That is the question, whether ’tis nobler…OK ha ha lame joke. So you found this page because you’re curious what is Shakeology obviously, so let me tell you.

But first, I want to throw out a disclaimer. If you’re one of those negative, skeptical people, go ahead and save us both sometime and close out of this review because there will be nothing I can say to convince you to get healthy with Shakeology. Not even my visible results or the risk free money back guarantee. If that’s you, best of luck to ya and take care.

For everyone else, let’s dive right in.

When people ask me What is Shakeology? I tell them it’s a nutrient dense meal replacement shake, and I give em’ a sample to try. That’s basically all I say because although there is a lot behind Shakeology, I don’t feel like going over it repeatedly. If they want to try it, go ahead, if not, that’s fine too. They’ve got a 100% money back guarantee so there’s nothing to lose.

The way I look at it is I can’t convince someone to try something that’s good for them. Even though it’s only $4 per meal it’s not my place to tell them it’s worth it, because in all honesty maybe it isn’t worth it for that person. It’s a shame really when I see people drop way more than $4 on a meal at Burger King or Starbucks, and then tell me Shakeology is way too expensive for their budget. I’ll just politely nod and say “Looks like you’re right.”

Yet time and again people ask me how I got in such great shape and we keep coming back to it. So here’s an article on the nitty gritty for those asking what is Shakeology?

What is Shakeology ? – Ingredients

Well there’s a whole lot of em’ and if you’re really interested in seeing some of the most potent ones that go into it, why not just watch a video. If you don’t care what super-foods are going into it then just skip right over this video. It’s got some pretty amazing stuff in it.

What is Shakeology – Will it help me lose weight?

If you’re in the process of losing weight it certainly can. By that I mean you can’t drink Shakeology and expect to still lose weight if you’re crammin’ down frozen pizzas, fast food, and sodas. It doesn’t give you permission to continue to live a crappy lifestyle and still lose weight. There is no magic pill.

However if you are taking measures to watch what you eat, exercise, and get some good sleep, it will definitely speed up the process and make it more enjoyable. It helps control cravings which is something people struggle with while losing weight so that’s a big plus. It also makes one meal easy to prepare. Less cook time = higher chances of you sticking to your diet. (and it’s downright delicious)

But hey, if you’re reading this review chances are you’re somebody who is health conscious or has recently become health conscious, and you’re considering adding something powerful to your arsenal. Naturally you don’t want to blow your hard earned money on something that won’t deliver. So keep reading and I’ll show you the best way to order Shakeology to protect yourself.

What is Shakeology ? – What if I’m lactose intolerant?

Shakeology uses the highest quality whey protein available in the world today, however for those who can’t handle lactose, like my son for example, you’re in luck. Shakeology has two flavors that derive it’s protein source from brown sprouted rice instead of whey, and are 100% vegan friendly. Check out the video below if you’d like more info on that, or, skip right over it.

What is Shakeology ? – What if I’m diabetic?

No problem. Those who have diabetes simply need to watch their sugar intake or foods high on the glycemic index. Fortunately for diabetics, Shakeology is extremely low on the glycemic index. In fact it’s so low that it’s even below some fruits such as apples. Here’s a video that outlines Shakeology and where it falls on the glycemic index in more detail. Skip over it if this doesn’t concern you.

What is Shakeology ? – Why is it $129.95

You know I honestly couldn’t tell ya. You get what you pay for with most things in life. I do find it funny that most people expect so much after giving so little.

I’ll admit I was a little hesitant to try Shakeology myself that first time, but with a no questions asked, money back guarantee I realized the only thing holding me back was my own excuses. I had spent thousands of dollars on fast food and junk to get me out of shape, why in the hell did I not want to invest $129.95 to get me back on the right path?

Shakeology aside, I couldn’t deal with that factor. That I was so WILLING to spend thousands destroying my body, but I hesitated to invest so little on repairing it. That really got to me, and that’s when I pulled the trigger. I had to prove to myself that I did care about myself. I’ve been on it ever since. I went from the fat guy to the fitness guy.

What is Shakeology ? – How do I order with the best deal?

First of all, there is no risk. As I’ve mentioned previously Shakeology is the #1 product from Beachbody and as such they offer a 100% refund if you are not satisfied. No catch. Let me give you an example.

Example: You order Shakeology monthly autoship to save $10 on shipping charges (don’t order “One time” you’re only throwing money away). Say you’ve had 20-25 Shakes, maybe 27. You know that your next bag is comin’ up soon and you decide it’s not a fit for you for whatever reason.

Cool, no problem. You email –> customerservice@teambeachbody.com and in the subject put –> ‘Shakeology Subscription’ and in the body you put –> “Please cancel my Shakeology subscription”

Guess what happens? They’ll cancel it out for you no questions, just a confirmation. If somehow you’re just completely unhappy and want a refund then just type –> “Please cancel my Shakeology and refund my order.” guess what happens? They cancel it and refund you no questions, just a confirmation receipt.

I’ve just eliminated every excuse you have not to try it. If your subconscious is hesitating, it could be that you’re actually afraid of getting the results you want. Fear of success?! I know sounds crazy, however some people fear change, even if it’s for the better because change is uncomfortable. I can’t pull you through that door, you’re the one who’s gonna have to walk through it. Best of luck, and if you have any questions, email me at jacob.buehler@gmail.com

PS: I recommend Chocolate /w cold water, ice, strawberries, and almond milk. Comes with a recipe card too.

Yes, I want to Try Shakeology Now – $129.95

(With Jake Buehler as my Personal Coach)

Your mind consists of 10% consciousness and 90% subconsciousness. When you wake up in the morning and you open your curtains do you say “Gee, what a beautiful day? I think I’ll fail today!”  Of course not. But even though your conscious mind craves success, your subconscious mind has to be moving in the same direction, or nothing happens.

To some of you this information may be new, or old news, regardless, you have to know how you can change your subconscious thinking. It isn’t that hard, it just takes consistency or what we call ‘autosuggestion.’ Your subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between fact or fiction. For example when watching a film your conscious mind knows that is is actors portraying a script, with a budget and special effects. Your subconscious mind, again, not able to discern between fact or fiction, will react to it as if it IS real.

