VISALUS or SHAKEOLOGY is the QUESTION!

Shakeology vs ViSalus

Shakeology or Body By Vi shakes?  Have you ever wondered which of these shakes might be best for you?  Just in case you were thinking about this, I thought I would compare some of the aspects of Shakeology and BodyByVi shakes side by side so that you might have a better idea.  

Product Label. Body by Vi vs. Shakeology

Assuming that both shakes are mixed with water, here is how they compare.

	Body by Vi	% DV	Shakeology	% DV
Calories	90		140
Calories from fat	10	10	3
Total fat	1	2	.05 g	0
Saturated fat	0	0	0	0
Trans fat	0	0	0	0
Cholesterol	15 mg	5	10 mg	3
Sodium	75 mg	3	95	4
Potassium	125 mg	4	?*
Total carbs	7 g	2	19 g	6
Dietary fiber	5	22	3 g	13
Sugars	1 g		11 g
Protein	12 g	24	15 g	30

*The Shakeolgy label did not list potassium.  I found this odd given the health benefits of potassium.

Looking at the main product label, we can see is that Shakeology has 50 more calories than the ViSalus shake.  This is neither good or bad since anyway you look, at it 140 calories per Shakeology shake is not much.

These ads are obviously referring to the “phytonutrients” in Shakeology however placing Shakeology next to vegetables gives the impression that Shakeology contains vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, which is not true.

Notice also that ViSalus shakes have about 3 times fewer carbs than Shakeology (7 vs. 19).   I wonder if this has to do with the“fear of carbs” that some people have?  Anyway you look at it, 7 carbs or 19 carbs is not a lot and really shouldn't factor into what’s better.

Cost Comparison. Shakeology vs. Body By Vi

Shakeology	Vi Shape
$119 per month	$49 per month (Vi Shape only)
$1428 per year	$588 per year (Vi Shape only)

ViSalus has many supplements.  If you use more than the Vi Shape shake, the cost you pay will be more than what I have listed.

Costs Per Serving. Shakeology vs. Body by Vi

Shakeology	ViSalus Shake
$ 4.00 per serving	$ 1.50 per serving

In terms of protein Shakeology has 15 grams per serving vs. ViSalus which has 12 grams of protein.   

Ultimately whatever you use – ViSalus or Shakeology – it really comes down to price and taste and which you feel is best for you.  Both shakes are low in calories, and as a meal replacement, both will lead to weight loss if you follow their respective programs.  It would be interesting to do a 30 day head to head comparison of ViSalus and Shakeology in 100 people to see if there is difference.

What do you think?  ~Sherri   Bariatricbooks@gmail.com

Shakeology taste test

I first tried Greenberry. I have to say Greenberry flavor Shakeology doesn't taste anything like berry. Rather it tasted, well, kind of ‘green”. That’s about as good as I can describe the taste because I don't think I've ever tasted anything like it before-and that’s not a compliment. I think I tasted a hint of mint flavor (maybe) but there was definitely an aftertaste that I didn't care for. The bottom line is that Greenberry didn't taste good to me. It looked very dark green color– which wasn't appetizing at all. I'm OK with that. It doesn't take much to make me happy. It was the taste that turned me off. It just tasted bad. I took the picture you see here. That’s what it looked like.

A few hours later I tried Chocolate flavor. This did taste like chocolate but it wasn't a good tasting chocolate.  It had a kind of bitter taste to it and there was a bad aftertaste as well. Chocolate was better than Greenberry (anything would have been better than Greenberry!) but I've tasted much better products.

I know taste is an individual thing but for me, neither Chocolate or Greenberry Shakeology would be something I would pay for.

I predict that that Beachbody will eventually reformulate Shakeology so it tastes better. I have no proof of this. I'm just guessing. I say this because I can't believe nobody hasn't  complained to them.

 ViSalus taste test

I think this is good to know because taste is probably the most important factor – next to being healthy – that determines if you will stick with a weight loss shake or not.

