SS Beachbody Succes Club Cruise 2014

So let me start out by saying that NEVER in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be telling you the story I am about to tell you right now!!

It all goes back to January of 2012...(Short version) I was 196 pounds, tired, depressed, new mom and we were making ends meet paycheck to paycheck. I was able to lose about 20 pounds on my own but then got stuck. I needed help and I needed a plan. I joined my first challenge group and almost immediately my coach asked me if I wanted to be a coach. I did so primarily for the discount on my own products but then there was a spark inside of me that I couldn't put out! So I jumped in and started coaching. At this time all of the coaches on my team were buzzing about this trip to Disneyworld that they had all earned for FREE!! I was intrigued but figured that you had to be a TOP COACH or big dollar earner to be able to go. When the trip finally came about and the pictures started rolling around with my teammates and their families having an absolute BLAST I knew I WANTED THAT!! There was NO question in my mind, I was going to make it happen!! And I DID!!!

This year the Success Club trip was aboard the S.S. Beachbody where Beachbody charted a cruise ship EXCLUSIVELY for Beachbody coaches and their families. My husband and I were able to attend this cruise for FREE and were even gifted with $500 spending money as a reward for being a Success Club All Star. Now I know that some of those things I just said may not mean much to you right now. But if you are achieving Success Club every month in your business it means that you are helping to change lives, helping others get physically and financially fit. It means you are putting the needs of others before yours and you are helping them to reach THEIR goals. Like I said at the top of this post I NEVER in my wildest dreams thought I would ever find a "job" (if you can even call it that) where we are so greatly rewarded for HELPING people. Honestly I would do this even if I didnt get paid one cent because this just fills my cup and makes me happy but it is amazing to also feel so appreciated for our hard work.

Since the last real vacation my husband and I were able to take was our honeymoon we decided that we wanted to head to Ft. Lauderdale, FL a day early to have some time just relaxing on the beach and visiting with friends before we boarded the cruise. It was ABSOLUTELY beautiful!! The water was clear, the palm trees were tall and we had a great time walking around and people watching. It was also really great to spend some time with my coach and one of my best friends, Melanie Mitro! We got to workout, walk on the beach and just have some great conversations and laughs!

Being that this cruise was the first cruise for both Ruben and myself I was a little nervous, I didnt know what to expect. But when the CEO and members of the corporate team are there to welcome you literally as you walk on all my fears went out the window!! How amazing is that when the leaders of the company get down and mingle with everyone, treat everyone as equals and have a great time themselves!!

We checked into our ocean view room, unpacked and headed out for some fun!! Each night of the cruise had a different theme and it was so fun to participate as a team and really build those relationships that we have over the computer each and every day!

 

In TRUE Beachbody fashion we had to kick off the first day with a morning workout. It was AMAZING to watch the sun rise while doing a LIVE T25 workout with Shaun T and all of my best friends!!! I seriously get chills just thinking about this morning!! Not only did we get to work out with Shaun T, but we all qualified for an exclusive photo op with Autumn Calabrese the creator or the 21 Day Fix, she is an absolute sweetheart and it was so great to meet her in person!

Of course it was on to lots of rest and relaxation, celebrating and team building by the pool!! Not only am I proud to be a member of the Dream Team but also a part of the Bombshell Dynasty. These are some of the most amazing women, entrepreneurs and leaders I know!!

Formal night was such a blast. We don't often get to dress up at home so it was really special to get dressed up and go out with my hubby. I always heard about the amazing food on the cruise and how you can try a little of this and a  little of that, so we definitely didn't hold back! But what we did do to keep ourselves on track was to share things. Its important to splurge in moderation!! After Formal Night we headed to the night club where we got to mingle again with CEO Carl Daikeler and share an evening of laughs and great times!

 

Wednesday started one of our two excursions and we had a GREAT time in Cozumel!! Have you seen the show Wipe Out? Yup we did that, I will no longer say "oh come on, that was easy" lol!! That baby is so deceiving, such a great workout!! We also participated in a water balloon toss, hung in hammocks on the beach, went kayaking and enjoyed a traditional Mexican buffet. The guys also went on the water slides and took a dip in the pool. It was so awesome to see the husbands all bonding too, makes it feel that much more like family!

Dream Team Kayak Trip

Playa Mia Cozumel

After a long day in the sun we were pretty tired but still wanted to participate in the Disco night. It was so awesome seeing everyone dressed up in all the crazy attire. Ruben got so many compliments on his afro it was the perfect touch!! We did join our friends for dinner and then decided to have a relaxing night with movies and dessert for room service.

