My View - Memorable Days!

 

Good morning and welcome to my blog!  My name is Jeanette and I am a mom of two early elementary age kids.  I am currently making my way through the PiYo program and those who follow me on FB are accustomed to seeing PiYo photos like the one above.  It is hard to put into words the increased flexibility, balance and range of motion that I have found with this one!  I have been a Team Beachbody coach for nearly 15 months now and I NEVER stop being amazed at the things that I see and hear in the course of a day or week.  I mean seriously.  So this blog entry is going to include some of the highlights of the past few days.  Some of this may surprise you!  

Last night there were three things that I came across within a 10 minute period that just resonated so much within me!  Here is the "what" and "why".

1) I was scrolling FB last night and WOW - there was one of my FB friends who is a coach on our larger team and she was the $1,000 winner of the Beachbody Challenge!  Ashley's story really just says it all.  It is not just the losing 76 pounds after a devastating miscarriage.  It is not just getting her thyroid balanced despite hypothyroidism.  It is gaining a new outlook on life.  Wanting to leave the house again and being ready to embrace life. Reading about her coach and being in a challenge group... so neat!  This is a snapshot of why I love what I do each day!  Check out Ashley's story and photos here!

2) I hear ALL THE TIME how it "costs too much" to eat healthy.  This discussion was even a feature story in our local news page via FB just yesterday.  It makes me sad that people don't necessarily see the high price they are paying big picture when NOT eating healthy.  As I was thinking about that last night, this video made by Autumn Calabrese (mom and creator of the 21 Day Fix) popped up in my news feed.  Here you go - Check out Autumn and her little guy on video here.  Her video description: The number one reason I hear why people don't eat healthy is that it is too expensive. Here is my comparison of McDonalds meals vs a home made meal. Home made meal wins! You can find the recipe for the chicken nuggets that I made on autumncalabrese.com

3) And finally, last night I came across this article and it was an EXCELLENT summary of the "what" and "why" this is all coming together!  Do you want to change your life?  Do you feel like it is going to be too expensive?  How does Shakeology compare to other things out there?  Take a LOOK AT THIS INFO!!! 

I currently have two challenge groups running ("secret" accountability groups on FB!) and these groups are on Day 6 and Day 20 today.  Plus I have other challengers who began earlier this year and have since become coaches on my team.  Now that I have personally been at this life change since September 2013, it is encouraging to always be hearing the perspective of those who are not so far from the starting line.  My next group will begin on June 1st and you are invited!  See details at the end of this blog entry.

Some things that had me cheering the past few days??

A friend who began as a challenger and is now a coach shared how she bought new bras yesterday - band size is down 4" from where she began this past February!!!

Challenger sharing with me that since starting Shakeology and clean eating, her almost monthly yeast infections have vanished!  Tested sugar and cholesterol and they are both down these days!  Shakeology is proven to lower cholesterol (my own dropped 44 points!) and is also known to be effective in really shifting PCOS, Crohn's, IBS, Inflammation and a bunch of miscellaneous things!  This is NOT some "magic powder".  It is truly top nutrition and when we fuel our bodies well, it is AMAZING what we will see change along the way!

New challenger sharing how she now feels that it is actually possible to get into shape!  That realization is priceless and will take someone far! 

ANOTHER coach on our team shared yesterday that she is expecting!  It is no coincidence that this keeps happening.  Myself, my tubes were tied 6 years ago.  But when I began my lifestyle change in September 2013, I was amazed at how out of nowhere, after 22 years of an irregular cycle, it was "suddenly" regular that first month and has been ever since.  Another challenger shared last week that she has experienced the same!  It is amazing what great nutrition can do when you are incorporating Shakeology along with clean eating.  My migraines also disappeared! 

