Wow! If you have not heard the Enrique Iglesias song "I Like How It Feels" , you have got to listen to it. I think if ever there was a song that hit home with me, this would have to be it. I have to sit and think about my life and how I have always been just one step behind everyone else...their dreams, their plans, their life. Have you ever just sat there and wondered "what is my purpose?"
I think that I've searched for that my entire life...just where do I belong? What is it that I can do to make a difference? You know I don't believe there are any random acts in our universe. Everything that happens to you is part of the person you are and the person you are meant to be. Every experience from the exhiliarating highs to the crashing lows. It is what makes you so unique. Every person is a story just waiting to be told. Some of you will journey on your own and others will reach out across cyberspace and meet people sharing the same experiences.
For those of you struggling with self-esteem issues because of where you are right now, I want to say YOU CAN CHANGE IT! I don't care if you have 300 lbs to lose or if you are so skinny the wind could blow you into next week...YOU CAN CHANGE IT! The only thing in life with an ironclad guarantee is death. Other than that, everything is possible. But the only person that is going to get you there is YOU!
Now I can come in here and tell you night after night exactly what I am doing to change my life. I can stand behind you and encourage you. I can support you and guide you. I can even inspire you. But when it comes to making it happen...IT'S ALL YOU! You have to reach down inside yourself and want it so bad that you will be willing to do whatever it takes to get there.That means when you have a setback, and you will, you have to have the courage to keep getting back up and pushing forward. For every person that says "you can't" you have to say "you can!"
I'm just very happy to have finally reached my goal weight and now changing my goal to "toning" instead of "weight loss." I can't even begin to tell you how much "I LIKE HOW IT FEELS!" It was a lot of stumbles to get here, but I was determined someday I would be here. And now, me the girl that was afraid of P90X ® is fighting like heck to do Asylum ® and LOVING IT! Am I perfect? Heck NO! But it doesn't matter...what matters is I keep raising the bar. I keep telling myself I can do better and I know I will.
I became a coach because I love it! I love how exciting it is to see people transform themselves. I love being there when they tell their story and then watching them come alive with their success. I'm a coach because "I LIKE HOW IT FEELS!" If you watch the video below, you will see ME! I have my five seconds of fame, but the real fame comes in "doing what I love and loving what I do!" You can be a part, too! Let's talk about YOU joining my TEAM!
But there are other ways to take part if you're not ready to coach. We are all doing a "Holiday Fat Blaster" on the Cinderella Pact thread over on the P90X ® Programs Message boards. We would love to have anyone that wants to join us, jump over and just get busy with us. I don't care what program you are doing, the girls in there have tons of experience and great information to share. So if you are looking for a group of really motivated people...we are definitely where you want to go!
Don't have an account? What is stopping you? Let's DO THIS!!!SIGN UP FOR FREE!
All I can say is "WOW"!Team Beachbody Summit was everything I had hoped it would be and more. I absolutely had the time of my life. From getting onto an airplane for the very first time to attending the Super Workout with over 2,000 coaches. It was amazing.
If I had to use one word to describe the summit, it would be "ENERGY". Absolute unequivocal pure ENERGY! Never have I seen so many people united for one purpose and so passionate about what they are doing to "End the Trend of Obesity!" I could not help but be inspired by the stories of real people overcoming impossible odds to come out victorious in their own battles of the bulge. I'm not talking about dropping 5 or 10 pounds here, but actually losing a whole person in body weight. People that have literally stepped away from years of living unfulfilling lives to enjoying every single moment of every single day. People that are leading the way and paying it forward, because they have a message to share - that you are worth the effort! Definitely made me come away feeling proud to be a Team Beachbody Coach.
The truth is many of us have a story to share. Some of us are living those stories today. That's the real beauty of being a Team Beachbody Coach. We are real people with a real desire to get fit, stay fit and help others reach their fitness goals. Chances are we have been down many of the same detours and met the same road blocks many of you are struggling with today. We also know how critical it is to have a support system you can depend on, like our "Cinderella Pact." Unless you've been there - it's hard to even imagine what it is like. Some of us have struggled our whole lives and then some of us just woke up one morning and didn't even recognize the person starring back at us in the mirror. It's funny how we go along not realizing the extra weight we are carrying is actually threatening and depriving us of our very existence.
January 2005
I've been an active member of Team Beachbody since November 2007. I have struggled with the yo-yo weight loss game most of my adult life. However, it never really reached a critical point until after the birth of my last child. I will never forget actually leaving the hospital 6 pounds heavier than when I had been admitted - and that was after giving birth to a 7 pound healthy bouncing baby boy. How is that even possible? From that point on my roller coaster ride began. I sought professional help from a nutritionist, that pretty much handed me several pieces of plastic to demonstrate "portion" size and a carbon copied diet plan. That was it...and it cost me $40 for the 15 minutes of her time I was given, with no outlet for support. In other words I was basically given what a couple of seconds on Google would have found me. So my weight continued to climb and my self-esteem hit an all-time low. There is a period of my life you will find very few photos of me...those were my "hide and seek" years - "hide" from the camera or "seek" something or someone to position in front of me.
