Shakeology Questions Answered!

This was such a great blog I had to re-post and share with everyone. So many people argue with me about ordering Shakeology because of the costs, so I hope this helps answer a lot of questions people may have.
In the end, you have to ask yourself... What is your health worth to you?

How Do I Really Know If Shakeology^® Is Worth the Money When Everything Else Costs Less?

There are many protein shakes and meal replacements that are less expensive than Shakeology. But comparisons based on the simple "protein shake" or even "health shake" are usually off the mark and don't stack up to Shakeology.
Shakeology was designed for people who want more than protein, and for people who want the health benefits being represented by the ingredients on the label. To really know whether a product measures up to Shakeology, you need to keep some things in mind:

How much is enough?

We are proud of Shakeology's 70+ ingredients. Other shakes will trumpet the number of ingredients they have too. But are the ingredients they are counting actually good for you? Are there any artificial flavors or colors listed in those ingredients? Not in Shakeology!
Are they derived from whole-food sources? They are in Shakeology! Too often the "magic ingredient" has been isolated from the enzymes and phytonutrients that actually make the ingredient useful when consumed.
And does the competition formulate for the synergistic benefits between the ingredients, or just slap together whatever is hot in the media? Shakeology was specially formulated for the collection of ingredients to work together like a symphony; this combination is so effective, some people report dramatic benefits within the first week. Other supplements point to one or two individual ingredients and build a "story" around their superfood attributes.

Protein

Pay attention to a product's protein source or blend. Protein sources like whey protein hydrolysate have been shown to trigger a much higher insulin response in the body. That's not an outcome we would tolerate in Shakeology.
Our protein source is whey protein isolate, which is more than 90 percent pure protein. Plus, Shakeology is loaded with digestive enzymes and lactase—that's the enzyme that breaks down lactose and is found in over-the-counter products like Lactaid^®. Don't confuse whey protein concentrate with isolate. Whey protein concentrate is the least pure form of whey protein made. The benefit of isolate versus concentrate is that the fat has been removed to achieve isolate. The fat in whey protein is what carries toxins consumed by the animal. That's the reason Shakeology can be used by so many people who are lactose-intolerant—because those toxins have been removed through the isolate process.
For our vegan formulation, we use sprouted brown rice protein, not soy. Does the competition use ANY soy in their formulation? Soy protein contains estrogen, mimicking compounds that can interfere with your hormones. On top of that, most of the soy in the marketplace is GMO (genetically modified). These are two important reasons why we don't use soy in Shakeology.

Glycemic index tested . . .

In terms of sugar, many protein shakes contain 1 gram of sugar or less. This is because they are using artificial chemical sweeteners. (Check the label for sucralose, aspartame, or sugar alcohols.) Shakeology's small amounts of sugar comes from natural sources and whole superfoods like coconut flower nectar and luo han guo, which are easily processed by the body and, in fact, have been tested and certified by an independent lab to have a low glycemic index of 24—that's lower than most fruits! (An apple is 36, and an orange is 43.)

What's not in the base, they may suggest you add later

Other shakes don't cost as much as Shakeology at first glance, but they also don't contain the full profile of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for some vitamins and minerals, or whole-food sources of antioxidants, phytonutrients, adaptogen herbs, prebiotics, probiotics, or digestive enzymes. We've seen competitors make you buy a separate vitamin pack for $150 per month! Once you add it up, this is hardly a "good deal," and it's usually hardly even a good product.
To achieve the benefits of Shakeology we've seen, competitors charge between $250 and $335 per month! $120 doesn't seem expensive when you realize all of the benefits Shakeology delivers.

