Core Challenge Week 1: Detox

It’s been one week since I started the Mynt 8 Week Core Challenge, and it’s been quite the week! In total I’ve lost 18 lbs since starting the program. It seems insane right? I don’t notice a big difference in how my clothes fit so I remain unconvinced. I feel smaller in some places, but the same in others.

So, how did the first week go?
The first three days SUCKED. I was constantly hungry and unsatisfied with the food I was eating. It tasted fine – it just wasn’t filling me up and keeping me full for extended periods of time. The protein shakes were fine too, but again, I just wasn’t staying full long enough.
By Day 3, I was ready to give up. Again, not because the food was bad, but because I wasn’t full. I am not a depressed person, and I found myself super depressed, tired, and hungry all of the time. I was advised that my portion sizes might be a bit too small (could not agree more), and that I should increase them slightly. I increased my shakes from 1 scoop of powder to 1.5 scoops, and if I felt particularly hungry one day, I would increase my portion of protein and carbs from 3oz to 4oz. Since making that change I felt a million times better.
Probably the question you want to ask but are afraid of how to approach is how the cleanse worked. You know what I mean. I took the Cleanse packet in the afternoon, so it wouldn’t be until after dinner or evening hours that it started to take effect. I was expecting the worst, to be crippled over with gut wrenching pains. Even though I have a sensitive stomach, I did not experience this.* I was certainly regular, and about an hour prior to the cleanse packet starting to take affect, my stomach would start gurgling and I knew what would be happening shortly.
Overall Thoughts
I’m going to be honest here, I have been craving “real” food, especially chocolate. Cutting everything sucked, but the food also wasn’t as terrible as I expected. It’s particularly difficult for me because I’m so picky about food. While I could eat lean fish, tofu, and turkey for protein, I don’t actually like or eat those foods so I found myself stuck with only chicken, ground bison and egg whites to work with. I’m excited to start Phase 2 of the program and add in some other foods back into my diet!
Sample Menu
Each meal has to include a protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Below is a sample menu of my meals. To view the guidelines for the program, click here.

Breakfast:

• Scrambled Egg Whites (3oz) with,
• Onions (3oz, free food) and Peppers (3oz)
• Cooked in Olive Oil

Mid Morning: Protein Shake

Lunch:

• Chicken Breast with Mrs. Dash Salt-Free Seasoning (3oz)
• Raspberries (3oz)
• Salt-Free Almonds

Mid Afternoon: Protein Shake with Cleanse Boost

Dinner:

• Ground Bison (4oz)
• Asparagus (4oz) & Onions (free food)
• Cooked in Olive Oil

*I’ve heard of those who have experienced upset stomach taking the Cleanse. Some recommend cutting the packet in half if you experience this.
** I was provided the 8 Week Core Challenge Kit free of charge. All opinions are my own.