Are you Ready for a Challenge??

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Please keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their QUALITY and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you!


Have you ever spent WAY too much time trying on outfits and critiquing yourself in front of a mirror only to feel frustrated by the way your clothes fit? Are you unwilling to go shopping to get new clothes because that requires you to try on even MORE outfits and you don’t want to face the possibility that those clothes might not make you feel any better about yourself? I mean seriously… who needs that hit to their self-esteem, right??

Have you ever decided to start a new “diet” only to be sabotaged (whether intentionally or unintentionally) by those closest to you? You know… the donuts or cookies brought into the lunchroom at work? The friends who talk you into going out for that burger and fries?  Or for my absolute weakness - pizza and ice cream. The friends or family members who just don’t get what you’re trying to do and so they try to tell you what you should be doing instead? (I know… that one sounds harsh, because sometimes they really do have your best intentions at heart… but it still happens and that doesn’t make it hurt any less). You feel pestered and pressured and you just give in to them to avoid any drama because you haven’t learned how to say “NO” to others yet without feeling guilty about it.

Have you been wanting to start exercising but feel self-conscious about stepping foot inside a gym because you’re at a beginner level or you don’t know what all those machines are for? Hiring a personal trainer can get expensive, especially if you meet with them more than once a week. Not to mention your schedule is dictated by your trainer’s availability – not necessarily what works best for YOU and your time is precious because let’s face it… we all have hectic schedules, between work, family, and social events… there’s not a lot of time left over in any given day.

Have you been wanting to eat healthier, but feel overwhelmed by the entire process and aren’t sure where to start? Food labels can be confusing and stepping away from pre-packaged foods can seem both daunting and expensive, but I promise you, it’s NOT. And preparing foods from scratch?! It’s actually NOT that time consuming and there are valuable shortcuts you can take each week to save you precious time in that crazy-busy schedule of yours.

Have you started to eat healthy and incorporate exercise into your daily life only to have a bad day turn into a series of bad days… and eventually stopped all those healthy habits altogether?  And it just never seems to be the right time to get yourself back on track??

Do you go to work, come home, get dinner, get the kids to their practices and then to bed, only to spend the rest of the night vegging out on the couch because you're too tired to do anything else?

Are you tired of feeling uncomfortable in your own skin??

Are you afraid of failing??

Does any or ALL of those statements sound familiar to you?  If it does, then I’ve got a solution for you: 

Accountability groups… aka Challenge groups. 

What do you get with these groups?

• Me as your Coach (you knew that was coming, right?)
• Together we'll find the challenge pack that will work best for your personal needs.
• Based on your desires, we'll set clear, attainable goals that can be reached by creating a new, healthy lifestyle. (Notice I said *lifestyle* NOT diet.) 
• Exclusive access to a private online group filled with like-minded people who are also on a mission to take back control of their lives.
• We create and implement meal plans to keep us on track, even when life gets crazy.  
• We add fun into the mix with recipe exchanges and friendly competitions (and yes, there are prizes for the winners!).  

These groups not only provide the answers to all the questions above, but they also provide another main ingredient for success: SUPPORT… a second family for you to lean on when life gets tough. 

So how about it??  Are you ready to try something new? Can you commit for 28 days to step out of your comfort zone in order to take control of your health and fitness? 

I promise you it’s worth it… it WILL change your life!  And as your Coach, I will be here with you every step of your fitness journey. I will help motivate and encourage you to become the best version of you possible!

Click here to make me your coach so we can get started on your journey!

Click here to apply for my next accountability group!

Have questions?  See the FAQ below or send me a message for more information.

CHALLENGE GROUP FAQs:

What exactly does a challenge group involve?

A challenge group is held in a private online accountability group where participants follow a healthy nutrition and exercise plan based on Beachbody programs (such as 21 Day Fix, PiYo, P90X, Insanity, etc) and the use of Shakeology. During the challenge we learn how to meal plan as well as share healthy recipes because healthy food doesn’t have to be boring or repetitive! 

Each morning I start our day with an informative and/or inspirational post or video. Most of the posts I do involve interaction from all the participants, so you must be ready and willing to interact with everyone in the group. If you don’t interact with us, we begin to lose an integral part of our success – support! The more you interact the greater your results will most likely be.

We also hold a friendly competition to help keep everyone motivated while having fun. But more importantly, it's a great way to start or continue your health and fitness journey and work towards your goals. Almost every single one of my challengers has commented that they wouldn’t have been able to stick to their new, healthy lifestyle if it hadn’t been for the support and encouragement of the other group members.

