Philly Steak Stuffed Peppers

The yumminess of a cheese steak without the grease and bread! Bonus - 21 Day Fix approved! Awesome addition to my meal plan as I decrease my carb intake!

What you need:

• 1 pound chipped steak
• 1 medium onion, sliced into long strips
• 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
• 1 tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp pepper
• 2 green peppers

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Heat 1 tsp Extra virgin olive oil into a large pan on medium heat
3. Add onions and peppers.
4. Season with pepper and garlic powder
5. Add Steak, cook until no longer pink
6. Cut peppers length wise and remove ribs and seeds
7. Place on baking dish, add a small layer of mozzarella cheese to the inside bottom of the pepper.
8. Top with steak and onion mixture
9. Top with remaining cheese.
10. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, until cheese melts
11. Enjoy!

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21 Day Fix - Night Shift Style!

As an avid 21 Day Fix Meal Plan Believer and Follower, and as a night shift nurse - I get asked ALL the time --- how do you do the 21 Day Fix on night shift? Great question!! This took a lot of trial and error for me to be honest - I tracked what worked, what made me feel full but still drop weight, what didn't make me bloated and tired, what I could do to stay on track even when my schedule was a hot mess.... This is my version, there is no "Autumn's Formula for how to Eat when you are up for 9 million hours" ((because lets face it night shifters, NO ONE wants to volunteer for that job!))



Black out mask and white noise are my best friends!

Okay first of all, let me commend you -- working nights, especially if you are in a health care setting, where you typically see a ton of food; yeah, that is tough -- your brain doesn't work right on nights, you crave food, you find excuses, and honestly, I have eaten to stay awake ***especially on my one hour commute home*** Night shift is cruel, your body needs sleep to survive, thrive and lose weight - so we are already at a slight disadvantage... So these are my tips and tricks for the 21 Day Fix on Night Shift ((reminder, I am at the lowest calorie range - so you might need to add to what I am doing))

In my mind there are two different types of night shift - the night shift were you get to sleep after your shift and the night shift were you are up all day after night shift.... And I tackle them differently... so lets get started...

When you get to sleep after nightshift (up for 24-28 hours)

When I get to sleep after nightshift, I am thrilled - for two reasons - I don't eat extra calories, and we need sleep to feel good, to be healthy... So if you can sleep after work, please take advantage of it!

To me, this is what it looks like:

• Up at 7am Tuesday
• Up all day with my kids
• Go to work at 6pm Tuesday
• Home at 8-9am Wednesday
• In Bed by 10am Wednesday - sleep 4ish hours

So on a day like this, I will 'borrow' containers from Wednesday to have a meal around 1130/midnight Tuesday night. I then go home, eat - and sleep through a meal/snack Wednesday - therefore, I did not use any extra containers. On occasion, I will add a green and a red around 3/4am Wednesday morning if I am hungry. I do not borrow these from Wednesday during the day - I figure I burn these calories by being awake and active when I would otherwise be sleeping.

When you get little to no sleep after nightshift (up for 36+ hours)

Sadly, this happens to me more than I would like - it isn't healthy and should be avoided - but it is what it is and dealing with it is my only option...

To me, this is what it looks like:

• Up at 7am Thursday
• Up all day with my kids
• Go to work at 6pm Thursday
• Home at 9-9am Friday
• Hopefully a nap between 230pm-4pm
• In bed by 10pm Friday

So on a day like this, I do not borrow any containers - I add containers... because you burn more calories when you are awake then when you are asleep... I figure I am awake about 8 more hours than I normally would be.. which is 1/3 of a 24 hour day - so my thought process is, I should get 33% more containers! I am in the 1200-1400 calorie bracket so I consume 3 greens, 2 purples, 1 blue, 1 orange, 4 reds, 2 yellows and 2 blacks -- So during the course of the night I allow myself:

• 1 green
• 1/2 purple
• 1.5 reds
• 1 yellow
• 1 black

This usually gets me a meal with a nice size snack. So the day before and the day after my night shift are the same, I just simple add in those containers at night.

