An unbiased review from someone who has succeeded with both programs. Examine the differences and make the call for YOU!
THE PRICE DIFFERENCE (IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
21 DAY FIX
$165/month
(Discount coach: Shakeo + Coach Fee = $150/month (4 week program)+ BOD membership $10-$15/month)
131 METHOD
$65/month
($195 (full price) for the 12 week program and $15/month for each month afterward for the club membership)
THE DURATION
21 DAY FIX
4 weeks
Delivered by: Online accountability group through Facebook or My Challenge Tracker App, and logging in to BeachbodyOnDemand.com
More fitness and nutrition programs are available to graduate to, or one can repeat the 21 Day Fix again and again.
131 METHOD
12 weeks
Delivered by: 131 Method app in an online course format where video, audio, downloadable pdf resources are unlocked week by week.
The 131 Method is meant to be repeated, each 12 week cycle improving your metabolism, regulating hormones, and building a healthy gut biome.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
21 DAY FIX CHALLENGE PACK
Bag of Shakeology (30 day supply)
Workout program
4 week workout schedule (7 workouts/week) (unlimited access)
Nutrition Guide
Portion Fix Container System
Access to:
Fixate cooking show
Recipes via the Beachbody Blog
Online coach (motivational/influential)
Online accountability group
My Challenge Tracker App (Ability to track inches, weight, and other accountability measures
The 21 Day Fix is a combination program including nutrition and exercise; most often accompanied by a coach and an online accountability group. Resources can be mailed, or are downloadable online. Workouts are 30 minutes, easy to do at home and the food plan is basic and easy to follow. In order to remain active in an online accountability group most coach’s insist participants are also supporting themselves nutritionally with Shakeology, or other supplements like Energize(pre-workout), or Recover(post workout). For just the workout videos and an awesome cooking show available online, (without a monthly Shakeology subscription, or the online accountability group) there’s $120/year ($10/month) Beachbody On Demand subscription available.
131 METHOD
12 week easily customizable nutrition education program
Downloadable resources (worksheets, information for reference, helpful checklists)
20-35 minutes total/week of video and audio training from Chalene
Recipes (ability to filter by phase Ignite, Nourish, Renew, or Nightshade/FODMAP friendly)
Access to registered dieticians who respond within 24-48 hours to questions
Meal plans for purchase
Scientific evidence – complete with citations to reputable studies backing up each topic, and lesson so you can do your own research
The 131 Method is an easily digested series of video and audio lessons (between 20-35 minutes/week) with small action items surrounding most lessons. The app is accessible from a smartphone, or computer. Resources related to each lesson are available for download. While there isn’t a workout component specifically, recommendations for movement and activity are encouraged. Chalene says “The best workout is the one you look forward to doing” so whether it’s a walk, yoga, group fitness class, or your own at home program – just make sure it’s something you look forward to. There is a giant bank of recipes in the app you can sort by phase or type or receipe ie) fodmap friendly, fat burning, plant based, carb charge etc. and it’s regularly updated with yummy new recipes. There are also meal plans ready for purchase including pregnant or breastfeeding plans, vegetarian, or big plate and small plate options. Lessons are unlocked 1 week at a time. Downloads, info sheets, PDFs, and tracking sheets help clients succeed. Access to registered dieticians answering questions all the time – chat or forum style. Regularly updated interviews and information on all things to do with your body are posted all the time.
PROGRAM FOCUS:
21 DAY FIX FOCUSES ON:
Portion control
Micronutrients in Shakeology
Exercise
131 METHOD FOCUSES ON:
Not exercise
Nutrition research and science for everyday people
Organ systems and how to support their basic functions
Understanding hunger hormones
Regulating hormones
Building trust with your body and how it finds energy
Exploring intermittent fasting and why
How to get yourself a healthy gut biome
Choosing high quality meats, eggs and produce
Welcoming healthy fats like nuts, seeds, coconut oil, avocado, olive oil into your life
Increasing your micronutrient intake
Identifying inflammatory foods and ingredients
Choosing whole foods over supplements
Managing stress
The importance of rest
Identifying micronutrient deficiencies and how to reverse them
Identifying personal food sensitivities
SUSTAINABILITY
Which program will benefit you the longest and for the least amount of money?
