I was sent a copy of Built for Her to facilitate this review, as always opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own.
AmberDodzweit.com Built for Her discount code: use "FITVIEW" at checkout to receive 20% off!!
Woohoo! I'm so excited to finally be writing this Built for Her review post. I have enjoyed this program immensely and have so much to tell you! Grab a cup of coffee and lets chat...
What is Built for Her?
OK, for those of you that haven't been following my series, what exactly is Built for her? Built for Her is a complete diet and fitness program from Amber Dodzweit. It is a digital download complete with workouts, nutrition recommendations, and some real talk inspiration. From her site, Built for Her is:
A 12 WEEK START TO FINISH APPROACH TO EFFICIENT TRAINING AND BALANCED NUTRITION FOR DYNAMIC WOMEN.
- A 12 week, 4 Phase Complete Training and Nutrition Ebook
- Can be completed at home with Dumbbells
- Macronutrient Calculator
- Community Support
- Group Coaching with Amber
- Online Exercise Videos
- Program Increases in Difficulty as you Grow
- Designed to Burn Fat and Build Lean Muscle
- Formulated to Increase Athleticism, Endurance, Speed & Power
The Built for Her Diet (Nutrition) Plan
The diet (nutrition) plan for Built for Her is pretty amazing. From the calorie and macro nutrient calculations to the changes throughout the phases I was super impressed. I really loved getting to test out how my body reacted to the different macros and options like fasted cardio, nutrient timing, and intermittent fasting.
The nutrition portion of Built for Her is so much more individualized than I'm used to from programs. I'm used to the one-size-fits-all, blanket recommendations. This plan is so much more customized. It takes into account your goals, body type, etc. THEN calculates your calories and macro nutrient recommendations. Also, it all adjusts throughout the program. Each phase adjusts your macro nutrient percentages and calories tailored to each phase. I absolutely loved this, it really made me feel empowered to play around and figure out what works best for me.
Is the diet plan paleo friendly?
I easily adapted it paleo. I did do some dairy (especially whey protein) when it was allowed, and simply swapped grains to another carb in the few phases they're allowed. Otherwise, I found it very paleo friendly.
Am I going to starve?
NO! Hallelujah. The calorie recommendations are very balanced for this. In fact, I even tweaked my calories down a bit (as noted below) from the final phase suggestions.
The Built for Her Workouts
The Built for Her workout calendar is set up in 4 different phases, all 5 days on and 2 days off. You can put your rest days wherever you need them (I loved the flexibility). The workouts consist of intervals, HIIT, and circuits that change throughout the phases, increase in difficulty, and never give your mind or body time to get bored.
I really loved not being tied to my DVD player for these workouts. It was awesome being able to make my own playlists and take the workouts outside on nice days.
What equipment will I need?
For this program you'll need a set of dumbbells
to suit your ability; I used my 8 lb, 10 lb, and 15 lb weights. Those are the only required equipment, anything else used can be modified if you don't have it. Other helpful equipment is a box
or step
, a kettlebell
, a set of bands
, an agility ladder
, and a pull-up bar
.
What if a move is too hard, I don't know what it is, or I have other questions?
I really loved the support available here. First, there was either a print-out in the pdf showing the moves or there was a video available showing you how to do it. If I had a question, or needed to modify something, I could simply ask in the private facebook group or email Amber. This was priceless.
My Experience
I journaled my experience in the blue yoobi in the pic above. Here are a few of my notes from the different phases:
Renew Phase Week 1.
Struggled a little the first 2 days trying to figure out exactly what to eat to hit my macros and calories. TONS of energy by the 3rd day. Sore, but feeling good. Workouts less than I've been doing since January. Calories virtually identical. Very pleased with results so far.
Week 2.
Still experiencing increased energy. I'm amazed at how much. I didn't get the morning smoothie in every morning. Didn't get my water in every day either. Sore, but not terribly so. Feeling great. My body seems to respond really well to the fasted cardio days. Really excited for the challenge of the workouts from the next phase. Feeling like I've caught a glimpse of me.
Establish Phase.
Went back to the calories and macros from phase 1 after 2 weeks of trying the new calories/macros from this phase. Thinking those numbers may be my sweet spot, but will continue to try each phase's calculations. I'm feeling oddly like I've never worked out before! These workouts are awesome. Did this phase an extra week due to a lackluster effort on getting the workouts in weeks 2 and 3.
Challenge Phase.
Tried out the calorie level and keto option for 3 weeks, then dropped calories a tad and upped my carbs and protein a little. Feel like I'm honing in on where my body responds best. Felt amazing on the keto though. I'm feeling extremely empowered to play with my calories and macros and find that sweet spot for this body, at this stage in my life. Pants that were too tight to wear at the beginning of Built for Her are now loose. I'm already looking forward to a round 2 of the whole program. NEVER wanted to immediately repeat a program before. I'm excited to start out stronger and feeling like I've honed in on where my calories and macros need to be. Curious on how much improvement I'll see in the fit test. Feeling like I'm in a really good groove with my food. It's been a loooooong time since I've felt that way.
Performance Phase.
Struggled with these workouts. Had to modify a lot and missed several workouts. Definitely a challenge. I look forward to owning this phase in round 2. Tried out the calorie and macro calculations, but wound up going down a bit in calories. Basically close to the calories and macros from phase 1 still seems the best fit. Still playing around with protein/fat a little. Also, tried intermittent fasting. I've found that an 11 to 7 eating window works quite well for me.
