I'm a Shaklee 180™ Blogger!

I am really excited that I was chosen to take part in the Shaklee 180™  blogger program! For the next six months, I'm going to be on a journey toward my goal weight and better health, and Shaklee is going to help me get there!

I remember the first time it hit home to me that I really disliked the way my body looked. I caught a glance of myself in my bedroom mirror as I was getting dressed. I realized I had back fat. Back fat. Oh my. That was sometime in between babies #2 and #3. Since then my weight has been up and down, but I have never been satisfied with my body. I have gone through periods of exercise dedication, but without proper diet and nutrition. Or other periods of working heavily on improving my diet, and slacking in the exercise department. Rarely does it all come together. And no matter what I do, I never can seem to get the results I want. Five pounds might as well be fifty. It sticks to me like a piece of discarded gum on a hot sidewalk.

I'm ready to change that. For about a year now, I've been intent on eating healthier. I became a vegetarian. I became an avid label-reader. I have been trying to work on my sugar addiction, which is insanely difficult, by the way. I try hard to keep junk food out of the house, with varying degrees of success. I've become hooked on smoothies, and I consume more fruits and veggies than I ever have in my life. Which might still not be enough, by the way, but it's progress. In essence, I am now much more aware of what I'm putting into my body. I want to be happy with how I look, but way more importantly, I want to be healthy. I want to feel good.


About six or seven months ago I got back on the exercise train. I'm never far from it, but I get easily sidetracked. And once I'm sidetracked, even for a day or two (vacation, sick kids, etc.), it's really hard for me to get back to it. Although I've missed a week or two now and then, I've been doing pretty well. I started running and successfully completed a 5K in December. Then the holidays happened, and I got off track with the running, but I am still working out and I do plan on running more.

My fitness goals this year are:

• Run at least one more 5K
• Fit into my clothes comfortably. Don't get me wrong, a new wardrobe would be great. But not because I've outgrown my clothes!
• Not be totally embarrassed at the pool and beach this summer.

I received my first Turnaround Kit, and today is the day that I start! I know it's going to be a challenge for me, for a few reasons.

• I turn to food when I'm stressed or nerved up
• I have a straight up sugar addiction, no doubt about it
• I have never been a calorie counter
• I have zero will power
• If I'm hungry, I'm not real pleasant to be around. I hope I'm not hungry all the time!

My kit contains:

• Shaklee 180 Energizing Smoothies in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla
• Meal-in-a-bar (14 bars), blueberry & almond crisp and peanut butter& chocolate chip flavors
• Snack Bars (10), chocolate chocolate, crunchy peanut butter, and lemon cranberry flavors
• Energizing Tea (28 servings), pomegranate flavor
• Metabolic Boost (30 day supply)

Basically, I should be having two meals a day that consist of either a smoothie or a meal-in-a-bar, one healthy meal, and one snack (either a snack bar or something healthy). I will also have the tea once a day, and the Metabolic Boost three times a day. That doesn't sound like a lot to me, so I sure hope it's filling!

I'll be posting regular progress updates throughout the coming months, including (gulp!) video blog posts. In a couple weeks look for a two-week update post, so I can share how I'm liking the products, what I'm struggling with, and how I'm feeling. Feel free to follow along the conversation on Twitter, by searching for the #Shaklee180 hashtag. There are 90 of us bloggers in the program, and let me tell you, we have lots to talk about!

Wish me luck!

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This is a sponsored post as part of the Shaklee Corporation blogger program. I have received free products, online support and incentives for participating. My opinions are my own.

People following the weight-loss portion of the Shaklee 180™ Program can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week.