If you have read my blog post about Introducing MuscleFood, you might be wondering how I am getting on. As I mentioned in that post, I initially planned to give a weekly update but because I didn’t start the meal plan and the exercise plan at the same time this wasn’t practical. I decided to, therefore, give an update once I had completed both of them.
Every time that I start a new meal and fitness programme, I struggle because I always take time to understand how it works and to get used to it. This time has been the same. My first week was mainly getting to know the programme and understanding how it works.
Diet Plan – First Update
First Box Received
My first week with MuscleFood was interesting. I discussed it in my previous blog post but I will explain a little bit more about it here. When I received my box I was so overwhelmed by the amount of food I received. I wasn’t sure what I needed to do. Because I didn’t choose the meals myself and I didn’t place the order myself, therefore I didn’t have the same access to the information on my account as I would have if I’d have ordered the meal plan myself.
So, I had to coordinate directly with them about this. They immediately emailed me the list of food that was sent to me. Once I had that, things were much easier. From the list I received, I got a 5-day meal plan giving options for breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and evening snack.
The first week I didn’t even pay attention to the calories per item. I just chose what I fancied for each meal. Although I was eating 2 big meals per day at the start despite not normally doing this. But because I was trying this new plan I just followed what I was being told to do. I didn’t really question if this was good or bad for me.
I got a selection of food to try at home. I must say that their food is amazing. Super tasty for being a diet. But that is what they say: “You are not doing a diet, you are just eating better and healthier which is the most important thing”.
I received a few spicy meals and snacks which I didn’t like but I tried them regardless as I wanted to be sure they weren’t for me. They have a lot of options and if you are like me, you will find a lot of other tasty non-spicy options to choose from. In my previous blog post, I listed my favourite dishes for the first week so you can go and check that HERE.
Lunch Options: Pork with Beans and Thai Chicken
Eating so much food per day didn’t work for me for the first week. I was feeling too full and bloated. My body wasn’t used to that. I think this was an issue for me so I didn’t lose weight the first week and actually gained instead. It was so strange. But I have heard that this can happen also due to the exercise. But in my case, I think, it was the amount of food because I started the exercises towards the end of the first week.
I wanted to say this because if you want to try this programme, I think you should make sure you are eating what your body needs, so ask yourself if you need to eat that amount of food per day. I think it is good to have lots of healthy options for you in the cupboard. But if you are slower with the exercises like me, perhaps less food with less calories per day is the way forward. So you just need to ask MuscleFood and they will be more than happy to guide you and help you through the whole process. They are lovely in that respect.
Fitness Plan – First Update
As I also mentioned in my previous blog post that the exercises have been so hard to do. The first test was crazy. I really suffered a lot but I did it and I felt great about it. I didn’t manage to achieve the best scores but I did okay considering I don’t do a lot of exercise on a daily basis. What I do more and I like a lot is scooting. I love to be able to choose to use the scooter instead of the car for the nursery/school run.
Workouts during my first week
There are 3 exercise workouts per week. The first week you do the Fitness Test and 2 Circuits. Because you do the Circuits more often, I think I have found that this exercise is getting more comfortable for me to do now but still I cannot do the full routine. I always have to stop to rest. But I guess its best to stop and breathe and then carry on than not doing anything.
So, if you are willing to start this programme, bear in mind that you will need to work very hard. Nothing is easy in life but if you want to achieve your goal of being fitter and healthier, you need to give it a go and try it slowly like me. I am doing it like taking baby steps. Every time, I feel I can be better. But in general I am very slow and it is taking me more time because my level of fitness is incredibly bad!
The good news is that we are all doing a fitness challenge as a family during the summer which is helping me and encouraging me to keep going. It is actually fun to try to keep fit with my family! So more motivation for me which is great!
PROGRESS
Below you can see my progress for the 1st week in terms of my weight and my measurements.
Weight:
I gained 300 grams. As I explained earlier it was a little bit upsetting to not be able to see any positive changes on the scale.
Measurements
So as you can see, I did reduce in measurements which was nice to see. It’s not always about losing the weight as you can be building muscle and retaining liquids.
MY THOUGHTS AFTER THE FIRST WEEK
So overall my first week has been a learning process. I learnt about how much food I should be taking as well as how I should spread it out over the week. For me, the 5-day meal plan was perfect to last for one week.
The exercise plan has been very hard but I have been doing it at my own pace. I hope to get better at it, but at the moment I am doing what I can. I just want to build my strength one step at a time. As long as I am keeping myself active, that is what is important to me.
DISCOUNT CODE
Don’t forget to read my Introductory Blog Post to understand more about this programme. If you would like to try the MuscleFood “Do The Unthinkable” Food & Fitness Programme too, you can get a discount of £5 on your first order using the code: AMWF at their website HERE.
Also, check my Instagram Stories for updates. And do not worry if you have missed them as you can still watch them all under my “MuscleFood” highlight.
Have you heard of MuscleFood? Are you looking to start a new Food & Fitness plan? Is this something that interests you?
*Disclosure: I agreed with MuscleFood to receive a weekly 5-day meal plan for a month in exchange for a weekly blog post sharing my thoughts about the programme. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
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Susan B says
It is disappointing not to lose weight right away but well done to you for sticking at this beneficial programme. I hope you enjoy your family fitness challenge. I have not heard of musclefood before but it is always good to know about options when looking to improve health and fitness.
amomentwithfranca says
Thank you, Susan! 🙂
Kate Eccles says
This sounds like a lot of work franca but the meals certainly look delicious. I’m interested to see how you get on, good luck! #kcacols
Emma C says
Interesting – I always just weigh myself when on a diet and it is disheartening when you don’t lose or gain after working so hard, but the fact that your measurements have gone down shows that it is working! Well done!
Maria says
I’ve not heard of muscle foods before but the food looks tasty! Well done on the weight loss so far! #KCACOLS
Peter Watson says
I wonder if there is a vegan or vegetarian alternative and I think there is not enough fish in the diet.
Dion petrie says
There food always looks so nice, I haven’t tried it myself
Lynn Hughes says
Healthy food
Lisa Pomerantz says
Stay positive and know that you are making positive lifestyle changes! #KCACOLS xoxo
amomentwithfranca says
Thank you Lisa!
Kimberly Meadows says
I never have the discipline to try and lose weight but I will follow your progress and wish you all the very best.
Iris Tilley says
I’ve heard of muscle food. It seems ok and Perfect for helping you to get fit you definitely need help when it comes to knowing what types of food to eat and by how much.
Suzanne gaulton says
You have dealt with the not losing weight very positively – everyone says muscle is heavier. I never knew whether this was true…
Good luck with it all.
Margaret GALLAGHER says
I like muscle foods – not for weight loss – for me its to put weight on healthily – good luck
Samantha O'D says
Heard a lot of good things about muscle foods
Susan Smith says
Ive not heard of Muscle foods before, but it seems to work, but from what i read it seemed really hard work, i have a few health issues, so the exercising would be really hard for me, but i will be looking into this more, thank you for sharing this with us
Tracey Mitchell says
The meals look good.