Diamond Beachbody Coach Success Story

For those of you who follow my blog, Facebook or know me personally you may already know much of this story. But for those who are reading it for the first time, I want to share a little bit about my journey with Beachbody from challenger to Diamond coach in just over a years time. Make sure you read to the end, you WILL be writing a story like this of your own and I can't wait to start the journey with you!

In January of 2012 I tipped the scales at 196 pounds. I had a 6 month old baby and LOTS of baby weight to get rid of. I felt sad, depressed and had no energy. I cried to my husband and told him that I was not comfortable in my own skin. I avoided social gatherings, hid in the back of pictures and felt completely lost. So I gathered up some friends and family members and started my own Biggest Loser challenge on Facebook. I created a private group where we could report our weight, share tips and healthy dinner ideas.I also started posting motivational pictures and quotes to keep myself motivated on my own personal FB wall. I lost about 20 pounds and felt like I was on my way! But at this point I didn't know what else to do, I was at a plateau and wanted to push past it. So I started surfing YouTube and came across a program called Turbo Fire. I saw other women getting AMAZING results and I didn't care what they did I WANTED IT!!!

So I bought it and found my coach. I was pumped and ready to start, but she said I had to get this stuff called Shakeology. I have never been a "shake person" and thought that it was just the same as all the other weight loss in a can crap out there on the market. So I kindly declined and did my Turbo Fire on my own. Two months had past and I had lost about 6 pounds...this was NOT the results that I wanted. I reached back out and asked her to tell me about Shakeology. I needed help and I didn't want to waste any more time. Here is what I learned...Shakeology is NOT just a protein shake! Yes it has protein in it, but it is a nutrient dense meal replacement shake with the vitamins and nutrition equivalent to 6 salads. (This was also WAY more than I was getting in my multi-vitamin!) I was very skeptical when I was told that Shakeology would help with digestion and regularity (a problem I had that I know MANY of us suffer from), curb cravings, boost energy naturally and help lose weight. How could a chocolate shake, that taste like a diner milkshake do all that AND be good for me? I kid you not that it DELIVERED. And the benefits didnt stop there. I had energy to get up and get my morning workouts done, I had less bloating in my stomach, I was losing weight as a result and since my body was getting all the nutrients and vitamins it needed I wasnt having cravings for junk. All cravings are is a way for our body to tell us that it's lacking something so we go seeking to satisfy it with junk or comfort food. My hair and nails were also strong and growing faster than ever! Deciding to drink Shakeology daily was the BEST decision I've made and all I can say is I wish I listened to my coach two months earlier. The combination of my workout, Shakeology and the support, community and accountability of my challenge group is what made all the pieces of the puzzle come together. Sure I could have hit the gym and ate "healthy" but I didnt know what to eat and how to workout. This challenge group gave me the tools, the nutrition, a day to day schedule for my workouts, it was a piece of cake! Although I am still a work in progress I have come a long way and proud of my efforts.

It was at this same time when I started drinking Shakeology that my coach approached me and asked what I thought about becoming a coach myself. Honestly I was flattered but I knew NOTHING about coaching. She was so professional and knowledgeable about health, fitness, clean eating and Beachbody and I was JUST starting my journey. She also told me that I could be a "preferred customer" if I wanted to and get 25% of of my Shakeology and any other products I purchased (HECK YAY, Coupon Queen over here!!) and I would also be able to join her challenge group as a challenger but at the same time learn how to coach others. I did this for 90 days as I went through my own personal transformation and ended 2012 down 42 pounds. I was PUMPED, I was no longer hiding in the back of pictures, I was LOVING my new, cute clothes and I was full of energy, which was really helpful with a one and a half year old! I knew if I could do this working a full time job with an infant that anyone could do it!

