Is a 21-Day Fix Good for Weight Loss? Diet Plan, Foods to Avoid (2024)

  • Does It Work?
    • Can the 21-Day Fix help you lose weight?
  • Is It a Diet Plan?
    • What is the 21-Day Fix eating plan?
  • Expected Weight Loss Amount
    • How much weight can you expect to lose?
  • Workout DVDs
    • 21-Day Fix workout DVDs
  • Healthy Fats
    • Healthy fats
  • Foods to Eat
    • What can you eat?
  • Foods to Avoid
    • What can you not eat?
  • Is It Healthy?
    • Is the 21-Day Fix a healthy choice for you?
  • Summary
    • Summary
  • Comments
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  • More
      **OTHERTAGLIST**

Is a 21-Day Fix Good for Weight Loss? Diet Plan, Foods to Avoid (1)

The 21-Day Fix plan can assist some people in losing weight, but it cannot be used as a long-term plan for weight loss.

Although the 21-Day Fix may help you lose weight, it is not advisable due to various reasons. To lose weight and keep it off, it is better to follow a sustainable healthy dietary approach with regular exercise.

According to the 21-Day Fix, people can lose up to 15 lbs in 21 days. Weight loss is possible by portioning foods into color-coded containers and exercising but probably not to the extent promised. Experts dislike the short-term focus and believe it may be too restrictive for some.

Can the 21-Day Fix help you lose weight?

When you implement the food and activity components of the plan, 21-Day Fix can assist you in losing weight safely.

The approach hasn't been scientifically tested for effectiveness, but its fundamental ideas are based on well-respected theories about diet and weight loss, such as:

  • Eating within a calorie deficit
  • Portion control
  • Focusing on home-cooked meals
  • Filling up on fiber and protein-rich foods
  • Choosing healthy carbohydrate sources
  • Replacing unhealthy fats, refined carbohydrates, and sugary foods
  • Daily physical activity
  • Combining cardiovascular and weight-training exercises to burn fat and build lean muscle
  • Tracking progress

Portion control, learning to cook your food, and choosing protein and fiber-rich foods over fast food, fried foods, and sweets are all important for long-term weight loss regardless of the program you use.

Eating fewer calories and getting regular exercise are tried-and-true methods for losing weight and keeping it off.

What is the 21-Day Fix eating plan?

It is a diet plan from the company Beachbody where you don't have to worry about measuring cups, ounces, or calories.

You get seven color-coded containers that are different sizes for measuring, including:

  1. Green container: Vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and even pico de gallo
  2. Purple container: Fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, mango, and banana
  3. Red container: Proteins such as chicken breast, salmon, eggs, and tempeh
  4. Yellow container: Carbohydrates such as sweet potato, brown rice, tortillas, whole wheat bread, and wine
  5. Blue container: Healthy fats such as avocado, cheddar cheese, and cashews
  6. Orange container: Seeds and dressings such as pine nuts, cashews, cheddar, and mozzarella
  7. Teaspoons: Oils and butter such as peanut butter, olive oil, and mayonnaise (quantity depends on calorie requirements)

Lastly, the containers come with lids, so feel free to use them as storage or simply as a tool for portion control. The person’s calorie needs are calculated, and accordingly, they are given a diet plan.

Despite being urged to drink lots of water, you are still allowed to consume coffee and tea.

There's room for treats such as wine, oatmeal cookies, trail mix, and chocolate, recommended serving size for wine is four ounces or two sips.

SLIDESHOW The Best Diet Tips: How to Lose Weight the Healthy Way See Slideshow

How much weight can you expect to lose?

A study reports that a single 21-Day Fix round lasting three weeks can help participants lose up to 15 lbs.

This may be a high estimate that by no means applies to men and women of all body types, ages, and fitness levels.

Most people consider a weight loss of 1 to 3 lbs each week to be safe and reasonable.

Be mindful of the program's duration. After 21 days, you'll gain back any weight you lost if you stop working out and start eating more.

The only method to lose weight continuously and permanently is to keep working out and eating in a calorie deficit until you reach your target weight.

Summary

The 21-Day Fix's two guiding concepts of eating in a caloric deficit and increasing calorie expenditure through exercise are tried-and-true weight-loss methods. If you don't keep up with your new behaviors after 21 days, the weight reduction from the program is unlikely to stay off.

21-Day Fix workout DVDs

The 21-day fix workout DVDs include a few extra benefits, such as Autumn's go-to three-day diet plan for weight loss before a competition or picture shoot. The Plyo Fix workout DVD, which is challenging but wonderful, is included in the package.

