21 Day Fix Day 4!

21 Day Fix Day 4: Pilates Day!

Thursday was one of those days in which I woke up and every ounce in my being wanted to stay in bed and not work out. Are we noticing a trend here?! ;) It's such a common misconception that since I'm a Beachbody coach and preach on exercising and eating well that I actually want to all the time, and that is just so false! I have bad days and weeks just like everyone else. I guess the difference is that I lived in darkness for so long- hating my body, hating how I felt, and making up excuses day in and day out of why I didn't want to start my journey back into health. When I finally found the mindset and tools I needed to get started and stay consistent once and for all, I don't let myself fall back into those dark holes anymore. I recognize that just because there are days I wake up and don't feel like exercising, doesn't mean I actually shouldn't exercise on those days. There's a difference between your body physically telling you you need a break, and just flat out feeling lazy, lol. Exercising and eating healthy has become such a habit to me, that it would be VERY hard to break me of it at this point. Sure I take rest days and cheat meals, but it's not what it used to be. 

Point blank... I got my work out in. And like always, I felt like a million bucks afterwards. We need to sweat and get our heart rates up every day! It's what we were meant to do and how we were meant to feel! I encourage you to join me and reach out if you ever need any help on starting. Starting can be the hardest part. But once you do, I'll bet you'll be hooked and on your way to a new you!

Yesterday was a bit too many smoothies and not enough cool meals to show you guys, so I'm going to do better! Already making a salad for lunch today! Haha. As always, I'm putting real, raw fruits and veggies in my smoothies though. I am just always on the go and trying to work to help my challengers and coaches, so sometimes the meals that I can slurp down are the easiest!

I woke up to a grumbling tummy, so a protein shake was on the menu!
A scoop of whey vanilla protein, scoop of powdered PB2, and ice.
{1 Red, 1/2 Tsp}

Pilates Fix and 4th workout DONE! It was nice to lengthen and strengthen my sore limbs for 30 minutes! One of our active recovery days in the 21 Day Fix series.

Post workout smoothie! This was a big ole guy because I tend to not eat til later in the day, by accident!
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology, 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, lots of spinach, mixed frozen fruit, PB, unsweetened cocoa powder!
{1.5 Red, 2 Green, 1.5 Purple, 1 Tsp}

For lunch, it was a bit of leftover egg salad on a whole wheat wrap with sriracha drizzle and a piece of cheese!
{1 Yellow, 1 Red, 1 Blue}

I stocked up on food and had to show off my glorious goodies... this coming week I have so many options!
*Maybe turkey burgers, spaghetti squash lasagna, grilled italian chicken, potatoes, and beans... so many possibilites!*

To finish off my carbs for the night, I tried to replicate a delicious Columbian dish I used to get all the time at Super Perros in Tallahassee! That was our Seminole hot spot. :)
Rice, black beans, with a fried egg on top! Don't worry- I didn't eat all of this! lol
{1 Yellow, 1/2 Red}

Since I only had half a protein left for the day but lots of veggies and fruits, I just did half a scoop of my Shakeo but added some more cocoa powder to it, since it's a freebie!
1/2 scoop Chocolate Shakeology, spinach, fresh berries, 1/2 tsp PB, ice!
{1/2 Red, 2 Greens, 1.5 Purple, 1/2 Tsp}

I only had a few bites of the cookie dough flavor, but I had to share this with whoever is following me on this health journey! Guilt free ice cream stuff. Lactose free, gluten free, and 150 calories for the ENTIRE pint of cookie shake, and 300 for the cookie dough! Such a win for the sweet tooth!

That's all from me today, so I hope everyone has a blessed Friday! Enjoy one cheat meal this weekend and don't let the rest of the time ruin your hard work from this past week!

With love,

Amanda James

21 Day Fix: BACK in FULL Force!!!

So, I'm pretty stoked. 

Since it is officially the month of May, that also means it's OFFICIALLY getting dangerously close to my husband getting back from his deployment! :) I am beyond excited but that also means, needing to get my booty into gear and tip top shape to welcome his arrival!

As most of you that have continued to follow my Facebook and Instagram know, I have still been eating clean and exercising very regularly, but I haven't been following a super strict workout schedule or meal plan. I pretty much always try to go by 21 Day Fix guidelines, but when I don't follow something full force, I let cheats slip here and there a bit too much.

Therefore, to hold myself extra accountable, and also give everyone an honest feel of what it's like to go through the 21 Day Fix program, I'm going to document my meals and workouts here for everyone! Posts will likely be short and sweet, but you will get the idea and hopefully understand why everyone loves this program so dang much and almost ALWAYS gets incredible results!

So today, as Day 1 of my journey, was Total Body Cardio Fix as the workout! Yep, we all get to start each Monday with this... "pleasant" workout. lol! I only say it like that because I'm not the biggest cardio fan, and it's also cardio with weights which is even more tough... but my gosh, does it get every part of your body! And it's only 30 minutes, so who can really complain that much?!

I personally plug my headphones in with my favorite music and the workouts FLY by. I'm very thankful for that! In and out and on with my day!

I'm on the 1,200-1,499 calorie bracket plan (the lowest one- yep, you don't get below 1,200 calories around here!) so here's my food for that! This is NO starvation plan and I seriously feel like I'm eating all day. Lots of people on calorie brackets above this have a hard time even consuming all of the food they're supposed to in a day, so I can assure you... you won't be hungry if you're eating the correct foods on this plan and drinking plenty of water!

Sometimes I wake up SO starving and have to get a little preworkout snack while I'm getting some work done!
1 slice of whole wheat toast with 1 tsp. of all natural peanut butter
{1 Yellow, 1 Tsp.}

Stoked to be done with Day 1 workout: Total Body Cardio Fix! 30 minutes of cardio with weights- a crazy full body exercise!

Mid morning tea! English Breakfast with a bit of Stevia. Total freebie, thank goodness!

