Beachbody details + a Shakeology giveaway
Any type of program that gets people motivated to be healthy is one that has its benefits in my book. Even though I’m a personal trainer and group fitness instructor at two major gym chains who lives for group exercising, I know that not everyone can afford a gym membership, nor has easy access to a good facility.
That’s what brings me to today’s topic. Because ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know about you, but my personal Facebook feed has been filling up with people talking about their at-home workouts and challenges. And all of this is part of something called the Beachbody world, which includes both fitness and nutrition.
First of all, I’m not a coach. I’m not at all affiliated. And outside of watching a few YouTube videos, I’ve never tried any of the Beachbody branded workouts, like P90X, Insanity, T25, or even the modified version of my beloved Les Mills BODYPUMP, which are all available to be completed in your living room via a DVD.
All about Beachbody from a real life coach
But because I like to learn everything I can in the fitness world, I decided to do some digging and went directly to a Beachbody Coach to get to the bottom of this popular craze. Below is a Q and A with Courtney Koch, a loyal blog reader and lovely lady who lives in Florida. Courtney is an attorney by day and has helped not only others, but also helped herself have great results with the Beachbody program.
Courtney showing off an at-home workout DVD and Shakeology pack, and smiling for the camera after her living-room sweat session.
Q & A with Courtney …
What is a Beachbody group?
A Beachbody Challenge Group is a Facebook group that is private only to its members (so a challenger’s friends and followers cannot see). A few coaches team up and lead a 28-30 day group that requires daily check-ins with little assignments. A challenger’s only requirement is to purchase through their coach any Shakeology or Beachbody workout of their choosing. They will then be automatically included in their coach’s group. I have seen amazing results from challengers. I have had several customers jump from group to group with me, and when one group ends, they already want to be in the next one. The accountability is key for participants, and the encouragement and support from several people in the same boat as them, facing the same struggles really makes a huge difference. I have never been more inspired and motivated than I am as a coach of these groups.
How did you get involved in Beachbody?
A friend of mine started selling the products as a coach and got me started too. I saw how much more positive she was and how much she was loving being a coach, so I took the leap to take it on as a part-time job, and I absolutely love it. I cancelled my gym membership, bought my first at-home workout program (The 21 Day Fix), signed up for monthly auto-shipments of Shakeology, and the rest is history.
What are the benefits of being in a Beachbody group?
Accountability, encouragement, positivity. Usually a few coaches are involved to answer any questions at any time of day, and you get support from other women and fellow challengers who are experiencing the same struggles (not enough time in the day to work out and eat healthy, apprehensive to get started in a new program, worried about adopting a new routine, etc.). I have not had one single challenger who has not seen results. I have only been a coach for four-and-a-half months, but every one of my challengers has seen results and has continued on with their workout programs even after the group ends. Also, once you join a group, even after the group ends, I will be your coach for as long or as short as you want and need. A customer can continue on into my future groups or I can begin working one-on-one, via Facebook, text, email or phone.
How does someone find a Beachbody group?
Find me on Facebook or email me at ckoch@kh-pa.com, and I will be happy to get anyone started or answer any questions. It’s a very easy process to join a group.
What is Shakeology?
Shakeology is one of the Beachbody nutrition products. It is amazing. It’s not just a protein drink that’s filled with chemicals, preservatives, fillers and ingredients we can’t even pronounce. While it does have a great source of protein, it’s way more than that. It is a daily nutrition drink to help your body perform at its optimum level. Shakeology is packed with nutrients, antioxidants, digestive enzymes and pro- and pre-biotics, along with nine servings of fruits and veggies per scoop. I’ve been drinking it regularly for four months now and have noticed such a difference in my skin, my energy level, and most importantly for me, my bloating has gone away. I drink it as part of my breakfast every morning and I no longer have to take daily vitamins or supplements because everything I need is in my Shakeology.
Do you recommend drinking Shakeology as meal replacement?
I personally drink it as part of a meal. I have a few small snacks for breakfast every single morning, with Shakeology being one of them. That’s the first thing I have, followed by one hard-boiled egg and then maybe a few apple slices. On weekends when I am able to add more ingredients to the Shakeology, I typically do have it as a meal replacement. It all depends on my appetite. Listening to your body is best. Shakeology has nine servings of fruits and vegetables per drink, so you are getting tons of natural vitamins and minerals all in one, without having to add anything. If your body still feels hungry after, feel free to add something else. But if your body feels satisfied, it absolutely can be used as a meal replacement.
What’s the best way to enjoy Shakeology?
While you can mix it with water in just a little blender bottle, I prefer actually blending one scoop of Shakeology with 8-10 ice cubes, ½ cup of water, and anything else you want to throw in there to make a recipe out of it.
What is your favorite Shakeology recipe?
My favorite and my stand-by is: one scoop of Vegan Chocolate Shakeology, 8-10 ice cubes, ½ cup of water, ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk and half of a frozen banana. Blend and enjoy. PB2, regular peanut butter or almond butter are also popular additions to this recipe.
Anything else you’d like to share about your experience?
I love the Beachbody company because they truly do not want to see one single customer fail. Their workout programs are so fool-proof. Any workout a customer selects will come with a workout guide and a calendar showing the customer which workout to do each day. Most programs come with a nutrition guide along with some healthy recipes. Working out at home can definitely help people who don’t have time to make it to the gym every day. It is a great way to incorporate fitness into a daily routine. Thirty minutes in your living room in front of your TV, and that’s it!
