What's IN my SuperFood Shake?!

When people see me now after my 30+ lb weight loss, or see photos on my Facebook, the first thing they ask is, "HOW?" Of course I tell them I have been exercising and working out and eating healthy, but I always focus on my superfood shake. Why? Because so many people do not truly grasp the idea of good nutrition and how it can affect and change their bodies! I want to emphasize, just as I do to EVERYONE, this is NOT a diet drink, this is NOT a protein drink. . . yes, there is protein in it, and yes, people do lose weight if their body needs to, but that is not the purpose of it! I'm always hesitant to say the name because people think they know what it is, or what it does, or chalk it off as another health drink that won't do anything for them. in reality, if you look closer and pay attention, I promise, you will be surprised at what Shakeology has to offer! In brief, because this is a blog, not a book, let's go over some of the things in it:

Adaptogen Herbs:

An adaptogen is a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. Reishi is a herbal mushroom that reduces allergies, improves liver functions, lowers blood pressure, and enhances out overall immune system among many other health benefits. Along with Reishi, there is Schisandra, Maca, Maitake, Cordyceps. Astragalus, and Ashwagandha found in Shakeology. ALL of these will help your body deal with stress in a better way! 

Antioxidants & Super-Fruits:

Antioxidants help prevent or stop cell damage caused by oxidants. An oxidant is an aggressive form of oxygen that can harm us. To learn more, click here! One of the antioxidants in Shakeology is Bilberry, which helps with diabetes, can prevent cancer and liver damage, and it even strengthens the eyes, heart and kidneys! Cacao, Camu-Camu, Acerola Cherry, Lycium Berry, Green Tea, Luo Han Go, Pomegranate, and Rose Hips are paired with the Bilberry to keep your body in it's best shape!

Digestive Enzymes:

Digestive enzymes break down protein, carbohydrates and fats into progressively smaller components. Invertase is a carbohydrate-digesting enzyme that splits sucrose (common table sugar) into its component parts, glucose and fructose. It supports a healthy respiratory system, and is naturally toxic to harmful toxins in our bodies. Joining with Amylase, Cellulase, Lactase, Glucamylase, and Aplha-Galactosidase, the digestive enzymes will have your body absorbing more nutrients from EVERYTHING you consume, once again, bolstering your body for peak health. 

Phytonutrients & Super-Greens:

Among the benefits of phytonutrients are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Phytonutrients also enhance immunity, repair DNA damage from exposure to toxins, detoxify carcinogens and alter estrogen metabolism. Moringa reduces inflammation, lowers blood sugar, and nourishes your skin and bones, among MANY other health benefits. Chlorella, Spinach and Kale also lend their powers to keeping  you strong, pain free, and healthy! 

Prebiotics & Probiotics:

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are extremely beneficial to your health, especially your digestive system while prebiotics promotes the growth of these beneficial microorganisms in your intestines. Chicory Root is an excellent and delicious tasting prebiotic that is dense in dietary fiber. Aiding in general gut health, along with Yacon Root, and Lactobacillus Sporogenes, these ingredients will have your digestive system the healthiest it's been in years, no matter what else you eat. 

Protein & Amino Acids:

Protein plays a critical role in almost all of our bodily processes and amino acids are the building blocks of it. A large amount of our cells, muscles and tissue is made up of amino acids. Here is where a slight difference comes into play. Shakeology comes in 7 different flavors, 2 of which are vegan. So, the protein sources differ in the vegan varieties. Normal Shakeology comes in Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Greenberry and Café Latte, and the 2 vegan flavors are Chocolate and Tropical Strawberry. 

Normal Shakeology Protein:

Sacha Inchi addresses a huge problem that a lot of people suffer from: cholesterol! Sacha Inchi lowers BAD cholesterol (LDL) and raises GOOD cholesterol (HDL). It also improves brain function, blood flow, bone growth and so much more! Along with Whey, Pea, Chia, Quinoa and Flax, your body will have no issues eliminating food cravings and building lean muscle. 

Vegan Shakeology Protein:

Let's talk about Oat Protein! Did you know that Oat Protein has been used since the beginning of time in the treatment of all manner of skin ailments to offer skin softening, skin soothing, and anti-inflammatory benefits? Combine this with Pea and Rice Protein and you have the same, if not more, health benefits than the "normal" protein. 

There you have it, folks... That's what real health looks like. It's not a gimmick, it's not mysterious magic - it's hard core, dense nutrition. When your nutrition is in line, it's hard to "plateau" in your health and fitness goals. So, what are you waiting for? 

