Saturday, October 11, 2014

How I Afford Shakeology as a Single Mom





If you are ready to give it a shot, read more and ask me any questions you may have!




How I Started:

In 2011 I started with P90X and Shakeology. I knew nothing about either one. I was just as clueless as most when it comes to Shakeology and a Beachbody workout when its their first purchase. I thought it would be great to try something new even though I had no idea what was in the shakes or how it would help me (stick with me, I learned as I went to research EVERYTHING)

Well with Shakeology P90X (and a little Insanity mixed in) I lost 50lbs in 90 days! That includes a move from Virginia to Georgia in week 8 as well as an email from my deployed husband, at the time, letting me know he wanted a divorce.

I was determined and focused to not let anything stop me this time. I tried working out, I tried eating healthy, but I never tried them together.

Why I love it:

I love Shakeology for many reasons, so for my Type A personalities, here is a list:

1. I was a HUGE candy and fast food-aholic. Shakeology cured me from DAY #1 of that.- I now            have no cravings when I drink Shakeology

2. I am never hungry/starving- It keeps me full. How? Because its a shake packed with whole  foods. Whole foods are wonderful! They keep you fuller longer and more satisfied because they don't  consist of simple sugars and fillers. A little goes a long way when it comes to whole foods.

3. I now have breakfast every day. I get up early, I work full time, and I have a little one to care for; plus, I really dont care for breakfast food items. So, I choose to drink my Shakeology in the morning for breakfast. It takes all of 2-3 minutes to make and keeps me full. With regular breakfast items I am hungry within 2 hours.. (its all those fillers!)

4. It IS cheaper than buying foods that are cheaper in the short run but not in the long run. Again, these chemical filled foods that now sit on the store shelves that Americans are buying by the millions daily will not keep you full and satisfied for as long as Shakeology will.

How I Afford it:

1. I replace bad foods with Shakeology. SO many people tell me "its too expensive to eat healthy". This is not true, at least in my case. If you are buying healthy and unhealthy foods, then yes! it will absolutely be more expensive; hands down and no doubt! But again, whole foods keep you fuller longer, you also don't need as much of these foods at one time because they are not "filler foods". By switching to a healthier lifestyle I am able to save money with Shakeology and my grocery bill.

2. It really is only $5 a day. Think about the things you spend money on. What items are completely ridiculous and not needed? A burger from McDonald's, a salad from Subway, a Coffee from Starbucks, or a Soda at the gas station. All of these items cost more than one Shakeology. Are you willing to forfeit the nutrition by having something else that will not fill you up, will not contribute to your health, and could cause heart disease? Not me! I chose to not have these items because I have something that is far better for me for the same price.

3. I don't have cable, lightening speed internet, of the best phone plan. Trust me, I am super internet friendly. I post super often and am able to go to school full time online and surf the web, but I have the lowest speed internet that is pretty dang cheap! I also dont have cable TV. This is SO expensive and its not in the budget as far as where my priorities lie. There are so many free and LEGAL ways to watch television shows when I have the time. I have the smallest phone plan I could get; yes, my data amount runs out in the first day of the month and for 29 days I have to deal with slower speeds on the phone for the internet, but that is also not priority; my health is. All of these things that most all people have think they are necessities. In many cases they are not; its just how we prioritize differently.

4. My daughter eats what I eat. Simply put, Im not Burger King. This is not "have it your way". We have the same foods, she eats healthy and I eat healthy. This causes lower costs at the store because we are eating the same thing. I have to say the BIGGEST benefit in this point is that I am not getting healthy and sacrificing my daughter's health. So many of us go on a health kick and leave our children behind. Teach them through action what the best foods are for the body. It will save you time and money in the doctors office and with your grocery bill.

5, I have priorities that are in health and wellness. Not only am I a coach but I am also a Health Care Management student about to earn my Bachelors. I put health and wellness first because I have no idea how long I will live on this earth, but the years I do have will not be spent sick or chronically ill. We all know Americans are living longer than ever, but that doesn't mean healthy as ever. I do not want to be 90 and bed ridden because of what I am eating today. I also want to show my daughter what proper health is, so that way when its time for her to make her own choices, its second nature to chose the healthy option. Childhood obesity is at a skyrocketing rate; will you contribute to that number or take action now?

6. I have access to water without paying for bottled water. No no no. this gets expensive! Its just as much as a bottle of Coke. I have a water purifier and am able to drink 96oz of water a day without buying bottled water.

7. Eating out is super limited. I dont use food as a social experience. Food is to keep me alive, to sustain my gains and workouts. I do go out occasionally but for the most part, social events for me are just that, time with friends and loved ones without the added calories and expense.



Why I continue to use it:

1. Simple! It works. Whole foods, full meal replacement.. its a no brainer

2. Shakeology along with health foods makes me feel amazing every single day. I never feel bloated or yucky. I just feel clean from the inside out :)

3. Its reliable. When i'm tired or busy and I don't want to or cannot cook I drink Shakeology instead. No more "I don't have time... lets get McDonald's" Its cheaper and its healthy!


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Don't Worry About Me!

     Are you going through your fitness transition? just starting? Just making plans? Sitting on the coach thinking about it? Either way, at some point you may come across a moment when your journey seems negative to others. At times I cannot really grasp on to why but when it comes down to it I think I found the reason. There has been so much pressure on women to be skinny and so that has created a stigma on women actually focusing on working out, eating good, and getting healthy. The problem is that, doing these things isn't a problem! But, because of the stigma of women "needing to be skinny", these days, at least where I live, seems to be something of a negative matter.

   Well, I am here to say, don't worry about me! I can guarantee this:

1. I most likely eat more.. not more calories but more. I eat ALL.THE.TIME
2. I hydrate my body like water is going out of style. I maintain a proper hydration level. This is a good thing!
3. I work on my cardiovascular health
4. I strengthen my muscles and bones with strength training
5. I have become more disciplined mentally and physically

So, if you are going through your fitness journey and you ever get negative comments or stares, maybe just because you didnt order the most unhealthy thing on the menu or you declined to go out for pizza, dont let it deter you from going for your goals! I notice that the more I stick to my guns and stand up for what I want and believe in the more people see its a positive thing and usually they turn to the "dark side" eventually and get on the fitness train with me. 

Just.Stay.Positive and You.Do.You!

On a side note, I finally found a picture of what has been in my head as far as my goals. Here is a side by side of what I think of when I think of my fitness and what I think people think of me when I am going through this huge physical change:


Let me first say that all women are beautiful and there is no shame in being the frame you want to be, already are, or whatever may happen... However, my goal is to be F.I.T. and not necessarily skinny. Skinny is a perk to getting lean and fit, but the girl to the left is what I imagine when I think of what I want to strive for. To the right is what I think most people see and think about when they assume what I want out of my fitness goals. No matter what people think, I strive one. There is something that I want, that is healthier than I am today and I will not let one negative comment or assumption stop me!

So, my questions to you are:
 What are your motivators? 
What do you KNOW you are doing right?
What are weak points that you need help with?