So remember:

Support (from me & the group) + Accountability + Nutrition + Exercise = RESULTS

How long does the challenge group last?

My groups last 21-28 days. The first week is what we call a "Prep" week where we learn the basics. This week is filled with lots of informational posts as I encourage my challengers to ease into meal planning and daily exercise. Remember, small daily changes that are consistently applied add up in the long run! 

During the remaining 2-3 weeks the daily requirements of exercise and following a strict meal plan begin and we also start the friendly competition portion of our challenge. My posts will now vary from informational to motivation and support, to just plain FUN. This is the time when you will begin to notice all kinds of amazing changes in yourself!

What sort of results can I expect?

Individual results will vary based on personal goals and effort. Some may wish to just tone and feel better overall. Many participants want to lose weight. It's not uncommon for my challenge group participants to lose 10-13 pounds as well as several inches during the 28 days.  

Let me know if you'd like to see some of my participants' before and after photos! 

Remember, if you don't get the results you worked for, Beachbody has a 100% money back guarantee! 

What if I want to lose more than 10 pounds or have goals that will need more than 28 days?

The challenge group should give you the tools to succeed on your own after the group is complete.  However, you can certainly participate in another challenge group if you'd like. Many of my participants actually love their experience and results so much they continue the program. The choice is totally up to you!

Sounds Great! What do I need to do to get started?

You need to be committed and willing to put in effort to get the results you desire.

To participate, in the group you will need:

• Beachbody fitness program of your choice, or you can sign up for Beachbody On Demand (I can help you decide what will work best for your personal needs and preferences)
• Shakeology in the flavor (or flavors) of your choice

What is Shakeology?

Shakeology is a superfood meal replacement shake that is a vital part of the program. It contains adaptogens, antioxidants, amino acids, probiotics, and vitamins which help aid in immune support, improve digestion, curb cravings, and build lean muscles. Shakeology also has a good blend of macronutrients including protein.

It provides balanced nutrition and extra support beyond that of a mere protein shake, which helps you obtain the fitness results you want!

There are a variety flavors to choose from: Chocolate, Strawberry, Greenberry, Vanilla, and Cafe Latte.  If you'd prefer a Vegan options are also available in Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Cafe Latte.  My absolute favorite is the Vegan Chocolate.

Personally, this was the absolute game-changer when it came to fixing my nutrition.  Click here to read an article I wrote previously about Shakeology.

If you want to give the flavors a try before purchasing a month's supply, you can certainly go ahead and try one of the Shakeology Sampler Packs.  

Click here to get the sampler pack for the regular flavors.

Click here to get the sampler pack for the vegan flavors.

How do I choose a fitness program and what programs do I have to choose from?

Knowing your overall goal will be the first step in choosing the program that’s a perfect fit for you. For example, do you want to tone? Lose a lot of weight? Increase muscle mass? 

You personal fitness level, type of workout preferences, and how much time you are willing to commit to daily exercise will also need to be taken into consideration.

As always, you can message me to discuss which program will work best for you!

I picked a program and my Shakeology - how much does this all cost?

The BEST deal to get Shakeology with a Beachbody program is to purchase a "Challenge Pack". This gives you a bundle deal where you will save money vs. purchasing Shakeology and the fitness program separately. The cost of challenge packs range from $140 - $200+ depending on which program you choose.

Is there anything else that may help me improve my health or increase my results?

These are all OPTIONAL but I highly encourage you to consider trying at least one of them:

• Shakeology Boosts - These are specially formulated to be the perfect addition to your daily dose of Shakeology.  Do you feel you need more energy, have issues with regularity (constipation), or have trouble getting your vegetables in?  Then you may want to consider trying one of the new Shakeology boosts:

• Focused Energy
• Digestive Health, or
• Power Greens

• Beachbody Performance Line - These premium supplements are for individuals who are ready to take their workouts to the next level.

• Energize – Gives you increased energy and endurance to complete your workouts.
• Hydrate – Keeps your body properly hydrated and fueled during intense workouts.
• Creatine – Helps you increase muscle mass and strength.
• Recover – A yummy-tasting chocolate protein powder to be taken post-workout to help speed muscle recovery and exercise-induced soreness.
• Recharge – This is a night-time protein blend to be taken within an hour of going to bed to accelerate overnight muscle repair and recovery while you sleep.

