28 Days: My Experience With The Feel It, See It, Share It New Year Challenge
I did the FEEL IT, SEE IT, SHARE IT NEW YEAR CHALLENGE.
I’m not going to lie - I didn’t know what to expect or what I would get out of it. That uncertainty coupled with all of the holiday party temptations and a dry December (which is pretty much the most difficult time to not drink alcohol) made me a bit uneasy going into the month. But, now that it is over I am SO glad I did it. (And just a little note - you can certainly drink alcohol in moderation on this plan - my plan to “detox” and stick to just water for the month was totally a personal choice ;).
I have a whole new-found appreciation for clean eating and interval training. All the recipes in the challenge use totally natural ingredients and I learned more about nutrition than I knew before, including a new obsession with Ezekiel bread and other ingredients I have now added to my kitchen. I cooked a ton, which normally is not my favorite thing to do. But I started to really enjoy it. The recipes are fast and easy to follow. I also really enjoyed the workouts because they’re quick and effective. They combine principles from cardio, barre/Pilates, and even yoga (the “AR-style” yoga is so unique and energizing). Although the workouts were challenging at times, I was able to modify moves or rounds. And whenever I felt a little more pep in my step, I would amp it up and run faster or take the workout series one to two more rounds.
I started the challenge the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend. After the first week, I definitely started feeling better and more energized (and even had a few friends mention that my skin was “glowing”). About halfway through the challenge, I lost 9 pounds and 3 inches. Now that I have completed the program, I’m happy to share that I lost 11 pounds and 4 inches. Towards the end, I essentially leveled out on the scale but kept "shrinking" due to the effective meal plans and tightening/toning from the workouts.
Now that the challenge is over, I want to go back and revisit the principles I learned and bring them into 2018. I’m living proof that this isn’t a “quick fix” - you learn healthy ways to eat and exercise that are totally achievable and work for your lifestyle and needs. I’m also used to taking 45-60 minute classes and didn’t realize what an incredible, challenging workout I can get in just 5-10 minutes (and WAY more effective than running on a treadmill at the same speed and incline for 30 minutes).
And this is not JUST about losing weight - I can honestly say that this healthy lifestyle carried into everything I did this past month - from how I conducted myself in business meetings to my relationships with friends and family. There’s nothing better than feeling the benefits of healthy lifestyle choices.
And now, it’s your turn. While I can’t guarantee that you will have the same results as I did, I can promise that you will feel better in your mind and body. So what are you waiting for? Come join all of us in the #FSSNewYearChallenge and feel it, see it, and share it!
If losing weight and inches, feeling completely energized, having glowing skin, and just feeling all around positive and happy aren’t enough motivators, check out some of these great prizes for those who sign up for the challenge early:
- The first 30 women who live in or around NYC who sign up for the challenge will get FREE 'before' and 'after' photos (so you can track your journey) taken by Irina Mednik of French Kiss Boudoir Photography. Photos to take place at the French Kiss studio, located in Tribeca in New York City.
**Also, if you haven’t already, check out this post where I write about my experience with Irina from French Kiss Boudoir Photography.
- Beautini, one of New York City's top wedding hair and makeup companies, is offering $25 off a hair and makeup trial to the first 20 women who sign up for the challenge! Hair and makeup trials to take place at the Beautini salon, located at 267 5th Ave in New York City. Offer expires 3/1/2018.
What are you waiting for?
Totally transform your mind and body in just 28 days - clean eating, cardio-based workouts, tips and tricks to keep you motivated, a private Facebook community to keep you accountable, prizes/incentives along the way, and much MUCH more.
Sending love and positive vibes as we enter into 2018,
Melanie