Post workout snack!
Brown rice with some grilled chicken wings marinated in herbs & seasonings.
{1 Yellow, 1 Red}

This salad was DELICIOUS! I'm going to be munching off of it for a couple of days!
Spring mix with feta cheese, organic craisins, sliced almonds, and homemade balsamic dressing.
{2 Greens, 1 Blue, 1/2 Purple, 1 Orange}

Dinner is served!
Turkey meatballs and steamed broccoli with a tiny bit of homemade salsa.
{1 Red, 1 Green, 1/2 Purple}

Needed a little something sweet... :)
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology, handful of frozen mixed berries, a tiny bit of plain Greek yogurt, and ice!
{1 Red, 1 Purple}

And another shake a few hours later- I always have to have it for dessert, and it's typically the only thing that appeals to me late at night!
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology, 1 tsp. peanut butter, tiny bit of ricotta cheese, handful of spinach, and ice!
{1 Red, 1 Green, 1 Tsp.}

And the magical system itself! These containers are what keep me sane, and know that I am PERFECTLY portioning out my food every time! And the worksheets help me cross of containers throughout the day as well! I just love it.

As you can see, even on the lowest calorie bracket, I am by no means robbing myself of any food group or any amount of food at all! There's no calorie counting, nothing. I still get carbs, cheese, chocolate, peanut butter, wine, you name it! It's just all about the right portion sizes. Just like any other aspect of life- balance is key!

If this is something that interests you, and you'd like to hear more about it, please never hesitate to email me or fill out this application form to join our next 21 Day Fix online fitness group!

I'm out to finish out DAY 2!

With love,

Amanda James

Why I Choose Shakeology... and ALWAYS Will!

HEY everyone!

It has been quite a while since I have written an update other than recipes for you guys, so I will definitely get to that in a bit! But in the meantime, I felt very compelled to write this blog post after scrolling through Facebook over the last few days and seeing so many negative jabs at Shakeology (which if you know me, you know how much I TREASURE this stuff).

I know I've written about Shakeology before, but I wanted to take the chance to really revisit WHY I love Shakeology so much and WHY I have chosen it over many other products. And really, why I still continue to drink it daily even though I am in good shape and exercise regularly and eat clean the majority of the time. I would never ever be one to down what someone else believes in or is using to work towards their goals, so that will NOT be what this post is about. But rather, why I took the path I did and why I will continue to for as long as Shakeology and all other Beachbody products are around!

So before I go into my reasonings, I wanted to first share some of the jabs I have read towards Shakeology:

1) "All you need to do to lose weight is exercise and eat clean. You don't need that Shakeology crap."

2) "Don't waste your money on that stuff. You can just go to Walmart and get their protein powder for way cheaper."

3) "It's just a meal replacement shake, so go buy a different meal replacement shake for cheaper and you'll be fine."

These are just some of the comments that I have read about it over the last year, and while it makes me want to bang my head against the wall, I know that SO much of it has to do with not understanding. These comments were made by people that have never even tried Shakeology before, or have maybe once or twice but never fully understood the value of it.

One of my favorite activities... enjoying a shake on my porch in the sunshine!

I just want another chance to have people understand how life changing Shakeology has been for me and that it is NOT just about weight loss. Shakeology is the FURTHEST thing from a sketchy weight loss shake, but we will get into that. This nutrient dense meal replacement shake is one of the main reasons I became a Beachbody coach in the first place, and my undying love for it (lol) I KNOW has been one of the biggest factors for my success in this business. When I talk about it, I'm not just making some fluff up or reading straight from a salesy pamphlet that Beachbody gave me in the hopes of selling it and making some cash. Nada. I am speaking from my HEART and from my personal experiences, and I know that people know and sense that. I know that's why people trust me and have joined me, because they watch me and know me and know that this stuff is legit. I am not in this business for me, I'm in it for you. Now, I continue to drink Shakeology for me, but when I share it via social media with all my little redundant shake pictures (haha), THAT is for YOU. So you can KNOW how GOOD you're made to feel and that THAT is what Shakeology has done for me. So I share it in the hopes that it can help someone else. If not, that's ok. I know it's not for everyone. But if I can find even a few that it IS for... I know that I'll have served my purpose!

So, as for the first jab ("All you need to do to lose weight is exercise and eat clean. You don't need that Shakeology crap.") I took this a little bit to heart. Not just for me, but for those of you out there that have truly struggled with weight loss like me. Of course losing weight is as simple as exercising and eating better- simple calorie deficit, right? But is it REALLY that simple? You see, because I remember the days of waking up and going to the gym, eating a healthy breakfast, and then struggling all day because my cravings for sweets were horrifyingly strong. I know that may seem silly to some, but others of you out there... you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's like it's in the back of your mind no matter what you're doing. You're just wondering when the next time you can get your hand on a brownie or Reese's cup will be. It may sound stupid, but it was extremely painful and real. Then comes the time to get dressed and go to work, or class, or what have you. That's when more pain sets in as it takes hours to find something you even like to look at yourself in, and it usually results in tears and hatred for yourself. And, what does that usually result in? Turning to the sweets you were longing for to ease the pain, satisfy the craving, and then start the cycle all over again.

Therefore, YES, I understand that losing weight is about exercising and eating clean, which is what I love that Beachbody represents and stands for. But for me, I literally had to have something else that would help. I needed something that would curb my cravings but in a healthy way; something that would satisfy my need for sweets and fill me up but not loaded with fake sugars and other artificial ingredients. I had been down the road of jittery pills that make you not want to eat and that was NOT the way I was turning again. When I read that along with the other many incredible side effects Shakeology had, that curbing cravings was one of them, I was immediately intrigued. And it IMMEDIATELY did. I remember after the first time I drank it, I sat there waiting for when I was going to want sweets. And when I didn't the entire day, I was like, "Hey self, are you sure you don't want any sweets? Because donuts are in the work kitchen and you know... we can go over there right now, if you want." But I never did and I was so beyond empowered!