This is why when Leonardo Dicaprio fell into the deep blue in Titanic most people started to cry. The same can be said about any sad film, or humorous one for that matter. Your subconscious thinks it’s real, and makes you laugh, or cry etc. The same is true with autosuggestion. If you tell yourself that you are successful, your subconscious mind will not argue the fact.

However it is only through repetition that your subconscious will begin to change and absorb things. This again, is what we call autosuggestion. On a regular basis you need to engage in what we call, ‘affirmations.’ However, affirmations are not nearly as powerful as ‘afformations.’ You may not be familiar with this term, but rest assured you soon will be.

An affirmation is nothing more than an emotionally charged present tense statement of what you would like to be or how you would like to think. For example: “I am rich.”   “I am fit.”  When repeated verbally and written in a journal on a consistent basis your subconscious will begin to resonate with your positive affirmations and speech, and will start to think positively. Once it does, your life will begin to change.

However some people struggle with affirmations. For example when you say something like “I am rich” your subconscious may go “YEAH RIGHT! HA!” in it’s subtle way…

An easy way to overcome this is with “afformations” which are a slightly different variation of an ‘affirmation.’ It uses a line of questioning to overcome this issue, and make affirmations easier, more fun, and highly effective. When you ask yourself a question, your subconscious will not doubt the validity of the question, but instead try to answer it. For example “Why is the sky blue?” Your subconscious mind will say “The sky is blue, now why is that?” It doesn’t matter why it is, it registers that the sky is blue.

You can use this to your advantage for example, by asking yourself questions like “Why am I so wealthy?”  “Why am I so fit?”  “How did I lose weight so quickly?”  Your subconscious will skip right over the acceptance, and say “I have lost weight quickly, why is that?”   You don’t have to figure the answer for yourself, it simply reprograms your subconscious line of thought.
If your subconscious is automatically set for failure, you ‘will’ fail rest assured. You will attract the things into your life that will keep you as a failure. If you program your mind for success, you WILL be successful, absolutely guaranteed. Ever notice how some of the wealthiest people are no smarter than you or I? It’s because they are ‘unconsciously’ successful. They were either ‘born’ into riches, or were too ignorant to notice failure (a blissful trait I wish we all had).

Being wealthy was all they knew…The same can be said for any desire or want you may have. The skinny girl you envy, or the muscular guy. Their subconscious mind BELIEVED with faith and pure emotion that they would be at whatever vision or desire they held in their mind with faith, and they became that thing.

“All that we are is a result of what we have thought.” -Bhudda      This is a powerful phrase, and it is true. If you’ve never heard of the law of attraction, let me tell you my friends that it is a very powerful and real thing. Notice that it IS a ‘law’ not a ‘theory.’  There is no dispute, it is fact. Learn to reprogram your subconscious mind and you will unlock the keys to anything you desire in life.

All the universe knows is abundance. Look at the grass, the trees, the birds, abundance is everywhere. All YOU need to do is ‘allow’ it into your life. You are literally your own dam, blocking out the good things that are trying to get in. Once you get out of your own way, and get your foot off of the brake, you will have an abundant lifestyle.

For example, I started to think of myself as fit, in shape, working from home, and driving a new car. Less than a year later all of it came true because I trained my mind to think this way. I now help other people achieve the same thing as a lifestyle trainer. Now imagine someone close minded, who doesn’t believe in themselves, and subconsciously thinks they are a failure comes along. They’ll take a look at my opportunity and their brain will tell them they aren’t good enough, I’ve got something they don’t, or that it’s a scam. And before you know it, they’ve clicked off and missed the opportunity of a lifetime.

Once your subconscious is programmed for success, it opens up to receive all the good things the universe has to offer. From weight loss, to financial burden, to resolving any issue in life. You just need to allow the abundance in. =D

I highly recommend picking up the book called “The Secret Code of Success” by Noah St. John. It will change your life, and show you how you can effectively change your thought patterns to achieve the abundant and wealthy lifestyle you deserve.

Your body uses water in so many ways I’m only going to name a few that matter to you. For one, if you are dehydrated your brain won’t be functioning at it’s fullest which results in you becoming moody. It’s a literal statement to say “Drinking water makes you happy.” So right there should be some serious motivation to drink more of it. But most people don’t get enough, why?

People don’t know how to drink water.

I know what you’re thinking. ‘Um, pour it in a glass and drink it?’  This is partially correct. Your body needs lots, and lots of water. Most people in today’s modern society have become accustomed to drinking water as a ‘beverage’ instead of drinking water as it should be consumed, a NUTRIENT! It is the most important nutrient in your body. As such you can’t pour a glass of ‘ice’ water and sip on it and expect your body to become fully hydrated. You have to CHUG! OK well, you don’t have to chug water, but you do have to drink larger amounts at once.

People who ‘sip’ on water are a lot more dehydrated than others. If you enjoy water cold, that’s fine and dandy, but your body needs more water and a lot faster than you’re giving it to it.

When you wake up your body is the most dehydrated.

As soon as you wake up in the morning you should consume 14-20oz of water. Not sip, but ‘consume’ it. Meaning, drink the whole glass there on the spot. Every thirty minutes after that you should do the same thing until your urine is clear when you go to the bathroom. At this point it’s OK to back off to drinking 14-20oz of water every hour or so.

How much water do you need?

Well everyone is different so I can’t give you an exact amount. I say don’t pay attention to amounts. Just use the above formula for hydrating yourself from the moment you wake up onward. Honestly your urine is the best way to see how hydrated you are. Don’t make the mistake of seeing clear urine and saying ‘Oh I guess I don’t have to drink any more water today.’  BZZZZ wrong! At that point it’s OK to back off like I mentioned, perhaps drink a glass every hour or so, but you still have to keep drinking.

Hydration timings

When drinking water like I mentioned above I recommend starting off immediately upon rising with 14-20oz and every half hour until urine runs clear. After that drink the same amount every hour. If you are exercising for that day, stop drinking water about 30 minutes before exercise unless it’s a smaller amount.

