Join the flock!

So you've researched Beachbody programs and maybe even purchased or completed one and want to reap the benefits. First thing you should ask yourself is "do I want to be a premium club member and have access to Beachbody on Demand (BOD) and get a 10% discount or do I want to be a coach, get BOD, get a 25% discount, and help others achieve their goals?" I highly recommend becoming a coach but here's a breakdown of the cost associated with each option...

Free Membership ($0!!)

• Your own personal coach (me)
• Access to message boards
• Access to the online supergym to log your workouts and track your progress

Premium Club Membership (Free for 1st 30 days then $2.99/week billed quarterly at $38.87)

• Your own personal coach (me)
• Access to message boards
• Access to the online supergym to log your workouts and track your progress
• Access to Q&A sessions with trainers
• Create personalized meal plans to help achieve your goals
• 10% discount on all Beachbody products including programs, shakeology, and accessories
• Stream hundreds of workouts and have access to all the nutritional packets that come with each program including TurboFire, P90X, P90X2, P90X3, 10 Minute Trainer, Slim in 6, Insanity, Insanity Asylum 1&2, Tai Cheng, Brazil Butt Lift, BBL Master Series, BBL Carnivale, Hip Hop Abs, and ChaLean Extreme. New workouts added every month.

Coach ($16/month + $40 sign up fee + $38.87 quarterly Premium Membership)

• Your own personal coach (me)
• Access to message boards
• Access to the online supergym to log your workouts and track your progress
• Access to Q&A sessions with trainers
• Create personalized meal plans to help achieve your goals
• 25% discount on all Beachbody products including programs, shakeology, and accessories
• Stream hundreds of workouts and have access to all the nutritional packets that come with each program including TurboFire, P90X, P90X2, P90X3, 10 Minute Trainer, Slim in 6, Insanity, Insanity Asylum 1&2, Tai Cheng, Brazil Butt Lift, BBL Master Series, BBL Carnivale, Hip Hop Abs, and ChaLean Extreme. New workouts added every month.
• Sign up fee is WAIVED if you purchase a challenge pack (discounts not applicable) or if you're active duty military, spouse, or a veteran your sign up fee AND monthly fee are both waived!
• 30 day money back guarantee if you decide it's not for you
• Access to your team of coaches to help you succeed and help other succeed
• You get to help others achieve their goals
• 25% commission on all sales even if you're classified as inactive (see below)
• Weekly paychecks based on commission

Active vs Inactive Coach

If you decide to become a coach there are 2 classifications: active and inactive. Basically if you sell 50 PV (personal volume) in a 35 day period you'll achieve active status and be eligible for extra team bonuses after you build your team. PV varies depending on the product but if you order Shakeology every month you'll get 90 PV. The 50 PV can be from things you order or things others order or a combination of both. What happens if you don't get 50 PV? You become inactive but still get 25% commission on anything you sell!!

I know it sounds like a lot and it's overwhelming at first. The monthly fee and 50 PV were the 2 things holding me back from becoming a coach. I'm still new at this so I can't really say if it's going to be awesome or not but I knew I wanted to do Beachbody programs, drink Shakeology, and help others so I signed up. The best part I've found so far is being able to help people get healthier. I really didn't expect to get this feeling but it's so fulfilling and heartwarming! 

Here's a look at what you'd spend a month if you ordered Shakeology with the monthly autoship option:

Free Member: $132.08/month

Premium Member: $119.09/month + $12.96 premium = $132.05/month (saves $0.36/year)

Coach: $97.46/month + $12.96 premium + $16 websites = $126.42/month (saves $67.92/year)

This doesn't include any commission. The commissions from 12/25/2014-12/30/2015 range from $0-$18,210 for retail coaches with an average of $502. I believe this is per year but the statement doesn't say. It's all about how much effort you put into it. The statement can be found here.

So are you ready to join our flock? Sign up to be a coach here or sign up for a free Beachbody account here.

Insanity Max 30

I've decided to continue my fitness journey with Insanity Max 30 (IM30 for short). I've tried a workout before and it's intense but I think it will keep me motivate by staying challenging. I'll update every week again with new stats and photos and a description of the week itself. I'm drinking Shakeology this time and am following closer to the meal plan with the containers so hopefully I'll see better results than BBL (not that those weren't good too). So here goes...

