Is Today the Day?

Each and every day, hundreds of people decided “TODAY IS THE DAY TO CHANGE MY HEALTH”. Is today the day for you? The health of our country is decreasing in a downward spiral, it is predicted that by the year 2030, 50% of Americans will be considered obese. Does that make you sick to your stomach? With obesity rates increasing, so will heart disease and diabetes among several other diseases that can be prevented. Maybe you are on this path, maybe you are not; either way, changes can be made to increase the quality of your health.

Is today the day to change your health? A challenge is being put together to make today the day that you stand up and say “Yes!” Yes to becoming healthy. Yes to feeling GREAT. YES TO LIFE! The purpose of this challenge is to empower you; your body is amazing and it should not to be taken for granted. When you start realizing this, your outlook on life will change for the better. I am here to guide, motivate and keep you accountable for your progress.
 
What are your dreams? Run a marathon, climb a mountain, set a good example for your children or maybe simply to be able to "strut your stuff" on the beach without being embarrassed? Regardless of what you want, it can be achieved if you put your mind to it. Is today the day?

Between the World Class Fitness and World Class Nutrition, your goals will be achieved. Beachbody has programs for all skill levels and nutrition plans to set your eating habits in the right direction. Is today the day?

Is today the day?

Call me at 661-379-0410 or message me through this link to have me answer any questions for you.  Remember, this is about you.  I only want your success, that is what is important to me.

If you are saying “YES”, click on this link to view the programs Beachbody has to offer.

YES, TODAY IS THE DAY!

Flex Your Financial Muscles!

Fitness and health does not just happen internally, but is impacted by what is happening around you. Think about the stress that has accumulated in your life due to finances. Do you cringe when your monthly payments are due for your credit cards, loans, car and even your mortgage? We have been conditioned to think that we need to live with these debts to the bank or credit card companies, well let me tell you, this should not be the case. Think about all that hard work you put forth each month, only to take a chunk out of your earnings and give it to the banks or credit card companies. Do you realize you are helping the head honchos of those companies send their children to space camp, top notch universities and other very costly activities? Not to mention the spectacular vacations that YOU are missing out on… It is time to take your finances into your hands. I have been taking a War on Debt program by Dani Johnson and since I have started I have been able to cut out over $200 of unnecessary spending which has helped me pay off more of my debt. I will be debt free within the next 5 years! For more information, follow this link, it has literally changed the lives of 1,000’s of people. Will you be next?

Financial Freedom Awaits!

FDA Approved Weight Loss Pills

The internet has uncountable resources at your disposal as far as weight loss is concerned.  While browsing, you may stumble upon the two newly FDA approved weight loss drugs “Belviq” and “Qsymia”.  What exactly do Belviq and Qsymia do?  Belviq increases levels serotonin (an inhibitory neurotransmitter), which is nature’s own appetite suppressant.  Qsymia, on the other hand, combines two currently approved drugs; an appetite suppressant and the other increases feelings of fullness.  Reviewing the trial groups, they both lost weight, but each drug was only effective when given along with a balanced diet and exercise.

It is important to understand that these two drugs are not miracle workers and the fat will not just melt away; any drug that says so is a scam and is not good for your body at all.  You must put work in to receive results.  Yes, if these drugs work they will help individuals lose weight, but I would not depend on a pill to help me lose weight if I were you.  What happens when you stop your pills?  This means you are no longer having your serotonin levels increased or appetite suppressant/feelings of fullness.  Once you start the pills, it seems unlikely that you will be able to maintain your results once you are no longer taking them.  Do you want to take a weight loss pill for the rest of your life? 

Also take into account the potential side effects that will be involved.  In the past, many prescription diet pills have been associated with dangerous side effects, particularly heart problems.  Belviq will more than likely be scheduled as a controlled substance because if serotonin is levels are too high, it could trigger effects of hallucinogens and addictive drugs of abuse.   Also, if your serotonin levels are too high, it can lead to “Serotonin Syndrome”.   Qsymia has potentially serious side effects such as: elevated heart rate, teratogenicity, suicidality risk, cognitive dysfunction, metabolic acidosis and low serum bicarbonate.  Both drugs have their fair share of side effects, in time everyone will see what other dangers are present with these drugs. 

Consider all factors when looking into these programs.  Yes, they are both FDA approved, but are you really wanting to go down the path of pills?  Obesity is a growing problem in the United States and it seems to be getting worse.  You do have people who care about your wellbeing; find a group that will walk with you through your weight loss journey.

www.zakbrownfitness.com

References:

1: Drugs.com Information on Qsymia Accessed July 20, 2012
    http://www.drugs.com/qsymia.html

2: Mayo Clinic Definition of Serotonin Syndrome Accessed July 20, 2012
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/serotonin-syndrome/DS00860

3: Psychology Today: The Antidepressant Diet
    Serotonin: What It is and Why It’s Important for Weight Loss Accessed July 20, 2012
     http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-antidepressant-diet/201008/serotonin-what-it-is-and-why-its-important-weight-loss

Chocolate Vegan Shakeology!

So Chocolate Vegan Shakeology has been avaliable for about a month now and I just got around to trying it.  If you read my post about Tropical Strawberry (which is also vegan), you read that I thought It was very chalky, though the taste was good.  It was difficult for me to get past the sand in my mouth with Tropical Strawberry, very difficult. 

