Shakeology - My Review and Compare

I am a clean eater and lost 105 lbs in a year doing so. I would never recommend something that would not improve your life. This product has in one month helped drop my max heart rate ( along with T25) while running 10 - helped me lose inches off my maintaining weight, given me tons of energy, actually made my hair texture change and have NEW growth. Since many of you don't know me yet - this is huge. I had a gran mal seizure 5 years ago. Up until a month ago my hair fell out in clumps daily when I washed it. I had to cut off over 6 inches too because my ends were dead due to the trauma I went through with my seizure and PTSD. My finger nails are now growing and like rocks. I am healing from the inside out. Another great benefit I actually sleep now without the help of melatonin. I can rest a full night - this never happened before. Also my husband has just been taking this for one month - he has made no other change and has lost 10 lbs. Am I talking about crazy pills, "vodoo", or quick fixes. No. I'm talking about Shakeology. A daily sense dose of amazing nutrition. This isn't a quick fix - it is a long term change that will change your life. 

What is Shakeology?

Shakeology is a meal replacement drink. It helps your body absorb all the essential nutrients it needs, as well as eliminate toxins. It contains more than 70 natural ingredients derived from rich, nutrient-dense whole-food  and super food sources from around the world. Shakeology is so incredibly healthy, 100% clean eating and soy free. What is a "Super Food"? They are the most nutrient dense foods on our planet. Superfoods go beyond meeting basic nutritional needs- they have high concentrations of multiple nutrients, such as antioxidants, phytonutrients, or adaptogens, that work together to support the immune system and help fight aging.  Shakeology truly is NUTRITION SIMPLIFIED.

How Do You Use Shakeology?

You are advised to replace one meal per day with Shakeology. This is a replacement not an addition to your diet. With that being said the cost of the Shakeology is offset by what you would have already been buying or cooking for that meal. After a month on Shakeology our food bill has not been impacted negatively at all and we buy more than one bag a month. There has actually been a savings as my husband is not buying Fast Food  - yes, I know Rome wasn't built in a day! - for breakfast. He is drinking Shakeology instead. As I said earlier with this one change alone he has lost 10lbs in one month. The drinks are filling and enjoyable with many different recipes/options to make them. They fill a 32 ounce glass and keep you filled and satisfied for hours. Even my Husband! Here are some additional benefits you will find with Shakeology.

• Curb cravings for sugar and junk food
• Promote weight loss
• Increase energy levels without soda and coffee
• Improve digestion and regularity
• Support your immune system
• Support cardiovascular health

Also see attached chart for "What Is In Shakeology and How It Works"

http://images.beachbody.com/shakeology/science/SHK_Chart.pdf 

Now how does Shakeology Compare with some of you favorites?

Shakeology VS EAS 100% Whey Protein

I will start here as this was a staple in my home for a long time many years ago. What I found on researching it was a little upsetting.  There are no vitamins or minerals, nor any antioxidants. It is all just protein. Also when I was using this back in 2010 Consumer Reports came out with a report that showed trace amounts of heavy metals were in their drinks. They tested for two heavy metals in higher amounts than the USP limit of exposure per day. These heavy metals can cause long term damage to your body over time.  Here is a link to the report - http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/july/food/protein-drinks/what-our-tests-found/index.htm


Shakeology Vs Body Bi Vi

Two of the main problems with Body By Vi is 1. It is sweetened with Sucralose. 

Side Effects from Sucralose:

• Gastrointestinal problems
• Seizures, dizziness and migraines
• Blurred vision
• Allergic reactions
• Blood sugar increases and weight gain

2. Soy, sounds innocent enough right? It's not.

common health problems linked to a high-soy diet include:

• Thyroid problems, including weight gain, lethargy, malaise, fatigue, hair loss, and loss of libido
• Premature puberty and other developmental problems in babies, children and adolescents
• Cancer
• Brain Damage
• Reproductive problems
• Kidney Stones
• Weakened Immune System
• Severe allergies

I don't care how much a drink is to taste like "cake" - I will go with amazing AND healthy instead!

Shakeology Vs Muscle Milk


 One scoop of Muscle Milk contains less calories than Shakeology, one scoop of Shakeology contains less fat and cholesterol.  Shakeology also contains more fiber and protein than Muscle Milk.   Muscle Milk contains processed and artificial ingredients.  The nutrition facts note that this is a combination of Whey Isolate and Whey Concentrate. That reduces the price, but you get what you pay for. Also in a Consumer Report test  Muscle Milk Chocolate powder contained four heavy metals and levels of three metals in the product were among the highest of all in tests.

