choices

Happy New Year!!! 
I learned a few things this year...life is really super-short and that so much in life happens because of my own CHOICES.  So, what choices will you make in the new year to make your life healthier?  Remember that when you are healthier your relationships with your family/friends are better and you feel better about all aspects of your life - which means that you will be happier!  Unfortunately, nobody is going to do this for you - so, take a second, think about it, write it down, and then DO it...because you owe it to yourself. :)

Now bring on 2012!!!

Holiday guilt

So, I think I'm dealing with some holiday guilt because tonight's workout was like this: Xbox Kinect sports then Black Eyed Peas Kinect game (1 hour) -we will call that the warmup, then P90X Back and Biceps, followed by Ab Ripper X, and then ~20 minutes of yoga. I hope tomorrow isn't like this...who has this kind of time all the time anyway?!!

Wishing you a super-healthy new year!!

Les Mills PUMP is in the HOUSE (literally)

It's official all of my gym rat friends (and I use that term endearingly)...  :)

Les Mills PUMP is available for purchase at www.mycoachforfitness.com - just click on the word SHOP and you'll find it.  Do some browsing while you're there --- why not?

So, this program is based on the ever-so-popular Body Pump that we all do at the gym.  So, when you're snowed in and can't get to the gym or maybe you feel like doing your own thing for a while, you can do it at home ---just press play on that DVD player--- SWEET!!!

Give the gift that always fits! Beachbody e-Gift Cards! -The Shoe

This is too funny -- love it!  If you want to get an eGift card, you can go to www.mycoachforfitness.com and click SHOP.  :)

Les Mills PUMP - comprehensive at-home DVD fitness program Les Mills PUMP

I cannot wait for this to come out.  So much fun doing BodyPump at the gym but now I can do it on my own schedule…yay!

My newest app

I'm so stupidly excited!  I just downloaded a new app for P90X and it's so cool, like for real so cool!  Since I'm starting a new program for it -tomorrow- this is going to be super-handy.  I haven't been this excited for working out in a LONG time.  I mean, I enjoy working out and everything, but I literally can't wait to workout tomorrow - LOL!

It's time - let's get started!

I know the holidays are upon us - but aren't you ready to do this?  I don't plan on putting on weight this holiday season and hopefully you don't plan it either (why start out the year on a bad foot?).  So, let's do the BeachBody challenge!  Here's a video about it:  
So, if you're ready to join me:
1. Go to this link http://www.teambeachbody.com/connect/beachbody-challenge?referringRepId=50511 
2. Scroll down and click TAKE THE CHALLENGE!
3. You will fill out the Beachbody Challenge Pledge and be all signed up for the BIG BEACHBODY CHALLENGE
4. THEN you will be able to choose your Challenge Pack!!!

Laugh for the day!

I just couldn't resist this, it's so cute/funny!!

Giving Back tab

I'm sorry to say, that I had to update the "giving back" tab on my blog.  :'(

P90X2!!!!!

So, it's been a while since I've blogged.  I got REALLY busy at work...like CRAZY busy.  The only thing that was keeping me sane was working out...until I hurt my back.  After a few months of recovery & chiropractor visits, I'm totally back in the game.  I've been doing P90X for about 3 weeks now...I love it!!!  I broke through my plateau and am losing weight (and turning fat into muscle) again.

Here's the rest of the excitement...coming soon...P90X2!!!!  Available for pre-order (through me) beginning on 9/1.  I can't wait for this one myself!  Looks like a fun one!!

Shakeology and Vitamins

With regard to drinking Shakeology, here's one of the MOST common questions that I get: 


Should I continue to take ActiVit® or other multivitamins along with Shakeology?


From www.shakeituptoday.com:
Because of the way Shakeology is formulated, one shake pretty much covers your body's normal daily requirement for vitamins and minerals. However, if you're following a recommended exercise routine, your body is likely to be using up those nutrients at a faster rate. For example, if you're doing P90X® or INSANITY®-hard-charging routines that burn more calories, along with vitamins and minerals-you may need some additional supplementation, like ActiVit. Due to the digestive enzymes in Shakeology, taking ActiVit at the same time you drink Shakeology will help your body to better absorb all the nutrients.


Also, I ALWAYS get people who request to see the nutrition labels, so here ya go, happy reading!

*Greenberry label*

*Chocolate label*

And I'm back in the game!

So, I've been "off" in my workout routine for about the last month due to a shoulder injury. I kept avoiding visiting a doctor, though I know I should have. If someone in one of my classes would have come up to me and said, "my shoulder hurts when I lift my arm", I would have said, "have you talked to your doctor?". I know, shame on me for not listening to my own advice. Anyway, I figured it was some sort of overuse injury since I had just increased my weights in my upper body routine. I scaled the weights back, did more cardio for a while, and it seems to be about 95% now. To say the least, I'm pleased :). Sadly, when these things happen, I have a tendency to think...they will want to do surgery on me!...and I'm just not up for that right now (I know, I'm dramatic).



But now I get to say, I'm back in the game!! I'm able to do my shoulder routine with my weights and I'm able to chaturanga in yoga class again - woohooo!

This leads me to the fact that I want to give some advice to those people who are new to the world of working out.  When you first start out, don't get super-crazy-extreme right off the bat. It's very likely you will be so sore the next day that you will determine that working out must be the work of the devil and therefore you should never do it again. That's not the goal! You want to stick with it. Persistence is key!! Ease into your routine and have a plan of attack. Day 1, you start at x level and you see how you feel on day 2. If you feel like you could do more, then you do more on your next workout, and then determine how you feel on day 3, and etc.