I hope you found this helpful - and again, I hope you get some sleep! It isn't easy, but it is important to stay on track even when your schedule gets off track! For more tips and tricks, or for a spot in my next challenge - please apply here - and I can't wait to work with you!

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Free 7 Day Clean Eating Challenge

Soooooo, let me guess - you started this year with all these "I am going to eat better and look great this summer" kinda goals.... Like I've said before the number one New Year's Resolution is to lose weight - and if you are like the over 90% of the American population, you've probably already fallen off the bandwagon --- DING DING WAKE UP CALL!!!

So why am I so passionate about clean eating? Umm, well you only have one body and you should fuel it and treat it like that! And I also know, without a doubt that nutrition is 80% of health and weight loss -- so yeah, it is pretty important! And I also realize it is the hardest part - working out for 30 minutes a day is easy, anyone can give up 2% of their day to workout - but the other 23.5 hours of having to control what is on your plate and what goes into your body, now that is the hard part... A lot of people think this is complicated, expensive and takes a lot of time - WRONG-O!!!

I've done every diet in the past before, but the beauty is -- THIS ISN'T A DIET - it is fueling your body, correctly.. And you will not believe how much better you will feel!

What are you going to get out of this:

1. Clean Eating meal plans
2. Clean Eating grocery lists
3. Simple and nutritious recipes
4. Simple Daily workouts
5. A place to ask questions, look for tips and get support
6. Most active participant will win a FIXATE COOKBOOK by Autumn - the creator of the 21 Day Fix!

What are the requirements:

1. Creating a free account on my site.
2. Your commitment to check in daily to our closed Facebook group
3. Invite a friend or family member to join! It is always easier to take on a new lifestyle with the support of a friend - and why not, its free!
4. Option to buy a 5 day supply of Shakeology - find out why I credit a lot of my success to Shakeology!

Are you ready to get started? Group starts August 9th! Fill out this application, email me at etraill7@gmail.com or lets connect on Facebook!

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Whey Protein

Whey is a dietary supplement and food ingredient created by separating components from milk. Whey is a by-product of the cheese-making process.  Whey isolates contain the higher percentage of pure protein and can be pure enough to be virtually lactose free, carbohydrate free, fat free, and cholesterol free.

Whey proteins are highly bioavailable, are very quickly absorbed into the body, and have a high concentration of amino acids which are highly concentrated in muscle tissue, and are used to fuel working muscles and stimulate protein synthesis.

Whey isolates have had their base component (water) removed and are generally considered almost lactose and cholesterol free — they are typically at least 90% protein

Whey protein is popular among athletes today because of its ability to be digested very rapidly and help return the post-workout body back from a catabolic (muscle-wasting) state to an anabolic (muscle-building) state. Making Shakeology the perfect post workout meal replacement!

Top Ten Benefits of Whey Protein:

1. Weight Loss
2. Assists in increasing in muscle mass
3. Assist in cancer treatment
4. Increase in glutathione levels (your body’s main water-based anti-oxidant)
5. Decrease in HIV symptoms
6. Decrease in triglycerides
7. Decrease in total cholesterol while increasing HDL (good cholesterol)
8. Increase in immune system function
9. Decrease hunger (a study showed that after consuming whey protein blood levels showed significantly reduced levels of ghrelin (a hormone that tells your brain you’re hungry) up to four hours later)
10. Decreased recovery time and symptoms of over-training

Cize - The End of Exercise

Calling all cheerleaders, zumba lovers, dancers or wanna-be dancers like myself!

Welcome to CIZE - being called, 'The End of Exercise" because it offers an alternative to traditional exercise. And while you are having fun mastering the moves, you are burning tons of calories and will find yourself drenched in sweat - I was so surprised! I'm not much of a dancer, but lets face it - who doesn't want a body of a dancer!

What exactly is CIZE?

