Lose It Right Fitness

Yesterday, we had a break in all the up and down weather and the grass was at least semi dry so I went out mow.   I know there are people out there who like working in their yards.  I have never been one of them.   Now I’ll go through a season, or I mean a year where I feel the need to plant some new flowers on the side of the house  and water them tenderly every morning. But then there will be a year or more likely years where I barely step foot outside to look at the mess that flower bed has become.  Thankfully, when I have planted , its been easy things that don’t require a lot of nurturing beyond water or plucking a few dead flowers off periodically.

In 2005 we moved to Kansas City, selling our house in Manhattan after finally reigning in the landscaping.  Isn’t that always the way? Just when we have things the way we like them, we move.  The good news was we decided to rent and the house only had one very basic flowerbed in the front.  This bed stayed fairly manageable the entire time we lived there.  Well except for the rose bushes.  I’ve never mastered growing a rose bush.  As a matter of fact, I’ve killed every rose bush I’ve ever had.  I truly don’t understand how a rose bush one year can be full of blooms and the next have only long stems of greenery with not bloom on them.  I’ve read about how to care for them and watched videos on how to clip them but no living rose bushes to attest that any of those things work.  There must be a secret society of rose growers and they have deemed that I am not fit to join their club.  I’m getting away from the point I want to make. I took care of the flower bed, killed most of the roses but everything still looked good at this house.  There is so much to be said for an easy to maintain yard! But as our son joined the Air Force we decided to downsize and moved again.  We moved into the house where we currently live.

Our house appeared to have a pretty easily maintained yard.  the back patio was stone pavers with the area surrounding the small plastic pond covered in small pebbles with a cute bench to sit on.  next to that was a long flowerbed along the rest of the back of the house with petunias in it.  A single rose bush which had small blooms on it, I think someone said it was a wild rose.  There was greenery and a rose bush on the side of the house with all the electrical, phone, and cable wires . One rectangular green bush across the front under the living room window and a small patch of cute bushes, lavender and a couple pepper plants by the front step.  I though no problem.   How hard an be to take care of rocks, petunias and some greenery that comes back every year.  Nothing could have been further from the truth.

End of Summer 1 – Just moved in.  No problem, it was August when we moved in and the end of the growing season so no need to clip, dig, cover or anything else.  All we had to do was mow.

Summer 2 – Everyone knows that petunias don’t come back so we picked some pretty pink flowers and planted them along the back of the house in the long bed with some mulch.  Easy to grow and actually choked out the weeds.  The rocky area looked okay for the most part but man it was a pain to pull all the weeds that tried to take root.  The pond well we refilled, plugged in the filter and put some gold fish in it.   The peppers didn’t come back and so I planted two plants that would return every year.  Everything else looked good no problems and mowing was easy though the grass didn’t fill in as full as I would have liked.  But we’re renting and its nice to be in a house with a yard instead of an apartment.

Summer 3 – Did I mention I can’t stand dandelions?  Well, I can’t!  Where did all these things come from?  They’ve invaded the yard, the flowerbeds, the bushes, the pea gravel by the back patio, in between the paver stones and oh my gosh this pond is disgustingly green and the filter what happened to it?  The stones have been invaded by weeds of every kind and that long bed, I don’t even know where to begin without a rototiller(?) or something.  And the side by the electrical wires and meters was out of control!  You can’t even dig over there because of the dangers.  Oh no!  Where did the pretty grass go? We mowed, sprayed weed killer/turf feeder and edged and everything to no avail. We tried emptying the pond, but the ground all around it had washed away.  Where did the stones go? I mean how do stones disappear from a flat area?  And in front, those rectangular bushes are not exactly easy to keep rectangular and they are so tall and so close to the house you can barely trim them properly.

That was just to give you an idea of how quickly something that looks easy to maintain can get out of control.  Did we do anything wrong, I don’t think so.  As renters, there was nothing in our lease about purchasing all the necessary materials to renew all her plants and flowerbeds every year.  As any homeowner knows, those things can get very costly.  We let them know that the pond wasn’t looking very good and did what we could to maintain things in a presentable manner. I wasn’t thrilled with it and vowed that I would never have a fountain or a pond in my yard unless I could afford the landscaper to go with it!  But for the actual homeowners, they have had the luxury of being able to ignore the growing yard issues.

