Pregnancy & Nursing with Shakeology -- is it safe?

*Want to try a sample for FREE? Fill out this form and email me at Crystal.Laiti@yahoo.com.

Since becoming a Beachbody Coach, especially since becoming pregnant again, I've had a lot of people ask me if it’s safe to drink Shakeology when they are pregnant or nursing.  And the answer is YES!!  *(although I always advise women to show the list of ingredients to your doctor first and get the clearance from them first)

I do take an extra 400mg of folic acid each day with my Shakeology (which only has 200mg of folic acid), since pregnant women do need between 600-800mg in their daily diet.

Personally, just drinking one shake a day throughout my pregnancy, has seriously helped out with a lot of the not-so-pleasant side effects of pregnancy, such as:

- Nausea

- Constipation (sorry TMI)

- lack of appetite

- it curbs my cravings when I want sweets or caffeine, which I
know isn't good for me or baby

- I have so much more energy this pregnancy (even though I'm also chasing 3 other little ones around)

- This is my first pregnancy drinking the Shakes AND my first pregnancy where I am NOT ANEMIC! (coincidence?)

- I'm right on track with my pregnancy weight gain so far

I also drank Shakeology while nursing my older daughter, and it seemed like it actually helped increase my milk supply as well as keep me energized and able to take in those extra needed calories in a healthy way each day!

I know I have a lot of fellow pregnant and nursing mommy friends on here, so just thought I would post this video so you can hear it straight from the creators of Shakeology themselves, in case you were interested in giving it a try.

I do have free samples that I can give to you to try, so feel free to send me an email if you have any personal questions about it or are interested in giving it a try.

Have you checked out the rest of my blog?

See how I lost the baby weight so fast!

I've shared some of my favorite healthy recipes too: Just click here for more of my favorite recipes, including stuffed portabella mushrooms, skinny crock pot enchilada soup and honey dijon and garlic salmon... just to name a few! ;)

xoxo,

Crystal

Find me here, also:

Facebook: Crystal Laiti: The Motivating Fit Mom

Instagram: @Motivating_Fitmom  and @Crystal_Chelle

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Work from Home Opportunity!

I'm looking for a few new people who want the opportunity to make some extra income from home, just by getting healthy, fit and paying it forward to help others achieve their own health and fitness goals along the way. It's awesome, because unlike most multi-level marketing opportunities, Beachbody doesn't require you to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars to stock up on your own inventory. 

Everything is directly shipped from them to your customer and they provide you with everything that you'll need to run your very own, successful business from home.  I will provide you with 1:1 mentoring and add you to our online coach basics training.  Everything can be done from your computer or phone and you will not only be changing your life along the way, but touching so many other lives as well!  

And did I mention, you're your own BOSS!? You work when you want. Whether it's early in the morning or late at night... when the kids are napping... it's totally up to you.  You have no one to answer to but yourself. Such an amazing feeling!  I have many people on my team who have been able to make enough money to quit their full time jobs and stay at home with their kids and make a career out of this.

So whether you have a passion for health, fitness or just a passion for helping other people, this could be an amazing, life-changing opportunity for you.  For more information on the coaching opportunity, be sure to check out my tab on Being a Coach or you can email me directly at crystal.Laiti@yahoo.com with any questions.

I've only got a limited number of available spots for our next coach training, so be sure to contact me as soon as possible if you're interested.  I look forward to hearing from you and can't wait to help you get your own business started! :)

~Crystal

Fill out Coach Application below and I will contact you with more details.

Gender Reveal!!! Is it a boy or a girl!!??

So the other night, I made this post on facebook about how my oldest son told me how he thought that the new baby would be a girl, because he had been praying to God everyday for another little sister:

How absolutely precious is that? I was so happy when I heard him say this... it even brought little tears to my eyes, but I was afraid of how he was going to feel if in fact, we went to our appointment later this week and found out that it was going to be a boy.  I know he would be excited either way, but he was so sure that it was going to be a girl.  There was absolutely no doubt about it, because he had been asking God everyday!  And I love that at the young age of 5, he has a relationship where he talks to God everyday.  To me, it has always been important to raise my family with faith and good morals.  I am so proud of my babies and grateful to have been blessed with such an amazing family.