Brand new challenger who can't believe that her old cravings have disappeared and she is following the plan 100%.  When asked what is making the difference?  "1. Shakeology. I've tried other protein powders before and not had this kind of success. It's yummy and satisfying. The other kinds I've bought I would try to choke down and they left me hungry. And I mean well-respected brands like "Garden of Life." 2. That I paid a nice chunk of change for the program. Buying a DVD for $10 and don't use it? No big deal. Buy 21 day fix and don't use it? Ouch. Haha. Those are two things making the difference I think.  Shakeology has immediately taken away my carb, sugar, diet soda and sugary coffee drink cravings. I don't even understand it! But I like it!  I think Beachbody is really a cover for Willy Wonka. He's finally perfected that gum that tastes like a whole meal (remember that scene in the old movie?) but used the technology for Shakeology. Hahaha"  Here is a blog entry of mine on "Breaking the Diet Cycle".  I see this OVER and OVER and am still captivated with how it works!

Challenger/New Coach who shared yesterday how she hasn't felt this good in 4 years!
"I'm starting to get some of my flexibility back doing yoga and Pilates again.
My marriage has a spark again and that's hard with babies around.
I have tons of energy and I'm still NOT getting sleep.
My heart and body just feels healthier.
I'm generally happier in every aspect of my life just because I feel good?"

A challenger who has become a coach shared this on her page the other night and I just loved it!  "This is why I am a Beachbody Coach: I know DMV are not the best photos, but neither is the comparison. I have really struggled with my fitness journey because I feel great, but the scale hasn't moved as much as I wanted and I know I need to take off a lot before someone notices. But tonight I pulled out my license & was shocked. That was just about a month & a half ago. By George...it's working!"

  

SO, can you even believe that all this is part of my job????  And I get to work from home?  I shared this on my own FB page yesterday morning:

Rest day today on the PiYo calendar and I fit in some extra "work" time this morning. 

Why the ""????

Because this truly does not feel like work yet it is my job!

Being able to work from anywhere, when it is convenient for me is such a benefit!
This morning I am checking in with current challengers and we are keeping each other accountable on the journey. These women become friends and I love that!

I am in conversation with those pondering "if" this is the time to make their own life change and could it work for them? That is a vulnerable spot to be in and I remember it well. 

I am brainstorming ideas with my team and these are some INCREDIBLE women. We are in a variety of places this morning - in the hospital with a newborn, on a road trip to see family, getting ready to go to a regular job, feeding babies, getting kids prepped for school. Everyone connects and it is amazing to hear of the progress that is taking place. 

All in all, I am just plain thankful!

Last night at dinner I was able to share with my husband some exciting things that are happening in my business. Do you know how much that means as a mom who is juggling lots here at home? I thank the Lord that I can contribute here and invest in others whole investing in our own future!

If this sparks your interest, let's talk!

There is an anthem type of song that I first heard this past week and it instantly clicked with me - everyone mentioned here in this blog entry is fighting the status quo of what is acceptable as "normal" in our society these days. 

If you would like to begin your own adventure with personal health and fitness and then who even knows what could happen next - complete the form below and we will get started!

On June 1st I will be kicking off my 60 Day "Summer Challenge" group and I just know that this is going to be a great one!  I am enrolling there now and am excited about the potential of those who have already committed to joining me!  Here is more about what goes into being a challenger.

On June 1st I will also be starting my monthly Smart Start Coach Basics training.  We are hosting a 3 Day "Coaching Open House" later this week - May 27th through 29th.  This all takes place in a closed FB group and it is a great place to explore coaching as an option without any sort of obligation to do more than explore the idea.  Friend request me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jeanette.paradis for more info! 

 

Fill out my online form.

The easy to use Wufoo form builder helps you make forms easy, fast, and fun.

Play the Numbers Game!

Hello!  Welcome to my blog!  My name is Jeanette and I am a mom of two.  I am a math fan.  I love a good deal!  I greatly value convenience and efficiency.  My health is important to me, especially after having spent a few years at risk due to my own state of health.  I am BUSY and have to admit that I am not so good at margins more often than not.  I tend to squeeze everything possible into a day.

I am also a Team Beachbody coach and very much enjoy my home business where I get to help others change their lives as they reach their own health and fitness goals!  After making some serious life changes myself beginning in September 2013, I was so excited to share these things that I became a coach in March 2014.  

A question that I hear often is: "I would like to start, but isn't it really expensive to do all of this?"  

