Meal Replacement Shakes Seem To Be All The Rage
When I was on the hunt for something to help me lose my weight a meal replacement shake never crossed my mind.
I hale from the “old school” mindset where you get in the gym and lift weights.
However, I needed something more than that this time to take care of the issue I had going on.
My hand was forced to take action after a physical exam I had exposed the bad juju going on inside my body let alone my weight gain and shear lack of physical fitness. 20 years of retail management was catching up with me.
In my mind I felt great yet aware I was no longer in shape like I had been in the military or in my sports playing days in high school. In fact, I took my physical thinking it was a waste of time but I wanted my wife and kids to rest easy and that I was A-OKAY…
…OOPS! My results came back and lets just say my doctor gave it to me straight, “you either change what you eat and get some exercise or make arrangements to have your family taken care of in your absence“! WOW!
Turns out I was in horrible condition judging by the results of the blood tests . Pushing type 2 Diabetes and a new prescription of blood pressure medicine compliments of my doctor. The coughing side affects from the medicine and feeling lethargic is what I had to look forward to for the rest of my life, or was it?
Needless to say I was not a happy camper. After hearing the news from the doctor and experiencing side affects from the meds, I sat down with my wife to discuss how we had to change our lifestyle for not only my benefit but the family’s benefit as well.
I stumbled across Team Beachbody by accident as I was channel surfing one night after work, my favorite pastime back then, and was caught up in a P90X infomercial and thus began my journey….
SHAKEOLOGY – Review of My Experience
First of all I’m writing this meal replacement shake review according to how Shakeologly impacted my life. I will not beat up on other products nor will I proclaim Shakeology to be the fountain of youth. However, if you want facts on what it can do for you then here you go…
Taste and Flavors
When I started drinking Shakeology there were only two flavors, Chocolate and Greenberry. I ordered chocolate mostly because the thought of drinking a green diet shake didn’t really appeal to me.
Arrival day came and I was anxious to rip open the bag and mix it up…. UGH! What did I just spend my money on? Chalky, gritty and tasted like dirt! I had to change up the taste or I wasn’t going to last drinking this stuff.
My health loomed over me like a dark cloud so I hunkered down and stayed with it through my first workout program I placed myself on.
Bananas and peanut butter were the answer! The combination knocked out the after taste and made the meal replacement shake bearable to drink.
Today there are a variety of flavors like Strawberry in both regular and vegan, Chocolate both regular and vegan, Vanilla, Café Latte and Greenberry.
The best thing is that Beachbody revamped the recipes on the early drinks and, in my opinion, made them much better give or take the banana and peanut butter. Oh and for the record, I mix my drinks with water. You have choices like almond milk, juice or even regular milk but water was my ticket.
What helped me get through the taste at first was a quote by Tony Horton (Trainer of the Stars and creator of P90X) and he said “I don’t care if it tastes like dirt, if it’s healthy I’m drinking it!” Tony was a huge inspiration to me on this crazy weight loss journey.
Nutritional Value
I can sit here and try to come up with all kinds of healthy nutritional jargon to convince you to drink a weight loss shake but I think labels were made for a reason and the fact that I am not a nutritionist makes it an easy choice. Check this out:
Is Shakeology perfect? Absolutely not but this drink offers more nutrition in one dose than a person can eat in a week! Over 70 all natural ingredients per serving! It’s not touted as the “Healthiest Meal of the Day” for nothing!
I hear a lot from the Organic crowd on Shakeology’s short comings from their perspective and I get and understand that sentiment and maybe one day there will be an organic choice but that day is not here yet.
The whey protein also seems to be a big deal to some folks and my answer to them is: “maybe this meal replacement shake isn’t for you then” or “you can try the two vegan choices of Shakeology.” Vegan Shakeology has sprouted brown rice and pea protein.
Cost vs Results From Drinking a Healthy Meal Replacement Shake Like Shakeology
At $129 per bag one could argue how expensive Shakeology is and adding that to your regular monthly expenses is a huge hit on the pocket book. One could say that but you would be wrong.
Although any time you add an expense in your end of month statement it is hard to swallow. I argue that you have to look at it differently. This is a meal replacement and not a meal supplement. At an average cost of just over $4 per serving is it really too expensive?
Let’s talk about what you get out of it if you stay consistent with your Shakeology consumption and you lose/losing all your weight. Is it worth it then?