 Shakeology Vs Myoplex

 Myoplex contains artificial flavors and its main sweetener is sucralose. ( see above for list of negatives that come from this sweetener) It's protein comes from a variety of sources which may not be as absorbable as the 100% whey protein isolate in Shakeology. A common complaint about Myoplex, other than the bad taste, - is it doesn’t fill a person up.A meal replacement should do just that. Replace a meal not leave you starving.

 
All of these drinks do have one thing in common -  a source of Protein. After that Shakeology pulls away from the pack. It leaves Soy, Sucralose, Artificial Colors/ Ingredients, Possible side effects  and illness in the dust. It leads with Pure, healthy nutrition. Remember to research what you put into your body. That is where my major changes in health came from. Knowledge is power.  Shakeology is healthiest meal of the day.  If you want to change your life and your health from the inside out - Switch or try Shakeology.

For more information or to purchase - visit http://myshakeology.com/KimberlyGGH

Gymdoll Giveaway

This is one of my favorite sayings EVER! Boy, did I need it today. I ran 5 miles today. I haven't gone that far in a month. Anytime I wanted to stop I looked down and repeated it!! This tank from Gymdoll is awesome! Even in the Texas heat it is dry after my run and still retained it's shape Super light also. Plus I had the entertainment value of watching people read my shirt, mouth the words and a few honks of approval for a great saying.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As required by the FTC- I received this product for a review. I received no 
monetary compensation.

Sock Box Giveaway!

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Be the Fun Mom!!

First day of Summer! To me that means so many things .. vacations, playing in the sun and water and memories to be made with my children. That is not what it use to mean...It use to mean dreaded bathing suits, hiding in the water and being a sideline Mom. This is not something I learned as an adult- this all started when I was a child.  I learned from watching my Mother that Mother's didn't wear bathing suits. If on the rare occasion they did - they most certainly were not going to get their hair wet or play with their kids. Even though I was never a heavy child I learned that I was to cover my body with a T-shirt  as much as possible. To be ashamed of my natural shape as it wasn't perfect in the eyes of somebody... whoever that was. I lived my life this way until I had my brush with death at 34. Then it was like somebody shook me the next Summer and said "What are you doing? You are wasting your life!" Why did I feel I was not good enough.. because I was then heavy? because someone trained me to feel that way? I was looking into the eye of my then 7 year old daughter and I decided I was not going to pass this garbage one more generation. I didn't care if I needed to lose weight. I was working on it but that was not going to stop me from being a fun Mom. After almost losing my life I know the most important things are memories. I don't want my kids to remember me as a "sideline" Mom. I want them to remember me hitting the water slides, rafting the rivers and being silly and fully submerged in the pool! I want them to remember me making them feel like they were good enough and worthy enough to do the same things. Please remember as a parent the things we say and do can stick with our children for years and spread generations. This Summer if you are in a cycle like I have explained stop it for your children. Go buy bathing suits for you and your children that make you happy and feel confident. Go play in a pool! Who cares who is looking the only eyes that matter are your children's and the laughs and smiles will make it all worth it! If you need to instill healthier living into your lives do it - just don't do it as a punishment. Do it as a fun family activity. Little changes in our lives can lead to big things. Change the next generation. No more sideline Moms!

I'm Over it!

I know some of you are not going to "get" what I am about to say but please hear me through before you judge my thoughts. I am done being accommodating.  I spent 37 years being good, following the "rules" and being graciously accommodating to everyone around me. I'm over it! Graciously accommodating has not made me overweight as only I can do that to myself but it has given me the guilt and the mindset to put me last. This guilt has made me eat what was put on the plate in front of me. Be it at a restaurant, party or home. Heaven forbid I wouldn't want to hurt feelings by not tasting their treats or insult them by not having their food.  It has had me put others before my health. I would take a call at a scheduled workout time just because the phone rang and again I didn't want to offend. I have accepted peoples passive aggressive insults as I lose weight and they don't .  The last year I have watched how people treat me as I lose weight. The ones who like to fill my plate or fill my mind truly only have issues with themselves. Sometimes it's easier to live in a world where everyone is like you.  I'm sorry but it's not my problem. I have risen above all of those issues and I truly hope that someday everybody does. This is something that doesn't have a magic wand though. It happens with time and a healthy awakening. For the last year I have been changing my ways and now that I'm about to enter year 39 - I am making my changes permanent. If I go to a dinner I will eat what I like.  No, thank you. Will be acceptable. I will no longer be guilted into eating something just to make someone feel good. If a plate comes to me at a restaurant and it's wrong - I'm going to nicely send it back. If I'm on a run and my phone rings unless you are my husband, child or father - I'm not answering it. All though I love many - 99% of most calls can wait one hour. If you call me back two times in a row - you might just have to wait two hours though - lol! Finally, if you truly are a friend you will be happy for me for the major changes I have made not only physically but mentally in my life. You will be proud of me as I always am of my friends. If you feel the need for passive aggressive comments..  You will quietly be directed to the door because nobody has time for THAT!  There was a time when I thought putting myself first with those I love was outrageous. Now I know it is the only way! In doing this I have become a better wife, mother, daughter and friend.  You can be your own worst enemy or best friend - you can choose for yourself -  your happiness depends on it.