Well, that depends on how you look at it.  If you think of ADDING a $140 expense to your life out of nowhere, then sure.  That does seem to be costly.  

BUT, if you break it down like I did in the image above, there is less sticker shock.

For me, planning and prepping daily meals for myself and my family is a wearisome task at times!  I run out of ideas, time and energy when it comes to having everything available and ready to go several times a day in the midst of our busy everyday life.  We do cook from home most of the time.  Here and there we grab an option that is a balance of being the most healthy while still being most efficient and most cost-effective.  That is a tall order, right??

So I make one of my meals per day SIMPLE.  And on the weekends, it is not unusual that this meal also serves as a family dinner after a busy day on the go!  We love living in Erie and there is so much to enjoy around here.  Now, let's backtrack a bit.  My husband used to think that any meal which didn't require a fork was not "real food".  He was not satisfied with meals that involved only a spoon.  So how on earth is he now eating a meal that only requires a straw??  Because this is not just some protein shake or weight loss powder!  It is top-notch nutrition and is a perfectly balanced meal.  I get it.  When you think of me having my Shakeology for breakfast and it costs me $3.33, it is easy to think of how you are not spending that much on a granola bar and banana.  The nutrition does not compare at all, but that is a whole other topic!  But when my husband will have Shakeology for his dinner and our kids will split a serving, the value goes waaaayyyy up!  Feeding a family of four for under $10 plus adding in a total of 1.5 bananas, a couple teaspoons of nut butter, 12 ounces of almond milk and some water/ice is a handy option to have!  Convenience is just one reason why I love my Shakeology!

So let's say that you were to go to the store and purchase 30 healthy meals all at once.  Even conservatively, you could factor $6 per meal over the course of a month when you are also thinking of a bit of convenience here and there with being able to grab something quickly at times.  So let's say $180 or so per month for one great meal per day for the entire month.

How about going to the gym? Driving there, working with child-care if needed, planning your schedule around a class schedule, waiting for equipment, paying for classes or a monthly gym membership fee - that will all add up for sure!

And then you have the BIG missing piece which keeps so many people from making the most of their journey.  ACCOUNTABILITY!  Daily support, a community of fitness friends who are also working on clean eating recipes for their families plus a coach who has been where you are and has learned how to get over the humps and move forward with progress is what you find in one of my challenge groups!  

For $140, you can purchase a challenge pack.  This IS a great value!  30 meals.  A 60 day fitness program.  Daily, personal support.  An invitation to a community of other like-minded friends who will be an encouragement to you.  Plus I am there and will be with you each step of the way as you tackle some life changes.  So is it expensive, considering all of this?  To me, it is not a ridiculous price for those who are looking to make progress!

I am currently putting together my May 11th "Find Your Fitness Focus" group and you are invited to be part of it!  I begin a new group each month and would be glad to give you more details on this!  Complete the form below to be entered for a spot in one of my upcoming groups!  

 

Fill out my online form.

The easy to use Wufoo form builder helps you make forms easy, fast, and fun.

Ideas for a Healthy November!

Hello and welcome to November!  Today is the 1st and I am excited to be putting together some plans for this new month!!  Up first is a "Fall into Fitness" group that I am leading with Kara Simpkins.  It makes me smile to think of how I have added four new women to that group during the past 24 hours!  I will continue to add there through the end of the day today.  :)  So if you have been on the fence, message me ASAP!  We have a variety of workout programs represented in that group and will of course talk about clean eating and how to make it all work in "real life"!  This group is comprised of 20 or so women who are determined to make some positive changes in their lives during this season!  This week was unique in that I was able to sit down with three of my brand-new Fall into Fitness challengers and we spoke face-to-face about their goals, hopes and really just where to take all of this.  I loved being able to do that!  So much of what I do happens through Facebook and that is a convenient platform for sure.  But being able to grab a few minutes here and there to connect in person was pretty neat!  Some of my challengers do live here in Erie, PA.  Others are on the other side of the country and even on the other side of the world!  

