Can I get Some Fries with that Shake?

Has anyone ever tried shakeology before?

A friend of mine has been using it for awhile and really loves it. She is also gluten-free and has a lot of other food allergies (like this kid) and finds it a great, nutritious option for her breakfasts each day.
I'm the kind of person who does not usually like to eat a big breakfast because I'm lazy not a morning person and snooze my alarm too much to have time to make a good breakfast.Today I did the chocolate shake with a banana, a gluten free graham cracker, and unsweetened almond milk. It was super yummy! (Even my fiance kept trying to steal sips!)

I'm not looking to lose weight with shakeology, I'm looking for a healthy alternative (gluten-free) that will make me feel better. I got the sampler pack this past Friday and have had a shake each day for breakfast. I have noticed a difference in my energy level, as well as noticed that I am not as hungry throughout the rest of the day. Shakeology offers a 30 day trial policy where if you try shakeology for 30 days and end up not liking it or not thinking the product is working for you, you can return it for your money back. So, I'm going to take the 30 day challenge and see how it goes.

On top of that, my back is still pretty messed up. I'm still in physical therapy twice a week, but nothing seems to be loosening. My therapist recommended that I start doing gentle yoga to add in more core strengthening and flexibility to help my back heal and get stronger. I took my first class at Bloom Yoga studio last Thursday and I loved it! I was very uneasy at first because I'm not a flexible person and when I think of yoga, I think of crazy poses with people wrapping their feet around their necks. But the instructor was wonderful and provided us with foam blocks, blankets, pillows, and straps that we could use to modify our poses so that we did not hurt ourselves. I actually only had difficulty with one or two poses, so I was happy. But, after not having had a good adrenaline and endorphin release in a very long time (due to not being able to run or do HiiT or strength train) the gentle yoga class moved slowly enough that I could keep up, but was intense enough that I worked up a small sweat. I felt so relaxed and fluid afterwards, it was a great feeling!

I plan on continuing my yoga classes once a week for the next few months. I do not want to do two times a week because I'm not sure how my back will handle that just yet. Once I get the okay from the doctor (and my work schedule) though, I will definitely be up for doing gentle yoga twice a week.

Anywho, I refer back to my original question- has anyone ever tried shakeology, or anything similar? If so, what was your experience?

And I'm Back!

Aren't you excited?! 

I am!

I missed you all SO much! Let's never be apart like that again, okay?

I am finally home from dog sitting. I miss Ella (the dog) but I know she's excited that her dad is back home. I was able to go to the gym twice this week since I've been home. That's right- TWICE! Homegirl doesn't play. I went last night (after a very relaxing and much needed surprise pedicure- my toes are NEON PINK!!) and I did the 30minute cross training routine. Then, I went today and did a short 1.2 mile run, just to get myself back into the swing of things. My body still feels tired from being on the go for so long, but I'm glad to be getting myself back on track.

I am concerned because I start rehearsals for a new show on Monday and that is going to take up my evenings for the next 6 weeks. I don't want to fall off track again because it's almost half marathon time!! So, I've devised a plan to keep myself in line. Now, for anyone who knows me (or possibly has read some of my earlier blogs), you will know I am NOT a morning person. Not even close. Considering most of the time I don't have to be at work till 11am or later, I can usually sleep in pretty late. Well, over the summer I have been weening myself into getting up earlier and earlier. I don't like that feeling of knowing that I slept so late I wasted my day away. It makes me feel like I've accomplished nothing- no matter what I might get done the rest of the day. So, I slowly started setting my alarm for earlier times. At first, I would get up at 10, then 9:45, then 9:30. Now, I can usually get myself up by 8:45 or 9 am. For me, that's a huge deal! My intent is to start getting myself up at 7:30 or 8 (depending upon what time I have to be at work, etc) so I can go to the gym or hit the pavement first thing in the morning. I have high hopes that I can do this!! I feel better having a plan of sorts in place for the upcoming chaos.

Also, on a side note, I went to Borders for their Going Out of Business Sale. I was armed with a $25 gift card and managed to snag 2 fitness books, a pleasure read and a book for my niece. I am very excited about the fitness books. One is all about Core strengthening and different core exercises, the other is a running book called "Run For Life". It seemed interesting. I also still have Kara Goucher's book to get through as well (plus 4 additional pleasure reads- oy). I am going to start Kara's book within the next week. And I'm going to do the core book everyday until the half marathon. My plan is to read the book within the next few days and then do 5-8 of the moves every morning. Good plan, yes? It's my own version of the 30 day Ab Challenge.... only, I've got more than 30 days. HA. Eventually I will get to my pleasure reads (I read pretty fast actually).

Ok... enough of my rambling. Have a good night everyone!!