SUMMARY:

Formula: 70+ of the healthiest ingredients from whole-food sources from around the world VERSUS protein, fillers, artificial coloring, and isolated glamour ingredients
Winner: Shakeology
Protein Source: Shakeology's pure whey protein isolate or plant-based sprouted brown rice protein VERSUS soy, hydrolyzed whey, and/or whey concentrate blend
Winner: Shakeology
Taste: Rich Chocolate, tangy Greenberry, or fruity Tropical Strawberry Shakeology VERSUS chemically-derived, artificially-flavored competition
Winner: Shakeology
Price: $120 for Shakeology VERSUS—Oops! It's impossible to compare lesser formulations on price. But if you add in all the separate vitamins and flavoring agents the other companies ask you to buy to match the benefits and nutritional content of Shakeology, you would easily spend over $300 every month—that's 2 and half times the cost of Shakeology!
Winner: Shakeology

But the best comparison is results. From weight loss, to reduction in cravings, to regularity, to healthier cholesterol levels, to increased energy levels, to an overall sense of well being . . . We give a bottom-of-the-bag guarantee on Shakeology because we KNOW people will be amazed by how they feel. Shakeology is the winner by a total knock out!

Visit my website if you are interested in more Beachbody products and/or Shakeology!
www.beachbodybycoachkristiminx.weebly.com

Fat Days

This is a blog from one of the coaches I look up to. She is amazing and when I read her blog this morning, I had to share it. This happens to me and many others I know. It is good to know that I am not alone!

Dear Boys and Girls,

I’ve been wanting to write about body image and “fat days” for a while now. I love blogging when I feel that I have a solution, when I’ve figured it all out. But the last time I waited to have all the answers, I didn’t blog for 9 months. So, here I am, with an issue that I know many people struggle with… ugh, I hate to call a spade a spade: distorted body image on proverbial “fat days.”

I texted my friend the other saying, “I’m having a fat day.” He responded, “What’s a fat day?” Are you serious, I thought? Could he be that lucky to not be plagued by that obsessive feeling of being a blob and simply put, of being just plain uncomfortable in your own skin? By the way, for the women wondering if men also have fat days, they do.

Let me get something straight before anyone protests that I’m being insensitive toward people who are legitimately overweight. You can feel beautiful in a size 12 and awful in a 2. Your actual size or body shape is less important than how you feel. Well-being is not only about size, it’s also about your emotional and psychological state. On days that I am hypercritical of my body, where I feel that things are bulging out, not firm enough, not fit or small enough, the fact that I am within a healthy weight and body fat range just does not matter. Fat days are not rational, but the emotions are real.

Last week my friend pointed out that I am looking very fit and “so small.” The comments coincided with what I was feeling that week. I patted myself on the back for clean eating and bringing intensity to my training. How could it be that just 3 days later, I was in that fat space again? Nothing I put on felt right. All I could see when I looked in the mirror was what was wrong, what needed to be smaller, tighter. Sigh.

I’m not sure what’s behind the physiological reasons for fat days. I mean, maybe on those days we are in fact retaining more water or something. But, sigh, I know that, at least for me, fat days have more to do with a feeling of not being good enough. (Okay, sometimes it sucks to be so darn transparent, but I can’t help it. Plus, I know there are many out there who can relate, so here goes!)

Earlier this week, when I was struggling with that feeling, I asked myself the question: If I were smaller or if I felt smaller, then what? I invited myself to explore those answers without judgment. I didn’t love what I discovered, but I can’t say I was surprised. The story I was creating was that if I were smaller I would be more likeable, more attractive, that I would be good enough. Good enough for who? Would a guy I’m interested in like me more because I am at 14% bodyfat versus 18%? Would my friends want to be in my company more because my waist was an inch smaller that week? The answers are obvious. I am enough. I am beautiful. I am loveable just as I am.

On days that I struggle, it helps just a tiny bit to know that the feeling is passing. On days like that, I admit it’s hard to get off the crazy spin cycle, and usually, I just have to ride it out.

