Honest Review of the 21 Day Fix

“Just one more bite and I’ll be done.”

“Oh just a little bit more."

These were thoughts that often ran through my head while eating, justifying myself to keep eating when I knew I should have stopped. My portion control was out of control, and I wasn’t sure how to stop. Because of that, I packed on the pounds, grew weaker, and felt awful inside and out.

Most of you know by now that I started my health and fitness journey this year around February. I committed to doing T25, and loved it. I lost around thirty pounds doing the program, and finally finished one for the first time ever. Trust me, it felt good.

But, even though I was working out and getting stronger, I was still filling my body with the wrong foods. I was eating like I was before I started working out, not getting enough fruits and veggies, and just lacking any sort of portion control. However, my body started to crave these things. I started to realize how important good nutrition is, and decided I needed to find a way to work on my nutrition.

I meal planned a little bit, mostly for what lunch and dinner were going to be, and just as a general idea at that. The thought of getting into nutrition and correct portion sizes was intimidating. The idea of adding in fruits and veggies every day, multiple times a day was daunting. And thoughts like, “how do you even cook eggplant or cauliflower?” entered my mind regularly. I knew the nutrition had to change, so I pushed ahead.

Enter the 21 Day Fix.

A workout program with great exercises for thirty minutes, and even more importantly, an amazing nutrition guide and plan. I talked to my husband about it and we decided I could go for it and start this program now that I had finished with T25.

So, what did I find from the 21 Day Fix? In short, amazing results (I lost over 6lbs and 7.5 inches my first round), and even more so, I learned so much about portion control and nutrition.

Here are my PROS and CONS from this program.

Let’s start with the CONS, the list is much shorter.

-It can be intimidating to meal plan at first, and plan out your whole day of eating, which it really is key to do on the 21 Day Fix for the best results.

-It can be overwhelming at first looking at all the foods to eat and trying to figure out HOW to plan from that.

-As with anything health and fitness related, change can be difficult, and learning a new habit comes with ups and downs, good days and hard days.

-It can take a little bit to get into the groove of the meal planning and prepping.

So, not too many cons. Really, overall, there were not a lot of drawbacks on this program for me. I prepared myself mentally for the change ahead, so it wasn’t too bad, but it might be difficult and overwhelming for some people to step into a new way of meal planning and preparing. But, the good news is, it is totally doable, and gets easier over time!

Now for the PROS! Because there are a lot.

-The workouts were the perfect amount of time for me. 30 minutes is my sweet spot!

-The workouts also were great because they cater to all levels of fitness, and are all simple but effective exercises. If you need to go slower, follow the modification. If you want to pick it up a notch, go for it!

-I finally started to understand PORTION CONTROL. This is huge.

-The colored containers were easy to follow and keep track of.

-It’s not a crash diet, you’re eating from every food group, because your body needs the proper nutrition from each group.

-I wasn’t hungry (or hangry). People usually assume if you’re on something like this, you’re starving all day. Not the case here!

-I now know how much of each food category I need to be eating every day, and it’s SO much easier to incorporate fruits and veggies into my diet every day now.

-I have a lot more energy because my body is being properly fueled

-I got great results from it!

Honestly, I could go on for a while about this program. It really has been incredible, and such a huge learning tool in my health and fitness journey. I now feel like I have a much better handle on nutrition, how my body uses food as fuel, and how to eat to nourish my body, not just eat because I’m bored or it looks good.

Another great part of my experience with the 21 Day Fix was being involved in a challenge group. I led a group of a few other ladies who were going through the same program, and we all kept each other encouraged and accountable so we could reach our goals and get results.

I’ve learned that if you put in the consistent effort and work, you’re going to get results. And that’s an amazing thing, and can truly be life changing- it has been in my life. So if you want to join in on one of my challenge groups in the near future, comment or message me and I’ll get you more information! I have a special group happening soon specifically for the 21 Day Fix, and a special deal for it as well.

So let me hear from you now, what’s the hardest thing about nutrition for you?