Or, how about this, you have the strength and energy to go outside and play with your kids building memories. Is it worth it then?
How about the lack of being sick while you are on your healthy journey and how much flu or cold medication you don’t have to purchase? Is it worth it then?
I could go on and on about how affordable Shakeology is if you put it into perspective. Heck, some people won’t blink twice buying a daily $6, 600 calorie cup of coffee yet scoff at a $4 cup of health.
What I have purchased with the $129 each month is everything I just mentioned above. I didn’t buy a shake, I bought life! I no longer take blood pressure medicine, all my blood tests have come back either in the healthy zone or that of a much younger person, I’m in my 50s and I have lost 60lbs and now have kept it off of almost 7 years.
I have 4 kids with three still at home and I now coach their sports teams, participate in cub scouts, ride bikes, play ball, chase after them you name it. So getting back to cost, $129 is a drop in the bucket!
Proof is in The Pudding, Well The Shake Anyway
Here is a real picture of my wife and i proudly showing our results. I went from 250lbs to 210lbs in this picture (ultimately I got down to 195lbs) and my wife went from 134lbs down to 118lbs where she remains today. She is in her 40s by the way.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Now I’m reliving my high school glory days.”
“I used to be a ‘big’ chef that struggled with nutrition. I was depressed about my weight and starting to worry about my overall health. My original goal was to get down to my high school weight of 215 pounds. But when I was realistic, I decided that looking healthy and getting rid of my belly was the main objective. I just wanted to go to the beach with no shirt.
Everyone was skeptical about the program when I started. But now, I get such great compliments on my results. I’ve seen major changes in my abs, shoulders, biceps, triceps, quads—even my neck and even my jawline. I’ve motivated a lot of people to start their own transformations, too!
Physically I feel stronger than ever. I no longer fear push ups! The 3 minute rounds in each workout are awesome. I really enjoyed the pace and intensity level. By the end I rarely took breaks. Jericho has great form, and reminds you to use full rotation in all your moves. She’s a fighter! And Joel always brings energy and makes sure you give MAXIMUM EFFORT. He’s a beast.
I loved drinking Shakeology during Core De Force. I felt that it helped me maintain my energy throughout my day. I will never forget this journey. This is just the beginning for me, not the end. Thank you, Core De Force!”
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“After a rough couple of years I needed to reclaim my life and my fitness. I know what it’s like to feel physically powerful, and I was definitely not that.
I had packed on a ton of weight in my midsection, I had no arm definition, and I hid under baggy clothes. Even though I had landed on my feet emotionally, I was ready to change my life physically, for me and my daughter.
I knew I was going to work hard and commit all the way with Core De Force. But seeing the inches start to drop off was surreal. I lost 24 pounds and 32 inches! My waist has shrunk, I have definition all over my body, I can shimmy into my skinny jeans. Now I’m showing my arms proudly.
I feel strong. I feel younger. I can honestly say that I feel “hot” again. I proved that I can kick butt, overcome challenges, and get results. I’m proud of that accomplishment, but even more proud that I’ve inspired my teenage daughter to get healthy and set her own fitness goals.
If a 52-year-old, flabby, business-owner single mom can do this, so can you.
The workouts are tough, but effective. They engage your entire body. I especially love all the kicking moves. Strength is sexy! And Shakeology definitely helps curb my hunger in between meals so I stay on track.
I’m proud of my transformation and I hope it inspires others to transform themselves. Don’t give up! Whatever stage you’re in, just start. Move. Everything after that is momentum, and it’s contagious. Take command of your life. I promise you won’t regret it!”
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FAQs
Q: How much would it cost me if I bought all the ingredients separately to match Shakeology’s recipe?
A: Each serving contains the same nutritional value as:
- 3 cups of romaine lettuce
- 4 cups of raw mushrooms
- 1 shot of wheatgrass
- 1 bowl of exotic fruit
- 3 raw onions
- 7 raw carrot
- 4 cups of non-fat yogurt
- 4 cups of red radishes
- 4 cups of raw broccoli
- 1 cup of peas
- 10 cups of cauliflower
Q: Is Shakeology considered a protein shake?
A: Shakeology is considered a protein shake. However, given it’s nutritional value it would be better suited as a nutrition enhancement shake.
Q: Is Shakeology safe for pregnant women and nursing mothers?
A: Shakeology should only be taken by pregnant women and nursing mothers under the direction of their physicians.