I discovered last year that I no longer had to luxury to ignore my growing weight issue. Weighing in at 245 pounds and only 5’5″ it was difficult to get out and sit next to the flowerbeds to work on them.  Especially in the heat of summer! Bending over wasn’t comfortable and I didn’t want to be seen in shorts because I knew I was fat!  I was embarrassed!  I was embarrassed for my kids whose friends might see me as the fat mom, I was embarrassed that I let myself get this bad, I was embarrassed that my husband had a fat wife and I was embarrassed by our yard.  All this fat and embarrassment kept me indoors.  The good news is that last year was Summer #3, and I was already working on my weight .  By the end of last summer I was down to 205 pounds.  Better, but I was still struggling with what I saw in the mirror, my energy levels and the fact that my weight loss was slowing down.

Those of you who have struggled with your weight in the morbidly obese category (after all, that’s where I started) can probably relate to these struggles.  But this year I’m fluctuating between 193 and 199 pounds.  I’m still considered obese but I’ve dropped from a size 22 to a 14-16.  I feel better than I’ve felt in over 10 years.  I can compare my weight gain to those flower beds around the house.  For a long time you can eat whatever you want  without seeing any change.  Gaining 10 pounds a year,  a couple of pregnancies thrown in during other years, and taking on jobs that don’t require much movement the pounds usually pack on slowly.  You begin to make a lot of excuses, like clothing manufacturers have really shrunk down their sizes, I’ve always been a size x but these are too tight, I don’t understand, or nobody really has legs that fit in skinny jeans.  For me one of the biggest shocks was when I stood on a scale.  I knew I had gained some weight back in ’95 from a medication I was on (50lbs in a couple months…I blew up like a balloon!) and everything was swollen including my feet.   I knew I was heavy but I never  realized I had gained an extra 30+ pounds on top of that.  If you are at all like me a few pounds here and there have just crept in like those weeds.  Taking hold a little at a time and then suddenly you have a full grown attack of the dandelions!   That’s when our excuses no longer work.

Thankfully, I chose to take back my fitness and a year later have more energy, feel healthier and am starting to dream again.  I dream about running a marathon, climbing a mountain and lots of other things that I never could have done while I was morbidly obese.  I still can’t do them yet because my journey isn’t over but I can see them as possibilities rather than impossibilities.  I run on the treadmill several times a week, I train at home with several different dvd series which you can check out here.  I’m digging in deeper to get a body that is capable of working in the yard and a mind that isn’t afraid of what people think.   Today the biggest battle I face is the realization that the scale (while important) isn’t the only way to define my success.  I tend to lose more inches than pounds and that used to destroy me emotionally, but after putting the scale up for several weeks, I’m realizing that inches are probably a better way to measure.  I want to be firm and sculpted, healthy and fit.  I want to set an example of how to enjoy life while maintaining and improving my fitness but I don’t want to give up the enjoyment that a great family meal can bring.  I don’t wan to feel like I’m on a diet all the time.  Just like I want an easy to maintain yard, I want an easy to maintain body.  Personally, I’m not going to say no to every cupcake but neither will I eat the entire box.  I don’t want to live on salads for the rest of my life nor do I want to have that lethargic feeling I got when I drank a 2 liter of soda every day. I don’t want to hide in my house, avoid going to the store or miss school events because I feel fat.   I want to run with life, run for God and enjoy every moment with my family and friends.

I want to tell you that balance is possible.  It does however require blood, sweat and tears.  It would be easy to ignore the yard this year because it’s been overcome by weeds.  But if I put in some hard work, spray some round-up, and plant some easy to care for flowers then  the yard will be more enjoyable.  Just as I’ve started digging deeper in my workouts, learned more about health and fitness, and added some healthier habits to my daily routine I’ve found life to be more enjoyable.  Having a fit and healthy body  is just as easy have having well maintained yard.

1. Identify  where you are and where you need to be.

2. Research what can help you get there.

3.  Implement the tools.

4. Celebrate your achievements.

5.  Maintain what you worked so hard to get.

You don’t mow your yard in the Spring and then leave it until the following Spring!  So why do you think you can reach your fitness or weight loss goals and then go back to eating all the junk you used to eat before?  Or better yet, why do you put all this time into doing P90X just to finish and stop working out?  The results you got, need to be maintained or those weeds will creep back in and you’ll look like you did before.