However, instead of indulging in self-pity, I take care of myself by eating super clean, working out hard, drinking lots of water to flush out my system and I make an attempt to look pretty instead of staying in my sweaty workout clothes. Don’t misunderstand me, doing these things doesn’t make me feel much better at that moment, but indulging in behavior such as overeating or additional negative self-talk is destructive and could lead you down the path of becoming in fact fatter!

Instead of resolving to diet down to a size I know I can’t maintain with sanity, I know that the work to be done lies in self-acceptance and self-love. I am a work in progress, moving in the right direction. And to be honest, I’m just thankful today is not a fat day. Hallelujah!

Your friend in fitness,

Barbie Decker, PhD

Be Sociable, Share!

http://getfitwithbarbie.com/1454/fat-days-mirror-mirror-on-the-wall/

 

 

 

HOW TO BREAK THROUGH WEIGHT LOSS PLATEAUS

5 Ways to Break through Dreaded Weight Loss Plateaus 

You're tracking calories, working out each day, then bam! For a week or two, the scale refuses to budge and you realize you've hit a dreaded weight loss plateau. Now what? Even though it's completely normal to hit a snag in your fitnes journey, a perceived setback like this can send even the most dedicated dieter off course, away from healthy eating and toward cookies, cake, and pizza. But you can be strong and start getting back on the weight-loss track again.

Try at least one of the following techniques, and there's a good chance you'll burst through your plateau in no time. Here are five important things to know about hydration and exercise:

1. Zig zag your daily calorie intake. In theory, you've got to eat less to lose more, but this isn't always the case. Sometimes you just have to shake things up. Here's one way to do it: If your average daily intake is 1,400 calories, try dropping to 1,200 one day, going up to 1,800 the next day, and then dropping back to 1,400. The idea is to keep your metabolism guessing. There's no magic number that works for everyone, so you'll have to experiment until you find the right calorie levels for you.

According to Beachbody Director of Results Steve Edwards, what happens when you zigzag is that you force your body to choose how many calories it needs to recover from the rigors of your exercise program.

"Most people who hit a plateau are undereating. If you are indeed undereating, adding calories for a few days, then lowering them again, will help you force your body into a hormonal response that will not only help you break out of a plateau, but—as you learn to recognize the signals—will teach you how much food you should be eating."

2. Switch up your exercise routine. If you do the same workout each day, eventually it can start to become less challenging, and (unfortunately) less effective. If you push yourself to new levels of strength or exhaustion, you'll almost certainly see a shift. Here are some ways you can challenge your body:

■Swap your jog for a bike ride.
■Try weights with your cardio routine. (ChaLEAN Extreme® or RevAbs® can help you do this.)
■Add intervals of high intensity to really make you sweat. (INSANITY® is a great workout for this.)
■Drop to the floor for 10 push-ups right now!

The idea is to try something different. According to Edwards, "The better you get at something, the easier it becomes. That's why we're always telling you to add more weight as you get stronger, and to move faster and jump higher as our programs progress. But it's also why all of our programs have phases of training. As your body adapts to stimulus, you need to change that stimulus in order to keep results happening."


3.Eat some almonds. Almonds are a great snack, plus there's some research that indicates that they can help you burn fat. That's because they contain fiber and fatty acids—the good kind of fat that helps you lose weight. A study published in theInternational Journal of Obesity compared two groups of people who ate a 1,000-calorie-a-day diet. As part of their daily diet, one group ate 3 ounces of almonds every day. The other group ate a mix of complex carbs. What happened? The group that ate the almonds lost more weight.

So next time you grab a snack, try a small handful of almonds, or as Edwards says, "Any nut, really. While almonds are one of the better nuts, all of them have a similar nutritional profile and make excellent snacks. That research probably would have turned out similarly if they'd used walnuts or filberts or whatever."

4.Get more sleep. This may seem like the opposite of number 2, but the truth is is that you could be training too hard, which is about the quickest way to hit a weight loss plateau, because an over-trained body holds on to weight as if it were starving to death. There's no better way to test this than to try and sleep more. The reason is that your body recovers much more quickly from exercise while it's asleep, and if you're burning the midnight oil while trying to do INSANITY, you could easily plateau from lack of recovery time.

