Ok, just to be frank out of the gates – Did you know the average American gains anywhere from 2 – 12 lbs during the holidays?

Yup.  And did you realize Thanksgiving is ‘bout ready to smack us in the face?

Well, this year, I will not be a statistic.  Last year, well, that’s another story.  I care not to live in the past….except for my initial success of losing 25lbs with changing my lifestyle around.

So, I’m pledging my commitment to not allow the HOLIDAY BULGE, get the best of me and allow any of that weight to creep back on.  It’s too easy with the holiday parties, fun appetizers, festive drinks and oh, all the TREATS!  { Raise of hands??? A weakness?? }

Here’s the deal – I’m looking for accountability partners that, too, are needing a little nudge, a little camradderie, a little support and validation that WE DON’T HAVE TO LET THE HOLIDAY’S RUIN OUR GOALS!

Who’s with me??

For those that know my story (if you don’t, I invite you to check it out: www.choose2befit.com) and history of weight loss success, know that I have built a lifestyle around meeting and maintain my goals.  So my nutritional regime is reflective of that.

It’s no secret of my love affair with P90X and Shakeology, so naturally, they are a part of my daily habits.

But regardless of what motivates YOU to keep moving, plan to KEEP IT UP!  Let’s just partner up to assure we can stay on top of our goals and rock our holiday velvet swagger, with confidence!!!  Ok, no velvet here….

As a Team Beachbody Coach, my objective is to create an awareness and apply my passion towards helping combat the trend of obesity.

How many can say that have or even, at this point, plan to be on the “weight loss bandwagon” at the start of the year??  Come on, you know who you are!!!

So check this, how rewarding would it be if while all else are PROMISING to commit at the first of the year, YOU are already well on your wait to meeting and reaching your goals – to be slimmer, leaner, healthier, [insert goal here]….you get the idea.

Chances are, this will be a new trend for you…meaning one that starts BEFORE the holidays.  Not AFTER the self-sabotage of the holidays.  This is SO VERY POSSIBLE!

So….why not we make a go of it and come together with a fun, CASUAL, yet effective, challenge.  You game??

Yes, YOU ARE!  Why?  Because you OWE it to yourself.  Think of it as an early Christmas gift.  You ready?  Read on….

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Here’s the ‘Skinny’:

- My goal is to have AT LEAST 20 accountability partners that will COMMIT with me! God knows, I need help too!

- Set YOUR goals….and SHARE them!  Far more affective to have them out there!

- Challenge will run from November 22th – December 31^st <—YUP, that’s the week OF Thanksgiving!  Scared?

- There is NO obligation to purchase anything.

- We will all post our results & daily accountability on this note to fuel the support of this challenge.

- Shall we post BEFORE pictures?  Of course!

- Invite others to participate in this challenge as well.  POWER IN NUMBERS!

- For those that take the ‘Shakeology BULGE-FREE Option’ you will be entered into a raffle to win a Beachbody workout* of choice at the end of the raffle.

*   The workout will be valued at $60.

** I have added this option as I have personally been indulging in Shakeology AT LEAST, once a day daily as a natural meal replacement, since its inception – 18 months ago!  It has, hands down, enhanced my fitness and weight loss results, elevated my energy & mental clarity, helped clear up my skin and a host of other benefits, that I’ll spare listing here! It seems only eminent that I extend this as an option to help YOU reap the very same rewards.

- As YOUR accountability partner and Team Beachbody Coach, I am here to help and support you and offer recommendations – so long as YOU commit to supporting ME.

- If you don’t already, I encourage you to set up a FREE Team Beachbody account, as you can gain access to the same great nutritional, health and fitness resources, tools and support, that I do.         (www.choose2befit.com/what-is-wowy – for your free account)

- You are encouraged to devise a fitness and nutritional regimen that you will commit to following through with, during this challenge. (You know I have mine…now, what’s yours?)  Again, happy to offer up suggestions and/or recommendations for YOUR goals.

- I recommend we allow ourselves ONE cheat meal a week. We can eat it and be done! Period.

- We WILL enjoy the Thanksgiving and Christmas Day feasts. I plan to eat, be merry and then…you guessed it, BE DONE!  There will be NO snacking on the leftovers!! (The goal is RESULTS, right?)

