Life is too short NOT to be healthy!!!

Exercise is hard work!  Lots of things are hard work!  Exercise though is imperative to good health and longevity!  The bright side... exercise can be fun!  You just need to find the exercise that you enjoy!
Anything that moves your body, offers some resistance, raises your heart rate... work a little harder and longer at it and you can register it as a workout! Gardening, mowing, dancing, even dog walks!  Calorie burning is calorie burning!  Some people do fancy workouts at the gym, some use DVDs, some play their Wii... you just need to find something, or a combo of things that work for you and DO IT!!!!

The other important detail is calories!  Life is too short NOT to enjoy that cupcake and that glass of wine... yes and no!  Totally depriving yourself can be a pathway to disaster and uncontrollable splurging!  BUT moderation, limiting and setting yourself up for success is vital to making any forward progress!  If you don't say no to the occasional treat or the daily glass of wine at times, chances are you are never going to burn more calories than you take in and you won't see any changes on that scale!  I bet you don't even know how many calories you eat on a daily basis!  and I bet it is more than you would guess!!!

My favorite tools for losing a few pounds:

• Get an accountability buddy!  If you have someone, or a group of people, who you workout with, talk about your workouts with or just keep up with on FB, you are setting yourself up for success!  You are less likely to give up if you have a friend rooting for you or even better... depending on you :)
• Food journaling.  If you write down every bite you put into your mouth, you are going to rethink that little candy bar from the Halloween bucket and that half of a PB&J sandwich your kid didn't finish!  Just the idea of writing it down can be a diet assistant ;)
• Set yourself up for success! If there is a food that you just cannot pass up... don't go near it!  Do NOT buy it for your kids and plan to not have any... we all have our weak moments so why risk the temptation. Surely your kids like some things that you aren't crazy about... so get those instead!
• Eat breakfast!  Studies show that people who eat a healthy meal early in the day set themselves up for success.  You are less likely to grab something unhealthy on the run or at the coffee shop and you will have more energy!
• Schedule your workouts so they are non negotiable!  Just like a doctor or dentist appointment!!!  Also, if you plan them for first thing in the morning you are less likely to get too busy!!!
• Find workouts that you enjoy!  If you like to Dance, try Hip Hop Abs, Turbo Jam or TurboFire; if you are hard core you will LOVE Insanity; if you want to get ripped, how about P90X or P90X2; limited for time, try 10 Minute Trainer; if you are just starting out and want to work your way in, try Slim in 6, Power 90, ChaLEAN Extreme plus many more!

I have a Fitness Challenge under way with workouts, Shakeology and meal planning.  I also have an accountability group so you can benefit from the momentum of others and share your own story!  I would love to help you reach your fitness goals... you just need to take the first step and decide to go for it!!!

Learn more about the Challenge here:

P90X:2 ... Are you ready?

Yes, the sequel is almost here!  Did you know that P90X has been around for over 6 years?  It is still one of the most popular at home workouts and is used by celebrities, professional athletes, and regular people like us! 
A lot has changed in the past 6 years though! 
Athletes are accomplishing crazy things so the research that has gone into improving those athletes has gone into improving P90X!!!
Cardio recommendations have changed from keeping your heart rate steadily elevated to HIIT workouts, or High Intensity Interval Training!  This involves intervals of working REALLY hard and boosting your heart rate intermixed with either lower intensity cardio or weight lifting!  This keeps you burning calories for longer after your workout... while you are no longer doing any exercise!!!  Sounds good to me!
There is a lot more total body work with an emphasis on the core.  This is done using the stability ball and balancing on one leg!
Check out the X2 Core workout preview - Note the warning ;)
Not far from this is the X2 Total Body preview
AND of key importance are those vanity muscles in X2 Shoulders and Arms

So, what do you think?  Are you ready to take on the challenge?  If you aren't ready yet you have time!  The program is set to release in December.  If you order ASAP there is still a chance you will get it in time to begin on January 1st, 2012.  Once the pre release sales have finished there may be limited supply until March of 2012.

If you order now you will not be charged until the program ships in December, so sign up and use it as an incentive!  You will also get FREE shipping, 2 FREE extra workouts, plus a chance to win weekly prizes!!!  Train to be ready to take it to the next level!!!
Let me know what you are going to do to prepare for P90X2!
I am hitting it hard with ChaLEAN Extreme and Shakeology!


Contact me through my website or for more information go to www.GetFitWithNicola.com

Here is the preview video

Free Bakersfield Workouts

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!