In a recent study at the University of Chicago Medical School, researchers found that during a period when study participants were deprived of sleep, they metabolized glucose less effectively. Additionally, they had higher levels of the hormone cortisol, which has been shown to impair memory, increase insulin resistance, and slow recovery in athletes.

"There's a good reason why five-time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx said, 'The Tour is won in bed,'" says Edwards. Your body's recovery response during deep sleep is only rivaled by performance-enhancing drugs. When you're on the borderline of overtraining, getting more sleep is the first thing anyone should try."

5.Relax. Believe it or not, the one big thing besides diet and exercise that can cause you to plateau is stress.

When you're stressed, your body sends out higher levels of the hormone cortisol that, as stated in number 4, can encourage your body to hang on to fat. "Cortisol is actually a performance-enhancing hormone," says Edwards. "But it's gotten a bad rap because we've begun living our lives at too high a volume. Cortisol is released at times when the body is in an emergency state. It increases performance, but only over a short period of time. When cortisol is released and forced into action at regular intervals, it causes your body to wear down and switch to more drastic means of survival, like holding on to excess amounts of body fat. Your life shouldn't feel like one big emergency. As a society, we need to learn to be moretranquilo, as the Spanish say."

We get stressed for many reasons, almost all of which are influenced by the society around us. One of the best ways to combat stress is to get some alone time to chill. If you're the type who can't let go, try some forced relaxation techniques, of which yoga seems to be one of the most effective. There's something special about the mind/body interaction of yoga that forces a relaxed state even from the most stressed of us.

If you feel you need a lot of help, dig into an intense course, like P90X Yoga X. For others, something lighter, like Yoga Booty Ballet® Pure and Simple Yoga, will do the trick. If you're not into yoga, then consider at least adding some stretching into your schedule. Most of Beachbody's programs have at least one stretching session.TurboFire® even has two!

Now are you ready to break through that plateau?

More Tips I Enjoy

I REALLY love Cut and Jacked. They have some serious insight and some great writers. Through all the searching and trying, I’ve found several great benefits from implementing these ‘top tips’. The Internet is a powerful resource… use the information that’s been proven to work… but also makes sense to you and your goals.

Nowadays it is not uncommon to find novices, and beginners of all ages starting their fitness pursuits with a great deal of education. For the first time in all of human history, the World Wide Web has provided a luxury our grandfathers could have only dreamed of. Information. Knowledge. Resources. When utilized, these are the tools that help make us capable of truly anything we desire. The Internet has closed the information gap… it has been the great equalizer for millions all over the world. However, more information can sometimes bring more confusion. How do you know what works and what doesn’t?! The answer is TRY it, or talk to someone you trust who’s already been down the path you’re looking to walk.
Over the past several years, I’ve done plenty of the searching, trying, and asking. Remember, success is simply doing little things the right way, one day at a time!

1. Find a coach/mentor – Look for someone who’s already done it. No matter what you’re pursuing, your chances of achieving it with increase dramatically with an experienced advisor in your corner.

2.  Plan ahead (carry food with you) – Most people are unwilling to make this ‘sacrifice’, and put forth the extra effort it takes to plan. The thing is, it really doesn’t take much. Just get started, and make sure you have some quality food with you so you’re not skipping meals (and slowing your metabolism).

3. Drink more water (don’t drink calories) – I’ve always remembered this quote “Nothing is more anabolic than a well-hydrated muscle” I believe this is true. Sufficient water consumption is the most underrated addition to your muscle building and fat loss goals in my opinion. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help curb hunger and stop sugar cravings. Ensuring your muscles are hydrated will also protect you from injury by keeping your joints healthy and lubricated… I like to carry a Nalgene ‘everyday’ reusable 1L bottle with me to class and work (Also helps save money and the Earth ☺)

4. Grab some Stevia (limit/cut out added sugar) – Stevia leaf powder is another excellent addition to your supplement drawer. This sweetener is a herb that tastes great on oatmeal, in coffee, smoothies, protein shakes (w/cinnamon), and anywhere you’d normally use sugar. If you like sweet foods, you can potentially save hundreds of empty calories per week.

