Can The 80 Day Obsession Program Help You Hit Your Goal Weight In 80 Days?
Image Courtesy Of Beach Body On Demand
The 80 Day Obsession is the new diet program to hit social media feeds everywhere. Beachbody trainer Autumn Calabrese created the 80 Day Obsession program — an 80 day program of customized meals and workouts that promises to help you obtain a lean physique. If you’re curious about the latest social media craze and you’re tempted to try it out, read on to discover what nutritionist Tracy Lockwood Beckerman wants you to know about this fascinating program!
Calabrese states that it takes 80 days (a little less than 3 months) for the average person to build a “foundation of fitness”. When you sign up for the program, you’ll get 80 workouts that range from 30-60 minutes. The exercises are designed for you to build upon the previous routine so that you’ll keep challenging your body.
Instead of counting calories, participants of the program are encouraged to follow timed nutrition to rev up your metabolism and help you stay fueled during workouts. Participants also have specific shakes and color coded meal portioning containers to help them stay on track.
Unlike many other popular diet plans making the rounds on social media, the 80 Day Obsession Program isn’t free. The basic plans costs $99/year, however, there’s also an option that offers a streaming service, Shakeology shakes, pre and post-workout supplements, small home gym equipment (sliders, bands) for $240, and color coded meal portion containers.
Once you start to look at the numbers of the program, you may start to wonder what exactly you’re getting yourself into. According to Calabrese, this program is meant to jumpstart an “obsession” with fitness. Tracy Lockwood Beckerman M.S., R.D. warns “When it comes to overall health and weight loss, having an obsession with anything can be too much.” Building an obsession with extreme workouts, eating and overexerting yourself, can lead to disordered eating, and unhealthy exercise habits.
Beckerman thinks that eating smaller meals more often can be beneficial when you’re trying to lose weight, because it will help to keep you full while boosting your metabolism. However, Beckerman has an issue with drinking Shakeology shakes and the portion control containers. She explains, “This plan doesn’t seem to be individualized for people. Everyone’s body needs a different amount of nutrition, making it hard to say if the portion-control containers are appropriate for everyone”.
Additionally, the meal replacement shakes may not offer adequate nutrition. She continues, “The food portion of this wasn’t created by a registered dietitian, which makes me wary of the idea. RDs have extensive scientific research-based backgrounds in nutrition and go through many years of schooling.” “It’s important to find out where you’re getting your nutrition knowledge from.”
Beckerman also takes issue with the focus of the program, which is all about shrinking your body – not getting fitter or healthier. She cautions, “When someone just focuses on their body, they lose sight of other important things in life—if this is the case, workouts can start taking priority over loved ones, work, and one’s own personal values”.
When it comes to long-term success, Beckerman doesn’t see the 80 Day Obsession program as a realistic plan. She cautions, “When individuals see a time limit on something, they are more likely to do it for that length of time and go back to their old habits because when it comes to weight loss, most people want a quick fix”.
Overall, the 80 Day Obsession Program will definitely help you lose weight and build up your fitness levels — however, this may not be a sustainable weight loss or fitness program. Beckerman warns this is more of a short-term weight loss plan, rather than a program that you can turn into a complete lifestyle change. If you prefer programs that give you clear guidelines with strict routines and methods, and you love working out, but you’re not great at counting calories – you may really enjoy the 80 Day Obsession Program! However, Beckerman believes that the tough to follow regimen may turn people off before they hit the end of 80 days.