So, anyways... today was the big day!!  We had our 20 week sonogram appointment to check up on baby #4 and make sure all is well and find out whether we will be adding another girl or another boy to the family. I want to start off by saying that baby looks perfectly healthy.  Organs are good, length and weight are right on track, heart rate is right around 138 and there was plenty of movement going on during the sonogram.  

Okay, so the the exciting news that you are all waiting to hear!! 

It's another GIRL!!!!  ... Pete's prayers were answered! :)

We are so excited to add another baby girl to the family.  I was kind of hoping for another girl, just so my daughter could have the experience of growing up with a sister.  I have 2 sisters and wouldn't trade it for the world!! It's definitely a bond like no other!! So the fact that all of my children will know what it's like to have a brother and a sister, is really neat to me! I never knew what it was like to have brothers, until my sister got married and I joined the Laiti family.  I now have 4 brother-in-laws, who I consider to be my brothers! 

Such an exciting day!!!!

~Crystal

  

Are You Living Your Dream or Just Going Through the Motions?

 

Are you one of those people whose just going through the motions everyday to get by in life? You go to work Monday through Friday so you can get a paycheck at the end of the week to pay your bills and then in the blink of an eye, your weekend is over and you're forced to do it all over again the next week? Well, unfortunately if you said yes, you're not alone! So many people today fall into this depressing cycle.

Now I want you to just take a second and think.  Think about how short this life really is.  Think about when this life is over... if you were to look back at your life and what you did with it... would you be satisfied?!  Would you look at it and say, WOW, I really enjoyed my life and did what I WANTED TO DO with MY LIFE!  Or would you look back at a broken record... the same miserable days at work... counting down the minutes until you could leave and come home to your family, only to be too exhausted to really do anything that you truly wanted to do once you got home?  What if I told you that you are the only one who can change this... and it is possible!

It makes me sad, because I know so many people who are stuck in this repetitive cycle of unhappiness.  They think it's too late to make dramatic changes in their life or that they can't afford to just up and quit their miserable job because they need the money... but the truth is, you can change anything and everything about your life that doesn't make you happy!  Now maybe you really can't afford to just go quit your job and move to the beach because you have a family to support and bills to pay, but surely there are dreams that you have and goals that you would still someday love to accomplish... but you just haven't had the belief in yourself or the motivation to start working towards it!  I've even felt this way before... I know some of us have big dreams and they can seem impossible or seem like too much work to get there, but often times we give up before we even begin.  So the hardest part is digging deep within yourself and deciding that YOU are worth believing in!!  

The only difference between you and Steve Jobs, or you and Walt Disney or whoever you think lived out their dreams and was successful and happy doing it... the only difference between you and them is that they decided to follow their passion and believe in themselves no matter who doubted them or how many times they heard that they would never be able to accomplish their dreams... they made a decision to stray off this path where everyone thinks you have to go to college, get your degree, get a nice job in an office somewhere, get your work done, get paid, pay bills, repeat next week.  They took risks and they failed many times in the process of finding success, but they never gave up and they lived lives that some of us will only dream of.  

So think about it.  What is your true passion.  When you were a kid... where did you see yourself by this point in your life?  Are you doing exactly what you hoped you'd be doing?  If so, then that is amazing and I am so happy for you!  But if you're one of those people who is wondering where the time has gone and what you've really accomplished so far... it's time to throw out the "Rule Book" and start making changes each day (no matter how big or small), that will lead you in the direction of your dreams!  And I'm going to share this website with you, that has really helped me a lot in recognizing what exactly my dreams are and how I could even begin to start moving in the direction towards achieving these dreams. It's called The 30 Day Push!  This challenge was made by Chalene Johnson, who has been super-successful at accomplishing many of her own goals and has turned her passion into an amazing career, while also helping others find ways to accomplish their own dreams and goals in life!

