Setting goals, reaching goals.

It’s that time where everyone starts making SOME kind of resolution for the coming year.  

What were your goals last year?

Don’t remember?

Did you write them down?

Writing them down is your first step in achieving goals. Here’s how:

Sit down to think about this goal plan when you have time set aside and you are mentally awake & present. Why? Because this is important! If you’re feeling a bit less than energetic when making this plan, it will show in how high you’re shooting and your belief in yourself will be lacking.   Go through this list with each of your goals (business, finance, health, family, time management, property, etc).    Anything you want to accomplish – apply this list.

***If you have kids, this can be made fun for them by translating it into pictures, which adults also use and make as “vision boards”.  Kids are WAY more visually-oriented than the average adult. It keeps kids motivated when they see their favorite family members (“spend more time with grandpa”)  family trip pictures (next time I want to ski down that hill by myself), career-oriented pictures (firefighter, logger, sports star, whatever dad is, etc.) on their specially made poster up on their wall.  They can add/detract as they live with the poster, it makes it interactive and keeps it on their mind whenever they see it. This activity will really help you connect with your child’s inner wants and needs.

Let's get started:

(In each step below we’ll refer to an example so we’ll take a common one; let’s say you want to lose weight.)

1. Be specific about your goal.
A general a statement doesn’t have enough oomph. You need some drive and power in a statement by really getting into the point of what you want. Set a specific goal.

In our example: Instead of “I want to lose weight” say “I want to lose 5 to 10 pounds." Even better than pounds, aim for those jeans that fit you last year (and you still have) but are now tight. That is very specific and physically present goal that is completely within reach...right in your closet. While there are several variables, one pants/dress size is about 8 pounds. Those pants shouldn’t be a reminder of the inches you’ve gained, they should be the trophy you earn for the inches you’ll lose.

2. Set a realistic goal.
Of all people, YOU know YOU and what you can do and who you are right now. Your starting point needs to be considered. Don’t kid yourself but don’t sell yourself short. Get it set in your head in order to make this goal achievable and sustainable.

In our example: It might be tempting to say “well, 10 years ago I was able to lose weight easy & worked out __ hours a day…” That might not cut it for who you are NOW. Your starting point and circumstances may be different today than they were (sedentary, stressful job, spouse, family, sporting & school events for kids). Adaptations can be made to set aside the time you need, incorporating small changes here and there add up.

3. Establish a plan to reach your goal.
What have others done to reach a similar goal? Don’t re-invent the wheel, learn from others. Go to the library or bookstore, attend seminars, look online for groups that are similarly aimed. Map out the plan with specific steps that will get you to your goal. Arm yourself with knowledge to avoid being tripped up by small challenges. Pick up reputable glossy magazines with pictures to keep your goal in focus.

In our example: “I’ll exercise and eat right” is a good mantra but again, it’s too general. Say things like “I'm going to exercise four times a week” (work out the days that are best for you) and “I'm going to eat smaller portions," (which might mean getting smaller plates for the house and SEEING smaller portions on your restaurant plate, doggie-bagging the rest). Keep athletic shoes in your car. Set up workout appointments with friends. Sign up for a 5k, 10k, marathon training program (I found a local running shoe store has it’s own FREE program).

4. Set a time frame to reach your goal.
Consider you schedule and work within the confines of your life doings. Look at your plan and allow yourself adequate time to get there, but not enough time to get lazy about it. Conversely, if you set an impossible time-frame you set yourself up for failure. Wanting it isn’t enough, you need to give yourself the time to attack this goal full force.

In our example: “I need to lose weight for my reunion, the wedding, the …” That is fine BUT after that special event passes, then what? You’re in this for YOUR life which IS a special event! It’s chock-full of special events from now until forever! Maybe start with thirty days as a manageable goal to start with, and then go from there.

5. WHY are you doing this? 

What is your WHY? Keep THAT reason in your mind and at the ready when your energy is lacking and your motivation is flagging and you’re ready to throw in the towel. This reason can be selfish & private or selfless & public or anywhere in between.

In our example: Is your reason that you want to have washboard abs? you want to get off your medications? don’t want to be out of breath after one flight of stairs? you want to play with your kids and be around and vital for your grandkids? you want to look hot in stylish clothes? you want to be proud of what you see in the mirror and the photos you see of yourself on Facebook?

It’s YOUR specific reason and yours alone so there’s no reason to feel weird about it. This is about you being an active participant in your own life. Take charge!  

And if you ARE looking to lose weight and get healthy in 2011 or start a business in this area, consider going to EarningFitness.com and selecting a 6-week, 60-day or 90-day workout program that comes complete with nutrition advice and a free coach (Me!). 

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

January - July
The first 1/2 of 2010 was pretty typical as far as activities and travel and daily life...but in those first 6 months I started to notice that my hearing was going.

