Tropical Strawberry Shakeology

Drink up the good news, people!

Tropical Strawberry Shakeology is comin' your way! This 100% vegan shake will make its long-awaited red carpet debut just in time for Valentine's Day—February 14th! And trust me—you will absolutely fall in love with the light and refreshing fruity flavor.

Things to remember:

• Available on Home Direct and for one-time purchase February 14th
• 30–day or single-serve
• Only 30 cents more per serving than Chocolate or Greenberry—a small price to pay for the high-quality, vegan protein that's been added to the mix!
• Comin' to Challenge Packs in March

Be ready to get yours here!

Are You Interested...or Committed?

If you’re reading this blog then we can both be pretty sure you’re interested…but you could also be lost. It is my hope that you are, in fact, interested and that you are ready to move closer to commitment. But what is it specifically that I hope you are interested in or committed to? As a visitor to my Team Beachbody blog, I hope that you are interested in getting fit and healthy. However, it is my further hope that through the motivation and support that I, along with my team, provide, you will be prepared to commit to getting fit and healthy in 2012!

What is the difference between being interested and being committed? Being interested means you stick to what is convenient, what is comfortable, what is practical and easy. Being committed means you go out of your comfort zone, you do whatever it takes, you give it time.

When you commit, you see things as a MUST—not a should, a would-be-nice, or even a maybe. The force of a commitment to yourself activates a whole different level of energy. Just say the words "I am interested." Then try "I am committed." I'll bet the inflection in your voice was completely different. See! There's power in commitment!

At this point you might be wondering, “What could be my first step toward commitment?” Fortunately, I already have an answer for you.

I am opening up a new Beachbody Challenge group, beginning in 2 weeks on Monday, February 6. This challenge includes a Beachbody workout program, drinking Shakeology (the healthiest meal of the day) every day, plus support and motivation for 90 days in a small group setting.  We are committed to ending the trend of obesity in this country...one person at a time. Check out the video and contact me by clicking here.

Still not ready to commit? If there is still any hesitation on whether you’re ready to take this first step then I believe I can help. If you’re concerned the workouts will be too hard…each program has modifications for every level of fitness.  If you’re concerned about ordering another product that will only collect dust, this is the whole solution ... Nutrition + Fitness + Support = Success!  If you’re concerned about the cost, well let's look at it:

- Average cost of 1 yr gym membership: $720.
- Average cost of 1 yr boot-camp membership: $2400.
- Average cost of 1 yr personal trainer (1 hour, 5 days/week): $12,500.
- Cost of Jenny Craig per month (including food): $500+.

* Cost of top Beachbody fitness programs (i.e. P90X, Insanity, TurboFire, etc): $119.
* Cost of a Beachbody Challenge pack... which is a complete solution! (workout program, Shakeology, club membership with meal planner + accountability) $160 - $205.
* Cost of personal Beachbody coach: FREE...!  Let's make it a transformational 2012...!

Now that you know the lengths to which Team Beachbody is willing to go, for your benefit, isn’t your success in achieving your fitness goals worth committing to? I think so.

I look forward to having you join me in a few weeks! Or go ahead and sign up for a free membership at Team Beachbody and look around the site here.

Team Beachbody tutorial for SuperGym and Auto Scheduling workouts...

I thought I'd post a small tutorial for  peeps new to Team Beachbody!  First of all, you need to have an account.  If you don't already have one, you can click here to set one up for FREE!

Once you have your account set up, login to your account. You should arrive on your dashboard.  It will look like this:

You have your tabs across the top GET FIT...EAT SMART...CONNECT...WATCH VIDEOS...ABOUT...COACH...SHOP.

Remember, each time you workout, you need to log your workouts into the Super Gym (formerly known as WOWY, <work out with you>) for an opportunity to win $500 each day!  Here's how you do that.  Hover over the GET FIT tab and click on the Super Gym:

Your page will pop up showing you the Super Gym home page.  It looks like this:

You will see your workout you have already scheduled or you can click on the one-click workout to schedule a workout for that day.  To set up an auto schedule for a program you have, click on the Add A NEW AUTO SCHEDULE as seen above!  Here you will be able to set a schedule that will give you which workout to do each day to follow the correct schedule that comes with every program.