It’s OK to ‘sip’ on water during exercise. But you’ll want to start drinking it full on again after exercise is complete. Drink too much ‘during’ and you’ll make yourself throw up.

I also recommend stopping your water consumption about 3-4 hours before bed time so that you don’t have to get up to pee in the middle of the night.

Another tip: Discontinue water consumption 15 minutes prior to, and after eating a meal. This allows for better digestion.

Benefits of drinking water

Everything in the entire body happens in the presence of water, as such like I mentioned previously brain function is impaired when you don’t get enough water. So happiness is directly affected. In regards to exercise, you can lose up to 19% of your strength and make your heart work a lot harder during cardiovascular activity if you don’t hydrate before hand.

A word of caution to early birds. Exercising in the morning is OK, but give yourself at least 30-60 minutes to have the body warm up and get a little bit hydrated. It takes about 3-4 hours to reach hydration potential after rising, assuming you are drinking like I mentioned above.

Can you imagine having 19% of your strength taken away from you during your workouts? Or having your heart pump a lot faster because your blood is thinner from lack of water? It’s just not worth it! Your chance of injury increases when your muscles aren’t properly hydrated as well!

Your body is better able to flush garbage out of your intestines as well, including estrogen which is harmful for both men and women in building muscle and staying healthy. It also helps you stay more regular.

Why did I blog about water?

I find myself wondering, but I had to bring it up. I see too many people who just aren’t drinking water properly, or in the right amounts. I recommend getting a water filter you can place next to your sink. A brita filter won’t run you too much, and it’s much cheaper than buying a lugging around bottled water. If you don’t drink room temperature water all I can say is get used to it. Drinking cold water isn’t natural, so if you can teach yourself to drink it that way, you can learn to drink it at room temperature.

I just see too many people sipping on cold water and not getting the proper amount they need so I had to address it. Trust me you’ll thank me later.

————

To Your Abundance!

Jacob Buehler

Wanna work with me? Visit http://jake.iownmylife.net

Email: jacob.buehler@gmail.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/jgbuehler

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jakebuehler

Skype: Sephiros888

“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”
~Benjamin Franklin

Did This Blog Help You? If so, I would greatly appreciate if you commented below and shared on Facebook

The mind is a powerful thing. It’s tough to differentiate between placebo and things that are actually effective. With that being said, I don’t want to offend, or disillusion anyone who is confident and happy with what they are taking now. So if you’re worried your current supplement may or may not be effective, I’d suggest you discontinue reading now. What I offer is my take on supplements that are worth your money, and those that are not based on the thousands of hours I’ve spent researching each and every one. I’ll explain why to some degree as well.

You see, when it comes to supplements there are two categories. Those that are 100% absolutely proven by research to be effective, and those that have inconclusive data with mixed feedback and opinion. Let’s dive right into it shall we?

I’ll go down the list of supplements I recommend and why I do for each one, and I’ll start in the order of effectiveness.

1. Shakeology – As a meal replacement it’s hard to consider this a supplement. However it does ‘supplement’ having a meal and it also supplements a very large portion of your vitamins and nutrients. The one thing many, many, many people overlook in their weight loss journey is getting their daily vitamins. They don’t give their body what it needs and wonder why they aren’t getting results.  They’re called ‘vita’mins for a reason, and that is because they are ‘vital’ to your body’s everyday function. As such there is nothing healthier I have ever seen for your money than replacing one meal a day with Shakeology, period.

Does this give you permission to skip your veggies? I say no, but I know many people who just drink Shakeology instead and have extremely athletic physiques so who knows. I say do both though. You can never have too many vitamins!

2. Multi, Calcium, & Omega 3 – Do some searching on the internet and you’ll find these three supplements pop up over and over and over, why?  Calcium is the most abundant mineral in your body. Calcium is mandatory for vasodilation & vascular contraction, muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signaling and hormonal secretion. Most people don’t get enough of it which makes those who exercise more prone to injury.

Over two billion people in the world are deficient in essential nutrients. As I mentioned above this is why I recommend Shakeology above all to be the number one thing in your body! You need vitamins. That being said it doesn’t hurt to also take a multivitamin as well.  So many people want quick results but skip right over the most important thing…their vitamins! Why is it we want the most out of our body but give it the least? They’ll go out and spent thousands on untested junk science supplements, whatever the latest thing is on the shelf of GNC, but they skip right over their vitamins. Take your multi and drink your Shakeology! Treat your body right! This is the foundation for results!

I’m sure you’ve seen Omega 3′s everywhere. There’s a reason they’re so popular, they’re important! Did you they boost heart health and lower triglycerides? There’s also studies showing that omega-3 fatty acids may help with rheumatoid arthritis, depression, and many more. If you’re exercising, like everyone ‘should’ be, it’s helpful to have something that has been proven to effectively boost your heart and joint health right? Right. =D

3. Caffeinated Pre-Workout – Caffeine is a wonderful drug when used responsibly, in the right amounts, at the right times. When caffeine enters the body approximately 30-45 minutes before you exercise, it will help your body metabolize more fat stores during exercise. It will also help suppress hunger, increase focus, and reduce muscle glycogen consumption. So overall, you’ll have more energy, more intense workouts, and burn more fat! Plus you’ll be focused and fired up for the following hours after your workout. Caffeine, hands down, is one of ‘thee’ most effective and beneficial supplements for boosting your fat burning results PERIOD!

I recommend however only using caffeine as a pre workout aid, and not drinking it recreationally or as a beverage in the morning. Ideally you’ll benefit from a maximum of 100mg of caffeine per 75lbs of body weight. I recommend avoiding consumption of a pre workout 6 hours before bed, and have at least 1-2 days off of it per week. Every time you burn through a can I recommend taking 1-2 weeks off to let your adrenal glands rest, and your body reset it’s tolerance to caffeine. It is a drug, so your body can build up tolerance / addiction. Withdrawals, if any are felt while cycling off, will not last more than 24 hours after they begin.