• CIZE brings the dance studio home with dance courses that help you master professionally choreographed routines, step-by-step
• An alternative to getting fit for those who dislike the monotony of traditional forms of exercize such as weight work and cardio drills
• A totally exhilarating way to scorch calories and burn fat

Now hold up, I can't dance - is CIZE for me?

• Those who want to get in shape, but have fun doing it
• Those who want a simple, no-pressure way to learn how to dance
• People who have dance experience and want a fun, new way to challenge themselves and learn new moves
• People who want to dance like their favorite pop culture icons and listen to today's hottest music
• Families who want to get fit and have fun together learning dance moves!

What are the unique benefits?

• CIZE helps you get fit in 4 weeks as you master professionally choreographed dance routines.
• Forget squats, lunges, push-ups, and boring cardio. CIZE is a thrilling and fun alternative to  traditional exercise!
• Shaun T breaks down the freshest choreography step-by-step, move-by-move so that by the end ANYONE can bust out an impressive dance routine.
• You'll CIZE IT UP to the hottest music originally recorded by artists like Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars,  Timbaland, Destiny's Child, and more!
• You'll be so focused on mastering the moves and having fun that you'll forget you're getting a cardio, core, and strengthening workout the whole time!

How does CIZE work?

•  CIZE breaks down the moves step-by-step as you go, so you can learn them, repeat them, create a sequence, and bust out a full routine to songs from the CIZE playlist. You won't stop moving to the beat and will get a killer cardio, core and strength workout—all at once!

What’s included?

• 6 dance courses on 3 DVDs to help you learn to dance while you get in incredible shape!
• Get Started Guide that tells you everything you need to know to get started right, how to accurately track your body transformation, earn FREE CIZE socks, and what to do to get your best results.
• EAT UP! Guide with a simple-to-follow meal plan that lets you eat the foods you like in the proper portions to help you achieve maximum health, energy, and weight loss.
• Weekend Survival Guide that gives you the tools to stay on track, even when you're eating out! Learn the DO's and DON'Ts of a night out on the town, so you can go out and have fun without sabotaging your results!
• Beginner Calendar where you can rate your dance skills and track your progress!
• Advanced Calendar shows you which dance workout to do each day to lose weight and get your sexy  dancer's body faster!
• Plus 2 FREE bonus workout:
• 8 Count Abs: Strong abs and core are at the heart of every great dancer—and sexy body! You'll find this ab-targeting sequence at the end of each disc. Work your abs on the floor, then end the 8 minutes Cizing It Up with an ab sequence choreographed to the song HEADSPRUNG, originally recorded by LL Cool J.
• BONUS DVD - Hold Your Own! Want to impress your friends at a wedding, party, or just your next night out? With Hold Your Own, we teach you a few go-to moves that'll make their jaws drop!

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Clean French Toast

 

I must admit, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day - I could eat breakfast food all day long! I was afraid I was going to have to give up my favorite foods... NEGATIVE! Just needed to figure out how to make it healthier! My girls love this recipe! 

What you need:

• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk, or soy milk, or almond milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 slices clean, whole grain bread
• Cinnamon, ground

 

What you need to do:

1. Crack your egg into a large bowl.
2. Add milk and vanilla.
3. Mix well with a whisk.
4. When you dip your bread into the mix, do it quickly. Drop it in, flip it over, and take it out again immediately.You just want to coat the bread. Not soak it.
5. Using a non-stick pan and a very light coat of olive oil to cook the bread on both sides. Cook till golden brown.
6. Serve with a bit of honey or maple syrup for dipping.

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Chicken Veggie Pasta - 21 Day Fix Approved!

Hands down - my favorite summer dish! Fresh from the garden, grilled chicken, filling and simple!