Starting Stats:
Weight 111.5 lbs
BMI 19.5
Waist 25.25"
Hips 32"
Butt 35.5"
Thighs 20"
Arms 9.5"
Calves 12.5"/13"

(my right calf is larger due to nerve problems and is swollen most of the time)

BBL Week 7/FINAL Results

This week has been hard. Almost every morning I'm fighting hitting snooze instead of doing my workouts. Monday I only did bum bum because I had a dr appt super early. Tuesday I didn't want to do sculpt so I tried higher and tighter and won't be doing that again as it hurts my back.

My pictures and measurements are actually from a day early because we're going out of town and I don't want to deal with bringing anything extra. I'm still not sure if I'll finish now or do week 8 when we get back. I decided to make this my last week and just enjoy vacation. Hopefully we'll stay active and won't binge too much on vacation. It's a lot harder to stay on track when travelling but luckily some meals have been planned out so I can try to stick with my meal plan.

Updated Stats:
Weight 111.8lbs 110.8 (3lbs total)
BMI 19.5 19.3
Waist 25.25" (0.75" total)
Hips 31.75" 31.5" (1.5" total)
Butt 35.5" (1" total)
Thighs 20" (1" each so 2" total)


Total inches: 5.25" lost!

Next up: Insanity Max 30!

Shakeology Review

Shakeology is a nutrient rich, protein packed, supplement shake with fiber and digestive enzymes marketed by Beachbody. It comes in 7 different flavors (2 vegan) and are between 130-170 calories. You can purchase 24 single serve packets or a 30 serving bag for $129.95 retail (Beachbody club members receive a 10% discount, coaches receive a 25% discount, and monthly autoship customers get discounted shipping). You can also get a month's supply included with a challenge pack. If you're new to Shakeology, I highly recommend ordering the trial pack. You are only allowed to order this one time but it includes all 7 flavors and is $34.95 retail (same discounts apply).

I ordered the trial pack through my coach so I could try them all and give my honest review of each flavor. I will mention I'm a picky eater and a super taster so just because I don't like it doesn't mean you won't either. I tried each flavor in 8oz of water so nothing added to the original flavor.

I really thought I would hate some of the flavors but they all tasted good. Some tasted better than others but it was a close call. Here is my ranking of flavors from best to worst:

"Sensuously sweet and utterly delicious" 

Seriously amazing! I first tried this during my 3 Day Refresh and loved it. In 8 oz of water it's nice and thick and tastes like brownie batter. Next time I try it I may even add in tiny bits of walnuts to really make it so. It's great because you get to have chocolate so it curbs your sweet tooth. 

"Rich artisanal chocolate flavor that's 100% vegan, soy-free, and dairy-free"

I'd really have to taste test this back to back with the regular chocolate to see which I like better and if there is a difference. I think this one is a little bit sweeter and might have more of a stevia after taste but I'm not sure. Either way it's delicious and tied for first.

"Packed with tangy pineapple and sweet guava flavors"

I had heard mixed reviews on this but this is delicious!! I don't taste pineapple or guava or anything besides banana and strawberry but mostly banana. A close tie with chocolate for sure.

"Rich, sweet, fruity, and smooth"

 This one is good. It's sweet and fruity and could almost pass for dessert. The only thing that's better is fresh strawberries.

"Delicious creamy flavor"

I originally tried this in pineapple juice with coconut extract to make a "pina colada" and found it to be bland. I tried it again in just water and it's still nothing special. I thought it would be sweeter but that's ok. This would be a great one to mix with something like flavored yogurt.

"Whole coffee fruit and 25% of the caffeine you'd find in a cup of coffee"

I've tried another brand's coffee protein shake and have added different protein mixes into coffee and never liked it so I thought this would taste about the same. It's not bad! The best coffee flavored protein mix I've tasted. I like that it has some caffeine in it and has a slight almost chocolate taste. I wouldn't order it as my main flavor but it's not bad.

"Nutritional powerhouse packed with mouthwatering fruit and healthy greens"

This wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! It has a light flavor similar to lettuce where it tastes like something but also doesn't have a taste. There's a subtle taste of berry that gives it a little bit of sweetness. Overall, I wouldn't make this my main flavor but would have it from time to time.

Considering Shakeology but are health conscious about nutrients? Here's a list of the flavors and their calories, fat, carbs, sugar, protein, and fiber content. Full nutrition facts can be found by clicking the flavor. Underlined values indicate the lowest calorie/fat/carb/sugar or highest protein/fiber options even though all are very similar.