People at work seemed to be whispering just beyond my range and while on a trip, in order to not wake up our hotel mate, my friend and I were whispering in the dark and I thought she stopped talking. The next day she asked me if I had a hearing problem. That was in around the beginning of May. From then on it seemed to worsen. People at work were startling me because I didn't hear them come up behind me and I was beginning to try to read lips. I was driving them crazy having to repeat themselves for me. That freaked me out!
I went to the doctor and while the obvious route that most people take for this problem is a hearing aid, there's also surgery. I opted for the surgery.  While the surgery is out-patient, the recovery is a bit of a sensory-overload experience.   The restrictions were a bummer (no flying, no elevation changes, no running/jostling to head, no lifting over 3lbs to begin with, no head lower than shoulders, no scuba).  Since my bf lives in another state, I couldn't travel during that time, no workouts like I like...but at least the scuba wasn't a factor. ha.

SO, August was left ear surgery and I recovered in time for an October visit from a Floridian friend, by that time I could take elevations and we went for a hike in Lassen Volcanic Park, Bumpass Hell. It was SUPER cold that day up there but the steam coming out of the ground was warm (& stinky) and really cool.  So I enjoyed that as a break & back to normal activity and then...back in for surgery on my right ear in November.    This surgery took a little longer and was a little more involved which meant the recovery took a bit longer.  As a matter of fact, my final medical release date was Dec 17 and I wasn't up to snuff. (comparative to the 20/20 you want for your eyesight, you want 10's across the board for your hearing graph. The higher the number, the worse it is. I had some 15's on my right side and my balance wasn't all there yet.) Doc gave me a 2 week extension to better-up, which ends up being the last day of the year: Dec 31st.

I usually don't like waiting until the first of the year as a start date because I make "resolutions" all the time for all sorts of things.  HOWEVER, since I've been "man-down!" for so long, it seems that this beginning of 2011 is really going to be a new lease on life. I feel that I am being released to move and jump and hear and BE who I was before August came around and I started the surgeries. I DID get a lot of reading done during the last 6 months, which I'll share with your in future posts. I love reading but am always adding books to my list and not reading enough to catch up; not the case when you have a couple surgeries.

Don't get me wrong,  I am happy that I chose to get both surgeries so close together.  I'm aware that getting them both so close together was a hindrance to many things, but I would do it over again.  The outcome is what I wanted!  It took some time but -  I can hear!

With my return to my normal life, I intend to blog regularly.  So I'll see you later, and hear you if you're within 80 miles of me  (Bionic hearing, dontcha know)

My Dinner With Obama

This was posted by Beachbody CEO Carl Daikeler...  LOVE it. 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

My Dinner With Obama

Well, to be honest, it was supposed to be dinner. But I will get to that in a minute.

I don't bring my politics to this blog unless it coincides with our goal of Helping People Achieve Their Goals To Lead Healthy Fulfilling Lives. But I do want to describe how in one evening I got complete validation that this little business Jon and I started 12 years ago has now evolved from start-up to being worthy of the White House.

Last night we attended an event put on in Philadelphia by the Democratic National Committee featuring a visit with President Obama. Clearly, this was about fundraising, but it was also an opportunity to meet the President and perhaps open some doors.

Jon and I were invited to the event by two attorney-friends from the firm Cozen O'Conner, Mark Alderman who was co-hosting the event, and my long time friend Michael Heller. We got there a half hour early and got coached on "positioning" in the room - literally - how to be at the right place at the right time to not just shake the President's hand, but actually get talk-time.

Time crawled by and the strategy of room-positioning intensified as we saw the security detail move into place. Mark was co-host so he clearly had a right to the first position in the room, but for Jon, Michael and I, it was "block or be blocked". For the next twenty minutes 15 VIP guests tried to subtly jockey to be first. It was "game on", and our intent to be first intensified...

Michael squared up to the left of Jon to block anyone from crossing along the top of the room, while Jon used his giant wingspan to close off the middle. I stood to his right keeping traffic from passing between me and a large table protecting my flank. We looked like we had it nailed, until one guy circled below the tables on an end run. Disaster. Then luckily, they changed doors for the President's entrance, and our position favored the new location. it pays to be lucky.

This is quite literally how the event started, with adults shifting position, eyeing each other up, and Michael and I red-faced with laughter as we urged each other to "box out" the competition. Politics is not pretty people!

At once the door swung open, and in walked Obama. He gave a quick hello and a hug to Mark and then he walked straight up to Jon who said "Hello Mr. President we're the co-founders of Beachbody - This is Carl Daikeler. You might know our products like P90X."

With that Obama moves in and grabs my hand in a handshake and says "P90X! My wife does that. Man, I can hardly keep up with her!"

