Protein Powder-Why it matters.

I was at the gym the other day and two guys were standing around a machine talking about protein powder. It went like this, "Yeah man, whey protein is definitely better." Guy number 2, "Yeah, ya think?" Guy number 1, "Yeah definitely." Compelling huh!!! That really did happen and as I was listening I wanted to jump in there and be like, WAIT!! There's an even BETTER OPTION!! Un-denatured whey protein!  Un denatured whey doesn't go through that "cooking" process that other whey protein goes through. When whey protein goes through that process it kills the essential vitamins, nutrients and branch chain amino acids that help our bodies and muscles perform better and recover more efficiently! I can't remember the last time I was sore after a work out! Weird? NO! Because I use un denatured whey protein! 

Isagenix uses un denatured whey protein in all of their products, and they have several to choose from. Their isalean shake, which is actually a meal replacement shake with a full panel of vitamins and minerals as well as branch chain amino acids, and 24 grams of protein in each serving. 

They also have their ISApro shake. A straight up protein powder that does the job for pre-or post work out. That extra protein boost needed to build lean muscle mass and see the effects!! I cannot TELL you the difference I have seen in my work outs with Isagenix! I work out less, and have better results! When I first started working out, I used Shakeology. Shakeology does have a good panel of vitamins and minerals, but here's the straight up truth. Shakeology is not a full meal replacement at only 160 calories. Also, it didn't WORK! I've seen much more success with this product. As a matter of fact, I was on a 5 month plateau when I was using Shakeology.

You can google all over the place regarding shakes and meal replacements but the truth is, any reviewer is not going to have the full story on the Isagenix shake. This review: http://proteinshakereviews.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjwp56wBRDThOSZ3vqGzmESJABjNaj9Lebvsz3iC9Ndataw3vWwvbUBUmyX1POGw4dB_LI6fRoCIfzw_wcB

Put Isagenix in their top three and it probably would have been number one if they would have taken into consideration two things, our member pricing, and the fact that we have ZERO ARTIFICIAL ingredients, the truth is, the industry is juuuust fine with adding fake sugars to keep calorie count down. Here is where Isagenix departs from the rest. We use REAL NATURAL SUGAR. Fructose. Derived from beet sugar to sweeten our shakes. Why no fake sugar? Because fake sugar still makes your body respond the same way as processed sugar. And the whole Isagenix system is designed to get you off the sugar roller coaster. Of course this looks bad to a "shake reviewer" but it totally makes sense if you're trying to clean your system up! 

Back to un denatured whey protein. Here's a few facts to consider. 

And of course personal results. 

The most distinct change is if you look at my trapezoid and my left shoulder muscles. Complete change in definition. That's just one month of Isagenix. And I LOVE IT!

RESULTS!

Results are so so so fun! I get texts and messages all day long of people reporting their success to me. When I started losing weight, I had almost considered being a trainer! I loved lifting and I loved seeing the results! Since I was frustrated by my plateau, I never actually went through with it. I thought, if I can't coach myself through my OWN plateau, (and trainers couldn't either) then I wouldn't want to do that! 

I finally had a chance to put together some before and afters. All together on the system, I have lost 10 lbs (18 if you count the lbs I gained and lost AGAIN from my cruise!) But honestly, the biggest change I've seen is in my shape. I've lost 16 overall inches! It's crazy! Here is my arms before on top and after below. 

The change here is slight, but not to me. Because I have been lifting weights for an entire year and I am FINALLY seeing the shapes I want. 

If you can't tell, look at my shoulders where my traps meet my shoulder! There's an actual divet there now! And I know it's hard to tell, but my biceps are bigger too. 

My "problem" area is obviously my belly, and I felt like I wasn't making much progress until I saw this picture. Actually, I knew I was making a LITTLE progress because my shirts on longer "caught" on my belly. But this picture says it all! 

And of course my face.

No more chubby cheeks, no more double chin. Love that! That's the best. 

I've signed several people so far, and I get lots and lots of results texts! Everyone is on a different journey, and has different amounts of weight to lose, but I'll share some of my favorites. 

Kenzie is down 17lbs and 32 inches!!! 

The rest of my texts are just that! TEXTS! 

And that's not even all of them! LOVE! I hope I get to coach you!

6 week challenge

Last Monday (I think I actually started on Tuesday) I started a 6 week challenge with some Facebook friends. Holly decided we all needed a little kick in the rear to get back into the groove with taking care of our bodies. She has a 6 month(?) old baby, and I have a 2 year old. Hey, it is still baby weight okay?!?!

I was excited to get on board because to be honest. I need a little motivation. A little competition. It always works best for me.

I couldn't figure out why I was so UN-motivated to lose my baby weight. I had lost 10 lbs of it over last spring, but quickly put it back on during the summer months when I was on the road for 3 weeks, and came back to 115 degree weather. That kind of weather will really stunt the desire for exercise. That is for sure.

I did figure out that my major motivation for losing the baby weight in the past was so that I wasn't compounding my weight through each pregnancy. I always wanted to get back to point B, before I was pregnant so that it wouldn't turn into point C, and that wouldn't turn into point D and so forth. It was pretty good motivation, until we has determined that we had had our last baby.

So, I took the 6 week challenge. Nothing extreme. Just good old fashioned doin' it.

Here is the just of it.

No treats (I did it last year for a month as well)
No eating past 7:30
7 hours a sleep at night
NO overeating (no second helpings)
1 hour of exercise 6 times a week
8 8 oz glasses of water a day

I had been doing it for just a day or two, when I decided that I was going to look into the book Eat to Live. I read up, and adjusted just my breakfast and lunch, and altered my dinners like I had mentioned before. Not only that, Dr. Furhman, the author of the book gives you his blessing to EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT. As long as it is a veggie or a fruit. You heard me . . .Holly, I am EATING AS MUCH AS I DANG WELL WANT TO. I am so glad I did. Because for the first time in my life, I am not really struggling with losing weight. It is coming off, and coming off quickly, AND I don't have the cravings that I usually have. And isn't that what we ALL hate about dieting? Denying the stuff that our bodies WANT?

Well, think of this?

What if . . .

You didn't crave it.

Just a thought.

Because I don't.

And that is pretty much a miracle, since I have lived on a serving or two of cookie dough at least a few times a week. Not to say that I wouldn't LOVE to shove some cookie dough in my mouth, but it is a whole heck of a lot easier when aren't craving it!