Yesterday was our first mow and it felt good to be able to do it myself.  Today, I’m looking forward to repairing, improving and maintaining the yard and myself!

I’ve been on a weight loss journey for over a year. At times its exciting because the scale is moving, the clothes are getting too big and everyone you see seems to notice you’re getting smaller. But at other times, its slow. This winter has been one of those slow times. I’ve lost a total of 42 pounds but this winter I hit a rock hard plateau. Nothing was moving, no inches lost, no pounds lost and no change in my clothes. Nothing can be more disappointing than a plateau. Especially when you have about 60-70 pounds left to lose.

I went through all the classic plateau symptoms. I tweaked my diet up and down every month to try and find that ‘just right’ calorie balance. No change. I added a second workout program to push through the plateau and ‘force’ my body into submission. No go. I took a rest week just to see what would happen. No difference. Okay I’ll admit that was good news because at least I didn’t gain anything. That’s when I hit maximum frustration level. Oh my poor friends and family! I was a grumpy bear to live with. Afraid to eat, so frustrated that I ate anyway, and cranky as all get out after stepping on the scale for yet another week of no changes. That’s when I decided that knowledge was power. I read, and watched, and listened to all the expert trainers. What foods would boost my metabolism, how to improve your exercise performance, why stress plays a critical role in weight loss, and what a plateau really means.

Then I decided to make a drastic change. Rather than ramping up my workouts with a harder program, I decided to back it off for 30 days doing the 10 Minute Trainer with Tony Horton. But I decided to give him the maximum effort and signed up for the 30 minutes a day option. With that, I added some 5k training to my mornings. just a couple weeks into it I’ve lost a 1/2″ on my waist. Given that I’ve been stuck on a plateau since December I’m thrilled with it! Sadly, the scale hasn’t budged yet but I have seen a shift in how I’m carrying my weight. The area between my waist and my hips is shrinking drastically. That saggy spare tire is disappearing! My legs are thinning out and my arms are starting to get some more shape to them. My conclusion? I believe that as the trainers suggested, changing my workouts has successfully forced my body to re-adjust to a new routine and respond accordingly. I have to admit, changing from hour long workouts to 30 minutes was a big step for me. It seemed counterintuitive to shorten my workouts but Tony brings a good mix of cardio, flex and strength training to the table. So looking at it, I’m really not sacrificing any beneficial exercise. While its working, I’m going to continue to ride this thing out as long as I can!

Here’s the icing on the cake though…with my depression behind me. (YES, its depressing to work so hard and not see results!) We were invited to a good friend’s birthday party. We’ve been friends for years and last summer we spent some time walking together but with winter we just hadn’t seen each other at all. On top of that there were going to be a lot of people there that I hadn’t seen or talked to in over a year. What I would generally call my eating poorly, lack of sleep, no working out fat days…okay well I don’t really call them that but that is what I did back then. I was a wreck getting ready. Still nervous that I was only about 40% through my weight loss journey. Man my extra baggage has made me miss so much in life and feel so inadequate. I have to work at it but I don’t let those things stop me from having fun anymore so we went to the party. In the mix of celebrating my friend’s birthday, I had so many people come up and ask how things were going and tell me how good I looked. Instead of talking about junk food, the depressing things in life, or what’s gone wrong in the last year, I was talking about training for a 5k and someday a marathon, starting a business, working out, healthy eating, the joys in life. Not once did I feel self conscious! I was well rested, fueled up with healthy food, and had energy to spare. I laughed and talked until I almost lost my voice. It was like the real me was finally in the game.

After we left the party we took our daughter to go see the movie Hop. While we were there I had time to consider the last hour and realized how good things in life really are and that I have no regrets. God has given our family an incredible opportunity to take our lives back and build on the solid foundation of who He is. He has taken us down a road of improved eating, improved fitness, improved finances, stronger relationships and purged from our lives those things that were holding us back from a fully realized dependence on Him. I’m so thankful for what God has been teaching me and looking forward to growing stronger in the months and years to come as I reach one goal at a time.

What a great way for my plateau to finally end

Plateau…

Yes, I said it, PLATEAU.