A quick look at what ONE measly serving of Shakeology can equal to in your body. Want some yet?! :)

I know it seems like Shakeology must have all of these hidden unhealthy ingredients to do something so magical then, right? Wrong. I have no problem with sending you a picture of every ingredient in Shakeology right now- I'd do so happily and proudly! Beachbody Corporate wouldn't even have a problem showing you around their offices and labs to see how it's made. They also have a wall of every single ingredient in Shakeology (shown below)! The magic happens when your body is FINALLY, for the first time, enriched with every single ingredient, vitamin, nutrient, etc. that it needs to function and craves. When your body tells you you need a greasy cheeseburger and a coke, or a hot fudge sundae, it's not because you actually need those things. It's because your body is actually deficient in a certain nutrient and we are so dang addicted to those foods, that those are the trigger foods you crave. There's actually ways you can translate your cravings to see what you literally need, but I know it can be hard to go for a handful of almonds and blueberries when you're dying for a piece of pizza. So, I like to use this delicious shake to cut the problem at the source and not get the cravings to begin with! Just think of it that way: your body is finally fulfilled and the switch for nasty foods is turned off, because chemically, your body literally doesn't sense that it needs those things anymore. Now, not only have I been able to really lose weight and get in great shape, but it is also what has helped me maintain this for an entire year- the first time I've ever been able to do that without major fluctuations!

The Shakeology ingredient wall at Beachbody Corporate in CA! Isn't it beautiful? The creators took YEARS to perfect each flavor of Shakeology!

And I'm not joking that when I say it's been a year since I've had those insatiable cravings for sweets and since I also started drinking Shakeology every day. Ask family and friends. ;) Shakeology SAVED me. Now, do I still have cheat meals? HECK YEAH, I do! But I can never eat as much as I used to and I don't enjoy them quite as much, which is ok with me. It makes it so much easier to continue on with my new healthy lifestyle when it's over!

Now, we're going to cut to number two and three jabs in one sitting (i.e. "You can go to Walmart and get their cheap protein powder/meal replacements and it'll be the same thing).

Ok, so my number one objection to Shakeology is always: the cost. And you know what? I totally get it. It seems ridiculous at first to pay $130 (or $97 as a coach/$115 as a club member) for a 30 day supply of a powdered meal substance. Uhhh, come again? I thought the same exact thing. But here's what we all need to remember: You will never have a million dollar body by constantly eating off of the dollar menu. Basically, you eat fast, greasy, cheap foods- what do you think you're going to get? You're definitely not going to walk out looking like a supermodel! The same goes for Shakeology, in my opinion. It may cost a little bit more to supply my body with the things that it truly needs and that's going to fuel it, and that's ok in my book. I know that I'm either going to pay for it now, or big time later when I'm going to the doctor for all kinds of complications.

Another thing to remember, is that this is a legit month of meals. Even if you went to Walmart, don't you think you'd be spending at least $130 on a month of meals in bulk? Pretty much! Shakeology seriously cuts my grocery bill down. It's not an added expense, it's a replacement. And honestly, I drink it multiple times a day which cuts it down even more! Sure, I'll add some spinach and fruit to it, but that's really the only time I eat fruits in a day at all, so still... not adding to my grocery bill. I also spend way less because:

a) Shakeology has all of the vitamins and supplements in it that I need. I no longer buy anything extra at the store. Honestly, you wouldn't even want to because you can OD on vitamins too! It's super safe for pregnant women as well, but you know it's got a lot of vitamins when your doc tells you to replace your prenatal with Shakeology and just add a folic acid to it. (No I'm not pregnant, but that's what all the Shakeology mommas tell me!)

b) Again, it cuts my cravings like crazy so I'm not mindlessly munching throughout the day, which saves me a lot of money again at the store and also while I'm out and about!

c) This is unrelated to me, but I have been in awe at the amount of customers and coaches of mine that have been taken off of multiple medications because of what Shakeology has done for them. They started drinking it daily and after weeks or months they were totally off medications (for anxiety, diabetes, blood pressure, hyper/hyopglycemia, even many autoimmune disease symptoms have practically vanished. Read here for some firsthand stories.)

Also, with the exception of a stomach virus I just caught this past week (BLEH), I haven't been sick in close to two years since starting to drink it. I was drinking it daily long before becoming a coach, in case those numbers didn't quite line up correctly! I was working at a daycare teaching Pre-K, so you can imagine the cooties I was surrounded by daily. I went from being sick, no joke, multiple times a week with what have you to ZILCH. I remember laughing at it almost being a curse because I'd be one of the only teachers NOT calling out sick and getting all of the kiddos when we were short staffed! But that also brings me to the fact that if a super broke Pre-K teacher could afford it, trust me, you can too! I never even noticed a difference in my bank account. If you are drinking a Starbucks drink or getting a fast food meal every day, you are already spending way more a month on those purchases than you would be on Shakeology a month. This would help you cut all of that out anyway, saving even more!

Shakeology has also helped me with extensive hair and nail growth (and thickness), IBS symptoms (won't go too into detail with that... but the probiotics and digestive enzymes in it are incredible. Let me know if you suffer from IBS and I will share my story with you!), energy levels (went from coffee 3x a day to none), and so much more that I just can't think of off the top of my head right now. ;)


Me prior to Beachbody/Shakeology.                         Me currently using Beachbody programs and Shakeology.

My only hope is that this post will help shed some light on why so many people, like me, are so defensive and protective over their Shakeo! Yes, it has been proven to help aid in weight loss, lowering blood pressure and glucose levels, and more.... but it is SO much more than that. I know I didn't go very much into my weight loss story with is, but yes, my results really did skyrocket when I added it in to just my 30 minute workouts a day. I typically drink it as both my breakfast and post workout shake, and it has done wonders. I obviously recommend it. Haha!

Please know that there are also so many ways to get it for a great deal! There are combos called Challenge Packs that let you purchase an entire Beachbody program with Shakeology for a big fraction of the cost of them separately, which at least lets you get your first month supply for at least $30 cheaper, and you can see then if you like it or not. Also, as mentioned before, creating a coach account will save you about $30 as well, and active duty military members, their spouses, and veterans can sign up with a totally free coaching account, which is beyond amazing!

I also always recommend getting it through a coach that you know, because if you purchase it from Amazon, 1) you are still technically purchasing it through Beachbody so that doesn't make a difference, and 2) if you purchase it from someone selling it cheap on a sale sight or something, you cannot guarantee it's freshness. Shakeology expires just like real food because it is real food. Also, by purchasing through a coach and Beachbody, you actually get a bottom of the bag money back guarantee. Meaning, you can consume the entire bag and if it didn't help you or you didn't like it, you can return the bag for your full refund, no questions asked. I swear by it!