 

Today I opened my bag of Chocolate Vegan.  I was a little aprehensive at first simply because it was vegan.  The smell was a pleasant chocoalte aroma.  Off to a good start.  With the vegan, I didn't want to use milk, simply that defeats the whole purpose of vegan.  So today I used water.  I wanted to get almond milk for this, but time has not been on my side for going to the grocery store.  So water was the liquid of the day! 

 

When I had regular chocolate with water, it had a funny taste.  This was not the case with the chocolate vegan.  Though I have not had it with almond milk, the taste was good.  This was not grainy or sandy at all!  Beachbody really hit it out of the ball park with this one!  It had a smooth texture, great taste and no whey protein! 

 

The only difficulty I had was the blending aspect this morning.  Blending with water took a lot longer than it typically does with milk.  Other than that, everything was A OK!    

 

I highly recommend Chocolate Vegan Shakeology!  It was good, even with water!! 

 

Contact me with any questions!

Cure vs. Prevent

Are you currently taking any medications for: high blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides or any other problem you may be having? How would you feel if these aliments were cured? Better yet, what would your life be like if you were able to prevent these situations from happening in the first place?

The dictionary defines "prevent" as: to keep from happening or existing.

Cure is defined as: recovery or relief from a disease.

Searching for a cure is important, but when a cure is needed, that means several individuals already have the disease or aliment which requires treatment. To cure something is to prescribe medication, treatments, and doctors’ visits among other actions. Doesn't this sound like a lot of fun? It shouldn't.

The goal should be to prevent aliments or diseases from happening in the first place. When preventing something from occurring, you are saving money, time, effort and unnecessary inconveniences to your life.

I understand that not everything is avoidable, but a lot of the situations we put our bodies in these days is 100% preventable through good nutrition and fitness. Do you feel like your body is spinning out of control and you need a helping hand to straighten you out? It sounds like you may need the Beachbody Ultimate Reset! With the Ultimate Reset, you will start a spectacular journey to better health and living. Think what it would be like to no longer have to take high blood pressure medication or even if you were able to sleep better at night and wake up completely refreshed. Read about the Ultimate Reset here. This is only a 21 day program, if you go through it and are completely unsatisfied with the results, you can return it for a full refund. Reset your life today, I promise you will not regret it.

What Motivates You?

Take a look at your life, what really inspires you to move to the next level?  Is it money, a challenge, fun, helping others or maybe something different.  You have the power to change your situation if you want.  All it comes down to is opening up and looking at all your different options.  Beachbody does have an extravagant opportunity for any individual who wants to help end the trend of obesity.  Think what could happen if everyone was happier with their nutrition, fitness and health.  The sky is the limit.  What are you looking for?

Noticing More Improvements with Shakeology

I recall reading what Shakeology had done for others throughout the test group and thinking, "No way, Shakeology won't get rid of my nasty toenails." Well I was wrong. For months upon months, I have had some sort of toenail fungus (gross I know) on my big toenails. I went to the dermatologist and he prescribed me Lamisil, but it turns out that I was allergic to the medication. I came to the realization that I would probably be stuck with this forever, unless I had surgery. After taking Shakeology for two full months, when I look at my toes I see major improvement! They are beginning to look much better and I think within the next few months, I will have nice looking toenails! That is extremely exciting and I know this is all thanks to Shakeology!

If you have gross toenails that is preventing you from wearing sandals in the summer time, it is worth your time to give Shakeology a try. If you are worried about the taste, contact me, I will send you a free sample.

Pain During and After P90X, Insanity or other Beachbody Programs

I have been hearing from my friends who are in physical therapy that they are getting many clients in due to individuals hurting themselves while doing P90X, Insanity or anyother Beachbody program.  First of all, no one should really be getting hurt during these programs if they follow each movement as instructed, also it is part of the program to do the Yoga, Stretch days or any other recovery day that may come forth.  Stretching your muscles out is just as important as doing the more intense workouts.  Your body needs to recover and does not need to be pushed to it's limits each day.  Let it relax and actually do the stretching.  The results will be much better in the long run because you will not be stalling your training due to injury.  Follow instructions and you will be fine.

If you need some stretching tips, you can read my blog titled "Stretching es muy bueno"

Contact me if you need any tips or assistance with anything Beachbody related.  My goal is to help you achieve your nutritional and health goals. 

-Zak Brown

Shakeology Gives You Natural Energy

Have you ever fallen asleep at work?  Maybe at a certain point in the day, you simply can't keep your eyes open.  I have fallen victim to this many times.  I would have to fight  to try and keep my eyes from shutting.  I wanted to keep my job so I had to continually get up from my desk to stay awake.  Recently I realized something, I haven't been falling asleep at my desk for the past month.  I really had to think hard about this one, but it has been a while since this has happened.  I have been on Shakeology for about two full months now and I am really starting to understand that natural energy claim they make.  I thought they were referring to being more energetic, but it isn't that at all.  Now understand, if you start taking Shakeology and expect to have this magical energy overcome your body within days, expect to be dissapointed.  It takes time for these things to develop, but let me assure you, it works and it worked for me!  What situations have you come across where you have fallen asleep at work?  Meetings, sitting at your desk or maybe somewhere else??  Think of how much more productive you could be!

Enjoy what you do and do what you enjoy! 

Stretching es Muy Bueno!