Overall.
I'm remembering that I thrive on routine. Having my workouts planned, tracking in my fitness pal, knowing where my calories and macros are best to reach my goals. I thrive on this. Strange as it sounds, I'm feeling more like me. It's set off sort of a chain reaction of taking better care of myself. I didn't realize how needed this was. I feel great. Stronger. Less foggy. Never got bored or felt limited.
I feel like I caught a glimpse of myself. Of ME. Me, me. I've wandered off a bit you see. Since regaining weight. It's crazy how being put back in this overweight body has put me back in some of the same unhealthy mindsets. I caught a glimpse of the real me during this program. The me that's up early to workout. The me cramming as much spinach as she can into a smoothie in the morning just because it's good for her. The fit, strong, healthy me that takes care of herself. The me that has crazy fitness goals just to push herself. It was nice. I look forward to find more of me.
My Built for Her Results
Weight:
-12.6 pounds
Inches:
Bust -1 1/2 inches
Waist -3 inches (Say whaaaat?! Insert snoopy dance here.)
Hips -3 inches
Right Thigh -2 12 inches
Right Calf -1 1/4 inches
Right Bicep -1 inch
Fitness Assessment:
Mile run test
Before 12:07 minute mile
After 11:15 minute mile
Test Circuit
Time Before 8:05
Time After 5:28
Those inches though!! I'm amazed. And the improvement on the fit test?? Super excited about that. For me, for a 12 week program, these are all pretty impressive results. Also, I had lost 11 pounds at the beginning of the year and completely plateaued. I was super frustrated, but this broke through that plateau in the first week. ON THE SAME CALORIES. Most noticeable beyond the pounds and inches is how fantastic I feel. I'm extremely pleased with the results I've seen from Built for Her.
Final Thoughts on the Built for Her Program
There are only a few things in my looooong healthy living journey that I call game-changers. To be exact those would be: paleo, lifting, and running. To this list I now add Built for Her. This program was a complete game-changer for me. I must confess that after all the years of research into nutrition and fitness and all the workouts and programs I've tested out on the blog, I felt like I "knew" what I needed to know. Yet, at this stage of my life, I wasn't seeing the results I wanted. I am surprised by just how much this program taught me. Things I sort of knew, but wasn't applying. Or things I'd heard, but not really paid attention to or put together like Amber does. I had so many light-bulb moments throughout this program. Small tweaks here and there have made such a difference! Everything from nutrient timing, to intermittent fasting, to the right macro percentages and calorie level. Built for Her has really helped me hone in on what my body needs right now, at this stage, to be strong, fit, and healthy. Yep, game-changer.
I am so grateful that Amber came across my path. I had let myself slip back into old unhealthy patterns of not taking good care of myself. I was really struggling. When I was trying, I felt like I was doing all the "right" things, but having zero results. The plateau after the first couple months of this year had me completely stumped. And hugely frustrated. Not only did this program break through that plateau, but it gave me a glimpse of myself again. I'd really lost my way. I am so grateful to be back on the path to finding me again.
OK, in case I haven't gushed over this program enough, I'll put it plainly: I wholeheartedly give it 5 stars and highly recommend Built for Her to anyone at an intermediate fitness level or above. It's a really well designed program. The phases, the workouts, the nutrition...it's all just good stuff. I think the ultimate question when I do these reviews is: would I buy this program? Yes, I absolutely would. Yes, I think it's absolutely worth it. In fact, I've enjoyed it so much I am going to buy Amber's LIFT program next.
Amber is simply awesome and has offered a AmberDodzweit.com coupon code for my readers! Use promo code: FITVIEW to receive 20% off at checkout!!
What's next for me?
For those of you following along my weight loss journey...
I gained 45 pounds with baby #4, I then gained 20 pounds (yes, post-baby) since moving to Idaho. Therefore, I still have about 45 pounds to loose. Thankfully, my fitness level is so much better now thanks to Built for Her. Plus, this brings me to a total of 23 pounds lost since the beginning of 2017 (placing me firmly back in onederland!). I feel completely ready to hit it and look at this round of Built for Her as a warm-up. I'm excited to get down to business with round 2. Now that I've got my nutrition locked down and I've increased my strength and fitness level, I think I can accomplish much in the next round. I'm excited to try...
Maybe I'll vlog it on my You Tube Channel? I do still have one, ha ha ha! Or maybe just on my IG stories, I'm so loving those lately. One way or another, I'll keep you posted ;)
***Update: I did Built for Her and LIFT for the rest of summer and fall. I am loving the results I'm seeing and absolutely recommend. Built for Her is still my favorite program that I've ever tried!
or Raw and Unfiltered Honey
to taste (These are completely optional, I prefer it unsweetened. Leave it out to keep it keto.)
or Raw and Unfiltered Honey
to taste (These are completely optional, I prefer it unsweetened. Leave it out to keep it keto.)
around here. Well, I haven't yet that is!
and 
are amazing in this as well. Also, this is a great recipe to add your 
. Oh, the fun I've had with it! If you watch my IG Stories you've seen all of the yummy iced protein lattes I've enjoyed. I promised recipes, and recipes I've got! 3 in fact...
(my new obsession)
and shake well. Pour over the coffee. Top with CocoWhip and sprinkle on the shredded coconut.
or just a 
) and pour over the ice.