It’s time for another Phase it Up by 131 Success Story! Each month we highlight a fantastic member transformation. Our hope is that these real-life stories inspire you to commit to your best-self once and for all. Here, we celebrate the scale, and non-scale, victories that bring people to a new level of overall wellness and happiness. If you have a weight loss story to share with our community, contact us at results@131method.com. If you’ve taken back the word, “DIET,” and ended self-sabotage, we want to hear from you!
At publish time, Phase it Up member and registered nurse, Kathina, has lost a total of 26 pounds in 19 weeks. She’s in her second phase now, but lost 20 of those 12 weeks! Read on to learn how she did it, how her story could be your story, and how life seems to improve when focus and self-care come into play.
In Her Own Words…
“After one round (3 phases, each 4 weeks long), I lost 20 pounds, three inches in my tummy and four inches in my hips with Phase it Up. My clothes now fit! I no longer cross my arms over my tummy to hide the muffin top. Confidence is my middle name. And I appreciate my body – what it can do, how strong it is, and how it looks.
The hubs and I have tried several new-to-us foods and found that we liked them (hello butternut squash, roasted beets, green chili turkey burgers, spaghetti with zoodles, and more!). Prior to Phase it Up, I had never fasted for longer than about 18 hours. I have now successfully completed several 72-90 hour fasts and felt great. I have hit new fitness goals such as using heavier weights in my workouts and I am now able to do a full set of monkey bars. This was a big deal to me because last year, I did a few Obstacle Course Races (OCRs) and could not successfully get to the 3rd bar, much less all the way across them. I’m not missing the less healthy foods nearly as much as I thought I would. I have a BIG sweet tooth! I’ve found alternatives which satisfy me and the results/the way I feel, make me want to stay on track.
I also got through quarantine and LOST weight instead of gained it. After cleaning up our nutrition, my semi-regular headaches have gone away, the pain/inflammation in the few extremity joints I had issues with have decreased significantly, and my stomach issues have improved.”
What Makes Phase it Up Different than Dieting
Kathina appreciated Chalene’s extensive research and expert knowledge. Working in the medical field, she values science and research. She loved the educational pieces – learning more about the human body, how it works, how food triggers inflammation, and how fasting can be healthy and help activate autophagy. She also valued the emphasis on flexibility and how Phase it Up is designed to fit everyone’s personal life. The freedom helped compliance.
Better Habits
Where does one even start with this question?! The tangible and intangible create an abundance of things for which to be grateful!
Aside from eating WAY less red meat and enjoying more vegetarian/vegan meals, she pays more attention to the quality of food she buys. She works out daily again, and says, “I realize how moving my body is a privilege, not a chore.” Thanks to the Phase it Up daily texts/messages, her days are more intentional and cause her to focus on gratitude.
Life-Changing Moments
Eliminating the common “all or nothing” mentality has been life-changing. So many people are either committed to the point of being too regimented, or throwing in the towel. Achieving sustainable balance is built into Phase it Up.
The recipes made Kathina not want fast food and other less-than-healthy-stuff that had become routine. Now, she actually craves clean dishes with sustainable proteins and fresh veggies. And even with a few “off days,” she kept losing weight. She now understands how certain foods affect her body. Then, she has the confidence to decide of the consequences are worth it or not. That’s freedom! This is not a temporary diet in which she looks forward to being done to start having some of the foods she’s cut out. “If I want a bite or three, I have them, but I don’t feel the need to go overboard, nor do I have the guilt that used to weigh on me for eating something unhealthy.”
Getting Through Tough Times
Kathina began her first phase in January of 2020. By March, the world was changing as we knew it due to COVID-19. Millions of people struggled (and continue to struggle), turning to food for comfort. Due to her past history with food, being in the program during crisis saved her. “I would have been another person who gained the ‘COVID 15’ (or more). But because I had a clearly laid out plan, guidance along the way, and several weeks of success on the program, I have been able to continue to lose weight and heal lingering gut issues.”
Influencing Others
Though her husband was apprehensive about incorporating new things into his routine, he cautiously joined in. Intermittent fasting was a big stretch for him, but he worked through it, had success, and now leans on it sometimes. He has learned to listen to his body more. His work/lunch habits have continued, but he mostly sticks with Ignite-type meals since he feels better with fewer carbs. He has been pleasantly surprised that he enjoys almost all of the Phase it Up recipes, and also discovered some new foods he likes. He has also lost 20 pounds and feels so much better.
Final Quote
“Hesitation and fear of failure is normal. Will it take some effort? Yes. But if you need some guidance on what to eat and when, this program has done the hard work of figuring it out for you. It is based on body science and research, but makes it easy to understand. You will figure out your own body’s reaction to different foods. It’s flexible so that you can adapt it to your lifestyle. The daily check-ins will help keep your mindset on track and focused on your goals.”
Great job!!!!
so proud of her!