4. Creatine – I’ve done a blog on creatine recently that explains the amazing benefits of this extremely cheap and beneficial supplement. It’s a very helpful supplement for those looking to lose body fat and for those that are looking to build muscle. It also helps improve cognitive abilities. I won’t go into a lot of detail about it here since you can read more about it on the blog. In a nutshell it strengthens your muscles, helps you get better workouts, and also boosts recovery. Unless you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, there’s no reason not to be on it!

– Here’s a few more supplements that are effective, yet optional. Some being circumstantial. –

5. Whey Protein – Most people consume way, WAY too much protein. A good rule of thumb is you only should consume a maximum of 1g of protein per lb of body weight, but most studies show between .8g to 1g per lb is fine. For example, if someone weighed 150lbs, than 150g of protein would suffice. You get protein in almost everything you eat. If you keep track of your food accurately with something like myfitnesspal.com you can clearly see how easy it is to get your required protein.

However it can be handy to have whey protein in the house just in case you are short one day, or need a quick protein fix on the go. Whey protein should be used sparingly. Although scientifically it is the most superior form of protein, it isn’t necessary to take it to build muscle or burn fat any better than eating whole food protein. And whole food protein will always leave you feeling more satisfied.

6. BCAA‘s – Pay close attention so you don’t waste money here. BCAA’s I can only recommend to those who practice Intermittent Fasting like I do and actually train in a fasted state. When I exercise, it is approximately 15-16 hours since my last meal, and in those scenarios BCAA’s can be beneficial. I won’t go into the science behind why, but in a nutshell it keeps the body anabolic and gives you an energy boost. However for those that practice modern day meal frequency, or eat 2-3 hours before exercise BCAA’s are not required. If you’d like more information on Intermittent fasting or the usefulness of BCAA’s, feel free to reach out to me.

7. Recovery Drink – After exercise your body will definitely be primed and ready to eat. Insulin sensitivity will be greater and you’ll get a better uptake of nutrients. Now, if you’re happy with cooking or preparing your own post workout meal, then go ahead. Your results will be the same in your fat loss or muscle building journey, whatever you’re after. The idea that your body is burning muscle post workout is not the case. If you do exercise and go for a prolonged period of time without food, yes you can go catabolic, but it’s not nearly as fast as most believe.

That being said, recovery drinks are ‘convenient’ and delicious. If you would rather gain your strength back quickly by just tossing a scoop or two of this into your shaker cup, than go ahead! It’s loaded with vitamins, protein, and especially carbs to get your energy back quickly after exercise. This is actually mandatory if you workout TWICE in one day, as you will NEED a glycogen recharge, and a fast one, before your second workout.

So, in a nutshell, if you exercise once per day, and are fine waiting to eat until you cook a meal, you’re good. If you need that energy boost post workout, or for some even during, recovery drink is a great option for you.

8. Suma Root – Some will differ on the opinion of how effective suma root is. But for myself and the majority of people I know who take it we can see a big difference. I would reserve this supplement for those who have reached or are close to their fitness goal, and are focused on really increasing their fitness performance to the next level. Whether that is athletic ability or gaining muscle mass. It is a Brazilian agent that has many, way too many benefits to name. It is all natural and has been even labeled by some as ‘nature’s steroid.’  It used to be in Shakeology, however the ingredient is so potent it will make athletes test positive for steroids on random drug testing, so it had to be removed. (A word of caution for any professional athletes considering taking this)

It should be noted however that Suma Root is NOT steroids, but it does have very beneficial effects on building muscle. This should not discourage women from taking it either, as you will have no worry about this making you ‘bulky.’ Again, it is all natural and will help you build that physique you’ve always wanted, especially in those glutes if you’re doing your squats. Like you should be! 

In closing, this blog has gone on far longer than I had originally planned. However, supplements are an important topic because they can be expensive. With that being said I recommend the first four items on this list highly. The others…can be taken for convenience or perhaps a slight extra boost if you have extra money to throw at your results. Although like I mentioned earlier anyone who practices Intermittent Fasting or exercises in a fasted state should consider 10g BCAA’s.

 
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To Your Abundance!

Jacob Buehler

Wanna work with me? Visit http://jake.iownmylife.net

Email: jacob.buehler@gmail.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/jgbuehler

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jakebuehler

Skype: Sephiros888

“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”
~Benjamin Franklin

Did This Blog Help You? If so, I would greatly appreciate if you commented below and shared on Facebook

If you’re out there and you’re looking to lose body fat and get in the best shape of your life, to once and for all end your trend of poor eating choices and like what you see in the mirror, it starts in your mind. You have to visualize who you want to become and see yourself there as if in present tense. But it’s not enough to just see it, you have to see it and FEEL it with emotion.

Picture in your mind how you want to look and be realistic. Perhaps you can break out an old photograph of yourself years ago to help create the vision. In addition, you should also get your subconscious working FOR you instead of against you. It’s a simple process called daily affirmations. You may or may not have heard of them, but they work. Forget what you think you know and start looking at your results.

Write out a mission statement that you can read aloud twice a day, once upon rising and once before going to sleep. It should include your definite goal with a time frame of when you want to obtain it. Write out what you intend to do to make that goal a reality as well as the fact that you can see yourself there already. Let’s give an example:

“By December 20, 2013 I will have lost ___lbs and will be able to see my abs. I will be able to fit into my size ____ pants once again and all of my friends and relatives will be inspired by my results. I will exercise daily, never skipping a workout and giving my 110% effort each and every day. I will eat healthy foods and keep a food diary of my calories in to ensure my body is getting the nutrients it needs to remain healthy while losing weight at a healthy pace.

I know that I will reach my goal and I can already see myself in the mirror with the body I desire. I can feel my body at this moment in the form I desire it to be. I know that this will happen without any doubt and that I will stay consistent. I will enjoy my journey in a new healthier lifestyle.”

Now this is just an example I quickly typed out, you see the point. It’s not enough just to read it and think it, you must say it aloud so that it resonates in your mind. Your subconscious cannot tell the difference between fact and fiction. When you watch a movie your conscious mind knows it is a fictional story with actors, but your subconscious accepts it as fact, which is why you will cry or laugh during a movie. Well…by now hopefully you can see where I’m going with this. If you repeat aloud something similar to the above statement about your goal your subconscious WILL accept whatever you tell it as fact without any doubt. So make sure you put some good stuff in there!

