Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Beachbody Ultimate Reset: Week One

After the holiday seasons, many people are looking for a way to cleanse their bodies and remove the toxins that they've built up over the past days, weeks, months and even years. New years resolutions are made, diets are determined and goals are set. When choosing a good detox program, look for one that will include meal plans that are natural and pure so that body functions can improve without deprivation. This year, I chose to challenge myself to complete the Beachbody Ultimate Reset.

The Ultimate Reset meal plan includes a full diet for 21 days, which is nothing like a starvation diet. It will help in the process of getting your body to its maximum well-being. The kit includes: a Participant Guide Book with all the information you need, plus a three-week eating plan with recipes, cooking tips, shopping lists and more to help you change your eating routines completely. It includes Six Essential Supplements: detox, alkalinize, oxygenize, mineralize, optimize and revitalize—just what your body needs for an ultimate reset. There is extensive support from your Team Beachbody coach and other team members available online anytime. 

Week 1: Reclaim
In this phase, animal products and refined foods are gradually removed while adding lots of veggies.

The Food
As part of the 21-day program, I took on an additional challenge of shopping, prepping and cooking all of the meals for myself and my main squeeze (he's usually the kitchen aficionado). If I can be honest, it's been quite time consuming but perhaps one of my favorite parts of the Reset. Not only is it helping me to build my confidence in the kitchen and working with ingredients I've never seen (wakame, for example) but going through the process of creating the meals, I am finding myself appreciating and enjoying them more. Overall, I found the meals to be substantial and tasty. I definitely had some favorites along the way, here's a sampling of the meals that are included with the program:

Breakfasts
Day 1: 2 slices whole grain toast, 2 scrambled eggs, generous portion of steamed spinach
Day 6: 1 slice of whole grain toast, Baked Tempeh, 1/8 sliced avocado, 1/2 cup steamed spinach
 


Lunchs
Day 4: Nori Rolls with Tempeh and Veggies, Microgreen Salad, Lentil Lime Salad
Day 7: Zucchini-Cashew Soup and Microgreen Salad w/ avocado

 
Dinners  
Day 1: Baked Salmon, 1 cup steamed asparagus w/ lemon, 3/4 cup boiled baby potatoes
Day 2: Black Beans and Rice, 1/4 cupcorn, salsa, 1/4 cup guacamole, 1 corn tortilla, and Kale with Pine Nuts 


Day 3: Nori Rolls with Tempeh and Veggies, Japanese Cucumber Salad, and Miso Soup **my favorite**

 

                         The Supplements
Oxygenize: Liquid oxygen helps to boost your immune system and keeps the body's cells unclogged. These drops that are taken prior to each meal help to detoxify your body and prevent premature aging by providing additional oxygen. 
Mineralize: Natural salt adds natural minerals needed in your body. Adding Mineralize to water that you drink throughout the Reset aids the digestive tract and regulates water content, supporting cellular function.
Optimize: Systematic enzymes play an important role in all body functions. This supplement is taken prior to each meal helps promote optimal immune and inflammatory responses
Alkalinize: For maximum health, your blood should be slightly alkaline. This highly concentrated drink made of greens helps bring your body to a healthy pH balance.



My Experience
Throughout Week 1 my energy levels were HIGH. I did not experience any mid-afternoon crashes, like I generally do around 3:00. I slept well through the night and woke up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day - mainly because I was pretty excited about prepping and eating breakfast with my guy. It was a giant shift not to rush to my 6am workout in a sleepy haze, but I've embraced the experience. My clothes definitely feel looser and I am down 5lbs at the end of Week 1. 

While the shopping and prep took quite a bit of time, I enjoyed putting my energy into that. I didn't have many major cravings and actually was eating a few things that I wouldn't normally (greek yogurt and whole grain bread). I felt energized and wanted to talk about the Reset to anyone who would listen. If you want to talk about it, I'd be happy to. 

 If you have questions about the Beachbody Ultimate Reset or want more information, please feel free to ask: vickiewags@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/vickiewags