80 Day Obsession - My Experience (Phase 1)

The past few weeks, I've been treating myself like I am an athlete, even though I'm just a lowly office worker who likes to dabble in fitness. Why? Because I AM an athlete. I workout. I run. I am strong. So why shouldn't I take as much care with myself as an Olympic athlete would?

I didn't come to this realization - it happened over the course of the past few weeks as I've been trying a new exercise and nutrition program called 80 Day Obsession. Created by Super Trainer Autumn Calabrese, 80 Day Obsession sounds, well, obsessive.  But it's really just 80 days of workouts over a 91 day period, with a huge emphasis on the nutrients you are fueling your body with... which kinda makes you hyper-focused (obsessed?) with following the program. From the workouts, to making sure you're eating the right foods, to meal prepping, to eating every 2-3 hours... it takes effort. And plus, you're putting your body through strenuous 45-60 minute long workouts, so you need recovery time, aka plenty of sleep. Not gonna lie, it feels like my life revolves around work, sleep, eat, and working out...
But I love it.  AND THAT MY FRIENDS IS THE GAME CHANGER. If you are like me and love to workout and sweat, but haven't really paid that much attention to what you are eating except to try to eat healthy, this program is for you, because it tells you what to eat and when, but with plenty of customization so you eat foods you like. It's NOT a diet. You are NEVER hungry. And yet, you see results!!  Because the secret is that you need to fuel your body to lose weight. It's the opposite of what we've been taught our whole lives about eating less to lose weight! It's a mind shifting game changer.

I've been working out to Autumn Calabrese since she emerged on the Beachbody stage with 21 Day Fix and Portion Control over four years ago.  I've completed 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, Masters Hammer & Chisel, as well as other programs from other amazing Super Trainers such as Insanity, T25, Shift Shop, etc... and I kinda sorta followed the nutrition guidelines, but not really.  And of course, I wondered why I didn't get better results.

Enter 80 Day Obsession. Autumn promised it would be hard, and that it wouldn't be easy.  But that it would be worth it.

And it is hard. It isn't easy.  But IT IS WORTH IT.

But this is my retrospective view now that Phase 1 is complete - the first 3 weeks were a huge adjustment. I was constantly tired, I felt almost like I had the flu, I was stuffed with food and wondered why I was eating so much... My results weren't amazing. I didn't lose weight, I barely lost inches. But I felt the change internally... and so I continued to trust in the process.  It's not 30 day obsession, it's 80 days. So I just kept going. I can't wait to see what happens by the end of the program!

Also... because of how amazing I feel, and the mindset 180 I've felt since starting, I feel the need to share with EVERYONE. I want to spread the awesomeness that is this program, and to invite you to join me. I want to help others feel this amazing. I will be documenting my experience, tips and tricks, and results, and sharing them with you all with the hopes that you will join me for a Round Two later this year!

Here is a cool video about why some of my fellow challengers are doing 80 Day Obsession. Click here to learn more about 80 Day Obsession, and STAY TUNED for more details on how you can join me and others in April or May for Round 2! More details coming :)