What you need:

• 1 Red of leftover grilled chicken cut into strips
• 1 Yellow of whole wheat angel hair pasta
• 1 Green of veggies (I use frozen broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms)
• 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves, sliced
• 2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 blue of freshly grated parm cheese

What you need to do:

1. Add olive oil to a medium frying pan on medium heat.
2. Once oil is hot, add garlic and saute (enjoy the glorious smell!)
3. Add veggies and basil
4. Lastly, add chicken and pasta and fry on high heat
5. Plate, and top with parm cheese!

Enjoy - for my 21 Day Fixers this will cost you 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green and 1/2 blue!

Clean Yogurt Popsicles - 21 Day Fix Approved

My girls are always bugging me for popsicles - literally all summer long! I was looking for a way to add nutritional value to this sweet, cooling treat - and Aubrey and I came up with these! Best part, besides them being healthy, is that we get to make them together!

What you need:

• 1.5 c of vanilla greek yogurt
• 1 c fresh or frozen strawberries
• Handful of blueberries or other fruit if desired!

What you need to do:

1. Take the above and blend into a smoothie consistency
2. Poor into popsicle mold
3. Freeze for 4 hours

Enjoy!

Depending on size - each popsicle is about 70 calories, 1/2 purple, 1 red for my fixers!

More than inches lost...

Starting this journey, I had a lot of doubts - I had tried to drop these pounds a million times on my own... I've done Weight Watchers, fad diets, joined a gym and odd ball nasty cleanses - part of me wondered if this would be any different... I had a big goal, and I was trying to beat the odds against me - a busy mom, small budget, not a lot of time and a thyroid condition that is notorious for causing unwanted weight gain...

One day, in a dressing room 14 months ago I had a break down - literally broke down, in public - As I collected myself, I looked down at my girls (who at this point looked scared) and I thought, "How will I ever teach them to love themselves and their bodies, if I can't even love my own?" In that moment, I distinctly remember looking at myself in the mirror - face to face - and promising that today was the day... A little (probably way to honest) backstory, when I found out I was pregnant with Aubrey, I wanted so badly for her to be a boy - I could never imagine myself as a mom of girls... I had always struggled with poor body image, poor self confidence and self esteem and I never wanted to "pass that down" to my daughter - finding out she was a girl was  challenging because I didn't think I would be good enough for her - But through this experience, I realized these girls came into my life to save it... Every time I wanted to give up, give in, skip a day - I looked at them and kept pushing harder. They make me want to be a better person, they are that driving force, the heart beat...

While I wouldn't say this was always easy, there was not a moment I regret - with results like this in 30 minutes a day, who could regret anything? I started in a challenge group which is closed group on Facebook, where my coach helped myself and others like me on our journey - I learned about clean eating, fitness tips, how much water I should drink, how to order off a menu, basically how to make this a lifestyle change and not just a quick fix... I was negative at first, my stomach hit off my thighs as I workout out, my body craved sugar and carbs, I was out of breath - but I promised myself I would do this, 60 days fully committed... as time went on the workouts are easier, my energy levels improved, the cravings disappeared and I was getting real results.... A lot of times people ask me what I owe my success to - and there are a lot of things - dedication, support of the challenge groups, coaching, my girls... but I would have to say it is Shakeology - Shakeology gave me the energy, cut my cravings, it was a healthy meal that I didn't have to think about, it helped with mood stability and depression, and for once in 10 years my thyroid levels were more stable than ever... In the middle of the day when Aubrey wanted lunch and Kate needed this and life was crazy, I could have a quick on the go lunch for myself in less than 2 minutes! I went from napping on the couch when Kate napped to having enough energy to play with Aubrey, workout, clean, and just started feeling like myself!

As the weight started to come off and I could see a glimpse of the "old me", I started getting myself back - for years I put everyone before myself... I hated how I looked so I stopped getting my hair done, I stopped buying nice clothes for myself - and once I started losing weight and feeling more confident, I started putting myself on my priority list...  It is so crazy that how I started this process thinking spending 30 minutes on myself was selfish, but it ended up being the best thing I could have done for my family, because they got ME back!