On November 10th I will begin my second ever "Make the Most of Today" clean eating group.  I had hosted my first group like this back in August and it was a great experience that was beneficial for so many!  This November group will involve the same content that I had created in August.  I have added to my circle of friends since August and I was thinking the other day how the timing is right to host a second round of this free group!  Clean eating has been life-changing for me over the past 13 months and I am excited to share a "how-to" through this group! I have lost 50+ pounds and have had huge changes with my cholesterol, triglycerides, energy and overall approach to life. Here are the topics that we will explore: Monday the 10th will include some basics on clean eating and why it is important. On Tuesday we will take a look at how to calculate our personal calorie target and the importance of truly balanced nutrition. On Wednesday we will look at meal planning basics and grocery shopping strategies. Thursday will include a look at the ripple effect of eating clean for ourselves and those who are in our circle. We will also get down to the nitty-gritty dangers of sugar. Friday will be our final day and we will talk about finding your place to begin with all of this and the importance of incorporating exercise that you will actually enjoy! 

Stay tuned for more details on my November 17th "Healthy Holidays" group!  I will be hosting this one with Molly Avondet and we are making some plans now on the content for that group.  :)  We will spend some time talking about our fitness efforts but the bigger emphasis will be eating clean so that we can feel our best through the holiday season and on in to the new year!

If you have been thinking about looking for a part-time job or would even like to move beyond that and build a viable business, we should talk!  My coaching team is growing and I would be interested in having you join us!  You do not need to be a fitness or nutrition expert to be able to help those in your circle.  I began my own transformation after seeing how all of this was working for my sister and that made me feel comfortable enough to get started myself.  The main thing is to be passionate about helping others while enjoying the flexibility and creativity that this business brings.  I am able to give you some excellent tools and will support you along the way.  Plus my larger team is the #1 team in all of Beachbody and this instantly gives you access to very experienced top coaches who are available and willing to help others on our team.  What do you think?  

 

Results: PiYo Day 30!

Here we are!  I am now halfway into my 60 Days with PiYo. Those who follow me on Facebook know how much I am enjoying this program!  These workouts are low-impact but still fairly high in intensity.  My bare feet are SO happy these days!  I wear my sneakers for just one of the nine workouts.  The interesting part is that the better you get at PiYo, the more intense it becomes for you!  I am still "feeling" my workouts each day. I am excited for the change that I can see in just 30 days of PiYo!  I admittedly did NOT have an ideal month from a nutritional standpoint. To be honest, there were just too many festivities where I strayed. Nothing ridiculous any one of those days. But when you add them all up... well, I am just happy to have not gained any weight this month!  My weight has remained steady since I completed the 3-Day Refresh four weeks ago.  I have lost 4.5 inches since starting PiYo and I am thankful for that!  I can tell a real difference in the area above my belly button.  It is becoming less "flubby".  I love that I am becoming more lean while also significantly increasing my balance and flexibility!!  Now I get the feeling of the term "PiYo strong".  I like it!!  I am ready for the next 30 days of PiYo. September 16th will mark my one year anniversary of this entire lifestyle change. I am determined to do my best these next five weeks.  I am planning to do the 3-Day Refresh a second time when I complete round one of PiYo in early September.

  

The images above are pretty crazy to see... I realize that!  I am sharing this in hopes that if you are reading this and are wondering if it is possible to really CHANGE and become more healthy when you may have tried before and failed... the answer is YES!  We can do this!  If you are thinking of a loved one who could really benefit from a shift like this, please feel free to refer them to me.  I really enjoy coaching and am seeing many times over that I am not the only one who is a success story of clean eating, Shakeology and daily workouts.  I am a work in progress and continue onward with this adventure!

I am having so much fun with my PiYo Challenge Group!  It is great to have the camaraderie and support of the other women there.  I asked a couple of them if I could share some of their results and perspective here on my blog?

Here is what we celebrated with a first-time challenger who shared this earlier today in our group: "I lost 12 total inches and 6 lbs."   (This makes me SMILE!!!!)