The 21 Day Fix boasts strengths in getting users results fast and relatively easily but it comes with a higher price tag. If $165/month is in your budget, you’re physically able to do the workout programs, and enjoy Shakeology this may be sustainable for you.
The 131 Method boasts strengths in getting users results using an irreversible base of nutritional knowledge. You will learn to source nutritionally dense foods for years to come, and how to cook to satisfy your tastes and your family’s. The 131 Method does not require a strict exercise regime, or commitment to non-food supplements which can be expensive. For $15 CAD/month, users can be on top of their nutritional game, enjoy exercise in any format they wish, and if you suffer from physical injury, hormone imbalance or digestive discomfort – this program is a MUST.
131 Method wins my vote for sustainability based on the educational value of program and content, for the price.
10 MINUTE TAKEAWAY
Both programs have life changing capabilities. The 21 Day Fix program will give you muscular strength, a great foundation to build healthy habits, micronutrients from Shakeology and a community to support your success. The 21 Day Fix is best if you are injury free, have good digestion, have cravings under control, no food sensitivities, high energy levels and if you easily find success in an accountability groups.
The 131 Method offers a superior nutritional foundation teaching and educating its clients about hormonal health, digestive health, and doesn’t necessarily focus on weight loss (however it is a common and welcome side effect!) but more of an overall approach to caring for your body. If you have an injury, gut issues, adrenal fatigue, food sensitivities, or are having trouble getting pregnant – the 131 will BLOW YOUR MIND! Everyone can benefit (Beachbody coaches alike!) from the 131 lessons of understanding more about your body and nutrition!
For more information on the 131 Method, or to sign up using my affiliate link – click here to sign up!
The 21 Day Fix Results 2014-2017
2017-2018 results with the 131 Method
My Story:
Over 2015 – 2017 I completed a handful of Beachbody programs (21 Day Fix, Piyo, 22 Hard Corps, Shift Shop), helping me lose 25 lbs. I lost some serious inches, and gained some life changing healthy habits in the process. In April of 2017, I was playing in a hockey tournament and ended up landing myself a concussion. Staying awake for 12 hours without a terrible headache, let alone attempting to workout was next to impossible. Physically I was suffering which led to some big-time mental anguish. Luckily, the concussion would peak my interest enough to discover the magic of anti-inflammatory nutrition in the 131 Method.
My concussion came at a terrible time. I was finishing the last few weeks of an 8 month digital media diploma program, I was looking for new tenants to rent the condo I own in Calgary, and I was online after school hours running a Beachbody Coaching group.
When 4 weeks had passed since my concussion and I wasn’t getting any better, I went to Active Physio Works in Edmonton. Certified in Complete Concussion Management, Kru guided me in the direction I needed to heal, which meant ZERO screen time, and focusing on healing, nutritious foods. One night when I probably shouldn’t have been on my phone – but I was – I saw Chalene Johnson’s snap chat (Beachbody PIYO instructor, multi-millionaire, smart, amazing woman) and she was talking about a nutrition program she’d just launched, called the 131 Method.
At this point (7 months later), I was feeling a bit better and had starting exercising again, but I wasn’t back to full strength. My fitness and nutrition goals struggled through a busy summer of weddings and trips. I had been unable to complete a full Beachbody program and began losing faith in my physical progress and in myself. It was in November I decided to pause Beachbody Coaching and make my health and healing a priority. It was a few weeks after Matt and I got engaged where Chalene offered one more time on snap chat, to enter her 12 week nutrition program for $97. My clothes were getting tighter, our friends’ wedding in Mexico was coming up in January, and our wedding was now booked for September of 2018.
I hope this gives enough insight and is helpful in deciding if one or a combination of these great programs are for you.
– Time is Precious
-E
