21 Day Fix: Week 1: Meals + Thoughts

I started 21 Day Fix last month in preparation for my upcoming 30th birthday on October 7. I gave myself a #FItBy30 challenge. I had been working on losing 15 lbs for a few months now and although i would get close and lose 6 lbs or so I would gain them back, in a weekend no less. But I was (am) determined to not only reach my goal but change my body by my birthday and set out to complete the 21 day Fix challenge as well as became a coach (rep) you can read more about that here.

To detox my body, prepare me mentally, curb my sweet tooth and clear my  palate my coach suggested a 3 day Shakeology - a nutritional meal replace shake that curbs appetite, helps burn fat and regulates digestion - cleanse, I lost 3.4lbs with the cleanse. 

During my first official week following the 21 day fix eating plan and workouts I lost another pound.  I ate anywhere from 4-6 times in a day and did one 30min workout a day for 6 days out of the week. I fell in the 1,500-1,799 calorie bracket based on my height. That means that I can eat 4 green containers, 3 purple containers, 4 red, 3 yellow, 1 blue and 1 orange container as well as 4 teaspoons in a day.

What I Learned

• I ate (can eat) "man" sized portions
• when I'm only allowed to eat certain things I want others more
• I wasn't eating nearly enough fruits 
• I wasn't eating enough veggies
• Vegetables can be really filling 
• I was eating way too many carbs
• It is hardest for me on weekends
• Tracking with photos, a log or check list really helps
• Meal prepping and/or menu planning are really helpful
• Taking it meal by meal makes the journey easier
• Each day is a new start so I don't beat myself up if I missed a container or workout

Day 1

Meal 1: 

• Whole wheat waffle- 1 yellow
  
• 1/2 banana- 1 purple
  
• 3 sausages- 1 red
  
• honey- 2 teaspoon

Meal 2:

• Strawberry Shakeology- 1 red
  

Meal 3: 

• Pear- 1 purple

Meal 4:

• 3 turkey meatballs- 1 red
  
• quinoa- 1 yellow
  
• broccoli- 1 green
  
• cheddar cheese- 1 blue
  

Meal 5:

• spring mix- 1 green
  
• moro (rice & beans)- 1 yellow
  
• chicken thigh- 1 red
  

Meal 6:

• strawberries- 1 purple
  
• nutella- 1 orange
  

Day 2 

Meal 1: 

• Honey bunches of oats cereal- yellow
  
• Milk- yellow
  
• 1/2 banana- purple
  

Meal 2:

• Vanilla Shakeology- red
  
• 1/2 banana- purple

Meal 3:

• salted sunflower seeds- orange
  

Meal 4:

• turkey meatballs- red
  
• broccoli- green
  
• cheddar cheese- blue
  
• quinoa- yellow
  

Meal 5:

• corn tortilla- yellow
  
• spring mix- green
  
• pulled pork- red
  

Meal 6:

• pear- purple
  

Day 3

Meal 1:

• Whole wheat waffle- yellow
  
• 1/2banana- purple
  
• sausage- red
  
• syrup- 2 teaspoons
  

Meal 2:

• Zucchini pasta- 2 green
  
• turkey meatball- red
  

Meal 3:

• Chocolate shakeology- red
  
• 1/2 banana- purple
  

Meal 4:

• sunflower seeds- orange
  

Day 4

Meal 1:

• eggs- red
  
• turkey sausage- red
  
• oatmeal- yellow
  

Meal 2:

• moro negro(rice & beans)- yellow
  
• chicken thigh- red
  
• beets, carrots, peas- green

Meal 3: 

• baby carrots- green

Meal 4 & 5:

• Strawberry Shakeology- red
  
• strawberries- purple
  
• mango-purple
  
• oatmeal- yellow

Day 5

Meal 1:

• Vanilla shakeology- red
  
• mango- purple

Meal 2:

• eggs- red 
  
• turkey meatballs + sausage- red
  
• oatmeal- yellow
  

Meal 3:

• carrots- green
  
• ranch- 2 teaspoons
  

Meal 4:

• chicken thigh- red
  
• roasted red potato- yellow 
  
• asparagus- green

Meal 5:

• Pear- purple
  

Um, this program is supposed to be so awesome but you only lost 1lb your first week Alicia?! What gives? If you noticed I either had extra of one container or not enough. Basically I didn't follow Autumn Calabrese's eating exactly as indicated and this is ok with me. I am not a bikini competitor nor aspiring to be one. I simply wanted to learn portion control which i have and with this program I almost feel like I had my own personal nutritionist create a nutrition guide for me. 

I am Dominican, moro and sazon are a given, yes platanos too but now I know platanos are a yellow and pernil is a red. I am now able to continue to eat what I love without counting calories, calculating macros or tracking points. This system works for me, I can see my body changing and am looking forward to the before and after pictures. Want to try out this program? Join my challenge group and join me in my fitness journey, together we can reach our goals!