And although I know my body isn't perfect, that isn't what these pictures were about - today was a celebration, celebrating the perfectly imperfect, turning my mess into my message and beating the odds...

And how did I get here?! Simply the power of challenge groups, sense super foods, 30 minute in home workouts and a specialized meal plan...

Did I think I would be here 14 months ago? No! I never imagined how my life and body would change, and I can't envision a more satisfying journey...

As I continue my journey, my goal is to pay this forward - to join one of my upcoming challenge groups where you will get all the tips and tools to be successful please apply below! Hope to see you there!

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Summer Slim Down!

As I am coming down from high of the fit mom photos, I couldn't help but think "okay, what is next for myself, my previous challengers and my newest challengers coming on board" and the Summer Slim Down Challenge was born! Tah-Dah lol!

Wearing shorts and being confident in a swim suit has given me even more passion to push towards success. For me, success is not just my success in these challenges but first and foremost helping my challengers reach their goals of living a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.

With that being said, I would like to invite you to my 6 week Summer Slim Down Challenge and maybe you are wondering - so how do these challenges work?

• I provide budget, family and kid friendly recipes that are simple to follow and do not require a lot of work or skills (because lets face it - I am not a chef!)
• You will receive 1:1 accountability, support and motivation through an online support group with other challengers on their journey with you!
• Tips on how to make this a long term lifestyle change NOT a quick fix!
• In home 30 minute workouts - YAY only 2% of your day!
• 1:1 meal planning support

Whether you want to tone up before a vacation or summer event, or have 5, 10, 25, or 75 lbs to drop - I can and want to help you!

I am accepting 10 applicants to this challenge, will you be one of them?

Apply below or at etraill7@gmail.com

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This literally just happened - WOW!

Today was without a doubt the day I dreamt about 14 months ago - actually probably longer, I just never really thought it would be possible for me...

As I promised at the beginning of the year, I took my bikini after photos along with a "fit mom" session since the heart beat behind my transformation are my lovely ladies... it was such a fun and rewarding experience after 14 months of dedication to the process...



Little trouble maker ;)

 When we came home I did my measurements and tallied my inches lost- as I calculated them I started becoming overwhelmed with emotion as I realized my total losses are 74.6 lbs and 64 inches!!! Are you kidding me?! 64 inches is a 5 foot 4 inch person!

And although I know my body isn't perfect, that isn't what today was about - today was a celebration, celebrating the perfectly imperfect, turning my mess into my message and beating the odds...

And how did I get here?! Simply the power of challenge groups, sense super foods, 30 minute in home workouts and a specialized meal plan...

Did I think I would be here 14 months ago? No! I never imagined how my life and body would change, and I can't envision a more satisfying journey...

As I continue my journey, my goal is to pay this forward - to join one of my upcoming challenge groups where you will get all the tips and tools to be successful please apply below! Hope to see you there!

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Chicken Kabobs

Meal for one or meal for ten! Switch it up with different veggies and no mess! Using a salt free chicken seasoning makes it fix approved! I got the metal skewers from Target (dollar section, 3 for 1$ - winning!), and I just used mini sweet peppers and red onions - customize them with other options like zucchini, squash, mushrooms, grape tomatoes, and pineapple chunks! I load them up, sprinkle a little salt free chicken herb blend and grill them up! Enjoy!

Drop it like its Hot, Drop it likes it Hot, Drop, Drop, Drop, Drop, Drop it like its HOT!!!

 

I already love this group - thanks to one of my rock star coaches for the great name idea! Welcome to 30 days of dropping serious weight and inches before summer! Losing weight is not easy, but with all the tools and support that comes with my challenge groups, you will be successful! I will give you my meal plans, tips and tools on how I lost 70 pounds and peer support... Oh and I almost forgot - one of the newest aspects we are trying out in our groups is challenges within the group and since it is swim suit season these short challenges are going to be focusing on the abs and booty! Are you ready to drop the cover up, drop the weight, drop the excuses, and drop it like its hot with us?!