FIND ME:

How To Lose Weight As A Busy Mom

It's been just over 7 weeks since my first blog post, when I decided to really take my health into my own hands and dedicate myself to change. Now, I've always been kind of obsessed with nutrition, so the bulk of my diet wasn't terrible, but I had... er... have... a MAJOR sweet tooth. Also, as much as I'd like to deny it and lie to you, I won't: I'm kind of lazy when it comes to working out. I've always had a love/hate relationship with exercise. I know the benefits, the endorphin rush, blah, blah blah... But getting into it, STARTING it, is always so hard. Not to mention, I homeschooled my kids, was going through a nasty divorce from an abusive marriage and had to learn how to be my own lawyer, while trying to recover emotionally and mentally. I was a master of excuses and justifications as to why I had NO time to workout and be fit. My kids came first so all my time was spent on them. That was my biggest and strongest excuse, because it sounds the best, doesn't it? Guess what, friends? It's still an excuse! 

So, back to 7 weeks ago... I was sick of my clothes not fitting. I was getting to a point where NOTHING fit, and I mean NOTHING - I was wearing my boyfriend's clothes, and even those were starting to get ... snug. How depressing was that!? (VERY!) I searched online for a workout program that I thought I could get behind. I have a bad back from a horrible car accident a decade ago. And not just some little thing - but I was in physical therapy for 3 years and still suffered lots of back pain. I was afraid to bend over or lift something or go on a roller coaster just 8 weeks ago. 

But I was done with all that. The truth is, if I really wanted to put my kids first, not only would I make a change regarding my own health but I would let my kids see it and be a part of it. The first thing I did was tell everyone. My dreams. My goals. My strategy. My tools. I wanted to lose 30 lbs, I wanted to workout every day, and I did not want to go to the gym. I found a nutrition-dense super-food meal replacement shake that tasted delicious. Yeah, I know this sounds like a load of crap, but trust me - I am not one to drink something that does not taste good! I found an at-home workout program that had my interest piqued and it was something I thought I could stick with. 

The first week I felt ridiculous, I could not make it through one single workout without pausing it. I could not do some of the moves. I cried to my mom and to my best friend (who is also MY coach), saying this was silly and I'd never be able to do this. My mom loved and me and encouraged me and my best friend was the perfect coach. She taught me my mantra: "Progress, NOT perfection". She reminded me that 10 minutes of working out was better than nothing. She kept me going. I kept my nutrition in line by cutting out the sugary junk foods, eliminating soda altogether, and eating proper portion sizes. And stopped eating chips... oh how I love potato chips. *laughs*

The second week, my confidence grew as I got stronger. I could STILL not complete a workout but I could do more than I was doing the previous week, and I could do all the moves, even if I could only do 1, when the people in the exercise video were doing 6 or even 10. Still, my coach/BFF motivated me, reminded me how far I had already come. I didn't even miss soda now. Water was my best friend. I knew I was detoxing so I drank water all day, every day. I didn't miss the sugar or the chips. 

The third week, I kind of felt like a badass! Despite having to modify some moves, I was finishing the workouts. I could do more of each move, I wobbled less on balance, and I felt more energized. I focused now on the way I was feeling AFTER my workouts, and not before. Even if I had to hit pause, I was really feeling that endorphin rush. Sweat was pouring down my face, and I'd never in my life pushed myself this hard that I sweat this hard. That just made me feel like MORE of a badass. I started drinking my nutrient-dense meal replacement drink for breakfast. I was SHOCKED at how delicious it was. How filling it was. How healthy it was. 

The fourth week was my real turning point. I don't own a scale. I hadn't checked my measurements since I started. My clothes were fitting better, but I hadn't been paying much attention to how much because I was living in elastic workout clothes. *laugh* Then I went to the doctor. My weight had plummeted 19 lbs in 4 weeks. My cholesterol had gone down by half. My blood pressure was down to normal. and my measurements... overall, I lost 21 inches - 4 inches alone off EACH thigh! Whaaaaat?!? I was shocked. I was stunned. I was ELATED! 

I was on fire for week five. This week started showing muscle tone in my arms. My arms were something I was hyper conscious of and never wore tank tops because of this. But now, I had muscle definition in my arm. 

My teenage daughter asked if she could start working out with me, and now she asks me to wait for her so she can workout with me after school every day. HER results are just as amazing - she is on the JROTC team at her high school, and as a freshman, was invisible. Now, her physical fitness stats including pushups and pull ups are so awesome that every commanding officer knows her name. 

Now I had to start fighting my kids for my meal replacement drink because by now, they had all tried it and loved it just as much as I did - it tastes like a very rich, thick chocolate milk ( I mix it with almond milk).

Now, at just over 7 weeks, I kinda want to flex my arms at everyone I meet. *laugh* For the first time EVER, I took a photo of my bare tummy and shared it on social media! 

