I'm so glad I did the 21 Day Primal Challenge. I accomplished the most all encompassing challenge of my life. I thought it would be life changing, and it was, but not just for me, for my whole family. I and up earlier then I used to get up, and feel like I have a purpose and a reason for getting up. The food was a challenge, even though I had cut out bread about 10 months ago, and was cutting out artificial sweeteners, I never tried to cut out all refined sugar and carbs. There is sugar in everything!!! Why?

I was doing a lot of challenges, arm challenge, plank challenge, but I had to slow down on them to focus on the Primal Challenge. It was hard to find food to eat at a few different times during the last 21 days. I fixed meals for my family and chose not to eat them, so what could I eat??!! Salad was my friend, you can put anything on a salad. I say I chose not to eat what was not on the challenge, because I am not allergic to it, but I wanted to stick by my commitment. I really enjoyed the results, after the sugar cloud cleared and I felt so much more focused. The mental changes have been such a plus. I have conscientiously noted things and people in my life for which to be grateful. I enjoy my nightly tea and downtime. I'm still working on "me" and I feel like I didn't get it all worked out. I have lost 8 pounds, and inches from top to bottom, thank goodness! I will continue to maintain so many of these changes for life. I know I will continue growing in journey. My success is on so many levels that's its hard to put them all down in words, but a few things:

Saying "I won't eat that" because I chose not to is empowering.

Learning what I can eat, outside of processed food, is rewarding.

Making an impact in my husband's and son's life by demonstrating a new commitment to improvement is powerful.

I do not want to lose this feeling of purpose and strength, I am so proud of my journey and so much more certain of myself. My choices are mine, and I have to be committed to myself. Now, off to do squats and pushups.

The 21-day challenge came along right when I was attempting to hit the reset button in a few areas of my life. I liked that it wasn’t just an eating plan, it was more comprehensive and included setting positive habits, especially at the very beginning and very end of the day. These are the times of day I am typically the least disciplined. Combine this with the group support and coaching, it has really helped me complete the program. I didn’t weigh or measure myself, but I can definitely see that my abdomen has gotten flatter, my jeans fit better, I can see more muscle in my arms, and I am steadily getting stronger. The daily 25 push-ups (“girl” push-ups for me) has steadily improved from barely being able to complete 5 sets of 5 all the way to being able to do a set of 20 then a set of 5. On the food front, at the beginning I think I went through some kind of withdrawal and I was really foggy for a few days, then I felt like I was constantly jumpy & hungry (eating a lot of fruit helped this), and then things stabilized and now I feel much more satisfied and solid. Now when I’m hungry, I’m able to experience hunger without it always being accompanied by a mood swing or a craving (think HANGRY!). Another participant mentioned a “re-wiring of the brain”, and I can relate, essentially the program has put a halt to some “event in life = I need to eat/drink this to cope” cycles and I feel more in control. Overall this has been a very positive, empowering experience for me.

My photos don't accurately reflect how awesome I feel inside, but these measurements sure do!!! My clothes definitely fit different.

Highlights of what this challenge helped me do:

* Eliminate processed food, especially sugar and carbs (big win for me!)

* Make time in my day to do the things that are important for me - reflect, affirm, meditate and move (workout).

Overall, I eat healthier, sleep more, and have more energy to be a homeschool mom, an afterschool educator and massage therapist!

It's a great work out and it's fun. Meeting new people, but keeping friends in the mix. It's a challenge and, for me, I'm learning confidence, self-defense, and building strength.

Our family and our five yr old son LOVE Mr John and his staff. We wouldn't look anywhere else. Mr John is so good at communicating with the parents so they know the value of everything they're learning.

My kids have been a part of this program for 2 years. We partner with them to help reinforce discipline. We trust them to push the kids enough to test them while also building them up. The kids enjoy the classes and respect the instructors, as well as look forward to seeing their friends in class each week. I have recently joined the skillz fit class myself. It is challenging! All in all, I world reccomend both the kid's classes as well as the classes for adults. They will push you to be better.

My son loves the after school program and he's learning so much. He enjoys showing off his new skills and is building confidence in himself. This program is great if you have a kid who needs to burn off extra energy. I used to have a lot of trouble getting my son to go to sleep at bedtime, but on the days he has class, he is ready at that time!

Our 6 year old daughter started here last summer and she loves it! At the time, I was looking for a program that would help her protect herself (if need be) as an incoming Kindergartner. My husband and I have been very pleased with her progress so far and I can truly say that the program has exceeded our expectations! Our daughter has taken ballet and plays soccer, but she would complain that her once-a-week classes/practices were too long. However, not once has she ever complained about her Taekwondo classes...and she goes three times per week! I attribute her ongoing enthusiasm to Mr. Salama and his team's special ability to keep the kids focused while teaching in a fun and engaging way. All of the instructors encourage each of their students to do their personal best and they take pride in promoting a positive atmosphere for kids (and adults) of all ages!

I love this school and the instructors. Mr. Salami and Mr. Dayne are dedicated to teaching the kids not just martial arts but good behavior as well. I currently have 2 sons who are very active in class and look forward to coming. They are easy to talk to and show a genuine interest in every child being there very best!!!