Cafe Latte: 150 Calories, 2g Fat, 18g Carbs, 7g Sugar, 16g Protein, 5g Fiber
Chocolate: 160 Calories, 2g Fat, 17g Carbs, 6g Sugar, 17g Protein, 6g Fiber

Chocolate Vegan: 170 Calories, 4g Fat, 18g Carbs, 8g Sugar, 16g Protein, 5g Fiber

Greenberry: 130 Calories, 1.5g Fat, 13g Carbs, 6g Sugar, 17g Protein, 4g Fiber

Strawberry: 130 Calories, 1.5g Fat, 15g Carbs, 7g Sugar, 16g Protein, 3g Fiber

Tropical Strawberry Vegan: 170 Calories, 3.5g Fat, 18g Carbs, 8g Sugar, 16g Protein, 4g Fiber

Vanilla:130 Calories, 2g Fat, 14g Carbs, 7g Sugar, 16g Protein, 3g Fiber

What if you're interested but just aren't sure of the price? It is a little pricey when compared to other protein shakes. I'll admit that I'd rather go the cheaper route and get a protein powder that has more protein, less carbs, and less sugar and is cheaper (Vega Clean is a favorite of mine) but I also love the packets that Shakeology comes in as opposed to a bag/container. $70 for 30 days of Vega is almost half the price of Shakeology if you look at the retail price and 30% cheaper than the coach price (about $25). I do mix Vega with milk or coconut almond milk so that adds to the nutrients and the price a little. If you're on the fence I suggest ordering the trial pack as it is cheaper and you'll be able to try all of the flavors and know if you like any of them. You can purchase a trial pack here.

Another option is to get a challenge pack. If you're already considering a Beachbody program you can upgrade to a challenge pack that includes a 30 day supply of Shakeology and a 30 day trial to Beachbody on Demand, a streaming service that gives you access to nearly every program available! If you get a challenge pack, the $39.95 fee to become a coach is waived and you'll get a 25% discount on future orders! To find out more about becoming a coach, go here.

BBL Week 6 Results

I'm not sure why but this week it's been hard to find motivation to exercise. Maybe it's because the Facebook challenge group I was in is now over or maybe I'm getting bored with the exercises or maybe I'm not seeing the results I had hoped for by now. Either way I'm sticking with it and getting it done. I've gained back all of the weight I lost with the 3 Day Refresh. I'll admit diet has A LOT to do with that and probably the reason why I haven't seen the results I had hoped for. I really need to focus on sticking to a calorie goal and eating more well rounded meals. One problem with that is my pickiness. My new coach posted the updated 21 Day Fix foods list and I eat 38% of what's on there. Luckily my favorite foods (besides sugary treats) are fruits and veggies and I love salads. I'm not really a meat eater but I guess I need to start adding more into my diet.

This week is what I call sculpt week because we have it 3 times! I changed one for booty time, bikini body, and 15 min abs. I bought 8 lb hand weights, a new stability ball, and 10 lb (5lbs each) ankle weights to hopefully challenge myself more. I started with 3lbs on each ankle and moved up to the heavy resistance band. It made the moves harder so I wasn't able to do as many as before but I think it'll be better than using an easier band/weight. I skipped sculpt on day 5 and was going to add it to my rest day but had to install a door and week whack and that is equivalent in my eyes.

I can't believe there's only 2 weeks left. I'm still not sure if I'm going to complete week 8 or stop at 7 since we'll be on vacation the whole time and will be active. Guess I need to figure it out soon.

Updated Stats:
Weight 109.8lbs 111.8
BMI 19.1 19.5
Waist 25" 25.25
Hips 32" 31.75
Butt 36" 35.5
Thighs 20"

BBL Week 5 Results

I signed up for the premium club membership which gives a free 30 day trial for Beachbody On Demand (BOD) this week. I anticipated on doing this since we'll be out of town for week 8 and I didn't want to bring something to play DVDs. I'm still debating on how to work that week but I'll figure it out later. The best part about BOD is that you have access to several different programs and all of their content (meal guide, calendar, etc) so you can try out different programs before you buy them. Some videos are exclusive to you purchasing the program first (ex. 21 Day Fix, Insanity Max:30, P90, PiYo, and T25) but give you access to the digital files after you purchase. The premium membership also gets you a 10% discount on purchases, access to a meal planner, and is only $2.99/week (billed quarterly $38.87) which is a ton cheaper than any gym and cheaper than ordering all of the programs.