- You are encouraged to take at least one before picture, on or before November 22nd and an after picture on December 31st. Weigh in and measure your key areas: tummy, hips, thighs, chest, etc (before and after). <—Read below – chances to take part in a PRIZE!!!

- Check in often, offer encouragement and share tips to help others!

- Oh…and HAVE FUN!!!

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Want to up the ante??

I present…..the Shakeology BULGE-FREE Option:

Simply, incorporate Shakeology into your nutritional regime and accelerate your results.  For me, I will be continuing with having Shakeology as one-meal a day, although plan to incorporate the 3-day “Jumpstart”, the week of November 29^th.

What’s the 3-Day Cleanse?? You MUST check it out: http://bity.ly/3DayCleanse

Here’s how you can earn that new program you’ve had your eye on:

• For NEW Customers (only) – purchase Shakeology on Home Direct (HD) – you’ll earn 1 raffle entry*
• Order Shakeology HD as a NEW Coach** – earn 2 raffle entries

*Why HD?  You get FREE shipping & 2 free workouts ($40 value). Offer only applies to NEW customers, please.

**Why become a Coach? Right now, you can activate a “Coach” account, whether you care to launch into the business side of it or now, and have $0 start up/enrollment fees, but PLUS, you’ll get that immediate 25% discount on your Shakeology HD orders, in addition to the FREE shipping and 2 free workouts.  Not a bad deal, eh?  Again, offer applies to my current customers and those customers that elect to upgrade their account to a Coach account.

• For every pound you lose = 1 raffle entry

• For those that submit their BEFORE picture = 1 raffle entry; AFTER picture = 1 raffle entry

Ok….so who wants in??  Keep in mind, this is just intended for FUN, there is NO OBLIGATION, but more importantly, it’s a way for us all to stay accountable and gain control over the holidays.

Let’s not be a statistic to that HOLIDAY BULGE – remember, that was 2-12 lbs every holiday season!  NO THANKS!

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You can learn more about Shakeology by visiting:

www.shake4wellness.com

To learn more about signing up as a Coach for FREE right now, check out:

www.choose2befit.com/Become-A-Beachbody-Coach

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So, if you are up to it, commit by adding yourself to the CHALLENGE NOTE! The more the merrier (good pun, eh?), so please invite others to join us!

TOGETHER, we can be SUCCESSFUL!

We all laugh along with the pain that he instills with our P90X workouts, so of course it only makes sense for him to do Improv right?

Makes it a tad easier to get up at 5:30am to PUSH PLAY when you have his stupid humor to look forward to.

Your partner in health & fitness.

I have become a dedicated fan to Robert Kennedy’s Oxygen Magazine, as I’ve picked up tons of tips, tricks and information that have helped further my continued fitness journey, not to mention others that I advise on a daily basis.

This magazine is loaded with great recipes and quick pre and post recovery shakes, and one that I know I need have my ChaLEAN® Circuits or P90X® weight training days, is a Recovery Drink.  Yes, I do usually suck down the P90X® Recovery Drink, but as luck would have it, I’m fresh out.  It’s a darn shame too.  It’s like an Orange DREAM!!

Anyway, I digress.  Typical, right?

Here’s a great recipe that I offered my own tweaks, but wanted to share the actual recipe from October’s Oxygen edition:

Peach – Ginger RECOVERY BOOST (Serves 1)

1 fresh peach (pitted and chopped; frozen works too)

1 ½ tsp of grated fresh ginger root

1 cup low-fat buttermilk*

1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder

ICE – as much as you like

Place all ingredients in a blender and enjoy!

(*To those that limit dairy in their diet, you can replace the Buttermilk with Unsweetened Coconut Milk – see nutritional info below)

Nutrients per serving (w/ Buttermilk):

Calories: 272

Total Fats: 2 grams

Saturated Fats: 1 gram

Carbohydrates: 30 grams

Sugars: 20 grams

Protein: 33 grams

What gives??  Here’s the skinny of each powerful ingredient:

Just PEACH-Y: Peaches contain powerful antioxidants that search and destroy free radicals that may exist in the body and hold harm.  Not to mention, those antioxidants aid in slowing down the aging process.  So, peaches anyone??