On the right side of the page you will see a list of all the workouts you have.  If your program is not listed, underneath the list, you can click to add more programs.  Just choose your program and view the schedule that goes with it.

You will choose what date you wish to start.  If you have already begun your program, you can choose a previous date as the date for Day 1.  Then simply click Auto Schedule Workouts!  Go back to the Super Gym and your Next Workout will be displayed! Just hit START NOW and begin!

You will see your Time Tracker, showing you how long your workout should take and how much time is remaining during the workout!

It will also show you everyone else who is working out in the SuperGym right now with you!  (So be sure to add workout Buddies) Your buddies will show as the first ones on the list!  You'll keep each other motivated!

Remember...every time you log your workouts in the SuperGym, you are eligible to win the $500 giveaway!  Nothing like getting paid to get fit!

Next time we'll explore a different tab!

Triggers

This post is copied from the Jan 19th post on Devotions from Proverbs31.org ... The  original post is here.   But it was too good not to share with my readers! So here it is.

“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17-18 (NIV 1984)

I was elated one day when the number on my scale dipped below the plateau weight I’d been stuck at for two weeks. I did a little happy dance and thought, “Finally, I’m making some real progress in this journey. It’s going to be such a great day. I’m super motivated. Bring on the raw veggies. Nothing’s gonna stop me now!”

Too bad things didn’t stay that way. Life, like math, can be unpredictable. I’m no math whiz, but I do remember there being these things called polynomials. Polynomials are algebraic expressions that include real numbers and variables.

That’s the way my food issues are—they contain real numbers and variables. I suspect yours do as well. And while we must pay attention to the real numbers by eating less and moving more, we would do well to consider the variables in our lives as well.

Variables are those daily triggers we didn’t account for but will detour even the best of intentions. Triggers can be as large as the stab of loneliness from a broken relationship or the memory of a childhood trauma. Triggers can be as small as a discipline “chat” with a teen out past curfew or stumbling across fresh doughnuts in the office break room. They can prompt the thought, “Life will be better if I eat that.”

Triggers have nothing to do with physical hunger or the need for legitimate nourishment. They are lies that we’ve thought so routinely they’ve become well-worn paths to careless eating. Life is not made better because we overindulge in an unhealthy choice.

The best thing we can do in these triggered moments is to pause. Pause and ask ourselves, “Do I want to eat this right now because I need nourishment or because I’m feeling empty emotionally or spiritually?” 

If I need nourishment, I can choose a healthy option. If I’m just feeling empty, I must realize food can fill my stomach but never my soul. 

The only way to negate an emotional eating trigger is to match it with truth. The truth is this: “I’m not physically hungry right now, but I need to be filled in another way.” 

The Bible tells us that we can be rooted in love, not emptiness; that we have power to choose truth; and that as we comprehend the love of Christ, we will be filled to the measure of all the fullness—not of that brownie—but of God (Ephesians 3:17-19). And here’s the great thing about truth: it contains no variables! Truth is stable, secure and a surefire way to get me through the unpredictable moments of life. 

Take time to pause and use God’s truths to challenge your triggers. And, when you’re truly physically hungry, that pause will give you the moment you need to choose a healthy snack. Then you will be truly full.

Dear Lord, please help me to battle each of my triggers today with truth. Your truth. Moment by moment. I understand that food can fill my stomach but never my soul. Only You can fill my soul and I am thankful for that. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Stay Motivated!!!

Staying motivated to keep on keeping on with your workouts is not easy for anyone, especially someone who is new to fitness and isn't in the habit of working out on a regular basis. It takes dedication, will power, and what feels like blood, sweat, and tears. I know that especially for newbies, staying committed can be difficult because you have all of these expectations for your new, awesome body, and have yet to see results—you only have soreness and more than a bit of doubt that you can makeover your body.

