I know I post about the right way the eat, the best way to exercise, the products that make it easier, and how much I LOVE to workout, but alas, even I hit roadblocks along the way! I achieved some amazing results with the Ultimate Reset almost a month ago, I maintained my weight loss for 2 weeks, then I went on vacation. I informed my inlaws that I was currently eating Vegetarian but if it was easier I could add a little meat back in... I quickly learned that it is tough for a meat lover to say no to BBQ lamb, ribs, steak, chicken curry, chicken stuffed pasta... night after night. I took some recipes with me and had great intentions of buying beans, quinoa and some other staples to make some great meals but there was so much food already in the fridge and food is expensive in Hawaii! I DID load my plate with veggies, avoid the chocolate covered macadamia nuts and drink my Shakeology, but that wine glass kept getting filled up and I have developed a strong love for Gin & Tonic! The day before we came home we celebrated my son's birthday with the most decadent chocolate cake I have ever tasted (maybe because I hadn't had many sweets in a month) and it has taken me over a week to recover! I know I have a weakness for baked goods but wow, I didn't realize it was quite so bad! I have been over snacking since I got home, and that zucchini loaf I baked... well I ate almost a whole loaf myself in less than 24 hours! I can see exactly where the 5 pounds has gone... right to the roll around my middle... which I had pretty much rid myself of before my vacation. I have some dresses to rock next week and I have created myself a problem!
Last night was Turbo Kick class and I kicked myself back on track. I love how I can burn a bazillion calories in one hour and I love how that feeling makes me not want to overeat! I started today a plate of fresh fruit, then a great weight workout with ChaLEAN Extreme then a 20 min HIIT cardio with TurboFire. 4 thin crisp wasa crackers with almond butter followed by Tropical Shakeology for lunch (instead of hot dog and chips at my son's scout camp wrap up). I am feeling refocused and ready to get back on track immediately (despite the craving for some red wine tonight).
I plan to enjoy myself at my Beachbody Summit meeting in Las Vegas... how could I not. But I will also be exercising (with Tony Horton, Shaun T, Chalene Johnson & more), sharing healthy food with my fitness friends and burning some extra calories with evening dancing!
I look forward to adding my red wine back in upon my return and baking some zucchini bread to enjoy with some control and willpower. Life is a balancing act. We all need to find a way to make our health a priority but going overboard one way or another doesn't usually work. Baby steps, adjustments and compromises will be necessary. It is time to buckle up and get this show on the road.
I will be focusing my nutrition on Michi's Ladder to help me stay on track. My Nutrition Challenge group I had planned for June 20th will be pushing back until July 2nd to allow for some preparation. There are some basic ground rules for the challenge that I would love to share with you and lots of accountability to help you stay on track. If you want to start focusing on you nutrition today then check out the Michi's Ladder guide and send me any questions you have. Start by taking before photos and body measurements too so you have something to look back on and see your accomplishments!
If you want to really put a focus on your nutrition then check out the Ultimate Reset, which is truly an experience in getting your body on track that everyone should experience!
When Beachbody started leaking information about the Ultimate Reset last year I was pretty sure it wasn't for me. A cleanse? Is that really necessary? Some people say it is vital to clear toxins that accumulate in our bodies from the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat! Others seem unsure that it is really necessary. Here is what Beachbody has to say about the need.
This Spring as Beachbody prepared to release the Reset I realized that I have been in a rut for awhile. My fitness is great- I recently completed P90X2 which I LOVED followed by Brazil Butt Lift and I enjoyed both programs. I followed the food plans to a degree but I feel I make pretty healthy food choices and stock my home with great food. Why then was I not losing the weight around my middle, why was I so easily irritated, why was I reaching for too many cups of coffee and waiting for that 5pm glass of wine? It was time to take action.
Choosing a start date for the Reset was another challenge. 3 weeks where I could be in control of almost all of the meals I ate and little to no exercise! The exercise one was a challenge as I teach Turbo Kick (very similar to TurboFire) and it requires a lot of moving - I realized I am away too much this summer to sub out my class so we have switched to low intensity for 3 weeks and we will make it work. When it came to meals though, once June hits I am crazy for most of the summer so I backed my start date up to April 30th and it was ready, set, go...
Last week I wrote about the first 7 days, Phase 1 which you can read about here.
