Well, I did it. I’m officially on week 3 of the Beachbody Ultimate Reset! In case you forgot, week 2 is when you completely eliminate animal products, including diary, eggs, and meat. You’ll move into a more vegetable, fruit, and whole-grain based diet. You add in the detox supplement, which is designed to restore optimum health to your entire gastrointestinal tract, while detoxifying your body.
The book claims that many people experience skin breakouts, while others find themselves releasing toxic emotions they have been holding on to. Check and check! What a week is all I can say. According to others, week 1 was supposed to be the hardest. I however, found week 2 to be more challenging. Here’s why:
In week 2 you are on a vegan diet. I didn't feel as satisfied as I did in week 1. Though I have been vegan in the past, I was also addicted to diet pills and had no sense of hunger or fullness. This phase of the program was a great reminder that my body does better with a little bit of high quality animal protein like organic eggs and wild-caught fish. I need more grounding foods in my diet as I felt a bit flighty this week.
Week 2 I did not stick to the meal plan 100%. With 100 degree heat, I avoided the oven like the plague and substituted stir-frying and steaming for the baked dishes. (I would be lying if I said I hadn’t mastered the stir-fry. Be. Still. My. Heart. It was divine!) I also fell in love with the vegan sushi and the zucchini-cashew soup, so I made extra and indulged in those in place of other meals. The biggest blessing of all was that in phase 2 I was able to substitute the vegan Shakeology which is super easy and convenient. I also must confess, I didn’t sway from whole foods, but I did cheat. My dear friend Jenny over at Healthy Crush sent me the most amazing house warming gift from one of my favorite raw food companies so I had to indulge a little. (If you haven’t tried Two Moms in the Raw, you’re missing out!)
I had a few challenges this week as well. One was cooking so many meals. I would create 3 meals for myself, 3 for the kids and I was also cooking for my dad. (My husband was out of town.) I felt like I was living in my kitchen. I can imagine this reset would be much easier for people who live alone and aren’t temped by the crust of a grilled cheese sandwich too. I was having some cravings for carbs and would have probably sold my first born for a cheesy breadstick if I hadn't made such a strong commitment to myself.
Another challenge was feeling like a bit of a loner. In our culture, we use to food to connect with one another, and we eat everywhere we go! We meet for lunch, eat at the movies, and buy snacks at the pool. When we’re bored, we eat! When it’s hot, we go get ice cream. I found myself not really wanting to do much so I had to purposely commit to things. I signed up to do The Dirty Dash, a 5k muddy obstacle course where you chug beer halfway through. (Yes, I skipped the beer and the after party. Are you proud of me?)
One thing I wasn’t really prepared for was feeling weepy and having low-level anxiety. I now know this was simply part of the process and detoxing your physical body also releases emotions that no longer serve you. As someone with a traumatic history of emotional eating, I must say that this week it was quite powerful to experience my body and emotions fully; without the interference of turning to food in order to cope. I’ve come to understand over the years that our relationship with food is nothing but an expression of what is going on internally. Our bodies match our beliefs. It really is that simple. I felt that more than ever this week. Through this process, I’ve been able to connect even deeper with the fact that food is nothing more than something to sustain and nourish me. I give it too much power at times. The thought of doing anything to disrupt that bliss has completely lost its appeal. Experiencing and learning more about myself and my relationship has become my main intention for the following week. In other words, the process has become the goal.
Let me get off my soapbox now. Whew! The week was intense but worthwhile. Overall, I feel pretty dang good today. I only lost a pound, but I’m more than okay with that since my intention was never to lose weight and at 130 pounds, I’m right where I should be and I've learned that trusting my body is all part of the journey.
In week 3 I will be restoring my body and adding the revitalize supplement to my diet. Although you are given the option to cut back further on grains, I’m saying, "Hell No!” to that one. Grains, you are my friend and I need you this week! I’m a busy mama and I need all the fuel I can get! Stay tuned :)
