You're all signed up, now what?

First of all, I'm so excited that I'm able to join you in this journey. I've jotted down a few things I've learned a long the way to help you as you're first starting out. It's all based on my experience and what I've seen work for other people. So take what you like and leave the rest. In the end, you'll figure out what works best for you.

Secondly, take a deep breath. It might all seem overwhelming at first, but it does get easier (I promise) and I'm here to help to help you succeed. So ask me any questions that you have or let me know if you're struggling in one area or another, and we'll figure out together how we can get you back on track.

Thirdly, I recommend that you start with the 21 Day Fix program because it's a great way to learn about portion sizes and the types of foods you should be eating, plus all of the the workouts are 30 minutes and easy to learn. So my instructions below will be based on starting with 21 Day Fix. 

Step 1 - Get Familiar with Team  Beachbody and Beachbody On Demand (BOD).

• This is where you'll access all of the different workout programs, nutrition guides, the FIXATE Cooking show and so much more.
• From a desktop, follow this link: http://www.teambeachbody.com/ and sign in (top right corner) using the credentials you created when you purchased the program.
• The Team Beachbody site has tons of really great information about meal planning, FAQs, Shakeology, etc., but in order to access the 21 Day Fix Meal Plans and workouts, select the Beachbody On Demand tab (Top Left on the navigational bar under the Beachbody logo). If you get asked for credentials again, use your Team Beachbody credentials
• Take some time to browse around. You'll see a number of different sections for the programs, access to the FIXATE cooking show and lots of of other great content
• You will find the 21 Day Fix program in either the purchased programs, Member Library or By Trainer sections
• You can also access Beachbody On Demand on your mobile device by downloading the app or from a Wifi-enabled TV, Gaming System or TV Streaming Media Player (e.g. Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Roku)

Step 2 - Review the 21 Day Fix program details.

• The left side of the screen lists each of the workout videos, and the right side, if you're on a desktop (you may have to scroll down to the bottom if you're using the app or streaming device), showcases all of the materials that will guide you through this program
• Go to the "Start Here" guide. This is a quick-start guide to how to prepare for day 1. You'll learn how to calculate your calorie target so you know how many containers to eat  everyday, you'll get a sense for the workout calendar, how to take measurements, etc.
• Next, click on the "Eating Plan" to familiarize yourself with what's involved.
• The "Exclusive Toolkit" includes a Container Chart Cheat Sheet, a Grocery List template and a Meal Planner template. These are all handy tools as you begin to plan your meals.
• You can also download the 21 Day Fix tracker app if you have either an Apple or Android device.
• You will need a set of light weights and heavy dumbbells for the workouts. The weight depends on you and your strength. I always tell people to start on the lighter side, because you can always get heavier ones. Either start with 3 & 5lbs or 5 & 8lbs. Walmart and Target both sell them pretty cheaply, but there are tons of other sport-related places you can get them too. Or if you belong to a gym, just take your mobile device and workout there (that's what I do, lol).

Step 3 - Take your body measurements and before/after pics. 

• We all want to skip this step in the beginning, but you will be sorry if you do.
• You never have to share them with another living soul, but as your body starts to transform, it's so rewarding to look back on your progress. 
• The scale doesn't always tell the full picture. Especially if you ever experience a plateau (which happens to everyone at least one - for me many times - during their journey) . The scale may not move at the pace you'd like it to, but you'll be amazed at how you're body still changes.
• The Get Started Guide will tell you how to do it, but here are two Beachbody videos that I find helpful.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-S_rngQkshU

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vxWXJMleqo4

Step 4 - Start meal planning and prepping.

• Fail to plan...plan to fail. Sounds harsh, but planning and prepping has been ESSENTIAL to my success in this program.
• It will seem a little overwhelming in the beginning (or at least it was for me), because you're changing your lifestyle, but I promise you it will be so worth it.
• There are SO many places to get inspiration for meals like the accountability/challenge group I'll be adding you to, searching Pinterest and Google, the Nutrition Plan guide, The Beachbody Blog, Fixate Cookbook, other groups on Facebook. There are so many people do 21 Day Fix or a Beachbody program, that the possibilities are really limitless if you search online.
• There's a meal planner in BOD under "Exclusive Toolkit" if you want to handwrite your plan. You can search on Pinterest or Google for others too. I personally don't like to handwrite, so I use Excel and plan my entire week at once, that way, it saves me time and I can copy and paste.
• I take a copy of my meal plan to work with me and keep one at home, that way I know I'm following it. And I've found that just knowing what I'm going to eat next REALLY helps me stay on track.
• There are tons of videos out there on how to plan and prep, plus Autumn has a new show on Beachbody On Demand, where she walks through different recipes. The first few episodes are all about the containers and tips on prepping. We also post ideas in our Challenge Group.
• Here are some of my meal planning/prepping tips and tricks.

Step 5 - Participate in the accountability/challenge group.

• You'll hear it referred to in both ways, but they are essentially the same thing.
• It's a closed/private Facebook group called Shine Bright for Life Challenge Group set up by my coach, Julianna Dill, but I am an Admin as are some of the other coaches in Julianna's downline so we can add our own clients.
• It's a great place for motiviation, tips on everything from meal planning/prepping to recipes, to how to make yourself push play every day and ask questions. The women in this group really have become like family to me and many of them I've never even met in person. We all have a common goal and are super supportive of each other, especially during the times when we're struggling.
• You don't have to ever post anything, BUT, I will tell you, the more engaged you are in the group, the more accountable you feel and the more successful you tend to be.

In the end, you still need to live your life. You're not going to be 100% perfect with your eating or working out because you're human. Autumn definitely promotes the 90/10 rule...if you're following the program 90% of the time, that 10% is not going totally deter you.

Every day's a new day, so if you get off track one day, get right back on the next. This journey is what you make it. You'll have tons of support and the group and I will help guide you, but in the end it will be up to you.

Let me know if you have any questions. Can’t even WAIT to get started!!!