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3 Day Refresh

 

As I approach my one year anniversary of my weight loss journey, I am very excited to take my photos, talk about how my life has changed and show off a bit! I figured this is the perfect time to take on the 3 Day Refresh!!! Drop a few more pounds and inches before my big photo shoot! Who wouldn't want to drop a few pounds before a big event, or to kickstart weight loss or to kick some bad habits - whatever the case may be this is a great place to start - let tackle this challenge together! But first - what exactly is it???

What is the 3-Day Refresh?

The 3-Day Refresh is 3-day program of specially formulated shakes, healthy snacks, and delicious, easy-to-prepare meals that have been scientifically designed to help you lose weight and break the cycle of bad eating while dramatically improving the way you feel.

How is it different than other cleanses?

Unlike juice fasts or liquid cleanses that are high in sugar and low in protein (which can leave you feeling weak and sluggish), the 3-Day Refresh is scientifically designed to help support your metabolism while nourishing your vital organs. Plus, you actually get to eat delicious, real food during this program.

Why would I want to Refresh?

•  You need a clean break from a period of unhealthy eating.
• You used to eat pretty well but have recently fallen off the wagon and need some help getting back on.
• You want to jump-start healthy eating habits for a new workout program.
• You want to quickly lose a few pounds for an upcoming event.
• You’ve never been a healthy eater, but are ready to kick-start better nutrition for the first time.
• You want your clothes to fit better.
• You want more energy.
• You love food and want to be satisfied while you lose weight and get healthier.
• You’ve tried liquid fasts or other fad diets and they simply don’t work.

What’s included?

• 3 packets of Shakeology®—your choice of 6 flavors (we recommend Chocolate Vegan or Tropical Strawberry   Vegan during the Refresh as plant proteins are often easier for the body to digest)
• 6 packets of Vanilla Fresh (high-protein shake)
• 3 packets of Fiber Sweep (digestive drink)  
• 1 Program Guide

What can I eat and drink during the Refresh?

• FILTERED WATER: In addition to the water you use in your shakes and teas, we recommend you drink   at least half your body weight in ounces of filtered water each day. 
• BREAKFAST: A superfood-packed Shakeology shake, plus one fruit option
•  MORNING TEA: 1 cup of unsweetened herbal or green tea
•  LATE MORNING: Fiber Sweep, a digestive health drink
• LUNCH: Vanilla Fresh shake, plus 1 option from the Fruit List, 1 option from the Vegetable List, and 1 option from the Healthy Fats list
• AFTERNOON SNACK: 1 option from Vegetable List, and 1 option from the Healthy Fats list
• AFTERNOON TEA: 1 cup of unsweetened herbal tea (caffeine-free)
• DINNER: Vanilla Fresh shake, 1 option from the Dinner Recipes, and 1 cup of organic vegetable  broth (optional)
• EVENING TEA: 1 cup of unsweetened herbal tea (caffeine-free)

What to expect when Refreshing?

• The 3-Day Refresh is a low-calorie program (about 900 calories a day) but because the shakes and food   selections are high in protein and fiber they help keep you satiated throughout the day.
•  Because this program is packed with fiber, if you don’t already have a diet that’s high in fruits, veggies, and   whole grains, it’s a good idea to prepare for the 3-Day Refresh by eating a large salad and/or a few servings   of fresh veggies throughout the week leading up to it.
•  If you get a little gas or bloating, this is a sign that you need to up your fiber levels in general. Fiber promotes   satiety, balances blood sugar, promotes cardiovascular health, and keeps your digestive tract functioning.
• If gas is an issue, we’ve highlighted the “low gas-producing” options in the veggie list and dinner recipes in   the menu guide.
• We recommend mild to moderate exercise during the 3-Day Refresh because this program will be more   effective when your body can focus on cleansing.

Join me for the 3 Day Refresh and Clean Eating Challenge!

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Garlic Mushroom Quinoa

 

This was my first time having quinoa, I had to see what all the hype was about! I am addicted!