Ever hear someone tell you to “Think positive” ?  It’s so simple yet we overlook it. Our mind’s automatically gravitate towards negativity in today’s society because there is so much negativity in the world. Shut off the news and open a personal development book. Read affirmations twice daily. Eat right and exercise. Your mind is the captain of your soul. Steer it towards your success. Start with your fitness and add in any other areas of your life that need fixing as well! What your subconscious has floating around in it will be manifested into physical reality over time.

“All that we are is a result of what we have thought.”

Let’s address some common questions one at a time, starting first by explaining what P90X2 really IS all about.

What is P90X2?

P90x2 is the latest program from fitness guru Tony Horton that contains the latest in athletic sciences. You’ll hear terms like post activation potentiation, neuro-integrated stretching, myofascial release, and the fact that it has no cardio?! (GASP!) Some of the movements are intimidating. Pushups on four med balls, horizontal pullups and levers, and some workouts that go for almost an hour with only one ninety second break.

P90X2 is without question the most advanced fitness program ever devised using advanced training techniques used by most pro athletes in today’s world.

P90X2 is also very well rounded. It’s not just balls to the wall (no pun intended) as it also contains smarter recovery using foam rolling techniques and two days off per week to let the body recoup.

You’ll never forget your first night of sleep after using the foam roller on your back and legs, trust me on that. On your rest days it’s recommended to take part in active recovery or light cardio such as a mild jog or brisk walk outside. Heck, go play some basketball with your friends. Get out there and enjoy life!

Am I ready for P90X2?

Let’s be straight with each other. You can do ANYTHING you put your mind to. If I told you that you couldn’t do P90X2 and you believed me, you wouldn’t do it. If I told you that you couldn’t, and you believed you COULD, then you WOULD, and after you’d message me to tell me just how wrong I was!

P90X2 has set the bar high, however, like P90X you don’t have to clear that bar to “do” the program. They did a very good job in every video to include modified versions of all the advanced movements so there’s nobody left crossing their arms saying ‘I can’t do that.’

You can do anything you ‘believe’ you truly want and desire to do.

Now, as I mentioned P90X2 is advanced and sets the bar high intentionally so that you’ll never outgrow the program. As such it requires some extra gear. Let’s talk about what you’ll need.

What equipment should I purchase for P90X2?

P90X2 has moves that require extra gear, but they can also be done without as modified.

If you want to do every advanced movement in the program you will need a P90X chin-up bar, (4) medicine balls, weights, bands, yoga mat, premium stability ball, and a foam roller.

If you want to start with a smaller budget that’s no problem too. They have someone in every video showing you a modified version of every move meaning at a minimum to do P90X2 all you would need is a set of bands and a yoga mat. That’s it! One less excuse not to get started.

What schedule should I follow with P90X2?

P90X2 is just like P90X in that it has three phases, however they allow YOU to decide how long you stay in each phase. You also choose how many recovery weeks you need, or if at all. I know what you’re thinking, “So Jake, what do you recommend?”

Personally after two rounds of P90X2, if you are planning on a thirteen week schedule I would go with three weeks in foundation, seven weeks in strength, and three weeks in performance taking no recovery week.

However you’ll want to listen to your own body, if you need a break, by all means take a recovery week. Personally I find the two rest days the program gives you per week is more than enough. If you enjoy one phase more than another, then by all means stay in that phase longer, the idea is to make it your own and have fun. (Just don’t stay in performance phase for more than four weeks, trust me three is more than enough!)

Also, the program gives you two rest days per week, so on each rest day I highly recommend twenty minutes of ‘light’ cardio out doors, such as a brisk walk or a jog. It’s very therapeutic and will help you recover faster while burning some extra calories. Get out there and breath the fresh air in this world on those rest days! =D

Is P90X2 better or harder than P90X?

Most will say no, however I think it is in a sense that it has a higher ceiling. The better you get, the stronger you get, the harder P90X2 becomes. As the program transforms you into a top shape athlete you will find the program continues to grow with you. So far I have yet to see the program ever get any ‘easier.’  Now this isn’t to say P90X was EASY by any means! However I definitely feel like I mastered some of the workouts after a while, especially plyometrics and kenpo X. In X2 though, good luck saying you’ve mastered plyocide or that it’s easy…

If you’re on the fence, go ahead and take the plunge with P90X2, trust me you’ll have a blast! Click here if you want to give it a go! —>  Decide to do P90X2! Or bundle it with Shakeology for a discount. Replace one meal a day with it to help with results.  –> Challenge Pack

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Your muscles use a primary fuel source call ATP, which I won’t tell you what that stands for because you wouldn’t be able to pronounce it anyways. Once the muscles run out of ATP they begin to tap into muscle glycogen and as a result begin producing lactic acid which causes the muscle to fail. Lactic acid, by the way, is what makes you feel sore the next day.

Creatine like I mentioned earlier is stored in the muscles and controls the amount of water muscles are able to retain. By increasing the amount of creatine in your muscles, you will then increase the amount of water stored in your muscles, thus your ATP stores will increase.

So how does this benefit you?

When you begin taking 5g (1 tsp) of creatine everyday, your muscles will reach their potential limit in creatine storage, which will result in your muscles being much more hydrated. Assuming you drink enough water daily you will then have a higher level of ATP stores in all of your muscles. This means that your muscles will be able to crank out extra push-ups, pull-ups, squats, lunges and / or lift heavier weights before reaching failure.

So, for somebody doing cardiovascular exercise, you may not notice any difference what so ever. However somebody doing sprints, or high intensity interval training that involves reaching muscle failure, WILL notice an increase in their sprinting difference or how long they can last on HIIT bouts.

For those looking to lose body fat, creatine is very beneficial because it increases your lean muscle mass weight, which thereby increases your metabolism. It also allows you to burn more calories during exercise and get more effective resistance training workouts. And remember, resistance training is far superior in burning fat than cardio.