As always, love you guys and I will be updating on my fitness progress and life in general shortly! I have exciting P90X3 progress and will be doing a hardcore round of 21 Day Fix before my Cancun trip with Beachbody on April 15! Ah!

Also, some super exciting promotions this month are:

PiYo with Shakeology for only $140 (that's getting the program for just $10!)

P90X3 with Shakeology for $160! (this is HUGE you guys- just the program itself is $120! That's a savings of over $100!!! Ahhhh!!! GRAB THIS, YO!)

Leave some love on here, find me on Facebook, or shoot me an e-mail if you ever have any other questions or need help getting started on your health and fitness journey!


Til next time, friends!

Amanda James

Sausage & Kale Cheesy Pasta

So, I'm a major carbs girl. I love bread and pasta so much, so you can imagine my excitement when 21 Day Fix came out! Not only is it one of the most popular and effective programs on the market, because of it's simplicity, but it ALLOWS CARBS! A good amount of carbs, too. And chocolate, and wine, and cheese....

ANYWAY! Here's a delicious recipe I stumbled upon and made last night! At the end of the post, feel free to fill out my form if you'd like me to contact you on more 21 Day Fix details. It is STILL on an incredible sale for a few more days!

Sausage & Kale Pasta

What you need:

-2 links of lean turkey sausage
-1 small container of portobello mushrooms
-2 cups fresh kale
-1 box whole wheat penne pasta
-1.5 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese
-1/3 cup of almond or skim milk
-1 tbsp whole wheat flour
-1 tbsp olive oil
-onion and garlic powder to taste

How to make it:

• Cook pasta according to directions.
• Sautee mushrooms and kale in tbsp of olive oil. Season with onion and garlic powder to taste.
• While pasta and veggies are cooking, cut up turkey sausage into bite size pieces. Brown sausage according to directions.
• Once pasta is cooked, take a ladle full of water and pour it in pan before straining noodles. Add flour, milk, and cheeses to the water and stir until it is melted together to form a cheese sauce.

Combine pasta, sausage, veggies, and cheese sauce and you are GOOD to devour!

One serving will be 1 yellow, 1 red, 1 green, and 1 blue for the 21 Day Fix. ENJOY!

With love,

Amanda James

New Year, New YOU!

Every year in the past, I always stayed far away from New Year's resolutions.

I would tell myself and everyone else that I thought that they were silly, or useless, or what have you, but the truth is... they scared me. I have always been the opposite of a goal setter. I used to think that setting goals was one in the same as setting myself up for failure. I was way more comfortable just going with the flow and never having real goals or reals failures, when in reality, what I didn't realize at the time... is that you MUST fail before you can EVER succeed!

Everything changed when my husband, at the time fiance, deployed shortly after we had moved in together. I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired--- eating poorly, never working out, exhausted from my job, constantly sick, you name it. I decided for the first time to set some goals (and surprise him when he got home), and those goals were to lose 10 pounds, gain my energy, health and life back, and be happy in my own skin.

Getting TurboFire, Shakeology, and joining my first ever Bombshell Challenge Group literally saved my life. For the first time, I had a support group cheering me on and I reached every single one of those goals!

This year, I am at it again! I am setting MAJOR goals for myself, and as a Beachbody Coach for my first New Year ever, I want to be that support system for others around me. I want to help women gain their strength, health, and confidence back, while having fun, feeling comfortable, while really challenging themselves and meeting new friends. It was the best thing to ever happen to my life, and I am ready to pass it on more than ever!

I am officially going back to my second round of P90X3, the fitness program that got me in the best shape of my life! While Turbo Fire helped me shed that last bit of unwanted fat, P90X3 really took me to the next level- extreme fat loss and extreme lean muscle gain! I got back in a size 2 pants and was ecstatic. Check out my YouTube transformation video to really get the whole story!

However, there are so many programs to choose from and I want to help you find the perfect one for your specific wants, needs, and goals for your health! Please comment on this post and fill out my application to be considered for this incredible group. I will be helping you through every step of the way, and I want serious inquiries only! This is your health and future and while I am going to take it very seriously with you, I can only do that if you take it seriously too!

For further questions and information, feel free to e-mail me at a_corry@aol.com!

With love,

Amanda James

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Insanity MAX:30 is HERE!

If there is one aspect of fitness and weight loss that I tend to struggle with, it is getting my cardio in. Cardio has just never been my cup of tea. BUT, if there is one celebrity trainer that knows how to make cardio a BLAST and bring you so much heart-pumping inspiration that you have no choice but to never give up, it is SHAUN-T!

Shaun-T is seriously one of the sweetest, down to earth, funniest human beings on the planet. I got to meet him at Beachbody's Coach Summit 2014 in Vegas when I was actually waiting in line to meet and get my book signed by Tony Horton! (Y'all know my Tony Horton/P90X3 love...it's bad). Shaun T was walking with his crew, probably to his own separate event, and stopped to talk to all of us. He just radiates with positivity and a zest for life! We also got to work out live with him at the end of Summit, and one minute he will have you rolling on the floor laughing, and the next almost in tears because of how inspirational he is. You can tell that he is 100% living his God-given purpose and passion to help others lead a lifestyle of health and fitness. Although, that health and fitness is death by cardio, LOL!

Shaun T's Insanity is one of the programs that Beachbody is most well known for, in my opinion. It's 40-60 minutes of pure cardio TORTURE that is sure to get you ripped. I've never been brave enough to try it, but the people and coaches that I know that have... got some of the most amazing results I've ever seen.

Then, came Shaun T's T25. This was a game changer for people all over the world, because it was Insanity, but put into a doable 25 minutes/5 days a week that left you with a little self worth at the end of the video. Tehe. Even these 25 minutes were TOUGH for me though. I did a few weeks of the program with a friend, and although it was hard, I will say in those few weeks I noticed ASTOUNDING differences in my stamina, speed, core strength, and mostly upper body strength (I could do push-ups and hold plank like no one's business).

Now, Shaun T has officially gone above and beyond, and done it AGAIN!