GINGER-Aid: Fresh ginger aids in digestion and helps to reduce that postworkout muscular pains that we all know (and love) after a grueling session with Tony Horton or your trainer.  The ginger will also suppress the inflammation of the joints and join cartilage.  Oh, and go fresh people!  NO cutting corners with the powdered stuff.  Bleeeh!

Why WHEY?: It’s a rich source of your essential amino acids, it will help improve bone health, support your immunity AND speed up muscle growth and repair!  BUT, be sure you check the labels of the kind of WHEY you try.  The cheap stuff you can find at Target, Wal-Mart even some Super Supplement stores, are loaded with fillers and artificial sweeteners.  Great rule of thumb – the less ingredients, the better.

BUTTERMILK: This source of dairy has a probiotic quality, which helps improve digestion, nutrient absorption and increase the body’s defense again disease and other ailments.

*Unsweetened COCONUT MILK: If you are like me, and really limit your dairy intake, or consume only raw dairy (Got GROK??), then you may opt for Coconut Milk.  It has become increasingly popular as it doesn’t contain dairy, but still tons of nutritional benefits.  The body needs good fats, of which we have been conditioned to think we are better off following a “low fat”, “low carb” or “sugar free” diets.  Not true.  Our bodies crave the good fats, of which Coconut Milk is rich in (good source of medium chain fatty acids or MCFAs).  Why good fats?  They are readily absorbed and digested to that the body may use it for an immediate source of energy, not stored as fat.  Additionally, MCFA’s, lauric and capric acid, are known for supporting the body’s immune system – hello cold season!!!  Here’s the skinny on the nutritional contents:

Nutritional per serving (1 cup):

Calories: 50

Total Fat: 5 grams

Saturated Fat: 5 grams

Carbohydrates: 1 gram

Sugars: 0 grams

Protein: 1 gram

Hemp Milk (as seen in the photo) is great too and has some great attributes to it as well.  Click here for your Hemp 101.

Your partner in health & fitness.

What you don’t know, could hurt you……

How much thought do you put into what you eat?

I bet you didn’t realize that 80% of what you eat will either help assist in your weight loss efforts or cause self-sabotage.  Shocking percentage, wouldn’t you say??  Well, reality is, it’s true.

Good nutrition starts in the kitchen.  Heard the quote, “Abs are made in the kitchen”?  It’s true.  If you are looking for those taught strong abs, or even a toned body, from head to toe, it starts in the kitchen.

So, as we tend to do a “spring clean”, it’s worth doing a quarterly ambush through your cupboards and pantry to rid you nutrition regime of chemical laden foods and additives (aka “processed foods”).

It’s no wonder that so many of us are overwhelmed on what’s good for us and what’s not good for us.  Sound about right?  The media surely doesn’t help.  Depending on what you read or watch, it could be about eating only “free” foods (think “fat” and “sugar” free), or that carbs are the culprit, and then the Acai berry becoming the holy grail of weight loss (which of course is sold in pill form and promised to deliver rapid results).

Aggh…gives me a headache thinking of all the things out there that claim to be good for us.

It’s time to re-examine what you eat.

It all starts with reading nutritional labels. The nutritional content and ingredient list will give you everything you need to know about the quality of the food item.  A good rule of thumb, the more ingredients in the product, the more CRAP it has to prolong its shelf life, not to mention the cheaper it was to make by the manufacturer.  Oh, and if you can’t pronounce it, then it’s likely no good for you.

Ok, let’s start with the basics and rummage through your kitchen to get rid of the top 5 ingredients that, regardless of what eating plan you follow, should NOT be lurking in your home.  PERIOD.

Ingredient #1: High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
HFCS is a manmade sugar, derived predominantly from genetically modified corn. The sweet concoction has been shown to promote binges and hysterical hunger, and wrecks havoc on your blood sugar levels, promoting fat storage. (www.naturalnews.com)

The introduction of HFCS into our food supply directly paralleled a 47% spike in Type 2 Diabetes cases as well as an 80% increase in obesity. HFCS is a sweet deal for food processors and soft drink companies because it`s cheaper than sugar and even sweetener.  Here’s just a short list of common products that include HFCS:

• Sauces (including ketchup, BBQ sauce, etc.)
• Yogurt
• Energy Bars
• Soft Drinks / Fruit Juices
• Processed baked goods
• Cereals
• Crackers
• Ice Cream
• Salad Dressing
• Most packaged snack foods
• Basically anything with an extended shelf life

Ingredient #2: Hydrogenated Fat / Partially Hydrogenated Fat (Trans Fat)
Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats have undergone such extensive processing that the chemical structure has changed from a “cis” shape, which the human body recognizes and utilizes, to a “trans” shape, which is foreign and destructive to human physiology.

