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

Strawberry Shakeology Protein Muffins

When I have some extra Shakeology/protein powder around the house, and I'm in the mood for some baking, I love whipping up some healthy concoctions that won't bust the waistline.

With the extra Strawberry Shakeology I had, visions of strawberry pancakes and muffins filled my mind and I had to find a yummy recipe I could make my own with Shakeo! So, this is what I came up with... I even got extra naughty and put some semi-sweet chocolate morsels in there ;) (they're 21 Day Fix approved, ok?!)

Try these babies out when you need a sweet fix the HEALTHY way! They would be great with any flavor of Shakeology.

What You'll Need:

-2-3 scoops of Shakeology (about 1 cup)
-1 tsp. baking soda
-1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
-1/2 cup applesauce
-1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
-1 1/2 tbsps. maple syrup
-2 egg whites
-1/2 cup mini or regular chocolate chips (*optional)


Preparation:

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
-In a medium bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients (Shakeology, baking soda, cinnamon),
-In a large bowl, mix applesauce, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and egg whites. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips and let mixture sit to thicken for a few minutes.

-Pour mixture evenly into muffin cups and bake 15-20 minutes, or until cooked all the way through.
-Let cool and then enjoy!

 With love,

Amanda James

Which Path Are You Going to Take?

Making big changes to our lives can be really scary. I think the scariest part about the change isn't the change itself, but rather our fear of failing and what everyone around us will think. It becomes easier to just sit back and remain what we are, with a far off dream of what we want to be and what we want to accomplish just floating softly in the back of our minds. We start thinking of the time it will take to get there, the things we must give up, the people we may lose along the way that have different priorities and goals than us, and the inevitable fear of failure.

I just want to say that I've felt all of those emotions, and have been through all of those obstacles. For me, I have experienced this and more in my decision to become the fittest, healthiest version of myself, and to begin my own business as an online health and wellness coach. I knew it was going to be a big, scary, hairy change and goal. I knew I was going to be judged. I knew I was going to have to give a lot of things up to reach my goals. I knew I was probably going to lose the respect of some people along the way. What I didn't realize, was how trying it would truly be. What I also didn't realize, is that every single person that has knocked me down, made fun of me, told me what I was doing was stupid. told me "I don't care about your progress and Shakeology, why do you have to post it for everyone to see?!" -that those people, the ones who continue to stay negative and just plain mean, are FULL of their own self hatred. The negativity they are portraying onto me, and onto you, is a reflection of THEM, NOT of the wonderful things that YOU are doing and that YOU are trying to accomplish!

It took so long for me to realize that, and so many painful nights of tears and embarrassment. Was what I was doing truly that stupid? Am I really annoying everyone around me? Do people not really care?

But, you know what conclusion I have come to now? That that is ok. I can't please everyone. I can't make everyone see how happy I am and how amazing my journey has been. But I CAN help SOMEONE! I can help the people who care to listen, who are ready to change their lives too, who are happy for those around them and open to positivity and love in their lives. For each person I have lost in my journey to my dreams, I have gained 10 more beautiful ones in my life.

Not everyone is going to care for you. Not everyone is going to have your back. But are we going to let the one mean, hurtful comment overshadow the HUNDREDS and THOUSANDS of beautiful, meaningful, thankful comments we have gotten from the ones who truly matter?

When I first started my weight loss journey with at home fitness programs, I had friends telling me that they knew me, and I'd never finish the program. I'd never drink my shakes every day. It would be cool for a few weeks, and then I'd drop off. I had friends that were mad at me when I said "no" to our lunch dates to Chili's, or our drinking nights to the local bar, or our ice cream dates... not because they were mad at me, but because they had different goals and were mad at themselves in the process. I have learned that as painful as giving those things up, that if those people can't support me and understand my life changes, then that's ok. I had to do what was right for me, and I am the only one I need to ever prove anything to, after all.