As many of you know, I have found a way to turn some of my own passions into a career, by becoming a Beachbody Coach. Now I'm sure most of you probably don't know much about being a coach, but long story short... I'm able to combine my passions for being the healthiest, most fit version of myself while making an income to help support my family simply by helping others lead a healthier, more active lifestyle and even providing them with the opportunity to become a part of my growing team and start building their very own business from home. This job provides people with the potential to someday quit their day jobs and stay at home with their children or even future children.  

This business has been a serious eye-opener for me in so many ways! I have met so many amazing new people, who bring so much positive energy into my life, everyday! There are so many men and women in this business who have accomplished SO MUCH in quite a short period of time and it really shows me the amazing opportunity that this business provides for it's coaches.  One day (mark my words), I am going to be able to take my family on trips to places that some people only dream of.  I am going to change people's lives and help some of my fellow mom's out there quit their full time office jobs so that they can stay at home with their kids and spend more quality time with them. I'm going to leave my mark here on this Earth, even when I'm gone and I'm going to live this life to the very fullest, with NO REGRETS!!! Whose with me?

Be Stronger Than Your Strongest Excuse

Okay, I'm not going to preach and act like I've never used excuses when it comes to working out or eating healthy, because I have and I still do sometimes, but I'm a work in progress, just like all of you!  I used to use my kids as an excuse... which at times, seemed totally valid.  With 3 of them, especially, some days it does seem nearly impossible to fit in even a moment to sit and relax, much less take a half hour to sweat my butt off and get in a good workout.  But you know what I've realized over the last few months?...

1. I can choose to sacrifice a little shut-eye and wake up 30 minutes before the kids and fit in a workout or even do it after their bedtime.  Do I always feel like doing that? No... not when I could use the extra sleep or time to relax... but that's an excuse! I COULD do it during those time, but many times find an excuse not to.

2.  I used to think that I would be "screwing myself" by waking up earlier or working out during nap time, because then I'd be even more tired and barely find the energy to make it through the day with my little one. Boy was I wrong!! You'd be surprised at how much energy a simple 30 minute workout can give you to kick start your day! Especially when I drink my Shakeology afterwards... instant boost of energy!! And I instantly feel more motivated to run around with the kids and do more fun things with them throughout the rest of the day!

So these are just 2 of the many things that I've realized over the past months.  And being 20 weeks pregnant, I still find excuses not to workout some day or why I can "cheat" on my healthy eating and give into some not-so-healthy cravings, but I can tell you one thing... this pregnancy has been the easiest one so far.  No morning sickness, no iron-deficiency anemia, no skipping out on breakfast and way more energy!!

So what's your strongest excuse when it comes to getting more active and choosing healthier food alternatives??  And now consider how you WANT to feel, how you want to LOOK and how you want to LIVE!!  Now which is more important to you?  That lame excuse or the potential life that you could be living?!

New Episode of The Bachelor tonight!!!

Okay, so I know a lot of people dread Monday's, but I personally look forward to them, because I enjoy watching my show, The Bachelor!!  While I'm not a huge fan of Juan Pablo's womanizing ways, I do enjoy looking and listening to him.  And there's just something about a good, drama-filled reality show about a bunch of women fighting over some guys that just seems entertaining to me. Or sometimes, I just dream about someday taking an amazing vacation with my husband to one of the fairytale destinations that they get to travel to! Cut Juan and his date, paste me and my hubby... now we're talking! One day... one day...


Anyways, I wanted to repost this fun Bachelor Workout Game that you can do while you watch the show this evening.  Then you don't feel like a complete couch potato!  It would be even more fun if you had someone to do it with you (but my husband REFUSES to watch this show... although, I think if he gave it a shot, he would probably enjoy it more than me... I mean, after all, it is a bunch of attractive women showing off their best assets, pulling all their moves, trying to "win" this guy's heart!)