So, how has Phase 2 been? Pretty darn good! The Reset requires supplements (all natural) 4 times per day, with time gaps between eating to make sure your body gets ample time to absorb on an empty stomach. This means if you are on the go, you need to plan! This week we added detox... I heard so many comments about how hard this is to drink yet I kind of enjoyed it! Tastes a little like Detox tea but it has some solids in it... swish and gulp, follow with more water! Helped fill me up until my meal which I had to then wait 30 minutes for!
At the beginning of this week I was a little tired. I had one day at the beginning where I was feeling a little foggy and again on day 14 I was lacking in energy. Today I feel great!!!
What has changed for me since day 1?8 pounds is gone and my summer shorts are all fitting great!I am waking up feeling more refreshed in the morning... haven't had any of those big bags under my eyes that was not an uncommon sight 2 weeks ago. My digestion is great. No afternoon bloating that has been an occasional problem in the past. My mind is somehow clearer. I am feeling the need to get things in order, not put things off until later, I have more focus. I am less irritable. Maybe it is not having to squeeze a workout into my schedule, maybe it is the focus I put into my meal creations, whatever it is, I am a little more calm and collected through the afternoon and evening. I am truly enjoying making meals. The recipes that come with the Reset are amazing. I have followed every one of them, I have even incorporated a few into a Tea I hosted last week so I could enjoy eating with my friends... they loved it too! I am truly excited to carry over my new passion for creating great meals rather than taking unhealthy short cuts and adding in even more fruits and vegetables.
In my final week I am looking to create even more peace in my life. To get my office in a little better order and to make a plan for the next few months for my fitness, for keeping up my nutrition, for helping others with their nutrition and fitness and for helping my kids have an amazing summer!
What steps are you doing to move forward with your health and fitness? I would love to help you find the tools to make your journey fun and efficient as well!
I am a SAHM to an 8 and 6 year old. I volunteer, I do the accounting for my husband's business and I work hard to stay fit and healthy. Beachbody allows me to work from home and helps me stay accountable to my own health and fitness while I work hard to help others focus on their health and fitness. It is about paying it forward, spending a little time to better ourselves and enjoying the process. I would love to help you, and I invite you to join me in helping me help others! Learn more about Beachbody coaching here.
My Favorite Recipe in Phase 2 was the Sweet Potato & Roasted Red Pepper Bisque:
1 sweet potato
1/4 red bell pepper
1 cup vegetable broth or water
1 tsp finely grated peeled ginger root
1 1/2 tsp Extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp miso paste
Tamari or Bragg Liquid Aminos, Himalayan salt & herbal seasoning to taste.
Peel and cube sweet potato. Cook in boiling water until tender. Drain and set aside. Roast red pepper so you can remove skin.
Place potato, pepper, broth, ginger, oil and miso in blender, add liquid if necessary, reheat and voila! Serves 1.
Big portion, healthy goodness, not too many ingredients.
When you think Exercise, what comes to mind and how does it make you feel? Answers to this probably fall into these 4 categories... although most in the first category probably aren't even reading my blog ;) :
Exercise? I don't like to sweat and I really don't like to bend my body in funny ways.
Exercise is a necessary evil and I force myself to go to the workout 2-3 times each week which is pure torture.
Exercise is ok. It is important for my health and to help me fit into my clothes and I enjoy some work outs. If something else more important comes up though, I will skip my workout!
Exercise is part of my existence! I love how it makes me feel, I love how it makes me look, I love the sweat/ muscle burn/ crazy body contortions/ runner's high... I feel amazing after a great workout!
So, where are you? Exercise of course doesn't have to involve a trip to the gym or pressing play on a DVD, but structure in your exercise can help you achieve more well rounded results and with some planning or training can help you reach your fitness goals.
Resistance training is important to build muscle to help burn more calories even while you are resting on the couch. It can also help prevent osteoporosis!
Yoga and flexibility training can help you stay limber (or get limber), prevent muscle and body aches and to be able to focus and help your body and mind stay more relaxed.
Cardio, preferably interval training, can help your cardiovascular system, plus it burns calories.
Bottom line... you need to exercise to keep your body and your health in optimum condition.
Best bet... find something you enjoy doing and make it a workout... within reason ;)
I love music and to dance so TurboFire (aka Cardio kickboxing) is a favorite workout for me. I also like a little muscle definition so adding in some weights has been key to me. Right now I am enjoying P90X2 but am looking forward to the great music and fun workouts in Les Mills PUMP! Insanity gave me some amazing results with the very intense cardio. ChaLEAN Extreme works wonders for the whole body and I enjoy Chalene's energy. 10 Minute Trainer is phenomenal, allowing you to fit an intense workout in 10 minutes or stack them together for 30 minutes!
