21 Day Beachbody Ultimate Reset-- My Summary

I have completed my 21-day journey on the Beachbody Ultimate Reset. But at the same time my journey has just begun. I have a fresh perspective and a new found appreciation for food the way it was intended to be consumed. Here is a brief summary of what I have experienced and learned through this process.

Why did I choose to participate in the Beachbody Ultimate Reset?

1. I wanted to take another step in taking care of my health.

2. Curiosity. I was curious; What would it feel like to rid my body of toxins? How much toxin have I really been storing in my body? How would it effect my stress level?  How hard would it be? How different would I feel? What would I miss?

3. Timing. I thought of using this as a stepping stone, my own reset (mind/attitude included). I viewed it as giving myself a fresh start, fresh perspective. Having been somewhat frozen by overwhelming personal issues this could be my push to get back on track.

4. I kept seeing so many others post their experience/ success with the program (the one post showing pictures with the difference in cellulite pre and post reset was especially intriguing) I thought "Why not me?"

BeachBody 21-day Ultimate Reset-- My Diary--Day 21

Day 21! Is it the end of the journey --or a new beginning?

The Final Showdown!

Breakfast - Enjoyed my beautiful fruit before I got back on the road for home. Today I added a few cherries and grapes.

Lunch - I had to plan for lunch on the road. I had plenty of shredded carrots but not all the ingredients for the carrot-seaweed medley (I am looking forward to trying it another time). So I made the Moroccan carrot salad I missed before I drove up a few days ago. It was easy to pull off the road and eat it. Also very tasty, again combinations I would not have thought of.

Dinner -  I may be sounding like a broken record. However, I have to admit again that dinner was easy to prepare and very tasty. I don't think I ever roasted vegetables in the summer before, I usually try to stay out of the hot kitchen as much as possible. I loved the combination of flavors and the simplicity. This continues to reinforce to me that it really isn't tougher or more time-consuming to eat healthy meals. It is warm enough today that it was great to have the avocado-cucumber soup chilled.

Dinner 21--satisfying, delicious, no frills

                                                                                                           I loved it.

For three weeks now I have been doing my body a favor from the inside out. I have gained so much more than simply weight loss or a notch on my belt. I have gained a new appreciation for food the way it is meant to be eaten. I have come to appreciate even more how simple it is to make heath a priority. I have absolutely enjoyed keeping my mind open to new foods and new combinations, and new ways to prepare. Not once did I get bored with recipes or miss any of the foods I omitted (okay, at first I would have loved a little dessert, but it is not important to me now)

Tomorrow I will get on the scale and I’m hoping I will get follow up lab work to compare my before and after results. And-oh yes, I think I may just start my day with fruit.

The Beachbody 21-Day Ultimate Reset--My Diary--Day 20

 The Ultimate Reset--Day 20--Phase III--Day 6 of RECOVER:

Heading into the home stretch.
Day 20 means tomorrow is the last day of my reset. I’d like to say now that I am very pleased with the way I am feeling. I understand now that it is not just my body that has been reset, but my mind as well. I don’t look at food in the same way at all. I never thought fruit alone for breakfast would sustain me (I was nervous when omitting the detox mixture that I wouldn’t be full enough). I never thought I would be okay with omitting dairy and animal protein. I didn't see how I would get enough protein in my daily diet. I didn't have any idea how great I would feel.

Breakfast- So today I am again enjoying my beautiful fruit breakfast. Every day it seems the fruit is more appealing, tasting sweeter.

Lunch: Jicama-Avocado Salad

Lunch - The jicama-avocado salad was super simple to make and a hit—one I know I will repeat. There was a long period of time in my adult life where I ate salads because I thought I needed to, not so much for health as weight loss. I have learned to really enjoy salads, often prefer them, and the variety of ideas in this program has been great.

Dinner- was also very simple; Asian stir-fry vegetables. I was still not at my own home so did not have all of the ingredients (almost all) so I am encouraged to make this again with all the spices. I had all the veggies but know it would have had more flavor with the sesame oil and fresh ginger. Still the plate of veggies was so colorful and appealing, and utterly satisfying. I braised kale to go along (don’t remember if I ever “braised” anything before). It was quick to cook; another trick to add to my cooking repertoire. I opted out of the brown rice with dinner, since I felt I didn't need it to be satisfied. I am anxious for tomorrow and the days/weeks ahead.

