Some people that know me are surprised by how enthusiastic I
am about Shakeology and Beachbody. I’ve never been that person to try the next
big thing, sign on the dotted line, be a salesperson, throw candle parties, or
whathaveyou. The only reason I hosted a makeup party recently was because the
money went to my friend’s adoption. My standard answer when anyone asks if I
want to make extra money by easy sales my answer is always, always “no thank
you.”
At the beginning of the summer I was looking for a way to
make some extra income, and if you know me at all I’m sure you know I have a
half-marathon looming. My friend Kelli Buzzard asked if I’d be interested in
being a Beachbody coach. I knew she’d been a coach for awhile, and faithfully
used their workout programs and drank Shakeology. The only reason I didn’t say no
right away was because I know her. She wasn’t going to try to rip me off, and I’ve
seen her success over the past few years. I watched the videos, read some
links, read all the fine print on what it takes to be a coach. Something that
impressed me is that the company is very open that nothing happens overnight.
Your workout results are going to come from putting in the hard work every day,
and from making better choices about what you eat. Being a coach is about
developing relationships, being proof that this stuff works, and helping others
find a program that will fit their lifestyle and personality. This seemed like
a perfect opportunity for me. I could make a little extra money, and improve my
fitness at the same time. No one’s going to be coming to me to select workout
programs and get advice if I can’t honestly speak to the effectiveness of what
I’m offering. As a coach, there are no minimums I have to reach with sales or
signing people up to remain a coach. There are ways to advance through those
avenues but no one’s going to fire me or penalize me if I don’t go that route.
Drinking Shakeology for the past almost-2 months now has
played a huge part in my transformation. It’s a superfood shake with natural
protein, so it’s filling and incredibly healthy. I drink it for workout
recovery but you can also use it for meal replacement. (Warning: I’m about to
sound like an infomercial.) Y’all. This is not a magic potion, I don’t think,
but since drinking it I have no desire to eat sweets or fried food, which is my
go-to junk craving. There are certain times related to stress and hormones
where I’d go to extreme lengths for a freshly baked brownie or a piece of fried
chicken, but that hasn’t happened to me since I started Shakeology. I just don’t
want it. It has made me a healthier person.
I set up my GingerB’s Health and Fitness page, and post my
workout pictures on Instagram, in part because having accountability and
encouragement is what keeps me going. A couple years ago when I was getting
ready for a 5K I would post about my runs on facebook, and if I didn’t post for
awhile, there were several students who would ask if I’d been out lately and
how I was doing. That meant so much to me. Knowing they were going to ask made
me get back out there. On the flip side, I also hope to be an encouragement to
other people. I hope people will see what I'm doing and think "If she can, I can!"
Until a few months ago I’d honestly really given up on the
idea that my post-baby belly would ever go away, that I’d ever be a faster
runner (though I was still training), and that I’d ever be wearing clothes
smaller than an 8 or 10. (Down from a 12 just after having by youngest baby.) At
the end of last school year when I thought I’d be that size forever I splurged
on a nice-fitting pair of jeans from GAP. 2 months later, I wore them to
teacher training and one of my friends saw how big they were and told me I
needed new pants. You can check out the links at the bottom of this post to see some of my before/after/progress photos.
So listen. I have small kids. I teach high school. I take
care of my house (sometimes.) I have church, Bible study, friends, family, and
all kinds of other things going on. I understand busy. I understand tired. I
understand thinking things won’t change. But I was wrong. I’m a better runner
because I’m stronger and healthier. I feel good. And being strong physically
has helped me get some things together mentally. I’m so grateful that just 2
months ago, Kelli asked if I’d be interested in this and patiently answered all
my questions.
If you are looking for help finding a workout plan that will fit
your life, please let me help you and then encourage you along the way. If you
also might be interested in being a coach, I’d love to talk more about what
that means.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for the support. Every “like”
and comment makes me smile, and I hope that on my journey as a coach, I can
give that back to others.
Love,
Jessica
https://www.facebook.com/gingerb81?ref_type=bookmark
http://www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/gingerb81