 

What you need:

• 1 c quinoa
• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound of mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsp. grated parmesan

What you need to do:

1. In a large saucepan, add 2 cups of water and 1 cup of quinoa and cook according to package directions
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat - add mushrooms, garlic and thyme... cook, stirring occasionally about 5 minutes
3. Salt and pepper to taste
4. Stir in quinoa until well combined.
5. Garnish with Parmesan
6. Enjoy!

Body by Vi vs Shakeology

 

When I talk to people about "meal replacement" shakes it seems like everyone is drinking them for different reasons - some to get more protein, some to cut calories, curb cravings, or because they want a quick and easy meal. When I was researching shakes before I started my own journey, I did my own homework and considered Body by Vi so here it is.. the costs, the ingredients, pros/cons and why I personally drink one of these two shakes!

Let's start with nutrition - because this is the most important part... face it, you are what you eat!

 

 Tropical Shakeology -Vegan   

 

Chocolate Shakeology

 

 

 

 

The differences seem pretty obvious to me, but let me break it down!

1. Calories

• At first you might think the winner would be Visalus because it has 90 calories for 2 scoops and with Shakeology having 160calories for one scoop  WRONG!!! 90 calories is far too low to be considered a meal replacement. One might ask, “how many visalus shakes do I need to drink for weight loss results?” Visalus distributors suggest you replace 2 meals a day with shakes and eat 1 REAL meal. WHAT??? Your body needs calories for fuel. Calories are not the enemy. If you are not providing your body with the proper calorie intake it will send your body into starvation mode. This causes you to store fat you consume instead of burning it off. This will cause your body to burn muscle which will in turn slow your metabolism instead of speeding it up most people hope. As a result, your body will store MORE fat long term. Also, 90 cals of anything is not going to “keep you full for 3-4 hrs” In reality, the fiber in the shake is what makes you feel full.

2. Sugar

• Shakeology has 6g of sugar which is all natural coming from different plant sources. Body By Vi has less than 1g of sugar which is great, BUT to make the “shake that tastes like cake” they replace the sugar with artificial sweeteners, and if you are like me - you avoid artificial sweeteners like the plague!

Vi shakes contain SUCRALOSE: a very harmful chemical sweetener.
Side Effects from Sucralose:

• Gastrointestinal problems
• Seizures, dizziness and migraines
• Blurred vision
• Allergic reactions
• Blood sugar increases and weight gain

Shakeology uses non-GMO Stevia which is a zero calorie plant based sweetener. Fructose is a simple sugar that occurs naturally in foods. It gives fruits their sweet taste. Your body treats this type of sugar differently than traditional sugars and artificial sweeteners.

3. Protein

• Shakeology’s original whey formula has 17g of protein in 1 scoop. It is made from whey protein isolate and it is a grade 7. It comes from untouched (by chemicals) farms. It also contains sprouted brown rice protein, AND pea protein.
• Shakeology’s VEGAN formula has 15g protein in 1 scoop (with an additional 3g from the brown rice and sacha inchi) and is made from sprouted fermented brown rice protein and pea protein.
• Visalus has only 12g of protein in 2 scoops! That’s super low, AND it contains SOY protein which may seem “healthy” but there is extensive research that states otherwise.
• Body By Vi shakes contains Soy Protein Isolate. Many people don’t see anything wrong with this but here are some facts about soy that you may want to look at.
• What’s the PROBLEM with SOY????(Not just GM soy ALL SOY)

• 91-95% of soy grown in the US is genetically modified (GM).
• Soy has been linked to increased allergies
• Disturbingly, the only published human feeding study on GM foods ever conducted verified that the gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of our gut bacteria and continues to function. This means that years after you stop eating GM soy, you may still have a potentially allergenic protein continuously being produced in your intestines. Even more frightening is the potential for GM soy to cause infertility in future generations, which has been evidenced by recent Russian research.
• Soy contains hemagglutinin. Hemagglutinin is a clot-promoting substance that causes your red blood cells to clump together. These clumped cells are unable to properly absorb and distribute oxygen to your tissues.
• Soy contains goitrogens.Goitrogens are substances that block the synthesis of thyroid hormones and interfere with iodine metabolism, thereby interfering with your thyroid function.
• Soy has toxic levels of aluminum and manganese-Soybeans are processed (by acid washing) in aluminum tanks, which can leach high levels of aluminum into the final soy product.