  • Total Body Cardio Fix: Consists of exercises that keep your heart rate up and your muscles active
  • Upper Fix: Specific resistance exercise helps shape your chest, back, shoulders, arms, and abs
  • Lower Fix: Burns calories and firms and tones the entire lower body (glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves)
  • Pilates Fix: Firms your hips and thighs while strengthening your core and lengthening your muscles
  • Cardio fix: Jumping jacks and burpees are just a couple of bodyweight exercises in the Cardio Fix program that will get your heart rate up and your muscles going
  • Dirty 30: Four rounds and eight exercises make up a dirty 30
  • Yoga Fix: An active relaxation exercise that helps build strength, flexibility, and balance

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Healthy fats

The serving size is one-third cup, and the plan limits this group to one serving each day, regardless of the calorie target.

  • Two to six teaspoons of nut butter and oils are permitted daily.
  • For all calorie ranges, one two-tablespoon serving of salad dressing is acceptable.
  • Salad dressing recipes that adhere to the 21-Day Fix's standards are included.

Fats considered healthy in the 21-day Fix workout include:

  • Avocados
  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Cheese
  • Nut butter
  • Oils
  • Salad dressing

What can you eat?

Three meals and three snacks each day, made up of the number of servings specified by your daily calorie needs, are required by the 21-Day Fix diet. Portion sizes, however, are relatively modest, so some people might discover that they aren't getting enough daily calories, even for just the 21 days of the regimen.

Veggies and fruits

The 21-Day Fix encourages eating a lot of whole fruits and veggies, just like all other research programs. One cup is one serving. You will have three to six servings of vegetables and two to four servings of fruit per day, depending on your calorie needs.

What can you not eat?

Avoid eating things that are not considered "whole foods" while following the 21-Day Fix.

  • Refined carbohydrates: White bread, white pasta, crackers, and cereal
  • Sugars and sweeteners: Candy, sweets, baked goods, and artificial sweeteners
  • Processed and fried foods: Deli meat, packaged snacks, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, potato chips, and deep-fried foods
  • Alcohol: Beer, wine, and spirits

Is the 21-Day Fix a healthy choice for you?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends a daily calorie intake of 1,600 to 2,000 calories for weight loss, depending on age, gender, weight, and activity level. However, the 21-Day Fix calorie-target equation does not consider age, gender, or weight, so their recommended number may be incorrect for you.

You might have better luck with this tool, which includes these variables. Calorie counting is still recommended by nutritionists for successful weight loss and long-term weight management.

Summary

According to research and experts, the 21-Day Fix plan can certainly assist some people in losing at least a fraction of their excess weight by adhering to the stringent regimen, but it cannot be used as a long-term plan unless someone is extremely disciplined and willing to do so. It does not meet the criteria for long-term weight loss regimens.

In these conditions, it is preferable to look for long-term programs that are more flexible in terms of exercise and diet rather than choosing any short-term strategy.

Medically Reviewed on 8/10/2022

References

Image Source: iStock image

Effects of Time-Restricted Eating on Weight Loss and Other Metabolic Parameters in Women and Men with Overweight and Obesity: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7522780/

21-Day Fix Extreme Meal Plan: https://www.newhealthadvisor.org/21-day-fix-extreme-meal-plan.html

21-Day Fix Review – Beginner-Friendly & Easy To Follow: https://www.fitnessrocks.org/21-day-fix-review/

Is a 21-Day Fix Good for Weight Loss? Diet Plan, Foods to Avoid (2024)

FAQs

Is a 21-Day Fix Good for Weight Loss? Diet Plan, Foods to Avoid? ›

Pros of the 21-Day Fix

Is a 21 day fix diet healthy? ›

The 21 Day Fix uses daily workouts and portion-controlled containers to boost weight loss. Though this plan may aid weight loss and improve diet quality, it also has drawbacks. The program focuses on short-term, dramatic weight loss instead of long-term lifestyle changes and may be too restrictive for some.

Why am I not losing weight on 21 day fix? ›

If you're packing your containers with higher calorie foods, you could be adding as much as 300 extra calories a day and that could stop you from losing about 2 pounds over the 21 days. (Remember, you have to burn about 3,500 calories to lose one pound of fat.

Is it possible to lose weight in 21 days? ›

Aiming for 1-2 pounds (0.5-1 kg) of weight loss per week is typically seen as a healthy and sustainable weight loss target. As a result, with a well-balanced diet and frequent exercise, it is realistic to expect a weight loss of 3-6 pounds (1.4-2.7 kg) in 21 days.

