I discovered Tone It Up in May of 2017 through a friend. She had been a member of Tone It Up for over two years (a Christmas gift from her husband) but had not yet participated in a challenge. She introduced it to me and asked me to join in the challenge that was scheduled to start the following week - the 2017 Bikini Challenge. We spent the weekend together preparing for the challenge: to meal prep, talk about our goals, drink rose and answer the questions presented to the Tone It Up community by the creators/trainers Katrina and Karena. The questions were great - our goals started out as superficial ('lose weight' and 'fit back into those jeans') but by the end of that weekend, we had goals that were more centered on overall health and wellness, building confidence, and becoming a part of a community that supports women.
We were going strong until the Seven-Day Slim Down (the Seven-Day Slim Down was scheduled at the end of the challenge - a final week of exercises and specific slimming foods/recipes). It was not the Slim Down that caused us to derail but rather, unforeseen life circumstances. Alas I have been participating in challenges ever since - there have been three: the 21 Day Slim Down, the Love Your Body Challenge and the 2018 Bikini Challenge. I was not as successful in those challenges as the first one but I have lost 25 pounds to date.
We were going strong until the Seven-Day Slim Down (the Seven-Day Slim Down was scheduled at the end of the challenge - a final week of exercises and specific slimming foods/recipes). It was not the Slim Down that caused us to derail but rather, unforeseen life circumstances. Alas I have been participating in challenges ever since - there have been three: the 21 Day Slim Down, the Love Your Body Challenge and the 2018 Bikini Challenge. I was not as successful in those challenges as the first one but I have lost 25 pounds to date.
In high school and college, I participated in athletics - water polo, swim and crew (rowing). It was after college, when I no longer had a daily rigorous workout schedule with a team, that I gained weight and got out of the habit of exercising. While I was somewhat knowledgable about nutrition, and was a vegetarian, I had never implemented proper eating habits. Yep, I was one of those vegetarians (lacto-ovo-vegetarians) that still ate cheese/ice cream and a lot of pasta. Tone It Up has taught me so much about nutrition and has so many delicious recipes that actually make sticking to the plan, easy. It really does become a lifestyle. It is the first nutrition plan (it is not a diet because you do not deprive your body but rather, consume foods that are healthful and satisfying) that has actually worked for me!
Find Tone It Up on Instagram at @toneitup
Find Tone It Up Nutrition on Instagram at @toneitupnutrition (they post a lot of recipes on their instagram and on their website so if you are unable to purchase the nutrition plan --yet-- you can still have access to a lot of recipes)
Follow my progress on my Instagram at @tiu_megs_tiu
I used to work out in old t-shirts and whatever yoga pants I had lying around. I found that I was more motivated if I had workout clothes that were comfortable and pretty (as well as ones that I could wear pre and post-workout to run errands and meet up with friends). Tone It Up also suggests choosing your workout outfit out the night before so it is ready for you when you wake up for your morning workout. I have to admit, I do not always do that and often work out in my pajamas...whatever works, right? Here are some of my favorites workout clothes:
Tone It Up is currently hosting another challenge which started on October 1st and goes through October 31st. It is not too late to join! Find all the details here.
~meg