There are many protein shakes and meal replacements that are less expensive than Shakeology. But comparisons based on the simple “protein shake” or even “health shake” are usually off the mark and don’t stack up to Shakeology.

Shakeology was designed for people who want more than protein, and for people who want the health benefits being represented by the ingredients on the label. To really know whether a product measures up to Shakeology, you need to keep some things in mind:

How much is enough?

We are proud of Shakeology’s 70+ ingredients. Other shakes will trumpet the number of ingredients they have too. But are the ingredients they are counting actually good for you? Are there any artificial flavors or colors listed in those ingredients? Not in Shakeology!

Are they derived from whole-food sources? They are in Shakeology! Too often the “magic ingredient” has been isolated from the enzymes and phytonutrients that actually make the ingredient useful when consumed.

And does the competition formulate for the synergistic benefits between the ingredients, or just slap together whatever is hot in the media? Shakeology was specially formulated for the collection of ingredients to work together like a symphony; this combination is so effective, some people report dramatic benefits within the first week. Other supplements point to one or two individual ingredients and build a “story” around their superfood attributes.

Protein

Pay attention to a product’s protein source or blend. Protein sources like whey protein hydrolysate have been shown to trigger a much higher insulin response in the body. That’s not an outcome we would tolerate in Shakeology.

Our protein source is whey protein isolate, which is more than 90 percent pure protein. Plus, Shakeology is loaded with digestive enzymes and lactase—that’s the enzyme that breaks down lactose and is found in over-the-counter products like Lactaid^®. Don’t confuse whey protein concentrate with isolate. Whey protein concentrate is the least pure form of whey protein made. The benefit of isolate versus concentrate is that the fat has been removed to achieve isolate. The fat in whey protein is what carries toxins consumed by the animal. That’s the reason Shakeology can be used by so many people who are lactose-intolerant—because those toxins have been removed through the isolate process.

For our vegan formulation, we use sprouted brown rice protein, not soy. Does the competition use ANY soy in their formulation? Soy protein contains estrogen, mimicking compounds that can interfere with your hormones. On top of that, most of the soy in the marketplace is GMO (genetically modified). These are two important reasons why we don’t use soy in Shakeology.

Glycemic index tested . . .

In terms of sugar, many protein shakes contain 1 gram of sugar or less. This is because they are using artificial chemical sweeteners. (Check the label for sucralose, aspartame, or sugar alcohols.) Shakeology’s small amounts of sugar comes from natural sources and whole superfoods like coconut flower nectar and luo han guo, which are easily processed by the body and, in fact, have been tested and certified by an independent lab to have a low glycemic index of 24—that’s lower than most fruits! (An apple is 36, and an orange is 43.)

What’s not in the base, they may suggest you add later

Other shakes don’t cost as much as Shakeology at first glance, but they also don’t contain the full profile of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for some vitamins and minerals, or whole-food sources of antioxidants, phytonutrients, adaptogen herbs, prebiotics, probiotics, or digestive enzymes. We’ve seen competitors make you buy a separate vitamin pack for $150 per month! Once you add it up, this is hardly a “good deal,” and it’s usually hardly even a good product.

To achieve the benefits of Shakeology we’ve seen, competitors charge between $250 and $335 per month! $120 doesn’t seem expensive when you realize all of the benefits Shakeology delivers.

SUMMARY:

Formula: 70+ of the healthiest ingredients from whole-food sources from around the world VERSUS protein, fillers, artificial coloring, and isolated glamour ingredients Winner: Shakeology

Protein Source: Shakeology’s pure whey protein isolate or plant-based sprouted brown rice protein VERSUS soy, hydrolyzed whey, and/or whey concentrate blend Winner: Shakeology

Taste: Rich Chocolate, tangy Greenberry, or fruity Tropical Strawberry Shakeology VERSUS chemically-derived, artificially-flavored competition Winner: Shakeology

Price: $120 for Shakeology VERSUS—Oops! It’s impossible to compare lesser formulations on price. But if you add in all the separate vitamins and flavoring agents the other companies ask you to buy to match the benefits and nutritional content of Shakeology, you would easily spend over $300 every month—that’s 2 and half times the cost of Shakeology! Winner: Shakeology

But the best comparison is results. From weight loss, to reduction in cravings, to regularity, to healthier cholesterol levels, to increased energy levels, to an overall sense of well being . . . We give a bottom-of-the-bag guarantee on Shakeology because we KNOW people will be amazed by how they feel. Shakeology is the winner by a total knock out!

Drinking Shakeology is a lot like brushing your teeth and exercising—you’ve got to participate in these healthy habits every day to see their benefits. The more you do it, the more you can experience these advantages.

