Shakeology .. Isagenix .. Body by Vi .. Thoughts please

Looking at hearing some feedback from those who have tried the above programs. They certainly have similarities .. Lots of people at work are buying into the Isagenix program . Thanks curious
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Replies

  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    You can do a thread search. There are zillions of threads about various shakes. I've never done any of them myself because it goes against everything I believe about food and nutrition, but other people use them.
  • laurelobrien
    laurelobrien Posts: 156 Member
    To my understanding, they're just protein shakes with a lot of sugar. Buy yourself some flavoured whey at costco or gnc or whatever and save yourself the (incredibly high) cost.
  • KnM0107
    KnM0107 Posts: 355 Member
    Waste of money and unnecessary
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    All of the mentioned take advantage of people who are unknowledgeable about nutrition, weight loss and MLM's. Lots of people are fooled into these programs due to the great sales pitches and desperation of people who have a hard time losing because they don't want to change how they eat.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    All of the mentioned take advantage of people who are unknowledgeable about nutrition, weight loss and MLM's. Lots of people are fooled into these programs due to the great sales pitches and desperation of people who have a hard time losing because they don't want to change how they eat.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    THIS.

    And those "great sales pitches" will include some BS about how it's not just weight loss, but how their magical faerie dust makes them feel super awesome by causing them to feel more awake, less irritated, less constipated, less hungry, and just plain more awesome and superior all the way around.

    It is more than just protein powder and sugar, though. They have lots of other ingredients that you can easily get in real food, although the sellers will make you think that their product is superior to actual food somehow, try to convince you that a bag of powder really isn't processed, and that you can actually save money by spending over $100 a month on their crud...
  • I've done both Shakeology and Body by Vi, each for approximately two months, give or take a few days. I have found that they help loose weight initially but at the price of nutrition. Yes, I lost weight but I had other side effects being on it: lots of my hair falling out, unable to maintain the feeling of satiation, horrible skin (dry, itchy), irritability, bloating, irregularity. Once you get off these meal supplements, you gain the weight back even if you continue to workout as if you were on shakes. These shakes do not help you learn how to eat nutritiously and are a just teaching bad habits of relying on gimmicky dieting. Remember, the companies of who makes these shake mixes want you to be on these meal supplement mixes for as long as possible so that they can make money off you. You can save money by eating nutritiously, sensibly, and in moderation. If you are looking to drink something as one of your meals, you make your own smoothies by smartly combining healthy, natural ingredients without any of these chemical laden mixes. As I always say, if the ingredients has names that require you to do a google search to figure out what they are, chances are it shouldn't be in your body.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    ...They certainly have similarities ..

    yes. yes they do
  • Hauntinglyfit
    Hauntinglyfit Posts: 5,537 Member
    ...They certainly have similarities ..

    yes. yes they do

    Don't hold back, Dave.
  • smurfbaker
    smurfbaker Posts: 31 Member
    With working both a full time and part time job and a sole support parent I find it challenging getting enough protein in which was why I was thinking their protein shakes would be helpful.. Any suggestions than as to what I could put into a shake for a meal replacement that could have 15-20 grams of protein ?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    With working both a full time and part time job and a sole support parent I find it challenging getting enough protein in which was why I was thinking their protein shakes would be helpful.. Any suggestions than as to what I could put into a shake for a meal replacement that could have 15-20 grams of protein ?
    Liquid egg whites. You can buy them in cartons with no taste and smell.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • tempehforever
    tempehforever Posts: 183 Member
    Something else to keep in mind when considering purchasing these products--virtually all multi-level marketing schemes (which all the companies you listed are) are pretty predatory and use exploitative and misleading tactics to lure people in based on either on pseudoscience or skewed income promises. The vast majority of distributors (or "coaches" or whatever title their particular brand uses) LOSE money in MLMs. Do you really want to support that kind of industry? Even if I liked the products, I sure wouldn't be comfortable with that on an ethical level.

    If you want protein shakes or powders, there are plenty you can buy from a regularly grocery store or in bulk on the web. I buy the Whole Foods 365 generic brand whey protein powder and it serves me just fine. If things like Shakeology or Body by Vi were really that special, why on Earth would they need a complex pyramid scheme to sell them? Think about it.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    With working both a full time and part time job and a sole support parent I find it challenging getting enough protein in which was why I was thinking their protein shakes would be helpful.. Any suggestions than as to what I could put into a shake for a meal replacement that could have 15-20 grams of protein ?

    15-20 grams of protein? if that's all you need you can get that from basically anything. 2 eggs, a couple strips of beef jerky, a tall glass of milk. i wouldn't pay money for a shake for that amount, especially not the overpriced overhyped products that you mentioned. also, you want to look at a protein drink as a *supplement*, not a replacement.
  • lunalullaby
    lunalullaby Posts: 4 Member
    If you want protein shakes or powders, there are plenty you can buy from a regularly grocery store or in bulk on the web. I buy the Whole Foods 365 generic brand whey protein powder and it serves me just fine. If things like Shakeology or Body by Vi were really that special, why on Earth would they need a complex pyramid scheme to sell them? Think about it.

