Weight Loss + Nutrition + Mindset + Total Body Wellness
Chocolate Shakeology and peanut butter add an extra protein kick to this breakfast.
Prepare the oatmeal according to package instructions. Remove from heat. Stir in Shakeology, peanut butter and caramel extract. Makes 4 servings.
The flavors of Morocco come through with this easy dish. Start to finish, you’re done in less than 25 minutes.
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add carrots, onions, and bell peppers. Saute five minutes, or until tender. Add garlic, spices and heat through an additional two minutes. Add garbanzo beans, vegetable broth, and couscous. Cover and reduce heat to low. Heat for five minutes, remove from heat and fluff before serving. Add parsley to garnish.
Over the past five years, Autumn Calabrese revolutionized the way we approach nutrition with her color-coded portion-control food containers that have helped millions change their lives, while still enjoying the foods they love. Now, Portion Fix has been improved and upgraded to The Ultimate Portion Fix, a premium nutrition program sold as a standalone program on the nutrition tab of Beachbody On Demand.
If you’re familiar with Autumn’s approach to nutrition, you know that portion-control is key. But now, she’s going to delve deeper into the three main principles.
1. Portion Control
2 Balanced macronutrients
3. Eliminating processed foods
The tools in the new The Ultimate Portion Fix program will help you:
• Break your sugar-addiction
• Get the whole family healthy
• Maximize your nutrition for performance
• Over 30 new videos about the containers with deep dives into the principles of the plan so you can really grasp each concept.
• Portion-control containers – FREE GIFT!
• Program Workbook and Daily Logbook.
• Tracking on iOS and Android devices. On iOS users can find container, weight and water tracking in the Nutrition+ app. On Android, users can track these items within the Beachbody On Demand app.
• Fixate Volume 2 Cookbook. Includes 102 new recipes.
• 75 Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids PDF (digital). A quick and easy resource for parents that want to make sure their kids getting a variety of healthy foods and not eating the same things over and over again.
• Fixate Cooking Show. Access to over 200 videos.
• Beachbody Insulated Tote Bag. Comes with large partitioned containers, ice packs, and plenty of storage so you can take your food with you wherever you go and stay on track (included in the Combo Pack and as an optional purchase).
• BONUS 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme Workouts.
• 3/4/19: Coach Exclusive Launch Window for the Ultimate Portion Fix Program. Coaches will also be able to purchase Ultimate Portion Fix Certification. Certification provides Coaches with videos, worksheets, and tools that will help Coaches better highlight the benefits of the program and training directly from Autumn on how to start and lead their own Ultimate Portion Fix Challenge groups. When purchasing UPF Certification, Coaches will have the opportunity to get a free 30-day trial of Master Series, a monthly subscription that provides Coaches with timely tools to lead their groups more effectively.
• 3/18/19: Official Launch Date. The Ultimate Portion Fix Bundles go on Sale with a BONUS – new real-time streaming of the 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme Workouts.
• 4/1/19: Live stream of 21 Day Fix begins.
• 4/29/19: Live stream of 21 Day Fix Extreme begins.
• 5/31/19: 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme Challenge Packs go on sale. Workouts that were live streamed will move into BOD member library.
• There will be two Coach test groups, one for Coaches who have purchased Certification and one for Coaches who have purchased the home program. More details to come and dedicated FAQ will be released closer to launch
• Those who purchase The Ultimate Portion Fix will be granted streaming access to the Portion Fix content through the Nutrition tab on Beachbody On Demand.
• Once you purchase The Ultimate Portion Fix, you have access to the program forever; no associated continuity or subscription.
*Please Note: Dates are subject to change.
Q: Where can The Ultimate Portion Fix be found?
A: The Ultimate Portion Fix is a premium nutrition program that is not included in a standard Beachbody On Demand membership; it requires a separate purchase from Beachbody On Demand. A Beachbody On Demand membership is not included with a Portion Fix standalone purchase. It is also not required that Beachbody On Demand be purchased to access the Portion Fix content.
Q: Will I be able to access the 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme real time workouts after the live stream is complete?
A: Yes. The workouts will be available anytime from The Ultimate Portion Fix program on Beachbody On Demand. After May 31, the workouts also will be part of the BOD Member Library and accessible from the 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme programs.
Q: Does The Ultimate Portion Fix program come with the color-coded containers?
A: Yes, you will get one set of color-coded containers. Additional containers can be bought separately on teambeachbody.com
Q: Do I get DVDs with this program?
No, this is a streaming-based program. If you have spotty internet, you can download the videos to watch at your convenience via the Beachbody on Demand app.