There you have it.
I get my fix of working out between teaching group fitness classes and hitting the weight-room between clients. But it’s nice to know there is something like this out there for those who prefer to get sweaty in their own homes, while still having a virtual group to help them stay motivated.
And Shakeology is pretty awesome. Courtney was nice enough to send me a few single-serve Shakeology packets to try out before writing this post, so I had some first-hand knowledge. Even though I enjoyed them all, I fell in love with the chocolate flavor. I drank the shakes along with a small meal and truly felt energized after each. I loved knowing that there were so many valuable nutrients in each one. I did not, however, think they were filling enough to make a meal.
Vanilla Shakeology mixed with almond milk, almond butter, water and spinach.
If you want to order some Shakeology, check out Courtney’s store or check out the rest of the Beachbody at-home workout line.
Now, for the fun stuff. I’d like to give away a work-week’s worth of Shakeology single-serve packets, compliments of Courtney. Follow the instructions to enter below. This contest closes on Saturday morning.
Shakeology giveaway
Questions of the day
Do you ever work out at home? Have you ever tried any of the Beachbody products? How do you stay motivated to be fit?
Chocolate!!! Also, thanks for getting a giveaway of Shakeology, I have always wanted the chance to try it without committing to the $ so I appreciate the opportunity.
Hi Becca, Of course! They sure are tasty and healthy. Good luck in the giveaway!
I’ve never tried Shakeology before so I’m excited to try. I love anything vanilla!
Thanks for entering, Meredith.
chocolate!
Hi Jill! Good luck to you:)
Chocolate! I have been really excited to try Shakeology. 🙂
Thank you for hosting the giveaway and the fun interview Q&A!
Hi Lauren, Absolutely. Good luck!
I tried Shakeology for the first time a few years ago and LOVED it. I’d totally use it regularly if it weren’t so pricey. I’d go for the vanilla!
Hi Ashley, well good luck to you!
I’ve never tried it! It’s a bit out of my budget, but looks like a great program! I prefer working out at a gym!
Same here, but it’s always good to get to know the many sides of fitness.
I love chocolate! Would love to try this
Hi Paige! Thanks for stopping by, good luck in the giveaway!
I think I’d most like to try chocolate. I don’t have enough space to workout at home, that’s why I’m more motivated by group fitness classes at the gym.
Hi Sheila,
Same here! I’m all about the gym, but I’m glad so many people are getting moving with these at-home workouts.
Chocolate!
Hi Amanda! Thanks for stopping by, good luck!
I’ve heard a lot about Shakeology and am curious to try it! Chocolate all day every day…!
Hi Emily, Yes!! Chocolate for me too.
Chocolate…i love strawberry but haven’t tried the chocolate!
Hi Amanda!! Good luck in the giveaway! Thanks for reading 🙂
Hi everyone! Chocoloate is definitely my favorite too. I will be sure to include at least 2 packets of the chocolate in the giveaway!
Thanks so much!!
Chocolate, obviously! So much you can do with it – peanut butter, strawberries, bananas, the list goes on forever! Since I’ve become more active in fitness blogging/social media a lot of folks I follow are into Beachbody. Thanks for the post and the giveaway!
Hi Raechal, Of course, thanks for stopping by!
I’ve heard so much about Shakeology but have never tried it! I would have to go with chocolate on this one- nothing beats the pb and chocolate combo!
Agreed!!
I have used the chocolate but I would love to try the vanilla and strawberry!
Well good luck to you in the giveaway! Thanks, Sue!
I would love to try the vegan strawberry
Hi Lisa, Thanks for reading! Good luck in the giveaway!
I’m a huge vanilla fan, so I want to try the Vanilla!
Hi Matt, Thanks for stopping by … vanilla is always a safe choice. Good luck in the giveaway!
I’d love to try the Greenberry flavor!
Hi Renata, Thanks for reading! I didn’t get to try greenberry, but that sounds yummy.
vanilla
Hi Julianne, Thanks for reading. Good luck in the giveaway!
Hi Everyone!
Loving all of these comments. I see that everyone has a different flavor preference. So don’t you worry. I will be including a variety. Regular and Vegan. So you will get to sample five totally different packets for FREE! This is a big deal in the Beachbody world because this nutrient dense powerhouse is like gold. So good luck to all of you in the Giveaway and I can’t wait to ship off the package to the winner!
I’d try the chocolate flavor.
Chocolate 🙂 I’m a chocolate lover!
Chocolate or peanut butter and I’m sold.
Chocolate!
Hi Nela, Thanks for entering!
i’ve heard great things about shakeology! i would love to try the vegan chocolate protein powder. 🙂
Thank you for sponsoring this giveaway, Courtney! I’d love to try chocolate!
Thanks for entering, Tina. Good luck!
I am a vanilla fan!
Thanks for stopping by Smitha, and of course, for hosting the giveaway round-up!
I’d love to try the chocolate!
Vanilla for me!
Chocolate and peanut butter mixed
Thanks for hosting this. Total no brainer… chocolate! 🙂
Good luck to you! And yes, chocolate it great!
I’d enjoy trying Greenberry!
I’m not picky but peanut butter or strawberry would be the first ones I’d try!
The strawberry flavor sounds good.
Thanks for entering LaTanya!
Chocolate would be my first pick!
Good luck and thanks for entering Danica!
Classic vanilla would be fantastic to make!