This one word conjures an enormity of negative thoughts.   All the “I’ll NEVER be able…” “What was I thinking?” “This is IMPOSSIBLE” and of course ultimate negative when you’re trying to lose weight, “Why bother?”  I was so encouraged last year by the weight loss I was achieving.  I made changes to my diet, I added exercise, I encouraged others, I watched myself and everyone around me change.  I felt GREAT!  I had more energy than I’d had in years and I was ready to take on the world.  Then it hit.  Seven little letters changed everything for me.  I let go, I dropped off and allowed 7 letters to affect my mind and my routine.  For me, those seven little letters that tore me to shreds were P-L-A-T-E-A-U, plateau.

Merriam-Webster’s tells us that a plateau is a usually extensive land area having a relatively level surface raised sharply above adjacent land on at least one side, a region of little or no change; a relatively stable, level period or condition, or a level of attainment or achievement.

Okay, so we’re not talking about some land mass though I will admit that when your trying to lose weight that the fat you are carrying around on your body (especially your mid-section) can indeed at times ‘feel’ like a land mass.  Actually at times it can feel like a rather ‘large’ land mass that won’t budge but I’m getting away from myself here.  So fat isn’t a land mass but the definition actually states that it is a relatively level surface raised sharply above adjacent land, again fat isn’t land but even better my plateau had not taken me to a ‘higher’ weight raised above where I was at before.  Level yes but above my previous, no.  Ah-ha!  Proof that the 7 little letters that make up the word plateau should not bother me, right?

Not feeling it yet?  Lets take a look at definitions 2 and 3, a region of little or no change; a relatively stable, level period or condition.  Okay, so my weight loss had stopped so fair enough the definition of plateau works.  BUT I have to remember that my weight wasn’t going up.  Actually, I was maintaining which, honestly, I’d not been able to do for years. That’s got to be a WIN, right?  And really if I look at it, I’m gaining more muscle definition every day, especially in my arms so even if the scale isn’t moving, something is changing.  Another WIN, right?

For sake of argument lets look at definition #4, a level of attainment or achievement.  Alright, now we’re getting somewhere!  I had achieved something!  I lost 42 pounds last year.  When I started I was only dropping 1-2 pounds a month but as I gained steamed I dropped more and even if I look at the average, I lost 3.5 pounds a month.  That’s actually, 8/10 of a pound every week last year!  For a metabolism that was only burning about 1,000 calories a day when I started to a metabolism which yesterday for example burned over 2100 calories (not including workouts) that’s a BIG deal!  In just the last 6 months I DOUBLED my daily calorie burn!  In case you are wondering how I know this, I have a Bodybugg that I use to track my calorie burn every day.  Okay, I’m gathering some steam now.  I also learned how to eat healthy, count my food calories, stop drinking soda, lower my sugar intake, and include more fresh raw foods, organic foods and whole grains into my diet.  Whew, I didn’t realize I changed my eating that much.  But that’s not all.  I also dropped from a size 22 pant to a wearing a solid 16 and sometimes even a 14.

Hey this is starting to sound like I achieved a LOT last year.  And you know, those 7 little letters,

P-L-A-T-E-A-U

don’t seem so scary anymore!  After all, I did reach a level of achievement in my fitness, my nutrition AND my body!  I achieved weight loss.  I now have the ability to say, “NO” to junk food (at least most of the time).  I achieved success in shrinking my BMI from 41 to 33.  I attained a level of fitness I didn’t think was possible (after all, I could barely exercise 10 minutes when I started but now I can do a 55 minute TurboFire workout!) Hey, I can even do push-ups! I’ve acheived success in areas I never even dreamed possible at 41 years of age and I’ve broken the pattern of thinking that life is all downhill from here.

From where I stand right now, all I can see is a NEW 7 letter word , S-U-C-C-E-S-S, success!  Success is in my future because I refuse to give up.  I commit to “Bringing It” every day, “Digging Deeper” in every workout and “I’m NOT tired” because “I’m getting my second wind!”

Author of this article is Joe Wilkes and it was adapted from the Team Beachbody Newsletter, Issue: #106, February 11, 2009

Named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, aphrodisiacs have been the stuff of legend and song throughout history. Lovers looking for a leg up in the libido department have gone to their shamans, medicine men, and herbalists for centuries, searching for the magic ingredient that will kick their mojo into high gear. And today the search has gone to the Internet. Anyone with a lackluster spam filter has probably scanned the hundreds of emails that arrive every day, advertising powdered rhinoceros horn or some unpronounceable chemical that promises to goose your or your partner’s desires. The efficacy of these miracle products is extremely dubious (and, in the case of the exotic animal parts, illegal), but there are plenty of products that you can find right in your grocery store or farmers’ market that can potentially increase the heat between the sheets. Here are some common foods and why they might be able to put a little extra oomph into that special evening. And over half of them are in the top two tiers of Michi’s Ladder, so you can have your cake and eat it, too! (Well, not cake, but asparagus and bananas!)