Did you ever see a fight scene in "The Matrix" when all time and motion come to a stop? That's what happened to me right then as what he said sank into my mind. "The President of the United States just told me that the First Lady was using a product that I came up with one day when I was thumbing through fitness publications at a magazine rack in 2002. The President. His wife does P90X."

In a blink, time returned to normal and I seized the opportunity to cram my entire agenda into one comment; "We've heard a lot of people in the White House are using the program, and we're all really proud of the work the First Lady is doing with the Let's Move campaign in fact we think that to really turn around childhood obesity it's critical that the parents are the example (BREATH) that's what's so impressive about what she's doing because she's a role model that hard work of real fitness is worth it and we'd love to talk to you both sometime about what we're doing with Team Beachbody which is really changing the health and fitness model and is getting more parents accountable (BREATH) which is showing the kids that fitness is not just something we're SAYING is important it's something we're SHOWING them is important by taking on."

Then the President interrupts me and says "I totally agree. We definitely want to hear more about what you are doing - and I mean that." He turns to his entourage and says "Let's make sure of that ok guys? I want to make sure we follow up and connect with them to hear what these guys are doing."

The President turns back toward Jon and I and says "Hey you two guys look like you're in good shape, I guess you know what you're doing!" At which point Michael breaks in and says "Why didn't you say that when you looked at me?" which drew a big laugh from the entire party. Attorneys always get the laugh.

With that I got an "attaboy!" slap on the arm from the President as he walked by and the next wave of hand shakes reached in.

Jon and I looked at each other in disbelief. "Did that just happen?" It was as if we threaded a needle as it ran by, surrounded by press and donors. "Yes, that really. did. happen."

Mark Alderman then stepped in and said "I heard what the President said, so let's lock this in guys" at which point we walked over to the President's two "body men" to give them our business cards, only to learn that one of them also had just completed a few weeks of P90X, and that- in their words - "the entire White House is using P90X."

A few minutes later we went into a room for photos. As my turn approached, the person across from the President whispered something, and the President says "I know these guys, come in here and let's get a picture guys." I took one, then Jon.

A little later, the President gave a brief speech, which was refreshingly similar to the message we ascribe to at Beachbody; That the mess we got into took a long time and a series of complex decisions and circumstances in order to materialize. It's taking hard work, sacrifice and persistence to turn things around, and every bit of progress is easy to second guess because it's easy to forget how bad things had gotten and how close we were to total collapse of the system. People needed to take action and they did. But the work is not over. We still must have a plan, and we must not make the same mistakes that got us where we are today.

I was gratified to hear the President re-emphasize the importance of solving the health care crisis as the number one lever for cutting the deficit. It is not lost on me that Team Beachbody has the potential to make more of an impact on that than any other force in the country. And of all the things that made me proud at that event, that makes me the most proud. I truly believe that. No other business model has such a radical potential to turn things around. It's not going to be easy. But we knew that. We all signed up to take this on, to make a difference, and we know we're a long way from success. We have to stay committed and we have to stay focused on what we know works.

With some closing remarks and a standing ovation the President left before dinner was served to return to Washington, and Michael, Jon and I ducked out to catch the rest of the Phillies vs. Atlanta game.

Footnote: To top it all off, while at the baseball game I got a text from an industry friend who said she was attending a trade-group board dinner. One of the board members, an executive at one of our competitors, broke out a mini-blender during the meeting, plugged it into the wall, and mixed himself a batch of Shakeology.

Things are happening. People appreciate the real thing. Word is getting out there aboutTeam Beachbody, because we refuse to give up. We know we have the solution, and we know it's worth the effort to share these tools with everyone we meet.

Thank you for never giving up!

If you're reading this and you think you want to be a part of TeamBeachbody,   Let's do it!

The Shakeology Cleanse - Priming your body for life

The Shakeology Cleanse was developed and checked out by the creators of the product and those who worked with it extensively with test groups. 

This cleanse is excellent as an entry into your best inner fitness, your chance to shatter a plateau and melt off some lbs. in a quick and nutritionally sound manner. The plan they laid out is as follows:

Using: Chocolate or Greenberry Shakeology

(adding the fiber supplement if your system is already used to fiber and you could use more)

SHAKEOLOGY 3-DAY CLEANSE

The basics:

3 SHAKEOLOGY Shakes a day
2 Cups of Green Tea a Day
1 piece of fruit a day
1 salad for dinner
Only white grilled protein in salad (poultry/fish)

For Maximum results:

No Dairy or extra sugars

Only Low Fat Dressings.



You can put your 2 snacks before/after any of the MAJOR MEALS-Breakfast Lunch & Dinner

The fruit is optional, some of you will need the calories where others won't. People who aren't looking to lose weight & are in good athletic condition may include the fruit.

*** For maximum results NO additives, no substitutions.



REPEAT 3 Days in a row.