Q: What are Autumn Calabrese’s nutrition credentials?
A: Autumn is a certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She is also the creator of 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme and the color-coded container system, which has been a breakthrough in simplifying eating for millions of people.
Q: Do I need to exercise when doing The Ultimate Portion Fix?
A: Although the plan is designed to provide weight loss regardless of exercise just by helping the user get better control of their portions and food choices, incorporating fitness into your routine will not only help improve your results, it’s good for your health! In fact, many Beachbody nutrition plans have already been “containerized” to work with The Ultimate Portion Fix system.
Q: Can I use Shakeology with this program?
A: Of course! Shakeology is a source of protein and counts as a red container.
Q: What if I am also doing a Beachbody fitness program?
A: We recommend you follow the nutrition plan that accompanies the fitness program, but many of our programs use the portion control containers or give you the option.
Q: What is the difference between 2B Mindset and The Ultimate Portion Fix?
Ultimate Portion Fix utilizes External Control (containers) and 2B Mindset uses Internal Controls (mindset). Ultimate Portion Fix is Structured; 2B Mindset is Flexible. Ultimate Portion Fix utilizes specific portion guidelines while 2B Mindset has general ones. 2B mindset allows for greater volume eating, Ultimate Portion Fix is about portion control.
DIGITAL INFO FOR ULTIMATE PORTION FIX
Will the program be available in Spanish and French?
All digital materials will be translated into Spanish and French.
What digital tools will be included with The Ultimate Portion Fix?
Digital tools will include: Educational video segments, 75 Kids Lunch Ideas PDF (digital), Tally Sheets, Vegan and Regular Food Lists, Sample Menus, a Grocery List Template, and a Meal Planner Template,
Will there be a tracking app?
Yes. The Nutrition+ App for iOS will be updated to include more robust container tracking features. For Android Users, container tracking will now be available via the Beachbody on Demand App.
Will the tracking functionality via the app be similar to the 21 Day Fix App?
Yes, but it will offer even more! You’ll be able to track your container count equivalents but also access video tutorials, meal tracker, progress logs, and healthy recipes.
These images are used with permission from the Coaches who participate in the Pilot Test Group. Results are 30-day transformations.
Book Number SEVEN: Power vs. Force by Dr. David R. Hawkins
After reading Letting Go by Dr. David R. Hawkins, I had to delve deeper into his teachings. He’s an amazing thinker, philosopher, theologist and totally in touch with the psychological evolution of humankind on a metaphysical level. Did I lose you yet? I hope not! It sounds deep, but it’s really cool. You can use it to be happier, more satisfied in your relationships, and even advance your career. This stuff is kind of esoteric, but let me explain…
Have you heard the phrase “raise your vibrations”? It’s been around since hippie times. Good vibes. Right on. Ya know? Hawkins’ general teachings assign “vibratory levels” to certain emotions. Shame, guilt and anger being at the lowest end, love, peace and joy at the highest. He’s calibrated the levels of all emotions; a sort of ladder of consciousness, on which we can measure our own evolution. He’s far from being a hippie, though. He’s done research into kinesiology that supports his stance that the higher energy levels strengthen us, the lower energies weaken us.
The idea is that in terms of kinesiology, your body knows the truth. Certain thoughts, emotions, images, music, can make you go either “strong” or “weak”. When you are filled with love and joy, your body is strong. When you feel grief-stricken, at odd with someone, it goes weak. Basically, your body will become strong in the presence of truth and authenticity, it will go weak in the presence of falsehood. it’s reflected in the musculature of the body. You can even test it.
Here’s an overview of his chart and energy calibrations:
On a personal level, the idea is to “let go” of those lower energies to ‘vibrate higher’ and attract abundance, happiness and fulfillment. On a societal level, the idea is that when we raise our vibrations we move forward the collective consciousness. This makes logical sense to me. The more we can release negativity, the better we feel. The more authenticity, love and truth we can project towards ourselves and others, the stronger we become. And the more people doing that, the better our families, communities and world will be.
