A year and a month

A year ago December I started becoming healthier than I’ve ever been. One year and a month ago I started drinking Shakeology every single day and exercising intentionally. And, in that time I have realized some things that feel important for me to write down:

- I haven’t been sick. Not once. I usually am a 3-5 times a year sickness kind of person. I’m good for a rough flu that lasts at least a week and has me bed bound for part or all of it, a good bout with either strep or bronchitis that require antibiotics, and at least a couple colds that zap my energy and leave me miserable for 2-5 days. And that doesn’t include an occasional bladder infection or sinus infection that i get in on top of whatever else, that also usually require antibiotics. I’d say I usually need antibiotics at least once year, but that’s on a good year. Typically it’s about 3x a year. But this year…sickness just didn’t come. Not less of it, but none of it. I have not been sick. At all. And I just can’t believe it. One whole year and a month, and no sickness.

- I poop. All of us do I realize, but what is different for me this last year is that I do so regularly and without pain or issue. This is important as I’ve had to be careful to add more fiber and water to my diet over the years because I’m just not a good pooper. And poop is not a topic that anyone wants to address but talk to a nutritionist or doctor and they are very interested in poop. Pooping is good. As parents we freak out if our kids don’t poop. We should freak out if we don’t either, because that simple biological function is indicative of so much more. I poop now and it is all well and good. My grandfather is nearing the end of his life and he has severe issues “down there” in the pooping category. Painful surgery worthy type issues. And I am wondering to myself now….is my new nutrition saving me from that particular woe in my elderly years? I hope so.

- My face is happy, no acne issues like I used to have. My fingernails are strong – no more brittle tearing snagging ones. This year they’ve been strong and white and good. My hair is healthy and growing a ton. All little things but, nevertheless, ones that I have noticed. But probably my happiest result yet is that my tummy is calm. I’ve had bloating issues for years. Painful and sometimes protruding out to the point where I look pregnant. I’ve had to lay down and moan and take Tums over the years. But for one year and a month…I haven’t had to do that at all. Hello probiotics and all the other fabulous ingredients packed into my dear Shakeology …you have worked to do something new to me in my belly. It is simply…quiet. I eat and it feels good.

- And finally, but not least, is the weight and fit issue. For one year now I have been back to my college weight. All the exercise I do actually shows off muscle and tone now because I am not fighting off the pounds of calories I very much prefer to eat. I exercise for my muscles and heart now. Not for keeping pounds off. This little shake of mine does something there….I’m still learning the science behind it. Though it’s all natural ingredients and whole foods at that. So it seems the science is simply…good nutrition. Feed the body well and it likes you back. Though something in this shake keeps me full. For hours. Not only are the calories low in it, but it keeps me full past lunch time. Which is amazing for me the great grazer. The combination has worked its way in my body where I just am not gaining weight anymore. I eat a light lunch, and good sized dinner after my morning shake. And that’s kept my eating down, way down to a normal caloric intake. Earlier in the year I would make a 1/2 a shake at night or even have one for dinner sometimes just to make sure I stayed full and didn’t eat a bunch of junk. Once I learned what was in the shake, it was hard to figure out what to cook that would be any better nutritionally for me than that. But of course I do not want to drink only shakes – I love me some real hot comforting food. But on the days where I think maybe we should just have pizza for dinner, I find I’m much happier drinking a shake and snacking on some things instead. and wham…college weight. Amazing.

The shakes are chocolate (other flavors too, Tropical coming out this month) which is my personal fav and delight. To which I add peanut butter, honey and coconut shavings as well. All this helps is my cravings because – I love chocolate. And if I can drink something that tastes like a milk shake, that is actually full of more super food nutrition than anything I’ve ever heard of and makes me feel the way I have for the last year with no sickness….I will.

Thank you Darin Olien and Isabelle Daikler for creating this thing called Shakeology . I look forward to continue following your research and education on the ingredients including what they do for my body, and where you found them and who I am helping by buying them. But mostly I am enjoying living a healthy life with a body that just works smoothly on all cylinders now. Not counting calories all the time or worrying about what vitamins I should be taking. Shakeology has replaced my multivitamins and has helped me enjoy exercise thoroughly again.

And Sis…I would have never known about this had you not hounded me incessantly insisting that it would change my body for the better. You are the best fitness instructor I know and have helped me be the fit and healthy older sister that you knew I should be. I’m very proud of the Beachbody coach you have become and very much enjoy being one with you.

May next year I be as healthy as I’ve been this year.

****If you’d like to read more from Karen, you can find her blog here: http://karenelainepdx.blogspot.com/. For more on Shakeology click the Nutrition tab at the top.