This post contains affiliate links.
In case you’ve had your head in the ground ostrich-style* or are just looking for more info, I’m going to give you all of the deets on the 21 Day Fix, right here!
The 21 Day Fix is an all-encompassing way to lose weight and really get fit. It’s two-part:
- Workout videos
- Eating plan
First, let’s talk about the workouts. You will get seven 30-minute, moderate-intensity workouts, one for each day of the week, plus a 10 minute abs workout that you can add into your day if you’d like.
The included workouts are:
- Total Body Cardio Fix
- Upper Fix
- Lower Fix
- Pilates Fix
- Cardio Fix
- Dirty 30
- Yoga Fix
- 10-Minute Fix For Abs
The variety offered not only keeps you from getting bored, but it also ensures that you’re targeting EVERY part of your body. Most of these workouts use weights – you can use dumbbells or a resistance band (not included in the regular essentials package.)
If you’ve never used weights before, prepare to have your mind blown by some SERIOUS benefits. Aside from the obvious awesomeness (shhh, that’s a word!) of becoming stronger overall, using weights can prevent or improve osteoporosis, improve cardiovascular function and reduce your risk of injury as it strengthens your connective tissues, not to mention the fact that the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn! I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty into that.
When you first start the program, you’re going to know right away that it’s working. To be clear, what I mean is you’re going to be sore as fudge. I’d love to sugar-coat it, but to be honest I’ve never really been great in that department. Anyway, while it might not be very fun at the time (just a few days, I swear!!) it is THE sign that tells you that you are working those muscles and making things happen.
While I’m being truthful and honest here, I have a confession to make. I hate working out. No really, I seriously detest it – certain parts of it anyway. Especially lunges and squats, they’re the worst, am I right?! And let’s not forget burpees. Oh, the burpees!! My point is, while it might not be my favorite thing to do, I do it anyway, for ME and so can you. It’s only 30 minutes out of your day and I promise you will feel great afterwards. That accomplished feeling you get at the end of a workout is pretty much gold and when you see the changes in the mirror and notice the changes in the way that you feel, there really is no better motivator than that.
Ok, let’s talk about the FOOD!! I mean, that’s how you ended up on my site in the first place, isn’t it? The meal plan uses a color-coded container system. Each container is used for a different type of food.
- Green is for veggies
- Purple is for fruits
- Red is for proteins
- Yellow is for carbs
- Blue is for healthy fats
- Orange is for dressings
- Teaspoons are for oils and nut butters
In the eating plan book, it will give you a simple equation that you will use to determine how many of each container you can eat each day, based on your current weight. No more calorie-counting! I want to stress the fact that, while the containers may look small (and when you get them, you may very well slap your knee at their compact appearance) you can actually stuff quite a bit of food in those little suckers. If you can fit the lid on you’re good to go! It’s set up so that you’re eating 5-6 meals (including snacks) a day and I have to say that I’ve really never felt hungry.
It also comes with Autumn’s “Countdown to Competition” plan, a three day eating plan that Autumn (the creator) uses before a bikini competition. I’m sure it works great, but I have personally never used it. If you haven’t noticed, this girl is pretty serious about food and I just don’t have it in me. If you do, more power to you!
In the eating plan, it lays out everything you can have and it’s pretty explicit. I’ll admit, I occasionally color ever-so-slightly outside of the lines here and there but if I do that on this blog, I’ll be sure to mention it so you can decide for yourself if you want to do that.
There was nothing more liberating for me than having this plan not give me a list of things I couldn’t have, but a list of all of the things that I could. It was all possibility instead of denial. I was so excited by that, I started writing and changing up recipes for it right away and it’s why I wanted to share them and hopefully help a few folks who may struggle with the food aspect of the plan.
Here are a few examples of things you can have that you may not know about: coffee (also options for things to put in your coffee so you don’t have to drink it black!) treats (three times a week,) special drinks like juice, WINE and milk (three times a week,) and cheese! Goat cheese is even included, which puts me over-the-freaking-moon!
Here is everything that comes with the Fix:
The workout DVD’s (plus the bonus if you ordered from a coach), the color-coded containers, the Countdown to Competition Plan, the Start Here Guide, the Eating Plan, and a Shakeology Shaker cup.
There are a few things that you will need that are not included and they are:
A set of light weights
If you already have the 21 Day Fix or have decided to order it, please have a look around my site! I have a lot of great tips, tricks and tools to help you out.
If you’re not interested in the program, that’s COMPLETELY FINE! However, I REALLY hope you’ll stick around and try out some of my recipes. Healthy can be oh-so-delicious and I want to prove it to you, one tasty bite at a time.
*Fun fact: Ostriches don’t really put their heads in the sand. Just thought I’d get that out there. Yep, total myth.
Amazon link and it’s PRIME!! Whoop whoop!!
This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click on them and purchase something, I receive a small percentage. It’s my policy to only link to items I believe are of value to you. Thank you so much for supporting The Foodie and The Fix!
