Challenge 2, Day 22: Body by Vi

Teresa Scanlan is one of my all-time favorite Miss Americas. Crowned at the young age of 17 (the absolute youngest you can even compete in the pageant!), she has an immense amount of maturity for her age and is an incredible role model for young women and men everywhere. Her drive, ambition, ability to set and achieve crazy goals, and heart for service truly astounds me. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011

So why am I talking about a former Miss America? Well, Teresa started the Body by Vi 90-Day Challenge a couple of months ago and sent me a sample to try out. I got it in the mail two days later.

What is Body by Vi?

Before I get into my thoughts on the product, allow me to explain Body by Vi. Body by Vi is a company that offers protein powder mostly for weight loss but also for health goals. You can either mix the powder into water or make a smoothie or shake. Sold thru independent distributors (like Teresa), the protein powder comes in large pouches that make 30 servings and comes with a money-back guarantee for 30 days. If you get three people to purchase the product with you, you get yours for free. If you get more people to join in, you get cash and prizes kind of like Tupperware, Mary Kay, Papered Chef, and not a bad deal. And what's this 90-Day Challenge business, you may ask? For 90 days, challenge participants drink Body by Vi twice daily in lieu of meals, eat one balanced meal, and have two snacks to kick-start a healthy lifestyle.

Now for my thoughts. I chose to throw the sample of Body by Vi sweet cream flavor into a smoothie. Adapting one of Teresa's recipes, I created a chocolate-almond butter shake and it was so delicious and filling. I loved it and drank it up so quickly. I still can't believe how yummy it was. And for days (DAYS I tell you!), I was salivating over it. But even though it has been a few weeks since trying it out, I still have not taken the plunge and purchased it.

That might change in a few days, but I'll explain two reasons why I have not gotten Body by Vi yet. It has nothing to do with waiting until New Year's, because as you know, I'm still working my tooshie this holiday season! The first reason is the price tag. At $100 per month to participate in the challenge (or $49 per month if you just have one serving per day), it would be a big chunk of my food budget. And with Christmas presents, I'll need to save as much of my budget as I can! The second reason is this: I think Body by Vi is a great product and offers tons of people a way to a healthier lifestyle. However, that healthy lifestyle can happen with or without the product and the 90-Day Challenge - essentially, multiple paths to the same summit. And if I do end up purchasing it, I'll only have one shake a day and won't be swapping out two meals for shakes or smoothies.

I'll keep you posted on my decision! In the meantime, I'll keep enjoying my protein powder-less smoothies or my premixed, chalky tasting but protein-loaded Atkins shakes from Target.