The Ultimate Reset.

This has been my program for the last 21 days. A vegetarian whole food experience designed to clean out the toxins, and reset your body back to its optimal state. Using supplements, and a meal plan which I loved 95% of the time, not only did this program deliver on the promise, but I also learned my way around a vegetarian kitchen in the process.

Oh, and one more thing.

I gave up coffee. And sugar. And processed food. Flour. Things that come in boxes. And dairy.

Was it hard?

Yes, in the beginning it was. Figuring out when to take the supplements. The whole idea around drinking water 30 minutes prior to a meal. Preparing vegetables I’ve never even pondered purchasing in past. Trying to fit everything into my fridge.

Our composter is now full after 21 days.

So, first things first.

What is the Ultimate Reset? (from the Ultimate Reset guidebook)

The Beachbody Ultimate Reset is not just a cleanse or a detox–although you will certainly experience those benefits. It’s a no-starvation, multifaceted, life-changing, cutting-edge, “this-is-the-real-deal”, inner-body tune-up.

It does so much more than simply cleanse. Yes, it does help your body eliminate waste, gently and naturally. But is also helps to maximize the energy production within your cells, improve your body’s ability to process fuel from nutrients and micronutrients, and assist every process in your body in running more smoothly.

Why did I do the Ultimate Reset?

I chose to do the Reset because I have a tough time with winter. Even though I workout, the steel-gray skies of Pittsburgh have taken a toll on me. From January to March, due to lack of sunlight and cold temperatures, I get fuzzy, fatigued, frazzled, and freaky sad. This is new for me since moving here. I hunker down with way to much coffee and nosh on way too much popcorn and processed carbs, and while my body, which has gone through a great physical transformation over the past 3 years, still holds the remnants of physical success under the surface, all that hard work seems to be lost in a thick winter “coat” of sorts. I need to clear the head, AND, the organs. I need refreshment. A tune-up. A release of the “winter” as I enter the spring – renewed.

What were my results on the Ultimate Reset?

The numbers? While the Reset isn’t a weight loss program, removing meat, dairy, sugar, processed flour, and some calories, WILL result in lost weight. I lost 10.5 lbs (I was up about 5 from my comfortable weight when I started), and 10 inches. 2 from my waist, 2 from each thigh, and then 1 from each arm, my chest, and my hips. This really isn’t very extreme. In fact it put me back in the place I was after Pump and Insanity. So I’m very pleased!

What did I learn from the Ultimate Reset?

I learned that there is always room for improvement in the kitchen. I am now eating a beautiful, colorful array of vegetables, many of which I never even knew how to prepare. I learned that while vegetarian cooking has always been of interest to me, I never attempted it because I didn’t think I had the skills to prepare delicious meals. The Reset helped by providing me with all the recipes, the shopping lists, AND private groups to help me along the way.

I learned to prep meals the night before.

I learned to sit down and eat.

I learned the value of drinking a full 8-12 oz of water 30 minutes BEFORE eating – you truly learn that you are not as hungry as you once thought.

I learned that people stare when your cart is only full of vegetables.

I learned that a trip to the grocery store takes less time when you don’t peruse the center aisles.

I learned that fennel and beets ROCK ‘DA HOUSE!

I learned that I like eating this way and want to continue.

I learned that I don’t need coffee. (I took 2 weeks to wean myself off coffee, of which I usually had 3-4 cups a day prior to starting.)

I learned that I don’t miss meat.

I learned that I don’t like tempeh.

I learned the roasted vegetables and sweet potatoes are so very delicious.

I will be doing this program one a year from here on out.

Where do I go from here?

From here, I will essentially move backwards on the plan, eating only fruits and veggies this week, adding in grains next week, and eggs and fish three weeks in.

Coffee – the decaf variety – will remain a no-no for at least another month, as the acidity will most likely really bother me if I begin drinking it too quickly.

Alcohol? Same. My body has lost any resistance to alcohol  so that too needs to wait. Sadly, my margarita Thursdays will be water and chips/salsa Thursdays.

Vegan Shakeology is back this week! Yeah! And I’ll be experimenting with add the alkalinize supplement to it. I will also continue taking the optimize supplement.

Vegetarian cookbooks and the vegetarian meal plan from The Fresh 20 are now my homework.

I’m continuing with the water dealio of drinking it before a meal – not with a meal.

To assist George in lowering his borderline high cholesterol, we are going to continue this way of eating until he has his bloodwork taken again.

I’d love to walk with you through your experience on this program, as no one should head into it alone. We have a team support group for the Reset, and the company offers three private groups for the three phases of the program. There is also an online portal with recipes – including quick and easy recipes – for those wanting to do the program, but who have very demanding schedules.

I honestly believe, with the nutritional confusion, and dare I say devastation that has come to our country by way of processed foods, this program should be a first for everyone who is starting their journey to become healthy and fit for the long term.

Find out more about the Ultimate Reset here. Read up on the program, watch videos, and assess whether this program is for you.