Anyways, if you decide to give it a try, I'd love to hear your comments about it below!! :)

DIY Creative Kid's Art! Great for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or Father's Day gift, too!

So, since my husband's Birthday happens to land on February 14th (my sweet Valentine baby), we usually don't go all out for the occasion! I think when I first met my husband, I seemed to have a slight problem with the idea of not getting completely spoiled and getting treated like a princess on Valentine's Day! (what a spoiled brat...I know! lol)  I mean, what girl doesn't like to feel extra special on Valentine's Day though, right?! 

How precious are these? The kids' gifts to Daddy!

Well, since meeting my amazing husband and starting a family, I've become much less selfish over the years! I put myself in my husband's shoes for a change and realize what a bummer it would be to have to feel the need to spoil someone else on YOUR one special day of the year!  So, I no longer expect anything on Valentine's Day, and I'm totally fine with it.  That is HIS day and it just makes it that much more special that it falls on the one day of the year that everyone feels the need to express their love so outwardly! What better combination of holiday's to celebrate all in one day, right?!  Celebrating the birth of the man who I've chosen as my one and only, on the one day of the year where everyone celebrates LOVE!! What a perfect combination!!


So, now with that being said, I'm a very special woman to have found this guy! Because not only has he been selfless and also bought ME gifts on HIS birthday over the past couple of years, but he still wishes me a Happy Valentine's Day also!   (Now some people may think, well YEAH... he should at least acknowledge it for you)... but I can honestly say that I've gotten to the point where I really wouldn't mind if he didn't.  I always have a tad bit of guilt when he gives me a gift on his day, because it's not like I share my birthday or buy him gifts on my birthday... but I think what has happened over the years, is that we both have really grown in this relationship and realized that to share love for each other, no matter how or when we show it, is beneficial for us both.

Valentine's Day, after all, is just one of those Hallmark holiday's, made up to make people stop and take that extra time out to show love for that special person in their life.  But in reality, and in a marriage especially, that's something that you and your spouse should be trying to do on a daily basis.  I'm not saying you have to buy gifts and cards and candy for each other everyday, but just showing simple gestures of love to the other person can really make all the difference in a marriage or relationship!  To me, something as simple as my husband throwing in a load of laundry and bringing the basket of clean clothes up to the bedroom for me to fold is better than any Hallmark card.  Or him coming home from a long day at work, seeing that I'm exhausted from chasing down the kids all day and calling in a Pizza for dinner, so I don't have to stress in the kitchen and cook for everyone... It's the little things each day that we do for each other to show that we love and appreciate the other, that make me happy and grateful to have such a great guy in my life... (but I won't lie... these chocolate covered strawberries with heart sprinkles from Edible Arrangements sure did earn him some bonus points today! haha)  But strawberries or not... I love him with all my heart and hope that he has the best 30th Birthday tomorrow, ever!!  He deserves it!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VALENTINE!

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!! MUAH! xoxo

No More Iron Deficiency Anemia During this Pregnancy! What I changed...

So, as some of you may know, throughout my first 3 pregnancies I was considered extremely anemic.  My iron levels were very low, I had very little energy and I had to take two iron supplements a day all throughout my pregnancies, as well as the year after while I was nursing.  While the supplements helped increase the level of iron in my blood, it also left me feeling nauseous, bloated and (sorry TMI) constipated.  

On top of all of the other not-so-fabulous symptoms of pregnancy, these just made me even more uncomfortable. My babies were taking a lot of my daily nutrients while in the belly, leaving me running on empty most of the time (which those of you with more than one child, know that you need every ounce of energy you can get to keep up with little ones everyday)

So, now fast forward to this pregnancy!  I got my blood work back a couple weeks ago and even went to the store to stock up on more iron supplements to start taking once I got the calls from the doctor's with my results.  It was routine at this point, so I waited and waited for the phone call.  Hmmm... never got one! So I figured maybe they just decided to let me know at my next appointment.  So when I came in and they told me my blood work all came back normal, I was confused?! 

NO IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA?!

