#Shakeology - The Most Delicious, Nutritious Meal of *ANY* Day

#Shakeology is MUCH more than a typical protein shake,
supplement or meal replacement...

It's literally the healthiest thing you can put in your body, AND it tastes like a #cheatmeal!

It's been clinically proven to aid in weight loss, increase energy, reduce cravings, improve digestion, and enhance overall health and fitness.

Here's an example... there are few people who have the emotional connection to Starbucks that I do - or rather, did.  (Okay, so maybe there are a lot of people who fit that description. #pointremains)  Every time we've tried "clean eating" or a new "healthy plan", I'd emotionally prepare to not have my daily latte (or two, plus coffee at home), and physically prepare for the inevitable caffeine headache.  Those intense, pounding headaches would last at least 4-5 days and nothing would fix it until it eventually wore off.  I stopped drinking coffee "cold turkey" on the same day I started drinking #Shakeology and haven't had a *single* caffeine headache OR craving for coffee.  The best part is, the $4.30/day that my monthly #Shakeology costs, is less than how much I was spending on lattes and the occasional store-bought smoothies, and I can feel my body enjoying the nutrition.

Shakeology® is the most delicious, nutrient-dense, superfood-packed protein shake on the planet. It’s made with the healthy stuff you should be eating every day, but typically don’t. Shakeology’s the perfect combination of proteins, phytonutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics. Plus, it also contains many rare ingredients, including adaptogens, camu-camu, and maca root—things we can’t get from an ordinary diet. So whether you use Shakeology for weight loss, or drink it to optimize your health, this powerful and delicious shake is Your Daily Dose of Dense Nutrition®

There are literally THOUSANDS of recipes waiting to become your new favorite.  There are recipes to make your daily shakes and to make nutrient-dense treats/desserts that truly taste like dessert without any of the refined/processed, unhealthy junk.  One of our favorite recipes uses the Chocolate Shakeology and blends it with ice, water, 1/2 frozen banana and 1 tbsp of peanut butter.  It's actually BETTER than a PBC from Cold Stone and is truly the healthiest thing we ingest all day.

Check out this video for more information, or just click here to create your free account and purchase your first month's supply.  (If you're still not sure, look for the sampler packs so you can test a few flavors before committing to one.)

 

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Special Event Secret

If you're anything like us Italian girls, food is part of any and every celebration.  Or, as we call it, "Sunday".  We live our lives feeling that it's not really a birthday/anniversary/Valentine's Day/Tuesday without a big meal, a table full of pastries, and a (few) bottles of wine.  Those days will pop up for you too while you're on this journey...



Here's our secret...  *whispering* Lean in close... ready?

You can still celebrate with your favorite foods and NOT derail your progress or turn your healthy world upside down!  There are a few guidelines to keep that in check:

• Get your workout in before your event
• Very strictly follow your nutritional plan all day leading up to said event
• That doesn't mean starve yourself and save the calories!  If you do that, you'll be even more likely to truly binge eat at the event, AND your body will go into starvation mode and hold onto every delectable, awful-for-you thing you eat.  
• Eat normal and healthy and make NO exceptions to the rule that day
• Enjoy your event!  Eat what you want, but try to take it in moderation.  Cut a smaller slice of that  cheesecake, put extra veggies on your plate next to your baked macaroni, and drink water after every glass of vino
• Consider a double workout at the end of the night (after you've digested) or the next day
• Get RIGHT back on track - being extra strict for the days following

Live your life.  Food is a fun, indulgent part of life that you don't have to completely forgo to be healthy.  Just be smart about it.  ...and when you have a moment of weakness, that's what your coaches are here for!

A little more on Cheat Meals from the #BeachbodyBlog.

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Meal Prep for Work

Packing lunch to go to work may be one of life's greatest annoyances in our book.  When you're investing so much time, money, and effort into your health though, it's a necessary evil!

Here are a few suggestions to make it as painless as possible:

1. When you cook dinner, make triple.  That will get you through that dinner, the next day's lunch and the next day's dinner too!
2. When you follow step number 1, remember the key that one of your coaches always forgets: you still need lunch for that next day too!
3. Consider all meals & snacks that take place during your work day and prepare accordingly.
4. Pre-portion items and store them in color-coded sandwich bags (especially if you're following Autumn's #21DayFix) with the portion & date written on the outside. 
5. Pack work food for several days at once and leave it at work in the fridge/your office, if possible.  (Then don't forget to keep a gauge on your supply so you know when to stock up!)
6. Bring a refillable water bottle to work that has measurements on the side so you can keep accurate count of your consumption and progress toward your water goal
7. Create a list of a few local places that serve healthy, quick food so you have a backup plan if life gets in the way and you don't end up at that delicious french fry smell drive thru line

As with anything else, do your best and make it a priority!  YOU and your health ARE a priority... ask anyone who knows you.  And, if you slip up for one meal/one day, don't let it derail your momentum.  Get RIGHT back on plan!

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Tracking Nutrition & Meal Plans

The #AhMAZING workouts sponsored by #Beachbody are not enough to help you reach your fitness and wellness goals...  you must incorporate an appropriate nutritional meal plan to support your efforts.

Most of our products have the option of a meal plan or at least nutritional information.  (And you always have the option of incorporating the very highly recommended, healthy deliciousness that is #Shakeology into any regiment!)

Regardless of whether or not you have a specific nutritional plan to follow (as with the #21DayFix) or meal plan suggestions, utilize some of these tips to help you stay on track.

TRACKING.  It's important to take particular note of what you're consuming.  You may be required to tally container counts, count calories, or simply pay attention to protein intake.  If a program requires food tracking, Beachbody often provides some version of a tracker to keep you focused and accurate.  If you're a tech person who needs an electronic option, search your phone's app store for the name of your program and see what you find!  Most apps are created by other active users based on needs they found along their journey.  Test it out and find what works for you.

MENU PLANNING.  It's easy to fall into the trap of taking it as it comes.  If you want to succeed, put the time in on the front end to decide what you will eat and for which meals and have it prepared.  When you are unprepared, you often find yourself in starvation mode and making poor nutritional choices to quiet the hangry beast.  You spent the money.  You're putting in the work in your sneakers.  Don't waste that investment by skimping on the planning.

Keep an eye on the prize and keep ROCKING it!  And if you have a moment of weakness, jump RIGHT back onto plan and keep going.  It's life.  You can DO it!

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