Beachbody launched Insanity MAX:30 just yesterday, and I know this is, again, going to be changing so many lives. Insanity MAX:30 is, like the title hints, only 30 minutes long and based on a breakthrough method calling MAXING OUT!

Unlike Insanity, in which you focus on pacing yourself throughout the workout to finish, in Insanity MAX:30 you literally want to push as hard as you can and MAX OUT! When you've done all you can, and can't push through any longer, you "max out" and write down your max out time. You take a little break and jump back in, and each day your goal is to increase your max out time!

Insanity MAX:30 details:

• Over 100 BRAND NEW moves to help you dig a little deeper and get in the best shape of your life
• Moves to combine cardio and strength without ANY equipment at all
• The program is 60 days long, broken up into Month 1 and Month 2
• All workouts are 30 minutes long, except for a 10 minute ab workout
• Schedule is working out 5 out of 7 days a week (so get those 30 minutes done in the morning before work Mon-Fri and enjoy the weekend? Ummm, yes please!)
• This can be for anyone from a fitness beginner to an EXPERT! Everyone's max out time is different, and everyone will have room for growth and improvement! Modifier available.

• Month 1 workouts are a combination of strength and TABATA type exercises (which means 20 seconds on and 10 seconds off)

• Month 2 workouts is all about taking it to the MAX- more challenging and longer workout intervals (45 seconds on, 15 seconds off)

As always, Shakeology will be CRUCIAL to your health and results through this program. So, as an incredibly special offer for the month of its launch, ALL throughout December if you order THROUGH A COACH you can get the Insanity MAX:30 challenge pack on an incredible sale for $180! That's a savings of over $95, and includes:

• A month of Shakeology meal replacement shakes
• Over 10 top of the line workout DVD's

• A calendar made specifically to give you the ultimate results. Follow this calendar to a T, and you will for sure max out your results!
• A meal plan that combined with Shakeology, will leave you shredded and fueled perfectly to reap the benefits of MAX:30

• 4 FREE gifts for ordering through a coach!

If you would like to be considered as a a challenger for our EXCLUSIVE Insanity MAX:30 TEST GROUP beginning January 5, 2015, fill out the Challenger Application Form and contact me asap! These programs are going FAST from their launch dates, and the preaseason for our group starts at the end of this month! Get your program today and I will help you every step of the way!

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21 Day Fix: Round 1!

So, here's the thing about the 21 Day Fix.

We all want to get fit, and thin, and toned, FAST. We don't want to have to workout for hours a day and deprive ourselves of delicious foods, only to consume 1,000 calories a day. In fact, we'd rather be eating ALL DAY; we'd rather have our entire meal plans totally spread out for us, almost like having little color-coated containers for each food group that we could just fill that would show us the EXACT portions of what we need to eat for the food group.

Oh wait...

21 Day Fix does ALL of those things!!!!!

21 days of only 30 minute workouts. Color-coated tupperware containers for each food group. A certain number of those containers per day depending on YOUR personal body. Fill the container with a food from that group, and eat. Seriously start eating probably more than you EVER have before, and LOSE WEIGHT.

How about then losing up to 15 pounds in those 21 days? Yeah. Of course that would vary by person and body type, but I promise, you WILL get phenomenal results if you follow the meal plan and workout videos.

I am a soon to be bride, and with the results I have seen so far from this program, I am ecstatic to begin it ASAP! If you are ready, do this program with me in my upcoming online fitness challenge group for extra support and accountability! Lord knows I'll need it!

Are you in?! Because, honestly, why WOULDN'T you be?! Get it here now and I will contact you with how to start the program together! :)

With love,

Shakeology: My Miracle Drink!

Shakeology has changed my life. Point black. However, I feel that its objectives can be misconstrued by those who are not familiar with the product, so I thought a blog post answering some of the BIGGEST questions I receive would be appropriate!

What IS Shakeology?: First, let me start off by saying that Shakeology is NOT a PROTEIN OR WEIGHT LOSS SHAKE!! It is clinically proven to aid in weight loss (and lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels), but that is actually not Shakeology's main goal.

Lots of times, I get people telling me that "they have a really good protein powder they are using right now, so they don't need Shakeology." That is great, and I love healthy and natural protein powders as well to help fuel me up, but that's something I would actually add to Shakeology, not replace it with! Shakeology is so so SO much more than that, it pains me to hear it being compared to a protein drink. Shakeology does contain a really great amount of protein in each serving (depending on the flavor, about 18g), but that is just a small portion of its nutritional value.

Shakeology is a nutrient dense meal replacement shake. It is meant to replace just one meal a day, but can safely replace more than one, if you wish to further your weight loss goals in that way (I would just recommend adding additional foods to it for a higher calorie intake).

So what all is IN Shakeology?: Shakeology contains over 70 ingredients of natural superfoods! Each of them are meant to work together to keep you feeling full and to improve your health from the inside out in ways you could have never imagined! Within these 70 ingredients are different categories, which are:
1) Super-Protein Blend (i.e. chia, flax, quinoa, & more)
2) Super-Fruit/Antioxidant Blend (i.e. acai, goji berry, grape seed, green tea, & more)
3) Super-Green/Phytonutrient Blend (i.e. moringa, spinach, barley grass, & more)
4) Adaptogen Blend (i.e. ashwagandha, astragalus. ginkgo, maitake, & more)
5) Probiotic/Digestive Enzyme Blend (i.e. yacon root, amylase, cellulase, & more)

Shakeology also includes your entire day's worth of vitamins, minerals, and supplements (so you no longer need to spend  money on those things), fruits, and vegetables. Therefore, I highly recommend this especially to those who feel like they do not typically get enough fruits, veggies, and fiber throughout the day.

In fact, if you were to go to the store and purchase all of the ingredients in Shakeology separately, it would come out to over $700. This, my friends, is why the price of only $130 (and only $98 for us coaches) for an entire month (30 servings), is AMAZING to me. Think of what you are spending in a day, and realize that your health is worth this plus so much more. Cut out that daily Starbucks frappe. Cut out that daily Panera Bread breakfast. Cut out that lunch trip to McDonald's. Feed your body what it needs! You will probably find yourself saving more money when you get this stuff, because you will a) cut those cravings, b) not need to purchase protein powder or extra vitamins and supplements anymore c) you will no longer have to worry about buying about a 1/3 of your groceries from the store, because you now have one of your meals for every day for the entire month bought in one sitting.