October 2005
No Carbs! Size 6
After about four years of convincing myself it was "ok" to be overweight a new reality hit me. I went in for my annual checkup and was put on high blood pressure medication and told I was "morbidly" obese and unless I did something fast, heading down a path to major health complications. Desperate for answers and the "quick-fix" solution I did the all popular "no carbs" diet. It was great - I lost 45 pounds in less than 3 months. WOW! Did that feel good. I went out, bought a whole new wardrobe, celebrated my success and then introduced carbs back into my diet. BAM! I don't even have to tell you what happened next. I blew up!!! I hit my all-time heaviest of 188 pounds. For a person that is 5'4" tall, it definitely wasn't pretty. And let me tell you, the weight that came back wasn't part of the muscle that I had lost - oh no - it was ALL fat! I was actually much worse off than I had been before.
January 2008
188 lbs
Sometimes I am really thankful for what happened next. It was right before Thanksgiving 2007. I saw an informercial for "Turbo Jam ® ". There was this cute blond dancing on my television telling me "I could do that." And the before and afters...WOW could that really be for real? So I bought it and made a promise to myself I was going to get healthy. Chalene Johnson is one of the most motivating trainers I've ever known and that was my introduction into the world of Team Beachbody. On the DVD it talked about WOWY and the community of people that were there for you. So I logged on and the message boards have been my support system ever since. And I am still going strong with those first encounters - they are no longer just my support system - they are my friends.
Summit 2011
Size 8
My journey has been a "slow and steady race," I'm not the 90-Day Success Story. But I am still nonetheless a success story. I've managed to average a weight loss of about 18 lbs a year. It's been a journey of stumbles here and there, but all the while a learning experience, which has taken me off of high blood pressure medication and back into a world worth living for. In February of 2010, I became a Team Beachbody Coach. My heart is in "paying it forward." I am giving back to a community that has literally given me back my life. I am doing something that has a real purpose and meaning that is close to my heart - I'm in the position now to "be there" for someone else just like me. That is something I am most proud of and being at summit this year was truly telling myself "I DID IT!"
Next year's summit will even be more spectacular than this year! We are going to Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel. You better believe I am registered and will be there!!! So if you are ready to take that step to getting healthier and enjoying your life, I would love to hear from you! Let's get you heading down the path of a happier more fulfilling life! Just remember: DECIDE * COMMIT * SUCCEED! It can happen!
WOW! I can't believe we are literally one week away from the event of the year! I'm so excited that this will be my very first Team Beachbody Summit. I've been waiting for this for since first becoming a member in 2007. My life has come completely full circle since that day. In November of 2007, I was majorly overweight and just desperate to get off the diet roller coaster. Now here I am 3 1/2 years later about to have the time of my life.
For some of you, 3 1/2 years probably sounds like an eternity. But for me...it is a success! I've averaged a weight loss of about 18 pounds per year. From one program to the next, round after round, the results have been slow in comparison. But here is the deal...I've managed to continually lose weight and KEEP IT OFF! I've went from someone that was morbidly obese, to getting within a healthy weight range. I'm only 15 pounds from reaching my goal weight...and if history speaks for itself, I will definitely be there by next year's Team Beachbody Summit!
I've gotten rave reviews from both of my doctors this year! Not only do they approve my diet and exercise regiment - they totally support my continued success! The best part about what I am doing is ANYONE can do this. It is just a matter of chosing to "DECIDE - COMMIT - SUCCEED." Whether you are looking to lose weight or just eat healthier, Team Beachbody is definitely one of the best avenues to get you there. I so amazed at the HUGE SUPPORT I've gotten from all the people there...all the way from the corporate offices right down to fellow WOWY buddies. This has truly been a great experience and one I will continue to follow. For me, it is a lifelong journey. That's why I became a coach...I wanted to not only share with others how much this has changed my life, but to continue to be accountable. I want to make certain I stay on the path to "a healthier more fulfilling life."
I am now in my 11th week of the P90X ® / Insanity ® hybrid. I'm pleased with my progress. I've watched my clothing begin to fit better and actually seen "muscles" starting to emerge. That is a GREAT feeling...just knowing what I am doing is making a difference in helping me reach my goal and stay there.
I'm doing things now that I never imagined I would be able to do 3 1/2 years ago. And the real proof is in the photos...they may have been gradually changes as I was going along, but I never lost sight of the big picture. My small successes have led me to where I am today. So no doubt in my mind, I'm on the right path and LIFE is definitely GOOD.