1.  Oysters.

These are perhaps the classic aphrodisiacs of all time. The legendary lover Casanova reportedly consumed 50 oysters every day to keep his . . . um . . . stamina up. But until recently the powers of these bivalves were only backed up by anecdotal evidence and the testimonials of mollusk-loving Lotharios. Recently though, studies have shown that oysters and their shellfish brethren, including clams, scallops, and mussels, all contain chemical compounds that may aid the release of testosterone, estrogen, and other sex hormones in both men and women. Oysters are also full of zinc, a deficiency of which can cause impotence in men, another reason they can be man’s best friend in the bedroom. And then of course there’s the conventional wisdom that if you’ll eat an oyster, you’ll eat anything.

2.  Chocolate.

What’s more associated with Valentine’s Day than chocolate? The ancient Aztecs considered chocolate to be an aphrodisiac for both men and women, and when the Europeans got wind of its inhibition-lowering properties, it wasn’t long before the candy treat became a must-have when pitching woo. Casanova and famed Louis XV courtesan Madame du Barry were reported to be great believers in the powers of chocolate, and there may have been something to it. Chocolate contains the chemicals phenylethylamine and serotonin, which are also naturally occurring chemicals in the brain, usually released when we are happy or in love. Its chemicals can literally cause your heart to beat a little faster. Add to that a boost of caffeine and sugar, and it can be a pretty good pick-me-up with a small side of euphoria.

3.  Figs.

Maybe it wasn’t just the apple in the Garden of Eden that got things going. Remember, Adam and Eve ended up covering themselves in fig leaves. And it was also the favorite fruit of Cleopatra, who was certainly no slouch in the ways of love. In ancient Greece, fertility rituals would often follow the first fig harvest, and Greek portrayals of bacchanalia usually also included some fig action. In some European countries, figs are thrown instead of rice at newly married couples (ouch!) as symbols of fertility.

4.  Bananas.

In the Islamic version of the tale, Adam and Eve covered themselves with banana leaves rather than fig leaves. Bananas are also considered a fertility symbol by the Hindus. Bananas can really get you going with their high levels of potassium and B vitamins, which aid the production of hormones. Bananas also contain the protease bromelain, which is believed to help circulation.

5.  Asparagus.

It is rich in vitamin E, which is critical to the production of hormones. It also contains a lot of folic acid, which the body needs to produce histamines. And histamines are the chemical compounds that cause muscle contractions. A word of caution though—too much asparagus can cause flatulence, which might make the whole romantic plan backfire (no pun intended).

6.  Avocados.

The Aztecs referred to the avocado tree as Ahuacuatl or “testicle tree.” Apparently, the fruit usually hangs in pairs. There appears to be little besides anecdotal evidence to support its claim as an aphrodisiac, though it is rich in many nutrients, including vitamins B6, C, and E. The California Avocado Commission conducted a Valentine’s Day survey in 2000 of experts, 63 percent of whom concluded that the avocado does have some aphrodisiac qualities, some of which could be attributed to recently discovered phytochemicals.

7.  Caviar.

This fish-egg delicacy has been enjoyed by lovers for centuries, including, of course, Casanova (which increasingly leads me to believe a lot of women were just sleeping with him to get to the buffet). Caviar is known for its silky texture. Naturally, eggs are common fertility symbols, but there may also be some chemical reasons for which they are rated so highly on the love-maker’s diet. Like oysters, they are high in zinc and rich in vitamins A and D and omega-3 fatty acids. They also are high in arginine, an amino acid which acts as a vasodilator, widening blood vessels and increasing blood flow.

8.  Truffles.

Not the chocolate kind (although those count under the “chocolate” category) but the expensive underground mushroom kind that pigs and dogs root out of the ground. Unlike other foods, it is the musky scent of the truffle that is believed to be what gets us going. Scientists have recently discovered that black truffles contain the pheromone androstenol. There is some debate over how much human beings are affected by pheromones, but truffles have been considered to be aphrodisiacs for centuries, and this recent discovery could be one explanation.