Another first-time challenger shared this on my FB wall yesterday.  This is a friend who was reluctant to begin and now has lost 9 inches this month and is inviting others to join us in an upcoming challenge group: "For the past four weeks, I have been working out at home with the PiYo DVD set with Chalene Johnson. I actually look forward to it because it's fun to feel stronger and more flexible every day! I love seeing and feeling the improvements. I've gained more energy and lost most sugar cravings with my daily dose of Shakeology for breakfast, followed up with clean eating all day. I am so thankful to my friend, Jeanette, for encouraging me (and challenging me) to do this. I really did not see this coming, haha!"

Last week I was so excited to tell my challenge group that I can now touch my heels to the ground if I am in a "warmed-up" downward dog!!!!  One of the girls there who has been in a couple of groups with me and was a serious gym person for the past several years shared this with us: "I have been doing down dog for three years now. It hasn't been till I started PiYo that my heels touch the ground."

Yesterday we added in a workout that was new to our rotation.  This was "Sculpt".  Sculpt is KILLER on your hamstrings and triceps!  Today was "Sweat".  This one has been part of the rotation since week one.  It was the most challenging one during week one and is still a challenge now!  I genuinely look forward to my daily workout!  I think that I may have become an addict?  It is my "me time".  Here is an idea of what PiYo Week 5 includes.  

A Glimpse into Today's Challenge Group Posts!

Hello!  I am smiling as I sit down to write this blog entry.  :)  I am currently in the middle of leading two Challenge Groups and I so wish that each of you reading my blog could experience just how effective (and fun!) these groups can be.  The first group is a 60 Day group where we are focusing on clean eating, daily workouts and drinking Shakeology.  I am leading that group with a coach Molly who joined my team in mid-March.  She had been a participant in another challenge group that I first led with my own sponsor coach and from there Molly just knew that she was ready to jump in and make a go of this business.  She is doing GREAT and I couldn't be more pleased with her sparkle and progress.  Exactly the type of coach that is a delight to have on my team.  Anyways, back to our 60 Day Challenge Group.  Today is Day 17 there.  We began on April 7th, after having spent seven days of preseason prep to got ourselves ready for this challenge.  Today I posted a note in the group which is generating responses that I just LOVE to hear from our challengers! 

Here is what I posted: 

Day 17: Good morning! How are we all doing today? I want you to share 5 things that you learned about yourself over the last 17 days… good and bad! Maybe this has been the first time you have ever stuck to a lifestyle change or workout routine, or maybe you realized that you can workout in the am or that you are stronger than you thought you were. This is a time to reflect on the positive changes you have made in your life. You may have not yet hit the number on the scale that you were hoping for but you are giving this your all and you are making big changes! I want you to shout it from the roof tops today that you are not waiting around for the perfect place and time. You are taking charge of your life today and doing what needs to be done to make yourself a healthier, happier and stronger individual.

And here are some of the responses... I asked the girls if I could share these anonymously via my blog and they agreed! 

1)I'm stronger than I ever thought 2) I'm actually enjoying this 3) I'm hardly ever hungry 4) I haven't wanted ice cream at all 5) I loved the way I looked before but love the energy and the way I look now.

1) I was ready for heavier weights 2) still can't trust myself with Doritos in the house lol 3) I do feel hungry when doing double workouts 4) I am contemplating becoming a coach 5) I don't ever want to stop working for a healthier me!

1) I actually can get up in the mornings to workout 2) I have more will power than I believed 3) I can still go out to eat with family and friends and stick to healthy eating 4) I can workout more than 3 of 4 days a week 5) participating in this FB group actually motivates me

1) peanut m&ms CANNOT be around me!- definitely my down fall. 2) I definitely get better results with anything I do when I have others to hold me accountable 3) I'm a TERRIBLE multi-tasker! 4) I love the idea of women empowering each other, rather than beating each other down. 5) I love my kids to death, but I am grateful to still have some sort of "independence"! (this is from a participant who is now a brand-new coach on Molly's team)

1) sticking/making time to working out everyday for more than 2 weeks.
2) I have no self discipline when junk food or chocolate is in the house and no one is around to catch me sneaking it.
3) getting stronger all over.
4) not dieting, but changing my lifestyle to clean and healthy eating.
5) I can do anything I put my mind to. 