What does Shakeology do for you?: What has Shakeology NOT done for me, is more like it! Here's a list of the most prominent things that have changed in my life from Shakeology:

• It IMMEDIATELY cut my cravings for sweet and fatty foods. It was like my body was finally satisfied for the first time by all of these incredible nutrients, and sent that message straight to my brain! Not to mention the fact that drinking the shake itself is like having a Wendy's frosty. Mmmmm so darn delicious! I would say it was the single most important factor on my path to health and fitness because my poor diet was my biggest problem. I could work out all day everyday, but it never got past a certain point of progress because I'm horrible at giving into food temptations. I was honestly terrified to purchase the Beachbody products in the beginning because I figured the same thing would happen. But that first morning I drank Shakeology after my Turbo Fire workout... I was hooked and never looked back. It satisfies ALL of my cravings and helped me to turn away from my temptations.
• It regulated my digestion. Sorry to get personal, but this was huge for me, too! I won't go into too much detail, but this is one of the things it is most known for. In fact, its sole purpose is for immune & digestive support, and it does just that. Its probiotic and digestive enzymes may have you going a little more or less than usual in the first week or so, but those are just signs that it is working in your tummy! Soon, you will have a set regular schedule and feel better than EVER!
• My hair, skin, and nails are superb. My hair has grown immensely, in thickness and in length, since drinking Shakeology. All of those vitamins and minerals are CLEARLY going to work in my hair follicles! I used to have to trim it every couple of months from dead ends and dryness, and I went a record almost 6 months without having to cut it, and didn't even really realize it! I just went in to get more layers done, really. My nails are also constantly growing and are very strong (which can get annoying if you ever want to get them painted at the salon! haha). I have suffered from acne and splotchy skin my whole life as well, and while I still suffer from the occasional breakout, my skin tone has become drastically more even, in terms of color and texture!
• I rarely ever have to consume caffeine anymore! Shakeology makes me SO much more naturally energized, it's incredible! I really didn't notice all that much until a few months went by and my fiance was like, "Hey, why haven't you made coffee in so long? You used to drink it all day!" Then it hit me HARD! I did used to drink 3-4 cups of coffee a day *gulp* embarrassing moment. But it's true. I haven't made a full pot of coffee in over half a year! Sometimes I like to put 1/3 cup in my Shakeology recipes (because it's delicious), but other than that, I only need the occasional pre-workout for my 5 am exercises and no other caffeine for the entire day. It helps me sleep so much better and has kept my energy levels completely stable.
• I haven't been sick in almost 10 months. Not ONCE! This is the biggest one for me. This almost makes me cry tears of joy, because I used to be sick all of the time. At least 4 or 5 big times a year (upper respiratory infections every Thanksgiving break, chronic allergies year round, strep around summertime, etc), and when I was a Pre-K teacher, literally every other week. I now have not been sick one time since I started drinking Shakeology daily in November 2013. I have a really low tolerance for pain, so I was almost falling into a slight depression my year as a Pre-K teacher from being sick so often. I do not deal well with feeling anything other than my best, healthy self, so this has meant SO much to my life! Immune support is the BIGGEST reward you will receive from Shakeology.

Other Testimonials: Shakeology has also been an amazing testimonial for many of its consumers with autoimmune and other chronic diseases. Check out some of their stories:

-->Jennifer: "I have an auto immune disease and have been in remission since starting shakeology last year. When I told my doctor that I started drinking it everyday, he said 'well don't stop what you're doing because it's working!'"

-->Becka: "I have hashimotos and between shakeology and going Paleo I've completely gotten my symptoms under control."

-->Morgan: "My mom has MS and she bought slim in 6 and shakeology. I started her with slim in 6 because it's more beginner and she says the shakeology is helping with her energy levels and added weight loss to help with her multiple sclerosis."

-->Nicole: "All the remaining symptoms I had with my crohn's after being deemed in remission have completely dissipated since Shakeo. I have also been able to stop taking medications for migraines and depression. Ive had maybe one migraine since I've started and my mood is way better, although I'm pretty hormonal now which I can't help much - haha!"

-->Leanne about her daughter, Tayler: "Taylers eczema has improved too. She doesn't drink it everyday, but she does share mine at least twice a week. I just recently noticed a routine. It flares up when she hasn't had any in a while. Any others notice this?"

-->Andrea: "It's help me with migraines and has helped my coach with PCOS"

-->Tiffany: "I have had a kidney transplant, high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, gout, acid reflux, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, migraines lol since taking shakeology I have felt so much better! My labs have come back in normal range and my sugar is in control!! :))"



I hope I have helped shed just a small light on the value of Shakelogy and what it has meant to my life, although, I know no one can truly see its value until they try it for themselves.

Interested in purchasing this miracle shake? Check out the different options here, including the trial package in which you can try every flavor for a small fee, in case you're unsure! Every bag also has a bottom of the bag guarantee. Meaning if you try it, even for the full 30 days and feel that it did nothing for you that it promised, you can return it for a full refund. That's how much us coaches and Beachbody believe in this product.

Interested in purchasing a bag of Shakeology along with a top of the line exercise program for a fraction of the price? Check out my favorite selection here, and sign up to be in one of my next free fitness challenge groups!

Have a marvelous day! SHAKE on!!!

With love,

Would I Make a Good Beachbody Coach?

It's hard for me to put into words what the opportunity of Beachbody coaching has truly meant to my life. I can sit here and say how awesome it is, and how passionate I am about it, and that you should be one too (because, well, EVERYONE should. How about potentially making six figures or more for only $16/month? Ummm YEAH). But, I thought I should give some cold hard FACTS to help give a little demonstration of what this company does for its business holders:

-->In 4 months, I am at a rate that will have me earning about as much as I would have as a Pre-K teacher. Now, that may not sound like a lot, because it's no secret that Pre-K teachers don't make jack squat. But let's really think about this for a minute. I was miserable. I was working sometimes 10-11 hours a day with 20 four year olds (sometimes grouped with younger or older children, depending on what was happening at that center at the time) BY MYSELF most of the time. I was getting hit, kicked, spit on, yelled at, dealing with supervisors and parents, tests, paperwork, YOU NAME IT! I was coming home exhausted, not able to spend any time with my fiance (I cannot imagine it for the teachers who had their own children to come home to). I was spent and had no life.