I asked the doctor, which a look of confusion on my face. "Nope, iron levels are normal," said the doc.  WOW! I started to wonder what in the world was different this time around than the last!  The only real thing that I've changed in this pregnancy is: 

1. I try to exercise a little more and stay more active and 

Want to try a FREE sample? Just fill out this form! :)

*I drink this meal replacement shake once a day, called Shakeology (which if you read my blog, I'm sure you know a little bit about by now).  You can read the 'About Me' section to kind of get a recap of how I found out about it and when I got started with it.  

SHAKEOLOGY is PACKED with so much vitamins and nutrients, that I don't even have to take a prenatal vitamin (only extra folic acid, since it's doesn't have the required amount for pregnant/nursing women). 

 Not to mention, I've noticed that since I normally drink it for breakfast, it gives me that boost of energy first thing in the morning to get up and get going with my other 3 kiddos. 

I had heard of it helping with lowering blood sugar, getting people off their diabetes medications, getting rid of MS and Fibromyalgia symptoms and helping out with a lot of other health issues, but I had no clue it could play a role in my anemia.  WOO HOO!  So far, this is by far the easiest pregnancy I've had.  I honestly don't even feel pregnant yet and I'm almost 19 weeks along! I sure can't complain about that... by the time I really realize that I'm pregnant, I'll already be halfway done! :)  

Sorry, long post, I know... but I just wanted to give an update on my blood work this go round in hopes that maybe it can help someone else in a similar situation.  Happy Tuesday y'all!!

Crystal

18 Weeks Along! My Pregnancy Update!

Hey guys! I don't think I ever made an official blog post announcing my pregnancy this time around, but I'm officially 18 weeks along, already! I've noticed that I'm not showing nearly as early as I was with my last pregnancy and I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I was so active before getting pregnant this time around.  I had finally built up my abs again and I can tell a huge difference. I was showing more than this at 12 weeks with my previous pregnancies.  I also got my blood work back and I'm not anemic this time around either! (Which I can probably thank my Shakeology for!)  And no morning sickness for this girl, either!  I have much more energy and honestly don't even feel pregnant yet (other than a few cravings that have kicked into full gear... MANGOES especially!)

We have an appointment to find out the gender of baby #4 on February 21st!! I sort of want to make it a surprise and not find out until baby is born, but my husband says "NO WAY!!"  He's a complete control-freak and couldn't stand the suspense! So we will see what happens!! I'll be sure to keep you all updated on everything! 

~ Crystal

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We're already underway and are helping motivate each other by sharing our favorite healthy recipes, fit tips and making sure to form the habit of adding exercise to our daily routines, even if it does only take a few minutes of your day. Like many things in life, consistency is key! Especially when it comes to getting fit, losing weight and eating healthy! If you're interested in joining this health & fitness group for that extra support, motivation and accountability, be sure to apply here, by simply filling out a quick, simple questionnaire.  

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Want to find out how you can lose up to 15 pounds in only 21 days?

Wow! I knew this program would be a huge game-changer for weight loss, but I didn't expect that it would sell more programs in the first 8 hours of release, than predicted for the entire WEEK! Amazing!

If you have a tough time planning meals and figuring out portion control and are tired of trying to “count your calories”, then you definitely want to check out the brand new 21 Day Fix by celebrity trainer (and mommy) Autumn Calabrese! This is going to be a serious game-changer for a lot of people! The color-coded portion control containers help you follow the 21 Day Fix Meal Plan, while still enjoying all of your favorite foods! Not to mention, you get a month’s worth of Shakeology, 7 workouts (only 30 mins each: including cardio, yoga, pilates, etc), a free spot in my next support/accountability Challenge Group on facebook and I’ll be your free coach, to help you through the whole process from start to finish and make sure you see results! If you're interested in learning more about this program, let me know! :)

Ready to get started with the 21 Day Fix?? Click below to order it today! Your spot in my FREE Support and Accountability Group will be reserved at the time of purchase! Don't put it off anymore! Bikini season will be here before you know it! :)