Happy Thanksgiving, Black Friday DEALS!

HUGE Deals start Friday at Noon EST/9 PST end Monday at Midnight EST/9 PST, supplies are limited! Go to : http://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/holidayoffer?referringRepId=172325     for quick shopping! 

Slim in 6 is on SALE

For a limited time only Slim in 6 is on sale!  Just 39.90 for the Base package.  This is almost 20.00 off the original price.  Hurry though, it is only until supplies last!
Order at www.beachbodycoach.com/mandiemae and click on Shop!

Shakeology and P90X Weight Loss

Age: 33 Primary Program: P90X Supplement: Shakeology

Katie's Stats
	Before	AFTER
Weight: Waist: Body Fat %	175 lbs. 36 in. 28.7	146 lbs. 30.5 in. 24

Katie F.
Lost 29 lbs. and 6 inches off her waist!
"There aren't enough characters allowed to describe how much Shakeology has supported me."

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body? There is only one word to describe how I felt about the way I looked and the lack of energy I had: sad. My life before P90X was a bit crazy and hectic. I was running a day care in my home and had a very young child. I would head to McDonald's^® or Taco Bell^® as often as I could while I was out and on the run (it was just the easy thing to do), and I would get the largest possible mocha from Starbucks^® whenever I had the chance. The word "exercise" had never been in my vocabulary. I had asthma as a child, so I wasn't really fond of exercise back then and I was happy with the way I looked. Then I got pregnant with twins. I gained 70 pounds with my son and "most" of it came off. However, I gained over 90 pounds with my twins, and that weight DIDN'T come off. They were 9 months old, and I still looked (and felt) like I was pregnant with them. I was tired all the time and had no energy. I knew that I needed to add a few new words to my vocabulary: "exercise" and "eat right."

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey? The word "sad" stayed with me every time I looked in the mirror. I couldn't believe just how far I had let myself go. I knew I needed to make a change, and I knew that change had to be BIG. My girls were at a point where they were just starting to be a bit more mobile, and my son was two (enough said)! I needed the energy to keep up with them every day. I also specifically remember how my brother told me years before (as I was drinking my very large mocha from Starbucks) that it would "catch up with me." Well, it (and all the "easy" trips to McDonald's and Taco Bell) certainly did. I knew they weren't healthy for me. I knew I was spending a ton of money each year, but again, it was "easy." But it did catch up with me, and I needed a change. I needed to drop some weight and change my eating habits for good.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody^® program. What achievements are you proud of? I am still in shock when I look back at my "before" pictures . . . Was that really me? I am ecstatic at what P90X has done for me. I can fit in to a size 8 pant again. (I haven't been able to say that for a long time.) The energy I have each day is just amazing. I don't feel "tired" after running after the kids. I lost just under 30 pounds, completely changed my eating habits, and will NEVER go back. As far as achievements are concerned, I will never forget the day when I was able to complete the Dreya Roll. That one move in the program had been haunting me for a while. I didn't have the strength to do it. I kept Pressing Play and kept trying until one day I could do it! To be able to say that I completed all 90 days of P90X is a great feeling to have. The fact that it has completely changed my life is immeasurable.

How did Shakeology support your transformation? What are the biggest benefits? There are not enough characters allowed to describe how much Shakeology has supported me. :) Remember my "McDonalds, Taco Bell, Starbucks" comments earlier? Yeah, those didn't even enter my mind after the first week of being on Shakeology. I remember my Coach introducing it to me; she said it was a meal replacement shake that helped get rid of cravings, lose weight, and gain energy. I was all for that, and I needed to be sure to get all the proper nutrition while completing P90X. The first thing I remember when I first tried it was the taste. I had tried meal replacement shakes before and did not like the taste of them at all. I remember them having a very bad aftertaste as well. The fact that I could have a chocolate shake with peanut butter every day—and it was GOOD for me—was awesome. I definitely felt a difference in my energy level my first week, and I was definitely not having any cravings for anymore of the "bad" stuff too. Shakeology keeps me healthy and energized.