Team Beachbody is continually looking for ordinary people just like you and me to be the frontline advocates for a healthier lifestyle. If you have ever considered the possibility of changing your life and have a real desire to help others along the way...this quite possibly could be the career path for you, too. I would love the opportunity to talk with you and would be happy to share how I be your Team Beachbody Coach or even add you to my line of Team Beachbody Coaches. Please feel free to email me with any questions you might have. You can also check out my Team Beachbody Coaching site at http://www.fitmeXcellence.com .
Digging Deeper and Pushing Play because I know I'm worth it! Keep Bringing It!
It isn't everyday that you get the opportunity to start a family business. Team Beachbody is totally making that possible for my family. We are all on a mission to get in the best shapes of our lives and we are branching out across the states. My son, Jason or better known as Coach Cypher, is now knocking out those P90X ® workouts and going from scrawny to buff! It was absolutely amazing to have the opportunity to watch him BRING IT with Tony Horton in our basement this weekend.
So what is he doing for supplements? He is using the P90X ® Results and Recovery Formula and P90X ® Peak Performance bars. Then he is following the P90X ® Nutrition Plan that came with the P90X ® Program. Nothing like Tony Horton to turn this skinny little kid into one heck of a buff heartbreaker. We've been teasing him that everyone needs to get over the Team Edward/Team Jacob saga, there's a new kid in town - TEAM JASON! Sorry girls, this guy is off the market. But he is certainly going to give his sweetheart something to cling to. And will definitely be available to coach you to where you want to go!
Not bad for JUST 30 Days - He still has 60 to Go!
I also have another son, Ray or better known as Coach UpATone, that will shortly be kicking off his business as he is getting ready to take on the P90X ®, too. Yes this is definitely going to be a family business. And you know what the best part is? We are all getting fit and healthy together! I'm telling you there is nothing more that can make a mother proud than to watch her kids catch the fitness bug.
So I'm definitely going to be excited to bring you guys up to date on their progress as we watch their bodies totally transform. But this is not an exclusive club. You, too, can jump on board and join us and other Team Beachbody Coaches as we work together to End the Trend on Obesity!
Team Beachbody is a successful 10-year-old, $250+ million corporation based in Southern California. They create and sell the nation’s most popular in-home fitness and weight-loss products—high-quality, well-manufactured DVD workout programs, gear, and nutritional supplements that have been proven to work. You've all see the infomercials. There probably isn't a household out there that doesn't know what P90X ®, Insanity ® and TurboFire ® are! And that is just skimming the top of the programs they have to offer. When you become a Team Beachbody Coach, you’re teaming up with a solid, stable company and a best-selling brand.
What we're offering you is an opportunity to not only get in the best shape of your life, but to actually earn money while you do it! Now that is a pretty sweet deal! I see that as a WIN WIN! If you want to know more about Team Beachbody, just check out the following video. Then if you have any questions or would like to know more about how we can hook you up with a company that is definitely going places - shoot me an email and I would be happy to connect with you! You can also come and follow our Fan Page on Facebook at Fit Me X Cellence. We would definitely LOVE to have you on board!!! Let's BRING IT!
Every week we are going to be working towards developing lifestyle habits that will keep our programs rocking the results long after our 90-Days is completed. Many of you have started your New Year with resolutions to lose weight or get healthy in 2011. So we are going to take that one step further by focusing each week on simple tips that will ensure we reach our goals and develop the habits we need to sustain them!
I'm so excited about the New Year! As a matter of fact, I'm looking at 2011 as being the Year of Success! Whatever your heart desires, this is going to be your YEAR!!! Nothing but positive energy from this point forward. I'm hoping that you all have set your goals and developed the action plans to make them happen. I know I have a list of goals and they are posted right in front of me. I plan to look at them daily and make sure I am doing at least one thing each day that brings me closer to my goal.
Now let's see how this is going to work in here. One of the things I would like for us to do is start tracking our accountability. So how are we going to do that? Really simple: each day I want you to make it a point to just jot down the date, what you've eaten that day, your workout and how many 8 oz. glasses of water you drank. You can do this by logging your accountability into a spiral notebook or fitness journal, by using many of the internet tracking options available to you (one of my favorites is http://www.myfitnesspal.com) or you can stop by the Cinderella Pact thread and post a real quick accountability post. To post your accountability to the Cinderella Pact, you will need to have a Team Beachbody account. Just click here to sign up for a FREE account. Your FREE account will also allow you access to the virtual WOWY Super Gym, where you can log in your workouts and have an opportunity for daily cash drawings and prizes.