• 3 Day Refresh - This is a nice add-on to start or end your challenge. It's an intense, non-starvation cleanse where you eat fruits and vegetables along with 3 shakes a day, plus a daily fiber sweep drink. It will help you lose a few pounds and inches fast. This is also a good stand-alone option to get you back on track after you've made some poor diet choices (vacation, holidays etc.).

Since everyone has different goals and preferences there really is something available for everyone!

Ready to get started?  Click here and choose the "Join" option to make me your coach so we can get started on your journey!

Still have questions? Send me a message for more information.

What are the Chances?

In a world filled with technology and constant movement, it’s easy to miss the small miracles that happen every day.  How often do you see people walking around with their phone attached to their hand – their eyes glued to that tiny screen?  With an overwhelming inundation of technology it’s no wonder we often miss what’s right in front of us.  Whether you want to admit it or not, life is a series of interlinked miracles – both big and small – that we take for granted because we aren't paying attention.

God is included in that.  It’s amazing how He works if you take the time to still you mind and watch for the signs.  There is always inherent beauty in His work and once you learn to find it, you’ll wonder how you never noticed it before. 

For me, 2014 was a year of personal growth – filled with many transitions, uncertainties and new beginnings.  And while January has been mainly positive so far, there are still some things left to figure out in this coming year.  On top of all that, I have a habit of overthinking things… not a good habit, but one that’s on my ‘To Fix’ list. 

The other day I was driving home from the grocery store with a lot of my mind.  So needless to say while I was driving I couldn't stop myself from stewing over a particular area of my life that I still have to work through.  It’s something that’s very important to me and I've been struggling with it for a very long time now.  

As I often do, I had a very rapid monologue going to God as I was driving.  Sometimes I feel bad for how much I tend to dump on Him at once.  But when life gets a bit overwhelming for me, He never falters.  He takes everything I throw at Him in stride – and I always, always, ALWAYS feel a thousand times better after these sessions.

However that day, even I got tired of my incessant chattering so I stopped my inner dialogue and just let my mind still as I drove home on autopilot.  So what happened next? 

A different song came on the radio – and not just any song.  This was the very same song that God used to speak to me a few months ago when my hope in this particular circumstance was on the verge of dying.  At that point in time I was ready to give up.  I felt it was too difficult; that I didn’t have the strength necessary to persevere anymore.  I wanted to walk away and find a different path; to give up and admit defeat.  For the first time in my life I wanted to quit despite the fact it is something I am wholeheartedly invested in.

Given the situation, the lyrics in this song are powerful and FOUR  times previously this was the very next song I heard after saying something along the lines of, “God, I don’t know that I can do this; I don’t think I have the strength to continue down this particular path anymore.”  

Even more astounding?  It was ALWAYS the second line of the chorus that I heard next – that fact alone got my attention, as though God had just slapped some sense into me saying, “Listen here you silly girl – stay the course!  You got this!”

The first time I heard the song it was like tunnel vision for my ears.  I had just started my car, still mulling over the things I had been asking God about.  I had never even heard the song before, but it was the ONLY thing I could hear despite my son trying to get my attention from the back seat.  

The second time I heard the song, I immediately realized God was using it to communicate to me.  I mean, really?  How coincidental could it be that the EXACT same line started playing two times in a row?  But still my hope didn’t last long and I couldn’t stop the despair that came flooding back after a week.  

So the third time I doubted, the song produced immediate tears on my end.  How could I have been so stupid as to doubt the guidance God was clearly giving me?  Despite the tears, I inherently understood that this is the path God set before me and even though this wasn’t going to be easy, God would be with me the entire way.  I’d be ok; He’d lend me His strength when mine faltered.  

Still, after some time and no change in the circumstances, I began to question whether I had formed the right conclusions.  Again, the next thing I heard was the second line of the chorus to this song.  Even in His silence He still has my back.

The song is not actually about strength per se – it’s about love.  But one must remember, love IS strength – if you have the courage to let yourself be vulnerable enough to both give and receive love.  God was reminding me that love is ALWAYS the answer.  Turning to negative emotions would only yield negative results.  If I wanted the best outcome possible, I have to keep my thoughts light and positive, and my heart filled with love.   I have to do good, be good, and most importantly, believe that good things will happen despite the fact that I can’t for the life of me see HOW my desired result will come to pass. 