I've listed below some of the things that help me keep keepin' on.

1. Find a buddy to workout with. Team Beachbody has a wonderful network of people in their online support community and in the Super Gym (formerly known as WOWY), their online gym, where you can "virtually" work out with people who may be doing the exact same program as you. They'll know what you're going through and be familiar with your struggles from personal experience.
2. Set a goal for yourself. Then tape it to your refrigerator or bathroom mirror. A word of caution! Be realistic when doing this. Again, many people have the tendency to set drastic goals which are unattainable in short periods of time. So your goal shouldn't say, "I will look like Angelina Jolie in 3 weeks" or "I'll drop 60 pounds this month." That's just setting yourself up for failure. Start small, and as each goal is achieved, set a new one!
3. Reward yourself when you reach a goal. Maybe there's a new pair of workout shoes that you've been eyeing or perhaps a bikini for the summertime. Maybe it's treating yourself to a massage ... that feels pretty good on muscles you've been working. Whatever it is, you should reward yourself for staying committed & meeting your goal. You'll thank yourself, and wonder what reward you will get next.
4. Don't beat yourself up if you miss a workout. If you skip a workout, don't let it be the end of the world (or your commitment to working out). Remember that life happens and fitness is a lifetime process. Schedule your next workout and get busy getting fit.
5. Make it fun. Exercising can be dull and routines have the tendency to become stale over time. So switch up your workouts and do a program that keeps your attention and allows you to reach your goals.
6. Don't undo your hard work just being social. I have friends who kill themselves during their workouts and then go meet friends over pizza or mexican food and beer. If you can't skip that, be aware of all your hardwork and make smart choices! OR skip that altogether and make the offer to grill out at your house!

Leaf, branch or root? Which one are you?

Lots of times we have people in our life that we think are the BEST, only to have circumstances come up, and when you look to them for support, they are nowhere to be found!  Where did they go?  They went on to the next good, fun time with someone else.  It may not be that they aren't a good person; it may just be that they were only meant to be there for a season.  When you have tough times in your life, your TRUE friends will still be there anchoring you, supporting you, and even lifting you back up!  Hold those friends close, and remember to nurture those relationships!  Friendships like that are never one sided! 

I love this video one of my friends shared on Facebook today.  I remember a lot of leafs in my life and I ask myself, " What in the world I was THINKIN?" LOL...Some really great advice in this video! 

Join the Beachbody Challenge!

Join the Beachbody Challenge!  You will have support on our journey to better health, and the chance to win $500 each day you work out, the chance to win $1000 for your transformation story once you've completed a program, and even the chance to win $100,000 if you have the winning transformation of the year!  Contact me for more details.  If you do not have a Team Beachbody coach, I'd love to have you on my team.  Just click here to sign up for FREE!

Water...The Miracle Liquid

Don't roll your eyes! The potion for losing that excess body fat is all around you. It covers two thirds of the planet. If you eat right and exercise at the intensity, frequency and duration proper for you, but still can’t get rid of a little paunch here and there, you’re probably just not drinking enough water.
No need to get defensive. You’re actually quite normal. Most people don’t drink enough water. Most people are also carrying around a few more pounds than they would be if they did drink enough water. If you can’t seem to get that weight off, try drowning your sorrows in nature’s magical weight-loss mineral.

Whether you’re on a weight loss journey, you’re trying to lose belly fat, or you’re just trying to be healthier, it’s always a good idea to keep well-hydrated, and to do that, you’ll want to keep a bottle of water with you everywhere you go. Sip from it every now and then, and you’ll feel fuller, more invigorated, and you’ll also be a lot less likely to indulge in a sugar-laden soda or juice if you’re not thirsty! This is a sure way to lose stomach fat; try it for a week and you’ll see what a difference it makes!

Tropical Strawberry Shakeology!