1 cup of green tea
(Recommended: Triple Leaf Detox Tea)

BREAKFAST:
Shakeology 140 calories
1 scoop
½ cup of fruit (60-90 calories)-optional
add ice
8-10 oz of water


SNACK (85 calories)
1 piece of fruit
- Apple, pear, orange, banana mango, etc


LUNCH::
Shakeology (140 calories)
1 scoop
Add ice
10 oz of water

1 cup of green tea
Recommended: Triple Leaf Detox Tea

SNACK:
(either snack here or after dinner one or the other)
Shakeology (140 calories)
1 scoop
Add ice
8-10 oz of water


DINNER:
Salad Grilled white fish or poultry (340 calories)


SNACK:
(either snack here or after dinner one or the other)
Shakeology (140 calories)
1 scoop
Add ice
8-10 oz of water

You want in?  Check out www.NinasShake.com  

Even though I thought I half-assed it, the Turbo Fire workout got it ALL done.

Today I popped in Fire55ez, one of the bazillion workouts in TurboFire, the latest program out from Chalene Johnson through Beachbody.  I was a bit...afraid.  After a great start to the program I went on vacation, a yearly vacation/eatfest/drinkfest that some of my bestest friends from around the country make a point of attending. We love each other and are SO far from each other that we make it a point to gather here.  In our regular lives we all workout, we all try to eat clean and make good choices on a daily basis but MAN, we just throw away any rules away when we get together. I think the word gluttony would fit in.  We all just make that choice and don't feel guilt, and it opens the door to pure enjoyment of tastes and items of food that we only have once a year.  And while we dress nice enough,we end up with stains from food, liquid, we sweat like crazy in the humidity and the women decide that make-up is a dumb idea (it sweats off within 3 minutes of application).  Deoderant is important.  And now I have 2 weeks before I hit my last vacation of this summer, a shorter and more controlled/sedate vacation that will include being a tourist, lots of walking and sightseeing. When I get back from that, I'll be doing TurboFire SOLID to the end of the year. Any mini-vacations or loong weekends won't interfere because a couple double-days would be easy (schedule-wise).

So, as I said, today...after a week break from it, I put in Fire55ez and...waited.  I put on my TurboFire bra (I bought an industrial one just for this workout program), I put on my Polar Heart Rate Monitor and I put my shoes on while it loaded.
I went all out until after the second turbo fire. I looked at my HRM and it says 29 minutes, 216 cals. Not bad!   I wanted to quit because my feet were hurting.  Yes I was panting hard because I had given it my all but my FEET were just ... aching.   I could have stopped. I'm at home - nobody's watching, I "worked out" right?  Yes.  HOWEVER I knew that:
1) my feet would recover in a minute
2) I had less than 30 minutes to go
3) I didn't want to quit without hitting at least 300 cals.

So while the TurboFire crew was taking a one-minute recovery, I took an extra minute. I hit pause (the beauty of home workout videos)  I watched my HRM count down another minute. My huffing was calmed and my feet were better so I got up, hit play....I was back in it.

I never quite got back to my full-on first half.  I was going through the motions at first, it took about 6 minutes for me to get my "second wind", right when Chalene SAID that very thing.  But still, my second wind was...more like a breeze.   But I kept going.  I worked my way through both finales without jumping & stomping but I finished all the way to the end.  I never got back to the level of "whoop whoop" but I got it done.

I checked my HRM:   52 minutes, 506 calories.
So you see, while my first 29 minutes were all out energy and my last 23 were just barely hanging on, I burned 290 calories in that second half!  That first half was carrying me through and I'm going to be riding the afterburn all the way through the day.

I can now say "yes - I worked out!"  instead of hanging my head if I would have quit without hitting my usual goal of any workout (the 300 cal mark).  Some days that's all you can do and that's fine but I KNEW that my feet were a temporary excuse and I COULD do more. And nobody would know, right?   I WOULD KNOW.

And with all the "letting go" that I did on vacation, I also know that it is just that: Vacation.  My day to day has to be conscious and deliberate in all aspects in order for me to pay the respect to myself that I deserve.    Turbo Fire is a gift to myself.

Mr Horton Goes to Washington

Tony Horton has been going to Washington, he's addressed congress, put them through workouts, they've loved them. He's been invited back to address our military fitness standards and those of recruits.  We have many awesome Americans who are proud of this country and want to serve - however they can't pass the physical training tests to even get IN.    His message - you can workout anywhere, anytime - he has specialized in the moves that you can do in a hotel room, small space, and not every workout needs weights.
The picture above is from his address to the National Press Club that appeared on C-SPAN  (Tony Horton on C-SPAN, I'm SO jazzed!)  And today his visit was covered by CNN      CRAZY!   I love it I love it I love it.

After he addressed the National Press Club he worked them out, RIGHT THERE.  Then there was a 10K outside in the sunshine that Tony led.