After reading Power vs. Force, my tally for 2019 is seven books read, as well as two Audible audiobooks completed. More on my 52 Books in 52 Weeks project
LET GO TO EXPERIENCE LOVE
On Valentine’s Day, I finished an amazing book by David R. Hawkins called Letting Go. I thought it was an apropos and timely ending to a day focusing on love and what it means to us. The book really helped frame my outlook on love, and how we can better experience it and share it with others. (Since the book was 365+ pages long I’ll paraphrase my takeaways, but if you’re interested in experiencing more love and positive emotions in your life I highly recommend you grab a copy and read it from cover to cover. I’ll drop a link in the comments below)
Think of emotions as energy forms, each taking on a stronger vibration. Shame, guilt and anger are at the low end of the spectrum. Love, joy and peace are on the highest end. When we experience negative emotions, they cloud our ability to vibrate at higher energy levels and experience positive emotions. They weigh us down. They’re heavy and dark, like clouds covering up the sun.
The author suggests a “Letting Go” technique for when negative emotions arise- which is basically recognizing and experiencing the emotion then allowing it to pass. The truth is, most of us are afraid to experience our own emotions, which are there to serve us. Too often we suppress negativity because it’s not fun to experience. We “dull” it with social media, video games, Netflix binges, alcohol, or other means of escapism.
The thing is, most negative emotions, when allowed to be experienced, pass rather quickly. They’re really nothing to be afraid of, and can be a means to help us grow if we choose to see them that way. They’re tools we can use to break down barriers and surrender to a higher vibration.
There have been times in my own life where my own ability to love has been overshadowed with feelings of resentment, anger and judgment. I’m a work in progress, but getting better at recognizing these emotions and letting them go. The more I recognize them and see them for what they are, the more I realize they don’t serve me at all. The higher energies do.
Bottom line: Love is always there, because it’s WITHIN us. We ARE love. It’s just that we hang on to negativity thinking it will somehow protect us or serve us (psssst! It doesn’t). So, if you’re struggling with feelings of doubt, shame, anger… let it go. It is only serving to block the higher energies of love and joy.
Love to all of you beautiful people!!
UPDATE on my 52 Books in 52 Weeks Project: 4 out of 52 books read this year, 1 Audible book.
I totally believe that a scale is a good tool to use if you want to lose weight. It will tell you if you’re doing the right things to stay on track, and help you measure your progress. But, it’s ONLY a tool. When we give it more power than it deserves we tend to lose focus on what’s truly important in our wellness journey.
I can relate. In my 20s, I was focused entirely too much on the scale. I let it dictate how I felt about myself on any given day, and I was not focused on being healthy. I was focused SOLELY on that number and had given that one silly item way too much power. Now that I’m older and hopefully a bit wiser, my relationship with the scale is much healthier. I use it a few times a week to make sure I’m still in my “maintenance zone” and focus my daily behaviors on what I need to do to stay there. It’s a mental game as much as it is a physical one.
Are you becoming too focused on the scale? Here are five signs you may need to re-think how you use it:
When you start your wellness journey, you’ll quickly realize that in order to be successful you have to focus on more than just weight loss. Often, it starts with tapping into WHY you want to lose weight. The most common reasons I hear about are to look better, to have more energy, and to combat or prevent health problems. What is YOUR main motivator right now? Then, take those reasons and ask yourself, “What would achieving those things do to enhance my life?” That’s your WHY power. The more you can tap into that daily, the more intrinsically motivated you’ll become. Let it fuel your fire.
Once you really dial into your WHY power, you can focus on the behaviors necessary to achieve your goals. What will you need to practice to become the sort of person that is healthier, stronger or more confident? Remember, losing weight is simply a byproduct of healthy behavior practiced consistently. When we focus on the behaviors and why we’re really doing them, we can use them to our advantage. The WHY power that got you started is exponentially more powerful than you WILL power.
To make room in your life for something new, you have to get rid of something old. This doesn’t just apply to material possessions. It can also mean habits, mindset, and long-held beliefs that are holding you back. I believe there is a connection between emotional clutter, physical clutter and body clutter. If you’re holding on to any type of clutter, exploring some of the emotional reasons behind it can help you in other areas of life. 
Making space in your life – emotional and physical, is a great start.
It’s time to analyze and reset! Those emotional reasons could also be the ones that cause you to hold on to extra pounds.
During the month of March, we’ll be exploring the “why” behind the extra weight through personal development and daily accountability challenges. I’ll be posting some great articles and videos that should inspire you to declutter, and in doing so shed any extra weight or emotional baggage.
Our group will take place in a closed Facebook group. The only other people that will see your posts are other group members. You will be encouraged to start a ‘progress album’ to track your weight loss as well as your decluttering projects. You’ll get:
This group is open to my current Beachbody customers (meaning you purchased something in October). What you purchase is up to you to help you on your wellness journey. It could be any of the following –
I chose this book after reading The Untethered Soul and feeling like it totally changed my outlook on life. I wanted to see what other nuggets of wisdom the author, Michael A. Singer, had to share. If you’re thinking about picking it up, be aware that The Surrender Experiment is more of a memoir than a personal growth book. I enjoyed it, but not as much as the other.
