The three most important things I learned from the Clean Cut Fitness & Nutrition Challenge: Preparation, Preparation, Preparation
I knew that in order to be successful, I needed to make a change. Rushing together a semi-nutritious meal on my best day – but far more frequently, ordering take-out from one of the many saved contacts on my phone – had to come to an end. As did my haphazard attempts at being accountable at the gym.
Clean Cut gave me every tool I needed to be successful.
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Hi my name is Nancy and I am 39 years old. I am married and have 2 beautiful daughters aged 7 and 5. I have always thought I was a fairly healthy person. I joined my first gym when I was 17 years old and I rarely ate processed foods as my mom was a wonderful cook and no matter how busy she was we had a well-balanced dinner every night (no separate meals!). After I had my second daughter I found out about Mommy Moves and was so excited to be able to exercise with my baby in the stroller. It was then that I also discovered how to run and I really enjoyed it. I continued to run and exercise over the years.
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I would see Lori during our runs and she mentioned she was starting a program called Weight Loss Challenge. At first I was like no way – I never ever diet. I mean, I have in my teens and 20’s (all the cabbage soup and grilled chicken for breakfast and Atkins you can imagine) but then I realized after every diet, I failed after 2-3 days and would be so disappointed in myself and binge eat for 2 days after. So I decided years ago no more diets. Lori explained to me that this is not a diet. It is a lifestyle change. I was intimidated. After speaking to a few of my girlfriends about it, they were interested and wanted to shed a few pounds so we decided to take it on together, as a group. What an amazing experience. It has completely changed my life and my family’s life. Lori had a week-by- week plan on meals to follow and guidelines. She was there for me if I had a question about food, day or night! I learned so much about sugar, and I never realized all the extra calories I was eating when I was preparing dinner, or eating my kids scraps on their plates! I started to be very mindful of what exactly I was putting in my mouth. The first week I lost 4 lbs. I couldn’t believe it and knew this was the right lifestyle for myself. I lost 25 lbs. altogether. I did this program a year and a half ago, and I am staying at this weight comfortably. I went down 3 pants sizes too! Size 10 to a size 4 – never in my wildest dreams did I think I would EVER be a size 4. I can’t tell you how rewarding it is when I see people whom I haven’t seen in a while and they can’t believe my transformation. When I started the program I thought OK, if I can lose 10 lbs. I’ll be happy. And after the 6 weeks I did lose 10, but what I couldn’t believe is I just kept on loosing. It has impacted my family as well. Don’t get me wrong – my kids still love box mac and cheese and chicken nuggets, but now at least when I do buy these things I know what to look for with ingredients, and everything is minimally processed. I realized how could I eat so healthy and not have my family follow suit. It’s so important to teach our children the right way to eat. This is my story – Clean Cut Nutrition changed my life, and for that I am forever grateful. Nancy F.
After participating in the Weight Loss Challenge, I am down 9 1/2 lbs and 17 inches. I did not “win” first place (missed it by a fraction of a %!), but what I gained is priceless: Energy, overall fitness, smart choices, a lifestyle that is healthy for my whole family, and most of all, being a positive role model for my children..if that doesn’t make me a “winner”, nothing does!!!
I lost 127 pounds over 12 years ago by committing to a healthy diet and exercising. I met Lori in 2007, when my eldest son was one year old. I was a stay at home mom struggling to find ways to exercise with a young child. I joined the Mommy-Moves stroller classes and found the perfect fit for me. When I got pregnant with my second child, I continued the classes until my 38 th week. I got right back to stroller class when my son was 8 weeks old. I joined Run with the Girls in 2010 and ran a 5k 12 weeks later. Since then, I’ve run countless 5ks, several 5 mile and 10ks and 2 half marathons.
I’ve been taking boot camp class with Lori as well, and have improved my strength and stamina to be better than it was after I lost the weight all those years ago. I began racing in triathlons in 2011, and am training for my first Olympic distance triathlon this summer. I’ve also been following the Clean Cut Nutrition program since 2012. This program has helped immensely. I used to struggle with stomach issues and headaches that have now been eliminated. I feel good about what I eat and my family makes healthy choices, too. Lori’s programs are wonderful because they focus on a healthy lifestyle and are suitable for everyone’s fitness level. She is extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to helping others achieve their goals. I know how difficult it would have been for me to maintain such a significant weight loss. Not only have I maintained it, I am in the best shape ever. I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for Lori’s guidance. I will be forever grateful for knowing her. Amy P.
