My Story

Disclaimer
Let's be honest:  I signed up as a coach for the discount.  But then I changed my mind.

And this is long.

Now that we both know the truth, let me give you the "rest of the story."

I started drinking Shakeology at the very end of November of 2016.  Again, full disclosure:  One of my oldest and dearest friends had started coaching and I was being a supportive friend.  That was the whole story.  If it worked out for me, well, that was great.  I had no expectations other than it was chocolate and I really, really like chocolate.  I could be a good friend AND have something chocolate.  Win and Win.

Then it started working.

Backstory  
Two years ago I began having excruciating and annoying nerve issues in my left jaw.  I described it to my doctor as having ice cold water injected into the nerve and then a million flaming hot spiders running around my cheek.  I would have tiny spasms in my lip.  My head would tingle for long periods of time.  ALL ANNOYING!  My words would be jumbled and I was tongue-tied.  If you know me, you know I love to talk.  Except now I was afraid of what would come out when I spoke. 

I ended up with a lot of -ologists:  Endocrinologists, Neurologists, Rheumatologists...  There was lots and lots of bloodwork...lots of needles and "just a little pinprick."  A few MRIs (did I mention I am HIGHLY claustrophobic? Open MRI's only and then there's lots of self-talk and medication when they put that stupid neck thingy on me.)  All my test results were good, which is great.  The only things anyone could pinpoint was the rheumatologist who found a rare autoimmune liver condition that may or may not develop and the neurologist who found excessively high inflammation levels in my body.  The plan was to eat healthy and monitor it with bloodwork every 3 months.  So that's what I did while praying the symptoms would lessen.

That one paragraph does not sum up the hell I was trudging through in that time.  I missed out on trips with friends.  I fought anxiety like a beast.  I planned on what I would do if this was something terminal.  I had to tell my kids it was really okay and try to make them believe it.  I tried to make myself believe it.

Backstory to the Backstory
All my life, I've been the bigger girl among my classmates.  Always in the back row of class pictures.  Among the first to need "foundational undergarments" in my grade.  And I've always craved sugar.  My mother-in-law once took two bites of a dessert and said it was enough because of how rich it was.  I thought to myself that was something I'd never experienced.  There was no such thing as too much sugar.  Blasphemy!

In my 20s, I started researching hormonal issues because I was a wreck.  My doctors diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in my late twenties, which wasn't a surprise to me but still left me wondering how I would ever get control over it.  It's an ugly monster that wrecks your hormones.  There is no treatment other than treating the symptoms with a list of meds that have names I can't pronounce and don't really trust to put into my body.  

Fast Forward to December of 2016
I had been using Shakeology and exercising for about two weeks when my grandmother got sick.  I grew up with all four of my grandparents, and they loved me just about to the point of being criminal.  Like, they doted on me at a ridiculous level.  My Maudie was 92 years old and diabetes had finally worn her down after 40 years of finger pricks and insulin shots. Do that math:  4 pinpricks for 365 days over 40 years.  Let me help. 58,400 pinpricks to her fingers.  That doesn't include the shots multiple times per day.  Diabetes had robbed her of her sight.  My heart broke when I would leave her house and she'd tell me to leave the door open so she could she the cars pass by, but I knew she couldn't really see them. And as I watched her grow weaker by the day, I realized how easily that would be me if I didn't step up and do something.  

My Maudie

Diabetes and PCOS are related, and Diabetes is a hearty, poisonous vine suffocating my family tree.  I couldn't imagine losing my sight and not being able to watch my future grandbabies play as I had watched their mommy or daddy.  I was scared to death in those moments when I held her hand and realized where my road could very well lead. 

Last month, my Maudie passed away and my family all said, "Thank God she doesn't have to worry about those damn needles anymore."

Bloodwork, you say?
I am not perfect at this.  I miss days exercising. (Like yesterday.  And maybe Tuesday.) Friday night I ate a ginormous cheeseburger with mayo and the whole bun.  And it was good.  I don't beat myself up and I start each day with the mindset I will do better, and most days I do.  Some days I whip Shaun T's sinewy tail all over the basement.  Some days I limp to the 25 minute mark.

But.

My most recent bloodwork (remember, to check my liver?) was proof that I am doing something right.  For the first time in 5+ years, my vitamin D level was within normal range. Several times I have had to take prescription strength vitamin D because my level was between 12 and 15.  My glucose was awesome.  My inflammation levels were NORMAL! Those liver tests?  My bloodwork was sent to the main lab to confirm them because, after two years of positive tests (According to the docs, it takes two different tests both with positive results to confirm this diagnosis.), one test was negative and the other was barely positive.  

Did I cure myself?  No, but I made changes that allowed my body to be in control of itself and gave it the stuff it needed to fight for me.


Today...and tomorrow and the tomorrow after that
I know, you don't want to give up Unicorns from Starbucks.  That's okay.  I get my vanilla latte every Sunday because I have to go buy the groceries for my tribe, and I've earned that reward.  You are not sacrificing yourself to the Gods of Lettuce in exchange for a thigh gap.  (Which, I'd like to point out, is highly overrated.  I need thick thighs with muscle when the zombies come a'chasing me.)

I have a shake for breakfast.  It is divine and tastes like a chocolate milkshake.  Mainly because I'm hurried in the am and I don't have time to whip up some gourmet feast.  You're on your own at this house for breakfast.

