SHIFT SHOP is coming!!!

Have you heard?  Beachbody is launching a BRAND NEW program: SHIFT SHOP in just a few short weeks!

There have been A LOT of programs that I've loved, but there is one simple reason that I'm more excited about this program than I have been about anything else in a long time.

It's not just about fitness...it's about shifting your MINDSET!

In the 3+ years I've been doing these programs and running accountability groups, there is ONE THING I have found to be true:

If you want results, you have to be in the right MINDSET to get them!

It's not just about fitness, nutrition and accountability...it's about believing in yourself, having a positive mindset and growing from the inside so you can see the results you want on the outside.

Super trainer Chris Downing, creator of Shift Shop, focuses on THAT first and foremost!

What is SHIFT SHOP?

Shift Shop is a breakthrough rapid-rebuild program that helps anyone, regardless of age or fitness level, get LEANER, FASTER, STRONGER—and lose up to 10 pounds—in only 3 weeks. The SHIFT SHOP comes with 6 cardio and strength workouts, 2 bonus workouts, a nutrition plan that ramps up on protein and veggies while reducing starchy carbs, and world-class training tools.

Do you ever have a hard time sticking to a workout program because it's so long and you start to lose your excitement or get bored?  You will stay committed to Shift Shop because it’s only 3 weeks!!  There isn't time to get bored!  Especially with different workouts each week! 

Do you ever feel intimidated by the at home workouts and all the super fit, super hardcore people in the videos?  You won’t feel intimidated, because Chris slowly ramps you up, and there’s an incredible modifier to follow. 

And because you’re shifting your mindset as well as your body, you’ll be able to build on these achievements for the rest of your life. 

What can I expect from the program?

The SHIFT SHOP uses a “ramp-up” method that starts you off slow—then gradually increases the intensity week by week—all while refining your nutrition. 

In Week 1, you start with 25-minute cardio and strength workouts you can really do, and a nutrition plan you can stick with. 

Starting in Week 2, you’re pushing a little harder, for 35 minutes, and consuming more protein to fuel the burn. But it’s nothing you can’t handle!

Then in Week 3, your shift has kicked into high gear, with intense 45-minute workouts and clean eating. 

Slow and steady, you'll be making those baby steps towards life changing results!

Who is SHIFT SHOP for?

Beginners:  SHIFT SHOP is your perfect on-ramp to fitness. Chris starts you off with moves you can easily learn and a meal plan you can stick with (plus, there’s an incredible modifier you can follow). Just as your body is adapting to the workouts and cleaner eating, he turns everything up a notch—motivating and encouraging you every step of the way as you get stronger and more confident!

People who have done programs before but are nervous to try the more intense programs like Insanity Max: 30 or P90X:  Looking for the perfect bridge between where you are now and the high-intensity programs you’d like to try? SHIFT SHOP starts you off with 25-minute cardio and strength workouts that you can really do, and a nutrition plan you can stick with. By the end of your 3 weeks, you’re doing 45-minute workouts and eating clean, and ready to take your fitness to that next level!

Athletes and people who play/have played sports:  Chris Downing has trained everyone from pro and amateur athletes, including overweight football players, helping them to (1) achieve their overall fitness and nutrition goals, and (2) perform at a higher level. Using the Beachbody Agility Markers as targets and boundaries, Chris runs users through sports-inspired drills that keep the workouts fun and engaging.

People who want QUICK results:  There’s a good reason why SHIFT SHOP is called the 3-Week Rapid Rebuild program. It’s been carefully engineered to prepare your body for a shift in Week 1; accelerate your shift in Week 2; then, kick your shift into high gear in Week 3.

I had the privilege of being one of the first people to try this program out for myself, and I LOVED it!  Even being pregnant I could do the moves (some modified) and I'm excited to do the program after I have the baby to drop that baby weight fast too!!

You'll need these handy agility markers (or you can just use paper plates...but be careful about slipping!) and a set of light/medium weights to complete the program...otherwise all you need is YOU and your commitment to taking these 3 weeks to better yourself in side and out!

How do I get started?