I can't imagine NOT having my chocolate shake every morning. The one day I have missed it, I felt exhausted, hungry and just "off" all day. Trust me, that won't be happening again! I am down almost 30lbs in 7 weeks - once I started my uber-healthy shake, it really amped up my weight loss. 

Along with my muscle building! Also... when your boyfriend runs his hand down your leg while mindlessly watching TV and says, "WOW! Your legs are so smooth... No offense, but the cellulite you had, is gone!", how can you NOT feel amazing? Then I saw a meme online that said, "Sometimes I grab my own butt because... well, I squat." I laughed SO hard, and thought... Hmm.. I have been doing A LOT of squats... and yup... started grabbing my own butt to see how it changed! *laughs* The difference is definitely noticeable! 

So here I am, telling you this: a 30 minute workout is TWO PERCENT of your entire day. Being able to afford a meal replacement shake that fueled my health, fitness, muscles AND weight loss was totally affordable when I stopped buying chips and soda and candy. So what happened to my excuses? They transformed into my REASONS! I workout and eat healthy BECAUSE I love my kids. Because I want to healthy life where I can run in the park with them and chase them and participate in life with them instead of just watching and taking pictures. I want to lead by example so they have a healthy life. I want to be healthy and fit so I can live long enough to see my (far to come) grand children grow into adults. I chose my priorities and I arranged my life accordingly. Instead of watching TV when I have a free moment, I read a self-development book. Instead of snacking on chips and soda, I snack on nuts and fruit and drink water. Instead of laying on the couch when the kids are being quiet, I hit play on my workout video - an episode of Sofia the First is about as long as one of my workouts. 

Moms, take your excuses and make them your reasons. Prioritize your health. Lead by example.

Look at some of these other moms who have made the change and committed to being healthy!

FIND ME:

What is Beachbody On Demand & How can I try it for FREE?

Beachbody On Demand 30-Day Free Trial

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What’s Included?

The Digital Library is divided into three sections:

1. MEMBER LIBRARY

The member library contains over $2000 worth of digital programming.

You’ll have full access to the following programs:

P90X®
P90X Deluxe
P90X2®
P90X2 Deluxe
P90X3®
P90X3 Deluxe
P90X ONE on ONE® Volume 1
P90X ONE on ONE® Volume 2
10 Minute Trainer®
INSANITY®
INSANITY Deluxe
INSANITY: THE ASYLUM® Volume 1
INSANITY: THE ASYLUM® Volume 2
TurboFire®
Brazil Butt Lift®
Brazil Butt Lift Deluxe
ChaLEAN Extreme®
Hip Hop Abs®
Tai Cheng
Rev Abs

In addition to the workouts you also have access to the nutrition guides, program guides, workout calendars, and other documentation that goes along with each program.

2. NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

This section provides one sample workout for each of Beachbody’s newest and bestselling programs to give CLUB members a taste of the program before they decide to buy.

Sample workouts currently available to stream under this library include:
21 Day Fix: Total Body Cardio Fix
21 Day Fix Extreme: Plyo Fix Extreme
Body Beast: Chest/Tri
PiYO:
Insanity Max:30: Sweat Intervals
Focus T25: Alpha Cardio
P90: Sculpt A
Slim in 6: Start it Up

3. PURCHASED PROGRAMS

This includes the DVD programs you’ve previously purchased from Beachbody, Team Beachbody, or the Beachbody Amazon storefront (if available).
Programs available to stream after purchase currently include:
21-Day Fix
21-Day Fix Extreme
PiYO
T25

More programs will be added to this section as they become available.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost for your Team Beachbody CLUB membership which includes access to Beachbody On Demand is $38.87 which is billed to your credit card every 90 days.

You can sign-up for a FREE 30-day trial by clicking on the link below and filling out the form.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP FOR A FREE 30-DAY TRIAL OF BEACHBODY ON DEMAND

Also, if you purchase a Beachbody challenge pack which includes the Beachbody program of your choice + a 30-day supply of Shakeology, you’ll also receive 30-days free access to Beachbody On Demand.

Can we still purchase good ol' fashioned DVDs?

Yes! Some people still want/need to own DVDs because high speed Internet access is not available to everyone. Also, purchasing DVDs creates permanent ownership. BOD users will only have access to streaming BOD programs for as long as they are paid CLUB members. Of course, those On Demand programs no longer produced in DVD format will only be available in the On Demand catalog.

What if you like it and want it ALL? Guess what? You can have your cake and eat it, too! 

Starting in January of 2017, Beachbody came out with the ALL-ACCESS BEACHBODY ON DEMAND option, where you gain access to ALL of our workout programs, and the correlating Annual All-Access Beachbody On Demand and Shakeology Challenge Pack, which is an INCREDIBLE deal.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me on my Facebook page or contact me directly!