Whatever you choose, make the commitment and get the job done. You don't need to spend 2 hours in the gym per visit to see results, you need to push hard and be efficient. and don't forget about your nutrition! Veggies and fruits are your friends, as is lean protein! All of the Beachbody workouts come with great tools to help you understand what your body needs for food!
Join me, lets get you fit and healthy! Www.GetFitWithNicola.com sign on for the free membership and lets connect!
This week in Live with Kelly, she is doing New Year's Fitness Week and introducing some great fitness programs! On Monday she did some Turbo Kick with Chalene Johnson. TK is my soulmate workout! It is the class I teach where I scorch a bazillion calories and help other people do the same. Check out Kelly and Chalene.
A very similar workout is TurboFire which you can do in the comfort of your own home!
On Tuesday, Kelly worked out with Tony Horton and did some moves from P90X and P90X2... she asked if the ultimate goal was death! but then did the moves very well... maybe she will be the next celebrity P90Xer!!! Check out Kelly and Tony.
Now how about some Shakeology to go with that Kelly?
There are some great opportunities in Bakersfield to find a free workout with more coming all the time! We will start with outdoors, which at this time of year I don't know where else you would want to be!
Going to the park and playing on the park equipment with your kids! Pull ups on the Monkey bars, ab strength while pumping on the swing, but even chasing the kids around the park will allow you some good cardio work! I love going to the Park at Riverwalk and running up the big hill... race the kids and see who can get up first, then do it a few more times!!! Which park is your favorite for getting a little exercise in?
Most of us have a bike, roller blades or a pair of running shoes we can throw on and go burn a few calories buzzing around the neighborhood. You could also head over to the bike path and see how far you can get.
Fit Clubs. There are at least 3 Fit Clubs in the Bakersfield area with more in the works. These are weekly events and people are invited to come try out a Beachbody workout. We pull mostly cardio workouts from P90X, Insanity, TurboFire, RevAbs, Hip Hop Abs, Power 90, Brazil Butt Lift,ChaLEAN Extreme and a few others and we all enjoy a great group workout.
Tuesday night Fit Club is at the Bakersfield Marriott on Truxton by the Rabobank arena. It starts at 6pm so get there a few minutes early to get a spot. There are also plans to add a kid's workout with programs Tony and the Kids and Shaun T. and the Kids.
Wednesday night Fit Club is getting ready to begin at the Links at Riverlakes Ranch, also beginning at 6pm.
Tehachapi is getting a Fit Club, let me know if you are interested and I will find out the details.
I am in the process of looking for a location for a weekday morning class location... I would love any suggestions you may have!
If you would like to learn more about the Fit Clubs, the fitness programs or how you get can a Fit Club set up at your location please contact me via email or through my website www.GetFitWithNicola.com
These programs can work for any fitness level, you just work to the best of your ability! If you would like any fitness and nutrition guidance, support and/or motivation you can sign up for FREE on my Beachbody site and check out all of the options. Send me a message with any questions you may have! I am looking forward to helping you reach your goals!
So let me tell you about my Shakeology cleanse results, why I did this and why it worked so well for me!
Upon my weigh in this morning I had lost 6.5 pounds in 3 days!
My details: I am 5'11 1/2" and went from 172 to 165.5 pounds from Monday morning to Thursday morning. Funnily enough, I weighed 165 pounds in January so I have fixed my 3 months of weight gain. I eat healthy food. Lots of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, no soda or added sugars for the most part. My downfall is portions and snacking but mostly snacking. It is easy to get in your head that you aren't full so you need to have something else or that you ate a healthy lunch so surely you can squeeze in an extra cookie (or two) or the kids are snacking so you will just have a bite (or 4 or 5). It is so easy to throw extra calories in without really giving it a second thought and for me, that led to 7 extra pounds in a mere 3 months! Stopping the snacking can be hard too. Putting it off until tomorrow, until I'm not sick, until the weather improves... you know what I mean. You need to get your head in the right place and be ready!
I don't usually have this much trouble getting back on track, but I tried to cut out sugar, dairy, fruit, most carbs and really decrease my calories for 2 weeks at the end of January and it put me into a tailspin. Apparently my body needs something in there... and I'm thinking it was the fruit and the carbs as I love my cardio and I needed the quick energy. So it was time to dive into the Shakeology cleanse!!!