Lucky you!!  I'll be hosting a Shift Shop TEST GROUP kicking off on July 10th!  We'll be taking that week to prep (perfect timing after the 4th of July holiday to get back on track!)  We'll focus on the nutrition, mindset and tips and tricks I've found that help me get through a program start to finish!!

Then on July 17th, the day the program is released, we'll kick off together and rock through the 3 week program!!!

The best part...this will all be available to you through Beachbody OnDemand...so the earlier you get set up the more time you'll have to check out some of the other programs we have to offer, get started in my ongoing group and be even better prepared to make the most of SHIFT SHOP!!

Ready to go?

Fill out the form HERE to reserve your spot in the SHIFT SHOP test group and I'll reach out to you ASAP, or you can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shanahowellfitness and send me over a message and we'll talk more to make sure this is the best fit for your goals, schedule and needs!

I can't wait to hear from you!

xoxo

Beachbody is Coming to the UK!

Have you heard the news???  Beachbody is coming to the UK!

This January Beachbody announced they would be going international...and I've been impatiently waiting to hear WHERE and WHEN and today they announced it!  We're heading to the United Kingdom THIS FALL 2017!!!  I am beyond thrilled and hope YOU are too!!

I'm in the UK!  What does this mean for me?

There are two sides of Beachbody that you'll be able to take advantage of!  First up...the consumer/challenger side!  You'll be able to purchase the Beachbody workouts (think P90X, 21 Day Fix, Insanity, PiYo, Core De Force and more!) enjoy Beachbody On Demand through your laptop/phone/smart TV, start drinking my absolute favorite 100% natural meal replacement shake (Shakeology) and BEST of all join a  fitness and nutrition accountability group!!  The groups are a community of people all working towards their health and fitness goals, giving one another support and motivation and a place where I share my meal plans, best tips and tricks and coach you one-on-one through your program and beyond!

OR, you can also join as a Team Beachbody Coach as an independent distributor.  Your job would be to help others achieve their health and fitness goals by using Beachbody programs and supplements, inviting them to join you on your journey, enroll them in accountability groups and share YOUR journey through social media to inspire others!  As a coach you receive a 25% discount on all products AND you earn a 25% commission on everything people purchase through you.  As a top 200 Elite Coach in 2017, I will be here to mentor you along the way, teach you the ropes and then be your business partner as you start to grow your own team!  We have a team training website you'll have access to, a Facebook community page for our team where you'll get support and can ask questions, we do bi-monthly team calls through Zoom and I'll give you my step-by-step instructions on how to be successful as a health and fitness coach!  You're never alone in this, and the cool thing is...you're starting RIGHT as we launch in the UK so you'll be first to reach out to your network!

I cannot wait to share this incredible opportunity with you!!  Becoming a coach has changed my life and my family's life and I know it can for you too!

Make sure you contact me HERE to stay in the loop as the launch approaches or hop over to Facebook and send me a friend request and message and we'll talk more so you'll be ready to go as soon as we go live!!

Can't wait to hear from you!

xoxo

I (almost) completed Whole30!!!

Alright guys...I've gotta be real.  I didn't make it.  Not for lack of trying, and not because I didn't want to (I truly loved the experience and plan to do it all over again when the timing is better)...but you see, when I decided to dive in to Whole30 and started sharing about my game plan I didn't realize one small little detail...

Yep...I was pregnant!!!  I found out a few days before my April 1st start date, but was feeling good, and after discussing it with my doctor she agreed I could give it a go as long as I felt up to it...so I stuck with my plan (still not ready to share this little Carrot with the world) and dove in!

The first 20 days were GREAT!!  I felt amazing!  But then when the final 7 days rolled around my body decided enough was enough.  Eggs, protein and veggies all sounded awful, and despite trying to stick to the plan I just couldn't stomach it.  I needed something to help with the nausea and the Whole30 restrictions just weren't cutting it.  SO...with one week left to go, I decided to show my pregnant self some GRACE and ate what I could keep down...carbs.