Strawberry Tropical Shakeology will be out on Valentines Day! PERFECT- because it's wrapped in LOVE, it's PINK, and it's a gift of goodness for your body! To all the vegans, and my lactose intolerant peeps: It’s vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, lactose-free and delicious. It has a protein source that has never been used in shakes! Also- the sweetener is coconut powder nectar!

Be ready to get yours on February 14th right here or at www.fitjourneyforlife.com!

How important is Support?

Today, I really started thinking about the importance of support in my life, not just on my fitness journey, but in every aspect of my life. There is no way that I would be where I am at this point in my life without the support of others. So today, I wanted to take some time and talk about why support is one of the most important factors in determining whether or not you will be successful.  
                     
I've had issues with my weight all the way back to jr. high. While I was able to get some of the weight off during my high school years by constantly being active with basketball and track, after graduation it all seemed to just pile back on.  After having babies, my weight ballooned  to an all time high of 190 pounds.  In 1997, my good friend got me involved with Team in Training, and we started training for a marathon to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We were given a coach and a team to train with, but my biggest support came from my friend, Gigi.  We were doing this together!  "A marathon??? Are you kidding me?" I kid you not! Not only did we complete the marathon, we did 4 more over the next 2 1/2 years!  When all was said and done, we had raised over $10,000 the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and yours truly was in some pretty good shape, weighing in at 135 pounds and wearing a size 10 in blue jeans (and that's the true test, huh, ladies?).

Fast forward to 2007, I had re-married, moved, was no longer exercising and yep, you guessed it...back to feeling awful about my body.  I was out of shape and miserable, hating the way I looked and felt, so much that it affected not only me, but also my relationships, so I decided to do something about it. I decided to order the  Slim in 6 Program| that I had seen on an infomercial and attempt to get back into shape to boost my confidence. The first few weeks were easy in terms of staying motivated, but after that the motivation started to slip a bit. I started getting tired of eating clean and feeling sore! However, my new friend, Liz was going through the program with me, so whenever I felt unmotivated, I'd jump on the message boards and she'd set me straight, and we went back and forth doing this for one another during the program and on into other programs, to the point where the extra motivation wasn't a necessity  anymore (just a luxury) , because we had established a habit of doing these things on a consistent basis. On top of that, I decided to make her my Beachbody Coach! She was there to help every step of the way, and whenever I needed help with anything, she was always a phone call or email away, and that support was absolutely priceless, and still is! Because of the support from her and others, it led me to the Beachbody Coach Business.  I wanted to be there to support others just like they did for me. I understood how important the role of support was in terms of my success, and I knew that I could help other people in the same way. Little did I know that it would eventually become a passion that I truly enjoy!  I get to support hundreds of people on a daily basis!

If you want to know why Beachbody is succeeding the way it is, it’s because of the amount of support Team Beachbody Coaches are giving to their customers; because with as tough as their programs are, most people would just quit after a few weeks. Let’s face it, we are a lazy country! However, because there are coaches out there saying “Don’t give up, you can do this!” and “I’ve been there before, keep going!”, people are staying motivated and committing themselves much longer than they normally would, long enough to establish a habit and see excellent results, only to eventually become Beachbody Coaches themselves to have an impact on other people. The cycle continues, and Team Beachbody explodes! It’s such an amazing thing to be a part of and experience!

Support is a key ingredient to success, no questions asked. If you don’t have support from your husband, wife, parents, best friends, chances are you’re going to have a very tough time succeeding because whenever you’re down and times are tough, you will have people saying “I told you so” instead of “Don’t worry about it, I believe in you!” That extra support and encouragement goes a long way, whether it’s with your fitness, career, or relationships! If you don’t have support from your family and friends, sit down and talk with them, explain that you need their support and need them to believe in you. You can also come to me. As a Beachbody Coach, I'm helping people stay motivated and encouraged on their fitness journeys, and helping them move forward with the Beachbody Business if that's their desire! It’s free to make me your coach, and all you have to do is click here.