Those 2 ingredients (Sucralose and Soy) are RED FLAGS to anyone considering the Vi shake.

What’s in Shakeology?

• Shakeology contains ALL NATURAL ingredients including super-foods, probiotics, prebiotics, antioxidants, phytonutrients, digestive enzymes, vitamins and minerals that come from the earth and there is evidence to prove it. They also work synergistically to make sure you are getting the proper amounts and absorbing the nutrients.
• Body By Vi contains chemical sweeteners, synthetic(means they are not from real food they are man made in a lab) ingredients such as dicalcium phosphate and fillers such as Maltodextrin, which is most likely made from corn and 85% of corn in the US is genetically modified.  It also contains ZINC OXIDE…REALLY?? That is a diaper rash/sun burn cream and is not meant to be ingested...

 

4. COST 

• Visalus kits range from $49 for the maintenance kit(if you are looking to maintain weight) up to $299 for the Fit Kit, which states that you can “build muscle”. REALLY??? Last time I checked you don’t just build muscle by drinking a shake and eating some snacks, nor do you build muscle by drastically cutting your calories. You actually have to workout to build muscle.
• If you want to want to lose weight, Visalus recommends the Shape Kit. The shape kit is $99 for 2 bags of the shake mix  and 10 shape up mix-ins(to change the flavor if you get tired of “cake”). The shape up mix-ins contain artificial ingredients as well. Visalus recommends that you drink 2 shakes a day to lose weight. 2 Problems with that: 1) That means you will run out of one bag of mix in 15 days, so the 2 bags will only last you 1 month instead of two, resulting in you having to buy MORE product sooner than expected.  2) 90 cals + 90 cals=180. That, is very low in calories for 2 meals, and you will have to make up at least 1020 calories between your 1 meal and 2-3 snacks. If you don’t get the additional calories in daily, your calorie intake will be much lower than the minimum calorie intake recommended for the day(for women) of 1200 CALORIES which leads to many health problems.

How Much is Shakeology?

• Shakeology is $129.95 customer price for a 30 day supply (suggested 1 serving/day) and $97.46 for a coach. That being said, with  the coaching fees paid, you are paying $113/month for Shakeology Home Direct(HD). Around 3.77$/day, which is a great deal for a quick, nutritious superfood meal!

5. TASTE

What are the Visalus flavors?

• Visalus claims it tastes like “cake”. That is the only flavor. I do not have personal experience with the taste because I refuse to put all those harmful ingredients into my body.You can buy Shape up flavor packs at $12.50(if you’re not on auto-ship) a pop and load the shake with more artificial ingredients.

What flavors of Shakeology are there?

I have tried ALL flavors of Shakeology and do have favorites, but my favorite thing is the variety! Strawberry smoothie one day to a thick chocolate salted caramel milkshake the next.

Honestly, my biggest issues besides the artificial ingredients with the Body by Vi shakes is that the

they advertise "The Body by Vi Challenge is the leading platform for weight loss and fitness results" and I have done research and I see nothing that leads me to believe these shakes will help you reach fitness goals... All I see is calorie deprivation and artificial ingredients, and what happens when you stop drinking them? You will gain weight!

Beachbody as a company truly has the customers’ best interest (their health) in mind. They do their research and make sure you are consuming only the highest quality product with NO EXCEPTIONS!! They promote healthy lifestyles, not just a “magic” shake. We have the support, the fitness programs, the Shakes and the lifestyle change so we give you all the tools to completely change your life permanently.