Building muscle mass and losing weight are both positive outcomes of working out. Something that can prevent you from reaching your goals is injury. I cannot stress enough the importance of stretching. Here is what stretching can do for you:

·  Reduce muscle tension

·  Increase range of movement in the joints

·  Enhance muscular coordination

·  Increase circulation of the blood to various parts of the body

·  Increase energy levels (resulting from increased circulation)

Here are some helpful tips before, while, and after stretching:

·  Warm up first
Stretching muscles when they're cold increases your risk of pulled muscles. Warm up by walking while gently pumping your arms, or do a favorite exercise at low intensity for five minutes.

·  Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds

It takes time to lengthen tissues safely. Hold your stretches for at least 30 seconds — and up to 60 seconds for a really tight muscle or problem area. That can seem like a long time, so wear a watch or keep an eye on the clock to make sure you're holding your stretches long enough. For most of your muscle groups, if you hold the stretches for at least 30 seconds, you'll need to do each stretch only once.

·  Don't bounce
Bouncing as you stretch can cause small tears (microtears) in the muscle, which leave scar tissue as the muscle heals. The scar tissue tightens the muscle even further, making you even less flexible — and more prone to pain.

·  Focus on a pain-free stretch
If you feel pain as you stretch, you've gone too far. Back off to the point where you don't feel any pain, then hold the stretch.

·  Relax and breathe freely

·  Don't hold your breath while you're stretching

·  Stretch both sides
Make sure your joint range of motion is as equal as possible on each side of your body

·  Stretch before and after activity
Light stretching after your warm-up followed by a more thorough stretching regimen after your workout is your best bet.!

For more tips or if you have any questions, please go to www.zakbrownfitness.com to learn more

Shakeology vs Herbalife

With all the different products on the market today, I thought it would be nice to do another comparison so Shakeology.  Today I will be reviewing Shakeology to Herbalife. Both are designed to be used in place of your regular meal, and offer a variety of nutrients and essential vitamins and minerals for optimum health and help individuals reach their weight loss goals. Each product is good, but I think by the end of this comparison, you will realize that Shakeology is the better choice of the two.   

Ingredient Comparison: Herbalife and Shakeology

Herbalife – made with antioxidant vitamins C and E as part of over 20 vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients, Herbalife offers a healthy meal in a glass. Along with 9 grams of protein and fiber per serving, Herbalife contains Aminogen(r) and bromelain and papain, all known to support the digestion of protein to make sure your body puts those 9 grams of protein per serving to use! Herbalife offers a variety of different flavors so you can choose your favorites or keep a variety of meal replacement shakes on hand for a more interesting menu. Choose from vanilla, chocolate, berry, fruit, coffee and others.

Shakeology – features ingredients from all over the world and more than 70 whole food ingredients per serving. The vitamins and minerals in every serving are absorbed by your body at optimum levels due to the phytonutrients, prebiotics and digestive enzymes in every serving, too. Shakeology comes in three flavors of chocolate, greenberry and tropical strawberry.

*Tropical Strawberry is vegan.  Please refer to the following link to get more information about the most delicious vegan shake ever created!

Nutrition Fact Comparison

To really understand what you’re putting in your body, you should always look at the nutrition label. When considering one product over another, it’s a good idea to compare each of the nutrients with the same nutrient from the product you’re comparing. If considering weight loss products like Herbalife and Shakeology, here are the most important nutrition facts to compare (these are for product only and do not include the milk or soy milk you may use to create your shake):

Calories:
Shakeology: 140
Herbalife: 90

Cholesterol:
Shakeology: 15mg
Herbalife: 0

Sodium:
Shakeology: 100mg
Herbalife: 140mg

Carbohydrates/ Fiber:
Shakeology: 3g
Herbalife: 3g

Carbohydrates/Sugar:
Shakeology: 9g
Herbalife: 9g

Protein:
Shakeology: 17g
Herbalife: 9g

Shakeology or Herbalife

Based on nutrient facts, if you have problems with cholesterol, you may be better off choosing Herbalife as a meal replacement shake, since it offers a shake that is cholesterol-free. On the other hand, protein is an essential ingredient for successful weight loss, and Shakeology has larger amounts of protein per serving in addition to amino acids and enzymes which help your body absorb as much protein as possible. Shakeology is a product which can be used long after you reach your weight loss goals, as a daily nutritional supplement to ensure you are receiving all of the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to remain as healthy as possible, so some people decide using Shakeology as a meal replacement shake during weight loss and then continuing it as a daily supplement is a good way to reach health goals.

This is just one of the many different products that you may have questions about.  If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact me directly by visiting my page: Contact Zak Brown

Same Routine Yields Same Results

Every day you keep up the same routine and expect different results. Don’t you think that after doing the same thing for years and not getting the results you want, you should switch up your routine? If not, you are destined for failure. In order to obtain success and greatness, it is necessary to look for new opportunities. There are plenty out there, it is up to you to identify each opportunity and act upon it. Do not let everything pass you by because it may make you step out of your comfort zone. Focus in on what you want and go for it!

 If you are ready to try something new, let me know. I can help you take your first steps towards success!

Contact Me

Keep Your Body Hydrated!