    I'm curious if anyone can suggest what to look for in a regular grocery store brand shake? They are quick and easy and taste great. Some mornings this is just easier then chopping up a bunch of fruit. I can easily throw in a cup of frozen berries if I feel like it. Thanks!
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    If you want protein shakes or powders, there are plenty you can buy from a regularly grocery store or in bulk on the web. I buy the Whole Foods 365 generic brand whey protein powder and it serves me just fine. If things like Shakeology or Body by Vi were really that special, why on Earth would they need a complex pyramid scheme to sell them? Think about it.

    I'm curious if anyone can suggest what to look for in a regular grocery store brand shake? They are quick and easy and taste great. Some mornings this is just easier then chopping up a bunch of fruit. I can easily throw in a cup of frozen berries if I feel like it. Thanks!

    I was always told to look for something with a higher protein content versus sugar content, and to also look for whey protein isolate as it's a higher quality than what some other brands use.

    I personally prefer the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard kinds because they come in soooo many different flavors.

    If you want to bake with the powder for added protein in brownies, cakes, etc, look into casein as it bakes more evenly and smoothly than whey. Although if you are careful, whey does fine as well. I guess it just takes trial and error.
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    With working both a full time and part time job and a sole support parent I find it challenging getting enough protein in which was why I was thinking their protein shakes would be helpful.. Any suggestions than as to what I could put into a shake for a meal replacement that could have 15-20 grams of protein ?

    Why would a shake be a MEAL REPLACEMENT? Why can't you just have it as an actual meal, or better yet, have an actual meal? I've found that cooking a couple eggs and bacon takes about the same amount of time as whipping up a fancy schmancy shake, unless all you do is use powder, water, and a shaker cup which will taste like pure @$$.
  • lunalullaby
    lunalullaby Posts: 4 Member
    With working both a full time and part time job and a sole support parent I find it challenging getting enough protein in which was why I was thinking their protein shakes would be helpful.. Any suggestions than as to what I could put into a shake for a meal replacement that could have 15-20 grams of protein ?

    Why would a shake be a MEAL REPLACEMENT? Why can't you just have it as an actual meal, or better yet, have an actual meal? I've found that cooking a couple eggs and bacon takes about the same amount of time as whipping up a fancy schmancy shake, unless all you do is use powder, water, and a shaker cup which will taste like pure @$$.

    I personally find cooking bacon and eggs MUCH longer then blending a shake :/

    I also find that shakes are quite tasty.
  • ibleedunionblue
    ibleedunionblue Posts: 324 Member
    Shakeology is expensive, but I endorse it. Replaced 1 meal a day for 4 months. Lost 75 pounds while using it and by eating right and with exercise. I credit Shakeology for helping curb cravings for unhealthy alternatives. It is also convenient, and a healthy alternative to what my traditional breakfast was - a bagel with peanut butter and jelly every work day with a can of pop. Shakeology claims to be a protein drink, but really, it is a balance between carbs and protein.

    There are those that will scoff at it but I'm a believer.

    Now I have moved on, and have since replaced my breakfast with Cellucor protein shake.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I just started ordering Optimum Nutrition but before that I was using Body Fortress Whey Isolate that you can buy at Walmart or grocery stores. They are around 24grams per scoop, plus if you used milk it adds 9 more.
  • smurfbaker
    smurfbaker Posts: 31 Member
    Shakeology is expensive, but I endorse it. Replaced 1 meal a day for 4 months. Lost 75 pounds while using it and by eating right and with exercise. I credit Shakeology for helping curb cravings for unhealthy alternatives. It is also convenient, and a healthy alternative to what my traditional breakfast was - a bagel with peanut butter and jelly every work day with a can of pop. Shakeology claims to be a protein drink, but really, it is a balance between carbs and protein.

    There are those that will scoff at it but I'm a believer.

    Now I have moved on, and have since replaced my breakfast with Cellucor protein shake.

    We're you about to keep the weight off that you lost after you stopped using the Shakeology? And were you just using the shakes or doing the entire program?
  • ibleedunionblue
    ibleedunionblue Posts: 324 Member
    We're you about to keep the weight off that you lost after you stopped using the Shakeology? And were you just using the shakes or doing the entire program?

    Sorry - I missed the response...

    Yes, I am on Maintenance mode. My struggle now is finding enough calories due to running 70 - 90 miles a week. I am now doing cellucor protein drinks for breakfast and adding 2 - 3 scoops. I've been on Maintenance for a month now. And now my focus is on a healthy low fat / high protein diet.

    I used Shakeology as a breakfast replacement. And I just replaced 1 meal a day with Shakeology. My typical breakfast before was peanut butter and jelly on a bagel or toast. Shakeology was a much healthier choice. And I credit it for curbing cravings and providing a healthy start to the day.

    No, I didnt do the entire beachbody program. And I never placed 1 order through beachbody. I ordered vanilla 30 day supplies of shakeology off of ebay. I got the bags for approx $110, which is cheaper than beachbody.