We will be using the following example to track accountability: ****************************** Sunday - January 2
Breakfast: Chocolate shakeology with 1/2 banana and 8 oz. water Snack: Apple wedges with 1 tbsp all natural peanut butter Lunch: Romaine lettuce salad with chickpeas, red onions, tomato wedges, celery and raspberry vinaigrette dressing Snack: Gluten-free rice cake with 1 tbsp all natural peanut butter Dinner: Homemade tomato basil soup with gluten-free cornmeal muffin
Water intake: 64 oz. (that would be the minimum I want to see)
Workout: Insanity Plyometrics Cardio Circuit
*******************************
You are of course free to track your calories, carbs, protein, fat, fiber, etc. But the above is just the basics. It lets me know you are serious about staying on track with your diet and exercise and helps us stay on top of our nutrition and exercise. Even if you get off and have a "cheat meal" that is ok. I'm not holding you to any specific standards. If you purchased a Team Beachbody program, you should have nutrition guides that came with your programs and I trust you will be following them. If you haven't purchased a program, be sure to check out the various programs Team Beachbody has to offer by clicking the previous link. I would be more than happen to assist you in finding the program to work towards your fitness goals. Just go to my site and click the CONTACT ME BUTTON and tell me how I might assist you. I'm hoping to merely build some accountability for those of you looking for ways to get your fitness back on track and stay on track. The best way to stay on top of your program is by holding yourself accountable.
Our challenge this week is very simple...TO DRINK A MINIMUM OF 64 OZ OF WATER A DAY. That is the recommended 8 (8 oz.) glasses of water required for optimum health benefits. Water is a crucial part of your health and well-being. Water can increase your metabolism by as much as 3%!
Here are just some of the benefits you can enjoy just by adding H20 to your daily health & fitness regimen:
A natural appetite supressant - try drinking at least 15 minutes prior to eating.
Increase in metabolism - without enough water the body can't metabolize fat properly.
Increase in energy - water generates electrical and magnetic energy in every body cell, providing a natural power boost.
Less water retention - to get rid of water retention you must drink more!
Helps reduce blood pressure - hydration is essential to help prevent clogging of arteries an the heart and brain.
Eases joint pain - water is what our body uses to lubricate the joints.
Releases toxic waste products - water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells.
Improves skin - When the skin is properly hydrated, it looks plump and more radiant.
It just makes sense that the most important part of getting fit and healthy should be our very first challenge. So we are going to get started in the right direction. For some of you, this will be a breeze. But then for some of you it will be a learning process. I totally understand. I, too, used to hate water. Probably because at one time I was such a Diet Dr. Pepper fanatic! I was consuming as much as a six pack a day and very little water.
One of the things that helped me was I invested in a 32 oz. tumbler. I simple fill it with ice water and keep it at my workstation during the week. I make a conscious effort to drink at least 2 tumblers full each day and most often 3! Another thing that helped me was drinking through a straw. Funny as it sounds, I tend to drink more when I use a straw. I also make it a point to drink water with my meals and when I workout. So it is nothing for me to drink 128 oz of water or more each day!
We will start logging our accountability tomorrow! If you miss a day, no worries. Just try to catch up as soon as possible. Looking forward to making this a YEAR OF SUCCESS!!! So let's get ready to BRING IT!!
It's HERE!!! Whether or not you were there at the first tick of the clock past midnight, YOUR NEW YEAR HAS ARRIVED! Today is the BIGGEST DAY of the year! Today is the day we begin setting our path and making our way to the most successful year ever! I'm so excited and reviewing my goal list as we speak! This year is going to be our year. I can just feel the positive energy all around me! Who is with me? So what are your plans for today? This is the day you make the most IMPORTANT TO DO LIST for the entire year! This is the day you turn those resolutions into GOALS with ACTION PLANS!
When getting ready to write your goals be sure to use "positive affirmations." Instead of saying "I want to" or "I will try," use statements that begin with "I WILL", "I CAN"or"I AM." Our realities are merely a reflection of our self-talk and inner thoughts. These thoughts are what form our beliefs. By using our goals as positive affirmations, we challenge any negative thoughts by creating targeted statements that are reinforcing our goals and creating how we see ourselves as we want to be!
Today I want each of you to take the list of goals from our goal planning exercise. Re-write these into "positive affirmations." So if you wrote something like, "I want to want to weigh 30 pounds less," re-write it to say "I will lose 30 pounds." By choosing what we say and how we say it, we are building our power inside to resist the negative and creating the person we truly are. Also be careful to not use negative words in your affirmation, so instead of saying "I will not overeat," say something like "I will practice portion control." Negative words tend to make us feel we are being "told to do something" and it takes the power away from us. We really want affirmations to empower us and let us know we are in charge of our destiny.
When you wrote out your list during that 20 minutes, you were unleashing the flood of energy inside of you that was filled with hopes and dreams. Your opportunity to believe in all the possibilities you have inside you. Those were things (even as crazy as some may have seemed) that you would really like to see happen.
After you have re-written your goals from the exercise into positive affirmations, I want you to separate and put them into one of the following categories: HEALTH, WEALTH, CAREER, RELATIONSHIPS, PERSONAL GROWTH, LIFESTYLEandSPIRITUALITY.