 

70's Disco Party

 

Boat ride with the Hennessey's

Thursday was the second of the excursions. We took a catamaran to the Grand Cayman Islands and went to Sting Ray City. I was not adventurous enough to swim with this Sting Rays but it was BEAUTIFUL scenery!! The warm sun and crystal clear water was amazing. The sting rays swam right up to the swimmers and were very playful!!

Soaking up some sun!!

The ride out to see the Sting Rays was really special for me. Not only did I get to hang with Melanie again but I also spent time with Lindsay Matway. I know many of you may not know what the big deal is about Melanie and Lindsay but these two women hold the #1 and #2 spots as the TOP ranked coaches in the entire Beachbody organization. I'm not sharing this to "name drop" I'm sharing this because I want to show how the LEADERS in this company are REAL, down to earth women. Women with families, funny stories, and same day to day situations that we ALL have. They have just decided to have laser focus on their business and their passions for helping others succeed!! It was an amazing opportunity to be able to network and pick their brains for business building strategies and really just soak up all their knowledge!!

 

White Party Dinner with the Besties!! 

 Thursday ended the evening festivities with the White Party! This was a great way to end a week full of fun and bonding with our team. Even in the pouring rain some of the coaches got out there and danced the night away! These are some of my absolute best friends that if it weren't for Beachbody I may have never met!!

So now as I am back to reality I sit here reflecting on the vacation we had last week and all the fun and I realize that its not about the free trips, the fun gifts but it's about the people whose lives you touch along the way! Its about making that choice back in 2012 to get myself in shape, to pay it forward and help others and to have an impact on them. I am truly blessed to have been given this opportunity to share wealth and health with others. And I literally want to shout about it from the mountain tops for all to hear! This trip is about networking with others about connecting to other coaches with similar stories, and building relationships with people that lift you up and push you to be better than you ever imagined.  This trip has taught me that ANYONE can help and they SKY is the limit.  It's time for me to get back to work, to continue to inspire others to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives!!

If you would like to join me next year in Cancun Mexico for the Success Club Trip 2015 then complete the application below to grab a spot in my Coach Apprenticeship Mentoring Program and I will teach you how the small things you do every day can lead to success!!!

Is Frozen Yogurt Healthy?

Unless you've been living under a rock, you can't help but notice that a new frozen yogurt shop is popping up on almost every corner. Whether its PinkBerry, Yogurt Land, or any other trendy shop you know they have also been multiplying like rabbits across strip malls, shopping centers, office complexes, and even casinos and hotels across the country. If they haven't hit your town yet, don't worry, they likely will.  Frozen yogurt is low in calories, with lots of healthy flora for your intestinal health, this new yogurt trend seems too good to be true—but is it?

Is it healthy?

Yogurt is generally healthy. It contains cultures that are helpful to maintain intestinal health, has calcium, and is low in calories and fat. An 8-ounce serving of frozen yogurt contains on average about 200 calories, 8 grams of protein, no fat, and about 32 percent of your daily value of calcium. The fresh fruit toppings are unsweetened and have very few calories; so generally, frozen yogurt makes for a healthy snack. However, keep in mind that most of these calories come from added sugar, so they are more likely to turn into stored fat in your body if you don't burn them off. While its calcium content is also pretty good, you'll get almost twice as much calcium from regular non-frozen yogurt than you will get from the frozen kind. Non-frozen yogurt also contains more protein.

The real trouble comes when you get to the topping counter. Fresh fruit is a great option, but I'm pretty sure you're scooping a little Oreo here and some gummy worms there, a drizzle of syrup and a sprinkle of chocolate chips, so it's pretty hard to claim that you're eating healthy at that point. Most of us have somehow fooled ourselves into thinking that toppings don't count when, in fact, they add up to more empty calories than the entire dish of yogurt. And when you put your yogurt into a cone instead of a cup, you're adding even more empty calories to your dessert or snack—120 calories for a typical waffle cone.

In short, frozen yogurt isn't terrible for your diet, but it isn't a super healthy food, either. It's a much better option than ice cream and its high levels of saturated fat, but yogurt doesn't necessarily have less sugar. It's better than cookies, cake, or candy, too, but it's not as good as fresh fruit for something that satisfies your sweet tooth and makes you healthy at the same time. It'll be better for your figure and your wallet to simply have a bowl of fruit mixed with your favorite yogurt. Or, if you're after a more typical "dessert" treat, try one of these chilly treats . . .

3 Healthy Frozen Treats

Frozen fruit. Even the worst cook can manage this one. Just pop some fresh grapes, strawberries, bananas, etc., into the freezer for a bit and pop them in your mouth. This is a great idea for kids who pass up fruit offered in a bowl. They will suddenly appreciate this new frozen delight. 

