What can Shakeology® do for you?

As long as I have worked in fitness, I have shied away from companies that pushed me to sell their products.  I loved corporate wellness, because the focus was on keeping the employees healthy and fit. And I avoided commercial fitness, which have supplements for this and that, protein powders, vitamins etc., because I always felt that no one ‘needs’ their product.  Well, my mindset has been recently changed by a company that is determined to ‘End the Trend’ of obesity.  Beachbody fitness has created a product that is both palatable (I LIKE IT!) and amazingly nutritious.  Hello, Shakeology®! The ingredients come from all over the world and there is an actual wall at Beachbody’s headquarters in California with ALL the ingredients on it.  What other company will show you EVERYTHING in their product?!

Want to see it? Check this out! Click here. 

So what is in Shakeology®?

• ·         More than 70 super-nutritious ingredients.
• ·         Proteins, Vitamins, and Minerals – to help reduce hunger and food cravings.
• ·         Antioxidants and Phytonutrients – to help detoxify and protect the body against free radical damage.
• ·         Adaptogen Herbs – to help increase energy and combat stress.
• ·         Prebiotics, Probiotics, Fiber, and Digestive Enzymes – to aid digestion and promote regularity.

What is NOT in it?

• ·         There are NO artificial sweeteners
• ·         No artificial flavors
• ·         No fillers
• ·         No additives of any kind

Why have I been convinced Shakeology® is awesome?

Because I tried it.

Pregnancy depletes my body terribly.  Perhaps it is due to my intolerance to gluten and my body not absorbing nutrients like it should, or perhaps my babies just need more nutrition than I have to offer.  I have been officially anemic with 1 pregnancy, and experienced anemia symptoms with my other two.  Following my second pregnancy, I had symptoms of joint pain, muscle cramps, shortness of breath, weight gain, hair loss, depression, and fatigue – some of which were linked to an underactive thyroid, and some likely caused by a vitamin D deficiency as well. 

Our newest addition…my sweet baby girl… is now almost 4 months old, but at 2 months the shortness of breath, tingling in the extremities, muscle cramps, and EXHAUSTION, were especially prevalent.  Whether it was due to Vitamin B12 deficiency or low iron levels, or something else, I don’t know.  However, I do know my body has not been functioning at peak capacity despite taking prenatal vitamins and my baby sleeping through the night at 2 months – which I didn't know was possible!! 

I have known that my body has needed extra nutrition for quite a while.  I have attempted to swallow down some green drinks, taken extra vitamins and minerals, and overall done my best to eat healthy, but I haven’t felt great for a long time. I would crave sugar and eat extra calories in order to fill my body’s hunger for nutrition.

Well, about three weeks ago, I tried my first Shakeology® shake. And that made all the difference for me. 

My body FEELS better.

I can breathe DEEPLY.

I have more ENERGY.

Plus, I am not craving everything sweet. I don’t need to eat half a dozen cookies, because my body feels full.  In the first 3 months after coming home from the hospital with my daughter, I was only able to lose about 5 pounds.  Now, in the past three weeks, since my first Shakeology® I have lost over 6 pounds—with very minimal effort! I do exercise, and have been loving the Focus T25 program, but I know that’s only part of the weight loss (I was exercising regularly before Shakeology® and T25).

I am certain that Shakeology® has made the difference.

Can I tell you that Shakeology® will be a magic weight loss potion for you? No.  Can I tell you that it will cure your diseases? No. I can only share my story and how it is helping me. If you would like to chat and see if Shakeology® might be great for you, Send me an email at mommyfitness101@gmail.com or link up to our Facebook page. 

If you would like to check out a short video about Shakeology®,  click here.

In GOOD health,

Jana 

Fitness Motivation for Pregnancy

When your body aches, twitches, and seemingly balloons to accommodate the new life inside you, exercise and a healthy lifestyle isn’t always on the forefront of your mind.  While there are some prego mommies that love pregnancy and feel amazing the entire time (and I hope you’re one of them!!), there are those of us that often feel less than stellar.  However, a fit pregnancy enables us to feel stronger and more energetic now, with additional benefits presenting themselves during labor, delivery, and enjoying your little one after he/she arrives!  PLUS, it is much easier to get back into a regular fitness routine (and your pre-baby clothes!) after delivery if you have been working out during your pregnancy. 

So, how can you dispel the urge to eat ice cream and watch movies all day on the couch in your pajamas?  Strive to keep a regular schedule for yourself, even during the weekends whenever possible.  Whether a stay at home mom or a working professional, a schedule can be key to keeping yourself on track and fitting in fitness.  Unless you really need to sleep in each morning (because you can’t get to bed earlier), get up! Whether you head to the shower first or outdoors for a walk, moving (even slowly) will help you keep moving throughout the day.  An object in motion tends to stay in motion, right?! As our bodies get larger throughout pregnancy, getting past the inertia can be extremely difficult, but earning that bowl of ice cream at the end of the day can feel downright fabulous.

In addition to keeping a schedule for your day, keep your expectations realistic.  Doctors believe that starting a rigorous fitness routine while pregnant is not a healthy idea for you or your baby.  However, most doctors encourage soon-to-be moms to walk at least a few days each week, unless there are other limiting factors.  How long or how far? Start with 10 minutes and see how you do. If your ankles swell up badly and you feel awful, rest and talk to your doctor again.  If 10 minutes feels too short, tack on another 10. Make sure to stay hydrated and don’t allow yourself to get overheated. 

As you set up your schedule, try to add in fitness throughout your day.  Oftentimes, as pregnant women we don’t have a lot of energy to expend at one time.  Getting up in the morning for some pregnancy-friendly stretching and core exercises, taking a walk at lunchtime with your coworkers, and heading outside after dinner to work in the yard are ways to coordinate fitness into your day.  Your goal is to enjoy the energy boosts throughout the day and win the fight against a sedentary pregnancy.  Oh, and when you’re out walking you are that much further from the refrigerator and television… J

As you go through your pregnancy, it’s realistic to have days when you are sick and tired, both emotionally and physically.  Pregnancy tends to throw curveballs.  If you don’t join in with your fitness DVD on each of those days, it will be ok.  However, just because you had a bad day today, doesn’t mean tomorrow cannot and will not be better.  Get back on schedule, be realistic and keep going!


*Please remember to check with your doctor or midwife about your specific fitness needs and recommendations throughout your pregnancy. These suggestions and ideas may not be beneficial for you and your growing child.

Photo used with permission from Microsoft