Creatine is also extremely beneficial for the person looking to increase muscle mass or trigger muscular hypertrophy, due to the above mentioned benefits. Creatine will allow an individual to push more volume which will equate to faster muscle gains. Muscles will also be better hydrated while on creatine which will allow them to recovery more rapidly after intense weight training.

In short, creatine is one of the most effective, safe, and inexpensive supplements to ever hit the market. Creatine Monohydrate is the tried and true most effective version of the many creatines you will find on the market. All of the others have zero data to support them being more effective, and they are only more expensive. Creatine is also 100% safe with zero side effects for both men and women (not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding though).

I recommend Beachbody MAX Creatine as it is held to a higher quality.

How to use creatine:

Take 5g (1tsp) daily. You can mix with water or toss it into your mouth and swish it down. It is tasteless, has zero calories and goes down extremely easy.

Who should use creatine?

Men and women who want to: Lose body fat, tone up, stay lean, and / or gain muscle mass. Basically if you have a pulse, and you want better results, no matter what they are, you should take creatine.

Let’s address some myths and commonly asked questions…

Does creatine need to be cycled? No it does not. You can take it every day for the rest of your life. Some believe your body will adapt to it, this is false. Creatine is not a drug, it is a natural amino acid. Does your body adapt to eating chicken? Exactly. You do not need to cycle off of creatine, period.

Does creatine require a ‘loading phase’? No it does not. Some believe you should take 20g a day for the first few days to ‘load up’ real quick on creatine. This has no scientific backing, and was started as a false rumor by supplement companies to get you to burn through the product faster than needed.

Should I take more than 5g if I am over 200lbs? Nope! 5g is more than enough no matter what your size is.

Is creatine safe for women? It is absolutely safe for women that are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and they will benefit just like men.

Will creatine make me gain weight? During the first month you begin taking creatine, your muscles will gradually store more and more water until they reach full saturation. Naturally since water has weight, you will gain weight. However, the weight that you will gain will be 100% in your muscles, which means, you will look LEANER!

Will creatine make me look bloated? No, creatine only increases water storage in the muscles, not the waistline.

Is it true creatine increases brain function? Yes! Creatine is also stored in the brain, which means an increase to water to the brain, and as such, nutrient and oxygen uptake!

I’ve taken it for a month & not sure if I feel the effects, am I a non responder? The chances are highly unlikely that you are what some people fear as a ‘non responder.’  A more experienced athlete or weight trainer, who knows their specific weight training limits, will be much more aware of the effects of creatine as opposed to a beginner. However, just because you are unaware of your increased strength, doesn’t mean it isn’t there benefiting you on every workout.

Should I try modified creatines? Save your money and stick with pure creatine monohydrate. It is the most studied and the only proven effective type of creatine on the market. It’s also the cheapest. I recommend Beachbody MAX Creatine.

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Share your experience with creatine in the comments below, as well as feel free to post any questions. Have a good one!

What is Les Mills Combat?

LES MILLS COMBAT is an explosive mixed martial arts–inspired body transformation program that will help rip, shred, and lean you out for unparalleled results. Blending dynamic martial arts–inspired training with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), LES MILLS COMBAT pushes your body far beyond where it’s ever been before. You’ll punch, kick, and strike your way to the biggest adrenaline rush—and your best body ever—in just 60 days! Beachbody® and Les Mills International have teamed up once again to bring you a high-octane workout program based on the immensely popular BODYCOMBAT® gym classes taught in 80 countries around the world, with expert trainers, charttopping music—and muscle-shredding results. Now for the first time, LES MILLS COMBAT is available for home use.

Who are the Les Mills Combat trainers?

Your LES MILLS COMBAT workouts are led by two mixed martial arts (MMA) experts, Dan Cohen and Rachael Newsham. Dan has black belts in kickboxing and Lau Gar Chinese boxing and won the 1996 British Masters kickboxing competition. Rachael is a master trainer with exclusive education from a Wing Chun Kung Fu school, as well as muay thai training in Thailand.

Why is Les Mills Combat effective?

The secret is Fast Twitch Integration Training—a blend of the most dynamic moves from karate, tae kwon do, boxing, muay thai/kickboxing, capoeira, and jiujitsu combined in explosive, escalating patterns. This works your fast-twitch muscle fibers—they’re the ones with the greatest capacity for change—like crazy! You’ll be burning massive amounts of calories during your workouts and continue burning calories even after your workouts, so you’ll amp up strength and maximize lean muscle definition.

What will Les Mills Combat do for you?

Build lean muscle mass, increase endurance, condition—and incinerate fat—all at the same time
• Develop the coordination, agility, and muscle speed of a mixed martial arts warrior

• Maximize calorie burn during and after
your workout
• Improve posture, core strength,
and stability
• Build self-confidence, strength,
and power

What makes Les Mills Combat Unique?

This mixed martial arts–inspired body transformation system delivers real results—fast. Moves from 6 different disciplines were carefully selected for the physical response demand they place on the body as they blast your fast-twitch muscle fibers. This type of training is one of the most effective ways to help stimulate rapid body composition changes. But you don’t have to be a mixed martial arts expert to have the lean and athletic body of one! LES MILLS COMBAT brings you the benefits of a proven global program that will help get you lean and ripped like no other workout on the market. All you need to do is keep it real . . . and stay with the fight!

How much does Les Mills Combat cost and where can I pre order it to save $10 on shipping?

There’s three options when ordering Les Mills Combat. If you pre order now you’ll save yourself $15 in shipping charges on any of the three options.

Option #1: Les Mills Combat Kit $59.85

Includes: Stay With the Fight Fitness Guide – Get inspired and map out your plan for success with this easy-to-follow guide. It includes workout calendars and training tips to maximize results.

Eat Right for the Fight Nutrition Guide -  A detailed eating plan that kicks off your body’s ability to start burning through the fat while keeping blood sugar constant and helping reduce your appetite. Features more than 30 workout-fueling recipes. Tape Measure and Measurement Tracker Track your progress and watch your warrior physique take shape through all 60 days of the LES MILLS COMBAT extreme body transformation. Online Support
Get access to fitness experts, peer support, and extra motivation.