Today I started off my daily routine with a very rough workout. My legs and arms feel week from the exertion of lifting, jumping and running I did today. I was so thirsty and glad I had my water bottle handy to quench my thirst. When working out, it is important to stay hydrated, especially when it is hot outside. During the winter months your body still sweats, but the added heat of the summer will increase the sweat production. Do not let yourself push through to that next level without being hydrated, the consequences can be harsh. Looking for something low key to get your body prepared to get into shape? Contact me through Zak Brown Fitness discuss what programs I have that can get you on the right path to fitness and health!

Rushed!

This morning I woke up late! I was in an absolute panic. I woke up at 6:45 and had to be at a seminar at 7:30! How was I going to have a good nutritional breakfast and get ready in less than 45 min? Obviously Shakeology was the answer. I was able to get my act together in less than 20 minutes! Now, many of you may be thinking, "Zak, I get ready that fast everyday." Well, I don't. Anyways, I threw my Shakeology in my awesome shaker cup and finished it in 2 minutes. Quite the quick turnaround time. Long story short, I arrived at my destination on time and Shakeology made it possible so I wouldn't starve.

Coaching Leads to Many Opportunities

I feel like Shakeology and Beachbody has opened up many doors of opportunity. I realize beginning stages in my journey will be rocky and sometimes difficult, but the end result is going to be amazing. Helping people achieve their fitness goals is my number one priority, second is to pass my knowledge onto other coaches so they can do the same thing I am doing. To see people work hard and get that target weight they had been working so hard for makes everything worth it. Can you say that you have helped someone lose weight or become more nutritious in their diet? To learn more about becoming a coach, follow this link: Coaching Opportunity.  Have an incredible day!

Paid Endorcements Not Needed

It is funny that most sports drinks need to pay high profile athletes to appear in their ads and commercials.  Beachbody has real athletes who simply love their products!  If you look at the following link, US water polo, you will see a few of the US water polo team came by the Beachbody office enjoying Shakeology.  If world class athletes willingly drink this great tasting nutritional supplement, why don't you?  Think about the food you eat daily.  Is there something that you eat that you can replace with Shakeology?  Chances are that you do.  To get a free sample of Shakeology, email me at kaznworb@gmail.com or you can go to my site www.zakbrownfitness.com and request it directly from there. 

Take that first step to a healthy lifestyle.  You won't regret it!

Shake, Shake, Shake, Señora

I have a shaker now! I am quite proud of this accomplishment, though I really didn't accomplish anything. Anyways, using a shaker cup was much better than my attempt at mixing in the blender then just adding ice in the glass. The Shakeology mix, milk and ice all thrown into the shaker worked out quite pleasantly. The shake was chilled, tasted great and was much faster than the blended version. I doubt I will drop the blended shake because I don't think putting a full banana into the shaker cup will really help mix in that banana flavor. One complaint about my shaker cup is when I was mixing the beverage, chocolate kept leaking out into the sink. I am just glad I didn't get it on my clothes. Nutritious, Filling, Great Tasting and Easy!  High five for Shakeology!

www.zakbrownfitness.com

Goals

What are your goals? They do not necessarily have to do with weight loss or nutrition, but what do you want to accomplish in your life? Steady pay check, health, solid family, travel or something else? Whatever your goals may be, ultimately it all leads to happiness. If you are truly happy with your life, your goals have been met. So, what do you want to get out of your life?

Dental Experience

When I initially started Shakeology, I was only taking it on the days I was working out. A couple weeks later, I had decided I was going to have Shakeology on a daily basis. I am now coming close to my fourth week straight of having Shakeology every day! This is quite an accomplishment, to commit to a meal replacement for that long can be rather challenging! I know each and every one of you can do the same. Anyways, the title of this post is "Dental Experience" so I will stop talking about my commitment level to Shakeology. The reason for this title is because I had a pretty interesting experience at the dentist the other day. For as long as I can remember, I have absolutely hated the dentist. This is not because of numerous cavities or mouth problems but more closely related to the cleaning before the dentist arrives to check for cavities. See, when the hygienist is doing her work, my gums are always so sensitive and hurt an extravagant amount during her poking and prodding. I have always made such an effort to floss and brush throughout the year so she would not have to kill my gums each time! Unfortunately, my trials always ended in failure; as soon as she started, I would be in agony. I can only imagine what my face looked like in these grim situations... This time was different, when she started to work on my mouth, I was dreading the usual pain that came next; but the pain never came! She kept working on my gums with those metal tools and it did not hurt like it usually does. Now, I have no proof of this, but I am wondering if it could be because of Shakeology. Could it be that the nutrients are making my gums stronger? Given my numerous unpleasant experiences at the dentist, I would have to conclude that Shakeology has helped out with my situation at the dentist. I wish I had some sort of proof, but I do not. 

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Nutrition in Your Diet is Key to Success

Maintaining a healthy diet is not easy, but it is extremely important.  Our bodies are able to process the McDonalds, Taco Bell and all of the other junk food we put into it, but those are not actually feeding us.  I try to avoid these places whenever I can, but I have to admit that I have been to a couple fast food places since I started taking Shakeology.  You can make better progress than myself though, instead of Burger King, hit up a sandwich shop.  I know that a change in your diet habits is not a fun thought to toy with, but if you want to lose weight or just become a healthier person, this is a necessary change.     Just be aware of what you are eating if you do happen to go out.  Always make sure to have your Shakeology once a day, it is a easy way to get the necessary nutrients in and save some money. 

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Tips to Keep to Your Fitness Goals While On The Road

You have to travel out of town for business and you are worried that you are going to be unable to stick to your nutritional goals. You are in luck!  With Beachbody, you have a wide range of instructions and tips to keep your trip from becoming a nutritional nightmare! 