Personal Transformation

Transforming anything in your life can be intimidating, overwhelming and scary. It requires change, getting out of your comfort zone and finding a new "normal." Whether you are transforming physically, spiritually, emotionally, in your career, or any area, transformation denotes change, and change can be difficult.

But I want to share with you today that you are not alone in your transformation, and that you CAN have transformation in your life, whether that's physical, spiritual, mental, relationally, or whatever. There's one key that I've found that really creates amazing transformations, and I'm going to share it with you in this quick video I made.



The key to any transformation and change in life is consistency. We don't become set in our ways overnight, and to undo our habits takes longer than a day, a week, a month. It takes consistent effort.

Looking on from the outside or by the bigger picture, the daily activities may not seem that important. Some things may seem small, and trivial even. But in reality, those small daily choices compound over time, and will either take you in the direction of your goals, or away from them.

One simple concept that has stuck with me since I began my health and fitness journey encapsulates this fact and gives a good visual as well. Imagine that if immediately after you ate a fast food burger or a sugary cupcake, you gained 100 pounds. Would you eat that hamburger or cupcake? No, probably not. Now imagine that if from the first draw of a cigarette you got lung cancer, would you do it? Probably not.

Usually our immediate gratification desires kick in and we think "well, it's just this once, what harm will it do?" But if we make those small choices again and again, over time, they lead us in the wrong direction. The same is true for healthy choices. If you workout today, are you going to wake up tomorrow with six pack abs? No. If you stay within your caloric range with nutrition today, are you going to lose 100 pounds by tomorrow? No.

The point is, it has taken us each time to get where we are, so we can't expect immediate results in return, either. It takes consistent effort, especially in the small choices.

What is one small choice you can make today that will lead you closer to your transformation story and reaching your goals?

Sesame Chicken

Thailand. The Philippines. Malaysia. Cambodia. China.

Taken in Beijing, China

Five months in five different Asian countries. From November 2011 to the end of March 2012, I spent my time spread across those five Asian countries as part of my World Race route. And let me tell you, I absolutely loved the food.

Me out on the Great Wall of China!

Market in Bangkok, Thailand

I've always loved Asian food, but never cooked much of it. I am completely inspired by the fusion and boldness of the flavors of Asian food. And let me tell you, when I was traveling with the World Race, Asian food was like a gift of heaven. It was full of flavor, which is what I'm all about- bold flavor.

Lately I have been wanting to get into cooking different Asian dishes and try my hand at those unique flavors. So the other night I whipped up and experimented with Sesame Chicken. And let me tell you, it was a winner!

Here's the digs on this delicious recipe inspired by the exotic flavors of Asia!

Sesame Chicken

Ingredients (Makes 4 servings)
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
5 Tbsp. sesame oil, divided
10 Tbsp. soy sauce, divided
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup of corn starch
2 cups of water
2 cloves garlic, minced
To taste: garlic powder, pepper
Optional: ginger and sesame seeds (I did not have either, so I didn't use, but it would compliment the dish well)

Optional:
4 servings of brown rice (about 1 cup uncooked rice cooked in 2 cups of water)
4 servings of cooked snap peas

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 and place chicken in a baking dish.
2. Mix 2 Tbsp sesame oil, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, and a generous pinch of garlic powder and pepper. Pour over chicken, and bake chicken about 20 minutes until mostly cooked through. Don't overcook because you will be putting the chicken on heat with the sesame sauce.
3. Heat remaining 3 Tbsp of sesame oil in a large skillet (a deeper skillet is best for this), over medium high heat.
4. Mince garlic, lower heat to medium and cook 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together soy sauce, water and corn starch until blended, and mix into sesame and garlic mixture. Add honey in right after.
6. Heat through until it starts to thicken a little.
7. Take your chicken out and chop into smaller pieces, then place in the sauce.
8. Note, if the sauce starts getting too thick, you can thin it out with more water.
9. Let the chicken and sauce blend together and cook over medium about 5-10 minutes.
10. Season with garlic powder (I used about 2-3 teaspoons, but I love garlic), and black pepper. You can also add more soy sauce if you like the flavor. If you are using ginger and sesame seeds, add at this point.
11. Serve over a bed of rice with snap peas, and enjoy!