I did my best to choose "healthier" carbs...whole grain bread, cereal with minimal ingredients (there is added sugar in almost EVERYTHING so this was a tough one to find), quinoa and veggie pasta.  I paid close attention to the nutrition labels and found these options that I was happy with, and even tried to gradually add things back in to see how they affected me.  

One of the big reasons I did Whole30 was to see what foods caused me to feel bloated, fatigued or irritated my skin...and I was determined to get at least a little insight into these things even though I wasn't getting to day 30!

And despite the nausea, I did try and stay on track as best as possible those last 7 days.  Fruit played a big role as far as snacks throughout the day to keep me going, I found that seafood and potatoes were pretty good on my stomach, and even tried to get my veggies in where I could with some mild salads and spinach...which you can really add to almost anything and barely taste it!!

So what did I learn?

When you are done with Whole30, the game plan is to gradually add foods back in to your diet.  For example, you'd allow yourself pasta for dinner one night, eating Whole30 the rest of the day, then the next day go back to Whole30 eating to see how that pasta affected you.  You would do this with all the foods you cut out; sugar, different types of carbs, dairy, peanut butter, etc.

I did my best to do this too, though with not going the full 30 days I can't say how accurate it was...but I DID learn a lot and accomplished A LOT of what I had hoped to during the 23 days I stuck to the plan to a T!  

• More energy (although the last few weeks I've felt drained due to the baby, I felt more energized before the baby-symptoms hit!)
• Dairy and grains are what cause me to bloat, so I need to eat these in moderation and am planning on going gluten free after this nausea settles to see if that helps
• Sugar is what makes it hard for me to fall asleep.  I was falling asleep and sleeping soundly while doing Whole30, but the second I added even a little sugar into my day it became increasingly harder to fall asleep at night
• I learned to LOVE cooking!  It was so much FUN to try new recipes, it was WAY less expensive than I'd thought (especially because we planned well...see my previous posts for more info!) and we have so many new additions to our go-to cookbook!
• Although it was tough to get my son to eat a lot of the foods...doing Whole30 has committed me to finding a way to help him develop healthier eating habits.  I picked up a book (It's Not About the Broccoli) on Amazon and have dove into this new research! 

Also, for you pregnant mamas out there, I learned that you need to read the labels of your prenatal vitamins as well!  There is SOY in a lot of them which isn't necessary!  I found these that I was happy with.  Not 100% Whole30 approved, but Vegan and as close as I could find at Sprouts!

So overall, I gotta say it was worth it!  I may not have made it the full 30 days, but this is something I will definitely do again and it opened my eyes to all the added sugars and unnecessary ingredients that are in so many of the foods we consume without even thinking about it.  I'm more confident going in to the grocery store and picking out foods that will be healthy for my family, I'm more comfortable in the kitchen cooking, I understand nutrition labels better and know what to look for and I know that Whole30 is DOABLE!  Don't get me wrong, I don't plan to cut carbs out forever EVER, but I do like knowing how these foods affect me so I can decide when I'm okay splurging on Mexican food and feeling a little bloated the next day!  

Oh, and the craziest part???  I LOST 6 pounds my first two months of pregnancy between Whole30 and continuing my 30 minute/day yoga practice!  The baby is thriving, I'm feeling way better than I probably would have had I NOT done this, and I'm ready to have the healthiest pregnancy I can!

xoxo

Whole30: 20 Days In!

20 days in to Whole30 and I gotta say...I'm still LOVING it!  Yesterday, day 19, was my first struggle day where I was craving some good ole carb-beans-cheese Mexican food, but I stayed strong with a little help from my friends and am feeling much better today!

How did I stay strong?  I focused on all the GOOD that has come from these last 20 days.

• Down 6 pounds total
• No more bloating
• More energy than the first 10 days
• Easier to fall asleep
• Healthier skin (no more breakouts!)
• Feeling stronger overall
• Even more new foods I'm loving
• Cooking is getting faster and easier
• Our grocery bill has been just around $100 a week

All the good FAR outweighs the one night of cravings, and is so worth it to finish these last 10 days strong!!

So what's been on the meal plan?

