Hi all! Jenn here with my final post on the program. I finished it last Sunday, but I couldn't grab a DEXA Scan until yesterday (Saturday, May 2). And so, the results are in, and I have leveled up! 🦊💪
💪🏆 +4.4 lbs of lean muscle mass. My weight did go up, but it was due to muscle gain, so this is pure recomposition. And it's not a rounding error. That's muscle I built while life was going a little chaotic. +125 Tonal strength score points—from 383 to 508.
🎯✅ My ALMI went from 7.60 to 8.0 kg/m²—I didn't just hit my target, I exceeded it. (ALMI, or Appendicular Lean Mass Index, measures the lean muscle mass in your arms and legs relative to your height—it's one of the best indicators of functional strength and long-term health. An ALMI of 8.0 kg/m² places me in the above-average range for my age and sex, meaning my muscle mass in my limbs is stronger and more developed than the majority of my peers.)
📊✨ My FFMI went from 17.8 to 18.5 kg/m². (FFMI, or Fat-Free Mass Index, measures your total lean mass relative to your height—a high FFMI indicates a strong, muscular physique and is associated with better metabolic health and physical performance. At 18.5 kg/m², I am now sitting right at the above-average threshold, meaning my overall lean mass relative to my body size is competitive and strong.)
📉🔥 Body fat dropped 1.3%. These are body recomposition results. I plan to target this next by inserting Zone 2 training.
I have certainly leveled up and reached the goals I wanted in this program. I can lift my kids with ease, I can keep up with them energy-wise, and I now look better in workout gear (more so than regular clothes). Oh, and I've ripped two shirts, a pair of pants, and a dress with my arms and legs. (I liked that dress, Joe! ...I'll get it fixed. Maybe. 😂) But now? I want to make sure I can blow past my kids as they get older. But also, provide them safety: A dangerous driver pulled into a kids' area (where cars were not allowed) and nearly hit my daughter, but I was fast enough and capable enough to get her out of the way in time. And when it happened again to my friend's daughter, I was able to do the same. Before this program and my "level up"? I am unsure if I would have been fast enough. In my previous posts, I mentioned the capability piece, and I am happy that these new capabilities will also keep my kids safe. (Definitely search up "motherhood and fitness," and you will find conversations around this on TikTok.)
Now let me tell you what these 12 weeks actually looked like:
I'm a neurodivergent mom of two neurodivergent children while completing my EdD dissertation. This cycle, I was advocating for my children's services, caregiving for my mom and managing her books and insurance, managing my son's health needs, advocating with insurance for both kids, navigating dissertation and research work deadlines, doing research work on a study with my professors, co-leading my student research organization and membership (over 280+ members), and doing advocacy and mentoring work, all while solo during stretches when my husband was traveling for work. Oh, and I turned 36 in the final stretch of the program. There were nights when I was on the Tonal at 7, 8, 9, or 10 pm (a couple of times at 11 pm). Not because it was convenient. Because it was the only time that could belong to me.
That's the warrior and "the standard" mentality Coach Joe talked about all program long. It's not about perfect conditions. It's about showing up anyway. Every. Single. Time. Improving sleep. Improving food. Improving protein. Improvements every day.
And Tonal made that possible. Having a training program and machine in my home—no commute, no childcare logistics—that's not a small thing for me. For parents of kids with complex needs, for neurodivergent women, for anyone whose life doesn't fit neatly around a gym schedule—this machine is genuinely life-changing. This opportunity has been life-changing.
Now, let me talk about the program itself because I have thoughts:
Despite being marketed as a sequel to the original 12 Weeks to Jacked, 12 Weeks to Unleash works beautifully as a standalone for advanced Tonal users, in my opinion. If you've been feeling like your Tonal experience has been a little inconsistent, or you're not sure how to structure your training, this is your answer. Feeling a little bored with workouts and really loving the barbell, but not finding it in your intermediate programs? Try this program out. The juggernaut and conjugate patterns woven throughout give you a real framework, not just random workouts. It builds something. You feel it building. And there's success little by little, even for those who have never done an advanced program.
And Joe? His coaching cues around warrior mentality weren't just fitness motivation. They landed differently when you're doing the 11 pm workout after a hard day. They felt personal every time. And I also didn't realize that some programs had the coaches working with you, not just ordering you to do a move without breaking a sweat. Joe's commentary on it feeling "hard" or on moments close to "burnout" really made a difference for me, and it could really impact those who have never done advanced training and feel like they're only going down in the strength score.
📚🐉⚔️ My one suggestion for the Tonal team: we need Fourth Wing-themed workouts. I always joke in my book clubs that I want to be Imogen from Fourth Wing, who is one jacked female that trains the main character to be stronger and believes in her. (Well, most of the people are jacked and always training in this book series. Highly recommend it!)
To this community—thank you for witnessing and supporting me these 12 weeks and cheering me on. Especially to the Tonal Team. I am definitely going to apply and join in on future OTC challenges.
For my next steps, I asked Joe which programs I should pursue to continue building while keeping my preferred styles in mind. And so, I am set for quite a bit. But I am also going to start Zone 2 training, as completing this advanced program was hard at first, but I think I have my groove now. Plus, I really want to use my new loops. I still have a few foundational moves to continue building, but I am definitely building towards where I want to be.
Dr. Warrior Mom has completed 12 Weeks to Unleash and has improved her warrior mindset. And she's just getting started. But she has definitely leveled up to having muscles, so she can take the Dr. Muscle Mom title as well. 💪🎓 Thank you all for helping this mom get her fire back. I'll need the fight and strength to ensure my kids receive all of the joy, opportunities, and good health they deserve. 🛡️⚔️🔥 Thank you again, #Tonal, for the #12WeekstoUnleash Challenge.