Shakeology: What is MACA ROOT

In this newly-launched blog, we will be featuring regular, detailed spotlights on the ingredients that qualify Shakeology^® as the Healthiest Meal of the Day^®. By now, hopefully you are "in the know" about this incredible, nutrient-dense shake comprised of some of the most amazing, healthy, and potent superfoods on the planet. But which one led Shakeology co-creator Darin Olien and his team to altitudes of 13,000 feet in the Andes region of Junin, Peru, in search of the only crop that can grow and flourish up there? Well, in our first "Ingredient Spotlight," we'll be getting to the "root" of that issue . . . maca root, that is!

Maca has been used in indigenous South American societies as a source of nourishment and healing for thousands of years. Its other known names include:Lepidium meyenii, maca-maca, maino, ayak chichira, and ayak willku. A distant relative of radishes and turnips, maca grows in a variety of colors ranging from purple to golden. For this crop, there is only one season or yield per year. Each variety offers its own strengths: cream-colored means sweeter, while darker variations generally provide a better boost of energy. Maca has a strong, pungent aroma and is traditionally grown at altitudes of approximately 8,000 to 14,500 feet. For Shakeology, we use a blend of these roots, grown and sourced by local Andean farmers in a sustainable manner, which helps not only the land to thrive but the farmers, their families, and the communities in the process!

(Fun fact: The Spaniards valued maca so much, they made it a form of currency. So, when Peru was a Spanish colony, you could pay your taxes with it!)

BENEFITS & SCIENCE

Maca is widely known to promote endurance, strength, stamina, and potency. In fact, ancient Peruvian women would give maca to their men before they went off to battle. It contains high amounts of protein and has been known to energize the central nervous system. For centuries, maca root has been used to combat stress and fatigue, increase stamina, and yes, even boost libido! Maca is a nutrient-dense whole food packed with vitamins, plant sterols, dietary fiber, essential fatty acids, minerals (including calcium, magnesium, and iron), as well as 19 of the 22 essential amino acids. An adaptogen herb, it also may help support a healthy immune system. (Studies have identified four alkaloids present in maca known to nourish the endocrine system.) Ah . . . and let's not forget the extra-special benefit that is attributed to maca; it's an aphrodisiac! The root is sometimes referred to as "Nature's Viagra^®." Lest you doubt the credibility of the aphrodisiac claim, it is in fact rooted in science. Maca root naturally contains high amounts of p-methoxybenzyl isothiacyanate, which studies show does have a positive effect on the libido. But hey, we're just citing the known science . . . You be the judge!

HOW OUR MACA IS "PROCESSED"

We're very proud to say there is very little "processing" at all. Because maca grows best at high altitudes, it's easy for it to be organic. There are few pests that naturally occur at such high altitudes. Once harvested by the local farmers, the maca roots are dried, pulverized by hand into a powder, and go into the final product just like that. There are very few steps from field to finished product, and that's the way we like it. This ensures the natural nutrient profiles stay in place, keeping it as potent as it can be. Whatever it takes for Shakeology, Darin and team will climb the highest mountain to ensure that you get the best quality ingredients available.

THE BOTTOM LINE: DOLLARS AND (COMMON) SENSE

So let's break it down in terms of cost to you. A bag of maca powder at a nutrition store alone would cost you between $15 and $30. And it's highly unlikely you'll be privy to the knowledge of how that bag of maca was sourced, at what altitude it was grown, or how potent it is. If you were to separately attempt to purchase Shakeology's 70+ healthy ingredients from whole food sources from around the world (including anti-oxidants, phytonutrients, adaptogen herbs, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, vitamins, and minerals) and match the benefits and nutritional content of Shakeology, you would easily spend over $300 every month—that's two and half times the cost of Shakeology!