I’m always amazed at how patient God is with me despite how stubborn and thick headed I often am.  Through the months I’ve also come to realize that this struggle is a test of my patience as well.  We all know I can be the proverbial 'hot-headed Italian' with a ‘my way or the high way’ attitude at times.  I’ve mellowed quite a bit since my youth, but I am still a work in progress and in a roundabout way, this situation is helping me to grow in that area as well.

So was it a coincidence that that particular song happened to play at that exact moment as I was driving home?  Maybe to some it is, but not to me.  I’ve experienced this kind of thing so many times over the years that I don’t believe anything happens by mere chance.  

While I wasn't doubting my path anymore, I was questioning how to get from where I am now to the end result I want.  Essentially, I’m at Point A and want to get to Point C… but where the heck do I find Point B?!

God didn’t give me an answer, but as I listened to the lyrics I felt a renewed sense of hope, as though nothing was going to stop me from achieving success.  It didn’t matter that I don’t have all the details – I’ll get there when the time is right.  That’s the impression I got in that moment.

I continued driving, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, and as I neared my home, I suddenly had the urge to take a longer route despite having a trunk full of approximately 90% refrigerated groceries.  I didn’t question it; I just went with the flow.  I learned years ago never to question that little voice in my head – question your ego certainly, but NEVER question your intuition.  Your intuition is your direct link to God.  He was gracious enough to give it to us and when you learn to use yours, you’ll discover it’s never wrong.

So I took the scenic route and when I got to the next turn, a bus came up the hill from the opposite direction.  I couldn’t stop that feeling of irritation as I watched it come closer, knowing I was going to be stuck behind it.  There are a lot of kids that live between where I was turning and where my home is.  I was less than a mile from home yet I was guaranteed to have to sit behind at least two, maybe three, stops as tons of children got off.

My irritation however was stopped in its tracks as the bus turned and I saw the number on its side.  I couldn’t breathe and suddenly the first bus stop couldn’t come soon enough.  Rather than songs, lately I’ve been seeing series of specific numbers over and over, and the bus number was one of them but I couldn’t remember what it meant off the top of my head.  So as I sat waiting for the kids to get off at the first stop I wrenched my phone out of the cup holder and searched for the meaning of that number.

Guess what?  That number was God’s way of telling me to “keep a positive and optimistic attitude as my thoughts and prayers are being manifested into my life”.  Now imagine if I hadn’t listened to that little voice in my head and gone straight home.  Sure, I’d have heard that song… but do you know how much easier it is to continuously keep your hope up, to keep a positive mindset, when you see an extra sign like that?

I gotta admit – I’m feeling pretty damn good right about now.  Are the things I was praying about going to happen overnight?  No, they’ll happen in GOD’S time, whenever that may be.  But how can you NOT keep the faith when you clearly know God’s got your back?

Still think it’s just dumb luck; a mere coincidence?  Then how about this?  I’ve been listening to Pandora and as I’m nearing the end of writing this, “Wake Me Up” by Aloe Blacc began playing.  Here’s a snippet of the lyrics:

“I’ve been around the world
And I can’t stop hearing this song
I’ve been around the world
And I can’t stop hearing this song
And I love it

Feeling my way through the darkness
Guided by a beating heart
I can't tell where the journey will end
But I know where to start

….

So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't know I was lost

Life’s not waiting for a storm
It’s about dancing in the rain
And if it rains lemons
Learn how to make lemonade
Moral of a story
No problems, just solutions”

I don’t know about you, but I am a believer in God and the miracles He produces on a daily basis.  I may not know how my story will end, but I’ll keep my faith the entire time because I know I’ll never walk alone.

Edit:

I finished what I wrote above and left for my accounting job knowing that I’d proof read this one more time before I posted.  Here’s yet another example: 

I got into my car – my mileage read 10,519.  Coincidentally my birthday happens to be 5/19.  At work I ran some numbers, and one of the totals came out to 1,911. When I came home, the car in the clock read 5:19.

For some reason this got me further thinking… On Wednesday I woke up feeling pretty down.  Why?  I have no clue; I had no reason to feel that way.  All I knew was that at that moment I felt like there was no hope.  And I said, “God, what’s going on?  Am I about to totally screw things up or what?”  For some reason I kept feeling like I really messed something up and was depressed about it.