June 16th

June 16th .. Dates leave images in your mind. This is one of those dates for me except it leaves a huge memory blank for me. Sadly for my children I can't say the same - this is the day five years ago that while volunteering in our local soup kitchen I had a gran mal seizure. This is a vision I wish daily I could erase from their minds. I don't remember it happening, I don't remember the EMT's, I don't remember the ambulances but they do. I remember waking up and hour and half later with my husband staring at me in a hospital room having no idea what happened. My brain will never be fixed as it was found I have irregular brainwaves - which is treatable but not curable. I deal with the reality of that twice a day as I take my medicine. Now the date which use to strike fear in me has become almost a day of victory. It is now my "life day" - I know my time was not up or the seizure would have happened 20 minutes before when I was driving on I-35. I was destined for more. It took me a good 6 months to get through PTSD - to realize what I was given was a second chance. I feel from that moment that I became a different, person, mother, wife and friend. I closed my circle of friends a little - cherished the ones who are always there for me. I have become a better Mom - I live for my kids and my family. I am so grateful I didn't leave a little 7 year old girl and 11 year old boy behind. I'm so honored to watch them grow up. Also I have finally got "me" right. I have found the healthy person who was hiding inside for so long. So much comes from moments in time... Learn and grow from them. Don't sweat the small stuff. You never know when your time will be up. So for the rest of my life when I wake up I will simply thank God I am still here.

Graduation

Thought I would share this from 2 weeks ago with you  -  

I'm telling you sometimes a 5 mile run is the best therapy in the world. I hit the road sad that today was my sons last day of High School. Even though I have had time to prepare... lol- 17 years. It has all come to fast. By the end of the run and reflecting on life - I am ready to rejoice. That two kids - 19 and 20-  without a penny between them and the world against them - not only raised a son but still love one another 18 years later. Not only did we "just" raise a son we raised one that everyone loves. Teachers, friends, family. When he goes on retreats as a Leader teens come back and tell me "he has changed my life". I know how they feel - I'm so blessed to be his Mom. He has done his K-12 requirements. Now for the fun stuff. The next 4 years will help define an already outstanding man. I can't wait to be at UT Austin 4 years from now watching him fulfill is dream of Computer Science degree. Tonight I get to see mine - my son successfully raised. So next time life seems a little too much to handle... put on your running shoes! Hit the road! By the end of that run sometimes you have worked it out and all is happy again :)

The Dreaded Picture

The picture on the left is a picture I have never shared with anybody but my close friends. It is in my wallet. I look at it daily and it is a reminder of how and who I never want to be again. I was miserable until I woke up and decided to change. Do not ever let anybody - a friend, a spouse, a family member, a health professional tell you that you can not change. I was morbidly obese. I needed High Blood Pressure Meds which I resisted and did not take but decided to change instead. I have other medical challenges which are detailed out in my "about" under my banner. It is a year and half later. I have lost over 100 lbs plus added muscle - Gone from a size 22 to a 6. I eat clean and run 5 miles 5x a week. My blood pressure is better than perfect. My Doctor says I am the picture of health. YOU CAN DO THIS. Believe in yourself - NEVER let somebody stop you. You are destined for greatness. If somebody tells you otherwise - prove them wrong with a smile on your face.

There is No Magical Number!

One thing I have noticed a lot when I do shares of GIRLS stories, we will occasionally have someone say - "she can't wear that size at that weight! I weigh less and am in a smaller size!" So much goes into forming a body and configuring a size -height, weight, measurements, body type, genetics. This picture is of several girls at the National average for Australia all of the same weight. I am just a few pounds under it. My Doctors have told me to stop losing months ago as I am a very healthy weight. I am a size 6 (5'8") - that doesn't matter. What does matter is that everyone realizes that we aren't cookie cutters. We all need to have our own healthy goals. Not a magic number or size dictated to us by TV/magazines as that size and number is different on everyone. Please just pay attention to your body. Don't worry about the girl next to you. Instead why don't we all cheer one another on.

Clean Eating Guide

I can't say enough about Clean Eating and how it has changed my life. It not only helped knock 104 lbs off my body but it has given me such amazing energy and stamina as well. I know it seems overwhelming at first but once you give it a week or two and really let all the steps and concepts sink in it will become second nature - you will never want to go back. The important thing to remember is Clean Eating is NOT a diet. Clean Eating is a lifestyle change. As with any change you make you have to stick with it or the results will not last.

