If there’s anything that quarantining during a global pandemic taught me it’s that I cannot eat or drink like a college kid anymore without suffering the consequences. You know in college when everyone jokes about gaining the freshman 15? Well, I definitely came close to gaining the COVID 19.. and I’m not talking about the actual virus.
I remember getting ready to shower one day in early April 2020 and stepping on the scale THREE separate times thinking the damn thing needed recalibration. I mean, sure I had only been wearing leggings and sweatpants for the last six weeks, but had I really lost myself and waistline in the process?
I knew my lack of exercise compounded by easy grab and go snacks at all hours of the day and night needed an intervention. And so I found myself purchasing Beachbody’s Ultimate Reset Program and Nutrition Guide. This program is designed to run for 3 weeks and transform your gut health. It’s not just a cleanse though as I quickly discovered for myself. The 21-day regimen helped revitalize my health, change my mindset, and fuel my body with the nutrients (and water) it so desperately craved.
How the program works
The ultimate reset is broken down into 3 phases, each lasting 7 days. In phase one you reclaim your body, gradually removing foods such as red meat and dairy which are known to place stress on the digestive system. In the second week, phase 2, you begin to release compounds that have been holding your system back. Think of this as the start of the detoxification process where you eat a fully vegan diet. In the last and final phase, you restore your digestive system to maximum efficiency. You cut back on grain and pretty much only consume fruits and vegetables.
The meal schedule is very regimented. The nutritional guide even recommends setting alarms on your phone to help you track and make sense of it all. You are allotted breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an optional afternoon snack. Before every meal, you’ll take anywhere from 1-3 supplements and wait 30 minutes for them to work their magic internally prior to eating.
How I felt during the program
In retrospect, phase 1 annoyed me the most but definitely wasn’t the hardest. Reclaiming my diet was a necessary step I knew I had to make., but I wasn’t thrilled to have to do it! I mean, who wants to give up snacks?! Even though I felt bloated and like complete garbage in the weeks prior, the convenience of fast food (AKA meals I didn’t have to cook) was hard to give up. I knew then and especially now that I was being overly dramatic. Once I accepted the fact I had to adult again, it wasn’t bad at all.
Phase 2 was the real kicker. I hated this phase because my body hated me. As I began to release all the free radicals and toxins my system had accumulated and been holding on to, I suffered intense bouts of hiccups after every meal. Literally. EVERY meal I ate was followed up with 10-20 minutes of hiccups (not even kidding, and yes, I timed them).
By the time phase 3 rolled around, I was content. I had always loved fruits and vegetables, and I had developed a healthy meal schedule. Snacking became a thing of the past. I even found my palette had changed. Fruits were just the right amount of sweets I needed and could tolerate. I found myself fuller for longer. Eating out of boredom was no longer a thought that crossed my mind.
How I felt after the program
Let me start by saying weight loss was not my primary focus.. but yes, I did lose roughly 7lbs and 1.8 inches. I went into this cleanse for the sole purpose of resetting my gut and bringing myself back to healthy eating habits. Mission accomplished! In the weeks following the program’s end, I still find myself eating healthy.. I am no longer vegan, though. Sorry, I love my meat and eggs too much!
