It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since our RP journey began with the 2021 Transformation Challenge! Last year, we decided to join the challenge together so we could encourage each other and hold each other accountable. Neither of us could have ever expected to transform our bodies in the way that we did in just 12 weeks.
Here’s a quick recap of our results from the 2021 Transformation Challenge:
Scott’s starting weight: 186.6 lbs.
Scott’s ending weight: 168.5
Total weight loss: 18.1 lbs.
Amy’s starting weight: 174.8 lbs
Amy’s ending weight: 155.4 lbs.
Total weight loss: 19.4 lbs.
Together, we lost nearly 40 lbs, completely transformed our physiques, learned and solidified new habits, and shifted our mindsets in such a way that has helped us remain consistent since last year’s challenge. Everything we thought we knew about nutrition and training was put to the test during the transformation challenge. We realized that we had been overcomplicating things all along! RP taught us, and continues to teach us, that nutrition and training are simple. It’s about understanding the basic scientific principles that the team at RP has already figured out for you, giving it your best effort, and truly trusting the process. It’s also about finding balance (we ate cake on our son’s 10th birthday in the middle of our fat loss diet!).
Since the challenge ended, we have both spent the remainder of the year in maintenance using the RP Diet App, and we have successfully maintained our weights within five pounds or so of our end-of-challenge weights. In the past, we both struggled with keeping the weight off once we lost it, so we took the time this year to really learn how to properly maintain and how to fuel our bodies while enjoying a more flexible approach. The RP Diet App has made this effortless for us, and we will continue to use the app regardless of how our diet/training goals evolve. As we head into 2022, we will both be doing another fat-loss diet (likely 8-10 weeks) and continuing our training with the RP Male/Female Physique templates.
As the overall male finisher and 2nd place female finisher, our best advice to those participating in the challenge this year is to take it one meal at a time, one day at a time. In the beginning, especially if you are new to tracking macros, it’s okay (and actually a good idea) to keep meals very simple and repeat your favorite meals a lot until you get more comfortable being more creative in the kitchen. Another piece of advice is something we heard from the RP community that really stuck with us- “No one is forcing you to do this. You are doing this because you want to do this.” It seems simple but reminding yourself of this can really help you dig deep when you feel like throwing in the towel. You don’t have to be perfect (and you won’t), but be consistent, give it your best each day (whatever your best may look like), trust the process, and know that we are rooting for you!
-Scott and Amy Chua