Monday I started the day with a Chocolate Shakeology with 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries, water and ice at 7:30, a cup of black coffee at 8, Chocolate Shakeology with 1/4 frozen strawberries, water and ice at 11:30, 1 pear at 2pm, 1/4 serving of Shakeology left from my kid's breakfast at 3:30, green salad with baked homemade chicken strips, cucumber, green peas and balsamic vinaigrette at 6:30. I needed my third Shakeology but I wasn't really hungry (crazy I know), but I mixed with water, ice and almond extract. My workout was TurboFire during the day but not much due to lack of time!
Tuesday-Chocolate Shakeology with 1/4 frozen strawberries at 7:30, black coffee, Chocolate Shakeology with 1/2 cup cherry berry mix at 11:30, I had my salad at 3:30 today knowing I would be out at dinner time! Then had my third Shakeology at 5:15 as I wouldn't be home until late and I didn't want to be starving. Ate a pear at 8pm as I drove home from Fit Club. My workouts were some low intensity TurboFire and a full intensity P90X One on One 110-30-20 workout at Fit Club (every Tuesday at 6pm at the Bakersfield Marriott).
Wednesday-Scale already had me down 5 pounds! I knew I would need to add a few calories today as I teach TK at 6pm and need lots of energy! Mixed 1/2 banana and 1/4 cup strawberries into my Shakeology for breakfast. Pear in morning. Shakeology at 10:45am with water, ice and almond extract. Coffee with cream at 11. 1/2 cup almonds in the afternoon and my salad with 1 egg + 1 egg white, and 2 slices of low sodium turkey breast sandwich meat. 1/2 cup oatmeal squares cereal at 5pm to ensure enough energy for class. 1 scoop results and recovery formula after class. Chocolate Shakeology with mint extract for dinner at 7:30 followed by tea and willpower for dessert :)
My energy has been good, I haven't been overly hungry, just found myself thinking about food a few times...but I could tell it was out of habit not hunger! NO CRAVINGS!!! I got my chocolate fix from the Shakeology and obviously had no nutrition deficits with all of that extra nutrition :)
Thursday morning - 6.5 pounds less on the scale and I feel great!!!
The big question is... will those pounds stay off! I will weigh in again next Thursday and let you know what the number is! If I control my snacking along with sticking with a solid fitness routine (RevAbs, I am diving back in) I am confident it will stay off!
I started my day with a strawberry banana chocolate Shakeology today. I then had a slice of sprouted wheat toast with natural peanut butter and banana with my coffee! I need to get my body balanced again so I will make healthy food choices, I don't want to starve myself so I will be back up to 1800-2000 calories a day, and I will indulge on occasion but I will be sensible about it! My health and feeling good about myself is important to me... more important than ice cream for dessert every night, and crunching on crackers or dry cereal while I get my work done, or even that slice of pizza at the Costco concession as I walk by at lunch time! It is all about choices and they are ours to make! What is your choice going to be?
If you would like help getting on track with your nutrition, finding a fitness program that will work for your or just motivation to get rolling and stay on track, I would love to help. Sign up for FREE or for the club membership with great nutrition planning tools at www.GetFitWithNicola.com and let me know how I can help!
Check out this past post about Shakeology (from over a year ago and I am still loving it) and how you can make the price fit your budget a little better!
The most common response I get when I tell people about some of the programs I workout with on my DVD player at home is, "I prefer to go to the gym" or "I don't like workout videos". Fair enough. I actually prefer going to a Turbo Kick class (or teaching it for that matter) than doing a TurboFire video as I like to get out of my house and visit with people while I am there! I also love PUMP class, enjoy a good Bosu workout and have a crazy enjoyment of climbing Jacob's ladder! I like the gym too!
But I also have a busy life and kids! These things often get in the way of the classes I might want to attend at the gym. Between my volunteering, working, cleaning, shopping, sick days...there are a lot of conflicts that come up! I never say, "my kids have been home sick for four days so I haven't been able to get a workout in!" as I will have had many options with the great programs I have sitting in my living room! I also like to mix up my workouts! Sometimes I want to focus on a particular body part or muscle groups or I want a quick 20 minute workout but with guidance. I can choose a weight training video for my body part or throw in Insanity Fast and Furious for my 20 minute workout or a TurboFire Hiit 20 workout!
Trying to find a program that works for you? Watch the video clip below to see what looks best, or let me know what you type of activities you enjoy and I can help you find the best program! All Beachbody programs include nutrition guides as well to help you get on the right track for your best health! Plus, if you order through a coach (me) you will receive a bonus program that you wouldn't get if you ordered via the infomercials!
