You Want Me to Drink What?

Shakeology – The Healthiest Meal of the Day

Prior to drinking Shakeology I was very skeptical about it and other meal replacement drinks.  I felt that I didn’t need to drink something; I’d rather eat food and I also wasn’t excited about the price.  Now that I have taken the leap and belly up to the kitchen counter daily with my blender, I’m glad that I took the plunge to making Shakeology a part of my daily menu.  Best of all, I can still eat lots of good food too!

Simply put, Shakeology is “nature in a bag”.  It comes in powder form which can be mixed with water (and other ingredients) so you can have a fast and filling meal packed with 70+ ultra high quality ingredients.  It contains 140 calories, 1 gram of fat, and a glycemic index of 24; meaning it will not spike your blood sugar.  It also contains antioxidants, phytonutrients, and prebiotics.  Best of all, it’s gluten and caffeine free and contains no artificial sweeteners.

Shakeology can be used for many different reasons.  Some people use it to help with weight loss while others use it to help lower cholesterol.  I like to use it as a quick meal replacement for a breakfast on the go.  It’s perfect for drinking on my way to work (you can also drink it to replace lunch or as a snack).  It also helps you feel more energized and promotes healthy digestion and regularity.  Shakeology helps the body eliminate toxins efficiently which in turn allows for better nutrient absorption.  If you replace one meal a day with Shakeology and eat a sensible diet the rest of the day, you should see weight loss.

There are endless recipes to create a different, delicious shake everyday or you can create your own concoction.  So forget about being bored drinking the same old thing.  I have tried both flavors and I prefer the Chocolate but I will drink the Greenberry from time to time.  It is also included in the Weight Watchers program as 3 points.

Another way to use Shakeology is the 3 day cleanse.  Unlike other cleanses, you don’t have to starve.  It also isn’t meant to give you radical weight loss, but it allows your body to flush out the toxins through elimination of sodium, gluten, and processed foods.  Average weight loss of 2 to 7 pounds is an added bonus of the cleanse. 

Now let me tell you how and where to get some.  You know you want some!  You can purchase Shakeology in two flavors, Chocolate or Greenberry.  Both flavors are available in a 30 serving size bag which includes a scoop, or a box of individual 24 packets, through Team Beachbody Coach like me.  Both cost the same price.  The individual packets are a great for taking them on the go or for sharing your passion with others.  The good news is that both options cost the same price, $120…YIKES!  I know that’s what I first thought.  It is possible to receive discounts.  Club members receive a 10% discount on all purchases and Coaches save 25% on all purchases.  To find out more about Club membership or becoming a Coach go to www.coachcandy.com.

Before you start thinking that it costs too much, break the price down to per serving, $4.  Aren’t you and your body worth the $4 daily investment?  Shakeology is a high quality, nutrient dense meal.  What do you get from your daily trip to the coffee shop or from that warehouse store meal replacement drink?  Nothing in comparison to Shakeology.  In fact, Beachbody, the company that developed Shakeology, believes in the product so much they offer a 30 day, “Bottom of the Bag” guarantee.  You can use some or the entire product within 30 days and return it for a full refund, less shipping.  So, what do you have to lose?  You may even get to keep some free gifts even if you return it.

There are two shipping options:  order as you go (month to month) or Autoship (Home Direct).  When you order using Autoship (Home Direct), Beachbody will ship the product to you every 30 days with free shipping and it can be cancelled at any time.  During the first two months you will receive two free gifts:  2 workout DVD’s and in the second month a shaker cup!  If you decide to return the product, you get to keep your free gifts.  Wow!

You’re worth it and so is your body.  Try it and if you don’t like it can claim your “Bottom of the Bag” guarantee!  You can find more information, including nutritional information, recipes, and testimonials here www.myshakeology.com/feincandy .

My 3 Day Cleanse Experience

After having a week or two of multiple slip-ups with food choices, skipping workouts, and plain laziness I felt bloated and wanted to do something about it to get myself back on track.  The Shakeology 3 Day cleanse came to mind and I thought there was not time like the present to do it.  I decided that I was going to do the cleanse that weekend.  I never had any desire in the past to do a cleanse since I like to eat food and couldn’t think of existing for multiple days living on liquids.  No thank you!  However, I’ve read all these results people have had with the 3 day cleanse, so I thought I’d give it a try.  I drink Shakeology on a daily basis as a meal replacement; usually breakfast.  It tastes good and is very filling.  Knowing this, I knew I’d be able to stick with it and still have energy but also get the nutrients my body would need.

So, why do the 3 day cleanse and what is it exactly?  The Shakeology 3 day cleanse is a program you follow for 3 days which helps to eliminate the body of toxins, chemicals, and any other junk (think of those chips, alcohol, or sweets that you had).  The body will be able to perform more efficiently in the long term.  It is a calorie restricted regimen, but it’s nutrient dense.  During the cleanse one will be “eating” often and consuming between 800-1200 calories daily.  It should not be done any longer than 3 days, due to rise in cortisone levels which will defeat the weight loss aspect.  And you should not do it more than every 3 months.

The cleanse is meant to jump start your fitness journey, break a plateau, help with weight loss (average 3-5 lbs), and decreases belly bloat.  It’s an active cleanse so you can exercise during the 3 days but it should be a lighter workout.  If doing P90X, Insanity, or TurboFire, do the cleanse during a recovery week.

I know what you’re thinking…sounds like any others cleanse.  What makes it standout from others is that the Shakeology cleanse is not a true “cleanse”.  It is a calorie restricted but nutrient dense cleanse.  There are not strange drinks made of maple and lemon or apple cider.  You will have to drink green tea.  Since Shakeology is packed full with nutrients, you will get adequate nutrition.

