I just got the best, most exciting news that I have received in a long time. Our family is going on a seven day cruise in early January! This will be our Christmas present from my parents, as well as a 30th birthday trip for me! I am super excited! Hubby and I have cruised together before (Bahamas in 2005), so we already know what to expect. This time, we're cruising to in and around Mexico- and if there's one thing I am absolutely looking forward to, it's the food! I wish someone had told me that I probably should have tried to lose about ten pounds before the last cruise, because I felt like I gained that much while on vacation all those years ago.

Okay, so maybe I don't need to lose ten pounds, but I do want to lose a few pounds, at least, and just get healthy, so that I can enjoy this vacation, eat what I want to, feel good about myself in a bathing suit, and be totally energized for excursions, and days and nights packed with fun- with a toddler in tow!

I have a great friend on my side- Erin Velarde, a promoter for Body by Vi- the health challenge that is truly sweeping the nation by storm! I have been so intrigued by the Body by Vi Challenge. It's a 90 Day Challenge that simply asks you to join in and get healthy! It's not a get rich quick scheme, nor is it some crazy diet fad. It's a great way to lose a few pounds (if you want to, or need to), and embrace a healthier lifestyle.

I'd heard a lot about the Body by Vi Shakes, which is probably what they're best known for, honestly. I'd sampled some of the shakes before, and though I saw results from drinking them, and didn't mind the taste, I wasn't over the moon crazy about them, and felt that I could take them or leave them. I chose to leave them, and just go about eating whatever I wanted. Big mistake! I gained close to five pounds, and fast! Five pounds isn't a big deal to most people, but to me, it shows quickly- and in all of the places I don't want it to appear!


Woo hoo- can't wait to make my shakes!

Erin offered to send me a trial pack of the shake mixes from ViSalus, and I accepted the offer, hoping that I could get energized again, and lose those pesky pounds! It only took a few days for the shakes to arrive, and I was jazzed to start back up on them. While I waited for my shakes to arrive, I had the opportunity to visit a friend's house for a Body by Vi Challenge Party, which was informative, and I got to sample some of the shakes. I found myself getting pretty excited, knowing that I would have a new trial box of the shakes within a few days, and I couldn't wait to try some of the recipes that were shared at the party.

When the shakes arrived, I tore into the package! Erin sent me a box of individually packaged shake mixes. No measuring- gotta love that! The box contained 14 mixes, which would be enough for 1 week on the weight loss track, or 2 weeks on the maintenance track. I decided to go with one shake a day, which meant that I had enough for two weeks.

I wasn't expecting to lose a lot of weight. I know that for weight loss, you really need to replace two of your daily meals with a shake. I wanted to just do something good for my body, so, I traded in my bowl and spoon at breakfast time every morning, for a cup.



This was all I needed to make a yummy shake- the shake mix, milk, ice, and my blender, plus any add-ins. A friend of mine gave me an orange mix-in to try!



Look at that- a thick, creamy and delicious orange flavored shake!




Chocolate shake for breakfast- yum!




For a non-blended shake, just do this!


The shakes are so easy to make, and they taste amazing! All I needed to do to make my shake, was empty the shake mix into a blender, add as much ice as I wanted, along with about 8 ounces of skim milk. I pulsed the blender until I ended up with what looked like a frozen drink from my favorite coffee house. I didn't add anything to my shake on the first morning. The shake mix sort of tastes like cake batter, or sweet cream, all on its own, and I like that flavor a lot.

 

As the days wore on, I decided to do some different things with my shakes. One day, I added a few scoops of Ovaltine to the blender, and had a chocolate shake. Another day, I added a few scoops of reduced fat peanut butter, and enjoyed a delicious peanut butter shake. I used fresh fruits in my shakes, like strawberry and blueberry, and wound up with yummy fruit smoothies. You can even use juice, instead of milk! One day, I decided to mix my shake mix with orange juice, and blend it with ice- and I ended up with a delicious orange creamsicle!


There are so many great recipes you can try, you may never have to have the same shake twice! Check out some great recipes here.









At the end of the two weeks, I didn't see dramatic weight loss, but like I said, that's not what I was going for. I was about five pounds lighter, though, and felt healthier, and more energized. I even wanted to start exercising again, aside from a daily walk, and daily play with my son. The extra exercise is being super kind to me, and instead of weight loss, I'm seeing toning and firming- and that's exciting!




Two weeks later, I feel pretty great!

Body by Vi is a great option for anyone who is wanting to lose weight- a lot or a little, or just get healthy! One of the best things, aside from the health benefits of joining the Body by Vi Challenge, is the perks! Once you order a Balance Kit or Transformation Kit, you're given your own website with a personal profile to help track your progress during the challenge, and connect you with others on the challenge to offer support. You're also allowed to share your weblink with family and friends, promoting the challenge- and when three people order a Balance Kit (or one of the other kits) from your link, you can receive your next month's supply for free! You still have to pay shipping, but it's like a $50.00 value with the Balance Kit!

There's a reason why so many of your friends, co-workers, connections on Facebook and Twitter, etc, are talking about Body by Vi. The science is simple- they're packing tons and tons of nutrition that our bodies so desperately need (and don't get enough of) into the shake mixes. I was astonished when I saw the challenge video, and they broke down how many fruit, veggies, grains, dairy products, and more that you'd have to eat in a single day to get the nutrition you're getting from just one Body by Vi shake!

You'll be setting a great, healthy example for the kids, too! Kids ages 4 and up can also enjoy the shakes (NOT as a meal replacement) as a snack or special treat. So, the next time they ask you to stop at a fast food chain for a milk shake, keep Body by Vi in mind!


I love starting each morning with a Body by Vi shake. 
Here's to a healthier me, and a healthier you!

I love the Body by Vi shakes. My mom and my sister are also both doing the Body by Vi Challenge, and we're all going to look and feel great when we go on our cruise in January. My mom was thrilled to have been introduced to Body by Vi, because the shake mixes are free of GMO Soy Protein. She's a breast cancer survivor, and really has to watch her soy intake, which means that a lot of weight loss supplements and even some vitamins are off limits. With Body by Vi, she can safely replace her meals with a shake!

 
Want It? Buy It!

Are you ready to join the Challenge? Are you ready to simply replace one (or two, if you choose) meals a day with a delicious, healthy Body by Vi shake, and then eat a regular dinner, with regular sensible snacks in between meals? Are you ready to drop the baby weight? Are you ready to shed a few pounds before your wedding? Are you ready to just plain get healthy, and have more energy to play with your kids? You can do it! I'm doing it, and I invite you to join me. Erin is standing by, ready to help you by answering questions, helping you to select your kit, and be a wonderful support person for you, too! Just visit Erin's Body by Vi website to read more about Body by Vi, and start your challenge! You should also like Erin's Body by Vi page on Facebook, because she shares photos, information, and inspiration! Check it out!

Want It? Win It!

One lucky reader will win a 2 week Supply of Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix! What a great reason to get yourself up and moving! We've added some new entry options to the Rafflecopter, so have lots of fun with it! There are lots of extra chances to win, win, win!

Special thanks to Erin for allowing me to try these shakes and get healthy! And a big, big thank you to Erin for offering this awesome giveaway to our readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Other than the above mentioned product, which I received directly from the sponsor, free of charge, for review purposes, I was not compensated for facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own. Your experience may differ. MBP is not responsible for sponsor prize fulfillment or shipment.