Breakfast is still my favorite meal of the day!  Whether I'm in a hurry and quickly throw together some hashbrowns and eggs or I've got a bit more time to try something fancy, I'm definitely at my most creative in the morning.  A few days a week I do a "kitchen sink scramble", grabbing whatever I've got leftover in my fridge and making it in to a yummy omelette.  One morning when I knew I had more time I broke out my cast iron skillet and made my first ever (and SUPER delicious) egg, pesto, red pepper and squash frittata!  LOTS of variety, and LOTS of balance!

To save on time (and keep the budget low) lunches have consisted of lots of leftovers and salads.  I pick one dressing a week to make (last week was the raspberry vinaigrette) and add whatever fruits/veggies I feel like that day on top.  I'm still wanting a small snack between meals, so I grab fresh fruit, veggie sticks and dip or a Larabar when I'm on the go.

Dinner has continued to be a family affair!  My hubby and I sit down together to meal plan for the week and we've been trying to really mix it up and keep it fun.  Different proteins each night (above: chicken nuggets, bison burgers, pecan crusted salmon and curry turkey meatballs) and different veggies and sauces to play around with.

Side note - we've decided we are NOT bison people!  Too dry for us!  Those turkey curry meatballs though...amazing!

One of the most EXCITING realizations since starting Whole30 has been our LOW GROCERY BUDGET!

We honestly expected to spend more.  The plan is all fresh, quality meats, veggies and fruit...typically expensive compared to their processed food counterparts.  BUT...we eat LESS of the quality ingredients to be full and satisfied!  SO, instead of buying a frozen pizza for dinner and still being hungry an hour later and snacking on something else, we have one filling meal and are done!

Plus, because we're nervous to try and eat out and stay Whole30 compliant, we've had fun at-home date nights trying new, more time intensive meals instead of going out to dinner.  Talk about saving money (and growing our list of recipes we love in the process!!)

Our haul for 5 days of food was less than $90 one week (15 meals total) and 5 1/2 days of food (17 meals) for just $110!

My tips for staying on budget:

• PLAN AHEAD - Write out a meal plan and grocery shopping list before you go.  This has taken me about 30 minutes of planning the meals and an hour of shopping.  Then, plan things you can use for more than one meal...so if you're using pesto as a sauce for dinner one night, double the batch, buy in bulk and use the extra sauce for a meal the next day.
• MAKE IT AND FREEZE IT - I make bulk batches of sausage, sweet potatoes and chicken salad so I'll have meals for a few weeks at a time...just pull out and defrost the night before!
• SHOP THE SALES - get the fruit and veggies that are on sale that week and see what proteins you can get cheap and buy a lot and freeze it for future use
• BE WILLING TO TRY NEW THINGS - get out of that food comfort zone and try new recipes and ingredients.  For example, last night we made turkey curry meat balls with lemongrass and arrowroot...two ingredients we'd NEVER used before!

Last but not least...my workouts!  Going strong with yoga and I gotta say, this has been the BEST decision I made for my Whole30 journey.  It's keeping me centered, relieving my stress and I am feeling so STRONG.  Between the healthy foods and the challenging poses, my body is feeling longer, more flexible and leaner than ever!

10 days to go and can't wait to share my final "report"!   Have questions or interested in joining one of my upcoming groups for support on your own health and fitness journey?  Email me at shanahowellfitness@gmail.com and we'll talk!

xoxo

Whole30 Update: 10 Days In!

I've made it 1/3 of the way through my Whole30 journey and I am LOVING it, so thought I'd share how it's going with you!  The food has all been incredible (as in restaurant quality!), I haven't been hungry once and I'm already seeing some pretty awesome changes that I'd hoped to see!

• No more bloating
• Found new foods I am LOVING 
• Actually enjoying cooking (I know, I'm shocked too!)
• ZERO cravings
• A bit more energy
• WAY easier time falling asleep
• Down 5 pounds!!  (a perk, as I wasn't looking to lose weight!)

I'm calling this a HUGE win for being only 10 days in to this new way of eating.  Now given, I did eat pretty clean before, but I have cut out a lot of things that were normal for me and honestly...I haven't missed them one bit!

