It’s no secret that the effects of the pandemic threw some significant curveballs into our healthy way of life plans. Without a doubt, ever-changing circumstances morphed our environments and made our past nutrition and fitness routines challenging to maintain.
The pandemic also brought both increased stress and extra time at home. For many, this meant more snacking, takeout foods, and mindless eating coupled with more sitting and sedentary behavior.
Although we’re more than two years past the start of the pandemic now, many have found this pattern more challenging than they anticipated to break. And extenuating circumstances or not, this trap of habits is easy for any one of us to fall into at any time as our culture often makes unhealthy choices easier to make than healthy ones.
It’s no wonder feeling sluggish and struggling with a few unwanted extra pounds are two of the most common complaints we hear from clients.
When the whole routine is off track, sometimes the absolute best thing to do is a targeted reset to get back on the healthy habit train.
Meet Mike M., a Minnesota Life Time member who used the D.TOX program to do just that and navigate back into a healthy routine.
Timing is Everything
In March of 2020, at the height of the shutdowns and with his local Life Time club temporarily closed, Mike weighed in at 258.7 pounds. And by mid-April, he was ready for a change.
“Although I was aware of the Life Time D.TOX Program, I continuously would come up with excuses as to why I couldn’t participate [such as]
- I’m too busy;
- I could never regiment myself to the eating requirements;
- I’m afraid the protein powder shakes taste like chalk.”
But without club access and with more time at home, he thought: “I just wasn’t feeling good about myself. So, thinking ‘What do I have to lose?’ I decided to give D.TOX a try.”
What Does the D.TOX Entail?
When it comes to resetting healthy habits, the D.TOX program serves up a straightforward list of foods to eat (and which ones to avoid) for 14 days, paired with high-fiber, plant-based protein shakes full of vitamins, minerals, and D.TOX botanicals.
The food list emphasizes antioxidant-rich produce, quality proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats while eliminating common food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, corn, soy, and peanut), alcohol, and excess caffeine. The provided recipes range from buffalo chicken, stuffed peppers, and orange chicken stir-fry to snacks such as brownie bites and pumpkin pie energy balls. Some shake recipe favorites include Black Forest Cake and Cookies and Cream.
The program also emphasizes optimal sleep, regular movement, and proper hydration.
Mike’s Plan
Mike ordered his D.TOX kit, purchased a scale and a new blender, and got to work. He started his days off with a D.TOX shake and focused on taking walks and bike rides as the spring Minnesota weather warmed.
By following the D.TOX program guide and recipes, along with the support of his personal trainer Joe Angelina, Mike diligently focused on nutrient-dense, D.TOX-approved foods. Among his favorites during the 14 days were ground turkey, avocado, sweet potatoes, kale, chickpeas, chia seeds, dates, riced cauliflower, and unsweetened almond and cashew milk to use with his daily D.TOX shakes.
“The 14-day program went by very quickly,” he shares. This sentiment is one I often hear from clients. Eliminating foods may seem overwhelming at first, but they’re typically surprised how fast the two weeks end, with many actually choosing to continue the program for even longer or even often opting into a full lifestyle change with their nutrition.
Mike’s Results
By prioritizing the plan components and sticking with the outlined regimen and suggested meal plans, Mike’s habits during the program shifted — and he got back on track. His results were there to show it, too.
Mike reported, “I lost 17 pounds, and the program provided me with a daily challenge that had me feeling very, very good about myself.”
Before kicking off his D.TOX, Mike said he would have felt happy getting down to 255 pounds. By the end of his first D.TOX experience, he weighed in at 238.6 pounds.
On to Round Two — And Beyond
Mike decided to continue the shakes as a daily habit and shares that, despite misconceptions, “they don’t taste like chalk.” He was also able to continue losing weight and carried over several of his new healthy nutrition habits into his ongoing routine.
“After the holidays and the on again/off again COVID restrictions, I needed another course-correction,” says Mike.
He did a second round of the D.TOX program in January of 2021. While he didn’t lose another 17 pounds, he did report that the benefits to his mental well-being and how he felt physically was the same he experienced the first time around.
Mike has found triumph from using the D.TOX plan as a catalyst. He says, “Success breeds success, which I continue to experience.”
Mike’s Not Alone
When a plan is put together for you, such as in the Life Time D.TOX, it becomes easier to execute and translate intention into action. Here is what some other Life Time members had to say after going through the D.TOX program:
“I loved my first week of D.TOX! Everything about it has been great, including my sleep, scale, mood, and energy — and I’m no longer experiencing restless leg syndrome. I’m doing it with a friend and she feels the same about it. I am motivated for week two. It’s a great kickstart for making healthier food choices and my goal of losing 10 pounds. I’m down 3.2 pounds already! What a motivator. The recipes are great. Both my husband and 14-year-old son are sharing my meals.” –Lisa S.
“I am 1.5 days away from completing the D.TOX program and I am feeling fantastic. I had pleasantly surprising encounters with two separate friends: Three days ago, one of my friends told me that my skin was bright and radiant. Today, another told me that my forehead skin was very smooth. These friends had never mentioned anything like that before.” –Russ C.
“I realized symptoms I had that are now absent because of D.TOX. There is no uncomfortable sporadic pain in my lower back. I think my kidneys are screaming hallelujah. I am not fidgeting like I use to. I do not have any discomfort in my chest. I now know these problems are from my lack of exercise and diet. This is a huge win for me.” –Melissa B
“I feel great! The recipes that I had not tried before I tried this year and gosh, they are all delicious! They will be incorporated into our regular weeknight dinners. I am loving batch cooking to ensure I have healthy lunch options handy when I don’t want a cold protein shake. Although there are several new, delicious shake recipes too. I love the Almond Joy shake!” –Leigh Anne
“This has been great. As of day 12, I’ve lost 4 pounds, my beer belly is smaller and less bloated, and I can shoot the basketball with more clarity.” –Terry N.
Get Started
Access the D.TOX program on the Life Time app. Simply open the app, look for it under Workouts & Programs, and click into it to enroll.
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