Tape Measure and Measurement Tracker – Track your progress and watch your warrior physique take shape through all 60 days of the LES MILLS COMBAT extreme body transformation.

Support of a Challenge Group – Order through jakesfitclub.com and receive free coaching from me and the support of a challenge group doing the program with you.

Les Mills Combat 30:LIVE! BONUS WORKOUT

Unleash your inner warrior with 7 body-shredding workouts that harness the explosive techniques of mixed martial arts with the hard-hitting cardio of high intensity interval training.

Option #2 Les Mills Combat Supreme Warrior Kit $89.85

Includes: LES MILLS COMBAT Kit PLUS LES MILLS COMBAT Training Gloves – Engage more muscles in your arms, so you can punch harder, strike with more force, and maximize your workout—building those strong and sexy lean muscles while incinerating calories.

Option#3 Les Mills Combat Ultimate Warrior Kit $119.70

Includes: Everything from Les Mills Combat Supreme Warrior Kit PLUS four bonus workouts!

Les Mills Combat Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What do you need to be successful with LES MILLS COMBAT?
• Space. You need just enough room to move front to back and side to side. A small living room
space should do the trick.
• Equipment. Dumbbells within a certain weight range are used in the POWER HIIT workout and the Ultimate Warrior Kit’s WARRIOR 1: UPPER BODY BLOW OUT workout to advance your fitness level and to get serious definition! Dumbbells are optional for the SHOCK PLYO HIIT 2 workout and the Ultimate Warrior Kit’s CORE ATTACK. You may also find that wearing the LES MILLS COMBAT training gloves when you’re working out will amp up your intensity and help you deliver more accurate punches.
• Supplements that are recommended include:
- Shakeology®. This ultra-premium nutrition shake promotes digestive health, energy, and even
weight loss.*
- Results and Recovery Formula®. A postworkout drink containing the optimal balance of proteins and carbohydrates to help replenish the body, mend sore muscles, and restore energy after sweating it out.
- E&E Energy and Endurance™. This preworkout drink helps provide the energy to go ALL THE WAY. It is scientifically formulated to improve endurance, muscle performance, and focus during
every workout.

Q. How do you start the program? Do you have to be in great shape?
LES MILLS COMBAT is designed to work for people of all fitness levels, and also can be used as an excellent complement to any other workout program. A 30-minute Basics DVD is included that provides instruction on how to perform each of the 6 martial arts disciplines used in the program. Additionally, the Stay With the Fight Fitness Guide includes three workout calendars, so you can tailor your program to your own individual needs.

Q. Is there a Team Beachbody®/Coach exclusive for LES MILLS COMBAT?
Yes! Anyone who orders LES MILLS COMBAT through Team Beachbody or a Coach gets a FREE
bonus workout—LES MILLS COMBAT 30: LIVE. It’s a unique opportunity to join the LES MILLS COMBAT trainers for a high-voltage COMBAT class that was shot live in the UK! The moves are designed to carve leaner arms, shoulders, and upper back, while delivering explosive leg training and high-intensity cardio to kick-start anyone’s metabolic burn.

Q. How and when can I get LES MILLS COMBAT?
• Starting October 1, 2012, you can order LES MILLS COMBAT online at TeamBeachbody.com or through your Team Beachbody Coach.
• Pre-order by December 3, 2012 and get FREE SHIPPING!

Q. When will the product ship?
• Pre-orders start shipping on or around December 4, 2012.
• Orders placed by December 13, 2012 will be on target to deliver by December 24, 2012.

Q. How much does it cost to ship?
• FREE, if the order is placed during the pre-order period that runs through December 3, 2012.
• As of December 4, 2012, shipping & handling will cost $14.95 for the LES MILLS COMBAT Kit,
$14.95 for the Supreme Warrior Kit, $14.95 for the Ultimate Warrior Kit.

Q. When will the credit card that was used for the purchase be charged?
• The credit card will be charged when the product ships. The purchaser will receive an email
confirming the order and ship date at the email address provided during purchase.

Q. Is there an option to buy only an additional pair of LES MILLS COMBAT Training Gloves?
• The LES MILLS COMBAT Training Gloves will be made available for individual purchase on or
around the time the product launches on December 4, 2012.

Q. Is there a LES MILLS COMBAT Challenge Pack?
The Challenge Pack is not available for pre-order, but it is available for regular order starting on or
around December 4, 2012. This will contain the LES MILLS COMBAT Base Kit, a 30-day supply
of Shakeology with Home Direct**, and a FREE 30-day trial membership to Team Beachbody VIP
Club.***†

–> Les Mills Combat Challenge Pack

PS: If you found use out of this post or appreciate the hard work I put into my blog please help it grow more exposure by simply clicking the like or share buttons below or above this post. Thank you! =D

For example two people could complete the P90X workout schedule yet get completely different results depending on who executed the moves correctly or not.  Not to mention you could also tear a muscle or damage a joint.

First let’s talk about picking up weight off of the floor & setting it back down again. This is known as a “Dead Lift” and applies to everyday life as well as exercise. In the P90X workouts you’ll be picking up and setting weight down constantly.  When picking up something off of the ground you need to ensure that you keep your shoulders back and your chest up and behind your knees.

Don’t let the lower part of your back round out, and make sure you keep your butt (glutes) low as you go down. Keeping it high in the air will force your back to do the work which will result in injury.  Make sure you also keep your knees behind your toes, otherwise you’ll put undue strain on them and possibly damage the joint.

When setting weights (or heavy objects) back onto the floor, make sure you follow these same principles. Always take your time and be cautious. Picking up or setting weight down too quickly is a fast track to bad form and injury.

Another common move done wrong is the “Plank” or “Pushup” position. This is the basic position for executing pushups, side arm balance moves, and many other abdominal and core exercises IF done correctly.

The most common way that people mess this exercise up is by letting their hips raise too high or go too low to the ground taking tension out of the core muscle groups. You should be focused on flexing your glutes, quads, abs, and chest muscles to keep a straight line from your head to your toes.