I met with my coach, joined her 60 day apprenticeship program where I learned everything she knew and did to get her to where she is today. I was given tools, documents, support, motivation and guidance to grow my own team. And then I told her that I was ready to do it on my own. I hit the ground running and have not looked back. I have successfully ran 1-2 challenge groups every month for the past 16 months, I am currently a Success Club 10 All Star, I have 25 personally sponsored coaches and a total of 40 coaches on my team! I ranked in the top 25 out of thousands of teams on the Beachbody Cup Challenge and I will be taking an all expense paid trip with my hubby in March as a reward for my efforts. It it not my intention in any way to brag or show off, I just hope to show you that ANYTHING is possible when you set your mind to it!! So here's where my story ends and YOURS begins!!

I had an amazing year but I only have BIGGER and BOLDER dreams for 2014 and I want YOU to be a part of them!! I want you to live the life of your dreams, set your own hours, help you help others, help you spend more time with your children and family and help you to financial freedom! Whether you are a stay at home mom or a busy working professional, if you have a passion for health and fitness or if you enjoy helping others I'd love to chat about joining my team. As I said above if you only join to get a discount on your products while you go through your own transformation that's awesome! And if you want to actively grow your own business, fill out the application below! Challenge group and Coach Apprenticeship groups start Monday January 6th!!

P90X3 Review. Participate in Exclusive Test Group

So Thanksgiving is over, and you may or may not have stayed on track but that doesn't mean you have to throw in the towel and just fall off the wagon completely! There's NO reason to sit around feeling sorry for yourself and continuing to eat yourself silly! Nope! It's time to stand up, dust yourself off and get right back on track!

And just in the nick of time Beachbody will be releasing P90X3 on Tuesday December 10th!! Are you a P90X graduate? What about a P90X drop out? Either way the new P90X3 is perfect for EVERYONE!!
All good things come in threes, but be warned: P90X3 is far from a trilogy. No, P90X3 is NOT the kid sister workout. It’s the workout that took notes from it’s siblings, then condensed, and accelerated to become the most dynamic and fastest workout yet.

So what's it all about? I'm SO glad you asked!! Let's check it out...
The ultimate excuse buster
Time is the biggest excuse. P90X3 solves that. Every workout is 30 minutes and the clock starts the minute you push play. Before you can say “drop and give me 10,” it’s over and you are one workout closer to the six-pack of your dreams. 

Muscle acceleration explained
Many P90X fans were hooked on the science of muscle confusion – which introduced variety to the workouts and prevented plateauing. P90X3 takes a hint from that success and from studies showing the most dramatic body transformations happen within the first 30 minutes of exercise. Enter muscle acceleration, a Tony Horton-approved highly-structured schedule with an incredibly high level of intensity and an unprecedented variety of moves. The gurus behind P90X3 combined exercises and added some twists to maximize your time and keep every muscle challenged for a full 30 minutes.

Along with the constant entertainment of Tony Horton's one liners, P90X3 has the most workouts of any Beachbody program. With 16 workouts in the base kit, they switch it up before you have a chance to consider boredom. From cardio to strength to pilates to MMX, there is something for everyone!!
The ideal P90X3-er
It may seem lofty to proclaim, but P90X3 is indeed a workout for everyone.  Everyone searching for tighter abs and leaner muscles, that is. But fitness novices and experts need not be afraid by P90X3’s come-one-come-all invitation. You don’t have to have any previous P90X experience in order to get killer results. For the beginner, the variety of workouts in P90X3 is the perfect place to discover their fitness style. If the move can be modified there is a cast member showing you how. But don’t expect to be an expert on day one. (Yes, fitness veterans will still be challenged.) As Tony says, ”You don’t get off easy, you just get to finish faster!” 

It doesn’t stop there
And of course there are some bells and whistles too good to ignore. First off, the Coach exclusive: If P90X3 is purchased through ME as your Coach any time from December 10^th – 31^st (including Challenge Packs), the customer receives an exclusive P90X3 baseball cap. What better way to spread the word about this revolutionary program?

And last but not least, we have the app: Yes, now for the first time the P90X app is available on Android and iOS (will be available 12/10 on Android) The app includes P90X guided workouts, tools to track your reps, weights and progress. Launching soon, is the P90X3 addition – which brings you workout specific tracking modules, scheduling options and the motivation you need to power through the 90 days. P90X3 scheduling and tracking will be available on the app for Android on 12/10 and is coming soon for iPhone. Check out the app and get ready to bring it!