9.  Champagne.

When we think of romantic beverages, the list pretty much begins and ends with champagne. Most of the effects of champagne seem to be largely psychological, though. The purchase of an expensive beverage may set the mood for a special evening, and a mystique has been built in the media about the drink and its drinkers, from Marie Antoinette to Marilyn Monroe. But scientifically speaking, its amorous effects seem to come from the same place as most alcoholic beverages. Alcohol appears to have no positive effect on sexual function and, when overindulging, will usually move you in the other direction. It does, however, lead to a loss of inhibition and a decrease in judgment—in other words, a prelude to a kiss.

If you’d like to ask a question or comment on this newsletter article, just email us at mailbag@TeamBeachbody.com.

I’m almost done with week #2 of TurboFire and WOW! Not only am I noticing some definition in my mid-section and arms but my husband says that he can see a difference in my back. He says it is slimming! I have a new level of excitement and its truly not about the weight loss, the slimming effect or the energy. Every dvd I pop in the xbox has new and exciting inspirational tips from Chalene and all her friends from her classes. Tips on relationships, fitness, nutrition, plus encouragement, motivation and her excitement is absolutely infectious! I am so thankful to have a trainer like her right in my very own living room.
shakeology, picked up the Shakeology Fiber, the results and recovery and some p90x protein bars to ensure that I’m getting the nutrition I need and that I’m not temped by unhealthy foods. I’m taking my nutrition more seriously the next two weeks (yes even with Christmas in the mix) to maximize my weight loss. I’m digging into my workouts with a new vigor and making my commitments public so that my friends can hold me accountable via Facebook and Twitter. I know that I can finish strong this year and then rollover right into the next phase of my journey starting January 1st with 49 more pounds to lose.

I am so thankful for my Beachbody friends, fellow coaches and of course my husband who not only encourages me but holds me accountable to my goals. I’m thankful for my 9 year old daughter who encourages me to eat right and let go of the cookies as needed. She is such a little spitfire trying to do Fire 30 and Stretch 10 just like her mom. I wouldn’t have been able to drop the 42 pounds, change my attitude and my way of eating this year if it weren’t for all of you! I love you all and know you will always be in my life! THANK YOU!

I’m in the midst of my Turbofire week #2 rest day. Is it just me or do you find rest days extremely difficult? The first week of a program I am so thankful for that rest day! I’m sore, tired and ready for a break. However, by week #2 I’m warmed up, excited and in the routine of working out then comes the rest day and I feel lost. I stare at the TV as if the master trainers will somehow change their mind just for me and say “Go for it! Workout anyway.” Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately for my body, they never do that.

A rest day gives your body and especially your muscles a chance to recover. This is important so that you are not injured. However, the rest day doesn’t mean that you have to sit in a chair the whole day and do nothing. Go for a walk at the mall, get your 10,000 steps. If you’re sore, do 10 minutes of light stretching but don’t give it everything you’ve got. You have a job today and its to take care of you so that you can come back tomorrow with all your strength and really BRING IT!

The point is to really give your workouts your ALL, not just half. Giving half will not get you the results that brought you here. So on your rest days refocus yourself. Here are some things to do on YOUR rest day:

1. Get your meals planned for the rest of the week.

2. Cut up veggies and snacks for the next few days.

3. Check yourself to make sure you’re following the eating plan correctly.

4. Make a meal that can be frozen or used over the next several days, like a healthy chili then freeze individual servings for a healthy meal on the run.

5. Clean you’re house (you may have let this go so you could fit your workouts in)

6. Invite a friend to go for a walk or a run.

7. Do one of Shaun T or Tony Horton’s kid workouts with your kids, keeping the intensity low because the focus is on their fitness not yours.

8. Read some of the tips from your trainer so you can put them into practice.

9. Watch or listen to something motivating in the video library.

10. Lastly, check the levels on your Shakeology, Shakeology Fiber, Results & Recovery, vitamins, and protein bars. Remember, it will take about 7-10 days to get your new shipment once you place the order. Longer during the holiday season.

Okay, I fell behind one day but I’m not going to beat myself up about it.  I was hardly home and it was my husband’s day off so we enjoyed some wonderful family time.  And besides, in one week I’ve already lost 1.6 lbs with Shakeology and TurboFire.  All the experts say that losing about 2 pounds a week is exactly where you want to be to keep it up in a healthy fashion.  So I’m right on target and can’t wait to see what the scale and my measurements tell me tomorrow when I officially start week 2 of 20.