To see photos and learn more about how the maca for Shakeology is sourced, check out Shakeology: Book Two, now available to download atShakeology.com.

There are at least 67 published studies on maca root that have been conducted over the past 12 years, ranging from effects on mice to randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies on humans. Here are a few highlights:

• A review of major studies by Gonzalez at the Universidad Peruana in Lima, Peru, cites: "Evidence from experimental studies indicates effects of maca on nutrition, fertility, memory, and mood. Randomized clinical trials have shown that maca has favorable effects on energy and mood, may decrease anxiety and improve sexual desire. Maca has also been shown to improve sperm production, sperm motility, and semen volume." Read more here.
• You can also follow the links below to read more results of published double-blind studies on maca's effect on improving sexual function and menopausal symptoms:
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20691074
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21840656

"Maca . . . Pure energy source. Grown in nature and delivered in Shakeology."—Darin Olien

All trademarks, products, and service names are the property of their respective owners.

Posted in Nancy Marcello , "Ingredient Spotlight: Maca Root" Shakeology Blog

10 Vegan Sources of Protein

Veganism and vegetarianism are becoming more and more popular in our society, as science advances and we learn about the negative effects animal proteins can have on our bodies. There have been great documentaries, such as Forks Over Knives and Food, Inc., that we highly recommend you check out if you want to learn more about this topic!

But say you're already in the know that eating animal fats and proteins has been scientifically linked to raising the risk of developing cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and heart disease, and you want to make a change. Little steps in the right direction are a great place to start! We recommend "meatless weekdays," a lifestyle where you don't eat any animal proteins during the week, but on the weekend you're free to indulge in animal proteins. Even small changes like these can dramatically improve your health without taking the plunge into a strictly vegan or vegetarian diet that can be challenging to stick to.

No matter what lifestyle you think is best for your individual health needs, we urge you to keep a high-protein diet that promotes muscle growth and keeps you healthy. The myth that many meat-eaters have about vegetarians or vegans not being able to get enough protein without eating animal products is simply that—a myth. There are plenty of ways you can get protein without eating animal products, and the following list is a good place to start:

1. Veggies. One cup of cooked spinach contains about 7 grams of protein. The same serving of French beans contains about 13 grams. Two cups of cooked kale? 5 grams. One cup of boiled peas? 9 grams. You get the idea.
2. Hemp. Toss 30 grams of hemp powder in your smoothie and get about 11 grams of protein—just like that.
3. Non-dairy milk. A mere cup of almond milk can pack about 7 to 9 grams of protein. Rice milk, coconut milk, and hemp milk are other good options.
4. Tropical Strawberry Shakeology^®. One scoop offers 15 grams of protein (30 percent of your daily value).
5. Nut butter. A couple of tablespoons of any nut butter (think almond, sunflower seed, flaxseed, or peanut) will get you 8 grams of protein.
6. Quinoa. It's the star of the vegan diet—you get 9 grams of protein per cup!
7. Lentils. You can make rice dishes, veggie burgers, casseroles, and more. One cup cooked delivers a whopping 18 grams of protein!
8. Beans. With one cup of pinto, kidney, or black beans, you'll get about 13 to 15 grams of protein, a full belly, and heart-healthy fiber.
9. Tempeh. One cup of tempeh packs about 30 grams of protein! That's more than 5 eggs or a regular hamburger patty.
10. Sprouted grain bread. Offers about 10 grams of protein, and tastes great as toast or in a veggie sprout sandwich!

We hope this serves as a great jumping point to launch your healthier, vegan-esque lifestyle, or at the very least, helps you make some educated, meat-free diet choices more often! Stay healthy, friends.

Posted in Heather MacDonald, Expert Tips and Advice. "10 Vegan Sources of Protein" Shakeology Blog

No Desserts on a Diet? Think Again!