So I got my coffee and checked my email.  I got a confirmation about a transaction I made to one of my retirement accounts went through.  Being an accountant, my first thought was to check to make sure everything looked right.  So I pulled up my account and as I’m scanning through, one of the accounts jumped out at me.  The first thing my eyes latched on to was part of the balance – 222.  Then I read the account name – “Balanced” was part of the fund name.

Yup, thank you God – this was not the first time I've seen that number recently.  The gist of it means that when this number repeats you’re supposed to take a balanced, harmonious and peaceful stance in life, knowing that everything will turn out for the best in the long term.

Instant mood lift!   And for the record, ALL day I saw a series of 1’s and 2’s – still do, but not nearly as frequently as I did that day. 

I just gave you all some food for thought, didn't I?

“Are You Really Gonna Drink That Shakeology?”

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Please keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their QUALITY and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you!

“That's so expensive! How can you afford to drink that?! And by the way – you know what that shake looks like, right!?”

I can't tell you how many times I've heard those phrases over the years. I won't lie, it used to bother me in the beginning. I mean, I had really horrible eating habits so the only thought that would keep running through my mind was, "would it kill you to simply be happy for the positive changes I was trying to make?"

Thankfully, those days are long gone. Now I just smile and gulp it down and every time those negative comments are said to me, in my head I’m usually wondering something along the lines of: “How can you diss it when you've never had it? Just take a sip. It’s SO good! You don’t know what you're missing – honest! Just try it!”

For those of you who don’t know me that well, the Vegan Chocolate Shakeology is my go-to flavor and I typically add other things in it. Some of my favorite additions include spinach leaves and an apple. More recently it's been a small banana, unsweetened almond milk, PB2, cinnamon, and a partial scoop of the Digestive Health Boost. It’s the easiest way to get an extra serving of fruit and veggies into my diet on a daily basis. So in all honesty, by the time I've blended everything in my trusty Ninja, my concoction DOES look like crap - sorta - but in actuality, it tastes AMAZING! Just like a chocolate milkshake, except this particular shake is healthy for me.

Do you have to add other things into the shake like I do?  Absolutely not!  A little liquid (water or a milk of your preference), some ice if you want it extra cold, and a scoop of Shakeology are perfectly acceptable! I just happen to like a variety for my breakfast. If you’re not sure what combinations go well together, you can always ask me what I typically do or check out the Shakeology website for a large selection of recipes.

Seriously though, if I invested a penny every time I heard one of those negative comments, I’d be a freaking millionaire by now. Yet at a price tag of $129 for a month supply, I can certainly understand why people react this way. After all, I was hesitant to buy it at first too – and the price alone was a very large part of why I waited a couple months after starting Insanity to purchase my first bag. It’s a lot of money to waste on a product you’re not sure you’re going to like in the first place. Thankfully, Beachbody offers a bottom of the bag guarantee which was a contributing factor as to why I took a chance in the first place. And yes, you read that right. Bottom of the bag guarantee. So really, there's absolutely no risk to you trying it. 

The price of Shakeology breaks down to roughly $4.30 for an ENTIRE meal that contains over 70 ultra-high quality ingredients. When you think about it, that's actually pretty darn cheap! You simply can’t beat the quality OR price.

Still not so sure? No worries, let's think about it in another way. How many of us go out and buy a cup of coffee on the commute to work? Think about how much an average cup of coffee from Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks run. Or do you pick up fast food for breakfast? The price of either isn't so cheap either and the quality of food you’re actually getting is even worse. Don't lie, you know exactly what I mean. You don’t feel so great after eating it, do you? I'm willing to bet you've gotten a stomach ache or had to run to the bathroom shortly after consuming certain fast foods, right? 

Wanna know why these things happen?  

Because we are living in a society in which we are overfed yet undernourished. To be completely honest, the more we eat bad food, the more we crave it, which in turn leads to sickness and disease.

Re-read that and let it sink in for a bit...

The other question I get a lot is how can a silly little shake actually keep me feeling full?  Aren’t you STARVING after an hour or so?

The answer is in how Shakeology is designed. It's more than just a meal replacement shake; it's the smartest, healthiest thing you can put into your body. It's derived from whole foods containing proteins, healthy fats, superfoods and much more that not only keep you feeling full longer, but actually work to reduce your cravings for junk food while improving your digestion. So because you’re feeding your body the nutrients it needs, you actually end up feeling more satisfied and fuller for a longer period of time.