HEALTH: Anything to do with your "physical well-being and physical self" which could include your fitness, nutrition, weight, appearance, hairstyle, quit drinking caffeine, quit smoking etc.
WEALTH: Anything that improves your "financial well-being" which could include your budgeting, investing, opening savings accounts, debt repayment, spending money, etc.
CAREER: Anything to do with "what you do to create wealth or self-worth" which could include your job, business, skills, mentoring someone, coaching, etc.
RELATIONSHIPS: Anything that "builds and enhances your relationships" such as time with family, friends, co-workers, a date night with your spouse, etc.
PERSONAL GROWTH: Anything that "builds your knowledge" about something you want to do or learn which could include going back to school, taking a business course, studying nutrition, reading, time management, etc.
LIFESTYLE: Anything that has to do with "how you live" which could include buying a new home or new car, remodeling the kitchen, taking a cruise to Alaska, going on a family vacation to Disney, etc
SPIRITUALITY: Anything that brings you "peace and tranquility" this could include commitments to your faith, attending your church, practicing meditation, anything that brings you inner peace.
After you get these sorted into categories, start prioritizing them by giving each a deadline you would like to have it accomplished. This should help you determine whether or not your goals are short-term or long-term and which are most important to you. Then I want you to pick the top three you would like to begin focusing on. These are the ones we will begin to work on by giving them action statements. Once you've done the process it will be easy to come back and develop your action plans for the remaining ones.
Let's say one of your goals is "to lose 30 pounds." First you are going to look at the goal and ask yourself "why" is this important to you. Perhaps, because it would alleviate the stress to your joints and help relieve some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis or it would make you feel better about yourself and improve your self-confidence, etc. The point is by knowing "WHY" we are doing something our goal has relevance and importance. If our goals are important enough to us we will find our "HOW" to get it done.
So you would re-write the goal as "I will lose 30 pounds." Then yourself a deadline to accomplish your goal. Something like, "I will lose 30 pounds in 90 days." Now comes the "how" or your action plan. How do you specifically plan to accomplish your goal. Action plans simply define the steps we must take to achieve the goal. So it will look something like this:
1. I will "PUSH PLAY" and exercise at least 30 minutes a day. 2. I will schedule my workouts into the WOWY Super Gym and invite at least two people to join me. 3. I will post my accountability to the Cinderella Pact thread daily. 4. I will practice portion control. 5. I will follow my menu planner and preplan my weekly meals each Sunday. 6. I will drink 8 (8 oz.) glasses of water each day. 7. I will track my calories daily.
The possibilities are endless. It is so much easier to bring our goals to life when we understand why they are important to us. Remember, when the "why" is strong enough we will find our "how."
After you get your goals and plans of action down on paper the next thing is to EXECUTE your plan. I suggest posting your goals where you will be able to visit them daily. By reading our affirmations we make them part of our subconscious and self-talk. And remember this is exactly what are beliefs are based on and those beliefs become our reality! I keep mine posted at my computer desk, then every morning as I plan out my day with my "to do" list, I am always certain to add the steps necessary I need to take that day to ensure I am working towards my goal.
But it isn't just as simple as getting them on paper and reading them...we actually have to do the work too. This is where some people will slowly lose steam. So we are going to make sure you don't. So how are we going to do this? By making sure our goals are MEASURABLE! We are going to have to give ourselves some mini targets to hit. Kind of like mile markers on our journey to make sure we are staying on course.
So in this scenario, I would suggest you probably do bi-weekly weigh-ins. Losing at least 1-2 pounds of weight a week is a safe, realistic and attainable mini target to measure your progress. You don't want to weigh too often because it could become discouraging especially since we know how easily our weight can fluctuate. You will also want to take measurements bi-weekly. This way if the scales is being EVIL, and we all know how unpredictable it can be, at least you will get a fair assessment if you're on track with your goal because losing body fat is an important measure in your goal for weight loss, too.
Next always EVALUATE your progress. If you haven't made progress in a couple of weeks, it is possible you need to review your action plans and make some changes to help ensure you are making progress. The key here is not to reassess your GOAL but the ACTION STEPS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. You never want to change your goal, only what you must do to get there.
This is just a little bit to get us started. Another useful tip I use in setting goals is keeping them SMART. Smart goals are simply: S=Specific; M=Measurable; A=Attainable; R=Realistic; T=Timely.
The countdown has begun! We are only a few short days away from 2011. How will you be starting your New Year? Have you made your list of resolutions? I can tell you for sure getting fit and healthy are leading my list. Now that I have the holidays and temptation behind me, I'm ready to start off my New Year with a "can do" attitude!