FROZEN POPS

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGY POPS

1-½ scoops Chocolate Shakeology
1 Tbsp. peanut butter
1 cup skim milk

PREPARATION: Mix ingredients in blender. Pour into 4 frozen pop molds and freeze.

SUPER BERRY POPS

1-½ scoops Greenberry Shakeology
½ cup rasberries
1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice

PREPARATION: Mix ingredients in blender. Pour into 4 frozen pop molds and freeze.

SORBET

SHAKEOLOGY BERRY SORBET

2 scoops Greenberry Shakeology
1 cup orange juice
6 whole frozen strawberries
6 to 8 ice cubes

PREPARATION: Mix ingredients in blender until it's really thick. Pour into container and freeze for 1 hour.
(Makes 2 servings.)

SHAKEOLOGY
PEPPERMINT SORBET

2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology
1 cup skim milk
4 to 5 drops peppermint extract
6 to 8 ice cubes

PREPARATION: Mix in blender until it's really thick. Pour into container and freeze for 1 hour. (Makes 2 servings.)

MOUSSE/PUDDING

CHOCOLATE MOCHA MOUSSE

4 oz. soft tofu
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
¼ cup almond milk
1 Tbsp. almond butter

PREPARATION: Put all ingredients in a food processor (NOTE: don't use a blender) and process for about 90 seconds. Refrigerate for about an hour.

OPTIONAL: Garnish with almond slivers, banana slices, or fresh strawberries.

CHOCOLATE SHAKEOLOGY PUDDING

1-½ scoops Chocolate Shakeology
1 ripe avocado
1 large banana
1 cup almond milk
1 tsp. lemon juice

PREPARATION: Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth. If pudding is too thick, add a bit more almond milk. Pour into 4 small individual dishes and refrigerate for an hour.

OPTIONAL: Garnish with chopped pecans, chia seeds, or walnuts.

Posted in Heather MacDonald, Recipes. "No Desserts on a Diet? Think Again!" Shakeology Blog

Neat tool

Target Heart Rate Calculator

Learn more about target heart rate

Simply enter your age and gender below to calculate your target heart rate zones. Your age:                                                             Female                                                                      Male                                                           Your heart rate zones: Zone name Target beats per minute Recovery Zone to Temperate Zone to Aerobic Zone to Threshold Zone to Redline Zone to Your specific heart rate will depend on your workout intensity and your current level of fitness. For maximum weight-loss benefits, Beachbody recommends exercising at a high level of intensity. This calculator requires a JavaScript-enabled browser. To monitor your heart rate while you exercise, use a Heart Rate Monitor by Reebok, now available from Team Beachbody. You can also get a general idea of your beats per minute without any equipment by taking your pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4. I found this while I was looking in the Beachbody tools.  Very helpful!!!  Check it out here

Tony Horton for 10 Min a Day!

Don't have a lot of time to work out? Need a quick full body workout in a short period of time. You should try 10 Min Trainer with Tony Horton.
Get into amazing shape in as little as 10 minutes a day! 10-Minute Trainer was made for people who are “too busy to exercise.” Build muscle and shed pounds in no time with super-concentrated workouts—and lose fat even faster with the 10-Minute Meals plan, free with the program.
Your probley thinking, "How does this work?" Instead of working one muscle group at a time, Tony Horton’s breakthrough Super StackingTM Technique conditions your body, head to toe, in minutes. Follow the free nutrition plan, with lots of quick, simple-to-prepare, delicious meals, and see results even faster.
This is a great workout for busy people who don’t have a lot of time for fitness. Anyone who needs extra motivation—Tony Horton keeps you motivated, and even people who dislike exercise can get through these brief workouts. Everyone from beginners to frequent exercisers who want a quick workout on an especially busy day or while they’re traveling. • People who want an exercise program without a lot of equipment.

