This summer has been FUN and I’m feeling ready for a shift in focus toward better nutrition. I am planning to do a (modified version) of the 4 Week Gut Protocol starting on September 12th. I will be training for a marathon while doing this program.
My 4 Week Gut Protocol and Running Results

The first time I did 4 Week Gut Protocol, I truly went all in. 4 Week Gut Protocol & 4 Weeks for Every Body was my #1 priority, even over my running. I was training for a half marathon but the race itself wasn’t my main goal at the time. I was part o the Beachbody coach test group so I really wanted to take the program as seriously as possible.
I had incredible results from 4 Week Gut Protocol. I lost 8 pounds & 11 inches. I was sleeping better. I had more energy throughout the day. I ran my half marathon 3 minutes faster than a half marathon I did just 2 months prior!
After I finished, I continued with many of the same habits. I did another round (modified) with my virtual accountability group and maintained my weight even after going on a few vacations.
However, this summer, I went on 3 big trips and I started to build my mileage for the marathon. I started paying less attention to the quality of my food and due to the travel, ate out and drank a lot. I noticed that my running wasn’t feeling that great & that I wasn’t sleeping well.
After our August family vacation, I started eating better again. I ate less sugar & starting making things like the 4 Week Gut Protocol energy balls to support my running. I immediately noticed a boost in my running fitness and recovery time! I knew that other women were probably feeling the same way over the summer and decided to do 4 Week Gut Protocol again in September and help others through it too!
Modifications I’m Making to 4 Week Gut Protocol For Running
The first time I did 4 Week Gut Protocol with running, I made modifications to ensure I was getting enough food to support my training. I ended up running 3 minutes faster in my half marathon after doing 4 Week Gut Protocol.
I shared many of my 4 week gut protocol and running modifications via my YouTube videos. I also created a 4 Week Gut Protocol for Runners Guide that I share with the women who join my accountability groups.
Here’s What I’m Doing for 4 Week Gut Protocol & Marathon Training
My marathon is November 12th. I plan to start 4 Week Gut Protocol with modification on September 12th and then keep up the healthy habits leading into my marathon.
Things I WILL be doing from 4 Week Gut Protocol While Running & Marathon Training, starting September 12th:
- 6 Servings of Veggies & limiting to 2 animal proteins a day.
- Using the Gut Protocol supplements Revitalize and Optimize.
- Eating 30 different plants/week.
- Eating fermented foods 3x/week at least. (I like Kimchi)
- Eating from the food lists.
Things I Will NOT be doing for this round of 4 Week Gut Protocol with Marathon Training:
- Measuring food. I won’t be measuring my portion sizes.
- Tracking added sugar. While I’ll still be skipping desserts and checking labels for added sugars, I will NOT be sticking to the 10g added sugar/day in order to fuel my runs & workout. I’ll still be using gels, sports drinks (I use Hydrate) & my post workout recovery drink (Recover). I won’t worry about the sugar from the honey or chocolate chips in my gut friendly energy balls or anything like that either.
- Completely giving up alcohol. Last time I did not drink alcohol the entire time and this time I am making a plan to have alcohol 1x/week.
- Giving up Coffee. I still plan to have 1 cup/coffee a day using a lower sugar, non dairy creamer (Nut pods).
So will I be following 4 Week Gut Protocol exactly as Autumn Calabrese intended? No. But will I get a lot of the benefits – including more diversity in my gut biome, better sleep, better recovery, overall higher quality nutrition, likely a few pounds lost? YES!
Tour of 4 Week Gut Protocol Food Lists, Meal Plans and Videos
Wondering what kind of meal plans and recipes you get with 4 Week Gut Protocol? Watch this video to get a better idea of how 4 Week Gut Protocol works and what kind of resources and meal planning tools you get! I also share some of the meals I ate while running and doing 4 Week Gut Protocol.
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FREE: BODi 4 Week Gut Protocol & Running Hybrid Schedule and BODi and Running Library Database
Get instant access to all my Beachbody/BODi and running hybrid schedules and calendars, including: Running Hybrid Schedules that combine running with these BODi/Beachbody programs:
MBF & Running Schedule – 4 Weeks for Every Body & Running Schedule – LIIFT More Running Schedule – 21 Day Fix Super Block & Run Calendar – 80 Day Obsession Run Schedule -Barre Blend Hybrid Calendar – 645 Running Schedule – Dig Deeper Run Schedule – Job 1 Running Calendar -LAVA and running schedule – Sure Thing and Running Schedule, 3 Day Split & Running Calendar – 9 Week Control Freak & Running Schedule

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