First and foremost, take Shakeology with you.  This will be easy to get together while traveling.  If you don't have a blender, I would highly advise you to get a shaker cup.  Yes, I was not a huge fan of the lack of blended ice in my shake; but when lacking the necessary equipment, do what you have to do to get that nutritional supplement in.

Second is a few tips I got from Beachbody:
1. Go for the chicken or fish.
2. Avoid fried food.
3. Unless it's veggies, salad, or fruit, skip the side dish.
4. Pasta? Avoid cream sauces and just eat half your portion.
5. No bread, except if you're having a sandwich. And get whole wheat.
6. Ask for the salad dressing on the side and use it sparingly.

Don't limit yourself to major chain restaurants. In fact, they usually cater to the lowest common denominator, so you'll probably have better luck finding healthier food at an independent restaurant specializing in fresh fare for more selective customers.

If you need more tips or suggestions, contact me and I will help you all that I can. 

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Several trials

Yesterday was a hectic day, so unfortunately I was unable to post about the nutritional supplement shake, Shakeology. Today I have a few items to address.

The first is the Tropical Strawberry Vegan Shake. If you are completely against whey protein, this is the nutritional supplement shake you need. The smell is great, the taste is pretty good, but the major downfall is the chalkiness of it. When tasting this one, I like to give only the powder, liquid and ice. When giving out the Strawberry Shakeology, I think I am going to need a little extra help with it. I have read some posts on the best things to add into this tropical supplement. I have read a lot of posts about adding certain ingredients, but then it dawned on me. The other day I had posted about adding honey into my nutritional Shakeology supplement and it made the chocolate smoother. Maybe, just maybe if I add honey to the Tropical Strawberry, it will reduce the chalkiness! This is something I really need to investigate because it is a little hard to take it down with that texture in my mouth.

The next stop we are going to take is into the land of Greenberry. When I tell people that I have three nutritional supplement shakes that will fill their body with 70 natural ingredients, they always ask what the three flavors are. Obviously the chocolate is pretty well received, the tropical strawberry seems to spark a little interest, but the greenberry raises the question, "What in the heck is a greenberry?" You may be thinking the same thing. Well, I had greenberry Shakeology the other morning and it was hard for me to pinpoint the taste. After I was finished with my nutritional supplement, I continued to dwell on the subject. Eventually I reached this conclusion; greenberry tastes like a creamy green tea. I would highly advise you to test the greenberry shake before purchasing or try to get a sample. It really did not taste bad, but it was just different.

The final stop today is a few closing thoughts. Shakeology does have a lot to offer for your body. Whether you are skinny, overweight, athletic or out of shape. Delivering all the nutritional supplements into your body with one shake is just fantastic. Of course, if you are looking for positive results, you do need to get on a plan and stick to it. Shakeology is not a magical shake that will melt away the pounds or increase your muscle mass. If you drink it daily and workout at least three times a week, you will be satisfied with the results. It takes a plan and execution; I am here to help you if you need it.

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Add a Little Honey

I added some honey to my Shakeology today. The honey made the shake taste a little sweeter, but I did not notice any major differences. Regardless, I love Shakeology, so I am cool with whatever additions I decide to throw in there.

Hitting another topic, I took some samples to a place where I worked before. I feel like I received fairly positive feedback. You have to realize that different people have different tastes and that is absolutely fine. I think if they actually tried a full sample for a day or two, it would grow on them; but it isn't worth it to try and sell Shakeology to someone who didn't enjoy it. One thing you have to remember is the financial aspect of this. Yes, it is filled with nutrients and is only $4 per shake, but people hate to hear that it costs $119 per month. To get past that selling point, you really need to get into what they are currently buying at the grocery store. Look at what you have bought recently from the grocery store. Is everything on your grocery list nutritional? Chances are no, but if you started to take those unhealthy items off and replaced one meal with Shakeology, you would be saving much more money per month. When it comes down to it, people buy a lot of needless food items that have no nutritional value at all. In order to be a successful Shakeology customer, it is necessary to be committed to the product. You will not see results if you decide to drink it one, two or three times a week. Same as anything else in life, you have to work at it to be successful. Try Shakeology for one month, if you don’t like it or feel the benefits of the product, Beachbody will refund your money within the first 30 days. All you need to do is send back the bag you purchased; you will get a full refund minus the shipping and handling. Does that ease your apprehension? Give it a go, in the grand scheme of things; what do you have to lose?

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Swim Team and Parents Gave a Thumbs Up!

Yesterday I took some Shakeology to the pool where I coach and had samples for the parents and swimmers.  They gave it a huge thumbs up and wanted more information.  I gladly handed them pamphlets and discussed the benefits of  Shakeology.  It is exciting to have teenagers actually like a healthy meal replacement such as  Shakeology.  Of course their goal is not to have weight loss, but just gaining the nutrients they need will be so helpful!  Swimmers burn a lot of calories, so Shakeology will be more of a snack or may just have that with their dinner.  Whatever they choose to do, this shake will definitely help their body out. 

On another note, MSNBC posted an interesting article yesterday.  Researchers at Duke University estimate by the year 2030, 42% of the population will be obese.  That is a huge number!  We need to stop this trend!  If you do not want to be part of this statistic or want to help prevent it, please comment here and I will get back to you asap.