HELP WANTED... Apply within

Are you looking for a job?  To work out of your home, make your own hours, and in your jammies? Do you want to help End the Trend of Obesity here in the US, Canada and soon all over the world? Would you like to be rewarded to be healthy and fit? Then I have a job for you. 

I am looking for some highly motivated people who are looking to start there own business for just pennies compared to other start up companies.  

I work for Beachbody that was started in 1998 by Carl Daikeler and Jon Congdon, nets $400M+ in annual sales is Debt free and profitable.  They do a HUGE part of our leg work.  They spend millions of dollars annually on marketing and then places them in your business.   

So, you must be wondering what do you have to do?  Well, you must be a product of the product.  By drinking Shakeology and doing the fitness programs people will naturally want to know what your doing, thus creating customers for yourself.  You also have to network, get on social media, answer questions, oh and WORK OUT.  Again, you can do all of this in your jammies if you want, though I would recommend some shorts and a t-shirt for the working out.  

You don't think your qualified enough, well I beg to differ, that is what is so wonderful about Beachbody they have a WHOLE Coach Academy set up.  They don't want you to fail and we me by your side and them on your other side we wont let you fail.  As long as you have the heart and passion you will be able to succeed as a Coach. 

PERKS we all want to know about the PERKS
Well, you get 25% off all your purchases, 25% on everything that your customers buy from you, and once you get higher in the ranks you get bonus, free trips, exclusive offers and so much more!  

Downside, well it is work, this is not a get quick scheme.  You have to work at getting to where your going, however again I will help you and together we can help End the Trend!  

Click here to apply! Leave a comment


Still not sure watch this video!

Turbo Fire is on SALE again!!!! HURRY

Today at 9 PST/12 EST Turbo Fire will go on sale again for 53.00.  This is usually 120.00 so a HUGE savings.  However, this is super limited stock so HURRY up and get it!!!

 GET TURBO FIRE HERE

After you buy it go over to www.facebook.com/mandiemaefitnessandwellness and join my Challenge group! 

Free Trip to Vegas and Coaching opportunity

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A COACH AND ATTEND OUR NATIONAL COACH CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS???? DON'T MISS YOUR FREE TICKET!!! 

FREE "Ticket to Ride" to #CoachSummit 2013!

Introducing… Our BIGGEST Success Club promotion. Ever. It's called Ticket to Ride, and would make even The Beatles proud. Here's how it works:

Achieve Success Club (5 or 10) in the month of November 2012 and you'll get a FREE TICKET ($225 value) to #CoachSummit 2013.

It really is that easy. Achieve Success Club in November and you're on your way to Las Vegas next June—for an event that is destined to change the course of obesity forever. Thousands of Coaches on the Las Vegas Strip. Making a statement. Ending the trend. Trust us, this is an epic event you don't want to miss.

GO BIG these next 30 days, achieve Success Club, and we'll see you there!

Sign up as a coach here

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FREE VITAMINS

FREE Vitamins just pay Shipping! http://ow.ly/eV3Ry

Taking a high-quality multivitamin like ActiVit® every day is simply the best way to ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs to excel and get the most out of your fitness routine. Formulated with safe and natural herbal ingredients, ActiVit will help you feel great on the inside and look great on the outside! Enhance your physical and mental wellness* Increase bone strength* Stimulate your immune system* Slow the effects of aging with a powerful antioxidant* Regulate calcium and blood sugar levels* ActiVit Multivitamin Formula We designed the ActiVit Metabolism Formula to be a 100%-natural, safe, and effective multivitamin, packed with 20 essential nutrients—and then we added extra ingredients to enhance your results from regular fitness training. This unique formulation was designed to give you maximum energy for an active lifestyle, but ActiVit Metabolism Formula is great to take even if you aren't exercising as much as you'd like. The key is to take ActiVit every day. Aside from the daily essential vitamins you need, we chose the ingredients because they have been shown to positively affect your metabolism and energy levels while burning off fat.* Warning: This product should be used as a dietary supplement only. Those with medical concerns should consult their physician prior to using this or any other dietary supplement. As with any supplement, herb, or medication, do not use any Beachbody supplement, food product, or meal replacement product while pregnant or provide to a child without consulting a physician. Use products only after consulting your physician about your specific health needs. Keep out of reach of children. With Home Direct, you’ll receive this item every 30 days, shipped directly to your door and billed to the credit card used today. You may cancel any time by calling (800) 470-7870. ‡This product is only available to residents of the United States and its territories. WARNING: Consult with a healthcare professional if pregnant, breast feeding, providing to a child, or if you have any other unique or special needs. Keep out of reach of children. **With Home Direct, you'll receive this item every 30 days, shipped directly to your door and billed to the credit card used today. You may cancel at any time.