The Clean Cut program has really given me a new, fresh start on taking care of the whole me — not just the fitness side but the nutrition side as well. In the past 2 years, I moved from NJ to NH which was a stressful time of adjustment. Juggling working full time in a stressful career, being a Mom to 2 busy daughters and being a wife started to mean that my health and fitness were taking a back seat. I became guilty of the “grab and go”, eating on the run and not making good choices. Buried under snow all winter, it became easy for me to find reasons to skip working out and stick with comfort foods. Before I knew it, by the end of winter, I had put on 15 pounds! I reached out to Lori, my favorite trainer and health guide for years and she encouraged me to try the clean eating plan she has put together. After doing the initial 6 week challenge, I was down 10 pounds and feeling so much better! I had more energy and a much more positive outlook. I am a work in progress and have incorporated the Clean Cut lifestyle in my every day life. When I overdo it (vacation or get lazy) or feel like I need a tune up, I just go back to the early detox week or the breaking a plateau plan; I have the tools and get right back on track.
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I think that one of the keys to the success of the program is that I do not feel deprived. Even on the detox week, I am eating plenty of filling foods. There are realistic substitutions for healthier versions of things I love. I like my chocolate and I like to have a glass of wine once or twice a week. Lori’s very realistic view of life helped me see that these are not “bad foods” that I can’t ever have, but treats that I can enjoy mindfully and in moderation. I was still able to lose weight having dark chocolate and wine. Learning what my “go to foods” are when I need a quick meal or snack was incredibly helpful. Lori’s guidance is also amazing — non-judgmental, supportive and realistic. There is no in your face pushing of certain foods or products or anything gimmicky like that — there is no gimmick that will work like eating REAL foods. I have re-discovered how much I enjoy cooking and experimenting in the kitchen. I have learned that I need to be prepared and prioritize myself. The Clean Cut recipes and meal suggestions have been so delicious and easy. I have really taken Lori’s message to heart: If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail. I now have a day where I will prep my food for the week — I do make ahead meals for the fridge that I can throw in the crockpot later in the week. I schedule workouts in advance for the week and I have made a commitment to walk or run with a friend while soccer practice is going on. All of the tools I have learned through Clean Cut have helped me enormously. The encouragement from Lori and the other Clean Cut participants on the message boards keeps me focused when I feel like I need new ideas or just to check in. Because I can’t go to Lori’s local boot camps or running program anymore, I rely on the weekly workout she provides as part of the program. While not nearly as fun as being with her live, I can almost hear Lori in my head saying: “Dig Deep, you got this!” I would recommend Clean Cut to anyone, as Lori says: “You got this!”
I have been working with Lori and Caren since the start of the year, and have been thrilled with the way they have helped me make positive changes to eat well, get and stay fit! They are very knowledgable about food, fitness, and the realities of how to apply what we learn within our lives.
On top of the boot camp, eating programs, and personal training they provide, they show time and again how much they truly care about you as a person. They are extremely motivational, creative with the workouts (not a repeated workout yet!), and make the whole process fun. They are thorough in the identification of goals, and have helped me fulfill those goals. They live what they train. They have seriously been instrumental in helping me transform my life!
After the birth of my son, I was looking to get back to a healthier lifestyle for my entire family. I wanted something that was based on REAL food for my REAL life. With two kids under two and a skeptical husband I was able to lose almost 10% of my body weight in just 6 weeks! After the challenge, I continued to lose weight and I am just a few above my goal. It took me almost a year to get to this point after my first baby. How did I bounce back faster this time? I know the guidance from Lori and Caren was the difference! They supported me the whole way.
I just wanted to say thank you for helping me change my life! I’ve tried many “diets” and nothing really worked. I was skeptical at first but decided to try this. I never did a program that was all food. Who knew eating clean was the answer. I haven’t felt (or looked) this good in many years. After the 6 weeks, I lost 11″ and 8 1/2lbs. I couldn’t believe it! It was easy and it still is. I have many food allergies and this was an incredible program. I truly recommend this to everyone. Not just to lose but to be healthy.
