Shakeology

I have had a few of you ask about Shakeology and how/why I like it. Here goes.

I am reluctant to jump on any diet band wagon. Actually more than hesitant, I generally avoid them at all costs. Shakeology is not a diet for me, although it can help you lose weight. I was on the hunt for a supplement. I eat a lot of food. Due to my past eating disorder issues I am always searching for balance, where I actually get enough nutrition, without going overboard. Having a supplement is really helpful for me, especially in the morning. I like to work out in the mornings, but in order to do that effectively, I can't be too empty or too full.  Shakes are perfect for me. I don't feel bogged down and I loathe cramps while running. I make a shake in the morning, and feel comfortable to work out. Not only that, I am not hungry for at least 3 hours. If you have experience supplementing, you know that sometimes they are not satisfying for very long. Not the case with shake-o.

The reasons I chose shakeology out of all the shakes out there, are aplenty. First and foremost- it is extremely nutrient rich.  It has pre-biotic and pro-biotic, vitamins, about 25% of your daily fiber intake. There isn't another shake out there like it. Trust me, I researched. 

I make mine with 8oz of unsweetened almond milk, If I am making a chocolate shake, I add about a half of a frozen banana, 3 ice cubes and 1 T peanut butter. It equals about 280 calories. With the Greenberry, I add 1/4 c. frozen fruit (I prefer raspberries) only about 210 calories. Having two flavors on hand is really nice. Out of all the people I know who use it, Greenberry and chocolate are the favorites, but I have been hearing a lot about the strawberry, which I haven't tried yet.

It's more expensive than slim fast and straight whey protein, but for me, it's worth it. The added benefits of the vitamins, probiotics and fiber keep me feeling energetic, healthy and regular. :) essentially, if you are taking any vitamin supplements, fiber or probiotics, once you start shakeology you can stop. It's all inclusive. In addition to increased energy, I have also noticed my moods have improved and I have felt more level. I also have bypassed the colds and flus of January. I just feel better. I feel balanced.

In other news: I got my nails and toes done and the nail lady said that I have "very nice feet, soft and small." So that was nice. 

If you have more questions about Shakeology, fitness DVDs or what have you, please let me know! I'll hook you up.

How I Roll

I never make promises that I can't keep. Which is precisely why I made no promises about the timeliness of my blogging.

Yet here I am again. I want to talk about things that Facebook could give to shits about, so, hi. Big Hello to my friends and some random readers (stalkers) who aren't really my friends, (but certainly could be!). Let's be real though, I'm not really stalk-worthy. I would have to be interesting, uber hawt or funny for that.

Moving on.

The term is settling in fairly nicely. As is my goal to lose weight for the wedding, plan the wedding and still be awesome. No easy task my friends.

Lately I have been having a fruit and veggie juice 4 times a week and starting my days with Shakeology. I just switched over to Greenberry flavor and I am loving it. If you have ever had the green tea latte from Starbucks, it's kind of like that. Very matcha-ey, also fruity and delicious, much better than the vegan chocolate flavor. I have also become a Quest bar addict and have taken E down with me. Thankfully his favorite is the cinnamon roll one, so I get lucky that he doesn't eat all of my delicious, wonderful, miraculous cookie dough flavor. Seriously, they are heavenly. If you haven't tried them yet, you're wasting time. They're expensive but in my opinion, TOTALLY worth it. I have also been trying to keep my empty carbs low. (Translated: I only drink 4 nights a week instead of 7! Not literally, but also... literally).

I work out kind of a lot these days. I am burning between 500 and 900 calories 6 days week in my work outs which consist of running (logging about 10-12 miles a week), sprints (2-3 times a week), and all of the WEIGHTLIFTING. Last time around I utilized mostly machines, this time around I'm going with free weights which has proven to be more difficult, but also more rewarding (isn't that how it goes?). Also, I look like a freaking monster when I do it, which is awesome. People don't really talk to me in the weight room. I think I'm too busy grunting, screaming and loudly exhaling. I think my weight lifting gloves and beastly quads may also contribute to the intimidation factor... I could be wrong. I may not be intimidating at all. I may just smell bad.

Mostly, I have been roughly following Brandi's (from Mama Laughlin) weight lifting plan, because, let's get real, her ass looks grrrrrrrrrreat! I am always looking for new moves to stir it up though. I am excited to give you all some before and afters, but probably after the swelling from copious amounts of seafood goes down and the curse of the has vagina passed. So I am thinking in about 12 days?

In other news I got down to a REAL 152. In the middle of the day, 152lbs. That's a big freaking deal for me. I am giving myself 2 weeks to reach the 140s, so here goes nothing!

Life has been good. My laptop broke. That was sad... but it broke while I was working out on the elliptical and now my skinny jeans look a lot better than they used do... SO that's a plus. (Did you ever wonder what optimism is? That was it.)

Re-entering Blogosohere

Hey strangers, it's been a while.

A lot has been going on in my world. Mostly what detracted from my blogging was an EXTREMELY challenging term in school. I can't tell you how many times I wept into my college algebra book, but thank heavens! It's over and I've passed! Other than that, I've mostly been trying to figure out what it means to be a bride, to plan a wedding, to be healthy and happy.

Weddings are a crazy business, but I have been extremely blessed by my future in-laws and a wonderful man that has stood by me and at times carried me through it all. I, of course, want to be the most beautiful and fit bride in the whole wide world, so I have been doing my best to hit the gym and take care of myself.

In the "take care of myself" sector, I have dipped my toes into the ocean of Beachbody. My girlfriend Rachel is a coach and she had so many wonderful things to say about drinking Shakeology shakes, that I just had to see for myself. I love having a supplement on hand. Lately I've been having a shake for breakfast and fresh juice in the afternoon. I have been trying to have a light lunch and really whatever I want for dinner.... within reason of course. E and I also got the T25 workouts. T25 is NO JOKE. The results are great and show themselves rapidly, but it is HARD. All caps H-A-R-D. I would recommend it to anyone, especially to those without access to a gym or a lot of time to spend sweating it out. It's only 25 minutes. It's over before you know it. If you are interested in Shakeology or all things Beachbody, feel free to check out my girl's page Rachel Davis Fitness Coach. She's really awesome and encouraging. She is a great asset to my fit life and can be for you also, no matter what your fitness level is.

Just recently I went through a bit of a depression. After the holidays I was so burnt out and really missing my parents. I was also experiencing some insecurities and some real bad habits started sneaking up on me. I had a really difficult time getting out of bed for about a week. If you've ever been depressed, you know what this feels like. Sweet E comes to me at about day 5, and says "I love you babe, but you've got to know, that at some point you just have to get out of bed and fake it until you make it." I was pretty pissed when he said it, because that meant I had to get out of bed, when everything in my being was telling me to hibernate.

The next day, on my mom's (what would be) 54th birthday, I got out of bed. I did it for her and I did it for me and for the person I want to be. I went on a hike. I went out for dinner with friends. I cried. I sweat. I laughed... and even though I wasn't 100% there, it felt a lot better. It's been only 3 days since then. Since school has started back up again and thankfully is not a stress-fest, I have been out of the house, working out hard, being stimulated and feeling a lot better.

I have to head to class, but in the next few days, I want to throw some numbers (measurements, weight etc) and my current plan at you. I am going to be seeing some serious results in the next 8 weeks. I just know it. So maybe you'll even get some before pics!

Thanks for reading. Hope this finds you well.