Shakeology® Is Low-Glycemic: What That Means and Why It Matters to You!

What's the Glycemic Index? Simply put, the glycemic index is a way to measure how carbohydrates react in your blood. When you eat carbs, your blood sugar level rises anywhere from a little to a lot. The GI (Glycemic Index) uses a scale of 0 to 100, with higher numbers given to foods that cause the most rapid rise in blood sugar.

What do high-GI foods do to my body? They cause the body to produce higher levels of insulin, but sometimes too much. This gives you an energy burst known as a "sugar rush." It feels good at first, but then your blood sugar drops rapidly and you "crash." Eating low-GI foods is a smart way to avoid this, because they stabilize your blood sugar levels instead of spiking them.

What kind of high-GI foods to steer away from and why:

Foods with a high GI (above 70) include white bread, pretzels, potatoes, and most processed foods. Eating these foods triggers a rapid rise in blood sugar and insulin levels, which:

• Encourages the body to store fat
• Creates a cycle of hunger pangs and feeling unsatisfied
• Causes an energy crash that leaves you irritated or tired
• Can lead to high blood pressure, fluid retention and diabetes

In contrast, foods with a low GI (under 55)—like broccoli, oatmeal, peanuts, and Shakeology—help stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels, which:

• Increases levels of glycogen, a hormone that causes body fat to be burned
• Helps satisfy feelings of hunger
• Helps balance moods
• Reduces the risk of heart disease, helps control diabetes, and positively affects the aging process

So you see, eating low-GI foods like Shakeology is good for you! Shakeology's GI rating of 24 is much lower than most fruits and some vegetables. Low-GI foods help keep your sugar levels in check while supplying nutrition that satisfies, energizes, and helps promote good health!

What do you take before you work out?

I have been drinking Beachbody's E&E (Energy and Endurance) before my workouts and I have noticed a HUGE difference in how many calories I burn during, and how much more oomph I have because of it!  My Turbo Fire Punches and Kicks have been doing awesome!!!  I though I would share why it is awesome and how it works with you all.  

Energy and Endurance includes other preworkout ingredients to help maximize your workout:
• Beta alanine: Amino acid that may enhance muscular endurance.*• L-Glutamine: Amino acid that is known to aid recovery from hard training.*• Quercetin: Bioflavonoid that may promote mental clarity and focus during a workout.*
• Bromelain and Papaya Extract: Ingredients known to help increase absorption of nutrients.*
• Phosphatidylserine: May help promote mental clarity and focus.* • Rhodiola Extract: Root extract known to help support energy and endurance.* • D-Ribose: Known to help provide energy to the body.*• No artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives • No high-risk or untested ingredients 

What’s the difference between E&E Energy and Endurance and other preworkout formulas?E&E Energy and Endurance contains: • No artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives • No high-risk or untested ingredients

Now the Taste is different, when you open the powder it smells like pixie sticks almost, however it tastes like flat uncarbinated sprite.  Once you get over that your just fine, it takes about 20 mins or so for it to really kick it.  I drink it before work to give me that kick of energy since I don't drink Pop or Coffee anymore.  You never have a peek and then a drop.  It is a gradual wear off process.  The first few times you take it I would recommend you take it pretty early in the day.  If I take it too late I sometimes can't sleep.  