Here are 5 reasons you should drink Shakeology daily:

1. Your cravings for unhealthy foods can eventually disappear—and be replaced by cravings for healthy choices. It’s true!
2. You can save time! Replace one meal a day with Shakeology and that’s one less meal to plan. Whip up your shake and go. It’s fast food that’s great for you.
3. You can save money! If you drink Shakeology instead of eating lunch or dinner, you’ll spend just $4 on your meal.
4. You can save money, the sequel! As Shakeology improves your digestion, boosts your energy, and keeps you lean, you’re bound to have fewer medical bills.
5. You can keep the weight off! Studies show that people who eat breakfast every day are less likely to regain the weight. Furthermore, a protein-rich breakfast helps you feel full and reduces the tendency to snack throughout the day.

So start every day the right way by whipping up Shakeology! Here are 3 unique and delicious recipes to keep things exciting.

Chocolate “Mocha-CrËme Madness” Recipe:
	1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology ½ cup almond milk ½ cup coffee ¼ tsp. cinnamon 2 drops vanilla extract

Greenberry “Piña Banana” Recipe:
	1 scoop Greenberry Shakeology ½ banana ½ cup pineapple juice ½ cup coconut water

Tropical Strawberry “Berry Blast” Recipe:
	1 scoop Tropical Strawberry Shakeology ½ banana 1 cup berry medley 1 cup rice milk

“The quickest and easiest way to get 6-Pack” or “5 minutes a day and you will have rock hard abs.”

We can’t turn on the television without hearing ads that promise a flat stomach or rock hard abs. Because of this quick-fix mentality, two common myths we constantly see are:

1) You can lose abdominal fat by doing stomach exercises.

2) You should train your stomach differently than you do every other body part.

First, our body loses body fat from all over our body when we exercise and lose weight. It does not depend on the exercise. The second myth is that the stomach muscle has to be toned. There is not a such thing as toning a muscle. We either increase through exercise a muscle or decrease a muscle by lack of exercise. To get that look of lean abs, we have to do the following: eat healthy to limit calorie intake, perform cardio exercises to burn calories, and do strength exercises.

An effective way to have “lean abs” is to do the following:

1. Plan to eat a healthy meal – Shakeology can be one.
2. Obtain adequate amounts of protein
3. Engage in a well balanced exercise program such as P90X or Insanity to name a few.
4. Supplement your diet with a fish oil and multivitamin – some of which is in Shakeology.

As always, contact me if you need assistance. Here’s to a healthy lifestyle and that 6 pack!!!

Most people have had some success with losing a few pounds.  Maybe it was for a special vacation or an event.  However, not everyone can keep the weight off for a lifetime without following a few basic strategies.  Below are the 5 basic secrets to life long weight loss.

#1 Change your Eating Habits

As we get older, our body changes and our metabolism slows down.  So, we need to change how we eat so that we take in less calories. Some suggestions:

• Make smaller plates – Leave some space on your plate.  This alone could reduce your calorie intake by 100 calories per day or 10 pounds in a year.
• Consider smaller, lighter meals and snacks.  This keeps our metabolism energized and constantly working and prevents us from over eating because of hunger.
• Pay attention to what you are drinking – Remember soda and wine can contain over 150 calories per serving.  That’s the equivalent of 15 pounds in a year.

#2 Movement

Movement burns calories.  Get up and walk around as often as possible.  Walk the stairs instead of the elevator.  Take a stroll around the block during lunch time and again after work.  Move around as much as possible.

#3 Eat Vegatables

• Eat colorful vegetables!

Vegetables are low calorie and high nutrient.  Virtually every weight loss diet encourages vegetables for a healthy lifestyle.  Fiber keeps us filling full and studies show that fiber contributes to reductions in diseases including colon cancer.

#4 Stay Hydrated

Water assists with the digestion of food and allows our bodies to convert food to energy efficiently.  Also, as we get older, our body’s thirst receptors lose their ability to recognize thirstiness over time.  Our bodies start to confuse hunger with thirst.  Stay hydrated so that your stomach stays fuller and your body does not send false hunger signals.  Lastly, water is needed to continue to flush our liver and internal organs.  As we age, it is more important to continue to flush our body as we typically ingest more medications that leave traces that need to be removed by our liver.

#5 Get Sleep

As we age, our bodies hormones have a greater chance of becoming unbalanced.  Proper sleep allows our body the time to repair and bring our bodies back into balance.  Proper balance allows our body to process digestion properly and allow control the hormones that contribute to appetite, hunger, insulin resistance, and stress hormones.  Proper rest is vital to a life long weight reduction.

So, remember these 5 secrets of life long weight loss-eat smaller meals, exercise(movement), eat your vegetables, drink water and get plenty of rest.  They really aren’t secrets but are the basics of a life long weight loss plan.   As always, let me know how I can be of assistance to your weight loss and healthy lifestyle goals.