I also ordered a trial pack of Shakeology. It includes a packet of each flavor so you can try them all. I can't wait for that to get here so I can see which flavor(s) I like best.

My 3 Day Refresh arrived on Tuesday just in time for me to start it on Wednesday. You can see my review of it here.

I looked at the Brazil Butt Lift Master Series and Carnivale Series videos (thanks to the BOD access) and have decided to incorporate them into my schedule in place of similar BBL exercises to mix it up a bit. I tried to replace exercises with similar ones. Here is my modified schedule:

We had a lot going on this week which meant I didn't want to get up and exercise every morning but I did anyways. I did cut a few High & Tights short though and changed the last Cardio Axe to Carnivale. I think a lot of my weight loss is due to the 3 Day Refresh but will gladly take it! My hubby is seeing changes too and said these exercises are making me toned especially in my abs. :) I still fail the pencil test but maybe I'll be able to pass it by the end.

Updated Stats:
Weight 111.4lbs 109.8
BMI 19.7 19.1
Waist 25.5" 25
Hips 32"
Butt 36"
Thighs 20"

3 Day Refresh Review

This is my honest review of Beachbody's 3 Day Refresh. I participated in a challenge group that started with this and wasn't sure what to think at first. You follow a very easy guide of what to eat for 3 days and it's suppose to cleanse your body and get you eating healthier. You're also not suppose to exercise too hard because it's a limited calorie diet but I stuck with my Brazil Butt Lift schedule.

Here's a look at my meals:
Day 1
     Wake up: drink 8 oz filtered water
     BBL Carnivale and High & Tight
     Breakfast: Shakeology and 12 strawberries (1h after waking up. Mine was a little later than that)
     Late AM: Fiber Sweep
     Lunch: Vanilla Fresh, 1 peach, 2 celery sticks, and 0.5T almond butter (0.5T=1.5t)
     Snack: 1C sliced cucumbers and 0.5T almond butter
     Dinner: Vanilla Fresh and spinach salad recipe

Day 2
     Wake up: drink 8 oz filtered water
     BBL Ipanema Booty and 15 Min Abs
     Breakfast: Shakeology and 12 strawberries
     Late AM: Fiber Sweep
     Lunch: Vanilla Fresh, 1/2 apple, 1C sliced cucumbers, and 0.5T almond butter
     Snack: 2 celery sticks and 0.5T almond butter
     Dinner: Vanilla Fresh and spinach salad recipe

Day 3
     Wake up: drink 8 oz filtered water
     BBL Carnivale and High & Tight
     Breakfast: Shakeology and 12 strawberries
     Late AM: Fiber Sweep
     Lunch: Vanilla Fresh, 1/2 apple, 2 celery sticks, and 0.5T almond butter
     Snack: 2 celery sticks and 0.5T almond butter
     Dinner: Vanilla Fresh and spinach salad recipe


I chose the chocolate Shakeology and hoped it was going to be good since I hadn't tried it before. It's amazing!!! 1 packet in 8oz of water is nice and thick and tastes like brownie batter! There's a slight aftertaste from the stevia but it's not bad.

The fiber sweep is very lemony. It's not horrible and since it's only mixed in 8 oz you can chug it easily. I've heard to drink it immediately so don't let it sit around!

The vanilla fresh isn't bad. I wish I could have Shakeology instead tho. It's mild enough and pretty bland. I tried it with plain water and with lime juice and mint (mojito recipe found here). The mojito isn't close to a real one but I guess it's better than nothing.

I forgot to measure so I'm just using my BBL week 4 results since they were taken just a few days before hand so they should be close. I did weigh myself though.

Start                           End
Weight 112.0              109.8
Waist 25.5"                 25
Hips 32"                     32
Butt 36"                      36
Thighs 20"                  20

Overall it's not too bad because it's only for 3 days. I was a little hungry. I wanted ice cream and wine and chocolate but feel this is an easy way to get a lot of fruits and veggies into your diet so you get use to eating more of them and develop a craving for them.

Just a side note... you might gain the weight back in the days following the refresh. I did. Granted the 1st day afterwards I ate A LOT of carbs but I ate better on the second day. I weighed myself on the 3rd morning and was a little sad to see the scale back at 111.8. It definitely has taught me that yes you can lose weight with it and maybe you'll be able to keep it off but in reality it's more of a way to flush out your system and get it ready to eat healthier. It taught me how to time out my meals and shows me that I need to vary my diet some more.