What are you waiting for? Let's go work out :)
I have big plans for the holidays this year! I always love the holiday season but I often come away with some extra baggage. I'm not talking about the gifts, I am talking about the extra 5 pounds that I seem to hold onto with the Christmas goodies, the eggnog lattes and the lazy cold days. This year I am planning ahead :) Yes, I am still going to enjoy a few goodies as it IS only a once a year tradition, BUT, I am going to practice a little more control this year! I will balance a goodie or two with a few calories less somewhere else...I will balance my lazy days on the coach with some hard workouts to burn those extra calories...I will keep myself balanced, I will inspire my children and I will come out of the holidays with no extra baggage (other that the gifts from under the tree)!!!
I know I can succeed with my extra tools! I have my Shakeology to replace a meal a day...this will decrease my calories, increase my energy (naturally), help control my cravings, PLUS give me a TON of nutrition. I have a great selection of workouts at my fingertips with my Beachbody library. Even if I only have TurboFire, that give me a choice of 12 different workouts!!! But I also have Turbo Jam, RevAbs, Body Gospel, Slim in 6, Insanity, Hip Hop Abs, Rockin' Body, Brazil Butt Lift, Yoga Booty Ballet, and Tony and the Kids. If you are interested in any of these titles (and local) I will consider 1 week loans of some of these titles so you can try them out!
I will also keep a large variety of vegetables in my home, I will offer to take a healthy side dish to any holiday parties I attend, I will avoid stocking treats I know I won't be able to resist and I will plan for success!
What do you need to do to plan for your success? Success rarely comes without a little bit of work, so what are you going to do to plan for yours?
As I mentioned the other day, I was just at the Beachbody Coach Summit in LA! While there we learned about some of the new programs coming out, the updated releases of current programs and useful details on current products. So here we go!
Slim in 6 with Debbie Siebers has recently been updated and will have a new infomercial in July.
Tony Horton has many updates coming up. 10-minute trainer in late 2010, Power 90, P90X will have a 4th new infomercial in late 2010, and if you sign up to get the P90X One on Ones you will get insider previews on the making of....P90neXt due to be released in the Fall of 2011.
Shaun T. is releasing the sequel to Insanity at the end of 2010, the Insanity Asylum! I missed a pic with Shaun :( I have loved doing Insanity, but my body is ready for a lower key program for a little while ;)
Leandro Carvalho is releasing the sequel to Brazil Butt Lift next year. and you can enter to win a trip to Brazil at BBLTrip.com!!! This is the program I am planning to work hard on this month!
Chalene Johnson will be releasing TurboFire in late June. HIIT training with one minute on one minute rest...high intensity Turbo fun :) Check out the amazing preview and let me know if you are interested and I will help you be one of the first to know when it is out!!!
Donna Richardson is releasing Body Gospel this summer too. An opportunity to exercise and worship at the same time! A phenomenal experience for many! Click on the preview for this too...Again, the coaches learn of release dates before the public, so let me know if you are interested and you will find out before the company tells you!!!
The Shakeology website has some amazing features now, make sure you check it out! They have over 20 doctors that use the product and love it and recommend it to everyone! Recipes, diet plan, ingredient explanation all in one place! No new flavors at this time, but guaranteed satisfaction on ingredients and results!
The company CEO, Carl Daikler, is so passionate and excited about the business, and so involved with the "people", it is awesome to see.
I am looking forward to next year's Summit, but first I am looking forward to an amazing year of sharing what I love! You can't deny results, you can't deny passion, you can't deny a business that is heading in such a positive direction. Come join me in sharing the news about Beachbody, be accountable to your fitness and maybe make some money while you are at it :) I will show you how! No training required, just some passion to accomplish and Beachbody will take care of the rest! Check out Carl's invitation! I also learned that I am really tall while I was there ;)
Next weekend is the Coach meeting for Beachbody, distributors of P90X, Insanity, TurboJam, Brazil Butt Lift, Slim in 6, Shakeology and so much more!
I get to work out with Tony Horton, Shawn T, Chalene Johnson, Debbie Siebers...I can't wait :)
If you have ever had any interest in being a Beachbody coach, this is the event to be at to learn more and it is in Los Angeles!
Check out what it is all about, and if you can't join me, check back here in the first week in May and I will tell you all about it...one thing I am most excited about is information on the release of TurboFire. This is a Turbo program by Chalene Johnson with intensity more like Insanity...can't wait :)
