Last week I tackled the BIG and tried the 3-Day Refresh challenge and having accountability partners made it all the better!
First, why.
I was feeling a bit off over the holidays and as much as I wanted to stay on track, I did up my carbs a bit more than usual but more of a focus was....I was drinking waaaaay too much coffee! I thought three days of focused eating and clean, vegan nutrition could be good AND I had heard wonderful things about the program.
Second, my fears.
I thought I would be starving to death and irritable. I thought it would be way too hard to manage an eating plan for myself while feeding my family and didn't want to make two meals or stand out as a sore thumb as the one eating odd. And I didn't want to eat odd. I wanted to be modeling good, healthful eating for my daughter. I didn't want to sit there at dinner and just drink a shake. I worried about tummy upset, diarrhea, and if I could do this program on the go and at work.
Third, learning more.
I ordered the program and read through the details and immediately realized that some of my fears were ridiculous. I wouldn't be just drinking a shake all by my lonesome and the dinner suggestions were amazing! Darling daughter and I immediately reviewed them all and came up with a meal plan for all of us. She wanted to give it a whirl too but I did stress that I was getting my protein via the shake. She didn't to get some too so would be modifying but having a kid eager to eat more veggies, and try more veggies, is cool! But that girl would do almost ANYTHING to avoid meat. I did modify a bit more for dear hubby so he wouldn't abandon ship and added mini cheeseburgers to his dinners to make it more "manly" but I got to tell you, men can do this too. My hubby just doesn't eat much during the day and needs a HUGE meal and he does love himself some meat!
Fourth, the plan.
It is easy to follow and you can do it at home, on the road, or at work. There is room for you to modify it according to your taste buds and pick your own snacks. Where I did broccoli and homemade hummus, one accountability made a fresh juice (recipes provided on the plan but I lacked a juicer) and another did apple slices with almond butter. I loved the integrated tea breaks and that it got me back to starting my day with a glass a water.
Fifth, the results.
I lost almost 3 pounds but that wasn't my goal. I wanted to feel better and cut back the coffee. Win-win! The bloat decreased and I lost 0.75 inches at my waist....all bloat. Honestly, I think my coffee and carbs contribute to my bloated belly issues.
I learned that I do NEED carbs in my diet and continued to workout through the program. On day 2 I had to eat a very small carb bite to dull the headache and day 3 for dinner, I had a very small portion again and my body just felt better with that. Yes, some may say I cheated but one thing I have been very good at over the years is listening to my body and if I can take a bite of carbs to stop a headache versus taking pain killers, I will take a bite of carbs.
But I am just one person and results can vary as we are all so different. One thing my whole group had in common was a tough day 1 with carb and other "bad" habit withdrawal but we all felt energized by the second day and got better and better. But don't take my word for it. Here is what they have to say.
This was the first time I did the 3 day Refresh program. I really didn't know what to expect but I questioned the fact that I would follow it through. I felt I was going to be starving the entire time and would eventually deviate from the dietary instructions. I've had hypothyroidism for 17 years now and although I take my medication daily, I've always experienced bouts of exhaustion and decrease in mental clarity. I did crave carbs between lunch and dinner but felt the juice option helped depress them. I did feel more energetic after the 3 days and felt more alert and not as foggy headed as usual. I dropped an inch from my waist (36 to 35). I lost 2 and a half pounds (143.5 to 141) and although that may not be a lot I feel great. The constant bloated feeling from the post holiday smorgasbords disappeared. I feel refreshed and ready for the year. Looking forward to making healthier diet choices and to my fitness journey. ~ Mercedes
This 3 Day Refresh was much needed to re-introduce structure & clean eating to my much maligned eating habits. It really brought me to my knees in gratitude. The belly bloat is gone! Down 2" on my waist from 42"
to 40" 
Day 1 was a bear without sugar & caffeine. Days 2 & 3 were smooth sailing. Down 5.6 lbs overall! ~ TerryFinally, would I do it again?
Absolutely! So if you are interested, let me know by emailing me.
Daily Gratitude: I am thankful the great products that are nutritionally sound.
Daily Bible Verse: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