The cleanse consists of drinking green tea twice a day, drinking 3 Shakeology shakes a day, eating a minimal amount of fruit, and eating a salad with lean, grilled white protein in the evening.  Prior to starting, I ensured that I had all the supplies and psyched myself up.  Keeping in mind that if I wanted the results, I had to stick with it and follow the regimen to a “T”.  I was all set to start on Saturday morning or at least I thought I was.

When I woke up I weighed myself to establish a baseline then I was off to conquer the cleanse.  I drank my green tea while it was not as tasty as my coffee, I enjoyed it.  Then it was time for my first shake.  While I drink the Greenberry on occasion, I stuck with the Chocolate for the duration of the cleanse.  Since I could add some fruit to my morning shake, I went with a banana followed by some fruit for a mid-morning snack being sure to drink lots of water.  At lunch I had some more green tea and a shake sans the fruit.  My daughter loves drinking the shakes too and wanted some but I had to tell her “No!”  She was upset but got over it…hey, this is my lunch people.  She got to eat PB & J and trail mix.  Finally it was dinner time and boy  that salad with grilled chicken never tasted better.  Day 1 was a success – I got this!

Jump to Day 3…I can’t say that I was as excited on the third day as I was on the first but I stuck with it.  While I wasn’t really hungry, I don’t think I’ve thought about food so much and what I was going to eat when I was done with the cleanse.  At this point, it was a mind over matter issue.  I was going to finish partly due to stubbornness.

I did it!  While it wasn’t easy all the time, it was worth it.  I’ve never realized how often I’ll snack unnecessarily or lick my finger when making a PB & J (I caught myself getting ready to do this).  I’m proud that I did this and stuck with it.  When I weighed myself I was down 3 pounds.  Not earth shattering but after all, my goal was to reduce belly bloat; the weight loss was an extra bonus.

My final thoughts on the Shakeology Cleanse are this: If you are looking to lose those last few stubborn pounds, or just want to start new, the Shakeology Cleanse is the way to go! It’s difficult, as any other cleanse would be, but with Shakeology, you know you are getting all the essentials even if you’re not eating full meals! The cleansing process is not harsh, and will not cause you to visit the bathroom often especially if you’re a big water drinker to begin with.  In fact, I went no more than usual!  If someone has never used Shakeology before, they may visit the bathroom more frequently.  I’m very happy with my final results and recommend the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse to anyone willing to put forth the effort! You will not be disappointed!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.  I also invite you to join my team with a FREE membership at www.coachcandy.com.  On the site, click on the “Join” button and select Free Player membership.  That’s it and we can connect there.  There are also additional food and fitness resources on the page in addition to message boards where you can connect with others too!

If you want more specific information about the cleanse or would like to purchase the Shakeology cleanse pack, send an email to feincandy@beachbodycoach.com with your flavor preference (chocolate or greenberry) and I’ll let you know when I’ll have them ready to send.  Packs cost $45 for the three days.

To learn more about Shakeology go to: www.myshakeology.com/feincandy

How It All Began

My Quest to a Better Me...

My tales begins in the summer of 2007.  I was in a relationship that turned bad...fast.  Thanks to some supportive coworkers and friends I was able to leave and start a new life, along with my two dogs.  I moved into a new residence and started a new job, but I didn't really know what I was doing nor was I ready to make any decisions.  During one of my late nights staying up way too late I noticed that I kept viewing the same informercial. One night I decided to call that 1-800 number and place an order.  Afterall, it came with the opportunity for me to get my money back...so why not?

That was the late night/early morning that my life began to change.  The informercial that drew me in was for a workout that looked fun, effective, and had good music.  That informercial was for Turbo Jam instructed by an awesome lady named Chalene Johnson.  Chalene and Turbo Jam made me love to workout.  Until I started the program I was never into exercise nor would I stick with something long enough to see results. Not anymore!

After anxiously awaiting its arrival my box finally came in.  I opened it up and started to browse through all of the contents. I reviewed the schedule, took my measurements, and set a start date.  After work I would take my dogs out and then get my Turbo Jam on!  It didn't take me long to become a "Turbo Junkie".

 I came to realize that working out was not only improving my health, changing my body, and helping my soul heal it was also fun which is what was missing from other workouts that I tried.  If I needed to release some stress, I would do my workout and it would help to ease my mind.

Jump to almost four years and 11+ inches total lost later and my life has never been better.  I'm in the best shape of my life and have more confidence in myself.  After acquiring all of the available Turbo Jam workouts I am an official Chalene/Turbo junkie.

At the moment I'm finally completing (after some setbacks around the holidays) my first 20 weeks of TurboFire.  While Turbo Jam made me a believer of at-home workouts and brought me closer to where I want to be, TurboFire has transformed my body.  I am truly amazed at the results that I have seen as I have progressed through the program.

Thank you Chalene Johnson and Beachbody for helping me change my life!

On to the next workout...

I'm coming to the end of my 20 week TurboFire journey...so sad!  I absolutely love the workout and Chalene.  Her workouts have transformed my body over the past three years.  So, the big question is: what to do next?  Restart TurboFire, do a Chalean Extreme/TurboFire hybrid, or move on to something completely different.  I suppose trying a different trainer wouldn't hurt...I'm just so dedicated to Chalene.  I'm tossing around in my head to move on to Insanity, P90X, or RevAbs.  Ugh, I hate making decisions.  At the moment I'm in week 19 so I still have a little while to make a decision. I'll keep thinking about it.  Let me know if you all have any suggestions.