Congress is working out with Tony. Our military folks are working out with Tony.  Why aren't you?
He has a ton of workouts for every level so you don't have to feel like you have to go extreme right out of the gate.   I'll help you pick the one for you, just give me a holler!

Another of our trainers goes to Washington!

We've had Tony Horton go to Washington D.C. and workout with Congress, we just had another one make a mark - Donna Richardson Joyner


Alongside a couple doctors, former Olympians and notable Americans, 
We have on of our own on the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition!
Who is Donna Richardson Joyner?   She is the trainer for our Body Gospel, the faith-based program that is catching on with church groups and people who want to focus on their fitness in honoring His gift of life. It's a really great, inspirational program that is helping folks get results. 
Here's the part about her:

Donna Richardson Joyner, Appointee for Member, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition
Donna Richardson Joyner is a fitness instructor who has spent more than 20 years working to educate, empower, and energize children, women, and families about living healthy lifestyles. She has starred in more than 25 award-winning fitness videos, including “Sweating in the Spirit,” and “Body Gospel.” Ms. Richardson Joyner has served on the Women’s Sports Foundation Board of Trustees, is an advisory board member for the Boys and Girls Club of America, and serves on the national advisory board of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity.  She has lectured and conducted wellness seminars at schools and community centers in more than 30 countries. In 2006 Ms. Richardson Joyner was inducted into the Fitness Hall of Fame and named by Essence Magazine as one of the 25 most inspiring women in America.






You can read the rest of the press release here.

P90X One on One Series, add your move to it!

You have the chance to add a move into a 

Tony Horton workout!

It begins tomorrow! Fans of P90X (or any other Tony program), we want you to submit a video clip of your most unique workout moves. YOU the community will then vote on all entries and decide who makes it to the finals! Winners will receive prizes like a 1-year subscription to P90X One on One, a YEAR supply of P90X Results & Recovery Formula, and consideration of your killer move, to be featured in an upcoming P90X One on One workout! Join the fun on the (official) P90X® facebook page!

The Spawn of P90X

I've been a One on One subscriber since the beginning, LOVE the random workout surprise that comes at me every month to be able to make endless hybrids and NEVER get bored.  Well, Volume 1 is done, Volume 2 is currently out and now a new name and the official announcement that:
P90X One on One® Is Finally Here! Tony is dedicating Volume 3 to be his “test kitchen” where he hammers out new workouts for the next P90X. The P90X sequel will go by the name “P90X:MC2” (MC2 stands for Muscle Confusion 2), and is scheduled to launch in late 2011. Every subscriber who purchases all 12 discs of P90X One on One, Volume 3 gets a 50% discount on P90X:MC2!!!!! BRING IT!!!


So, all of you who've done P90X can move on to P90X+ (shorter, just as intense workouts heavy on push/pullups, lots of sweat) OR, the P90X One on Ones. It's just going to be THAT much more fun to be the guinea pigs for the next generation P90X, "P90X:MC2"        The Spawn of the X.  Get on the list now so you know when it's available!

Turbo Fire? yes - TURBO FIRE!!!!!

I have it, FINALLY.
Last year I went to TurboCamp and they tested some TurboFire on us, then at Summit, they let out the info and a huge teaser for it, all the info & the release date.
It was worth it.
I got the complete package which includes more workouts and other coolness.

TURBO FIRE
This program is Fire (cardio), Core, Tone, Stretch and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
Fuel the Fire (nutrition booklet)
The Turbo Tracker is a nifty little booklet, great motivational tips from Chalene, tracks your days food, calorie counter...all in a pocket size.

The workouts are TIGHT.
The workouts are filmed as if you're in Chalene's live class (yes, as busy as she is, she still teaches). So instead of traditional workouts where the workout folks are all looking at you, you're looking at Chalene and 2 buddies on stage and then the rest of the people are beside your vantage point, floating camera catching glimpses of your workout class pals.  I've been in Chalene's live classes before, the energy is OFF THE CHARTS.  They did a really good job of capturing that here.
The choice of "New to Class" is awesome and I appreciate it. I'm familiar with Chalene's 11 moves that carry through her other programs but I know that she's too innovative for me to think  "I got this".  So with choosing that option, her quick breakdown of the moves and a run-through is shown before we get into it. Less awkward flailing from me trying to learn on the fly! (which is what I do in live classes)   Next time, or the time after that,  I can do it without the "New to Class" and just do the whole thing straight through.
FIRE DRILLS  - You hear the fire alarm, these are her go-all-out minutes, then you recover, then do it again.
MODIFIER MOVES - I was glad to see that a woman on the stage was doing all the moves and incorporating alternatives for the jumping moves for those that either have limitations or just don't like jumping. Her moves still drive the intensity because she is focussed on form and the depth of a squat, etc.