Fast forward 4 months- to be working in the COMFORT OF MY OWN HOME, by MY SCHEDULE, doing what I LOVE TO DO, I get to make the same amount of money. Do we all see how spectacular this is now!? I also fully intend to have a six figure income by 2016. Just saying. If that seems like way too long from now, can we calculate the amount of time doctors and lawyers bust their behinds in school/internships/awful jobs to get to that point? Exactly.

-->I have already over halfway paid for an entire Beachbody coach trip to Cancun next April. Best part is? When I say "pay," I mean with the FREE MONEY I earned from Beachbody. No money actually came out of my pocket. Each time I reached a certain amount of Success Club points (NOT hard to do, mind you), every point equaled either $5 or $10 towards that fund automatically. In 4 months, I have over $1,000 for a $2,000 trip saved up without me doing a thing. Wonder what that extra money will equal? ;)

-->Discounts? Have I mentioned discounts yet? Oh yeah. You get 25% off of EVERYTHING you ever order, including access to exclusive coaches only clothing and other fun Beachbody clothing. Some coaches join just for the discounts.

-->For getting Success Club Starters (Success Club my first 3 months as a coach), I earned a free ticket to Coach Summit in Nashville, TN! THIS IS HUGE. That thing usually costs about $300. But not to fret, when you get to a certain point in your business (that doesn't take very long), you'll be getting in for free/skipping lines/etc. Did I mention that all of the celebrity trainers are there? Yeah, check this out. I got to meet my all time favorite trainer, Tony Horton, creator of the P90X series. I have been so incredibly thankful for his programs, I can't even tell you.. but that's a whole different story. Meeting him was a HUGE check off of my bucket list!

-->This point is a little bit different. I am, or really was, an introvert. I am better with one-on-one conversations. I'd rather drink with you and your friend in your apartment than go out clubbing. Actually, I'd rather be at my house by myself. In silence. Haha. :) Beginning this business was extremely difficult for me. I used to post on Facebook like once every 3 months, and now I love it because it's opened up so many opportunities for me to reach people and meet people- and that's something I NEVER thought I would say I loved to do. Beachbody has changed me from the inside out! Through the pain and struggles of putting every ounce of my life out into the world, I have grown more than I can ever describe. There have been tears, hurtful comments, and naysayers, but the love from my team, my challengers, the weight loss stories and the "thank you's," they have grown me. Every part of it has grown me. I am the same, but totally different. I could have never asked for anything better!

There are a multitude of other things I could say that this opportunity has done for me, but above all, what all of these points have in common, is FREEDOM. That is what coaching with Beachbody boils down to. Freedom. You make your own rules. You run your business. You help people and help yourself.

What does it take to be a good Beachbody coach? Being on the path to a better, healthier you. Do you need to be in perfect shape? No. Do you need to have reached all of your fitness goals? HECK NO. Do you need to be STRIVING for those goals and trying to be your best self each day? Yes, yes you do.

Along with helping yourself, you must also want to help others on their path to their own personal health and fitness goals. You must focus on OTHERS and NOT yourself. This business is about becoming a healthier you, but it's not about you. I wake up every morning excited to see what my fitness group challengers are doing. I wake up excited about their fitness goals. I wake up excited to help train my coaches and see their successes. I also wake up ready to do my workouts, eat clean, and read my personal development, but that's to keep me healthy and a good example for those that I want to help.

Does this take hours and hours a day?! Absolutely not! When I first started coaching, I was still working full time as a Pre-K teacher. Can we talk about a daily power hour that's gotten me to the point where I am now? 1-2 hours a day and you are set. Some take more time, others use LESS! You can work it very easily around any schedule, and I can tell you how. But it needs to be DAILY, not every 3 days whenever you feel like it.

So, do you love health and fitness? Do you WANT to love health and fitness? Do you want to help others along their paths as well? Do you have 1-2 hours a day to build a business of limitless potential? Then YOU would be an AMAZING Beachbody coach. We are here to HELP. And there are SO many people that need your help.

Join a fitness challenge group with me to try it out and see if it's something you would like to duplicate with others before becoming a coach.

Apply here to be a part of my team and I will help you through every step of the way. I love this business and I am yours 24/7.

Have any more questions? Feel free to shoot me an e-mail :)

This opportunity could be your EVERYTHING!

With love,

What's This 3 Day Refresh!?

The picture on the right shows a loss of 5 pounds.

Are these results from the latest 90 day fitness program?!

Nope. These are the results from clean eating for just 3 DAYS on the 3 Day Refresh!!!!

As is human nature, we are CONSTANTLY looking for the quickest, easiest way to lose weight. We want it done in the shortest amount of time possible for the smallest amount of work possible.

However, the downside of that is that it is nearly impossible to find something that does this for us and that is HEALTHY and safe.

A Beachbody coach once came up with the notion of the 3 Day Shakeology cleanse, replacing 3 of the major meals a day with Shakeology and snacking around that, and while Beachbody didn't necessarily disapprove of this, they also didn't see Shakeology as suitable for 3 meal replacements.

So as the 3 Day Shakeology cleanse has become more and more wildly popular, Carl Daikeler, CEO of Beachbody, and his team have been working hard to get us a more suitable cleanse that will really meet all of our body's nutritional needs and not rob us of other health requirements.

That's when Carl's wife, Isabelle Daikeler, came up with the 3 Day Refresh.

It was released while all of us coaches were at Coach Summit in Vegas, so I immediately purchased it and have been waiting for the right moment to use it! Let me tell you... It requires EXTREME dedication. But it WORKS. Oh MAN, does it really work.

I'm sure most people's main concern will be keeping the weight off that was lost, since this is only 3 days and not a permanent fix. My answer to that, first and foremost, is that this is to give us a healthy jumpstart on what needs to be a LIFESTYLE! If you do this refresh and then indulge on all of the cheeseburgers and pizza you missed out on the next day, you WILL gain all of it back, and probably plus some. This is to help your mind and body get in the right place to pursue the rest of your health and fitness goals.