The best part of the week?  Getting my feet to move in the right direction for the workouts however I’m still trying to train my arms to go where they are supposed to.  I’m not a total klutz but I will say these workouts really require some attention to detail and some coordination that I may not have.  Good news is that coordinated or not, the workouts get me excited and moving even if it is in the wrong direction sometimes. I would say my improvement rocked!

The worst part of the week?  Man was I sore the first few days! I dabbled with some of the workouts learning the moves a little before I started the 20 week plan but when I started to really push it this week I was one hurting unit. Walking down the stairs hurt so badly I didn’t want to even try to do it but I kept pushing through the workouts and by day 4 the soreness was almost gone and on Day 6 I was feeling fabulous with no problem going up and down stairs, no stiffness. Overall, I would say keep pressing play and the soreness will go away eventually. If you are in actual pain though, you should check with your doctor and make sure you haven’t injured yourself.  The beginning of the workout states that if you have knee, shoulder, spine or neck issues it may not be the workout for you.  I’ve had some knee issues in the past so I have to be careful and modify a lot of jumps but I find it’s easy to modify these workouts so far.

Overall impression of Week #1 – The combination of music and moves and series of moves makes this not only a fun workout but gives enough variety that I haven’t gotten bored yet.  Honestly I don’t see myself getting bored with this one because of the fast pace and my lack of coordination.  I may be done with the program before I’m really proficient with the moves.  Jab-Cross-Hook-UpperCut-Cross-Cross-Jab…wait no that was Cross-Cross-…anyway…you get the point.  Even I am learning to count and stay on beat or at least trying.  Between the moves, the music and the great classroom setting I think this will be my favorite program for a long time even if everyone tells me that will change when I try P90X.

I love Chalene’s enthusiasm, encouragement and she always seems to know when my form is slacking so kudos to the feeling of my personal trainer having cameras in my house to catch me when I’m making mistakes!

I’m reminded of Forest Gump and the bumper sticker S**T Happens!  Well life happens, too, but if you don’t take care of YOU, who will?    Life has happened to me the last couple months but I won’t bore you with it.  After all, this is about NO EXCUSES!  EVER!

So instead of griping and complaining, I’m starting all over again.  I’m still 36 pounds smaller than I was in January and 16 pounds lighter than when I started Insanity in May.  I’ve never been able to keep so much weight off before but with Beachbody, I’ve learned the tools necessary to eat right, get exercise and stay motivated, at least most of the time.  Let me tell you, I’m an emotional eater but because of what I’ve learned here, I am able to catch myself most of the time and stop before I start or at least make better food choices than cookies, fast food and chocolate.

So now that I’ve decided to be DONE with my little pity party about my life, I’m back into a great workout, TurboFire!  I’ve re-focused my energy to kick butt in the things I can control instead of whining over the things I cannot control.  What can I control? What I buy, cook, eat, when I workout, how clean I keep my house and what I think about.  I put the things I can control on my daily To Do List and post it on my kitchen cabinet.  What can’t I control?  The bad decisions others around me are making!  I may not be able to control how others behave but I can control how I react to their behavior.  I choose what gets in my bubble!

Now, that doesn’t mean to cause conflict fighting with others, it means to keep yourself on track, be a leading example, forgive (70×70,000), be a rock of persistence, and show others that it can be done!  Don’t let life take you down because like a lion waiting to devour the weak who fall behind, life is waiting to take you out.

Some of the sizes I've gone through since January. I love PROGRESS!

Moral of the story – YOU are the one who controls your energy, motivation and what you accomplish so go through the mountain with an attitude to take care of YOU and be an example of others instead of whining for someone to get that mountain out of the way.  You’ll be surprised how much stronger you will be and how much you will grow by going through instead of wasting energy trying to get around the mountains in your life.

“If you want to LOSE it, you better get up and MOVE it!”

© Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com

I’ve tried it all.  Every program, machine, pill and motivational tape that promises results without the work but it took getting off my butt, pressing play and moving my body before I saw any real results.  So if your thinking about it, you might burn a few calories but if you get up and do something about it you’ll burn a ton of calories.

So which do YOU choose today?