Dinner-- Asian Stir-Fry and Braised Greens

The Beachbody 21-Day Ultimate Reset--My Diary--Day 19

The Ultimate Reset--Day 19--Phase III--Day 5 of RESTORE:

 Traveling when you are on a special meal plan is always a challenge. Luckily I am traveling by car so I was able to bring with me what I need. It is not like I will be away from civilization either, there are plenty of choices for grocery stores nearby if I find I am missing anything important.

Breakfast- By now you know the drill—breakfast was, once again, a delicious bowl of fruit. Okay, ‘till now I have not missed anything but this morning there was coffee brewing and bacon cooking. Although they are both not important to me, or a part of my regular diet, the smell of both of them was awfully enticing.

Lunch- Today everyone was going for a walk by the creek and then stopping at a little café (one of my favorite places) for lunch. I stayed on track and ate my lunch before we left. Then I was able to sit and enjoy everyone's company while they ate their lunch.  I added bok choy and zucchini along with the green onions in the hearty vegetable miso soup. The micro-green salad I have had  so many times is still appealing. I finally had used up all the dressing and needed to make more.

Roasted beets, kale, and tempeh--not my favorite dinner

Dinner- So honestly tonight’s dinner was not my favorite on this program. If anyone had told me even six months ago that my dinner would be roasted beets, tempeh, and greens I wouldn’t have believed them. I didn’t feel like going to the store for collard greens so I substituted kale as my greens and still used coconut milk. I think the collard greens are a better combination with the coconut milk but it was still okay. In my opinion, the beets are much better when combined with other veggies such as in the roasted root medley recipe from before. Tonight felt more like I was eating simply because I needed to, and not for any measure of enjoyment (or even curiosity).

I am out-of-town at my mother’s house with my brother and niece and nephew (my kids are home working) so of course there is a surplus of cookies in a cookie jar—Isn’t that what grandmas do? As many times as the lid has come off that jar I have not been tempted. That is pretty amazing, and a wonderful feeling.

The Beachbody 21-Day Ultimate Reset--My Diary--Day 18

The Ultimate Reset--Day 18--Phase III, Day 4 of RESTORE:

Hmm...Another First—Roasted Fennel Bulb

Breakfast-  A beautiful plate of fruit. I am still enjoying fresh melon and berries. Today I added kiwi.

I am surprised at how long I can survive on only fruit for breakfast. Although today I did find myself getting a bit hungry before lunch. I kind of miss taking the detox (never imagined myself saying that) and I am looking forward to the day when I can once again have Shakeology for breakfast.

Lunch-Spinach salad. Not the typical spinach salad you might get served in a restaurant,. none of that bacon and heavy dressing here. It is deliciously piled with nutrients. I enjoyed it with the addition of the jicama and avocado.

Lunch--Spinach Salad

Dinner- Very interesting; Roasted Fennel Bulb—a “new taste sensation”.  I made enough of the broccoli and asparagus to share with everyone but nobody really cared about eating the fennel. It was easy to make, isn’t something I care to eat all the time but may be in the "once-in-a-while" file. I froze leftover fennel bulb and it will be easy to take out and make another time.

Dinner--another new one to try--

There still seems to be plenty to eat. I am feeling satisfied, not feeling left out of anything. It is interesting, really, how all food is tasting good to me. Flavors seem to be alive. It must be because I am eating it in its purest form. I’m feeling good about staying with the program and knowing how my body is appreciating the choices I am making. Only a few days left, I am wondering how it will be, what I will do when I am finished. I will find a way to carry on much of what I am learning and appreciating here.

Ultimate Reset--Day 17--Phase III--RESTORE-Day 3

Day 17--Taking the Ultimate Reset on the road...

I started the day out like the other days of this phase; with a beautiful plate of fruit before my walk. I packed up all my food for the next four days. I knew I was going to be on the road during lunch so I planned to make the Moroccan carrot salad to take and pull off the road to eat it. Then I discovered I had already packed everything I needed to make the carrot salad, other than that I was all set to hit the road. So I found some leftover Asian Cabbage Salad, decided that would make a suitable substitute and headed out.