What are the cons of the 21 day fix? ›

Cons of the 21-Day Fix

This would not be enough calories for energy and health for many people, especially when you factor in the daily workouts. Expensive: The 21-Day Fix kit costs about $60, and it includes the portion control containers, workout videos, and eating plan, along with other resources and information.

How much weight can you lose in one round of 21 day fix? ›

A study reports that a single 21-Day Fix round lasting three weeks can help participants lose up to 15 lbs. This may be a high estimate that by no means applies to men and women of all body types, ages, and fitness levels. Most people consider a weight loss of 1 to 3 lbs each week to be safe and reasonable.

Can I lose 10 lbs in 21 days? ›

It's possible to lose up to 15 lbs. in 21 days, but you're more likely to keep the weight off if you only lose about 5 lbs. Regardless of which weight-loss method you choose, discuss your plans and your current state of health with your physician before beginning any program.

How to be successful on 21 day fix? ›

Read through the choices and highlight some of your favorites for every container. Then, plan the meals for one day and mark which containers they'll use. Think about what types of food you would like to have at each meal and include some of your favorite healthy snacks.

How much weight can be lost in 20 days? ›

A safe and sustainable rate of weight loss is generally considered to be around 0.5 to 1 kilogram (1 to 2 pounds) per week. So, in 20 days, it's possible to lose 1 to 2 kilograms (2 to 4 pounds) if you follow a healthy and balanced approach to weight loss.

Can you lose belly fat in 21 days? ›

It's important to understand that losing belly fat in a short period of time, like 14-21 days, is not a realistic goal for most people. Sustainable weight loss usually occurs over a longer period of time with consistent effort and healthy lifestyle changes.

How can I lose 3 pounds in a week? ›

To drop 3 pounds per week, start by cutting 1,500 calories from your diet each day by sticking to lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Cut out sugars and refined carbs from your diet. Then, try to add in 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week to burn more calories.

Can I lose 10 pounds in 25 days? ›

It's possible to lose 10 pounds in 1 month due to lifestyle and dietary changes. However, losing this much weight in 1 month may not be a safe target for everyone. Increasing exercise levels and modifying your dietary choices are important ways of managing your weight safely and effectively.

Can you eat mayo on a 21 day fix? ›

You can also try making your own olive oil-based mayo (which is 21 Day Fix approved) and count it as a TSP. Can I have flavored yogurt? Your best bet is to stick with plain or Greek yogurt and add fruit or a natural sweetener yourself. Pre-made flavored yogurts tend to add a lot of extra sugar and other additives.

What if I can't eat all my containers on 21 day fix? ›

But once you start the program, you may actually find yourself feeling full before you've finished all your containers for the day. That's because healthy food has more volume — and is more filling — than junk food. If you can't finish all your containers for the day, just eat what you can.

How can I lose 20lbs in 3 weeks? ›

Fortunately, using a mix of proven strategies can simplify and expedite healthy weight loss at a steady rate.
  1. Is it possible to lose 20 pounds in 30 days? ...
  2. Count calories. ...
  3. Drink more water. ...
  4. Increase your protein intake. ...
  5. Reduce your refined carb consumption. ...
  6. Start lifting weights. ...
  7. Eat more fiber. ...
  8. Follow a sleep schedule.

How many calories do you burn doing 21 day fix? ›

21 Day Fix Extreme is an amazing program with a variety of workouts to suite any body type at any level. In this program I burned anywhere from 105 calories on the Yoga tracks to a max of 373 calories during the big workouts.

Is 21 day fix weight training? ›

Yes! There's a ton of resistance training in 21 Day Fix EXTREME. But if you're looking to add mass, make sure to increase calories.

Can I lose 10 pounds in 21 days? ›

It's possible to lose up to 15 lbs. in 21 days, but you're more likely to keep the weight off if you only lose about 5 lbs. Regardless of which weight-loss method you choose, discuss your plans and your current state of health with your physician before beginning any program.

What is the 21 day challenge healthy eating? ›

The 21-Day Nutrition Challenge
  • No dairy: This includes milk, butter, cream, yogurt, ice cream, and cheese. ...
  • No starches: This includes corn products, white potatoes, rice, and bread. ...
  • No processed foods: If it comes in the freezer section or in a box, don't eat it. ...
  • No grains: Not even corn.
Dec 2, 2020

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