The music is pure DJ Chalene.  She mixes great snaps and unleashes them, her moves with her mixes are what keeps that pounding undercurrent driving the energy up up up.

The schedules are something that you can choose from, they accommodate everyone.
It has a 5 DAY INFERNO plan to get FAST results for those people who need that quick proof and want BIG results to keep them motivated.
For those of us - it has a couple of calendars "Class Schedules" to plan for the months ahead.
The PREP SCHEDULE is for you to ... prime yourself.  It isn't exactly easy, but it does stave off the HIIT until the 6th week.
Then the regular CLASS SCHEDULE which just throws you into the fire feet first.
The HYBRID SCHEDULE is for those of us who have ChaLean Extreme, it incorporates these two programs for maximum cool.
So basically, you have a year's worth of workouts. Crazy good.

Shakeology cleanse Shakeology 3-day cleanse what is it?

Steve Edwards is the fitness/nutrition expert/guinea pig for Beachbody - products don't reach the customers without Steve going through every detail.   Here's an excerpt from his blog regarding the cleanse, why do it, how, etc.  

It came as an evolution of a cleanse I’d done using Shakeology as a substitute for our (BB) current fasting formula. Spruced it up a bit, we turned it loose on our test groups, and voila!


I’ve just returned from a weekend in Moab for Romney’s birthday (and birthday challenge, report coming soon). Along with a fair amount of exercise we did a fair amount of reveling. I mean, it’s the off-season and pints are two bucks around town and what else are you going to do on a birthday weekend? Therefore, even though I spent four to six hours each day running around I feel like pig that’s been fattened for slaughter, making this a perfect time to flush my system and bring everything back into homeostasis. 
This is a performance-oriented system designed to support hard training. It’s not the Master Cleanse. The goal is to promote flushing junk from your system and regulating hydration levels. It’s calorically restricted to be sure. But in its 1500 or so calories will be more nutrients than most people get by eating well over twice that amount. The key is caloric efficiency; getting the most nutrients possible out of the fewest number of calories.

It’s too fat restrictive for a lifestyle plan. I’m on a low cal cycle of the ABCDE diet so it’s the kick start to that. After three days I’ll roll this into a 1600 calorie a day plan with additional calories added for sports performance only—this means targeted calories consumed during and immediately after workouts don’t count in the daily total.

The plan consists of three Shakeology shakes* a day with a salad in the evening. If the shakes are plain (Shakeology and water only) I can add three pieces of fruit. The salad is unrestricted as far as veggies go, with 4 ounces of a protein source (if it’s meat or fish and slightly more if it’s a veggie source like legumes), and two tablespoons of an olive oil/vinegar dressing. For fatty acids, each salad will also contain a tablespoon of chia seeds (or flaxseed or hempseed). Plenty of water washes it all down. Coffee, tea, and herb teas are fine as long as they are sans additives, as all are performance enhancing. In three days I plan feel recovered from the weekend and ready to roll into my final prep phase for the Copper Canyons.

* Any meal replacement or protein shake could be substituted but I’d recommend adding at least a greens formulation to this to try and equate Shakeology’s 70 ingredients.

So that's it!   Shakeology is only available through your coach, that would be me! 

11 Life Law of Fitness by Tony Horton

The following is written by Tony Horton, well-known trainer for the company that I'm a coach for.  Simple, stellar advice from the man.   1. Variety:  You avoid boredom, injury and plateaus. Do those things you are afraid to do. 2. Consistency:  You are only good at stuff you do often.  You should exercise 5-6 times a week.  Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 3. Intensity:  Go hard! Add a rep, add weight.  Don’t jeopardize the form.  If you go only 8 reps, go 9.  Go lower on your pushups, whatever, but go at it hard. 4. Purpose:  Why are you doing it?  Whatever your motivation, keep it going.  Your real reason should be health, fitness, quality of life, getting sick less and having less injuries.  Be aware that your purpose changes, but keep at it. 5. Reality:  If you are 14 and weigh 100lbs you won’t be a linebacker in a football team. You are either an ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph.  Skinny, muscular or really big person.  Stop trying to shape your body into someone you are not.  If you are trying to manipulate reality with some fantasy you are always going to come up short.  It’s just better to be really fit and healthy, authentic and unique.  Be you rather than a fake celebrity or other version of you that you were never made to be.  Just be happy with who you are.  It takes time.  Most people want what this person has.  But most of the time what that person has, 9 out of 10 times, what they have ain’t all that great.  Be unique, stand out, be yourself, be different and people will be drawn to that rather than your version of someone else.  Just be you. 6. Sport or Play:  People who get involved in sports accelerate their fitness levels.  Don’t be afraid to experiement with different sports (see # 1).  Do kayaking, cross country running.  Do something, anything.  Go out and play.  7. The Plan:  If you don’t have a plan or system, you are screwed. Get a calendar or pda or whatever, schedule it in.  Have an appointment. You make appointements for everything else, why not your meals, your exercise. Put it in your bathroom, your refrigerator and your front door.  I work out 6 days a week and only 1 or 2 times a month by myself.  If I didn’t have people to push me, I would blow it off.  I find like-minded people and they make me successful.  Have a plan.  Successful people have a plan.  I have these little note pads all over my house.  Everywhere I am I write my ideas and then I put it all together and get through it so I am not so scatter brained.  I keep writing it down and I accomplish it.  8. Rest and Sleep:  It’s an uphill battle all the time.  7.5 to 8 hours of sleep.  Your body recovers during sleep.  Sleep is healing.  No sleeping, no healing.  Stress is how you are going to deal with life.  Just let it go.  If you sleep, you will have less stress.  If you have these little notepads, you will be able to write things down, get them off of your mind and you will be able to sleep better. 9. Loving it:  Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.  Find something you love to do.  10. Flexibility:  Don’t become a robot doing the same thing over and over again.  Get variety into your workouts, stretch and do some yoga.  If you work on your flexibility now, it will impact the rest of your life later. 11. Food and Supplements:  You are what you eat.  It is your fuel.  Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats.   Finally, vitamins supplement the food you are eating.  You need extra vitamins to help you recover.  Make sure you get some quality supplements for your nutrition needs and take them.  Don't let them sit on your shelf.