I love your review. I am doing the fix on Beachbody on Demand. I wasn’t too sure about the food but now that you explained it, I’m going to give it a try. I’m on Day 9 and yes I agree Burpees are the worst thing in the world. LOL!
Ha! Right?! I’m so glad my explanation was helpful!
I am so glad I found your blog. I tried 21 Day Fix when it first came out and was not successful like I had hoped to be. I am ready to do it again (50 pounds to lose) and your blog has given me the nudge to do it again. Thank you!
I’m so glad! Feel free to reach out if I can help with anything, it’s truly all about the planning!
It was very helpful to me!! I’m just starting this and had the exact same question. Thanks!!
I’m so happy to hear that!!
Hi,
The link to purchase just takes me to the pintrest board. I can’t see a way to get to the amazon link.
Hi! Sorry about that! I fixed it, but it looks like it’s unavailable on amazon right now! But here’s the link for it at Beachbody.
I tried 3 days of the 21 day fix workouts and my hips were aching? Like a deep ache?! Have you heard of this with this program or felt this when starting the program? Thanks!
I haven’t personally felt it in my hips, but people have aches in different places when starting a new workout program. It’s been a few days since you commented with this (sorry, I’ve been sick!) – are your hips still bothering you? Sometimes it just takes your body some time to adjust to a new program.
You are not alone! When I first started 21 day fix I had difficulties walking normal. I had to steer clear of wearing heels. I see your post is from April, however I am going to assume the pain went away then. This happens from our bodies not being used to moving certain ways.
Oh yeah, it always feels better after a few days 🙂
I can honestly say I feel muscles I did not know I had. But, if you are feeling horrible pain in your hips, maybe you did a wrong move? I know I sometimes feel it in my lower back and it’s because doing sit ups has always been a pain for me to do them correctly.
Hello, I’m just finding this page and just ordered the containers.
I like to make stir fry meals. If it’s chicken it can be separated easier to measure out in the containers, but what if it’s ground turkey or ground beef mixed with veggies?
What container do I use to not over or under eat?
Hi Angela! Here’s what I do. I measure the ingredients going in, for example: If I were to make a stir fry, I might use 1 lb of chicken (4 Reds per Autumn) and 4 cups of veggies. I would consider that 4 servings, each having 1 Red and 1 Green. To find out how much each serving will be, I measure how much it makes (I have a big 9-cup measuring cup that I use for this, but you can use whatever you have on hand) and then divide that by 4. So if it made 6 cups, each serving would 1 1/2 cups. Hope this was helpful! And congrats on ordering the 21 Day Fix!
Hi stephanie,
First of all thank you for all the info, you’re making it super easy.
I just got the containers as a present from a weight loss group and it’s making everything so much easier to follow instead of just counting calories and not looking at fat or carbs.
Anyways, I have a quick question that’s been bugging me… The red container (protein) should be eaten 4 times per day (in the 1,200-1,499 cals) but when I fill it with chicken or meat it gives me a whopping 300-400 grams in total !!
I think there’s something I’m not doing right because I was reading your other post and you explained that the red container is only 15-25 g, could you tell me how did you come up with that? This is the first time my scale doesn’t meet the grams that people tell me. And I feel like 100 g of chicken/,eat/tuna per day is too little, what are your thoughts?
Thanks!!
Hey Michelle! First off, you’re doing everything right and I’m so glad to hear that the containers are helping you! In the post that says 15 – 25 grams, that’s talking about protein content, not the weight of the food itself. It’s basically saying that your 300 -400 grams of chicken will have between 15 and 25 grams of protein in it. I hope that’s helpful!
What are your thoughts of Shakeology? Do you think its worth the extra to get that in the kit verse without?
Hey Kelly! Sorry I’m so late getting back to you, I’m in the middle of a move and things have been nuts! Anyway, I’ll tell you this, I’ve never used shakeology and I know many other people who haven’t who’ve gotten amazing results. It’s definitely not necessary and out of budget for a lot of people. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it, but if you follow the plan, you’ll have great results either way. Hope this was helpful!
How much is the 21 day fix kit with dvds?
Hi Jillian! The Essential Package, which comes with the DVDs, the eating guide and the containers is $59.85, If you want to add a 1 month’s supply of Shakeology, that package is $140.00 and is called the 21 Day Fix and Shakeology Challenge Pack. There’s a link on this page to my Beachbody Shop 🙂
What are your thoughts on the necessity of the “Essential Kit” vs. the “Extreme” kit?
If you’re just starting out, you definitely want to go with the essential package. Extreme is a different set of workouts altogether and you really need a foundation of fitness (they are extreme, after all!) before you start them. Beachbody also sells an original 21 Day Fix/21 Day Fix Extreme combo pack that’ll save you about $20 (not to mention the shipping) if you’re pretty sure you’re going to want to do Extreme after you’ve done the original for a while. Hope that helps!