This principle applies to plank hold positions, or while moving up and down doing pushups.  Doing this move in bad form may not increase any chance of injury, but it will cause you to miss effective muscle stimulation in the core muscle groups, as well as limit your range of motion of your pushup causing your triceps and chest muscles to not develop to their full potential.

You can work on your form by using a mirror or having a friend gauge your form. Eventually you’ll strengthen your mind to muscle connection and keep better form without having to think so hard about it each time.

One of the best exercises to work your back and lat muscles is the “Pullup” which unfortunately is probably the single handed most commonly done wrong exercise. Bad form in this exercise most likely will not cause you any injury, but it will drastically reduce the effectiveness of your muscle development and overall results.

The most common thing people do wrong with pullups is neglecting a full range of motion. Begin by hanging on the bar with arms fully extended.  Retract your scapular while hanging (it should feel like your head is raising up a little bit, like a turtle coming out of it’s shell.)  With your scapular retracted this is as low as you want to come in a pullup.

When going to this lowest point you never want to relax the scapular, as it will take tension off of the back muscles and make it very difficult to knock out another repetition.

When pulling up, you want to make sure that your chin comes all the way up to the level of the bar, and then all the way back down again.

Another common mistake people make when executing the pullup is by ‘kipping’ or using body language / momentum to get themselves higher in the range of motion. If your muscles cannot raise your body of their own accord, and you have to resort to swinging or kicking your feet, then it’s time to get off the bar. Cheating out extra reps won’t help you make any gains.

If you can only do between 1-5 solid good form pullups then that’s fine. After you complete your maximum repetitions, hop off the bar, slide in a chair, and use 1 leg on the chair to help you get some more assisted reps. Try to do an additional 12-20 reps until you reach muscle failure again. Focus particularly on the negative (when lowering yourself down) and keep control as you come down.

The “Squat” is also another common move done wrong. Bad form in this exercise can lead to knee issues and lower back pain or serious injury. The way to avoid this is putting your weight into your heels and pressing into your heels as you raise yourself up.

Also ensure that you keep your knees behind your toes to keep any tension off the knee joint. This is a great exercise to have a mirror for to ensure you’re doing it correctly.

You also want to ensure your abdominal are flexed taught the entire time, with your chest puffed up keeping it behind your knees to avoid tension on the lower back. The lower back should be straight, not rounded, at all times.

“Jumping” or “Plyometric” exercise (jump training) is also very common amongst athletes and many of the P90X exercises or other various Beachbody workouts and in home fitness programs. Ensure that when jumping off of the ground you keep the same form rules for squatting as you launch.

When landing, ensure that you land softly on your toes and that you ‘anticipate’ the landing. Anticipating the landing means you don’t keep your legs stiff like boards as you come down, but soft and ready to absorb the impact.  After your feet connect with the ground you can lower yourself like a squat motion to help absorb the impact instead of trying to stop your inertia all at once.

“Weighted Resistance Training” is probably where you see the most injuries unfortunately. The biggest reason for this is that people tend to lift too heavy and they let their ego get in the way of how much they should be lifting in proper form.

Bad form with weight training can not only cause serious injury, but also greatly reduce your results and overall muscle stimulation.

When using weights, whether it’s dumbbells, barbell, etc, ensure that you have no body language or momentum. The weights should be moving in slow controlled range of motions and your muscles should be 100% in control of the weights at all times.

If your muscles are unable to lift the weight of their own accord, DO NOT try and get an extra rep by cheating and using smaller muscle groups or swinging motions.

In exercise it’s crucial to always push to your limits, but at the same time you need to know what your limits are, and when it’s time to set the weights down and take a break.

I hope you found this blog helpful. If so please help it grow more exposure for others by clicking the ‘like’ or ‘share’ buttons below. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Check out Matthew’s P90X Results Video!

1. What motivated you to change your life with a Beachbody workout program / Shakeology?

My father passed away in 2003 of a heart attack at just 39 years old. High blood pressure is a problem in my family and 7 years after his passing I was 285 pounds and my blood pressure was already reaching hypertension levels. I was to the point of needing to be on blood pressure medicine. I lost a good amount of weight doing the fad “low carb” diet but almost immediately put half of it back on and it wasn’t stopping there. Nothing I had done previously was anything close to permanent or a life change. I was heading back to where I was and I needed a real change.

2. What was the most difficult thing you struggled with through your transformation?

One of the most difficult things I dealt with was sticking to eating right and resisting the cravings. I learned a lot through my journey about food and I’m still learning every day. Early on I struggled with the idea that I needed to eat more calories. That didn’t make sense to me at all so I went through plateaus that were caused by my stubbornness to trust the program. Once I let go and ate the right number of calories and the right source of calories, my progress accelerated like never before!

3. What is life like now that you have transformed your health and fitness?

I feel better than I have felt my entire life! When I was heavy I had heartburn all the time. I kept a bottle of TUMS next to my bed. That is gone and I NEVER have heartburn. I sleep better than I ever have and my wife even tells me my snoring has reduced dramatically. I’m also a big sports guy and love to play sports and be active! Before I was so out of shape, my knees hurt and I was out of breath in minutes. Now, no one can keep up with me! I’m so much more athletic, I recover faster and blow past everyone else! Overall, I feel like a million bucks!! Physically, mentally and emotionally, I am a different person.

4. What are your plans for the future with your new found lifestyle?

First and foremost, my plans are to keep going! The key word in the question is “lifestyle” and that is exactly what this is. Secondly, I really want to inspire people and help them reach their goals. When I first started, I didn’t think there was any way someone my size could get to where I am now. I want people to see and know that with proper nutrition and a great program, ANYONE can achieve their goals and beyond. I want to pay it forward help change lives for anyone who will listen!

I would also like to add that above all else, above the weight loss, the muscles and the abs(which are awesome btw) the most important thing I gained from this whole thing is that I added YEARS TO MY LIFE!!! I will be around for my family much longer and that is worth every drop of sweat!

If you’d like to reach out to Matthew on Facebook and congratulate him or ask him questions about his journey, his link is –> https://www.facebook.com/machimon