I pulled off in order to take my supplements at least a half  hour before I would eat my lunch. All went well until the roasted sesame seeds called to me. I put a few handfuls in my salad, then continued to eat many more handfuls on my drive. Well, If that’s the worst I do, it’s really not so bad.

The squash and green beans for dinner were very tasty—I still didn’t feel like I was really missing anything. Even though as I looked around, everyone else was eating chicken enchiladas which I love (and normally would have devoured). I felt very satisfied.

Beachbody Ultimate Reset--Day 16--Phase III-RESTORE--Day 2

I feel an abundance of energy today. I am looking forward to the week ahead.

Breakfast—Fruit—why not make it pretty? Sure tastes great
Lunch—Microgreen salad

Dinner- Curry Cauliflower and Lemon-Pepper Kale
I didn’t have curry so I improvised with some other seasonings and was surprised at how much I liked it. Cauliflower has always been at the bottom of my list. I don’t dislike it, just don’t love it and often just don’t bother with it. Tonight it tasted pretty darn good, I ate it all!

Tomorrow I am heading out of town to visit family for a few days. I am loading up a cooler to take everything I need to stick to the meal plan. I am curious to see who will want to share what I am eating. I picture my main courses being a side dish for their main entree. Sticking to the plan my be a challenge but I know that preparation will be the key to my success.

The Beachbody Ultimate Reset--My Diary--Day 15 (Video)

The Ultimate Reset--Heading into the home stretch-- Day 1 of Phase III--RESTORE:

Here is a video summarizing my experience as I head into the final phase of this 21-day program to rid my body of toxins and RESTORE my physical and mental health:

Loving the Beachbody Ultimate Reset--heading into Phase 3

Breakfast--Beautiful Fruit Again

Lunch--Asian Cabbage Salad with Miso Soup

Dinner-- delicious veggies

Beachbody 21-Day Ultimate Reset--My Diary--Day 14

The 21-Day Ultimate Reset--Last Day of Phase II--MY BIG MISTAKE:

I thought I might have lost a bit more weight at this stage in the program (many have) but I am still proud of my journey and very pleased with how I feel. I am disappointed that I DID NOT take pictures or measurements at the very beginning of this process. THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE!  My clothes are fitting differently and I think (as often happens) the measurements and pictures would have been much more accurate than the scale.

Breakfast: Again, I love the fresh fruit. I'm so happy I am doing this during the summer when there is such an abundance of fresh fruit available.

Today's lunch-- the usual micro-green salad, but today accompanied by another delicious soup

Lunch: The usual micro-green salad and a soup made with some of last night's squash and coconut milk! (mm-mmm) The soup was extremely easy to make and I thought it was delicious. I'm going to have to remember some of these uses for coconut oil and coconut milk. It turns out that both are much healthier than I realized. (I put the soup in a cup because there wasn't very much--I will also make more next time-- although it still satisfied me, leftovers would be good).

Dinner: Succotash?!! Interesting--I thought that was only for Daffy Duck. I wasn't crazy about it on the first bite but the taste improved--not my favorite but I still might revisit it at some point because it is healthy and filling (with edamame) and easy to make. I ate it with steamed Kale.

Yes, Really--Succotash for Dinner-- (corn and edamame), with steamed kale

Starting Phase III tomorrow !

Beachbody 21-Day Ultimate Reset--My Diary--Day 13

Ultimate Reset --Day 6 of Phase II--RELEASE:

"Moving" on... almost the end of Phase II.

Breakfast anyone? Spinach, avocado, mashed chickpeas

Breakfast: Another unusual breakfast today: Steamed spinach, sliced avocado and mashed chickpeas with Nori Gamasio ( the nori gamasio really adds a punch of flavor)

Lunch: The lunch menu was beets again but I didn't have any more so I substituted more quinoa-lentil pilaf (love it) with microgreen salad (still not tired of it), fresh and delicious.

Lunch-- quinoa-lentil pilaf with micro-(green salad

Dinner: Dinner called for Kabocha Squash with garlic-tahini filling. I never did find Kabocha Suash so I  used Butternut Squash.

Interesting, the garlic-tahini filling was more of a sauce to put on the squash--- it was very garlicky. I liked it.

More steamed veggies on board. I'm starting to feel like a real vegan. I have to say I am enjoying it. I'm feeling good. I am looking forward to Phase III after one more day.

