Last week I wrapped up Phase 2 of 80 Day Obsession while training for a half marathon (the Carlsbad Half in January). As I explained in my 80 Day Obsession & Running Phase 1 review, I’m modifying this program by running 3 days a week and doing the 4 strength training workouts and skipping the two cardio workouts.
What is 80 Day Obsession?
Before I dive into my phase 2 review, I wanted to provide a quick summary of what 80 Day Obsession is:
- A workout program from trainer Autumn Calabrese.
- 13 weeks long, 6 workouts per week + 2 recovery workouts (80 unique workouts total)
- 3 phases of workouts, 40-60 minutes per workout.
- Includes a timed nutrition plan that is built to ensure you are properly fueled for every workout and recover quickly, while losing fat and building muscle.
- Intensity: Intermediate to advanced.
- Equipment needed: Free weights, resistance loops and sliders and a workout mat.
- Moves are most compound and complex to work the entire body with emphasis on one body part at a time, with special emphasis overall on the butt and core.
80 Day Obsession Phase 2 Review
Phase 2 of 80 Day Obsession really bumped up the intensity as compared to phase 1. I was a little skeptical of 80 Day Obsession when I started as I didn’t love the first week’s workouts – they were a little slow, especially compared to the pace of LIIFT4. Autumn was simply giving us a nice intro to her style and the moves before challenging us to the next level. After a couple weeks I was hooked (and the pace got faster) and Phase 2 really took it up a notch. The workouts in phase 2 really challenged me and if I’m honest, but the end of every workout I was ready for it to be over (in a good way!). As someone who loves a good workout, I really found that these workouts challenged me.
Phase 2 is more of a build phase, with a lot of emphasis on heavier lifting. The booty workout was COMPLETELY different in this phase – the first phase I’d say it was the easiest workout of the four, but during Phase 2 it was one of the hardest, if not the hardest workout. And I loved it!
The AAA (Arms, Abs and Ass) workout is also extremely hard this round because not only does every move work the negative (so there is more time under tension), immediately following is a burn out set working the same muscle group. And, even though you’re primarily focusing on one muscle group, you usually are working your entire body in the process. For example, move 1 would be a tricep kickback in plank, where you kick back on the 1 count and bring it in on the 3 count (this is probably the hardest move of the entire Phase), and move 2 is a quick set of tricep push-ups. This workout kicked my ass every time.
How I Modified 80 Day Obsession With Running
To modify 80 Day Obsession for running during Phase 2, I simply skipped the two cardio workouts. I completed Booty, AAA, Legs, and Total Body Core each week, along with 1 speed workout, 1 easy run and 1 long run each week, averaging around 20 miles per week. I tried to avoid doing the Leg workout the day after or before my speed workout.
80 Day Obsession Phase 2 Nutrition
The second phase of 80 Day Obsession allows you more calories than the first phase to help you build more muscle. However, I am not following the nutrition plan for 80 Day Obsession. I know that my results would be better if I was, even though I generally eat a very healthy diet. I did, however, try to avoid desserts and ate healthier than I would have over this holiday period than I would have.
80 Day Obsession and Running Phase 2 Results
During this phase, I did not lose any weight. I’m about 5 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight and am finding these final 5 pounds to be harder to lose than the first 20. But, although I’m working out more each week than I was when I did LIIFT4 or 21 Day Fix, I’m not watching my diet as well (plus the final 5 pounds are always the hardest to lose!). I also stopped breastfeeding/pumping during this phase of 80 Day Obsession which definitely affected my hormones and could have been a factor.
I didn’t do measurements this time so I can’t say how much those changed BUT I can say that I am feeling stronger, particularly in my core and butt (which is what the program emphasizes). Seriously my butt has never been more round and we still have 5 weeks to go!
I feel really good about the way my body is performing and getting stronger, my running has gotten faster, and I like the way my body is changing. I know that if I were to have followed the nutrition plan, I’d see more weight loss, but I’m still happy with the balance I’m maintaining and the results I’m getting. I don’t want to completely deprive myself during this holiday season and I feel good about where I’m at with my balanced lifestyle!
PS See my final 80 Day Obsession and Running results and review blog post here.
Are you a runner looking to add strength or cross training to your training plan? My monthly challenge groups are full of runners doing just that – whether you want to do 80 Day Obsession or any other Beachbody program– click here to get more information on joining the next monthly accountability group!
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