So when can you get it?

You can score your very own P90X3 on December 10th.  P90X3 will be released on my site in which you have a couple of options.  There will be an introductory price of $180 vs $205 for the Challenge Pack which includes the 90 day workout, the nutrition guide, program manual, schedule of workouts, shakeology, free 30 day trial of the club membership, free shipping and a discounted price when you get the package. 

Or your second option is to purchase the program alone.  That is $119.00, and the equipment needed are weights, bands and an optional pull up bar but you can use a band with an over the door attachment if you don't have one!  I did my whole first round of P90X with the bands and got amazing results.

If you would like to be notified when you can officially purchase the workout please go to my site and create a FREE account and you will receive an email from me the minute that it's released!  You won't want to wait, this is going to go fast!

It's important to know that this is not a graduate program.  That means you do not have to have done P90X or P90X2 in order to do this workout!  There are also great modifications so no matter what your ability level you can do this workout! Check out these results from the test group! 39 out of 40 people in the Test group lost 10% of their body fat %!!!!! (Whoa! How awesome is that?!)

X3 Schedule Choices
* CLASSIC – Traditional balance of cardio and resistance, will help you gain muscle and lose fat
* LEAN – Designed for those who prefer a more toned look, where you’ll target functionality, mobility and cardio over resistance training
* MASS – For those looking for bulk over getting ripped, you will focus on more resistance training, while incorporating a higher caloric intake into your diet
* DOUBLES – As Tony would say, this schedule is for workout “psychos” who have the ability to push through two workouts per day

So you have decided to do an Exclusive P90X3 test group!  I am only accepting a select number of individuals who would like to get my support, motivation and accountability to start and finish this program.  The point is to get in the best shape of your life in 90 days!!!  I will walk you through every single step of the program using the nutrition guide, the workouts and the 24/7 support of me as your coach in a private closed group.  I will teach you how to meal plan, prep, and set yourself up for success!  This group will begin on December 30th, 2013 and will run for 90 days.  Just in time for your new years resolution!!!  Start the new year in the very best shape of your life.

Send me a friend request on Facebook and fill out the application today to be considered for a spot in the test group.

Registration closes on December 20th 2013.

3 Worst Thanksgiving Dishes and How to Make them Healthier

 

I think it’s a fair statement to say that when we think of Thanksgiving Dinner we think of yummy, savory and sweet foods that are not so friendly to the waist line. But no matter how dedicated you are to your nutrition and fitness routines, smelling those flavors swirl around your kitchen would be a challenge to anyone!  But just because these foods are heavy with calories, fat, sugar, butter, etc doesn’t mean you have to miss out!!  Here are a few of the worst holiday dishes followed by a healthier version so that you can enjoy without all of the guilt!!

1. Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes on their own are a healthy side dish packed with Vitamin A and high in fiber. But one serving can tip the calorie counter at 460 calories when you add in the butter, marshmallows, nuts and brown sugar.

HEALTHY SWAP – Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
What You Need

* 2 large  sweet potatoes (1-1/2 lb.)

* 2 oz.  (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) Philidelphia Neufchatel Cheese, cubed

* 2 Tbsp.  fat-free milk

* 1 Tbsp.  brown sugar

* ¼ tsp.  ground cinnamon

* ¼ cup  chopped pecans

Directions:

HEAT oven to 425ºF.

CUT potatoes lengthwise in half; place, cut sides down, on foil-covered rimmed baking sheet. Bake 30 to 35 min. or until tender.

SCOOP out centers of potatoes into medium bowl, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells. Add Neufchatel, milk, sugar and cinnamon to potato flesh; mash until blended.

FILL shells with potato mixture; sprinkle with nuts. Bake 8 min. or until potatoes are heated through and nuts are toasted.

Shortcut

Pierce whole sweet potatoes with fork; wrap in damp paper towels. Microwave on HIGH 7 to 8 min. or until tender. Cut potatoes in half; scoop out centers and continue as directed.