Dinner--squash with garlic-tahini filling and steamed vegetables

Resetting My Health with the Beachbody Ultimate Reset --Day 12 (video)

Beachbody Ultimate Reset --Day 12---My Video Diary

Halfway through the 21-day Ultimate Reset--This is a short video about the ups and downs of my experience with the program.

The Beachbody Ultimate Reset--My Diary-- Day 11

The Ultimate Reset --Phase 2--Day 4--RELEASE:

Today I feel very good. The scale is the same today.

Breakfast: Fresh fruit again--tastes sweet and delicious.

Lunch: Today's lunch was again using quinoa. I have not gotten tired of quinoa. I love its versatility. Today was an easy to make quinoa-lentil pilaf accompanied by a cucumber-tomato salad. It was all very satisfying.

Dinner: The menu included hearty miso soup. This meant more chopping veggies. I think my chopping skills may be improving. Sometimes I kind of get in the zone while I am chopping. I really am getting pleasure out of the preparation (Did I really say that?). I added mushrooms to the recipe along with the other veggies. Steamed swiss chard was called for. I didn't have any Swiss Chard, and still haven't seen it in the store, so I substituted collard greens (still another new vegetable for me)

The Beachbody Ultimate Reset-- My Diary--Day 10

The Ultimate Reset--Day 3 of Phase 2--RELEASE:

Today's menu was easy and tasty. I never imagined I could feel satisfied after having only fruit for breakfast. It must be the detox supplement that is helping me feel full.

Breakfast: What a delicious way to start the day. I love all the fresh fruit this time of year. It seems every time I get to eat a plate of fruit the sweet taste is more alive than the time before.

Lunch: Even though it is summer, it was really nice to have a repeat of the bisque from the night before. I enjoyed it cold, really lapped it up. It was great paired with the greek salad.

I am truly feeling good. I am experiencing no cravings. At this point I am not missing sweets or carbs. I can't think of one processed food that I feel like I really miss. 

I was told the trick with the detox is to put it in less water, drink it quicker, then follow it with a chaser of more water. It's really not that bad.

So this is the first day that this plan presented a real challenge for me. Because of end-of-the-year and beginning of summer activities (with different groups) both on the same day in different locations, timing was a bit tricky. I took my lunch with me to a get-together lunch/BBQ dinner. I ate my bisque cold with the salad at the pool party. I had to leave there early and rushed home, changed, and went to a retirement dinner (of course there was more food served there).

Dinner: was buffet style and looked wonderful. I half filled my plate with beautiful steamed vegetables and that was it! I didn't miss a thing and was not tempted. I call that a piece of success.

The Beachbody Ultimate Reset--My diary--Day 9

Ultimate Reset--Day 2 of Phase 2--RELEASE

In this phase there will be no more animal protein or dairy. I do love cheese. 

                                                    Okay-- we'll see...

Breakfast: Another breakfast I never would have imagined: miso soup, mashed chickpeas and avocado. Hmmm. All I will say is "interesting". I didn't love it and didn't hate it.

miso soup, mashed chickpeas with nori gomasio, and avocado (yes, for breakfast)

Lunch: I was very happy to see the pinto beans and rice again. It was great with the microgreen salad. By the way, I have never really made my own dressings before this program. It is nice to know exactly what is going into them. I have only used the dressings in the reset program (made myself) and have enjoyed them all.

Dinner: Sweet Potato and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque. I Loved it. It was a simple dinner when paired with the asparagus. It didn't look like much but I found it to be filling. 

                              I haven't thought about sweets even after dinner. 

                 I am feeling very satisfied.

Beachbody Ultimate Reset--My Diary--Day 8

Ultimate Reset --Phase II--RELEASE--Day 1

With the first week behind me I have lost  3 1/2 pounds. Phase 2 is bound to be interesting/challenging. In this phase we have no more animal protein or dairy. This week we also add detox to the supplements.  

It was odd to have the detox supplement first thing in the morning. It may take some getting used to drinking it three times a day.

Breakfast- Today's breakfast was a beautiful fruit plate. Since I have not eaten any other sugar I am beginning to feel like fruit tastes even sweeter. I was a bit hungry before lunch but I found that a cup of chai green tea solved that issue.

