Shakeology- What They Say and What I Think

It's Sunday Funday!  We went to downtown Memphis to the new Bass Pro Pyramid to see what all the fuss is about.  Apparently about 1000 other folks had the same idea on this rainy Sunday afternoon.  Was it impressive?  Yes.  Was I going to stand in line for 30 MINUTES to buy candied pecans?  No.  And that was just the line in the candy shop.  There was another line for the observation platform (which is $10 by the way) and another line for bowling, eating, pretty much anything.  We wandered a bit and fled to the Flying Saucer for Linner (Lunch/Dinner at 4PM). Much better idea!!

So....Shakeology.  Shakeology is Beachbody's meal replacement/protein shake mix.  I've been using shakes for years now and it has been my habit to have one for breakfast every day.  I had hesitated trying Shakeology because it is pricey...about $130/month if you aren't a Beachbody Coach, about $100 if you are.  That equates to about $4 a day for customers and $3 a day for Coaches. Here's the link to the info on the Team Beachbody site:
http://www.teambeachbody.com/nutrition-shake/shakeology

I decided to try Shakeology because, when I signed up to be a Coach, I did so with a Challenge Pack, where you get Shakeology and one of the programs in a bundle and the Coach fee is waived.  The Shakeology ships free when you have it on automatic delivery and it ships to you every 30 days. Now, a lot of people are not ok with the concept of auto ship.  For me, it's not a big deal because I work for a company that operates on auto-ship and I get that you can delay or stop it, you just have to know what your ship schedule is how to manage it.  Easy enough.  I've been using it for about 2 months now and feel like that's long enough to have formed an education opinion.

Shakeology is marketed as a "daily dose of dense nutrition" and the "healthiest meal of the day." I agree with both of these statements.  The ingredient list is impressive.  I'm not going to claim to know all of these ingredients, but I know enough of them from working at Juice Plus to know they are good stuff.  I use the Chocolate Vegan, because I'm lactose intolerant.  The non-vegan flavors are a whey-based protein.  The vegan ones are plant-based.  I've not tried the other vegan flavor because I like the Chocolate so much.

What They Say and What I Think...

1.  Shakeology can help you lose weight.  This one is tough to judge, because I started using it when I started the 21 Day Fix.  I did lose weight and have maintained my weight loss.  Based on my experience, I would not tell people that drinking Shakeology alone will help them lose weight. But, no one thing would do that,  It always has to be a part of a bigger plan of exercise and overall nutrition.

2.  Shakeology will improve your digestion and regularity.  This I will agree with.  I have SO MANY food intolerances.  Sometimes things that I ate two weeks ago without issue can make my stomach revolt today.  I have noticed an improvement in the last two months and I don't think that is a coincidence. The digestive enzymes and pre and probiotics help me.  A lot.

3.  Shakeology will reduce your junk food cravings.  Again, this one is tough to judge because I started it the same time I started 21 Day Fix, which really eliminates most foods that are junk foods.  I do still steal fries from my kids' plates.  But, I am in a habit of ordering salads in restaurants.  Is this 21 Day Fix or Shakeology?  I would say a combination of the two.

4.  Shakeology can increase your energy and stamina.  This I do agree with.  Granted, a healthy diet does the same thing.  But, I do agree that having my shake for breakfast every day starts me out on the right foot and keeps me there.  I have energy for 5AM workouts and lunch workouts most every day of the week and weekend workouts too.  I have to make myself schedule rest days.  So, yes, more energy for sure.

Overall, I LOVE this product.  When I think about the cost, I remind myself that $3 or $4 a day is not that much when you are thinking about a meal replacement.  Most healthy meals would cost about the same thing, even made at home.  More importantly, I LIKE IT!  It's delicious and makes me feel good.  I drink it every day, sometimes twice a day.  It's so good that I crave it.  And, that's not something that can always be said about a health food.

So there you have it - my honest opinion about Shakeology.  If you have questions, please message me on Facebook.  If you read this and are just dying to order, please do through my website!  It is
http://www.teambeachbody.com/cararichardson



 

Back on the Wagon with a PiYo/Chalean Hybrid

It's been a couple of weeks and I'm happy to report that I am starting my PiYo/Chalean Extreme hybrid on Monday!  I haven't been a TOTAL slacker the last couple of weeks.  I was benched from doing anything involving legs/cardio for about a week.  According to my doctor, two weeks.  But I've already established that I'm not the most compliant of folks and therefore released myself (with the blessing of the company doc who I ran into at the gym) a week early.  So I've been doing a lot of upper body/walking/pouting and am ready to have my structured routine back on Monday.  My stitches come out on Tuesday, so as far as my dermatologist knows it's only one little day early! (Side note - be vigilant about your sunscreen starting TODAY regardless of your age!  I didn't and now I'm spending enough time at the derm's office that I asked about a punch card...buy three procedures, get one free??).

Anyway, I've struggled with loving PiYo, so I decided to do a hybrid with a program I do love but haven't done in a long time.  Chalean Extreme is very much a strength-focused program, which goes nicely with the PiYo and my running.  Doing a hybrid will make me far more likely to stick it out over the next 8 weeks.  I'll be updating my progress along the way and giving my honest assessment of the routines. I'm going to continue to use the 21 Day Fix Extreme nutrition plan because I like it so much and it has really become my routine.  AND I'm happy to report that I've not gained any weight back since I "finished" the 21 Day Fix :)

I got my hybrid from Pinterest and appears to be a good blend of both programs.  Most days are two workouts a day, which is fine now because I won't really ramp up my running until mid to late summer.  And, the kids are out of school next week (can I get a woo hoo!!!) and that give me more time in the mornings for longer workouts.

In the meantime, I've been growing yummy goodness in my Tower Garden and it's really taken off. I'm fortunate to work for Juice Plus, who sells Tower Garden, and love growing my own veggies. I have two and they look like this...

This was on April 12th. Each port holds a plant and water and nutrients are pumped up to the top from the reservoir to "rain" on the roots.

I started my seeds under grow lights in my garage because it was absurdly cold here pretty late in the season.  The lights are designed to be used with the Tower but that would require a husband who is ok with growing indoors and I don't have one of those!  But, the lights work great in the garage for starting seedlings...

Heres's a close up of my squash on the 12th.

April 28th

May 5th - that same squash plant is the one on the right in the middle.

May 10

I harvested lettuce (on the far Tower near the top) on that same day.  YUM!!!

These pics are from May 13th.  My little squash has come a long way!

And zucchini

I also have tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, cantaloupe. cilantro, mint, basil, parsley and green beans. SO MUCH YUM!!!  I love summer and this is one of the reasons why!  

Anyway, I'll be updating at least weekly on my hybrid and my progress.  I hopeful to lose another 5 pounds or so and improve my core strength and flexibility, which will also improve my running. Bring it!!