What's your favorite Asian dish? Share below, I love learning new recipes! 

Body, Heart and Soul

Many of you know, and some of you may not, that every month I hold different challenge groups. Some are thirty to sixty days and revolve around health and fitness. Others are just seven days long and vary on topic from clean eating to how to create your own hand lettering pieces at home.

Well I've been brainstorming and I have come up with a really exciting new program that I will be launching this fall! My heart is totally in this one and I cannot wait to see it come to life.

As I have embarked on my own journey to health since February of this year, the one thing I have really noticed is that even though my original main goal was to get physically healthy, I have seen changes in all areas of my life.

I have seen physical transformation in the form of pounds and inches lost on my body. I have seen my energy increase, which has led to me dealing with situations in a better mindset and better emotional state. I have noticed that my energy and zest for life and being adventurous with my husband has increased.

My daily quiet time with the Lord has become more consistent and my brain feels clearer and less foggy throughout the day. I have put more discipline and passion into my work and my daily routines and interactions with people.

The transformation has not only been physical, but across the board. And that is what I am passionate about. Specifically in reaching out to other women. I know that I have only tapped the surface of potential in my own life, and it has ignited my passion to reach out to other women and lead the way.

That has led me to this new seven day group called "Body, Heart and Soul." For one week, I will teach women about exercise, healthy eating, and their Biblical identity in Christ. Every day will involve me posting a specific, easy but effective exercise to follow. I will also be posting a healthy recipe, and over the week you will get ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

Lastly, and most importantly, I will be teaching from one of the most influential passages of scripture in my life, Ephesians 1. I struggled severely growing up with realizing my identity in Christ, and it's a passion of mine to teach what I have learned. So many of our body issues come from a deeper rooted identity issue.

The climax of the week will be something I am most excited about- a live event here in the Atlanta, Georgia area! I will gather together those from the group that are local to the area, and we will spend a few hours one morning on the weekend to be together.

It will be a morning filled with a workout together, a delicious brunch and time of fellowship, followed by a time of individual and corporate prayer. I'll be pulling out a lot of stops and my mind is already filled with tons of Pinterest-y ideas. So if you are in the Atlanta area, you are not going to want to miss this!

The dates for the group are still to be determined, but please message me or comment below if you want to be a part of this exciting new seven day group, I would love to have you be a part of it and learn how to incorporate some healthy ideas into your life and be in community with other awesome women!

Progress Not Perfection

I heard a great quote once on an inspirational talk I was listening to, and it struck a chord with me.

"Often we overestimate the event, and underestimate the process."

That is so true, and I have found myself guilty of that sometimes in my health and fitness journey. We see pictures of where we want to be, know what exactly we want our bodies to look like in the end, and in our typical American mindset...we want it NOW.

We think "if I was only at this weight, or this size, THEN I would be happy."
"If I just got this promotion, THEN I would be happy."
"If we just found this certain kind of house, THEN I would be happy."
"If he/she would just do this, THEN I would be happy."

I want to encourage you...don't get stuck in the end results. Set your sights on your goals and dreams, and dream BIG, yes. But don't put all your stock in that one event, because it will come and go and leave you chasing after the next thing like chasing after a wind that just won't stand still.

Find beauty in the process, because I'm telling you, no matter what your journey, whether to health, a different career, a different place in your relationship, there is beauty there. We go through seasons in life- we have to. Find the joy in each season.

The process has not always been easy for me. There are days that I feel bloated and "fluffy" as I tell my husband and he affectionately reminds me "No, you're beautiful. Fluffy is a three headed dog, and you are NOT fluffy." (For those of you who caught that Harry Potter quote, I applaud you!)

Point is, it's not all rainbows and sunshine. There are rainy days. But you know what? There's something beautiful and freeing even in a rainy day. And without those hard days, we would not grow. If it was easy, we wouldn't get stronger. We wouldn't change.

EMBRACE the process.