 

 Fancy ice cubes. Try pouring your coconut water into an ice cube tray and inserting toothpicks when the cubes start to get slushy enough to allow the toothpicks to stand up. You've made your own healthy mini-popsicles. For bartenders, this is also a great addition to beverages. Try a glass of seltzer water with some frozen lemon juice cubes on a hot summer day. It'll make you forget about lemonade. 

Make your own sorbet. You can make delicious ice creams and sorbets out of fresh fruit and keep out a lot of the artificial colors and flavors and obscene amounts of sugar that many store brands contain. Blend frozen fruit—berries, peaches, whatever your favorite is—with some plain yogurt. Before you know it, fruit and yogurt will be enough of a treat, and you won't even miss the crushed Oreos!

I hope I've provided you with some tasty treat ideas for this upcoming summer!! For more healthy tips like these follow me on Facebook!

21 Day Fix Final Results & week 8 T25 Update with meal plan!

 

My hubby and I have officially finished the 21 Day Fix! I am down 6.5 pounds and 1.5 inches off of my waist and Ruben is down 9 pounds!!

We absolutely LOVED this program so much that I am starting round 2 this week. I really have nothing bad to say about this program! It was very simple to follow the plan out lined in the program guide to create our meal plans. (You can see week 1, and week 2 here) I was never hungry, in fact there were some days that I wasn't sure I could eat all of my food. The program provided a great variety of food choices and incorporates all food groups. I am NOT a fan of starvation diets or eliminating entire food groups if you hope to have any success, so this plan was PERFECT for me. It is also something that I can incorporate into my every day life and the lives of my family Its about easting whole, healthy foods and keeping the portions in control.

There is an optional 3 Day Quick Fix that comes with the program as well for an added boost at the end. This is a little more strict than the rest of the program but seriously its so much food! I think the hardest part for me was the fact hat I couldn't have my daily Shakeology. I LOVE my chocolate fix and that was one thing that I missed. The plan incorporates 6 meals a day, and a gallon of water. So I made it a point to drink a 20oz bottle of water with each meal and I hit my mark.  anyone can do this!!

This past week we also finished our 8th week of T25. Since we started with this program Ruben is down 24 pounds and I am down 13 pounds!! That's a COMBINED 37 pounds in 8 weeks!!

We are half way through the Beta round and really starting to see great progress. Ruben has upped his weights and we are really continuing to focus on form. I've been doing a lot of thinking about this and if I'm going to commit to short, 25 minute workouts, then I need to give 110% effort. I have ONE opportunity to workout in my daily schedule so I'm not going to do it half way! I'm also really trying to work on my reps. So with push ups if I feel like I can only squeak out one more I push to do three more. Then the next time 5 more. That is how we make progress, day by day, little by little.

I have three 21 Day Fix groups currently running and they are reporting amazing results as well! If you are looking for accountability, support with portion control and are interested in joining us on April 7th I would LOVE to chat to see if this would be a good fit for you!! Please feel free to send me a friend request on Facebook and fill out the application below.

21 Day Fix - 3 Day Quick Fix with Meal Plan

As if the 21 Day Fix program isn't awesome enough on its own, they went and added a 3 Day Quick Fix at the end!! 

This 3 day quick fix is something you would use if maybe you want to drop a few pounds for an upcoming wedding. Maybe you want to make a splash at the beach this weekend. Or maybe you need a reboot to stop a few bad nutritional habits. This is not something you want to do for any longer than three days, but if done occasionally, it's a great way to lose a little weight fast.

You can definitely use this at any time as I mentioned above and also at the end of each round of the 21 Day Fix so you can get a boost on the results for the next round! It can be pretty challenging, so be ready for it. And don't worry! If this is too restrictive for you then skip it! You will still get AMAZING results just by following the program as it is designed!!

So here are the deets...

*Space your meals approximately two hours apart

*Steamed veggie options recommended are broccoli, asparagus, green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, or bell peppers

*Seasonings allowed are lemon and lime juice, vinegars, and spices. NO SALT!!

*Oatmeal can be flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg or ONE packet (1/2 tsp) of Stevia

*Drink at least one gallon of water a day. Spread it out as much as possible, starting with a glass when you first wake up. It will help you feel full while it flushes toxins from your system

*Drink the extra-virgin coconut oil with meals. To prepare it, place the desired amount into a microwave save bowl and zap it for 10 to 15 seconds

*Coffee or tea is okay to drink, but avoid creamers and sweeteners - except stevia. Again, you can use one packet or 1/2 teaspoon

*Again, no need to alter your workouts. The 3 Day Quick Fix can be used anytime. It is also recommended using it during the last three days - and ONLY THREE DAYS for maximum results!