The Surrender Experiment starts by describing Singer’s personal spiritual journey and academic background, and ends with his meteoric rise to corporate success. Singer started his career as a professor in Florida making $5K per year, and it ends with the company he started being sold for over $100M and eventually merging with WebMD and the process he went through personally and professionally to get there.
The premise of the book is that early in his life, Singer decided “surrender” to let the universe and allow it drive his decisions. Most of th
e examples of his “allowing” have to do with opportunities he had to be of service to others. Often, those opportunities pointed him in directions he resisted and were things he really didn’t want to do. But, through his trust that the universe knew best, he was able to manifest some pretty amazing situations and abundance.
Singer was an economics student when the book begins, and through a series of events fell out of love with academics and began his spiritual journey. He definitely had an unconventional lifestyle. He was living as a yogi/hermit in a cabin in the woods and isolating himself from others in order to practice meditation for hours each day. When that failed to satisfy him, he challenged himself to see what would happened if he “surrendered” to life instead of isolating himself from it.
The end of the book gets a little bit dry and repetitive as he points out example after example of business transactions that happened as a result of his surrender experiment. That section left me craving more of the personal, spiritual background behind those events and examples of growth.
This book also definitely focused on his career successes, not his personal life. He doesn’t spend much time at all talking about his marriage and daughter. really doesn’t write about that much at all. You get the feeling his life was all about his career, not his family. To most of us, that part of surrender is more relevant to daily life.
I felt as though the book failed to describe his exact parameters for true “surrender”. In real life, we can’t honor every request the universe throws at us. If everyone followed that paradigm, we’d quickly become overcommitted and stressed out. It would also be easy to get taken advantage of. How did he decide which of those opportunities to take? The book seemed a little contradictory by urging us to take opportunities presented to us, yet also describing times when he turned down opportunities himself. I wanted to know how and when he “surrendered” and when he just said no.
What I did like was the emphasis on allowing our negative emotions and resistance to be our teachers and guides. This book is a great example of someone who believes life happens for them, not to them. When we look at situations in life as teachers and opportunities for growth, that’s when we learn and evolve.
UPDATE on my 52 Books in 52 Weeks Project: 3 out of 52 books read this year, 1 Audible book.
My second “paper” book of 2019 is finished! The Power of Intention took me a long time to finish. Even longer than you might think.
You see, I found the original receipt in the book from when I bought it a long time ago, dated October of 2007. So, I guess I can say it took me twelve years to finish it, but it was definitely worth the wait! I think when I first attempted to read it, the busyness of mom life prevented me from really concentrating on the words. I was distracted and in a different season of life. Now that I’m older and the kids are more independent, it was perfect timing. In fact, one of the themes in the book is allowing things to unfold in their own time, in perfect order. This book found its perfect time.
A few major takeaways from this book:
1. You can’t change the world, but you can change how you look at it. Perception is everything. When you look at people with love and understanding, you vibrate at a higher frequency. And when you do, everything changes. It’s easier to express love, to rid yourself of feelings like guilt, shame, sadness and anger.
2. In order to raise your own vibrational frequency, you have to practice positive thinking, which leads to feeling positive emotions. First, start with yourself. Show yourself love, self-forgiveness, non-judgment, and see yourself as the divine masterpiece that you are. Ditch the negative self-talk. Then, you can branch out and start looking at others that way too. I’ll have to admit, when I was in my “slumps” and wrestled with bouts of depression, I had been pretty hard on myself. I think that’s why I was at such a low vibrational frequency. I was beating myself up mentally.
3. Your ego is a huge stumbling block to happiness. When you start to recognize the times when your ego is talking, you can tell it to shut up. When you do, you open the doors to greater happiness and the ability to manifest what you want in life. One of the ways the ego gets in the way of you living your best life is by judging others. That will knock you down the vibrational ladder, so to speak. If you believe that we’re all connected in this universe, it stands to reason that any judgment or negativity you project onto others will also have an effect on YOU.
4. LOVE THE CRAP OUT OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. My BIGGEST takeaway from this book is so simplistic. It makes perfect sense, but it’s sometimes hard to put into practice: Just show tons of love and forgiveness to yourself and others. When you do, you raise your vibration and ability to attract the good things in life like love, connection, and abundance.
This was the second book out my 52 Books in 52 Weeks Project. Check it out, and join me!