Check each food label for the word ‘hydrogenated’ and avoid it diligently. Cutting out hydrogenated fats is a simple set towards looking and feeling your best.

Ingredient #3: Aspartame
Um, need I say more?  Ok, what is Aspartame?  It is an artificial sweetener that was denied 8 times by the FDA before being approved in 1973. Many scientists objected the approval, claiming that aspartame hadn’t been proven safe for use as a food additive.

MIT neuroscientist, Richard Wurtman, researched the effects of aspartame and concluded that it promotes cravings for foods high in calories and carbohydrates. Though aspartame is calorie-free it still causes insulin to be released, which job is to stow away sugar – when this sugar is not available, the result is often hypoglycemia and severe hunger. Not exactly a recipe for weight loss.

Additionally, there is growing research supporting claims that chemicals like aspartame disrupt and stunt the normal function of your endocrine system (the system that regulates your hormones) and metabolism. (www.naturalnews.com)

In short, anything that claims its “sugar free”, likely has aspartame.  Such as:

• Yogurt (Yoplait is one that comes to mind)
• Diet Soda’s
• Splenda / Equal or sweeteners
• Gum

Ingredient #4: White Sugar
White sugar comes from the juice of a sugar cane plant that has undergone an intensive refining process. In this process all of the enzymes, fiber, vitamins and minerals are destroyed, rendering it nutritionally void. White sugar is also extremely high in calories, which your body loves to store away in fat cells.

Refined sugar has been linked to a weakened immune system, hyperactivity, ADD, mental and emotional disorders, dental cavities, hypoglycemia, enlargement of the liver and kidneys, and an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. All that and it leads to weight gain. (www.naturalnews.com)

Ingredient #5: White Flour
White flour comes from natural whole wheat that has been stripped of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. This results in a nutritionally void product that is packed with calories that release quickly into your system, creating a spike in blood sugar. As you know, this promotes fat storage and leads to hysterical hunger and cravings. You don’t need that. (www.naturalnews.com)

Begin by dismissing just these 5 items out of your diet, you’ll be amazed at the immediate results as it relates to your weight loss efforts, energy and immune system.

Proper nutrition and good eating should come from real food items. That includes lean meats, colorful vegetables and fruit, whole grains, nuts and seeds. The more colorful your meals are from REAL foods, the better off you’ll be in the long run.

The bottom line is that your physique is largely a result of what you eat, so the foods that you put into your body should be carefully selected.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.  Never truer words said.

Your partner in health & fitness.

This was a call I hosted to my Team Beachbody Coach organization and all others that wanted to tune in and ask questions about joining the business or being a part of it.

There were a great many of questions, most asked by current Coaches and a few questions that were emailed in, prior to the call.   Questions ranged from How to leverage Social Media/Network Marketing to How you can hold a Coach account without being a “Coach”.

TUNE IN TO HEAR THE ANSWERS:

If you have ever thought about becoming a Coach and have questions of your own, be sure to check out my FAQ’s post, our MyFitnesspays.com site or email me directly: taryn@choose2befit.com.

Your partner in health & fitness.

Who knew cucumbers were good for more things than just our health?  Yup, anything from curing a hangover, bad breath and CELLULITE??!!  Yup, this was an interesting article that was shared with me, so in turn, I had to share with you all.    I knew cucumbers were good for you, but this just takes it’s goodness to a whole new level.

I will never look at a cucumber the same again.  LISTEN UP LADIES…some great tips below.



1.   Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon? put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5.  Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in  equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don’t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire  cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Your partner in health & fitness.