1) I can workout everyday even if it's only 30 min and am getting more out if it then my old 1hr+ workouts.
2) I can do abs after my abdominal hernia surgery and no longer have spasms guessing bc of strength!
3) I can't stick to this strict of a diet but realize I can live with less carbs.
4) Getting toner and feeling better working out and doing Shakeology from home. (First time not working out at gym)
5) LOVE having you ladies to chat with about this experience!! What do I do after day 21 now?!

Now for the other Challenge Group that I am currently leading!  It is just Day 3 of Preseason there and we will officially begin on April 28th.  I am leading this group alongside of new coach Kara who joined my team just under two weeks ago.  Kara is actually a participant in the 60 Day group mentioned above!  She is a strategist who I knew would want to hit the ground running.  I am SO excited for all that she is learning so quickly as she jumps full-force into this endeavor.  Kara is one of the most practical encouragers that I know and coaching is a great fit for her!  Our April 28th group is focused specifically on the 21 Day Fix program.  We will run for 35 days, including preseason and then an additional week beyond the 21 days. This will allow time for those who ordered a bit later to receive their program and still fit in their own complete 21 days.  We will wrap up the day before Memorial Day!

Here is what I posted there today as everyone is getting their plans in place in order to successfully begin the challenge on Monday:

PRESEASON Day 3: Time to clean out your pantry and fridge! We want to do our best in setting ourselves up for success! For me, if it is sweet and available, I will be tempted to eat it. Knowing that many of us share our homes with others and they may not yet be embracing "clean eating", find the kitchen balance for yourself. I actually did this with my daughter who was 6 at the time. Pivotal moments that morning and I then knew that her eyes were going to be keeping me accountable in the day to day, after our big discussion on the "why" behind all of the changes!! I am going to include two blog links below. One is a recap of things that we had gotten rid of here while beginning this new lifestyle last September.  (Cleaning Out the Kitchen!) The other link is to my sister Rachel's blog and is a step-by-step in making over your pantry and fridge!!  (New You, New Kitchen!)

Clean Eating 101...
What to avoid:
• All over processed foods particularly white flour and sugar
• All chemically charge foods
• Food containing preservatives
• Artificial Sugars
• Artificial foods like sliced cheese
• Saturated and trans fats
• Sugar loaded beverages(juice)
• Alcohol intake(very limited)
• All calorie dense foods containing little or no nutritional value
• super sizing your meals

Sample Grocery List: I tend to shop at Wegmans and Sam's Club. Here are the items that are typically on my list for those places. I thought of you all as you prepare to shop and wondered if this would be helpful as a template? Of course it varies from week to week according to what we are making for dinner and needing to restock in the pantry. Many of the items last for a month or more. This is my basic list which I just go in and edit from one week to the next. (List was uploaded as a file for the group to use as a reference)

If this sort of camaraderie appeals to you or makes you think of a friend who has mentioned wanting to become more healthy but can't seem to make it happen with her current approach, just let me know!  Referrals are becoming a significant part of my business and I am so excited to see friends taking on these challenges together!     http://jeanetteparadis.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-21-day-fix-review-and-results.html

Q&A: Breaking It Down Four Ways!

I have been thinking about this blog entry over the past several days.  Recently, more than ever, I am getting so many questions on "how exactly are you doing this?" or "so what is a challenge group anyways?" or "did you have to stop eating all carbs?" or "what is in that Shakeology drink?" and "you must workout for at least an hour everyday?"... you get the idea!  I pretty much look back on the past six months (TOMORROW is my exact 6 month mark!!!!) and there are four areas that have made the biggest difference for me.  I have said before that I never would have been brave enough to jump into this lifestyle change if it had not been for my sister Rachel as my Team BeachBody coach.  That particular aspect of my own on-going transformation plays a large role in why I decided to become a coach myself!  I know that some of you are wanting to make a change but are not sure where and how to begin?  And from there, how to keep it going to the point where all of this just becomes your "new normal"?  

1) What is a Challenge Group?

