Product Review – Shakeology

So as everyone knows, I am a bit of fitness nut. I have enough passion for it that not only became a Certified Personal Trainer but also a Team Beachbody Coach. As part of my fitness quest, I have consumed my fair share of protein powders and meal replacements powders (MRP). I’ve been drinking them since them original Met-Rx hit the market. Met-Rx was great but what most people do not realize is that due to cost, when they changed it from the original 2 packet (base and a mix) they also changed the formula.

There are many MRP’s on the market today and as I said, I have tried a ton of them. Since joining the Beachbody team I have started drinking Shakeology. Shakeology is made by Beachbody and sold by itself or as part of challenge packs along with the program of your choice. Believe me when I say this, I am not trying to sell you on a product for sake of a sell. I am a firm believer in telling the truth and representing the truth, no matter what it might be. Even though Beachbody has many programs and supplements, if I feel a client is not suited for them, then I let them know upfront and we look for an alternative. With that being said, here is my review:

               

When I first placed my order for ShakeO as we call it, I was a little reluctant. Everyone was bragging about the taste, saying it was the best tasting and most nutritious MRP on the market. I’ve tried MANY through the years and have tasted some pretty good products. In order to get a fair assessment, I ordered a mix box which contains 12 Chocolate and 12 Greenberry. The order comes with a recipe calendar with various ways to alter your shakes. I started with plain ole Greenberry. I mixed it with 8 oz. of vanilla Almond Milk. The texture was just great. It was smooth and a really pretty color J. The flavor was a very mild fruit taste. It tasted really good but you could tell that its lightness makes it perfect for accepting other flavors. . . and it does. I have tried a few variations and all have been really good. Now to the chocolate. Normally, I am not a chocolate protein drink kind of person. I find most chocolate proteins to be too rich and too chocolaty with the exception of EAS’ Milk Chocolate protein. Chocolate Shakeology surprised me. It actually had a great taste and texture and comes with some really good recipes. As far as being the best tasting on the market . . . I’m not really sure about that in its natural form but it has some really great recipes that do make it the best I have ever tasted. 

 The great thing about ShakeO is the nutritional value. It contains all natural ingredients that other MRP’s do not have. For instance Maca, is a natural root that gives you a boost in the libido and can be used in eliminating menopause symptoms. Spirulina, is considered the best overall natural protein source and the list goes on and on. So even if it is a little expensive, it takes the place of an entire meal and brings in nutrients that others do not. Substituting just 1 meal per day can help you lose up to 10lbs.I have to say, I am pleased overall. I give it 4 out 5 stars and recommend it to those interested in getting into shape and losing weight.

NOTE:

For any of you wanting to get into great shape and join my team feel free to open a FREE account at www.beachbodycoach.com/TeddyCrouch and if you would like a free sample of ShakeO send me a message or order it directly (US & Canada only due to import/export laws) www.myshakeology.com/TeddyCrouch

The FREE Account is open to everyone worldwide.

Furthering my fitness goals

So here I am again. I actually just wanted to let everyone know,that besides being a Certified Personal Trainer,  I am now an official Team Beachbody Coach. I'm not writing this to try to recruit anyone. It is for the purpose of letting everyone know that there is assistance and groups out there to help them with their fitness needs.

For those of you who do not know, Beachbody is the creator of:

and many many more of the top exercise programs on the market. Adding this to my CPT status will help me reach more people in the hopes of helping others get into great shape. 

 

If anyone is interested in learning more about all of Beachbody’s programs and supplements simply go to my page www.beachbodycoach.com/TeddyCrouch . Feel free to join with a 100% FREE membership (paid Club Membership is optional) and utilize all of the great tools and support groups.

Also feel free to come join my support group, to help you with your fitness goals. You will find me and other Coaches there, as well as members that Pushing Play everyday. It's the perfect place to get your motivation.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/339436406091716/

I personally plan to try out the new Les Miles Pump that is getting some GREAT reviews. 

So if anyone wants to join us then we are here for you. Feel free to ask any questions you might have as well.

Be Safe!!!

Product Review - Vibram FiveFingers

I thought I would do another product review. This time it is for something that I was really skeptical about, so I feel this makes me an ideal person to do a proper and fully unbiased review. This review is on the Vibram FiveFingers. FiveFingers are the shoes that “started the barefoot revolution”.

Vibram FiveFingers® (VFF) were developed by Robert Fliri and Marco Brimani (grandson of Vibram’s founder Vitale Brimani). They are considered to be a healthy alternative for your feet, when living an active life and not a replacement for all of your shoes.

In August of this last year (2011), while I was still in Southern Sudan, my wife and I were discussing buying both of us a pair of Vibram FiveFingers shoes.  I thought they might be interesting but wasn’t completely sold on the comfort level or how I was going to feel about having my toes separated and wrapped. But I thought it might be kind of cool to walk around with that feel of being barefoot. After all, when we were kids we always ran around and played outside with no shoes on and it was great. Plus, I was working in Africa at the time and was reminded that shoes were not necessarily needed to survive. Many of the Africans are still going barefoot and it doesn’t seem to bother them. Believe me the environment over there is much harsher than it is here.

So as my enthusiasm grew I continued to research and saw many different styles, some of which are very odd looking and do not look very appealing but some very cool looking.  I also learned the health benefits of the “barefoot” fitness and lifestyle.

Well my wife decided she could not wait for me to get home before she went to buy hers. I can’t say I blame her. It was still over a month away. When all was said and done, she had bought 2 different styles that look totally different. The Jaya were a slip on style with just enough sole to let you know there was something on your foot and the Speed, which has laces like a traditional shoe. (The ones pictured below are the exact styles and colors)

 

She immediately fell in love with both. Even with how much she seemed to really love her new shoes, I was still skeptical. It wasn’t just the toe thing or a matter of comfort but also sizing a shoe that had to be a precise fit. There is no wiggle room when it comes to the FiveFingers and I mean no wiggle room (at least not for me).  

Shortly after getting home in September, I decided it was time for me to get my shoes. I went from store to store searching but could not find any that fit me. Vibram has a sizing chart on their website with instructions on how to properly measure your foot. I followed their instructions and found that my foot had the exact size on the women’s chart but was in between sizes on the men's. This kind of explained why I was not happy with the feel for the few I had tried on the stores. In learning this I decided to just take a chance and order straight from the website. Well you might have guessed it. I actually order from the WOMEN’S section. I’m secure, plus they seem to have more colors to choose from and after all, I had an exact size match, so why would I go with an off size?

After a few days of searching, I also decided on the Jaya. (These are the exact ones I chose)  

It took me a little while to get used to them, for the same reasons I was skeptical. When you first start wearing them it is VERY different. They feel like nothing I have ever worn before. It is weird walking flat on the ground with no thick soles but feels so good to do so. Now the Jaya’s are not made for high impact but I enjoy working out in them on a daily basis. At first, I had a little discomfort wearing them for several hours at a time but now I forget I have them on and even tend to hang out in the house with them. I have already decided that I will be getting a second pair this year; it is just a matter of deciding which style and what color.

So it is my opinion that you cannot go wrong with a good pair of VFF. I am a firm believer in them. For more information on them go to their website: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com