The One Where I Did a Health Challenge

I participated in a 30 day health challenge complete with intense workouts and macros with carb cycling.

My Experience

Let's start with the good stuff right? I signed up for a challenge called "Tighter Together" which is run by Madeline Custer aka Madeline Moves.

I was hooked before the challenge even officially started! The facebook group was invigorating! I was nervous for the carb cycling but in the end, I found it pretty simple.

The work outs were HARD y'all. Ofcourse, maybe if I would have actually been anything physical prior to starting this, I would have found them a little easier. But, I basically went into this starting from scratch. I loved how they made me feel though. I was so proud of myself for getting through them too!

For the first time, in who knows how long, I was proud of myself!

Yeah yeah yeah, Julie, we get it. You liked the macros, the workouts and the experience. But what we really want to know are your stats! I know, that's what I would have cared about too. Wait no longer! Left is May 4, 2019. Right is June 8, 2019.

How I Learned About the Challenge

At the beginning of the year, I signed up for weekly workouts that were focused around lifting at the recommendation of my Instagram friend Lillie Eats and Tells (@LillieEatsandTells in the IG World). The program I signed up for was called Madeline Moves. Madeline has an app that has several programs you can follow for a low monthly fee. (See Her website for details, or follow her on IG @madeline_moves).

When you subscribe to Weekly Moves you get access to not only Weekly Moves but also Move, Sweat, Shred.

Weekly Moves is more weight lifting based with 5 New workouts every week. Move, Sweat, Shred has both a 8 week and a 4 week plan. These still incorporate weights but will have a more cardio feel to them as well. Don't worry both of them are great and kick your butt and sneak in Cardio.

Tighter Together Spring/Summer 2019 Challenge

Madeline also offers a more complete challenge 3 times a year. This challenge is resistance based over 30 days with workouts as well as unique macro counts to each person. The workouts are similar to Weekly Moves but is designed to maximize fat loss. Weeks 1 and 3 are the same workouts and Weeks 2 and 4 are the same workouts. This is designed so you can track progress between each week.

Additionally, the macros are based off your body. Meaning, you give Madeline some basic information at the beginning and she will send you customized numbers. Due to sheer number of people participating, she can't go too in depth. Either way, every person who signs up isn't told the same numbers. Madeline also utilizes carb cycling, where you have 2 higher carb days and 5 lower carb days (at least in this program) to help maximize results. The idea is that your body will depleting it's carb sources for 2-3 days and then replenish them the day before your hardest workout (Leg days).

In addition to the workouts, the macros there is a facebook community to interact with the other participants. Madeline also does almost daily giveaways on her Instagram! It's a fun and exciting experience!

Why did I Want to do a Challenge?

I've been struggling with my weight most of my life. If you want to know more about my past, check out my Post: The One With the Flashback (still to come).

I started counting macros is 2017 and lost about 20 pounds. Then I got hurt, popped my hip during a weighted squat and lost all progress and motivation. I then had a on again off again relationship with my health for 2 years. You can read more about what macros mean to me in my post: The One With My Macros Story.

Finally feeling frustrated enough, I wanted a change. I missed the gym. I was tired of hating myself and my body. So I signed up for the challenge to help jumpstart me back onto the fitness train. I also wanted to feel what it was like to not break a promise to myself. So I signed up, eagerly awaited my new macros (I had been attempting my original numbers from 2017 with some varied success) and impatiently waited for May 6th to roll around so I could officially start the workouts.

And the rest is history as they say! I plan on doing Madeline's Weekly Moves workouts for the rest of the summer and then transition into her Fall Tighter Together Challenge before moving into maintenance macro numbers for the remaining of the year to give myself a diet break.