Here is the link to the article: MSNBC Health Article.  Have a great day!

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Almond Milk, the healthier choice.

First I will start off with this weekend. I had my girlfriend, who is extremely picky, try out my spectacular Shakeology nutritional supplement and she actually liked it! She didn't have enough time for a meal before a test she had to take so she stopped by my house to get a shake before she went on her way. She was very apprehensive at first, but she enjoyed the taste, was full and satisfied until lunch time. Score one for Shakeology!

Yesterday I went to the store and picked up some almond milk. As I said in an earlier post, I am going to try several variations of Shakeology so I can help you decide that Shakeology is a good choice. I won't lie about the taste to just get you to buy this; those are not ethical business practices. Anyways, using almond milk was just fine; I couldn't really tell the difference between regular milk and almond milk. That is a definite plus. Using the almond milk, the shake seemed a little thicker than usual, but maybe I added too much ice. I will try a little less ice tomorrow, with more success, hopefully.

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Excitment Everywhere!

The more I share about Shakeology, take Shakeology and even have others taste Shakeology; the more excited I get about this product and this company.  The potential that one individual can accomplish with just a few simple guidelines is absolutely incredible.  Just taking that first step towards fitness can alter your life forever.  The key to reaching your goals is to be consistent; I understand that it can be difficult at times, but we can make the journey together. Let me help you achieve your goals.

www.beachbodycoach.com/zakbrown

Shakeology vs Isagenix

I have heard of some people taking Isagenix, so I began looking into the differences between Isagenix and Shakeology. 

If you have never heard of Isagenix, it is also a meal replacement shake much like Shakeology.

The positives of Isagenix is that it contains 23 grams of protein per serving (compared to Shakeology's18 grams of protein per serving). Isagenix, like Shakeology, also contains many naturally occurring ingredients which set them apart from other meal replacements. However, there aren't any other components that set Isagenix apart from Shakeology.

On the negative side, Isagenix contains 1100% more fat than Shakeology (6 grams compared to less than half a gram). It also contains more cholesterol and sodium than is found in Shakeology and contains 240 calories per serving when Shakeology only has 150 calories per serving.

Isagenix lacks to potency of the vitamins and minerals that Shakeology contains. Isagenix has only 40% of the daily recommended allowance of Vitamin C versus 300% in Shakeology. It lacks significance of other vitamins contained in every Shakeology drink such as Vitamin B1, B2, and B3. You would actually have to drink 2-4 Isagneix shakes to get the same concentration of vitamins and minerals found in just 1 Shakeology shake.

This is a brief overview of the differences; if you would like more information on the comparison of Shakeology vs. Isagenix or any other nutritional supplement, please contact me through:

http://zakbrownfitness.com/contact/

Thank you and have a spectacular day!

Shakeology is too Expensive!

This is another question that has been brought to my attention, and I must say that the initial look at the price seems like it is over the top.  Shakeology costs, assuming you choose to have it shipped to you on an automatic monthly basis, $119.85 per month.  For that price, you are receiving 30 meals; which breaks down to about $4.00 per shake.  Seems expensive, but is it actually expensive?  The answer is no.  Look into your daily purchasing habits.  Do you currently purchase Starbucks in the morning?  What about getting Subway for dinner?  Both of these establishments can be more expensive.  Can you get Starbucks for cheaper than $4?  The answer is obviously yes, but now think of the nutrition in a Starbucks coffee:

Nutrition Facts Per Serving (8 fl oz)

Calories 5	Calories from Fat 0
	% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin A  0%  Vitamin C  0%  Calcium  0%  Iron  0%
Caffeine 180mg

This will run you probably $1.50-$2.50 per cup.  Yes, this will help wake you up for those morning hours, but will you be hungry after you finish?   Probably, so to combat this, you may buy a breakfast sandwich at Starbucks as well.  Is the Starbucks breakfast sandwich giving your body the nutrition it needs?  Absolutely not, if you take this route, you are going well over the $4 and you are not feeding your body the top quality nutrients it yearns for.

Now, in Shakeology, you are getting OVER 70 WHOLE FOODS in one shake.  Here is a list of some of the nutrients in Shakeology:

Vitamin A	Vitamin C	Vitamin D	Vitamin E	Vitamin K1
Vitamin B1- thiamin	Vitamin B2- riboflavin	Vitamin B3- niacin	Vitamin B6	Folic Acid
Vitamin B12	Biotin- B7	Pantothenic Acid	Calcium	Iron
Phosphorus	Iodine	Magnesium	Zinc	Copper
Manganese	Chromium	Molybdenum	Maca Powder	Spirulina
Blue Breen Algae	Probiotic Blend	Kamut Grass	Grean Tea decaffeinated	Yacon
Hydrilla	MSM	Enzyme Blend	Wheat Grass	Flax
Apple Pectin Powder	Pea Fiber	Ashwagandha Powder	Amaranth	Chlorella
Astragalus Powder	Quinoa	Barley Grass	Grape Seed Extract

What, all of that for only $4 a glass?  What a bargin, right??  Think about what you are eating every day, I am almost guarantee that you do not get this much nutrition in your body each day. 

It is important to understand that the cost of this product is actually a bargin.  If you were to try to buy all the ingredients individually to make the same nutritional value , you would be paying way over $119.85 per month.  Why not give Shakeology a try, if you don't like it, Beachbody will give you a full refund up to 30 days.  Call me if you have any questions: 661-333-3692

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Too Much Sugar!

