Since going Paleo my family has fallen even more in love with our grill. Paleo and grilling just work well together. The past couple of years I've even been stepping outside my grilling comfort zone more and more. Grilling things I'd never thought to have grilled before and trying new flavor combinations. I have to say I'm pretty thrilled with the results of most of my flavor experiments. In the past I'd never have thought to grill fruit, but it's amazing. Grilling fruit and adding it to traditionally savory dishes? Brilliant. Oh yes, and? New rule: every burger recipe for the rest of forever must contain grilled pineapple. OK, maybe more of a guideline. It's a seriously delicious combination though. This Smoky Grilled Pineapple Burger is always a crowd-pleaser at my house. It's not only Paleo, but Whole30, glutenfree, lower carb, and clean eating friendly. I promise you won't miss the bun! paleo, grilled pineapple burger, smoky...
I was sent a copy of Built for Her to facilitate this review. As always, opinions are 100% honest and my own.
Is Summer a really crazy time of year for anyone else? Winter and Spring are pretty chill around here, but oh my. Summer and Fall... Crazy.
Not sure if it's the lack of routine we get from our homeschooling or the steady trickle of out of state visitors we get (which I love). Or maybe the fact that we're trying to grow most of our own food... Could be anything right? ;)
Anyway, I should have had my Built For Her Challenge Phase recap and results post up a couple weeks ago! My bad.
Spoiler alert: This phase was freaking awesome.
Built for Her Challenge Phase Review
The Nutrition
The Challenge phase offered a few options for nutrition this round. I was game to try them all. In case you couldn't tell, I really geek out trying new nutritional approaches and tweaks. Keto, intermittent fasting, bring it.
I did the keto option for 3 weeks and then bagged it. While I felt great (like, really great), I just struggled with keeping my carbs that low. Let's be honest: I missed my kombucha. I just couldn't seem to fit it and plenty of healthy veggies in at that carb level. Priorities. So, I gave it a good go and then decided to up my carbs and protein a smidge. UPDATE: I just couldn't shake how GREAT I felt here on keto. I have since gone hardcore keto and not looked back! Grateful for this program reminding me what my body loves. I also tried the intermittent fasting a few days a week. I can't say I saw much of a difference with it, but I may include it a bit in the next phase to give it a good try. We'll see.
I think one of my favorite things about this program is the self-experimentation and empowerment I'm feeling as a result. This 40-year-old, post-baby #4 body is just flat not reacting the same as I'm used to. Before this program, I was having zero results doing the same things that gave me HUGE results with my pre-baby #4 36-year-old body. I've used the different phases to experiment with different macros and calorie levels. It's been completely fascinating and I have learned so much. Built for Her has been an amazing way to hone in on what works for me. Me, at this stage in my life.
It's been a game changer.
I feel in a really good groove with my food and nutrition for the first time in a very long time. Finally, I've found that sweet spot again.
The Workouts
The Challenge phase definitely kicked things up a notch in the workout department. Again, the workouts were 5 days a week and 2 rest days. I love how efficient these workouts are; jam-packed with goodness.
The Challenge phase workouts were awesome and kicked my butt, and I finish this phase feeling stronger and more fit. I would go so far as to say this was my favorite phase workout-wise. Amazingness.
While I loved the workouts, I still struggled a bit with my consistency. I missed at least one workout a week. This is obviously my struggle. I keep trying.
As Amber says: "Throughout this phase of your program you will inevitably encounter opposition. Remember, a life without opposition isn't going anywhere! Every struggle we face is an opportunity to find out 2 things: 1. What our strengths are and 2. Where our weaknesses are hidden. Without uncovering the cracks in our mindset, we can't face the flaws within our transformation process. The more you uncover, the greater your potential becomes..."
Built for Her Challenge Phase Results
Bold are my results from this phase. Italics are my total results from the program so far.Inches:
Bust -1/2 inch -1 inch total so far
Waist -1 inch -2 inches total so far
Hips -1 inch -2 inches so far
Thigh -1 inch -1 1/2 inches so far
Upper Arm -1/4 inch -1/2 inch so far
Calf -1/2 inch -3/4 inch so far
I am super impressed with these inches. Pants that were too tight to wear comfortably pre-Built for Her are downright baggy right now. WIN.
Weight, what? No weight? OK, I didn't weigh this phase. At all. You see, I was obsessing a bit. Never a good sign for me. I've gone around that mountain enough to know it was time for a little scale break-up. Also, weight is not something Amber even has you track for this program (can we love her anymore?). I will weigh in once I'm done with the whole program though. Promise. I know many are curious.
Weight, what? No weight? OK, I didn't weigh this phase. At all. You see, I was obsessing a bit. Never a good sign for me. I've gone around that mountain enough to know it was time for a little scale break-up. Also, weight is not something Amber even has you track for this program (can we love her anymore?). I will weigh in once I'm done with the whole program though. Promise. I know many are curious.
So, I'm already on to the 3-week Performance phase. I'm really excited to see how I do on my final fit test at the end of the program. Also, I'm already looking forward to another round of Built for Her. Can't wait to see how I do starting out stronger and feeling like I've honed in on where my calories and macros need to be. Though, I may try one of Amber's other programs, like TTP...or maybe I'll do that after another round...we'll see. One thing I know for sure is I love her training approach and will be sticking with it.
I'll be back in a couple weeks with my final post with a full review, results, and my thoughts on the entire Built for Her Program.
UPDATES: Final Built for Her Review and Results