Make Ahead

Stuff potato shells as directed; refrigerate up to 1 hour. When ready to serve, bake as directed, increasing baking time as needed until filling is heated through. 

Calories: 210, Fat: 8, Fiber: 4

2. Stuffing
Stuffing is a doozie!! It contains white bread and lots of butter. Some recipes call for sausage or other meats. But have NO fear!! You can lighten it up and still enjoy a clean version packed with flavor!

HEALTHY SWAP – Apple, fig and Sage Stuffing
What You Need

• 1 24-oz loaf whole-wheat bread (680 g), trimmed of crust and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 to 3 carrots, peeled and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 3 to 4 celery ribs, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 large white onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp chile powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 10 to 12 unsweetened dried figs, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 apples (such as McIntosh, Cortland, Gala or Golden Delicious), cored and chopped
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, plus additional 1/2 cup as needed
• 1 1/2 tbsp chopped fresh sage

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide bread among 2 rimmed baking sheets and arrange in a single layer; transfer to oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring once, until lightly toasted.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat oil on medium-high. Add carrots, celery and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in thyme, rosemary, chile powder, salt and pepper. Add figs and apples and stir well to combine. Remove from heat, add bread and stir to combine. Stir in broth. Stuffing should be uniformly moist but not wet; if needed, add additional 1/2 cup broth. Stir in sage. Stuff turkey and cook according to recipe.
   
   

Nutrients per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 162, Total Fat: 3 g, Sat. Fat: 0 g, Carbs: 33 g, Fiber: 5 g, Sugars: 11 g, Protein: 6 g, Sodium: 324 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg

Source:  http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/recipes/under-45-minutes/fig-apple-sage-stuffing/

3.  Pecan Pie

Pecans provide you with healthy fats and aren’t the worst part of the dessert. Once you add it to the buttery crust and top it with whipped cream, brown sugar etc the calories and fat are through the roof!

HEATHY SWAP: Baked Fruit

What You Need

• 1 1/2 pounds ripe apples; peeled, cored and quartered
• 1 1/2 pounds ripe pears; peeled, cored and quartered
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350′. Lightly butter a 9-inch (8-cup capacity) oval gratin baking dish. Add the apples, pears, cranberries, lemon juice, honey, and vanilla; mix well. Bake until the fruit is tender, can be 30 minutes or up to one hour. Sprinkle with walnuts and serve hot or at room temperature.

Serves 6

Source: http://acowboyswife.com/walnut-dusted-oven-baked-apples-and-pears/

You can HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO!!!

What's your favorite holiday dish that you would like a clean version of? If you post in the comments I will give you some suggestions and possibly a recipe!

For more tips and info on health and fitness send me a message or friend request on Facebook!!

How to Stay on Track This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is 4 days away!! It is a wonderful time to spend with family, friends and loved ones, but it is also an opportunity to throw all of your fitness and healthy eating goals right out the window!
How do we do it? How do we stay on track with all that YUMMY food in our faces? Can you REALLY say no to that green bean casserole, sweet potato pie, turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and holiday cheer at the bar? Would you really enjoy your time if you sat there with a plate full of salad and a glass of water while others indulged right before your very eyes? No! And you don’t have to!! The holidays are a time to celebrate each other, celebrate family and friends and all that we are thankful for. And one of those things is our health! We have total control of what we do to our bodies and our health so keep reading and let me show you how you can indulge in holiday treats without undoing a week’s worth of progress in one sitting.

 

1. Quantity Does Not Equal Quality

Ok so your Great Grandma’s sweet potato pie has taken first place at the county fair 15 years in a row, but the amazing taste of all her love baked into that sugary, buttery goodness  isn't any less yummy if you only have a small scoop instead of  filling half your plate. Treat yourself to all of your favorite goodies this Thanksgiving, but keep in mind that the quality of the food does not increase the more you eat, and the flavor will not be any less delectable if you don't eat as much as you did last year.