When I started I did lots of research with books and other online sources. I researched as much as possible - Knowledge is Power! The power that helps me to say "No" and actually not want the things I ate before. Once I got the chemicals and preservatives out of my system the weight came off and I feel amazing! The easy way to accomplish clean eating is to shop the outside of the store. Veggies, fruits, meats, fish, plain Geek yogurt, nuts, teas. Avoid the center of the stores as that is where the packaged and processed food are. Here are my steps.

1. Drop all processed foods.

2. Drop all the White Stuff  AKA - the bad guys. Flour, sugar, rice and pasta.

3. Eat every 3-4 hours portioned controlled meals/ snacks. This will keep your body sugar regulated and keep you from overeating.

4. Eat more whole foods - veggies and fruits. Fresh preferably if not frozen is always better than canned.

5. Drop Soda ( Diet Soda too) and alcohol. Drink lots of water. I love green teas either warm or cold. If you want it a little sweeter use a packet of Stevia. If you want juice - juice your own. This way it is free of additional sugars and preservatives.

6. Avoid Fast Food. Never let travel make it an excuse. Always be prepared with snacks or better ideas of places to go. Restaurants are always helpful and I have never had issues eating out.

7. Balance Proteins with complex carbs. Always grill, steam or broil your meat and fish. Never FRY!

8. Always eat Breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day and typically my largest. I work down in meal size from there. I follow the "King, Prince, Pauper" philosophy for breakfast lunch and dinner.


With these rules I have never had to count calories, points, ect. I am just aware of what my body is eating. As now I am fueling my body not feeding it. Not counting may not work for some but most Clean Eaters are the same on this concept. If I go up or down too much I just adjust what I eat. Honestly, I have never gone up.

This all may seem to be a little overwhelming all at once but you can begin slow. Pick a couple a week and build on to it. When I started I stopped sugars and sodas first. I felt so amazing after - I never stopped. The important thing to know is this is what worked for me. This doesn't necessarily mean it will be something you will like or conditions you will find liveable. The important thing is to find something that works for you and stick with it for life. Make it a lifestyle and you will be successful.

Finding Myself

What you need to remember when somebody has told you that "you have changed" is not to take it personally as an insult - even though it may be intended as one. What has happened is you have changed to them from what makes them comfortable. You are making them think about what is right and what needs fixed in their life. People are drawn to people that are like them to make them comfortable. When you grow as a person it will make them uncomfortable. They might tell you you have changed, you need to eat more, stop working out so much, dress different, ect. Look what is behind their words - they are just trying to persuade you to be the old you and make you more like them again. The good thing in finding yourself is you will also discover who your true friends are. The ones who cheer your every success, every pound and every dropped size. They love you now and 100lbs ago. That is such a blessing. Also you are opening your world up to a world of like minded and healthy new friends.

This picture above has been the banner on my  Facebook wall for a few months. "I didn't change, I just found myself" is me completely. Yes, I have lost over a 100 lbs, changed the way I eat, how I look at food and now I run. I have not changed though. This has been a year of discovery. I have found me .. the girl I was when I was 16. When I thought anything was possible and I had no limitations. I have dropped everything negative from my life. My life is full of love and laughter. I hope every single one of you have a year of discovery. Find who you are and know you can do anything! Then when somebody says "You've changed" - you can tell them you have found yourself too.

My Motivation

I have had lots of questions on my motivation. I am going to bare a little bit here and share a little deeper on why I am so motivated. As you know from my "About" section. I had a gran mal seizure 4 and a half years ago while volunteering at our local Soup Kitchen. Twenty minutes before I had the seizure -which wiped me unconscious for over 90 minutes- I was driving with my children on Highway 35. I feel everything happens for a reason in life. We were safe in the Soup Kitchen. My husbands friends wife was there. She took care of my children and contacted my husband through her husband as the ambulance was driving me to the Emergency Room. Everything lined up and we were so greatly provided for at the weakest moment in my life. Even though all of these things happened I had so much anxiety and negativity because this happened to me - my body failed me. It took almost a year to wake up from the self pity and look at what really had happened. God gave me a second chance at my life. This accident could have happened on 35 - we could have all died. I was fortunate to have the right people with us to help and to have this happen in safe place where I couldn't endanger my life or others. Also I woke up. I am alive- so many people are not so lucky after having a gran mal seizure. I now look at every single day as a blessing. I want to create a ME that my family and I can be proud of. I want to honor my second chance by being the best I can be. So yep- I still think it all sucks but even in that it is a blessing. I am a better person for it mentally, physically and spiritually. I now know life is a gift. That is the biggest motivation I could ever have.