21 Day Fix - REAL results/opinions ..no coaches

What happens on day 22?

If you still have more weight to lose you do another round. Some of the success stories report losing almost 100 lbs in doing 10 rounds. That's almost a whole year.

I lost 91lbs in 12 months with MFP, it was free and I ate all the foods I love...

21 day fix has worked for a lot of people because it simplifies healthy eating. It is designed to teach portion control, and clean eating. Its only 21 days because that is what it takes the average person to create a habit.

Actually, the '21 days to create a habit' idea is a myth. Not a lick of truth to it whatsoever. Habit formation is dependent on individual differences and the activity that one is trying to turn into a habit.

http://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/hbrc/2012/06/29/busting-the-21-days-habit-formation-myth/

So if we take averages into consideration, it'd be more like a 66 Day Fix... maybe.

Something different works for everyone. The 21 day fix has helped me. It has helped me learn more about portion sizes. The starch container is tiny, I didn't realize the one serving of grains I was counting was really two-three servings. It tells you how many allotted containers of each color you can have for the day. I print off tally sheets I found someone make and just block off the containers as I go throughout the day. I think before I was eating 4-5 starches and a lot of those are replaced with vegetables and fruit now. I always had an aversion to fruit b/c I thought it was too much sugar and I'd rather get my carbs from vegetables or grains. I lost 5 lbs. the first week and 2-2.5 lbs. each week after. I am on my second round now. I enjoy the workouts. Something different every day and it is very doable, only approx. 30 minutes for each workout and you get a variety! I will say, the second round I am doing my own workouts. I love to run. So I do 3-4 runs per week and 3 videos from the 21 day fix each week and have the same results in terms of weight loss and energy.

If food scales and measuring and calorie counting works, great. I always struggle with staying consistent with that though. This is less tedious and less time consuming. I felt with calorie counting, I always ended up with too few at the end of the day and it was hard for me to find something I could eat for only 150 calories. I also didn't have really balanced macronutrients. That is just me, I know there are a lot of successful people on here calorie counting and measuring. I finally feel like I have reached a turning point and found what works for me. To each their own but I like the 21 day fix. I usually fill the containers then dump them on a plate so I can learn to visualize what each serving looks like. This helps for the time when you do go out to eat at a restaurant.

Something different works for everyone. The 21 day fix has helped me. It has helped me learn more about portion sizes. The starch container is tiny, I didn't realize the one serving of grains I was counting was really two-three servings. It tells you how many allotted containers of each color you can have for the day. I print off tally sheets I found someone make and just block off the containers as I go throughout the day. I think before I was eating 4-5 starches and a lot of those are replaced with vegetables and fruit now. I always had an aversion to fruit b/c I thought it was too much sugar and I'd rather get my carbs from vegetables or grains. I lost 5 lbs. the first week and 2-2.5 lbs. each week after. I am on my second round now. I enjoy the workouts. Something different every day and it is very doable, only approx. 30 minutes for each workout and you get a variety! I will say, the second round I am doing my own workouts. I love to run. So I do 3-4 runs per week and 3 videos from the 21 day fix each week and have the same results in terms of weight loss and energy.

If food scales and measuring and calorie counting works, great. I always struggle with staying consistent with that though. This is less tedious and less time consuming. I felt with calorie counting, I always ended up with too few at the end of the day and it was hard for me to find something I could eat for only 150 calories. I also didn't have really balanced macronutrients. That is just me, I know there are a lot of successful people on here calorie counting and measuring. I finally feel like I have reached a turning point and found what works for me. To each their own but I like the 21 day fix. I usually fill the containers then dump them on a plate so I can learn to visualize what each serving looks like. This helps for the time when you do go out to eat at a restaurant.

I am doing the 21 Day Fix right now, and I have to agree with the above statements! I was on MFP for a loooong time. I lost weight, gained weight, stayed the same weight... it's been years of ups and downs. I finally realized that counting calories isn't for me. I am GOOD at it. Too good. I stress about it and I get neurotic about it, and then I overeat because I'm a stress eater. Or I don't eat enough and I start getting too excited about being under my 1200 calorie goal (which I know is terrible, but that's what I was starting to feel).

Yes, you could easily create your own "21 Day Fix" by figuring out your own containers at the dollar store and figuring out how many to eat, and picking your own workouts. I could have done that, if I'd researched enough. But I'm glad I purchased it. My coach is a good friend of mine and she leads a Facebook fitness group that is not centered around BeachBody, but she knows the program I'm on and is really great about giving awesome advice. I love the workout plan because 21 Day Fix comes with a different workout for each day of the week! 30 minutes, easy peasy (but it will make you SWEAT). I can incorporate my running schedule into the workout regime as well.

I am eating a more balanced diet than ever before. When I'm done with my allotted containers for the day, I know I've not only had the right amount of calories, I've also gotten an assortment of nutrients and eaten those calories in a balanced way. Counting calories, I could each my limit in one meal, easily, if I'm not paying attention to portion sizes or food quality or types of food.

Anyway, that's my two cents. I am only on Day 3 and I'm super happy I'm doing the program. My energy level is soaring, even though I was getting over a cold when I started a few days ago. I haven't been craving sugar. I look forward to my meals, I eat snacks all throughout the day.... my body is happy with what's happening. :-)

If you have the money, go for it. Why not? Follow the program and enjoy every minute of it. Learn how to incorporate its teachings into a life and plan you can maintain. Don't have the money? Research the hell out of it and try and come up with your own thing. But keep the support system! Whether you have a coach or a friend group or a Facebook group or MFP, support is key in weight loss success.

Most grocery stores carry a wide variety of these: http://www.glad.com/food-storage/containers/ (they even have a few color lid options).

P.S. There are also tons of free workout videos on youtube.

At the end of the day, any program has the ability to work or not work. Everyone is going to swear by their individual program because it's what works for them and it's what they believe in.

What it's going to come down to is consistency. Pick an activity you enjoy doing so that you continue to do it for the long haul. Food wise, invest in a set of measuring spoons from the dollar store and some pretty containers to match (I bought some really cute ones from Walmart).

Give yourself a free pass on non-starchy veggies and fruit and eat until you're satisfied. Use your hand to measure meats and cheese (Google hand food measurement). Measure grains and starches using your newly acquired tools. Keep it simple.

Best of luck on whatever you choose.

I did the 21 Day Fix, and on Day 22, I didn't realise it was Day 22 and kept with the eating plan. It really changed the way I approached food and eating and in general, my fitness goals. Before it, I was very careful about what I was eating, I weighed my food, and I tried to adhere to a DIY 21DF-esque eating routine. It didn't work as well for me because at the end of the day, what the 21DF did was provide me with accountability. And I second everyone who suggested Fitness Blender. They're great. I second everyone who asks about Day 22. For me, I continued it because it was a lifestyle change, but not everyone will. It depends on what you need.

I am happy to share more details on my weight loss, but I am tired of people spreading negativity on these boards so would prefer to share via private message.

No matter what you decide, good luck! I'm happy to be in touch either way!

Today is day 3 for me. I have already learned a lot about my eating habits. I tend to over eat healthy foods...especially hummus! Last night when I filled my blue container with hummus, it was clear I had a portion control problem. My opinion this far: I am not hungry at all, actually have more to eat than I can fit in. My body hurts from yesterday's Pilates video. The best bonus...this morning my face is not bloated, no puffy eyes! I am 46, 207 lbs, fitness beginner.

I also know that this is not just a temporary solution. I bought this program so I will know what to eat and how much to eat after the program ends. I will probably end up using the containers after the program as well.