Things I've cut out include:

• wine (okay, maybe that one was a LITTLE tough)
• PB
• bread
• pasta
• cheese
• milk
• Kodiak cakes

The HARDEST thing to cut out was sugar...you'd be amazed what has sugar added that you wouldn't think twice about.  Mustard is a great example...why is there SUGAR in MUSTARD!?  So weird, right!?  So it's meant longer grocery shopping trips as I'm checking my labels for those sneaky sugars, soy, sulfites and other Whole30 no-no's!  I have this handy cheat-sheet saved in my photos in my phone to make shopping a bit easier:

So what HAVE I been eating???

A LOT!  SO much good stuff!  Breakfast has turned in to one of my favorite meals of the day and I'm finding all kinds of ways to not only use eggs, but add leftovers from the night before to my breakfast in fun, delicious ways.  And the best part...none of the meals have taken over 20 minutes to make!

Lunch has been leftovers a lot of days because, well, it's easy!  And I'm ALL about easy in the middle of my busy day.  My FAVORITE meal so far has been the Chicken Salad Boats.  I can make up a batch and it gives me two days worth of yummy lunches!

And dinner has been fun for ALL of us!  My hubs and son often join in on the cooking at night, and since we tend to have more time in the evenings we've tried some "fancier" meals!  It's meant buying ingredients we aren't as familiar with (tomatillos, rutabagas, ground lamb and pancetta to name a few) and using some new kitchen accessories we'd never used before (we bought our first dutch oven, cast iron skillet and immersion blender), but all the experimentation and willingness to try new things has not only shown us some new great recipes that are being added to our weekly cookbook, but brought us closer together as we learn and explore!

On Whole30 you're supposed to get to the point where you don't need snacks between your meals, but to be honest...I just really love food!  I'm not starving, but I get a bit antsy if I don't eat a little something every 3 hours, so my go-to has been veggie sticks with "Sunshine Sauce" (an amazing Whole30 creation!) and Whole30 compliant LaraBars (which are IDEAL when we're on the go running errands or hitting the zoo!)

My hubs workweek is 4 days, so here's a sample of our "work week" meal plan to give you an idea on how this has worked for us:

Day 1:

Breakfast - carnitas omelette with peppers and potatoes (carnitas was dinner the night before) 

Lunch - Chicken tuna boats w/veggies and sunshine sauce

Dinner - Shepherd's pie

Day 2:

Breakfast - Diner breakfast (two eggs, chicken sausage, sweet potatoes with peppers)

Lunch - Leftover shepherd's pie

Dinner - Spaghetti squash w/pesto, pork sausage and double roasted tomatoes

Day 3:

Breakfast - Spaghetti squash leftovers topped with two eggs, leftover sausage and spinach

Lunch - No fuss salmon cakes with veggies and berries

Dinner - Roasted roots with chicken

Day 4: 

Breakfast - Scrambled eggs breakfast tacos with quick spicy sausage and avocado

Lunch - Leftover breakfast tacos with fruit

Dinner - Jamaican salmon with mango salsa

My #1 tip for anyone wanting to do Whole30...

PLAN AHEAD!  Planning ahead has made this a breeze!  One day we spent a few hours in the kitchen while cooking dinner to prep some foods for the week ahead and it has saved SO much time during the busy week.  We made clarified butter and stored it in a covered glass container, the dip for my veggies, sausage patties for breakfast that we keep stored in the freezer until we need them and even cut up sweet potatoes and peppers and stored them diced in containers in the fridge until we needed them!

And because I've had a lot of people asking what workout I'm doing while I dive in to Whole30...I'm doing YOGA!  As my nutrition will cleanse my body these next 30 days, a little yoga will help to clear my mind!  I'm following the 3-Week Yoga Retreat the first 21 days as I am just a beginner, and then plan to dive even further into the yoga studio on my "Netflix" for workouts as I continue my practice.