Lunch- Lunch was just a micro green salad. I loved the addition of avocado. I have always liked the jicama in it and absolutely love the nuts. I think my favorite is the cashews.

Pinto Beans and Rice, the protein portion of the meal, tasty

Dinner- Pinto Beans and rice, steamed zucchini and green beans. I made it all ahead of time and and took it to the Angel Game with me--so proud of myself for doing that. I was a bit worried being the first day on the detox and taking the third detox of the day just before leaving for the game (not knowing yet how it acts). It was okay, not a problem. I could not take my distilled water with me to the game because they only allow unopened bottles. My only other deviation from the plan was I had ONE pistachio nut! I sucked on that thing for a long time. I felt so proud of myself (It's all in the name of health!)

So here we go phase 2--release!

Beachbody Ultimate Reset--My Diary--Day 7

Ultimate Reset-- Phase 1--RECLAIM--Day 7

Last day of phase I—So far the phase has earned its name—YES, I am reclaiming my health by following this plan. I am consciously eating.

 I don’t think I have spent this much time in the kitchen without it being Thanksgiving or holiday baking. I think this is why so many of us make unhealthy choices. With little time, convenience is such a factor. I’m glad I invested in a good set of knives a few years ago. I am really enjoying the process—knowing that everything that is going in my body is healthy.

Breakfast: Today's breakfast was oatmeal with flax seed, yogurt (plain greek yogurt) with apple and cinnamon. I am sure to repeat this healthy delicious combination down the road.

Lunch: I usually don't consider eating soup in the summer. I enjoyed the zucchini-cashew soup. I ate it cold with the micro-green salad. It was a great lunch.

Dinner: Dinner was baked tempeh again. I think I like it even better this time. (That makes me wonder if my taste buds are changing). With the brown rice and veggies along with the tempeh I am starting to feel like I could eat a vegan diet (at least most of the time). I have not been hungry and have not missed meat the last few days. Of course, we are heading into the summer which means grilling, BBQing, all those smells are always tempting. I am looking forward to starting phase II tomorrow. I am feeling my body getting healthier every day and that is a wonderful feeling. (That certainly replaces the temporary satisfaction from ice cream, desserts, caffeine, alcohol that can all be staples in so many diets)

I know the tempeh looks kind of like sausage. What's surprising is--I'm beginning to feel like I could eat like this for a long time

Beachbody Ultimate Reset--My Diary--Day 6

 Ultimate Reset--Phase I--RECLAIM--Day 6

My back feels much better today.  No headache either.  The fog is beginning to lift.

Breakfast- This takes the prize for the most unusual breakfast so far: Baked tempeh, avocado, toast, and steamed kale. It was truly a lot of food. Tasted great.

 Lunch- I liked the combo of the quinoa salad and micro-green salad. I could probably have that every day and not get tired of it. (Have I said that before?)

Dinner--(delicious) Roasted Root Medley, zuccini-cashew soup, toasted millet

Dinner- This will definitely be repeated in my future. I think the last time I ate beets was as a kid—pickled beet on a salad, more of a garnish than anything else. I was not a huge fan. The roasted root medley was outstanding, including the beets. It was made with yams, carrots, and more. The zucchini-cashew soup was a nice touch—easy and tasty. I could take or leave the toasted millet. I could easily replace it with a different grain. It wasn’t bad, just nothing to write home about.

There is still lots of food on this plan. I am sticking to it. Not only am I not hungry, but I honestly am liking it!

Beachbody Ultimate Reset--Day 5--My Diary

Ultimate Reset-Phase I--Reclaim--Day 5

Had a tough time sleeping last night. My back was bothering me in a very unusual (for me) spot--right in the middle. I feel like it is still delicate and needs to be protected. I will be careful today.

Breakfast- Cooked rice cereal. I made way too much. This is one item in which I just followed directions on the package so it was not set up as a single-serving recipe. I hope it will be used later. I had fresh fruit again and it tasted very sweet.

Lunch- I am feeling very healthy. I had the quinoa salad and raw veggies dipped in hummus. The veggies provided some wonderful crunch.

Dinner- Still lots of veggies. I just loved the dinner: veggies with miso soup and brown rice. I could eat like this forever.

I protected my back all day. I hope it feels better tomorrow.

I finally lost 1/2 pound. Many I know have lost five pounds or more by now.

I am not hungry