21 Day Fix - To Do or Not To Do

21 Day Fix works.... but it made me become so neurotic about putting my foods in the containers that I was brought to hysterics over the thought of going out to eat for a grandmother's birthday. Something it has taken me a year and a 30lb gain to get over. As a survivor of the Beachbody Coach phenomena, It's a good program but if you're not 100% into it, then don't bother.

Do the workout dvds, but ignore the containers. Find what your calorie intake should and log food on MFP. If you can, try to get the dvds on eBay.

I'm not into the container system. It doesn't really teach you what you should learn to make it a lifestyle. The workouts are nice though, I just prefer counting calories and macros and actually learning about what foods I love and how I can fit them into my daily routine.

Costco sells 20 assorted color and size food storage containers for $15. And that's what 21 day fix is based on.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I LOVE the workouts! I use MFP to keep track of my calories, so I don't use the container system. However, I really enjoy the workouts. (Well, except for upper body day. I HATE upper body day! ) I like that each workout is 30 minutes long and that there is a new target each day: Total Body Cardio, Upper Body, Lower Body, Pilates, etc. Each day is different, and I love that!

Yes, it's got a crappy name, because we all know you can't "fix" your body in 21 days. However, if you do multiple rounds of it, and I have, you WILL see a difference. I think the important thing is that this "system" will get you in a routine, and once you're in that routine, you can move beyond the 30 minute workout. (Like TurboFire, which is SO much fun, but has longer workouts).

Oh! For the record, I am NOT a Beachbody coach nor have I ever been one. I just love and enjoy some of their workouts.

I was so overwhelmed and frustrated by the container system that I lasted two days. I enjoyed the workouts for those two days, but then my DVD started skipping and I took it as a sign that this wasn't the program for me. I'd much rather weigh my veggies on a food scale than try to cram as many as possible into whatever color container.

Another vote for do the workouts, if you'd like. But save your money and track your eating on MFP.

Ok a lot of people here did not read or do research this diet works for multiple reasons! First of all they give u a specific food list that works because it's healthy food that targets specific fat burning and etc. then basically the containers are for portion control which so many of us lack measure your food then place it in another container eventually you will learn how to use portion control without them that's the point. You can practice any exercise regimen and it will work. Obviously if u need to lose a lot of weight reatart every 21 days until you reach ur goal!!! But this diet WORKS 100%

jpoutney wrote: »

Thanks guys. Yeah, sounds too militaristic for me...and I don't want my kids seeing all the tupperware and me going mad over portions. MFP has helped a lot with portion control so that by dinner, I know exactly what and how much to put on my plate. I don't log in front of my kids; just want them to see Mom eating better and exercising and feeling great. My friend is a BeachBody Coach by the way, but honestly she's just wanting to help. Wasn't pushing it on me. Our stories were just so similar and that's what worked for her.

I did it before and don't regret it, but now that I'm using MFP I don't think I'll ever do the program again. If you are measuring/weighing your food already and doing well calorie counting, then I don't think you'd get much from it. What I liked about it was that I really only used the containers the first day and ended up weighing food and using the containers as measuring cups thereafter. I quickly learned it was about focusing on lean proteins, complex carbs, veggies and fruits. It trained me to eat A LOT more vegetables and I found myself quite satisfied and healthy feeling. The workouts were okay, but nothing special. I found the food focus to be the most unique thing about the program and loved how it got me eating more nutritionally packed foods.

I didn't last the full 21 days because frankly I missed popcorn, cheese, hummus, nuts, and junk food. Having either 2 tbsp of hummus OR a serving of nuts OR some cheese - I couldn't last. And I can enjoy those things while I calorie count still. MFP kind of un-21dayfixed my brain so that I didn't feel guilty having chocolate or milk in my coffee or chips... I just now weight/measure and track and still lose.

And there are times I'm tempted to go back to the program to clean up my eating a bit (ie: start eating more veggies or cut back on empty calories) but then I think "I can just start telling myself to have 5 servings of vegetables today and that gives me exactly what the 21 day fix gave me."