Any questions about Whole30, why I'm doing it or how I'm fitting this AND workouts into my chaotic life, I'd love to hear from you!  Email me at shanahowellfitness@gmail.com or message me HERE and we'll talk more!

xoxo

Why I'm Doing Whole30

I've been on my health journey for a long time, but it wasn't until after having my son that I really committed to not only working out regularly, but cleaning up my nutrition too.  I'm one of those weird people that really ENJOYS working out, so although it was hard for me at first to get into a good routine with it...once I did I was hooked.

Nutrition on the other hand has been a very different story.  I've spent a lot of time getting to the point where I live a pretty consistent 80/20 when it comes to food.  80% of the time I eat super clean, 20% of the time I let myself indulge...a glass of wine, pizza, Mexican food...the not-so-healthy foods I love in moderation.

That being said, after the past couple years of being consistently healthy, there are a few things I've started noticing.  Things that, after a lot of research, I think the foods I am eating (or the foods I should stop eating) could help to remedy.

Why am I doing the Whole30?

I have a few reasons for wanting to do the Whole30, but the BIGGEST reason is I struggle with chronic fatigue.  I get my energy boosts throughout the day from my coffee, meals and Shakeology, but I don't have consistent energy throughout the day and tend to fade off and feel lazy in the afternoons.  I want constant energy so that I'm more productive in my day, can be more present and energetic with my family and so that I stop feeling tired...period!

As well, my skin has always been an issue.  I break out easily and my skin gets very dry no matter what products/masks I use (even though I stay VERY hydrated throughout my day).

Lastly, bloating!  This isn't a regular for me, but I've noticed after certain meals I tend to bloat a lot more than others and it's just an ICK feeling.

SO...I'm doing Whole30 to not only help remedy those issues, but figure out what exactly is causing those issues so that I can lead my healthiest life and make my body function at it's peak all the time!

So what is this Whole30 thing?

I'm not going to go into detail about what the program is (I definitely recommend reading the book yourself if you're interested in doing your own Whole30) but I want to give you the gist of what it is I'll be doing.

The intention of the Whole30 is to reset your body and mind when it comes to food.  There are so many processed foods, added sugars, grains and other ingredients out there that our bodies just don't need, and that don't satisfy our bodies.  One example I LOVE from the book...think prime rib vs. Oreos.  When you are eating prime rib, with every bite you are more and more full and you want prime rib less and less.  Why?  Because your body is taking the nutrients from the prime rib and using them as needed, signaling to our brains that we've had enough.  Oreos don't have the nutrients your body needs though, so you can eat an entire carton and although your stomach may be full, your body will still be craving MORE because it never got the nutrients it needed.

SO...during the Whole30 you cut out the foods your body doesn't need so that you are feeding it only with foods that will make you HEALTHIER with each bite!

What will I be eating?

If you're anything like me you are looking at the list of "NO" foods first and maybe panicking a little.  I love my wine, and no cheese?  Not to mention no bread of any kind or sugar...  AH!  How will I survive?

This has to be the biggest thing I was nervous about before committing to the Whole30.  I'm a carbaholic and I don't really like my veggies (Shakeo to the rescue on that one!!) But if I want to make a change, I have to be willing to MAKE A CHANGE, so instead I started focusing on the "YES" list!  There is SO much there, with no limitations on portions but instead the guideline of "eat until you're satisfied".  And the best part, because I'll be eating whole, natural foods my body will get full faster because my brain will signal I've got the nutrients I need!

Here's my meal plan for the first few days to give you an idea:

Day One:

Breakfast: 2 eggs over medium, sweet potato and pepper hash, 2 pieces chicken sausage and blackberries

Lunch: Mexican Chicken Boats with veggies and avocado/mayo dip

Dinner: Spaghetti squash with ground beef and tomato sauce

Day Two:

Breakfast: Leftover spaghetti squash and ground beef with 2 eggs

Lunch: Mexican Chicken Boats with blackberries and strawberries

Dinner: Perfect Salmon with broccoli, mushrooms and yellow squash in a red pepper sauce

I definitely won't be going hungry, I plan to drink my Shakeology for a mid-morning snack and I even picked up some Whole30 approved Larabars for a snack in case I'm hungry in between my big meals!  