This weekend I posted a video blog introducing "12 Steps to Fitness." Basically what I am going to do is a weekly series introducing a new challenge each Sunday for us to follow during the coming week. This will be a 12 week series and a step by step approach to help us get Fit and Healthy in 2011. For those of you already on track with your nutrition and fitness regimen, it will be more of a refresher course. But for those who are just starting out and ready to give up your bad habits and trade them in for healthier ones, this will be more of a habit building process to help you make better choices in the upcoming year. Sometimes it is those little changes that lead to huge success.
I know it can be overwhelming once you decide to lose weight or try to change unhealthy habits for good ones. So instead of having to concentrate on all the right things at one time, we are going to master each step one at a time! So you might think of it as climbing a mountain, one rock at a time. Now that doesn't mean you can start off your new fitness regimen with a half-hearted attitude. I still expect you to follow your nutrition and fitness guides that come with your programs. It just means we are going to pay particular attention to key steps each week that will keep your program rocking passed the 90 days! I want to help you be successful by sharing with you some basic steps to keep you on track and focused.
If you haven't already chosen a fitness program, Team Beachbody has a huge assortment of some really good programs for all levels of fitness. If your not quite sure what type of program you might want to try, be sure to check out our comparison chart. This will give you a great overall look at each program and help you align your program with the fitness goals you have in mind. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about the various programs. Simply go to my website and click on the "Contact Me" button and together we'll find a program that's right for you. Even if you aren't sure what you would like to do just yet, I still want you to follow along. The tips and steps I will be sharing with you, will help you breakdown the barriers that are keeping you from reaching your fitness goals. Besides, we are all more likely to achieve our goals when we have someone keeping us accountable. So let's do this together and become each others success partner! I can even coach you for FREE!
As a special bonus, this Friday, December 31, 2010, I am going to post a special video blog on Goal Planning. To help get the most out of the video, I would like you to do a simple brainstorming exercise beforehand. Sometime this week take out a pen, blank sheet of paper and a timer. Find an area in your home or office where you will be completely uninterrupted. Set your timer for 20 minutes. During that 20 minutes I want for you to write down as many things as you can think of that you would like to accomplish during 2011. Go ahead and dream big! Let your heart lead the pen on the paper. Think along the lines of your career, health, fitness, nutrition, relationships, finances, recreation, education, etc. Whatever your heart desires. At the end of the 20 minutes, put your list away. We are going to use this list for a goal planning exercise. So be sure to bring your list and check out my YouTube channel for details.
Instead of writing down a bunch of resolutions, let's take it one step further and turn them in to goals with an action plan! I want to make 2011 my best year ever! Hope you will join me.
This is that time of the year when we all look back and reflect on the year that has passed. It is when we look at where we were and how far we've come. Some of you are going to feel pretty amazing about the changes you made in your life and some of you might just be ready to put the whole year behind you. Whatever you are feeling, just know that in a few short days we have a brand new horizon dawning...ah the New Year! I'm such a fan of New Year! It is that one wonderful day we all wake up eager to turn the page to a new chapter in our lives...filled with hope, goals and glorious "resolutions."
Wikipedia defines a New Year's Resolution as, "a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous." I think that is a pretty fair assessment of what a lot of us will be thinking of when we set out to define our own resolutions for the coming year. So have you given much thought to what you would like the next 365 days to look like?
I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm guessing it is a pretty safe bet a lot of you will probably lead off your list with losing weight or getting into better shape. Holidays usually bring on lots of wonderful gatherings of friends, family and FOOD. Hard as we try, the majority of us are going to be tempted and will probably overindulge. We will feel incredibly guilty for the lapse in our fitness schedules and wish we were better keepers of our time. One excuse will lead to yet a little more procrastination and then BAM! You wake up on New Year's Eve and think, "what are we going to do about this?" Sound familiar?
The good news, you are not alone. It happens to many of us - even those of us that pride ourselves all year long at being the most meticulous planners of our day. Seems like you hit the holiday season and instead of having a 24 hour day to manage, you are faced with trying to fit another 8 hours of activities into that already crammed day planner. So we make choices...some good, some bad and try to balance it all.
For those of you that have mastered the art of the ever so popular "to-do list"Chalene Johnson so fondly reminds us of with her twitter tweets, I admire you and try very hard to emulate your success. They do undoubtedly make your day more productive. However, this time of the year I find my "to-do list" looking a little more like Santa's "naughty and nice" list. You know, kind of like "it would be NICE to do this," and in pops NAUGHTY and my hour workout turns into a Christmas shopping excursion instead. Or my carefully packed lunch is ditched for a not so nutritious cheat meal for the opportunity to catch up with an old friend at a nearby restaurant. Hey, I'm just being real here...I know I'm not alone on this one. The majority of my year, I would make Chalene proud - but this is just a crazy time for me!