For you price skeptics out there, do you know what else that means? When you feel fuller for longer periods of time, you are inevitably going to snack less. So if you're snacking less, do you really need to be buying all those junk foods at the grocery store that you're not going to be hungry enough to eat? That answer would be NO, at least not on an everyday or every week basis. So this is just one example of how you really start to save when incorporating Shakeology into your daily life.

A second way you're saving with Shakeology deals with getting sick. As I'm going through and updating this article, I've been drinking Shakeology consistently for over three years now. In that time, I have not gotten the flu (and no - I don't get the flu shot either). In fact, the only time I've gone to the doctor was for my third pregnancy. NO sick visits. Sure, I've gotten a little rundown from time to time (mainly from lack of sleep thanks to my youngest), and a minor head cold last winter that a little extra Vitamin C and chicken soup took care off. But other than my pregnancy I have not had to go to the doctor. That means I've just drastically reduced what I used to pay for over-the-counter prescriptions and medications, doctor visit co-pays, and no sick days taken from work. I don't know about you, but I believe that's a cost-benefit ratio that is stacked in my favor!

Another item really worth mentioning is the increase in energy you get from adding Shakeology into your daily diet. This is something I was truly skeptical about, especially since PCOS causes my energy levels to fluctuate drastically depending on how well I’m eating and exercising. I kept thinking it’s not REALLY going to make a difference. But to my surprise it DID! Barely a week into consistently drinking Shakeology for breakfast and I already felt a noticeable difference – I was shocked. 

Think about all the things you want to do during a typical day but keep putting off because you don’t have the energy to do by the end of the day… what would you do first? For me this was really important because as a stay-at-home mother of two young toddlers who don’t ever sit still (as is the case with any child really) the house would basically be trashed by bedtime. But now I was finding that even after taking care of them all day long, I had energy at night to clean up things I would have otherwise said, “Eh… it can wait until tomorrow” (because we all know how well THAT turns out).

So it’s no wonder Beachbody touts Shakeology as “the healthiest meal of the day!” I was completely sold on this stuff for the increase in energy alone. However, the kicker? Once I started drinking Shakeology that is when my weight finally started coming off AND, more importantly, STAYING off! My weight stopped yo-yoing. No longer was I craving those late night snacks or junk food in particular. I even found it easier to say “no” to whatever unhealthy snacks I was offered. Sure, I still have my moments –hey, I'm only human after all - but they are not nearly as frequent nor as bad as they previously were. 

Howver, before I continue - let me clarify something real quickly. Shakeology is a meal replacement shake, NOT a diet shake or any kind of fad like that. Now you're probably thinking something along the lines of: "But she just said she lost weight while drinking it!?" Which I totally did! BUT I had already been exercising consistently and trying to eat healthier (which was more often than not derailed by nighttime snacking). Once I replaced my breakfast with a glass of Shakeology, my weight started to come off because I was filling up on the nutrients my body actually needed. Therefore, by the end of the night, I wasn't feeling cravings for the things I thought my body needed because I'd already gotten those nutrients earlier in the day. So by consuming less food late at night, combined with the addition of nutrients I actually needed, the weight finally budged. But please understand, this is not some get-thin-quick gimmick. This is the real deal, a healthy shake that's meant to be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle, not a fad diet plan.

And while we're discussing snacking, if you got that sweet tooth like me I’ve got some great news! Here’s yet another thing I love about Shakeology – you can use it to make HEALTHY desserts such as cookies, puddings, pies and more.

The kids and I made the no-bake cookies the other week and they were a big hit. I let my munchkins help make them (which they loved since they felt like “big kids”) so… let’s just say the final product didn't look nearly as pretty as the picture shown on the recipe card. ;) But who cares about that, right?!  We spent time together as a family making a healthy snack AND they had a blast. It was a total win-win situation!

Want to give Shakeology a try too? You can order it here. Full disclosure: by ordering through my link I'll earn a small commission off your purchase (this doesn't change the price for you!) and I'll become your Coach (that is, if you're not already working with a Coach). Keep in mind, ALL of my coaching services are free of charge - I simply earn through any purchases you choose to make through my links.

Still undecided? Beachbody sells samples that you can try before investing in a full month’s supply. There are two options to choose from: 

* The regular sampler pack (includes chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, cafe latte, and greenberry flavors) that you can get here, or 
* The vegan sampler pack (includes chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and cafe latte flavors) that you can get here.

Have more questions or want to discuss how a Coach can help you on your health and fitness journey? Feel free to send me a message – I’ll be glad to help in any way I can!