It's time to shake your salt habit!

Do you salt your food before you taste?

 

You may want to rethink what you’re doing. Consuming less sodium is definitely a good thing. When you consume too much salt, you pose the risk of developing high blood pressure, which is a major risk for a heart attach or stroke. No one wants that, right!? We all want to live long and healthy lives.

Take a look at the foods you’re eating. Are they processed foods? Processed foods are typically pre-made boxed or frozen foods. Check the nutritional label out. If you have trouble pronouncing the ingredients, it’s probably processed. These items usually are high in sodium and have more than enough salt in them. You’ll also find that there is an increased sodium count in items that are pickled, in cocktail sauce, smoked, in broth, and soy or teriyaki sauce.

If you want to “jazz” up your dish, do so with herbs. There are a variety that you can purchase fresh from your local market in the refrigerated section or you can even purchase several plants to always have fresh herbs on hand. Another great way to season is Mrs. Dash Salt Free Seasoning.  They come in tons of different flavors: Herb & Garlic, Spicy, Lemon Pepper, Fiesta Lime, along with a whole line of grilling blends.  Either way, you’re cutting back on your sodium intake. And, that is one more step towards a healthier lifestyle.

 

You can check out the link below for seasonings at Mrs. Dash

 

http://www.mrsdash.com/ 

 

 

 

 

 

One pound a week...small steps add up to big changes!

Just something to think about.....

 

Small weight loss goals really add up:
Lose a Pound a Week...
By Valentine's Day, you'd be 7 lbs lighter
By St. Patrick's Day, you'd be 11 lbs lighterBy Easter, you'd be 16 lbs lighter
By Memorial Day, you'd be 23 lbs lighter
By Independence Day, you'd be 27 lbs lighter
By Halloween, you'd be 44 lbs lighter
By Thanksgiving, you'd be 47 lbs lighter
By Christmas Eve, you'd be 51 lbs lighter
By New Year's Eve, you'd be 52 lbs lighter

DON'T GIVE UP!
If you stay clean each day, you will be that much closer to your weight loss goal.

10 Easy Ways to Cut Calories

We’re all looking for ways to cut calories, be healthier and so on but here are some REALLY EASY ways to live a healthier lifestyle.

1. Nonstick: Use nonstick pans for baking, grilling, sauteing and even for soup. They're easy to clean up and require a little amount of cooking spray, wine, water or juice to cook with.

2. Method: Bake, broil, grill, poach or saute foods instead of deep-frying. You’ll be amazed at how many calories you save by just doing this.

3. Reduce: Simply reduce the amount of fat and/or sugar in your recipes. For example, replace half the oil with applesauce or fruit puree when you bake; you can also use one-third less sugar or dried fruit to add sweetness to cereal. .

4. Baste: Instead of basting the turkey or chicken with butter or margarine, cut the saturated fat, and especially trans fat by basting with vegetable broth, white wine or different juices. You can also use fresh herbs, placed underneath the skin. Just remember to remove the skin prior to consumption.

5. Lean: Buy the leanest cuts of meat and trim all visible fat before cooking. White meats are healthier than red meats.

6. Dairy: Buy low-fat and nonfat varieties of milk, sour cream, yogurt and cheese. And, you won’t notice the difference in taste.

7. Chocolate: Why deny yourself the sensuous pleasure of chocolate when there’s cocoa and Shakeology? You’ll get your chocolate fix in no time.

8. Eggs: When cooking, just substitute two egg whites for one whole egg (the fat, cholesterol and most of the calories from eggs are in the yolks). You won’t even miss the yolk. Promise!

9. Crumbs: Substitute crunchy cereal for higher-calorie commercial bread crumbs. I like to use Kashi or Grape Nuts for homemade chicken tenders.

10. Cut: Make servings smaller. Portion control is one of the simplest things that we can do to cut calories. Instead of using your typical everyday plate, use one that is smaller.