And you know what? I finished that program. And have now completed many more. Each program has meant something so incredible to me at that point in my life. Each program I did was what I needed at that time, and has brought me closer to my goals than I have ever imagined. They were more than just "silly fitness programs." They were what have brought me my confidence, happiness, laughter, self worth, and love for fitness again. Maybe that will annoy some people when I want to share my passion with them. Maybe some people will not understand. But that is ok with me now. I appreciate and love the support from each and every single person I have received it from. I LOVE watching people on their own health and fitness journeys, whether it's with me or not! I love watching the training that some are doing at their gym for the next show they're entering, or the way people are training for their next big marathons. It may not be what I'm doing, but I'm so happy and proud for them. I know the hard work and dedication it takes, and I understand the hurt of the naysayers that they must endure.

But what's more beautiful than anything- is their ability to outshine that negativity and prove everyone around them wrong, and prove themselves right. Watching them finish their shows and their marathons- there is nothing like it.

That's part of what I try to do. I share my progress, how I looked and felt before Beachbody programs, in the hopes that I can connect with someone that feels the way I feel, and has felt the way I felt. I want to show them that they can do this- they can make those changes in their lives, and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. It will be hard, but it can be done, and with the support of our fitness challenge groups- you will have a community that understands and has the same goals as you.

So, what I hope someone can take away from this post, is to live your life, as who you TRULY are, unapologetically. Scream it from the rooftops! Have huge scary dreams that seem INSANE- so embarrassing that you don't even want to tell anyone about them! Then, after that, GO AFTER THEM. Reach those goals. Walk past the haters with your head held high, and don't let ANYONE knock you down. They're not really trying to knock you down, but build themselves up on top of the foundation of their self doubt and hatred. 

We have so little time on this earth. Are we going to spend it shrinking in the shadows, scraping by day by day with the absolute minimum, keeping our hopes and dreams to the side? Or are we going to fearlessly step out into the spotlight, let our passions steer our lives, and NEVER GIVE UP for anything or anyone?

I know which path I'm going for.... and ain't nobody stopping me.

Unexpected Lifestyle Choices That Lead to Weight Gain

There may be little choices that you make each day that are leading to weight gain, and you don't even know it! Sometimes, weight gain may be so much more than just exercise and diet, but let's explore some of the unexpected lifestyle choices that could be reasons for your increase in weight, or reasons that your body is less able to shed the unwanted weight!

-Going to sleep super late: not only would this probably lead to getting less sleep throughout the night, which can cause weight gain in itself, but there is also a higher likelihood that you are in turn eating more throughout the night! Watching TV late at night is another factor in possible weight gain, since late night TV watchers tend to mindlessly munch on snacks without realizing how much they're really taking in! Try easing into going to sleep earlier by 10-15 minutes each night, and if you do indulge in some late night TV, portion out your snacks instead of grabbing the whole bag of chips, or sip on some water or tea!

-Having your fridge and pantry be too full: this may sound a little strange, but in this case, too much of a good thing may really be a bad thing! Even if it's lots of fruits, veggies, and lean meats, if we have so much food in our fridge that we don't know where to start, we will probably feel pressured to eat much more than necessary each day to assure that our fresh foods don't go bad! Instead, try planning out your meals and getting only what's necessary for the week ahead! That way, you will have everything portioned out and not feel overwhelmed to eat more than you need to.

-Being stressed: Just to stress you out even more, being stressed all the time can make our brains send off all different kinds of hormones and stress adaptors, causing us to turn to coping mechanisms that are not so healthy! Ever felt bad about someone making you feel bad, and you wanted to turn away from exercise, and turn to all of the pasta and brownies? Moral of the story: DITCH the negative nancies in your life, and cling on to the positive pollies! Ain't NOBODY got time for someone who's always down and bringing you down with them!

-Your body is missing certain nutrients: this is why I am so strongly against diets that try to force you out of certain food groups, like "no carb" diets or "sugar free" diets. Our bodies NEED all of those nutrients! It's not necessarily about eating less than you are right now, but eating right. Being low in certain vitamins and nutrients causes our bodies to weaken our immune and metabolism systems, causing us to feel weak, low in energy, and more likely to turn to caffeine and sweets to help that. Point blank: eat ALL of your foods, and eat them right! If you find that you have a hard time getting all of your nutrients and vitamins in, I have always turned to Shakeology, because on busy days, I can be the same way. It helps me rest assured that I have ALL of my daily goodies in!