 

20 secrets of VERY FIT PEOPLE

By Chalene Johnson

Here are a few Turbofied tips. Read these tips, then print and post them so you have them as a daily reminder. Look at exercise as a pleasure and a privilege, not a burden or chore. Think positively about the changes regular exercise will produce. Rather than obsessing about your next meal, get excited about your next workout! Focus on short-term fitness goals with an emphasis on completing daily exercise. Work to take your exercise to new levels of intensity. Make it your goal to do some form of exercise 6 or 7 days a week. If some days you exercise once in the morning and once in the evening, even better! If you're eating right, exercise will fuel your energy level! Create an exercise schedule the day before instead of leaving it to chance or waiting to "find" the time. If the last three Presidents of the United States can make time to work out every day, you can make time too! Enjoy contributing to the health of others by having a partner or friends to exercise with, as well as recruiting others who want to feel better and have more energy. Have a neighbor who's sitting on the porch every morning when you walk by? Ask him or her to join you on your walk! Avoid monotony by taking up new forms of exercising, or using things that keep you motivated and inspired, like new shoes or great music. Invest in the right tools—good shoes, a portable MP3 player or iPod®, fitness equipment, a new series of tapes, etc. Subscribe to fitness magazines to keep focused on health as an overall way of life. Eat well-balanced meals and remember that excess calories, even if they're from food that's fat free and high in protein, will turn to excess weight. No matter what the latest fad diet says, extra calories equal extra weight! Limit caffeine and exposure to even secondhand smoke. Keep a water bottle with you at all times and drink from it often. Water should always be your drink of choice. To kick things up every once in a while, try adding lemon, lime, cucumber, or a few berries to liven up the flavor without adding significant calories. Stick with eating plans you can maintain indefinitely. Remember that no matter how hard you're working out, if you're consuming too many calories, you'll never see the muscles that lie beneath layers of fatty tissue. Keep a daily log of what you're actually eating. This includes every time you grab a handful of chips here or eat the crust of your kid's sandwich there, and ALL of your snacking. Enjoy an occasional (once a week) "unhealthy" treat, but never an unhealthy week or unhealthy vacation. If your diet is unbalanced, take daily vitamin and mineral supplements for total health. Don't compare your body to others'. Instead, work to be your personal best. Move beyond the boundaries of weight loss and into total fitness. Measure success by the way your clothes fit, not some number on a scale. Get adequate amounts of sleep, but remember that people who exercise regularly fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. Limit alcohol intake to special occasions.

The Shakeology® Sleuth: An Interview with Darin Olien

Curious about Beachbody's latest creations, revamped Chocolate Shakeology^®and Chocolate Vegan Shakeology? So were we. But instead of living lives of quiet ignorance, we went right to the source for answers: the superfood hunter himself, Darin Olien. Because it's Darin's job to travel the world sourcing Shakeology's ingredients, there's no better person to ask about the fancy new superfoods you'll find in the new formulations.

Tell us about the fancy new stuff that's been added to Shakeology.

I'll start with the wonderful miracle tree, the moringa oleifera. It can grow in a lot of different places because of its ability to uptake nutrients from soils. So you get high chlorophyll, you get about 35 active antioxidants and up to 96 active phytochemicals, and then you've got some of the fun nutrients like really high vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and here's the kicker, it's got all the essential amino acids.

Amazing. Why isn't it already in common use?

It grows really easily but it's hard to process if you want all those constituents. You have a 30-minute window to capture all of those nutrients in it to the best of your ability. As soon as you start whacking off those leaves, you have to get it washed and dried like that.

Let's talk about coconut flower nectar next.

