I'm doing what??

I guarantee no one has ever looked at my physical appearance and equated me with fitness. So why would someone like me join a group named Beachbody? Clearly, I am no beachbody. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I was always the chubby girl, the girl with the sweet personality, and the guys’ best friend – who was a girl. I started to lose some weight in 2009 knowing that I wanted – I needed – to be in better shape for the next journey I was about to take. I learned I was pregnant in early 2010 (I mean early, like January 2^nd) and I would not worry about weight loss until after the baby arrived. I did pretty well during the pregnancy and gained 23 pounds, which I thought was pretty respectable.

Well, I now have a 7 month old baby girl who is the light of my life. By far she is the best thing I’ve ever done. Ryan and I couldn’t be happier. Except now, our weight loss struggle is compounded by more limitations on time to exercise and cooking healthy meals.  It’s just hard.

For a short period of time before I got pregnant, I was introduced to Shakeology©, a daily nutritional shake. It is mostly used as a meal replacement drink, but it’s not like SlimFast or other weight loss drinks. Shakeology is all about giving you all the nutrients, minerals, digestive enzymes you need; and not with the  sole focus of weight loss. From the website, Shakeology “helps your body gently eliminate toxins more efficiently while allowing for better absorption of the essential nutrients you need… At the same time, whole-food ingredients deliver the essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals your body needs to curb cravings, allowing your body to shed stored fat while the more than 20 different antioxidants and phytonutrients help reduce free radical damage that can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure and stroke.”

I’ve been drinking Shakeology for 10 days now, and I can feel a difference. I used to not eat breakfast; the Shakeology shake is easy and quick to make, and I can drink it on my way into work. So I’m getting the energy and nutrients I need to start my day without the fullness or heavy feeling of a breakfast. (I’ve never been much of a breakfast girl). 

I’m learning I don’t have a favorite recipe for my chocolate Shakeology. I’ve used it with 1 cup skim milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon and ground nutmeg. I’ve also used 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, 1 cup almond milk, and vanilla extract. This morning I drank it with 1 cup skim milk and 1 cup of frozen strawberries. It seriously tasted like dessert for breakfast. 

So that’s my main motivator for becoming part of the Beachbody team. I really believe that Shakeology is a wonderful product that can help people with weight loss, lowering cholesterol, and an overall improvement in health. (Did I mention that my nails grow stronger and my hair grows faster when I’m drinking Shakeology? Oh, and I don’t get sick as often). I am still not in any type of “beachbody” shape, but I’m on a journey to a healthier me, and I’ve found a safe, worthwhile product that I want to share with everyone I know. It works for me, especially when I have very limited time to spend on my personal health; maybe it can work for you and your schedule too. 

You can find more product information at www.myshakeology.com/jthomas327 or workout products at www.beachbodycoach.com/jthomas327.  Or better yet, ask me for more info!