I have been sharing with people about the benefits and nutritional features of Shakeology and a couple of them have told me that Shakeology has too much sugar.  Looking at the nutritional information, it shows that Shakeology has 9 grams of sugar.  From what I have read, the fructose Shakeology is naturally occurring from fruit.  The stats of an apple show that one large apple contains 25 grams of sugar.  That is much more than Shakeology, so does this make an apple unhealthy?  I think not.  It is all about balance between nutrition and exercise, Shakeology has numerous nutritional benefits and success stories.  What will your success story be?  Feel free to contact me at 661-333-3692 if you would like more information.

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

8 Days and Running!

I am now on day eight in a row!  Though yesterday I did not have Shakeology for breakfast, it was a good snack for the afternoon.  Sunday was a busy day with several activities so I made it around 3 pm. It was a good hold over until dinner, gotta love this nutritional supplement!  Today was the usual with banana.  I think I am going to get some Almond Milk in the near future to taste the difference.  It is up to you to choose to be healthy, let today be your first! 

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Saturday Shake!

This was my first time making Shakeology. You would think since I had a little more time on my hands, I would try an extravagant recipe but that is hardly the case. Soon I will be going to the Beachbody site and getting the different recipes. I am not growing tired of the three variations I typically drink, but to give you the most information possible, I must broaden my horizons.

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

No Ice.... WHAT?!?!

I have a coworker who has had Shakeology without any ice. I thought to myself that it seemed rather strange, so obviously I had to try this concoction. Today was just a cup and a half of milk and mix, nothing more. The taste was good, but it wasn't as cold as it should be. I don't know how I will make it colder if I don't use ice, but other than the lack of being cold, the drink was good. Maybe I could make Shakeology, put it in the freezer, take a shower then come back and drink it. The results could potentially be positive, but then again, I typically get a Shakeology mustache. Remember when you were a child and you would purposely get a milk mustache and it was fun? Well the Shakeology mustache is a little stickier... Oh well, I guess that is a small price to pay for a super nutritious shake!


www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Bakersfield Women's Business Conference

At the Bakersfield Women's Business Conference and it was a great event to attend. I spoke to a lot of women about Shakeology and other Beachbody products such as P90X and Insanity. Many of the women loved the chocolate flavor. I made it with the mix with ice, almond milk and almond peanut butter. For the most part, it received great reviews. A few women did not care for the taste, but you can't please everyone, right? A lot of women absolutely loved Shakeology and were very interested in having more! When I would ask them about their nutrition, they would all say that they could be better. Of course you can be better! You are paying less for this one shake than you would be if you were to buy a $5 Footlong and you are getting so much more nutrition for your body. Look up the facts, Shakeology is the way to go.

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

First Trial by Others

I brought my blender into work today and made three samples for my coworkers.  Everyone enjoyed the Shakeology but one did not like the banana/chocolate combination.  Other than that, he did like the chocolate taste and wants to try it again.  That is pretty exciting, now I personally know people who have tried Shakeology and like it.  I want to spread the great news about this great tasting nutritional supplement across the nation.  Be healthy and fight obesity!

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

No Shaker so no shaker action

I know what you are thinking, "Zak, you said you were going to let us know how having Shakeology tasted when it was put through the shaker rather than the blender". Yes that was the plan, but unfortunately I could not find the shaker I had! That wasn't what I wanted to tell you today, but what can I do about it now.

Today I think I used too much milk, when I poured it into my usual cup, there was much more than I anticipated, also the mixture was not as thick either. Definitely need to pay attention to how much milk I add to the mixture.  I am going to look over the other recipes and start reporting on those, there isn't any sense in telling you that I had banana or peanut butter on a particular day. I am a little hungry now; it is 9:50... Only a little over an hour before we go to lunch, I can make it!

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Back from Vacation

This weekend I was out of town for vacation. I debated whether I should bring Shakeology with me or not. Regrettably, I opted not to bring it. The breakfast that was available at the hotel was not good at all! Mass produced runny eggs, rubber sausage and cereal... I can think of several better things to eat, but I just went with it and "enjoyed" the meals. The main reason I didn't take Shakeology is because I didn't want to worry about a blender, hence the reason why I need to try the mixture in the shaker with water and milk (separate days of course). I am going to try this tomorrow,

Today I had the typical banana with milk; it was good as usual. I must say though, it is nice to know that I have had my nutritional supplement already! Not that I am going out to splurge on fast food, but now I don't have to focus on my food decisions, just need to not make bad decisions on what I am putting into my body.

Tomorrow: Shaker Action! Wish me luck!