I tasted the Body By Vi shake both with 8 oz of 1% milk and 8 oz of cold water, just as it says to do on the package.

When I mixed it with milk, the Body By Vi shake tasted good and was somewhat creamy.  I didn't notice any after taste.

Some residual powder was at the bottom of the glass after I was finished drinking it and some floated on the top of the milk.  The same thing happened when I used water.   This is probably because I mixed it in a glass by hand and did not use a blender.  Overall this was not a big deal to me.

When mixing Vi Shape with water, the shake was less creamy but still didn't taste bad and there was no aftertaste.  

Vi Shape definitely tasted better!

I have found a fantastic Distributor, very professional, caring and always willing to help with the correct plan for you, as she has done for me.

I had Gastric Bypass Surgery in 1999 and went from 354 down to 120 where I stay with Visalus products. I do not make any money and I am not a distributor of the products, I just know they work, that I am healthier, and that I want to tell everyone who will listen, "This is the product,it's different".

Michelle Krieger

visaluswithmichelle@gmail.com

http://www.bodybyvihealthshop.com/

I also wanted to give you my "Bible of Snacks", as a free gift for anyone who cannot come up with any delicious recipes for smoothies~ Click below...

http://www.lexingtonchallenge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BBV_ShakeRecipes.pdf

One of my FAVORITES... ~Sherri

Read More

Bariatric Exercise Lesson 1

Bariatric Exercise Lesson 1

Exercise ~ Why And How

EXERCISE...LET THE PLEASURE BEGIN!

The most important reason to exercise is to strengthen your heart. Whenever you exert yourself (even walking upstairs), your heart pumps extra oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. Since muscles need oxygen-rich blood in order to contract, the stronger your heart, the stronger your muscles. However, research shows that people who exercise feel happier and more positive about themselves. So, a daily exercise routine will help you ....

• Feel better...you will feel more alert and energetic and your muscles and joints will be more flexible and less tense.
  
• Achieve success...consistent physical activity is the number one predictor of successful weight loss maintenance.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXERCISEIn the Get Active! bariatric exercise program, you’ll build your aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility. The walking program is designed to help build your ‘aerobic fitness’ - or how well your heart and lungs deliver blood and oxygen to working muscles. Aerobic exercise is the best way to strengthen your heart. Strengthening your heart can help make daily tasks seem easier and decrease your risk of developing heart disease.

Other activities will help you strengthen your muscles. Balanced muscle strength can help prevent injuries. And, having more muscle can help with weight maintenance since it burns nearly three times as many calories as fat, even when you’re not exercising!

To increase your flexibility, stretching exercises have also been included in the Get Active! program. When joints are flexible, they feel loose and are less prone to injury.

CHECK WITH THE DOC
But before you begin exercising, check with your physician or surgeon first! Make sure you are medically able to begin this program.

GETTING STARTEDStart Slowly. If you do too much too soon, you may be sore and tired and may also run the risk of injuring yourself. “No pain, no gain” just isn’t true! With the Get Active! program, you will learn to gradually increase your physical activity level. Also, changing your behavior gradually will help you to make these changes permanently.

When you begin to increase your activity level, you may feel out of breath for the first few minutes. Don’t be afraid or let this temporary discomfort discourage you. Within 10 minutes or so, your breathing usually becomes more regular and your heart settles into a comfortable, elevated rate. This is when the pleasure begins! If you only exercise for 5 minutes, you probably won’t experience this enjoyable phase. So, make sure to give yourself the gift of time...to experience the enjoyment of exercise.

ACTIVITYTo get you started, consider the list of activities below. Each day, pick at least one that you will do to increase your activity level.

• Take the stairs versus the elevator.
  
• Walk up and down a flight of stairs 5 times during each TV commercial.
  
• Park your car as far away as possible from your destination.
  
• Do 5 jumping jacks before brushing your teeth.
  
• Take a walk after lunch or dinner.

Consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

Read More