Since I'm doing this with my hubby I cooked up a big batch of steel cut oats, chicken, turkey and veggies and we portioned them out into tupperware containers for each day. For this part of the program especially I feel its super important to get the meal prep done ahead of time. You may be feeling a little hungry, a little busy etc and just want to grab an apple or handful of crackers but this is GAME TIME!! It's SO important to stay on track....it's ONLY three days!

Here is the MEAL PLAN... there is no need to adjust your workouts - or the rest of your life, for that matter. Just follow this simple eating plan for three days by eating these foods, measuring them out using the corresponding containers. You will ONLY use the yellow, green and red containers for the next three days!

FEMALE
Meal 1  - .... Steel Cut Oatmeal (cooked) .... Egg whites (4)        * 1 tsp coconut oil    
Meal 2  - .... Steamed yams                     .... Grilled chicken

Meal 3 -  .... Steamed Veggies                 .... Steamed fish

Meal 4 -  .... Steamed Veggies                 .... Grilled chicken      * 1 tsp coconut oil  
Meal 5 -  .... Steamed Veggies                 .... Steamed fish          *1 tsp coconut oil

Meal 6 -  .... Steamed Veggies                 .... Ground xtra-lean turkey  *1 tsp coconut oil
MALE
Meal 1  - .... Steel Cut Oatmeal (cooked) .... Egg whites (4)        * 1 tsp coconut oil    
Meal 2  - .... Steamed yams                     .... Grilled chicken

Meal 3 -  .... Steamed Veggies                 .... .... Steamed fish

Meal 4 -  .... .... Steamed Veggies           .... Grilled chicken      * 1 tsp coconut oil  
Meal 5 -  .... Steamed Veggies                 .... .... Steamed fish   * 1 tsp coconut oil

Meal 6 -  .... Steamed Veggies                 .... Ground xtra-lean turkey  *1 tsp coconut oil
 

So we're officially off and running. This morning I weighed in at 149.5 and I'll keep you updated on my progress. Check back on Monday to see how we did!!

If you have any questions or would like more info on the 21 Day Fix program please don't hesitate to reach out and shoot me a friend request on Facebook!!

If this looks like something you're ready to jump in on I'd love to have you join us for our next 21 Day Fix Challenge group!! Fill out the application below :)

21 Day Fix Week 2 & T25 Week 7 Review with Meal Plan

I am excited to say that we have just finished week 7 of T25 Beta and week 2 of the 21 Day Fix! Since starting T25 we are down a combined 31 pounds!!!

These moves are still a little tricky but we're working on perfecting them. That one leg burpee gets me every time!! But I am also noticing that we are getting much stronger! I'm noticing we are able to push harder with less breaks and that we are keeping much better form! I love the fact that the Beta phase incorporates weights. I am all about lifting and this is right up my ally. Since my husband and I are working out together and only have one set of weights we are taking turn using the resistance bands and the Bow Flex Select Tech weights. I honestly feel that I get a great workout either way. So if you dont have weights dont let that scare you. You can definitely still achieve great results with the resistance bands.

During the later part of this week Ruben hurt his foot and had to sit a few workouts out. He made them up by the end of the week but it was hard to take that rest time :( We also traveled out of town but we didn't let that throw us off track. I brought my T25 and did my solo workouts and we brought our cooler full of food for the couple days we were gone. We are working VERY hard to follow these programs to a T and we aren't going to let anything get in the way!

Speaking of food...let me move over the to the 21 Day Fix week 2 update! So we were feeling a little more comfortable with the containers this week and wanted to try some new things :) We are each down another 2 pounds!!

Some of my favorites this week were the Chicken Stir Fry and the Turkey Avocado burgers!! Like I said above we were out of town a few days this weekend and had to do some planning ahead. most of my food was already cooked and portioned but because we are being so strict with our plan I found myself reviewing and re-reviewing the plan and cooler to make sure we had everything packed. But I must say that taking a few hours of the day on the weekend is a TOTAL life saver during the week. I LITERALLY grab the tupperware containers and go! 

So to summarize, this week was really a success in my eyes!! We followed the workout schedule, stuck to our meal plan while traveling and attending a baby shower!! Oh yah...forgot to say that I was the cake cutter and didn't EVEN lick my fingers after!! That is some SERIOUS will power! My one regret, and this is a BIG one, especially as a Beachbody coach, is that I did not take my measurements at the start of this program. But I can tell you that we are both dropping pant sizes and notches on our belts!! Stay tuned for week three! See you soon :)

If you are looking for health and fitness support or are interested in joining one of my on line accountability groups I'd love to chat! Please send me a friend request on Facebook or fill out the application below!