A challenge group is typically a 60 day group. This all takes place through a closed facebook group. Only the members of the group can see what is being posted.  NONE of this comes up in your newsfeed!!  What I do is help you to customize your health and fitness goals to meet your needs. Then I help you to select the best Beachbody workout to get there based on your ability level. You replace 1 meal a day with Shakeology for the next 60 days to give your body 1 meal that is supercharged with ingredients that will give you natural energy.  Your cravings will be curbed, you will stay full for at least 3 hours.  Then, I am going to teach you how to plan the other meals of the day. I will help you create a customized meal plan, give you recipes, snack ideas, tips, motivation and keep you accountable. Every day I post in the challenge group a daily mind-set, tip, encouragement or challenge! You check in and rate your date and read what is posted. We all keep each other accountable!  We will address emotional eating, eating out at restaurants, going on vacation, temptations, cheat meals, body image and more! I have an entire curriculum for my group!  Does this sound like something you would like to do?

2) What is Shakeology?

 

Shakeology is not just another protein shake. This is actually a meal replacement which means that it has the proper carb to protein ratio that you need in a meal to keep you full for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Shakeology combines the fast burning complex carbs and the slow burning fuel. Together they are what make a complete meal. Also, Shakeology is equivalent to eating 6 salads in one meal.  70 super-foods all in one delicious serving! I will be honest I was a little skeptical at first and was certainly not looking to add any expenses to the budget!  But now that I have given it a try, I will never go back. I no longer crave sweets, I have SO much more energy in general.  As a mom, this is VERY helpful!  Shakeology is quick and easy for when I'm busy and don't have time to make a meal! It has saved me in so many situations. Honestly it really is worth it.  I oftentimes suggest to people that you could use Shakeology to replace whatever meal of the day is your own "weakest link".  You will be AMAZED at the results!

3) What is Clean Eating?

Clean Eating may be described differently by different people.  But here is the gist of it! 

What to Avoid:

• All over processed foods particularly white flour and sugar
• All chemically charged foods
• Food containing preservatives
• Artificial Sugars
• Artificial foods like sliced cheese
• Saturated and trans fats
• Sugar loaded beverages(juice)
• Alcohol intake(very limited)
• All calorie dense foods containing little or no nutritional value
• super sizing your meals

So, what DO you eat AND perhaps prepare for a family while "eating clean"?  Basically, we keep it simple!  The recipes are not complex and the foods are not hard to find!  Here is a sample of my own menu plan for the week of March 17th.

4) What kind of workouts do you offer? 

BeachBody truly has a workout that would suit anyone who is interested in pursuing fitness!  No matter your starting level!  You can check out my site at http://www.beachbodycoach.com/JEANETTEPARADIS and there you will find all sorts of

descriptions on the workouts that are currently available!  I did Chalean Extreme for my workout during the first five+ months of this lifestyle change.  I switched to the 21 Day Fix not long ago and am greatly enjoying that as well!  Both of these programs involve workouts that are typically 30-35 minutes in length.  I had hit a plateau with my recent regime and it was time to make a change.  The past 10 days have been fantastic!  I am working different muscles and learned quite a few things about my own nutritional needs.

Not everyone in the Challenge Group is doing the same workout.  But we are all able to support one another and oftentimes it is interesting to hear what others are doing as you

file away ideas for what may be of interest to you in regards to future workouts!  The best way to begin is to order a "Challenge Pack", which will include your DVD-based workout, a few accessories and one month supply of Shakeology. 
 

So now you have a better idea of the tools that I have used in order to make a change in my own life!  This journey has been so worth it.  In fact, earlier today we were celebrating my son's 5th birthday with all of my family.  We were at this nifty place called "Fun Central", located in Clearfield, PA.  They offer this amazing climbing course/soft play area.  I was talking with my husband during our drive back to Erie this evening and was telling him that six months ago there is no way that I would have had the strength, agility or confidence to enter into that climbing area.  The kids enjoyed having me alongside of them and this is just one little gem that I treasure as I look back on "why" this is all worth it!  Where would you like to be six months from now?  With the right tools, you can get started in that direction!  My next challenge group begins in a few weeks.  :)  YOU could be there with me!