An Unbiased PiYo and Shakeology Review – Week 7

Truth. Read and repeat.

I am not being compensated for this review. My goal is to provide real information about my experience with the PiYo and 21 Day Fix programs as an independent fitness instructor trying something new.  I will be checking in weekly and posting my results at the bottom of each entry. For previous reviews, check out Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Weeks 4-5 and Week 6.

Week 7/8 , the light is at the end of the tunnel, but it’s easy to get a bit lax. This week I lost more weight than usual (a plus!) but also had a few indulgences due to being at work functions and having no healthy food options. The workouts were the same, rotating the tougher “Drench” workout with “Buns,” “Sculpt” and “Core.”  But I did find a way to shake it up…

The Workouts:

If you order PiYo through a Beachbody Coach you get a free additional DVD for each program. For Piyo I got “Hardcore on the Floor.” This is a DVD focuses on moves on the mat and really does challenge you. You can rotate it in by replacing the normal “Core” with this one. I was excited to get a bit of variety into the rotation and work some other muscles. Like past reviews, I decided to write down a breakdown as I went through it…so here it goes.

“Hardcore on the Floor”

33 minute workout with a 3 minute warm up.

A free additional workout for ordering through a coach

The warm up reviews the basics we’ve learned with more of an emphasis on the core. Then it’s onto Beast pose, one of my biggest challenges. This workout introduces more advanced versions of Beast, some of which I was not winning at but for those who may be going through the program for a second or third time will likely be advanced enough to need these.

Next are V-sits, variations of this classic move and then integrating them with crunches! Wow, it burns so good. Then we return to the PiYo pedals and rolls, a personal favorite.

Side planks with crunches, Beast and Roman oblique twists follow. All reviews of moves learned in previous PiYo workouts.

Then it’s time to go facedown on the mat with down dog variations, elbow planks and an inch worm-like move. This becomes a flow routine with planks, triceps push ups and down dog.

The workout closes with back extensions and a quick cool down.

For a freebie, this DVD was really nice! It wasn’t as challenging as “Drench” or “Strength Intervals” but it was really fun to take the basic poses and learn advanced varieties. Plus it’s great to always add in something news, I’m glad I got this bonus through my coach.

Overall:  The workouts got a little easier this week, not sure if it’s because I have been doing them repeatedly or if it’s because my endurance and strength has improved. Probably a combo of both, although I’ve gained significant muscle gain. Over this past week I noticed that I didn’t need to stop the DVDs as often for water or a break, so my endurance is definitely up which is awesome. I’m still challenged, even on week 7, so this workout program has really impressed me.

Week 7 Meal Prep

The Meal Plan:

This week was a combo. I cooked more and had successful meal planning. I made homemade mushroom barley soup, TVP tacos with black beans, etc. Some days I knocked it out of the park. Others I was proud and justified treating myself due to how much I’d accomplished. So there was a day when I had extra carbs because I was at a work event for 8 hours with no options and another when I had two servings of wine instead of one. The days that I had pizza or extra wine I just made sure to eat very light and healthy the rest of the day to balance it or work harder the next day.

Overall: This week taught me that I need to stay consistent. My meal planning is strong, but I can see myself falling into old habits once the program is over. I am learning to be a bit more balanced, pick my meals thoughtfully and make sure that indulgences are occasional and paired with lighter meals and a walk or tougher workout.

Shakeology: Still a Shakeology addict! I’ve spent most of the week sipping on my Pumpkin Spice Shakeology recipe. While I love the variety pack, I think the Chocolate Shakeology will be what I always gravitate towards since I have such a sweet tooth!

With the power of Pinterest I found another yummy Shakeology treat, a Cookies and Cream recipe that is downright decadent without the calories of a typical dessert.  See the photo below for the recipe.

Yuuuuummmm

Overall: Beyond seeing the effects of Shakeology as a low-calorie meal replacement and good source of protein, I’m seeing the impact on my external appearance, my nails and hair are growing faster and stronger. It’s almost annoying to have to keep doing my highlights but I’m glad to see proof of some positive changes to my health. I’ve stopped taking vitamins as it has a ton of nutrients and I don’t want to overdo it. I don’t do a unique recipe like the above every day, but when I use it as a late night snack or on the weekends to keep it from getting monotonous.

Coach and Challenge Group:

I’ve been more active with the challenge group this week, especially since I wasn’t checking in as frequently last week. It really has kept me focused on my health and accountable for my fitness. I’ve added more frequent walks so I could check in and say “Yes, I met and exceeded my goals today!” I shared meal prep photos and was happy to have a group of like-minded people to share my success, and in the case of days with too many carbs, my struggles.

Overall: I said it from the start and I will again, the challenge groups are one of the best assets to the Beachbody programs. You can buy all the health food and workout plans in the world, but if you lack motivation or accountability you won’t do them. While I’m a motivated person, on the days I felt like skipping I had my group to think about and it has made the possible difference between making it from day one to week seven.

Well I teased it at the beginning so here it is, my week seven results!

RESULTS:

1.4 lb. down for 13 lbs. lost in 7 weeks.  I’ve experienced significant muscle toning and gain too.

NSVs (non scale victories): I had the courage and newfound body confidence to model for a drawing club in a bikini after over a year of them asking me to do it. My husband said, in typical guy fashion, “I don’t know how to say this, but your but looks incredible. Not that it looked bad before, but it looks great now.” Hey, I’ll take it! 🙂

Tune in for a review of week eight next week. Thanks for stopping by for my unbiased Piyo and Shakeology review!

Previous Entries:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3.

Weeks 4-5

Week 6