoughts on the Portion Control System

The portion control system is WAY FREAKING EASIER to use than a scale.  With the whole challenge pack, you are given a meal plan guide to help you figure out your calorie goal which tells you how many of each container you need daily.  It is based off your weight and expected calorie burn, then calculates in a deficit.  I was in the 1500 calorie level, which always seemed like enough food.  Included in the meal plan is also 3 days worth of sample plans (which is actually more as each meal lists 2-3 different options). The goal is to eat 3 main meals, and 2 snacks. This system, and similar methods, always works well with me, as I tend to want to eat snacks.  I love the portion containers MUCH better than having to use measuring cups and a scale to portion, as it is much easier to just plop a bunch of food in the container and dump it on your plate.

Overall, it is an easy system to follow, and I will continue to use it when I start the 21 Day Fix this next week!

My Thoughts on the Shakeology Shakes

So I was like most people out there about the shakeology shakes- skeptical, but now.. I AM A BELIEVER. Anyone who knows me knows I have some serious stomach issues. I had been diagnosed with IBS and many other issues related to that.  I always had an upset stomach and felt poorly at least one day a week, but now I feel so much better! Shakeology is not just a protein shake or a meal replacement. It is a game changer.  I no longer need coffee first thing in the morning, I haven't had an upset stomach in I can't tell you how long, and the vitamins and minerals keep my immune system strong.  Even when all my co-workers were getting sick around me, I managed to stay germ free (it's the way to be!).  Overall, I love these shakes, and I am so happy 

Want to try it with me?

If you are interested in joining me or one of the challenge groups I run, please contact me at engrbriannefit@gmail.com or through the link to the left (shop) or below.  

I hope to hear from you. :)

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