So, I have been following My Adventure to Fit pretty much ever since I created my Fitness Instagram.
She is the creator of the 21 Day Meal Plan.
To put this as simply as possible, this is a "meal plan" that is just a list of "allowed foods".
The premise is, for 21 days ONLY eat the foods that are on the list.
That's it!!!
Then, you can take a break or continue with another 3 week round.
The goal is to make this plan work for your life, and to make it a lifestyle as the new way you think about food & eat.
I considered buying it for quite a while, but could never quite talk myself into it.
However, on St. Paddy's Day, she had a 50% off sale & I could not pass that up!
So, I finally bought it.
Once I got the plan, I wrote down a grocery list. Figured I would be able to fit it all into our usual budget, if I did half at a time. Bought the first half last week, will be buying the last half tomorrow.
As of my last weigh in, I am only 19lbs away from my goal, 145!!!
By Sunday, which will be my "Day One", I should be 18lbs away.
I will be weighing myself, and doing all of my measurements Sunday morning, so that I can compare all aspects of any losses that I experience by day 21.
It seems that many people lose 10-20lbs during their first round!
I am NOT expecting to lose even close to that! I know that because I don't have a ton left to lose, that it may not come off quite as quickly, and I am ok with that!
As you know, I have no issues with losing slowly. In fact, I prefer to do so!
That is NOT my reasoning behind wanting to start the plan. I don't want a quick fix for the last 20ish pounds! I just want to get myself into a "better" eating routine prior to reaching my goal, so that I will be able to change my eating habits easier for my next steps! I will already be in a better eating routine by then, and not just have to dive in head first.
So, obviously, once I reach my goal, I will assess (I do NOT foresee wanting/needing to lose any more than what I have planned), and if I'm good with 145 (like I know I will be) I will begin maintenance mode!!! That will be 2 or 3 months of staying within a 5lb range of my final weight (so, between 140-150)!
After I know that I can handle maintaining my weight, I will begin focusing on toning!
Mainly, arms & abs! (P.S. especially abs lmao)
From what I can tell, based on the research I've been doing about toning your abs, food matters WAY more for that than it does for losing weight!!!
Mostly due to sodium intake and the amount of protein you're getting. That is a key factor to the 21 Day Meal Plan. It's all whole foods and focused on low sodium (basically, no added salt.. just the salt that you get naturally).
Another HUGE factor that made me want to try the plan out was the fact that tracking is not required. I am hoping that I can try to not track for a portion of my maintenance period. Maybe a month or so in, not at first.
Obviously, tracking my meals for the rest of my life is far from ideal! Haha. So, I'm hoping that this will help get me to a point where I can manage my weight, without obsessing over every single calorie that goes into my mouth.
That freedom means more to me than ANYTHING else that this plan may give my life.
Tiffany recommends that the first round is done 100% compliant. Then, if you so choose, you may add in some things that are not on the list of foods, given that they are still fairly healthy & natural. I know that for me, the first thing I will add back are my protein shakes! Haha. It's not the "most" natural thing in the world, but it is healthy & all in all, it's not a bad addition.
Those are my reasons & goals for myself on the plan.. Here's a quick rundown of my plan of attack!
First of all, like I mentioned earlier, I made a list of all of the compliant foods that I would eat. I have purchased half already, and will purchase the rest tomorrow.
I, also, purchased "meal prep" dishes. Glass ones that I can put in the oven, microwave, dishwasher, etc..
I am going to choose one or two meals each week, and I am going to prep 2 or 3 days worth at a time.
I don't really eat breakfast, I just have my protein shakes on gym days & coffee the other mornings. So, I will be trying to figure out a good smoothie recipe for my mornings, that I will continue to drink on my off days after the first 3 weeks (because I will add my shakes back in after the first round).
Then, I will eat whatever meal I prepped for lunch & dinner for a couple of days.
I figure if I only prep 4 to 6 servings, it will hold up well. I don't want to do too much more, in fear that it will spoil.
So, every 2 or 3 days, I will switch up my meal. If that starts making me angry (eating the same thing two days straight), I will prep two different meals at once & alternate each day.
I am new to this whole meal prep business. Haha.
Any tips would be appreciated.
Snacks, that should be a bit easier.
The list of compliant snacks is pretty limited, unless you create your own snacks. So, I am thinking I will keep it simple the first round!
I feel like after 3 weeks, I will feel more comfortable navigating on a day to day basis & will get a little more adventurous!
So, this is my main plan, as of now..
If you're already on the plan, let me know how you're doing.