I made this delectable salad for our 4th of July BBQ and it was a HIT!! So easy and refreshing. I know we are always looking for healthy, fun and refreshing salad, so here you go:

Serves 6 to 8 people

Pre-Prep:

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1/2 cup lime juice (4-6 limes, depending on how large and juicy the limes are)

1/4 of a medium sized watermelon, rind removed, black seeds removed (if there are any), chopped into 1-inch cube-ish pieces, about 8 cups

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup fresh chopped mint leaves

1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley leaves

Put it together:

1. Soak the chopped red onion in the lime juice while you are prepping the other ingredients.  Roughly               15 minutes.

2. Gently combine all ingredients into a large serving bowl.

**TIP: Serve immediately. Salad will get soggy if kept overnight.

I found this wonderful recipe in our local PCC Newsletter, which comes by way of simplerecipes.com.

Enjoy!

If the name doesn’t give you any indication to what this workout is all about.  Let me break it down to you.

TurboFire® is an intense cardio conditioning program from fitness innovator Chalene Johnson. She’ll help you get leaner with exercises that burn up to 9x more fat and calories than regular cardio does (after burn anyone??). And with more than 20 smoking-hot music remixes, TurboFire® will pick you up and push you past your limits.

So forget the excuses. Forget the gym. Now the hottest classes in Southern California come to you, in YOUR home.

Check out how TurboFire® will fire up your fat loss and blast through that plateau.

Burn up to 9x more fat than with regular cardio doing TurboFire. Featuring High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), these 12 workout classes make you sweat with the hottest music and moves. And forget about rushing to the gym for the best spot in class. With TurboFire, class starts when you Push Play.

THE SECRET BEHIND TURBOFIRE

TurboFire workouts include interval training known as “HIIT.”

These routines combine short bursts of intense exercise with quick recovery periods to ignite your metabolism. The result is a phenomenon known as the AfterBurn Effect, which enables you to burn fat at an accelerated rate for a full 24 to 48 hours after your workout.

In fact, studies show that with HIIT, you’ll work out for less than half the time you normally would doing regular cardio, and burn up to 9x more fat.

SUCCESS STORY

See how Deawna scorched calories with TurboFire.

Deawna H.

Lost 45 Lbs.
Lost 48.5″ Total

“This truly is a workout that’s so much fun, you forget you’re exercising.”

THE BEST TRAINER

Chalene has helped countless thousands reach their goals with ChaLEAN Extreme^® and Turbo Jam^®. Now you can turn up the burn with TurboFire.

THE BEST MUSIC

With over 20 hits, the TurboFire soundtrack is smoking-hot. You’ll love scorching calories to remixes of “Bad Girls,” “In the Ayer,” and “Proud Mary.”

THE BEST WORKOUTS

TurboFire classes (some as short as 10 minutes) will have you punching harder and kicking higher to help you burn 9x more calories than with regular cardio.

THE BEST SPOT IN CLASS

Tired of driving to pricey gyms and working around their class schedules? Try TurboFire and you’re always guaranteed the best spot in class (not to mention your money back if you don’t leave some DNA behind!!).

Want to know FIRST HAND?

Here you go…..get your order on!!

Your partner in health & fitness.

As I’ve always known, Shakeology is a great product and have a far better respect for it, after listening to Carl’s wife, Isabelle, co-creator of Shakeology, speak to the integrity behind the product and it’s birth.

Shakeology continues to evolve, and as it does, more and more lives will be impacted from it’s great many health benefits.  I am just touched by some of the stories I’ve read and heard, first hand, from people that have experienced a change in their total wellness.

Well, to top that, Carl and his buddies wanted to seek feedback from a population of experts, that many of turn to when our health takes a turn for the worst – our Doctors.  Here is a great video that shares THEIR personal experience with Shakeology and how they feel it’s a stand up product and recommend it to their patients – and NO, they are not being paid to endorse it, strictly voluntary.

Want further validation, take the ingredients list to YOUR doctor and have them see it for themselves.  Or, better yet, walk into your next appointment with a sample, so they can experience it first hand, and give you their honest impression.  I can help you with those sample packets.

But, trusting the 30-day bottom of the bag guarantee, maybe you just experience it yourself.  If you’d like to get on board and try out Shakeology, send me an email: taryn@choose2befit.com or visit: http://shake4wellness.com and check it out for yourself.

Your partner in health & fitness.