-Traveling for work/Vacations: it's a no brainer that vacations can lead to weight gain, because, well, vacations mean vacation FOOD! But if you're constantly on the road for work, or a vacation-holic, try to think ahead by packing lots of your own healthy snacks, and making smarter decisions at the restaurants you are eating at. You can still enjoy your juicy cheeseburger, just try taking off one of the buns, and ordering their fresh steamed veggies instead of fries. That's a solid 1,000 calorie save just in those 2 decisions! Don't let a 5 day vacation or work stay ruin a month's worth of hard work!

-Eating with bigger plates: When we eat meals with really large plates, sometimes we can feel that we didn't eat enough when our food doesn't cover the plate, even if our portions were actually correct- our minds have a funny way of doing that! Try eating on a smaller plate. Your food will probably cover the whole thing plus some, and it'll have you feeling more full and satisfied at the end of it!

-Eating too fast: Sometimes we are in such a rush, or we are so hungry that we scarf down whatever meal we have. That's one of the reasons I always try to eat many small meals throughout the day, because I have always eaten way too fast! That way, I will never get so starving that I eat badly or too much. But if you do get to that point, just slow down! The faster we scarf our food down, the longer it takes for our bodies to register what we have just consumed. Therefore, we fill our bellies up way too full before it would've realized how full it was- causing our stomachs to stretch out a little more each time we overeat.

As you can see, a healthy lifestyle can be SO much more than diet and exercise alone! If you have been making lifestyle changes by daily exercise and a healthier diet, and still not seeing the results you want, try some of these tactics out and let me know how it goes!

With love,

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,

My Beachbody Transformation Story

As many of you already know, my life has been COMPLETELY changed forever by Beachbody programs and Beachbody coaching.

I wanted to make this YouTube video as a chance to show what Beachbody has done for me in a three minute nutshell. I would have NEVER imagined just 6 months ago that I could EVER be in the shape that I am now, and that just 3 months ago my life would have brought me to become a coach with this incredible company.

Beachbody coaching has allowed me to leave my Pre-K teaching job and work from home. I now have the ability to make a full-time income without sacrificing time with my family and friends. This is MOST important to me when thinking of my future, and when Stephen and I decide to *GROW* our family of two!

I never wanted to have to work all day and come home exhausted to my children while they were being raised in a daycare. I know that so many women and families must do that to get by, and I have so much respect for them. But when I realized that did NOT have to become my future, I took this business opportunity and worked on it every spare moment I could around my full-time job to get where I am today and CHANGE the course of my life and my future families' lives!

I want to always be present with my husband and my children. I want to always spread my knowledge and passion for what Beachbody programs has done for me with EVERYONE I know around me!

I know some people can get turned off by the word "coach." I did in the beginning, too! I was thinking, "I am no fitness expert, and DEFINITELY not a nutritional expert. How am I supposed to 'coach' others?!" But that is not up to us. As Beachbody coaches, we are people JUST like you who fell in love with a Beachbody program and the results we got from them, and we want to help others find programs to fit their needs so they can get the same successful results. ANYONE can become a Beachbody coach, and ANYONE can make a significant income from it!

In fact, many people sign on as coaches just to get the 25% discount on all of their future orders! Not to mention, military members and their spouses can coach for TOTALLY FREE!

So please enjoy my video, and feel free to comment or e-mail me (a_corry@aol.com) with any questions you may have. My goal is to help YOU find a Beachbody program that will fit your specific health and fitness goals, in as little time as possible from your home. I haven't stepped foot into a gym in over 6 months, and don't plan on having to ever again!

If you think having extra accountability and support from a small group of others going through the same journey sounds like something you'd love, sign up here!

If you think becoming a COACH on my time sounds like a wonderful opportunity and something you would be interested in learning more about, send in an application here!

Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you!