For lunch, because I'm a creature of habit, I'll have rice with chicken or tuna and some kale or brussel sprouts.  Why?  Because I love that stuff.  Always have.  Sometimes I eat a salad.  Sometimes soup.  I always have either cottage cheese or yogurt with it.  Yes, full fat with fruit mixed in for fun.  That said, I only have about 22 minutes to eat lunch, so you gotta pack something fast and filling.  

I have snacks in the am and afternoon.  Apples or almonds mostly or Kind bars.

Dinner is whatever.  Some people plan this.  Those people are better than me.  My current favorite is roasted sweet potatoes with black beans, fresh salsa, some sour cream, and shredded lettuce.  If I crave the ground beef, then I add that to.  I eat spaghetti and bread and potatoes.  Just in moderation.  That is the key.  

I NEVER STARVE OR WANT FOR ANYTHING!!  Why am I yelling?  Because I know that looks like I should be starving, but I'm not.  My body is getting what it needs, so it doesn't make me crave things.

I hardly ever, ever crave sugar.

No sweet tea, soft drinks or sweets.  That is a huge deal for me because sugar has always been my addiction.  I don't use the word addiction lightly:  My cravings for sugar were that severe.  

But shakes are NASTY!
I get that. Some are chalky.  Some are yucky.  Truth is I know some people who didn't like Shakeology.  That's okay, too.  You'll probably be a little gassy 😉 for a few days from all the good probiotics cleaning out your gut.  Use that to your advantage:  Trap your significant other or your kid under the covers and let it goooooo.

Here's my shake:  One scoop of Shakeology, 1 banana, 1 cup flaxmilk (regular milk and I can't seem to find a happy place.), 1 Tablespoon raw, local honey (helps with my allergies!), 2 Tablespoons PB powder, 3 shakes cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Throw it in the blender to mix, then add ice at the end to make it milkshakey. It's about 400 calories, which is what breakfast should be.  No fake stuff.  All goodness.

Exercise?  NOT THAT WORD!
I know, I know.  You don't have time.  You don't like to sweat.  You don't like the gym where all the skinny people stare at you.  Me, too.  Then I did it.  And I grew a little baby muscle in my bicep.  I'm pretty sure I've got a little ab trying to come out below my ribcage.  There's still neighboring fluff below it, but I'm working on that, too.

This is my gym, aka, the basement.
It is not glamorous, but it's MY space.
Nobody else's sweat to clean.
No manners to follow.
That's my stereo (Hello, 1988!)
where I listen to MY music.
What's not to like?!

When I signed up for the Shakeology, I already had the Hip Hop Abs and T25 videos so I used those.  In January, I decided to go ahead and buy the yearlong access to Beachbody on Demand for $99.  Best money ever spent.  I now have access to all the Beachbody videos whenever and wherever I want them.  Shaun T is my main dude, but sometimes I need Faith's Gentle Release Yoga.  Other days I need that stupid 21-Day Fix Extreme video to kick my tail.  (I say stupid because it always leaves me aware that I can work harder.  Oh, and sore.  It makes me sore.)

If it's 5 am and I feel like a rockstar, I can head down to the basement and be done.  If it's the weekend and I feel like a rockstar, I do two workouts.  If it's 9:30 at night and my kids have been the spawn of Satan for the evening and I'm just now getting around to it, I'll exercise in my kitchen.  That's some irony right there. I don't have to wait for the gym to open or for some sweaty stranger to get off the machine.  It's my pace at my time.  

Girl, I ain't rich enough to buy this!
Me, either.  (Remember why I signed up to coach?!?!?)  When I added up how much I was saving by replacing breakfast (You don't have to replace anything.  It can be a supplement to what you are doing; just remember to watch calories.) and by not going out to get ice cream or stopping by for a quick coffee, it really worked out to be an even exchange.  Also, I have fewer copays to the doctor's office! It works out to about $3.50 per day.  That's a coffee (and probably not really even a good one!)

In Summation...

This is my workout partner.
If a cute rescue kitty doesn't tug
at your heart, what will?
Her name is Mokie, but we sometimes call
her Parking Lot Kitty because
that's where she was found.
She came from Alabama,
but we still love her.

Here's the bottom line:  This helped me.  The only thing that will not help you is if you don't make a change.  It doesn't have to be this.  It can be whatever you choose it to be.  You don't have to work out with Shaun T; you can go for a walk with your family.  This is what has worked for me.  Twenty pounds have liberated themselves from my body.  Over 14 inches are gone. Buh-bye.  I GOT TO BUY NEW CLOTHES!!  

I wrote this blog because at my core I am a writer and a storyteller (not a liar 😇).  It's how I teach in my classroom and how I relate to my children.  I can't post pics of myself with my latest workout because that's not who I am.  This is.  But I wanted to share my story because I realized we all have only one shot at life and it should be the best ride ever filled with adventures and joy and happiness.  That wasn't what my life was being filled with, but I'm consciously moving my needle in the other direction.  I changed my mindset to reflect what I dreamed of life being.

So, that's it.  If you're interested in joining me, send me a message. No lies:  I get a small amount of $ if you sign up for Shakeology with me as your coach.  But I don't have to be your coach.  I'd just love to see all my friends who are struggling with weight and health issues have the chance to feel as good as I do right now.  Don't get me wrong ~ it's work!  You have to be committed to doing the work and not quitting even when it sucks.  But it's the best work you can do for yourself and your family and there is a whole world of people (literally, Americans and Canadians and Frenchians and all sorts of people!) waiting and willing to support you.