(***A side-note on Shakeology: I know that this is NOT a part of the plan and means I am not doing Whole30 to a T.  That being said, I feel very strongly about drinking this every day so I will not be giving it up, but instead will be switching to Vegan while doing Whole30.  That's all I'm gonna say about that!)

What am I nervous about?

I want to keep it real, because I'm betting you may have some of the same concerns I did when I first considered doing Whole30.  Not only did the veggies thing (or more, the NO CARB thing) make me nervous...I had some other hesitations too.

• I don't like to cook.  My husband is the cook in our family and the idea of spending time in the kitchen with ME cooking makes me a little scared!
• It'll be too time consuming.  I have a toddler and I work from home...how am I going to fit cooking all these meals into my day?
• Restrictions make me think even MORE about food...I'll have too strong of cravings and end up splurging/failing.

Sound familiar?  Or maybe you have a list of hesitations I haven't even thought of yet.  This brings me to my final point...

What do I hope to accomplish?

• More energy
• Better skin
• No more bloating
• Easier time falling asleep at night
• New favorite recipes and ingredients I wouldn't have tried otherwise
• Learn to enjoy (and maybe even get good at) cooking
• Have a better relationship with food...no more rewarding myself with sugar and wine!
• Help my family be even healthier!!!

It's 30 days, and then as I slowly add things I truly do love and want back in to my eating routine (wine, pasta and cheese for example) I can really pinpoint what foods are causing the negative effects so that I know, 100%, how my body functions BEST!

Any questions about what I'm doing feel free to email me at shanahowellfitness@gmail.com, hop on over to Facebook or check out #whole30shana on IG and follow along these next 30 days!  Can't wait!

xoxo

5 Ways to Afford Shakeology

Before I dive in to ways you can make Shakeology fit within your budget I have to say a few things.

First, it all boils down to priorities.  If you really want to make your health a priority you will.  And if you struggle with how to do that (or struggle with veggies like I do) then you'll find a way to make this simple change that will lead to BIG improvements in your health.  I remember thinking I had NO money before I had my son...and then he came along and we found ways to afford diapers, clothes, toys and (because of my mastitis and having to stop breastfeeding) the $500+ a month we had to spend on special formula for him.

Second, I TRULY believe Shakeology is the cheapest way to drastically change your health.  I'm not going to go into all the ingredients, the superfoods or the statistics.  Here's what I have personally found that have been the biggest game changers for me: 

* I have more energy

* I'm more regular (TMI??)

* I broke past my weight loss plateau

* I am getting the nutrients and vitamins I need every day (that were lacking because I don't love my veggies and could live off carbs, cheese and wine)

* I am able to make a quick and easy meal that I KNOW is 100% natural and healthy when I'm busy and on the go.  

I couldn't have done these things without either Shakeology, or spending WAY more than $5/day trying to choke down meals I wouldn't have enjoyed half as much as my shake!

SO...you want to try it but (like me when I first heard the price) can't quite figure out how to afford it?  Here's some solutions for you!

1. Eating Out

Whether you're eating out at a restaurant once a week, or hitting up the drive-thru on the way home from a busy day...those meals add up!  A "healthier" option from a dine-in restaurant will run you anywhere from $9-20 depending on the place (not including drinks and a tip) and the drive-thru is almost as expensive from the "value menu" at almost $6 for a burger, fries and drink.  For ONE person!  

Instead, swap these meals for your daily Shakeology!  Cheaper at under $5/meal, just as filling, won't leave you feeling sluggish AND just as quick and mess-free!

2. Starbucks & the like

Do you love coffee?  Yep, so do I!  BUT...I quickly realized I was spending about $4+/day on my coffee addiction (and let's be honest, more when the pumpkin spice and gingerbread lattes were in season!)  At 5 days a week, that's almost $100/month right there that I was spending on coffee without thinking twice!  Those little purchases sure do sneak up on you!

Not only that, I was getting NO nutritional value from my coffee, consuming WAY more calories (and chemicals) than I should be and was still hungry afterward!