It's very important to keep a log of your exercises, so you don't have to try to remember what you did (that's just way too hard). If it's cardio, you write 'elliptical, 20 minutes, level 9 resistence' - or something to that effect. If it's weights, you write 'bicep curl, 15 pounds, 10 reps'. You get my drift. When you're done, put a date on it. I also like to write in there how I felt, like "great energy today" or "I was really tired". That always gives me some insight on why I did what I did that day. When you start progressing you can look back and you will feel so proud of how far you've come! That, in turn, is motivation to keep going!!
 
Good luck!!

January is Thyroid Awareness Month!

Okay, I know this isn't THE most exciting topic, but I tried to make it so by putting an exclamation point at the end of my title. :)

*****
I pulled this information from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/thyroiddiseases.html.

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just above your collarbone. It is one of your endocrine glands, which make hormones. The thyroid helps set your metabolism - how your body gets energy from the foods you eat.

Millions of people in the U.S. have thyroid diseases. Most of them are women. If you have a thyroid disease, your body uses energy more slowly or quickly than it should. A thyroid gland that is not active enough, called hypothyroidism, is far more common. It can make you gain weight, feel fatigued and have difficulty dealing with cold temperatures. If your thyroid is too active, it makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs. That condition is hyperthyroidism. Too much thyroid hormone can make you lose weight, speed up your heart rate and make you very sensitive to heat.

There are many causes for both conditions. Treatment involves trying to reset your body's metabolism to a normal rate.
*****

As many of you know (because it's on my ABOUT tab), I have Hashimoto's Disease (hypothyroidism) which is an autoimmune disease. I'm going to go through some of the things that I do on a daily basis, with the hopes that it might help someone else.

In dealing with this over the past 8-ish years, I have found that I have to make sure that I take my thyroid medicine according to the instructions (sounds simple - but really - it's a science all in itself). For MY medicine, here's what I have to do every day (and I know many fellow hypothyroid friends who do the same): upon waking with an empty stomach, the first thing I do is take my thyroid medicine with a big glass of water. Then, I am not allowed to eat or drink anything for about an hour. After the hour mark, I take my allergy/asthma medicine. Since no vitamins or supplements are allowed for 4 hours within taking my thyroid medicine because they could affect absorption, I drink my Shakeology for lunch. Yes THAT's what is in my thermos everyday...in case you were curious. ;)

Also, I try to be VERY careful about the food that I eat. If it's "bad" for me, I know I will have to work harder to not gain weight from it. So, I TRY to stay away from "bad" food, but I am human after all. :D In addition, I have found that if I stop working out, I will put lbs back on. So, I am very regimented with my workouts as well. I know it sounds like a strict life, but I also know what obesity can do to your health (read my 'GIVING BACK' tab and you'll know why).
I can't lie, it's an uphill battle, especially in the world of weight loss, but good health is sooooooo worth it.

If you think that you might have a thyroid problem, do your homework and figure out what symptoms you have. Next...please see a doctor (they will make you get a blood test or two) and then start taking the necessary steps to control this disease.

Good luck!

You want to know all about supplements? You got it!

When you are involved in a workout program it's super-important to fuel your body with the right "stuff".  What you eat or drink can affect your progress in building muscle, losing weight, and in how sore you are (or aren't) the next day.  I super-love the "P90X Results & Recovery formula" and I drink it every Saturday morning when I teach (back to back - Turbo Kick followed by Yoga Pump - 2 hours).  That drink is what gets me through hour 2.  You see, my energy reserves are so depleted by the time I get to the second class, that I sometimes feel dizzy and just tired.  I had been searching the supermarkets to try to find something to help me with this particular problem and then I found the R&R formula.  Just when I was ready to give away my yoga class, I found something that made me be able to keep it...for that I'm thankful!  (I <3 my yoga peeps!)

Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse

I get people all the time ask me...what is the Shakeology 3 Day cleanse?  Well, here is what you need to know, are you ready...?

- 3 days (maximum)
- calorie-restricted (800-1200 per day)
- nutrient-dense eating plan
- flushes toxins
- used as a 'jump start' or 'plateau breaker'

Possible results
- weight loss
- feeling cleaner, healthier
- less bloat

Below is an outline of the program. (It is the same for all 3 days.)

Start: One cup green tea
Breakfast: Shakeology (with water and ice only – may add ½ piece fruit)
Snack: One piece fruit
Lunch: Shakeology (water and ice only) followed by one cup green tea
Snack: Shakeology (water and ice only) – can drink this after dinner instead
Dinner: Salad with greens, 3 servings of veggies, 4 ozs of grilled white meat or fish (or tofu, beans, of vegetarian) and 2 tablespoons low-fat salad dressing

NOTE: you can eat your salad for lunch instead of dinner if you prefer

DRINK LOTS OF WATER

NO DAIRY (EVEN ALMOND MILK/ RICE MILK)

The cleanse is made to do with exercise, but not INTENSE exercise. Also, it is not recommended to do the cleanse more than once a month. Remember that bodies are different and will have different reactions and results, so it is important to pay attention to how you feel. If you have an adverse reaction - STOP. If you have any medical conditions or questions, ask your doctor.

Good Luck! :)

PiYo VIP

I'm so psyched!  I just got this in the mail, isn't it cute?  The round silver things are magnets...yes, I hung it up on my bulletin board.  What can I say, I'm a proud PiYo VIP!! 

What is PiYo?  It's a class that I currently teach.  It's a combination of Pilates and Yoga.  It is made by the same creator of Turbo Kick, Turbo Jam, Turbo Fire, ChaLean Extreme, and Hip Hop Hustle.  I LOVE it.  I've been teaching it for about 7 years-ish.  Just wanted to share!!!