2. Eat on a smaller plate
Let’s be honest, holidays make it very difficult to avoid the temptation! You fill your plate to the max with delectable goodies, savory sides and tasty treats! So instead of trying to pick and choose which dished you’re going to skip, just use a smaller plate! You can still have a little of this and a little of that, still fill up your smaller plate, but just the act of using a smaller plate alone will save you up to 500 calories from your meal!! 

3. Put Down the Fork!
Do you start loading up your fork for the next bite while your mouth is still full of food from your last bite?  If you have your mouth full of succulent turkey or fresh green beans, put your fork down. Take some time to TASTE what you are eating, ENJOY your company and have some dinner conversation.  Wait to take your next bite until you’re done with the first one. This will help you to eat slower and let you to be more aware of when your body is satisfied not stuffed!!!

4. Drink Water

As you enjoy the festivities don’t forget to hydrate…with water! I know once the day gets going it’s hard to remember simple things like drinking water but it’s so important. I find something that REALLY helps me to get in my daily dose is to leave a few bottles around where I know I’ll see them. So I put one next to the coffee pot and drink it while the pot brews. Put one on the bathroom counter and drink it while the shower warms up. Leave one by my purse and drink it on the way to Thanksgiving dinner.  Staying hydrated will help you know the difference between actual hunger and dehydration.  And this will help you make good decisions with portions sizes. You wont load up on heaping helpings because you wont feel starved.

5. Take a breather
So you finished your plate but now you’re eyeballing that bowl of stuffing. Take a break. Actively make a point to engage in conversation, check on the kids or simply just sit and relax. Make sure you wait five full minutes before you reach for seconds. And while you’re taking a break really tune into your body and what you’re feeling. Are you just wanting more because it “tastes” good or “smells” good or do you really feel hungry for more? Keep in mind that you still have dessert and coffee coming up so help clear the table, go for a walk or get a game of football started out on the lawn!

So now that you know you don’t have to miss out on all the fun and moderation is the key to success, you can relax this Thanksgiving and stay on track! Enjoy your healthy holidays!!!

BUT, just in case you did blow it a little bit over the holiday you still have time to get it back in order before New Years!

I am hosting a 21 day Healthy for the Holidays accountability group to keep you on track!  I'll teach you tips just like the ones above to help you stay focused with balance.

There is just something about having support that makes all the difference in the world!!!

To connect on Facebook please send me a friend request, I'd love to help you on your health and fitness journey!

T25 Chalean Extreme Week 2 Review

My hubby fixed my weights and I am one happy girl!! I have been craving my lifting workouts and now I'm back on track! Like I said last week I tend to do better with lifting heavy and not as much cardio so my plan this week included a bit of both and I feel like I had a good mix and am starting to get results.

I wanted to share something that I struggled with this week, my routine! Last week I was on point. 5am the alarm went off I jumped out of bed, drank my E&E and crushed my workouts. This week I still got up ok, drank my E&E but got started posting in my challenge groups, chatting with challengers and coaches on my team and didnt get my workout in until noon. As much as this is a part of my job and very important things for both them and me I need to stick to my schedule. So this coming week I'm not getting on the computer until 6am when I've completed my workout!

Week 2
Monday - Chalean Extreme Push Circuit 1
Tuesday - T25 Speed 1.0
Wednesday - Chalean Extreme Push Circuit 2
Thursday  - T25 Total Body Circuit
Friday - Chalean Extreme Push Circuit 3
Saturday - T25 Cardio
Sunday - Rest

Another thing I'd like to point out about this week is that I was starving!!! I noticed it mid afternoon on Monday right after my workout. I stuck to my meal plan, drank lots of water but was just plain hungry. As soon as this started I remembered that the same thing happened when I was doing Chalean Extreme over the summer. But I was prepared.

I had actually prepared some extras snacks Tuesday when I made my meals for the week so I just grabbed a couple hard boiled eggs for Salsa Boats or peppers and hummus and was good to go. I've been really focusing on drinking at least a gallon of water each day too. Yes, this sends me running for the nearest restroom lol, but I know it will stop soon as my body will get used to it. 