So I’ve done the 3-Day cleanse once before, although didn’t track my daily feelings and experience, so 2nd time around, I decided it was necessary to share it.

Here’s my journal in detailing my 2^nd experience with the 3-Day Shakeology cleanse.  If you haven’t already, check out my post on The Science Behind the Shakeology Cleanse.  Please do your research, don’t go in blindly looking for a quick fix.

Here is the general menu that I followed, as previously mentioned in an earlier blog post.

Day 1:

Although the day started out a little rough, not due to the cleanse, but more of my  kids waking up on the wrong side of the bed, the day quickly changed for the better as we got through the day.  The cleanse has so far treated me well!  Although I’ve done the cleanse before, I still am surprised at the energy and lack of bloat I felt, just after the end of Day 1.  Wonderful feeling.

I decided to switch the schedule around a tad, as I teach 2 group fitness classes on Tuesday’s, not to mention had my own workout in the AM.  So instead of having the salad for dinner, I elected to have it for lunch, store my veggie and lean (white) protein spinach salad as energy and fuel to get through my classes, and end my day with a tasty Greenberry Shakeology.  It was a wonderful way to cap off the evening, coupled with some Yogi Peach Detox tea.

Time to head to bed, gear up for tomorrow’s P90X workout – Shoulders/Arms & Ab Ripper X.  I know a good night’s rest is in the cards, and as I recall from last cleanse, I slept like a baby each night.

I’m thrilled I can experience this journey with my fellow cleansing friends – Beverly, Donna, Jayn, Tim, Jessica and all others that are doing it well.  Great encouragement to get by.  I mean, it’s only 3 days, right??

Good night.

Day 2:

Well day started off on the right foot with a great workout – P90X Shoulders/Arms & Ab Ripper X.  This week I’m focusing on lifting heavy and I was amazed at the strength I had being on this cleanse.  Noticing some major definition – but ladies, its LEAN definition.  No bulk here.

My energy was up the entire day and I didn’t feel hungry with how I spaced out my shakes and salad.  I was nervous on  how I was going to work around  my day in my daughter’s Co-Op classroom, but I came prepared and make up my shake before I left and stored it in the fridge to enjoy during their snack time.  While all the kids and parents enjoyed a great spread of veggies, fruit, Ting-Tings and a homemade gluten free snack bar, I sipped away, guilt and regret free.  Not to mention, I shared my experience with a few of the Mom’s.

In talking with my friends that are joining me on the cleanse, they have already experienced great results – losing from 2.5 to 6 lbs in just 2 days.  I haven’t stepped on the scale, as I have a superstition to wait until the final day, so I can really enjoy the full results.

So, ending the day with a great attitude, fun filled with the kids and great energy.  Looking forward to tomorrow and what the day begins.  I know it will start off great, as Yoga X is on the docket.

Good night.

Day 3:

Final day.  I’m feeling awesome, really.  I have tons of energy.  Less bloat, less desire for the bad stuff and overall clarity.  I’ll take that.  Today’s workout was Yoga X and it felt wonderful.  I felt more fluidity in my poses and strength in holding form longer.  The cleanse or just gaining strength?  Hmm…jury’s out. Regardless, I was stoked.

Again, I opted to have my salad for lunch, instead of dinner.  I found that gave me that mid-day boost to fire through the rest of the day, and allowed me to unwind from the day with my final Shakeology after I got home from my Thursday evening class I teach.

There you have it.  3-Day cleanse came and went.  I plan to do this once a month or every other month.  This feeling of clarity is addicting!!

Drum roll…………………………………

FINAL RESULTS – 5 lbs down and an inch of my waistline.  Now, I’m not saying that my overall goal was to drop weight (that came as a bonus), but more of clean out the “gunk” that gets built up.  Mission accomplished.

Now, onto my maintenance program of continuing with my Primal (Blueprint) lifestyle and having 1 Shakeology a day.

If you are interested in hearing more about Shakeology, check it out here: www.shake4wellness.com.  There is a new tab called “The Doctors”.  See what they are saying about the product.  If you want to try the cleanse yourself, you can order from my website as well – but let me suggest that you get it ordered via Home Direct (HD) and get FREE shipping and other free loot.  Well worth it!

Your partner in health & fitness!