I had gotten into a bad spot of skipping workouts and eating too much throughout the day, and not well enough. I was bloated and constantly felt just plain gross. My fiance switched to night shift, and it was hard to keep up with my same sleep, exercise, and eating schedule while trying to work with his new schedule. Point blank, I knew I needed to hit the brakes before this became something permanent! We had one more fatty fat weekend at his parent's house, and I immediately started the 3 Day Refresh when I woke up the next morning!

I had actually JUST been telling my mother-in-law that it made me sad to look back at pictures from when I had finished P90X3 because I just didn't look like that anymore. Well, guess what... 3 days later and I look BETTER! And it was purely my diet. Eating clean. I never worked out one time in these 3 days. It also ended up ending perfectly on the day of our engagement photoshoot! Boom.

So, this is recommended for:
- anyone who needs a jumpstart back into a healthy LIFESTYLE
- anyone who needs a quick fix before a big event, photoshoot, etc.
- anyone who wants to shed those last few annoying pounds the HEALTHY way

I also HIGHLY recommend you doing this over a period of days that you will not be working or doing any intense physical labor. It will be much more difficult if you are in an environment in which you are constantly tempted by foods (or stress that tempts those foods), or if you are exerting a ton of calories exercising or moving furniture or what have you. I was able to exercise the first day, but not the 2nd or 3rd day. You are just not consuming enough calories during this time to lose them all during exercise!

WARNING: You may notice difference in... toilet times. Sorry, but it has to be said! Depending on your body and how much fiber you are already normally taking in, there WILL be differences. I have already been fairly good on my daily fiber intake and vegetable servings. So I had a very good "cleanse," if you will. If you are not used to eating this many veggies or fiber, you may experience a little backing up, but that is normal and will go away! Trust me. Trust me that you must also, MUST MUST MUST drink LOTS OF WATER! At least half of your body weight in ounces. I made sure to drink around 67oz a day. If you don't, the amount of fiber will bloat you and constipate you even worse!

Without further adieu, here are a few clips from the last 3 days:

Day 1

I was STOKED to begin on Day 1, and I really felt amazing all day. It had me energized and feeling much lighter and healthier already. To the left is my breakfast and first shake of the day! 1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology, 1/2 cup of frozen red grapes, cinnamon and stevia to taste, and ice, blended. It was yumy. 

I was happy we were allowed green or black tea or black coffee throughout the 3 days! It's optional, but also better for me to do than cut caffeine out completely, because I can get major caffeine headaches. I also found drinking it really helped when hunger would strike. Every time you consume a beverage or meal, it's split up by at least an hour. Every time it was tea time, it seemed that I was craving some majorly greasy foods, and this ALWAYS satisfied me. You can at least sweeten your tea and coffee with a serving of stevia, as well!

This is my first lunch! The Refresh vanilla shake with 1/2 banana, cinnamon, ice, and stevia, and a serving of a veggie and healthy fat: cucumber and hummus. This had me FULL!

Later afternoon snack (at least an hour after lunch) consisted of another veggie serving from the veggie list, and another healthy fat. One of my all time favorites: celery and PB! Mmmm.

So, for dinner I was pretty boring. I did a bowl of broccoli with the allotted amount of garlic with my vanilla shake! At dinner, you can choose from a list of their dinner recipes, and this time, no fruit in the shake. I think it's harder for our bodies to digest that sugar later at night, and I've always heard to eat your fruits earlier in the day, so that made sense to me. Again, they had much better options for the veggie dinner recipes, but I was lazy. ;)

Day 2

Ok, this is your warning. Day 2 is SO MUCH HARDER than Day 1. I woke up feeling starving and with a slight headache. I woke up saying to myself, "oh my gosh. I can't do this. I'm going to consume EVERYTHING right now." But you know what? I didn't. Because it was my MIND trying to tell my BODY what it could and couldn't do. I was not going to let that happen. I pushed through and felt great.

PUSH THROUGH Day 2 because it WILL be hard, but you CAN do this! This is all about TAKING CONTROL of our minds and bodies and not letting them rule us anymore. We got this.

This was my yummy Vanilla Shakeology with 1/2 banana, cinnamon, and ice. Cinnamon is always in my shakes because it was a "freebee" and could be consumed in unlimited amounts! Other sweeteners were not the case.

You can't tell in my smile, but I'm STILL STRUGGLING! Haha. This Refresh vanilla shake was good, though. The fruit serving for strawberries was 12 medium ones, so it was super berry-filled and delicious! 

I was, again, very boring for my dinner choice. I LOVE green beans though, and was so hungry by the time dinner hit, I just made these bad boys lightly seasoned with sea salt. So delicious. I went to sleep ready to take on the last day!

Day 3

Day 3 started out like any other day, with my favorite vanilla Shakeology shake. However, I was different. My mind and body between Day 2 and 3 did a total 180 degree turn. When I woke up, it was like my body was telling me, "I can get used to this. In fact, I AM used to this. I even like this. Thanks for taking care of me!" ;)

For lunch I decided to change it up a little... with a salad! Hehe. 3 cups of fresh romaine lettuce and a serving of sesame seed dressing. Delish. And somehow, this food became filling.

I ate my snacks throughout the day as repeats of the first couple of days, but as my last Day 3 dinner, I made the vegetable stir fry in the dinner recipes options! It was DELICIOUS. Grilled in vegetable broth, olive oil and garlic... *drool.*

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Overall, my experience was a great one. I was much more energized, and again, this way of eating has really become habit in such a small amount of time. I did not jump up this morning, the first morning I am now free to eat whatever I want, wanting junk. I woke up wanting a simple Shakeology shake, and have really not been ravenous like I was before. I am eating to live, NOT living to eat. I am really thankful for this cleanse. It has honestly changed my life in just 3 days- and I am not being overly dramatic! :)

I plan on doing this once every few months, or anytime I need a little kick in the butt and reminder of what food is supposed to do for us... FUEL OUR BODIES!

If you are wanting to try the 3 Day Refresh for yourself, order here!

-->3 DAY REFRESH

I hope you all have an amazing day,