Happy Sunday! I hope you are having a great weekend. We enjoyed a concert in the park on Friday night, I went for a long trail run with my running club Saturday and we plan to BBQ tonight. Oh, and we caught up on Big Brother (any other Big Brother fans? It’s ok to admit it!).
As I’ve shared with you before, I have a three week challenge group starting on July 17th. I’m really excited for this one because several people will be trying the new Shift Shop program (myself included), which features different workouts and nutrition plan each week to challenge you progressively and maximize results. However, some of the group will be doing 21 Day Fix, because that is usually what I start new people on if they aren’t sure where to start. Plus, 21 Day Fix is a tried and true favorite for most people and it’s really easy to mix 21 Day Fix and running.
Using the Beachbody My Challenge Tracker App
If you have done a challenge group with me in the past, you know that I used to host them via a Facebook group. Well, Beachbody came out with this really amazing app at the end of last year called the My Challenge Tracker App and it has really changed things. The app is pretty amazing so I wanted to walk you through how cool it is!
To back up, a challenge group itself is just a group of women (and even some men) who virtually support each other as they complete one of the Beachbody programs. All Beachbody programs are completed at home (or in the gym) and most of my challengers now have Beachbody on Demand, which allows you to access all of the Beachbody programs via your phone, tablet, or computer for one low annual fee (kind of like the “Netflix of workouts.”). Each program comes with a nutrition plan, recipe booklet and a workout calendar to guide you through the program. You do the program and then interact with the rest of us in the My Challenge Tracker app.
In the My Challenge Tracker App, you can log your beginning weight, measurements and before photos when you start the group. You’ll also set a goal for yourself. You can then update your weight, measurements and photos throughout the program if you’d like (although I usually recommend people wait til the end to get their results). If you join my group, I’ll invite you to the group in the app (the app is free to download) and I’ll provide more info in the days leading up to the challenge. This information includes things that I put on my grocery list, a link to additional recipes (all programs come with a recipe book but it’s helpful to have more), more information on what to expect, etc. I also do an introduction post so everyone in the group can get to know one another.
Every day you’ll wake up and see a message from me. The message will include some sort of motivation as well as an optional “task.” The task could be anything from post a motivational quote, state 3 goals for the week, post a sweaty selfie to the group (the group is totally private and nothing you post in there will be seen by anyone outside the group), or share a recipe. You have the option to log your workout and your shake in the app as well and you can access a calendar which shows you how many days you drank your shake and did your workout. I, as you coach, can also see if you logged your workout or shake and will follow up with you if I see you haven’t logged anything in a while (how’s that for accountability!?).
The feedback I’ve received since transitioning to the app has all been positive. My messages don’t get lost in people’s Facebook feeds (plus some challengers don’t even have Facebook) and people become addicted to logging their workout and shakes (it’s optional to share what you logged with the group, though I will still see if you logged or not). I’ve really felt a better sense of community among my challengers since using the app and I have quite a group of challengers who continue month after month (Challenge groups are NOT a one and done thing! You can join as long as you want/need and if you take a few months off you can come back).
If you are scared of technology, don’t be afraid! The My Challenge Tracker app is super easy to use!
Recent 21 Day Fix and Shaun Week Results
On to the results! One of my favorite days of the challenge group is the day after it’s over when people share their results! These programs are NOT a “lose weight quick” thing – we are establishing long lasting habits and weight loss tends to go along with that. I love hearing how these programs have helped my challengers make changes in their lifestyle and their happiness, as well as their bodies.
Most of my groups are 3-4 weeks so the results below are for that time frame. Remember, not everyone who joins my groups is hoping to lose a significant amount of weight (though I do have three challengers who have lost over 20 pounds after a few rounds!). I often get runners who just want to add strength training to their routine or clean up their diet a bit. Everyone’s goals are different and the results reflect that too.
“Since I started in late March I have lost 6″ and 4-6 lbs depending on when I weigh, changes all the time 🙂 so I’m more focused on measurements! My first round of 21 Day Fix I gained weight and inches due to building muscle but I kept the faith and now it’s starting to really show results. I haven’t done he eating plan so I know these would be much better results if I had – but I’m very happy! Your groups have been so amazingly motivating for me to keep going!” – Jackie, May 2017
“Lost another 2 pounds and 5 inches (down 21 pounds now)!!! I’m seriously in awe of the continued to progress!!! I feel great and love the strength I’ve gained…feels so good!! I think my body is exactly where it’s supposed to be and hope to maintain what I’ve achieved. This group has been key to my success…so thank you all!!!” – Nerissa, May 2017
“I really just wanted to get moving after baby! I feel like I did that, and next round I need to work on time management and prioritizing my workouts. I feel great overall and I’m very excited to keep going!” – Ariana, April 2017
“This round I post 5.5lbs and 2.3″. While I love this rollercoaster of life things continue to challenge me. This groups helps to balance me out and keep me on track.” – Shelley, May 2017
‘My goals were to get my nutrition on track, lose some weight, and start exercising regularly again. This group helped me with staying accountable to those goals. I lost 4 lbs and 8 inches. I enjoyed this program more than I thought I would and plan to continue on this path.” – Audrey, April 2017
“My goal was to honestly increase my fitness, watch my nutrition and water, plus hopefully some weight and inches. I lost 4.2 lbs and 3.6 inches (but 5.5 in) on my waist alone.” – Stephanie, April 2017
“I lost 3 lbs this round. This is always a very stressful month at work and the last two years I have gained 5-8 lbs. this month (which I have to fight to get back off every summer). Considering I didn’t gain weight and actually lost weight is a HUGE win. As I reflected about it, I thought about how each of you were working hard each day, fighting your cravings and pushing through your workouts, and how knowing that really motivated me each day not to give up and give in. Thank you!!!! I look forward to starting the next 3 weeks!” – Melissa, April 2017
“My goal was to work on nutrition, be consistent, and to gain strength. I made progress toward all three goals. I really liked the workouts and I feel stronger and more energetic. I really liked how much the group helped and how hard all of us worked!” – Aileen, April 2017
“My goal was to focus on improving my nutrition. I lost 3.6 lbs & 8.5 inches. I’m happy with my results and am really motivated to keep going with a second round. This group really helps with accountability!” – Dana, April 2017
“21 days sure came fast I lost 4 pounds and 1.5 inches. I was a little bummed this morning when I weighed myself, I gained 2 pounds from last week. I don’t know why? but I realized after my run with my friends and just talking it out that I am happy with the results I accomplished right now. I’m going in with the 2nd round Monday even stronger ?. This group really helped me out a lot, thanks every one and thank you Nicole for doing this group.” – Daniella, April 2017
Join My Next Challenge Group
Are you ready to try it? Remember, there’s NEVER a perfect time to commit to anything. If you’re a runner, the pre-season and off season are the best time to commit to something like this (and remember, you can modify 21 Day Fix to work with running). I plan to commit fully to Shift Shop but you have the choice of 3 weeks of either Shift Shop or 21 Day Fix, starting July 17th.
To get more info and/or sign up, fill out this form. As always, past challengers are welcome!
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