JAKE OWEN THROWS DOWN A P90X CHALLENGE!!

2009 ACM Top New Male Vocalist,Grammy-Award nominated American country music artist, Jake Owen has issued a P90X challenge! He wants to see who has the best results beginning April 1st. (Take good “before” shots on that day!) 

He is going to fly the top two winners to Malibu to a houseboat and hang out with them all day! If you want to get in on this challenge, it's EASY! Just ...follow this link, http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/Neeeena?bctid=25219321001 to get your P90X and get me as your FREE coach!!! Good luck!   Let's do this!  Here's his throwdown:

He’ll release full rules of engagement on his site: jakeowen.net (that's where the picture is borrowed from)     
Ready?????

Ok ok, I’ve had some people asking…just what do you do?

I am my own health care plan

I am my own stimulus package

What am I?  

I’m a Beachbody Coach!

What’s a coach?


Beachbody refers to their reps as “coaches”. Coach is an appropriate word because we are more than just “distributors” or “reps”. We sell and suggest fitness products and workouts, but in being a “coach” we invest ourselves in the people who invest in the product. We want them to be their best and we have the tools to help them. 

What qualifications do you need to be a coach?


If you have the desire to be your best, to reach your goals and to help others reach theirs – then that’s you!  Anyone can be a coach! (well, if you’re 18 years old or older) If you want this experience for yourself, you can sign up today. Beachbody wants you to join the TeamBeachbody Army (they don’t call it that, I do)  The coaching business is a home-based business working as a coach people reach out to to get fit!  If you have certifications, degrees, or years of experience working in the fitness industry that’s great,  however – not required. Shocked? All that is needed is for you to be an example and share your successes with others! If you are committed and dedicated to staying accountable, you can help others become accountable in their goals too. We appreciate the fitness professionals who join us and expand their clientelle just as much as we love to have someone who is just beginning to find the fitness in their lives.
 And as our team says, "You're in this business for yourself, but not by yourself".  I'll help train you, the company has a ton of tools for you to use and you have a whole big team with you that will keep us current on a weekly basis. 

What’s the “job description” of a coach?  Just what is it I do?

That depends on you. The way you want to work it into your existing life will be your business (because it’s YOUR business).  I know folks who do this 6-8 hours a week, I also know people who have thrown themselves into it and left their “day jobs” to become full time coaches and tripling their salaries from their previous job.  So, it’s different for everyone and I encourage you to talk to me about the possibilities for you.  As far as your job description: Sharing what you’re doing is really all it takes.  As a coach, you have the ability to sell any Beachbody item in their expansive catalog, ( equipment, nutritionals, workout videos, accessories) Just start telling your story and letting people know of your new business venture. You’ll be surprised how quickly the word will spread. You’ll find it amazing how many people already know about the products. Now it’s just letting them know that YOU are the way to get them! If you spend your time getting in touch with your own network and circle around you, you will have the greatest gains in your business because of the dedication that you have for one another. If they become coaches as well and start their own businesses, you build your down line team of coaches.
You build by helping them build and sharing the fitness and health revolution.

OK, let me have it…how much are the fees?


Hard to believe but you can start your own business pretty inexpensively.

Sign-up cost: $39.95

 This includes your Business Kit which will be shipped to you (s/h extra)
and your FIRST month’s fee of your personal Coaching Webpage.