    Good luck with your decision.
  • Iron_Lotus
    Iron_Lotus Posts: 2,295 Member
    With working both a full time and part time job and a sole support parent I find it challenging getting enough protein in which was why I was thinking their protein shakes would be helpful.. Any suggestions than as to what I could put into a shake for a meal replacement that could have 15-20 grams of protein ?

    Why would a shake be a MEAL REPLACEMENT? Why can't you just have it as an actual meal, or better yet, have an actual meal? I've found that cooking a couple eggs and bacon takes about the same amount of time as whipping up a fancy schmancy shake, unless all you do is use powder, water, and a shaker cup which will taste like pure @$$.

    I personally find cooking bacon and eggs MUCH longer then blending a shake :/

    I also find that shakes are quite tasty.

    With that kind of laziness I just don't see how you can succeed.
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Pros

    Convenient

    Cons

    Very expensive
    Unnecessary
    Short term solution
    Does not help with knowledge of a sustainable diet
  • Katie5961
    Katie5961 Posts: 48 Member
    I'm an avid Shakeology drinker. Look at the list of ingredients! All natural. No artificial anything, no preservatives. And IMO, it's delicious. Body by Vi is all preservatives and artificial junk. Isagenix I don't know anything about so I can't comment.

    No, I'm not just trying to make a sale. I have done a lot of research on this.
  • I agree with Katie's post above - all natural ingredients, no fake sugars, tastes great in my opinion too. I've been using Shakeology either as a supplement or complete meal replacement for about six months. It's very filling for me, has 18-20g protein depending on the flavor, and has helped curb my sweets cravings tremendously (that alone has saved me tonnes of money haha!). I find it a really great alternative to having a heavy breakfast after an early-morning workout.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    Shakeology is expensive, but I endorse it. Replaced 1 meal a day for 4 months. Lost 75 pounds while using it and by eating right and with exercise. I credit Shakeology for helping curb cravings for unhealthy alternatives. It is also convenient, and a healthy alternative to what my traditional breakfast was - a bagel with peanut butter and jelly every work day with a can of pop. Shakeology claims to be a protein drink, but really, it is a balance between carbs and protein.

    There are those that will scoff at it but I'm a believer.

    Now I have moved on, and have since replaced my breakfast with Cellucor protein shake.
    In other words, you cut calories. One could drink Shakeology and not cut calories and weight wouldn't be lost. It still comes down to calorie deficit for weight loss.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    I'm an avid Shakeology drinker. Look at the list of ingredients! All natural. No artificial anything, no preservatives. And IMO, it's delicious. Body by Vi is all preservatives and artificial junk. Isagenix I don't know anything about so I can't comment.

    No, I'm not just trying to make a sale. I have done a lot of research on this.
    If it's all natural, then why is it in powder form? Ingredients aren't "whole" they're extracted meaning it went through processing.
    Apparently your "research" is limited to what you googled. Here's info you may not know about.

    It's manufactured by a 3rd party. That will usually entail a processing plant that services hundreds of other supplement distributors. Guaranteed that raw materials for the manufacturing are the cheapest they can get (while passing low inspection expectations) and that regulation on them is not monitored anywhere near what people think. That's why a lot of supplements end up having purity issues and it's not uncommon to have traces of other compounds not listed in them.
    You have no idea what the % of dosage is on any of the ingredients. And dosage matters when use of materials are being claimed.

    Again, most people are "sold" on what sales people are telling them that "sounds" logical. But that's their jobs..........to entice you into thinking that other stuff out there isn't even close to what they sell.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    I agree with Katie's post above - all natural ingredients, no fake sugars, tastes great in my opinion too. I've been using Shakeology either as a supplement or complete meal replacement for about six months. It's very filling for me, has 18-20g protein depending on the flavor, and has helped curb my sweets cravings tremendously (that alone has saved me tonnes of money haha!). I find it a really great alternative to having a heavy breakfast after an early-morning workout.
    So you intend to use it the rest of your life? If so, kudos. If not, then what? And if you have an answer to that, then why aren't you doing it now?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • arghbowl
    arghbowl Posts: 1,179 Member
    Shakeology tastes like crap, is too expensive, and is the same thing you can get from eating healthy food. Waste of money, IMO.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,330 Member
    With working both a full time and part time job and a sole support parent I find it challenging getting enough protein in which was why I was thinking their protein shakes would be helpful.. Any suggestions than as to what I could put into a shake for a meal replacement that could have 15-20 grams of protein ?

    I purchase a big bag of unflavored/unsweetened whey protein power. A 30 gram scoop give 28.5 grams of protein. I add some fruit, right now frozen since it is winter, some liquid, I usually use homemade Kefir, and usually some sweetening, honey or stevia, give it a whirl in the blender, and I have a tasty, nutritious shake with over 40 grams of protein.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    LOL "natural ingredients" in Shakeology. Just because they throw a bunch of random plants into something and use the pseudoscience buzzword "adaptogen" to describe them doesn't mean any of the ingredients in there are actually useful. Especially as it doesn't list how many of each ingredient there is. Also, "processed in a plant that also processes milk, soy, nuts, fish, wheat, and shellfish." In other words, it's cheap factory produced crap that Beachbody sells for about 10 times what it's actually worth.