Coconut flower nectar is the blood, basically, of the coconut tree. You literally cut where the flower would come out and this liquid comes out. The interesting thing about coconut flower nectar is its low glycemic index. It has amino acids, it's got brain activators, and so it's got this whole array of other qualities. It's just incidentally a sweet taste, so we can reduce added sugars to the formula. The great thing about formulation is that you find these things that have a pleomorphic effect, not just a linear effect. So you're not just using coconut flower because it's sweet, you're also putting it in there because it has other synergistic qualities.

Let's talk about luo han guo.

The Chinese have been using that for 10,000 years to regulate the systems of the body. Again, this is one of those things where it's a digestive aid, a diabetic supporter, and oh, by the way, it's incredibly sweet, 500 times sweeter than sugar. The challenge is how much you can push it. If you use too much, it will turn your body off to the sweetness.

You're not just throwing things in there to sweeten it; you're going for what other effects can it have and contribute to the healing properties of formula. That's why the new Shakeology has a range of ingredients that impart sweetness. It's like an orchestra.

How about the Himalayan salt?

One of the greatest things we need for our body, unrefined salt. Not to be confused with table salt, the stripped down salt that causes people to say, "Don't use so much." They're absolutely right; don't use that salt on the table. Use unrefined salt. We need it for hydration. In this formula, it's an alchemist. It's delivering up to 70 trace minerals. We need those minerals in the right form, in the food form, in the crystal form, in this form we're talking about the size of the molecule, so that our cells can absorb them without your body needing additional mechanisms to break them down. And in the formula perspective, it's really interesting because it stretches out sugars.

Stretches out sugars?

It enhances the sweetness and dampens the astringent. I even put salt on my salad, right? The negative reports have nothing to do with unrefined salt.

How about the konjac in Chocolate Vegan?

Initially, we went after it because it was a great replacement for the xantham and guar gum. It creates the smoothie effect and the thickening effect of Shakeology. It also has a wonderful effect on the cholesterol of the body, and buffers and supports the digestive system. It can help slow some of the sugar absorption down. It can help coat the digestive system with a positive effect as opposed to the acidic effect of processed foods. In your mouth, it's very supportive with the amylase and the digestive enzymes. In your intestines, it's very supportive and helps replenish the mucosal lining.

So you're happy with the new formulations?

Yes, but if it was up to me . . . well, it's very hard to stop formulating. I'm always tinkering.

My Veganism

Since my Ultimate Reset has ended I have stayed a Vegan.  I wanted to explain WHY here because people keep asking me.  First off, I tried Dairy and I got really sick.  BLAH forget that, dairy and I have never gotten along, but now it is even worse.  That is fine with me so being a Veggie would be out.  Meat, well I don't really miss it.  I have my moments, but every time I have tried it since the reset I have gotten sick.  Valid enough right?  I did add back in my whole grains, though I am starting to think maybe I should go Gluten Free.  I am tossing that around, though I would have to see how much I would be able to eat at that point. Thankfully, Beachbody has a Vegan Shakology oh I would just be lost.  Here are some good Vegan websites I have found.

Ultimate Reset
Shakeology
http://vegweb.com
http://chooseveg.com
http://www.veganconnection.com
http://happyherbivore.com

Oh my can you believe this

Every time I look at this picture I just want to cry.  I see it and I have a hard time believing it, though I know this is true.  I would hate to see todays picture since this is a bit out dated.  This is why I am working so hard to end the trend and help myself and anyone else whom is trying to do help themselves.  I am here for you! 

Before and DURING

Now this has been super hard for me to do.  I really didn't want to do this, though I am so glad I did.  Just by changing my eating habits and working out in just 2 months I have been able to accomplish THIS!  I feel like I can do anything.  I just need to thank my TLS Team, Shakology, Beachbody, P90x and the Ultimate Reset for helping me!  58 DOWN 59 to GO!

TURBO FIRE!

A new Turbo Fire Accountability group is starting SOON! Only a few spots are left. Hurry up and join!