This time of year is a busy one for every one but in addition to the "normal" holiday festivities we have over 10 birthdays in our immediate family between October and December where we usually get together for dinner and celebrations. So it is crucial for me to plan ahead when I will have my cheat meals so that #1 I'm mentally prepared to stay strong and not cave when I'm faced with foods not on my meal plan and #2 I enjoy it and don't feel guilty about it. This year I have done something I've been trying to do for years but haven't actually successfully done and that's bringing or making my own meal while others are eating other food. This year for my mom's birthday we had Chinese food. And as much is that is one of my FAVORITE foods it was also during the week that I had 4 other dinners. So I just talked to her and said that I would be making my own dinner as it was important to me to be there to celebrate with her but it was also important for me to stay on track with my training and clean eating. She completely understood and supported me an no one even batted an eye!! So while they enjoyed their Chinese food I enjoyed my spaghetti squash and turkey meatballs (all homemade!)

My meal plan this week was very similar to last week as I am following the Eat Clean Diet Stripped plan. I have been participating in a 30 day challenge group as a challenger instead of a coach and it is so much fun! I've forgotten what it was like to be involved from this side and my fellow challengers are just awesome! We've been sharing some great recipes, motivating and cheering each other on!

I am half way through the Eat Clean Stripped challenge group and will be starting a new 21 day TEST challenge group, Healthy for the Holidays on December 2nd to continue on my journey. I'd LOVE to have you join me. If you are ready to get a jump start on your weight loss before the year is over check out the details here and contact me to get started!!

T25 Week 1 Progress with Meal Plan

Officially back on track and feeling great!! I restarted T25 after my move now that I'm all settled in and I am following the Eat Clean Diet Stripped meal plan along with it. My original plan was to also combine Chalean Extreme in this week with T25 but when I went to get my weights ready last Sunday night I found out that they were stuck and I cant get them out of the base. But I didn't let that throw me off track. I just moved forward with T25 and my clean eating until I can get them fixed!

I am feeling more comfortable with the moves and I feel that by focusing on them and perfecting my form that I will get results faster than just "going through the motions" which I found myself doing sometimes. I've really had to have some conversations in my own head while working out. Checking myself when I KNOW I'm half assin the moves. When Shaun T says SPRINT I have to say "Melinda is this a sprint or a JOG, STEP IT UP!" I have very limited time to work out before my son wakes up and my day gets busy with mom duties, play dates, coaching  etc so I dont have time to give it anything less than 100% effort!

At the end of the week something funny happened...well lets just say that I found it anything BUT funny but I still want to share. I started AND ended this week at the same EXACT weight of 151.5 and I lost 1 inch around my waist. I was BUMMED...I crushed my workouts, I followed my meal plan, drank a gallon of water a day, drank my Shakeology etc, so what happened? Well here's what I think. First it was "that time", ladies you know what I'm talking about. So I'm going to take that into consideration. But I also think that I might be at a plateau. I have lost and maintained a 45 pound weight loss from last year and I think its time to change things up a bit. I know that my body responds well to lifting heavy weights so that's where I'll be making some changes this week and going forward. My weights should be repaired today and I will be doing Chalean Extreme 3 days a week and T25 3 days a week. I enjoy the cardio but that's not going to deliver the muscle definition that I'm looking for and lets face it, building muscle helps you burn more calories so its a win-win!! Since this new plan is just a trial, no scientific proof it will work lol, I am looking forward to reporting back to let you know how it goes!!

Here is the meal plan I used for week one following Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Diet Stripped book!!

I'm looking forward to the next 7 weeks of the year to see where my journey takes me. Eating clean (following the stripped plan specifically) has left me feeling full of energy, less bloated, feeling and looking lean and able to get into jeans comfortably with no muffin top!! HECK YA!!

If you you are interested in learning more about clean eating, Shakeology or working out I'd love to chat and help you get on the right track! Friend me on Facebook and shoot me a message saying that you saw this blog post and want more info!!