To my rescue, comes New Year! Yes, I definitely like "do-overs"! My opportunity to put my world back in kilter and restore hope for my redemption. I plan to be kicking it off, of course, working on my own set of lifestyle changes. The difference this coming year will be my overall expectancy isn't going to be so much focused on weight loss as it will be on just being healthy. Of course, this will include the steps necessary to continue my weight loss journey - just it will be more the byproduct of working on a series of small steps to get me there. Um, and we will be making list! LOL!
Don't worry, I plan very much to share this with you and hopefully a few of you will join me in this journey. Starting January 1st I will be kicking off what I am calling a "12 Steps to Fitness" program. This will include a series of 12 weeks of small lifestyle changes that will hopefully make our New Year more successful as we work on our health and fitness. I will be posting more details in the upcoming days leading up to our kickoff.
So if you are interested in joining me, I definitely welcome your company. There will be fun, accountability and hopefully a little sharing of motivation and inspiration. There are going to be no special requirements other than you simply show up each day and journal your progress. You will be totally in charge of your fitness and nutrition regimen, whether it be one of the many outstanding Team Beachbody programs offered or something else your heart desires. I will just be here to make suggestions and hopefully become your success partner. All I care is that you make the effort to make the changes necessary to help you live a healthier more productive life! Because that my friends, will ultimately help me achieve my number one resolution and commitment to Team Beachbody as an Independent Team Beachbody Coach: to help others achieve their fitness and nutritional goals so that they might lead healthier more productive lives.
My hubby has recently wagered that he can make a bigger 90-Day Total Body Transformation than I can. I have three words for him..."BRING IT ON!"
On September 1, 2010 - December 1, 2010 we began a duel to the fittest! I'm even going to play this all "low-impact"! So I'm bringing the P90X ® back to the program rotation, that and a little modified TurboFire ® . Not to mention some Shakeology ® and down right 100% major VEGETARIAN/VEGAN NUTRITION. Oh, yeah this boy is going down for the count and I'm walking away with the belt!!!
I'm inviting anyone that has a significant other to add the fuel to the flame. If you have someone that you have been trying for months to get motivated, get their butts up off at that sofa and bring 'em in here! You know it won't be long to Holiday Party time. How many of you would like to go to that party and turn some heads? This is definitely the challenge of all challenges. A real battle of the sexes. And even if you are in it alone, come a join us. This is a "no man or woman left behind" deal! Us women are going to show these boys just how it is meant to go down...It is GAME ON!!!
I'm looking to bring some fellas to Challenge our Cinderella Pact. I want you boys to show us what you are made of. But don't be surprised if we girls show you how it is done! We've been pretty darn busy in here and I betting we are going to see some pretty outstanding transformations by the end of this challenge.
The prize my friends will be getting you and your partner in the BEST 90-DAY RESULTS YOU'VE EVER SEEN!!! Are you up for the challenge?
We are going to be tracking our progress on Facebook . So if you have a facebook account, please send me a friend request and come join in for fun and motivation! And I really would appreciate your support as well!
And don't forget, I am an Independent Team Beachbody Coach and I can help you reach your fitness and nutrition goal for FREE! So if you don't have a Team Beachbody account, sign up today and I can be YOUR COACH!!! What are you waiting for? Isn't it time you joined in on the fun! Let your journey begin today!
I've decided to make June my "Fitness Awareness Month" to get myself psyched for the upcoming Turbofire ® Explosion!!! So I am going to dedicate the next series of blog posts to helping others prepare for their fitness journey and getting the body they have always wanted. I'm excited about my life and love where my fitness and nutrition are taking me.
So now it is time to pay it forward.
Some of you are just now taking the first steps towards a healthier lifestyle. You've decided no more fat clothes, fat jokes or just plain old fat anything. You are done with the excuses and now you have your mind right. This time you are going to succeed. So how do you get started?
First, you will need to decide on an exercise program that will best fit your fitness goals. Do you want to lose weight, tone up, add muscle or maybe a little of all three? Are you looking for a program that is disciplined or do you like one that just gets you moving? Picking a fitness program needs to be unique to your fitness goals as well as something you are going to enjoy. So where the P90X ®might be the popular choice, it isn't necessarily the one size fits all program. Not saying that it won't be an option in the future as your fitness goals change - just saying it is nice to know that Team Beachbody works hard to incorporate a variety of programs to meet the needs of the various levels of fitness. Still not sure just what program might be best suited for you? Then check out the comparison chart to get a few ideas. Of course, if you still have questions or would like more information on a certain program, you can always contact me at equildottsin@beachbodycoach.com. I will be more than happy to work with you in finding a program that will get you started in the right direction.