I'm learning day by day on how to embrace the process, because I know reaching my "goal weight" won't signal the end of my journey in the health and fitness realm. It will just transition into something new, because this is a lifestyle that I am setting for myself.

One of my biggest lessons from learning how to love this process in my journey to health...taking pictures. Sure, it can be uncomfortable at first. You may not enjoy what you see in the mirror. But if you are staying consistent, working out, watching what you eat, you should be seeing results week to week.

I've made it a point to take pictures every week. You might not see a HUGE difference just from week to week, there are weeks that I don't see a huge change. But when you compare your first to your last, you WILL see that change, and remember why the process is all worth it.

Take those small steps every day, and you will get there. Love the process. Laugh, cry, dance, sing...LIVE. Don't get caught up in the event, but dream big and DAILY go after it, enjoying every day for the blessing that God has given us. 

A Healthier Me

Let me take you back just six short months ago- to January of this year. I had just gotten married to my best friend, started a new job, and was transitioning into a new season of life.

But something was wrong. I was happy, yes. Overjoyed, in fact, to be able to spend every day with my husband, and dig into my new job and learn the ropes. But my body felt awful.

I was constantly tired, my ankles hurt in the morning when I got up. I felt weak. I ran out of breath easily. I told my husband that his legs were longer than mine when we would be out walking and that's why I was walking slower than him. But I knew, deep down, that I was headed in a bad direction. And at 25, my health was going downhill.

It all started two years ago when I returned home to the U.S. after being overseas for eleven months on the World Race (an eleven month missions trip to eleven different countries...you can see my blog recaps in older posts). So I came home having lost about twenty pounds over that year, which was awesome. But then, I started craving American food.

I saw things like bagels, bacon, cheese, pizza, Mexican food, In-n-Out Burger (for those of you fellow west-coasters, you know how amazing that is), and on and on. My mind was saying "oh you've been 'deprived' of that for a year! Go ahead and treat yourself!"

Well, I treated myself. And treated. And treated. And treated. Basically I ate everything bad for me, again and again. I packed on all the weight I had lost, plus more, and I was heavier than I had ever been before. And I was in denial about it. I wouldn't even step on a scale, because I was afraid of what I would see. I knew I needed to stop, but I didn't.

Finally, this January, I decided something had to give, or I was going to wind up with serious health issues. I wanted to be around for a long time with my wonderful hubby and our one day children and family, and the thought of them pushed me forward to a decision.

It took me until February to commit and get started. But my husband and I ordered T25, and we started it. Before T25 I had never completed a fitness program. I would always start and then lose motivation and just stop and go back to how things were. This time, with my husband at my side, I pushed through  the entire ten weeks and finished!

(Picture on the left was 4 weeks into T25, picture on the right was 6 weeks later after finishing T25!)

I am now on my second program, and focusing on my nutrition. I can't even explain how good it feels to know that I FINISHED. I accomplished it. And now, I'm moving forward, and continuing. This journey has been incredible, and I know it's just the beginning.

I have a long road ahead of me still, but I'm taking it one day at a time. If you would have told me a year ago that I would be working out every single day consistently, I would have laughed at you. That was just not me. Sure I liked doing active things. But workout every day? No way.

Oh how things have changed, and so much for the better! I not only workout every day, but I enjoy it! I love watching my body transform and feel myself gain more energy and strength.

I'm here to tell you that YOU can do it. Yes, you. You who has given up hope that you could ever change. You can. You who thinks it's just too hard or there's not enough time. It's not too hard, and you do have time, you may have to make sacrifices, but I'm telling you, it's worth it.

YOU are worth the time and investment. Your health is worth it. Just because you feel fine now doesn't mean all those chemicals and things you are putting in your body won't rear their ugly head later. Take time and do something good for your body and your life.

You are more than a number on a scale. You are more than your pants size. You are more than how many push ups you can or can't do. And YOU are worth it. If I can do this, YOU CAN TOO.

This is why I love being a coach. Being able to share my story with you, and hopefully offer you HOPE to know that you can do this! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I love helping others!

(Picture on the left was taken March 2014, Picture on the right taken June 2014)