I did my first round of 3 Day Refresh at the start of the year. You can read that review HERE. That review will outline some of my initial fears and concerns but since I did it again, those fears were only.....fears.Why did I do it again?
After coming back from vacation I was feeling a little too lethargic, my clothes were a little too snug, and my sugar and coffee cravings were a bit too intense. This momma did not need a fancy coffee each day made with frothy coconut, almond, or soy milk and topped with cinnamon sugar. This momma needed some good old-fashioned, nature-made fruits and veggies.
What did I eat?
The idea of a cleanse may scare some and any restrictive diets are not something I am into but this is different. Yes, it does restrict calories but to be perfectly honest, I stuck to 21 Day Fix portion containers as 5 baby carrots and half an apple won't work for me. Plus I wasn't going for a weight loss jump just a cleansing of the diet and rebooting/eliminating of the cravings so to speak.
For breakfast each day I had a vegan Shakeology and a serving of fruit. Day 1 was Cafe Latte with banana and Day 2 and Day 3 were vanilla with pineapple. I strongly suggest that combination by the way. Oh the yumminess!
Instead of my traditional AM snack there is a fiber sweep drink, which I learned in January to mix and drink immediately. Some do not like the taste but I felt it was just fine but as darling daughter likes to say, "But Mom! You like vegan cheese!". Texture may mess with some people though but again, it was doable for me.
My lunches on Day 1 and Day 2 were a small salad with oil and vinegar plus an apple on Day 1 and pineapple on Day 2. Day 3 I had zucchini and carrots with hummus and that filled me up so much I could not eat my apple. Oops. I also enjoyed a vanilla fresh protein drink with each lunch to ensure protein needs are being met on this vegan plan.
Each day I also had an afternoon snack. Day 1 and 2 was zucchini with hummus. Day 3 was my apple from lunch with all-natural almond butter.
For dinner on Day 1 I had veggie stir fry with the family. Day 2 was a girls' night so I had a delicious cucumber and tomato salad that had fresh herbs in it and I made a cup of organic veggie broth with fresh arugula, basil, and parsley in it. For Day 3 I had a spring mix salad with fresh herbs added in. Dear hubby kept commenting on how delicious this salad was so I will be making it agin. He did add sardines to his salad for his protein needs as I had a vanilla fresh protein drink with each meal.
Any issues?
Intense cravings on the first night but darling daughter kept me strong and focused calmly telling me, "Mom, you probably will have cravings like that on a program like this". Gotta love her! On the second day I had a bout with diarrhea but in retrospect, maybe I should not have had pineapple twice that day. And then there was the dull headache of caffeine and sugar withdrawal but that eased up and was not an issue on the third day but maybe that one cup of coffee helped and the good thing is, on that day I did not crave my afternoon coffee!
Any cheats?
On Day 2 I had a small chai tea latte with a touch of soy as a headache was about to rule my life in a negative way and I still had to navigate a store and traffic on the way home. I also had no coffee this day. On Day 1 I had a few sips and on Day 3 I opted for a morning cup, black, as allowed by the plan. In addition on Day 2 I had 6 small peanut butter pretzels later in the evening. I was hungry. The headache was still there and the pretzels took the pain away. I had this same headache-need some carbs reaction in January. On Day 3 I also opted for a small cup of oatmeal at darling daughter's horse lessons as I knew dinner would be later than usual. Good thing because dinner was close to 2 hours late!
Did I continue to workout?
Yes and no. The first two days I ran just a mile on the treadmill but by Day 3 this momma needed to run and feel the wind in her face so I ran 4.5 miles in the morning and another 2.3 miles in the afternoon. I felt good and strong. The day after the program I ran a strong 8.1 miles outside in the crazy wind and I feel my pace was perfect for the wind I was facing and the uphill climbs I had.
What did I discover the second go around?
This truly is a doable program and helped curb those sugar and coffee cravings. That is huge because ironically the program ended just when my sugar cravings are intensifying due to hormones. I lost 3 pounds and 1 inch around my waist. I also lost 5/8 of an inch around my hips and 3/4 of an inch around my things. My jeans are back to fitting how the usually do.
The others who did the challenge with me also lost weight and felt revitalized at the end. Their weight loss was 4 pounds and 4.8 pounds.
Like me, they went into this with more than a weight loss goal but the intention to refocus their diets and get back on track. The cravings of life and our individual weaknesses do creep back in and I am happy to say, today I drank my coffee but didn't want or need any creamer or additional flavorings. I am sure I will indulge from time to time but it isn't an every time three times a day habit anymore. That is my weakness as a cup of coffee offers so much comfort through the warmth, aroma, and more but I can find just as much comfort in other things.
Today after my run I didn't want coffee. Yes, I would go to coffee. I drank a can of unsweetened green tea and feel wonderful. I also snacked on a couple of hard boiled eggs.
In addition, I saw my daughter's enthusiasm emerge again as she wanted to "clean up" her diet and I couldn't order her Daily Sunshine fast enough for her to try. Since I feel this program is based on a solid foundation I have no issues using it to teach my daughter about clean eating and how sometimes after we indulge a little too much, we just need to go back to the basics and refresh.
I want to teach a healthy relationship with food and this program aligns with that in my mind. It stresses clean eating and eating from the source, versus processed, and I am all for that. And the dinner ideas are inspirational and we had added some new meals to our family menu.
I love that this program pushes me out of my comfort zone and encourages me to try new fresh veggies and herbs while practicing self control and that, my friends, is a lesson that can be applied in so many ways in life.
Daily Gratitude: I am thankful for good eating plans and great friends who support me.
Daily Bible Verse: Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