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

New Daily Routine

Day 9:

Shakeology is really easy to make, so I have decided I am going to drink it 7 days a week now.  I have read pleanty of articles on nutritional supplements and they all have one thing in common; to get the greatest benefit out of your meal replacement, drink it every day.  Basically I am going my breakfast to Shakeology the majority of time. Today I had peanut butter and banana; I can taste the banana just fine but that peanut butter is so elusive! I think the only way I am going to ever taste the peanut butter is if I put half of a jar in! Geeze, doesn't seem worth it at that point. Yesterday I met another Shakeology drinker; she said she liked peanut butter and honey.  I may try that, but it is doubtful that the peanut butter taste will still be there.  Right now it is 11:32 and I am still not hungry, awesome.  

www.myshakeology.com/zakbrown

Original Chocolate

Day 8:
I must say that milk, mix and ice tastes better than water, mix and ice; but the water still isn't bad. Each time I make Shakeology, it is getting faster and easier. I made Shakeology, drank it and cleaned up all in 12 minutes! It is quite the simple process, much easier clean up from the days where I would make breakfast burritos after workout. I just can't believe how simple this is getting plus the nutritional value of Shakeology! What is even better about it, I still am not getting hungry until after 11, which is a huge step for me! I have heard that some people just put the mix in a shaker with ice and milk or water... I will try that method soon, doesn't sound too appealing, but I have make sure that I can tell others what it is like with each method!  Have a great day everyone!  Shakeology has to be the best meal replacement out there.  The nutritional value and ease alone makes it worth trying! 

www.shakeology.com/zakbrown.

Shakeology, the beginning

Shakeology Nutritional Journal:

Monday April 9^th, 2012:
                                Today I started using Shakeology.  When I read the instructions, I saw use one cup of mixture, so that is exactly what I did, got a measuring cup out and poured in one cup then added that into the blender.  It certainly seemed like a lot.  I was unsure what proportions to use of the milk and ice, so I used quite a lot.  I also added a scoop of peanut butter.  After I had blended the mixture together, I realized that I used too much; the blender was still pretty full.  I couldn’t even put the entire shake in my cup, and it was a rather large cup.  The initial taste was different than I expected, I couldn’t tell if I liked the product or not.  I just continued to try and drink it though.  I maybe got ¼ of the drink finished because it was so much and extremely thick!  I ended up pouring a majority of it into the sink.  Because I didn’t finish the whole thing, I was feeling pretty hungry around 10:30 (I drank the shake at 7:00 after I worked out).  Tomorrow I am going to try to do it a little different so I can finish the whole thing.  Hopefully I won’t be hungry so early next time.

Tuesday April 10^th, 2012
                                I looked up online different recipes and they had all sorts of recommendations.  Today I simply added a banana instead of peanut butter.  I definitely liked the banana better than the peanut butter.  I used a little less than the full scoop provided in the Shakeology, about a cup and a half of ice and a little less than that for the milk; plus the banana.  I could actually drink this more easily this time around, probably because I used a more manageable amount of mixture.  The shake was very good today; and let me be the first to say that I am usually skeptical when people tell me that.  Typically they make me gag and I can take just a few sips before I am finished.

 It is now 10:30 and I am still content, not feeling any hunger urges; though that will more than likely change in the next hour.  I think it would be wise to get some small snacking items like nuts, fruit of vegetables for a post shake, pre-lunch snack. 

 It is now 11:55 and I am starting to feel hungry. 

Thursday April 12^th, 2012
                                Made the shake with a banana again at 6:50 and finished by 7:05. I would say that 15 minutes for making and finishing breakfast is a pretty good time.  Considering I typically would make a breakfast burrito with egg, turkey and cheese, and then have to clean the pans and everything afterwards.  I didn’t bring a snack for the day; let’s see how my stomach holds up this morning. 

Friday April 13^th, 2012
                                Today I had peanut butter with Shakeology. I am adding a spoonful but I do really not taste much peanut butter at all; next time I am going to add more to get more of that taste.  I honestly like this stuff and I am looking forward to continuing this as part of my routine.   Now it is 10:00 and I am still not hungry yet. 

Monday April 16, 2012
                                Went for the peanut butter option again today and still could not taste it.  I put two scoops in this time and I don’t feel like it was successful.  I really just need to try it without anything so I can really see what the difference is.  I have discovered something today with the Shakeology, having it in the morning before you shower is a good recommendation.  I found that the cup I am drinking it out of is a very wide mouth.  Drinking the shake out of that particular cup gets it all around my lips and even occasionally on my nose.  I would recommend either drinking it out of a narrow mouthed cup, using a straw (which may be difficult and more time consuming) or just not caring and take a shower after you finish so you can wash your face.  This is my second week on the stuff and I am feeling pretty good, once again, only taking it after the days I am working out.  Still not feeling hungry at 11 like I have in the past.  

Tuesday April 17, 2012
                                Took the plunge today and had my shake with water, straight water.  I was very nervous about it because I typically want the creaminess of the milk with a shake like that.  Using water instead of milk was pretty good, not as good as milk, but if you want to lower the calorie intake, water is definitely the way to go.  Some points of the mixture tasted fine, but then others weren’t as good.  Maybe I didn’t blend it enough?  I am not too sure why the taste wasn’t consistent; next I will have to do the water with banana and peanut butter.  My goal with this is so I can better explain the tastes of each form of the shake. 

Hello Everyone!
  For those of you who don't know me, my name is Zak Brown and I work for a health insurance broker, swim club and and trivia company.  I recently started up as a BeachBody coach as well!  Basically I have four jobs at this moment at time.  I decided I was going to make a blog telling about my process in taking Shakeology.  I started this last week (4/9/12) and am going to post them as one big entry.  After that, I will update each day I have Shakeology.  Hopefully you will benefit from my posts and encourage you to try this product.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at kaznworb@gmail.com.  If you would like to learn more about this nutritional supplement called Shakeology or purchase it for yourself, simply click on this link to visit my Shakeology page.


www.myshakeolog.com/zakbrown