Monthly Webpage Fee: $14.95
Your webpage & online office will serve you in multiple ways. Beachbody automatically updates and maintains your webpage! They feed the current information into it. You personalize it with your photo and bio and you’re up, ready for business 24/7. Your customers can make purchases from your virtual store, sign up for the club membership so they can receive 10% discount on any item they buy, your page is also for signing up your coaches!
 Your coach online office is just that -  this is the hub for your coaching business. You will securely access this to build, maintain, and watch your business grow from your down line coaches to your weekly pay checks, see your customer activity and communicate with them.

Also, you’ll see all that you need to build your business in the tools that Beachbody provides you (training, video library, retail clips, etc)

Now think about that...you are sort of buying into a franchise... have you seen the buy-in costs of a franchise?  This is unbelievably low. 

Oh, and about that “club membership” I just mentioned…

This Club is an OPTIONAL choice for you:
Club Membership: $38.87(4 times a year total- billed quarterly)

As a club member, you will have access to additional goodies available to you on your webpage. As a customer there are so many great extras to being in the club (shopping lists, contests, etc)  As a coach, the best reason to be a part of this is Beachbody’s Lead Generation Program.

As an active Emerald coach, you will be given free customer from Beachbody! Beachbody spends over 100 million dollars each year in advertising. (which is why most people say – “oh, yeah, I’ve seen that”)  At this time, we have the #1 & # 2 infomercials on TV, (P90X & Insanity)  When those TV-watching customers contact Beachbody to purchase something or to get more involved, Beachbody assigns those contacts to Active Emerald (& higher) coaches!

Wait. What? Beachbody GIVES coaches customers?


Yes, yes they do.  Reach the basic level of EMERALD and maintain and active status, and you will receive customers in your database every other day, or everyday, depending on business that day. Beachbody receives about 30 to 50,000 customer leads a week! (Yes, even in this recession we’re in. And that’s a lot of people right? So you see, you KNOW these people)  Those new customers get assigned to the next active emerald coach (or higher) in line. You will earn commissions from these customers repeat business and you will also earn bonus Commissions off of their club dues (billed and paid quarterly).

Commissions and bonus commissions?


Any sales to customers of products from your website or directly from yourself- 25% commission.
 Customers who join the club membership- you earn 50% of their quarterly membership dues.  Personally sponsored coaches who are in the club membership earn you 50% commission.   Aaand- your downline team will be banking points as they build business, they will cycle and you will see those cycle bonuses  pay out when they bank a certain amount of points.
 Customers in the Club Membership- you receive 15% commission on any of their purchases.

As a Beachbody Coach, you get a 25% discount on any item you personally want to purchase as well!


How much inventory do I have to stock?

None. This is a virtual business operated via a webstore that is provided to you by Beachbody. You can take advantage of your 25% discount to purchase items for yourself at any time however no “inventory” is necessary. Your customers order through your webstore and the items go straight to them, you don’t have to handle anything. Even the customer service and returns are handled by your webstore force!

I’m interested but I’m already just SO busy!


You’d be surprised at how many times the conversation ANYWHERE will turn to losing weight. Someone complains about their level of fitness, complain about their clothes being tight, feeling lethargic, etc. Opportunities to share are everywhere.

It’s just about weaving it into who you are and sharing with with others, if you are committed to your own fitness program, then it’s a very natural thing to talk about.  

I’m already in the fitness business, how does becoming a coach benefit me?

If you’re a fitness trainer, gym owner, teach group classes, this benefits you, your clients and their families even more than what you can provide them now.  As a coach you’ll now have some great tools in your arsenal that will serve to reach beyond the client in front of you.  As your client, they’ve probably shared a lot of their family fitness foibles with you.  You will be able to offer them programs for their wee kids, teens, their parents, the aunt with diabetes, you name it.  The client in front of you is the person who values you and they will value your opinion of programs for those they love.  Let’s face it, not every person in the family can afford to go to a trainer or gym, or maybe they’re just not “sweat in public” people.  You can reach them now.  As a trainer you get paid for face time.  As a coach, you can reach so many more and still see those commissions come in and the success stories double.

Sounds good but what if it doesn’t float my boat? 


Then you can cancel. You can cancel in your first 30 days, and be completely refunded the first months fees. After the first 30, you can cancel at anytime and only be out the amount of time you were in the business. If you consider canceling first consider that if you decide you want to rejoin:  you will lose your seniority position, lose the level you were once in the company and you’ll have to  wait a 6-month period from your cancellation date before you can join us again.

Click here if you want to sign up, you'll see a note indicating that NEEEENA will be your Coach. That’d be me!   If you still have questions, email me at www.beachbodycoach.com/neeeena  J  

P.S. 

Beachbody has been in the process of registering with the Canadian governement.  We hope this process will be complete in 2010.  We also have plans to extend the opportunity to numerous other countries. At press time, only USA, USA Territories and Military locations can sign up as a coach.