After you have decided on your program, the next thing I would recommend is building a good support system. Letting others know your course of action and asking for their support can sometimes be difficult. All to often friends or family members, though not intentional, can actually sabotage the greatest of efforts. If you have never been overweight, it is hard to understand the emotional side of the weight loss journey. It is not as if there were a magical switch you could just turn on and off when you wanted to lose a few pounds. If that were the case, there would be no obesity. That is one of the reasons I started the Cinderella Pact. I wanted a place where people could come for real support and motivation. A place where we could share our successes and get support through the challenges. The girls on the Cinderella Pact thread on the P90X ® Programs Message boards are working hard to make their journey a successful one. They are a great inspiration and a wonderful resource to finding ways around the stumbling blocks that come up. We are a team and we definitely understand what you may be going through. Feel free to pop over to our thread and check out the community we have built, not to mention picking up some great nutritional recipes, too. It doesn't matter what fitness program you choose, we have a variety of different programs going on in there and many veterans to other programs there as well. I am certain someone can get you going in the right direction. If you have questions, we definitely will find the answers.
If you are not a member of Team Beachbody, definitely come in and take us for a test drive. You can always start as a FREE member where you will have access to the Team Beachbody Message boards, the WOWY SuperGym, your own Personal Coach, the public chatrooms, helpful fitness tools and workout buddies to keep you motivated - just to name a few features. Then later if you decide to become a paid Club Member, for as little as $2.99 a week you will have access to such great features as the VIP celebrity trainers, the VIP chatroom, your own fitness blog, nutritional recipes and even personalized meal plans! It really is a great place to come and track your progress and share with other people that are making fitness their lifelong plan. I've met many great inspirational friends and definitely know this is the best place to keep me on track and up to date with the best information and programs available to help me continue my success.
Now once you have all this in place, it's time to focus on the nutrition. Yes, learning to eat properly is going to be key to your success. Sure finding the right exercise program will get you results, but if you really want those results to SHINE, you have to have the proper nutrition. Team Beachbody has the tools to get you started. They even give you Michi's Ladder where you can view what foods you need to incorporate in your daily nutrition to get on track and stay on track. Most programs will come with nutrition guides that will get you started in the right direction making healthier choices right from the beginning. There is also a wealth of information available on the Team Beachbody message boards if you have unique or special needs with your diet. The Cinderella Pact has been working towards a Vegan/Vegetarian diet plan and having GREATresults while eating GREATfoods. Just because it's healthy, doesn't mean it can't taste delicious. We are even finding ways to recreate our family's favorite comfort foods and making healthier versions. Can we say, "YUMMY?" You won't find any cardboard box dinners in here. Oh no, it is real food for real people. This is a lifestyle - not a quickfix yo-yo plan. What you learn here will keep you moving forward towards reaching your success goals. Many of our members even go onto become coaches, like me! It is all about paying it forward.
There you have it - three surefire ways to get started on the right foot to reaching the ultimate goal of becoming the New Healthier YOU!!!The RIGHT Exercise Program - a GREAT Support System - and Proper Nutriton!It doesn't get any better than that! Good luck on your journey and remember, "It's not a race - It's a lifestyle change!" See you on the fit-side!
Goal planning is essential to getting you where you want to go! Think of it as planning to go on a trip. Before you get in your car to set out on your destination, odds are you have already mapped out your route to your destination. Goal planning is essentially the same thing - mapping out where you want to go and how you expect to get there.
Setting deadlines is a great way to keep you on track. We all know the unexpected is bound to happen, so try to plan what you will do if suddenly you have to make a detour. Having a well thought out plan just takes the guess work out of making your goals obtainable.
Set your goals in small obtainable milestones. Try not to focus so much on the big picture as all the little steps that will get you there. If your big picture is losing 50 lbs, set your goal for 5 lbs. Once you have reached the smaller goal, reward yourself then re-evaluate your goals and plan for the next 5 lbs. You are more likely to stay motivated if you take it one step at a time, than to become overwhelmed by having to reach the Big Picture before you reward yourself.
When writing goals remember to"KISS" yourself! Keep it short and simple! Try not to focus on too many goals at one time. Start with a few goals that you can reach over the next few weeks (ie. lose 5 lbs, increase weight by 5 lbs, add 5 more reps, manage 5 unassisted pullups, etc.). As you reach each goal, make plans for the next ones.
Keep your goals where you can see them and visit them often. Post them to your refrigerator, your bathroom mirror, a bulletin board, a white erase board, your car dashboard, etc. Just anywhere you are likely to see them daily. Keeping focused on what you want to achieve will help you get there!
I am so ready for the Clean Eating Challenge to begin! Looking forward to saying "GOODBYE" to fat and "HELLO" to my skinny jeans! Don't forget to stop by the Cinderella Pact and check it out. Even if you decide not to participate in the challenge, I am sure you will find some very helpful tips on reaching your nutrition and fitness goals! If you don't already have a Team BeachBody membership, sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP and I can coach you for free. You can always email me with any questions at equildottsin@beachbodycoach.com . I hope you will come join us!
AIM HIGH! Anything is possible when you set your mind and heart to it!