Now, for less than $5/day, I'm swapping out my Starbuck's for Cafe Latte Shakeology.  Filling, nutrient packed, HEALTHY and (yay for mix-ins like extracts, spices and pumpkin) just as good tasting if not better than my old favorite drinks.

3.  Pampering

Don't get me wrong, my new obsession is pampering myself with a manicure/pedicure every month (and thankfully I'm able to afford to do that with the extra money I earn through coaching*) BUT...that adds up!  Those little pampering trips aren't cheap, and the money can be used elsewhere.  Manicures run from $20-30 depending on the type and pedicures from $25+, not including tip!  Or maybe your thing is facials, massages, getting your hair done or splurging on a new purse, concert tickets or clothes.

What I found...I like to do these things and buy those things because it makes me feel good!  Know what else makes me feel good?  Comfortably fitting into my clothes, not having to try on everything in my closet to find something I feel good in, and having the energy and health to enjoy my life to the fullest every day!  

4.  Adjust your grocery budget

This was probably the biggest eye opener for me.  I was spending A LOT at the grocery store.  We'd make our weekly trips, but then during the week we'd decide on something new for dinner and make stops for little things here and there (stops that added up).  Plus, on top of that, I was snacking...a lot.  Chips, crackers, cookies, pretzels, Skinny-Cow's...the "good" foods I was eating weren't filling me up so I was filling the cart with all kinds of snack foods that were easy to grab when a craving hit.

Now, my grocery budget is significantly lower than it was before.  My husband and I both replace an entire meal EVERY DAY with Shakeology, so our lunches are completely covered and we don't need to buy those meals anymore AT ALL...plus Shakeology helps to curb our sweet/salty cravings so instead of stocking up on foods we don't need that weren't adding any nutritional value to our day, we grab some fruit & veggies to snack on (WAY cheaper than the processed foods) and are set for the week!  

Also, we were much more conscious of ways we could save at the store too!  We shopped the sales, froze meats, breads and other ingredients that we could buy in bulk when on sale and started really planning out our weeks to ensure we were not only being BUDGET friendly, but BODY friendly!

5.  Gym Memberships

Last but not least...gym memberships!  If you go to the gym on a daily basis and are getting the results you want...GREAT!  I'm glad you've found something that works well for you!  BUT...it's much more likely that you've got a gym membership and go 2-3 times a week and still aren't where you want to be health-wise.

I used to be a gym-junkie.  I LOVED the gym and would spend an hour + using the cardio machines and weights or taking classes.  Then I had my son and didn't have the time, motivation or childcare to make the gym a routine that would work for me.  

As you can see above, there are MANY reasons to forgo a gym and try the full challenge pack to get the four puzzle pieces of health...fitness, nutrition, Shakeology and support.  That's not what I'm here to talk about though.  (If you want to talk more about challenge packs, contact me HERE)

What I want to talk about here is how you're probably spending a good $30+ on a gym membership every month that isn't getting you where you want to be.  Plus the time you're spending and the gas money to get you there.  Will quitting the gym cover your Shakeology costs completely?  Nope.  But it WILL free up some extra money (not to mention time) and make that daily meal cost go down...and THAT will help you fit it into your budget!

So there you have it, and these are just SOME of the ways you can make your health a priority and have the money for Shakeology each month.  Like I said at the start of this rant...I believe 100% that this is the CHEAPEST way to get your body what it needs and more each and every day.  I've drank it, as has my husband, for over two years and even my son (currently three) drinks a 1/2 a scoop daily!  It has changed my life and my relationship with food, completely.  

WHY Shakeology???  I was a skeptic and did a lot of research before I started drinking it, so if you have questions please reach out!  Here are just some of the benefits of Shakeology and what makes it different from others products on the market:

So the question is...are you willing to make your health a PRIORITY?  If so, I can't wait to talk to you about your goals and how Shakeology and I as your coach can help you reach them!  

Email me at shanahowellfitness@gmail.com 

or 

find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shanahowell13 

Can't wait to talk to you!

xoxo