5. Turn off the TV (watch TED Talks) – This Christmas I finally had some down time to take a load off and do ‘nothing’ for a change. I decided to turn on the television to see what I’ve been missing. Turns out, I wasn’t missing much because nowadays, ‘TV is nothing but an income and potential sucker”. I have to agree on this one. Unless there’s something specific you have to catch, I recommend you do all you can to cut out as much television as possible. When I turned it off, I instantly thought about all the positive, constructive things I could have done with my time. A few years ago, I discovered these short videos where brilliant people would share their ideas at a conference of all the best minds in their respective fields. “TED talks” on TED.com are an excellent alternative to the tube. If you want, try and watch at least one new talk every day… they’re short, and you’ll learn something interesting and valuable.

6. Change positions (…not what you think!) – I mean, if you spend a lot of time in front of the computer, at a desk, or doing a lot of sedentary work… hear this: You can increase your focus through movement, and keep your back healthy by increasing the diffusion of nutrients into the vertebral discs. In other words, it can be said that decreased physical activity is directly proportional to back pain. Get up, get your blood flowing every twenty-five minutes or so to refresh your body and mind.

7. Make nutrition easy, and your exercises hard – The most drastic changes I’ve seen in people usually comes from changes in their diet. This is the main component you want to control in your quest to building a better body. However, taking control of your nutrition habits does not have to be difficult. Choose which food sources you like best, and plan your meals ahead of time in order to reach your specific goals. But what about training…? Of course, we know doing serious work in the gym is critical if you you’re expecting to see any progress. I’ve always found that the harder you can make an exercise, the greater overall effect it will have on your physique. For instance, instead of doing your shoulder presses sitting on a machine… stand up and grab a barbell. This will immediately involve new muscle groups by simultaneously forcing you to maintain your balance during the entire movement. Greater efficiency, effectiveness, and growth… what more could you ask for?!

8. Set realistic, short-term goals – Too many people quickly get discouraged on their road to improvement. Most of the time, this is because they’re not seeing immediate changes. The key is to be persistent, and patient. A great way to ensure you’re successful, while keeping your motivation high is to set small goals along the way towards your ‘ultimate vision’. Eventually, doing the right things one day at a time will produce amazing results you can truly be proud of.

9. Stand guard at the door of your mind - There have been countless successful people who’ve written books, recorded audiotapes, and put out videos you can utilize and apply in your own life. Spend your free time listening, reading, and searching for the resources that can empower you. Luckily you usually have a choice, it’s all up to you. Make sure you spend most of your time absorbing materials that can bring new ideas and move you forward.

10. Push yourself to the max – When you challenge yourself, then succeed-- you create a new set of positive references; your confidence goes up, you learn what you’re capable of, and other difficult tasks of the past become very possible. You can tap into these empowering references any time you want simply by deciding to. The more you force yourself to step outside your comfort zone, the greater your potential for growth and improvement will be. You only have one life, so challenge yourself and go for what you want no matter what anyone else says.

11. Be grateful – Here (in America) most of us take a lot for granted. The fact that we even have the ability to pursue our fitness aspirations is amazing. The ability to build and sculpt your body and mind is a huge privilege we share. When you consider the fact that three billion people in the world today struggle to survive on US$2/day, we gym goers have it pretty darn good. Start your day thinking of a few things you’re grateful for. Only then can you really tap into your potential and have a fulfilling year.

http://www.cutandjacked.com/12-Tips-To-Help-You-Achieve-Your-Fitness-And-Life-Goals