It’s officially February and admittedly some resolutions might have already been pushed to side. Knowing this, I wanted to tell you the story about how I pushed myself to get photo shoot ready in just 21 days. Disclaimer: I am not a fan of “quick fixes” or “one-time challenges". If you know me, I’ve always promoted following a healthy lifestyle and not a “diet”. You and I both know the true goal of exercise is to feel good and to feel strong (both mentally and physically)!

Photo Shoot Countdown

It all started when I received a call the first week of January from my close friend, Coach JVB. She is a renowned body transformation coach and president of Strong Fitness Magazine. On this call she surprised me with a proposal I couldn’t resist …IT WAS TO BE ON THE COVER OF STRONG FITNESS MAGAZINE’S SPRING ISSUE! OMG!!! This was truly a pinch me moment! It involved a full-day photo shoot and one that was happening in exactly 21 days from that day. That’s when we decided to turn up the heat to make sure I was “photo shoot ready”. Here’s how we did it:

The Workout Routine

So again, I am not one to promote quick fixes here, but I just wanted to share how Jenny and I worked together to feel as confident and ready for a photo shoot in just 21 days. Exercising regularly has always been nonnegotiable for me, but Jenny did set me up on her app to get access to her Metabolic Mayhem program. Here’s a quick overview of the weekly workout split:

Day 1: Lower Body + Burpee Circuit

Day 2: Upper Body, Core Work

Day 3: Rest

Day 4: Lower Body, Booty Circuit

Day 5: Upper Body, Core Conditioning

Day 6: Metabolic Mayhem

Day 7: Rest

While I won’t get into the details of each workout, what I can tell you is that each workout was about 45 minutes long. I personally love the lower and upper body split and felt very driven to hit the 10-12 reps set for majority of the exercises. With respect to how heavy (or light) I was lifting, I was always choosing a weight that allowed me to hit the final rep without going to failure (but feeling like I was just about to … if that makes sense). I did NOT do any HIIT cardio sessions, but I did complete 30 minutes of very low-impact fasted cardio on my peloton first thing in the morning throughout the 21 days.

How did my eating change?

Well to be honest, it didn’t change that much with the types of foods I was eating, but I was eating more food over the course of my 3 meals. Jenny is an incredible coach and I trust her 100%. Her meal plan was so thorough and I was so happy to be incorporating more fruit than usual. I didn’t do my usual snacking at night and completely cut out alcohol. It was already “dry January” for me, so that wasn’t that big of a deal. Here is a very general example of what a day of eating looked like for me:

Meal 1: Egg whites + 1 whole egg + 2 slices of Ezekiel bread. 1 serving of fruit.

Meal 2: Chicken breast/Brown rice/green veg/avocado

Meal 3: Tenderloin/Chicken breast/brown rice/green veg/olive oil

Post Workout: Protein shake + 3 large rice cakes

Again, this is a VERY general overview of one day. I was also drinking 3-4L of water a day, which is pretty standard for me! The key has always been consistency when it comes to eating. And really, I would say I generally eat pretty good and make healthy choices most of the time anyway. But the accountability piece is always the part that makes all the difference. Having Jenny check in on me with her pleothora of expertise was so supportive. She really is the best in the biz if you’re looking to take your fitness goals to the next level. If you are interested in working with Coach JVB’s team, fill out the questionnaire here.

What else did I do to prep for the shoot?

While eating and exercise fell high on the list, there were still other things to consider when preparing for a shoot. Here’s a quick list of key items to check off within the final week before stepping in front of a camera:

Wardrobe: make sure that you put together A LOT of options for outfit changes. Sometimes certain clothing may appear different on camera when you’re on set than when you see it hanging in your closet. Ensure that the colours of the clothing you are selecting are evergreen and timeless.
Practice: sounds silly, but practice your poses and smiles (and RBF) in the mirror. It’s awkward AF, but so helpful when it comes to the day of!
Sleep: this is something that should be prioritized always (not just the week before). Sleep can really mess with your hormones and stress levels, so quality sleep goes a long way. Plus, your skin looks way better when you’re rested.
Shave/Wax/Exfoliate Etc.: Do what you gotta do in this department. You know the drill.
Spray Tan: particularly for fitness-related shoots, it’s a nice touch to get a spray tan the day before. That golden hue really helps to accentuate your body’s natural tones and curves.
Look at the Photographer’s Previous Work: I think this is something that some people skip, but I like doing this as it gives me an idea of the way he/she works and what kind of shots he/she is aiming to achieve.
Plan Your Post-Shoot Meal: Haha! There’s just something about that meal following a photo shoot! It also gives you something to look forward to and you deserve to celebrate a successful shoot with whatever your heart (and tummy) desires!

What’s Next?

Now here’s what I am asking you to do … I want you to head to Strong Fitness Magazine and show some love by subscribing here. Right now you also get $3 off the price! Listen, I have always loved magazines because nothing beats holding a tangible mag in your hand and flipping pages on your down time. Subscribe for yourself or give the gift of fitness by clicking here. Finally, the confirmed cover image has not yet been selected and they need your help choosing some options. I’ll be sharing 3 picks and need your input stat!!