Turbo Fire is HERE! What's in the package?

3-Day Shakeology Cleanse - Day 3

Quick update: The scale didn't move this morning so I lost a total of 4 pounds in 3 days! Not too shabby :) :)

What do you think of this dress?? :)

~Beth

Shakeology Cleanse: Day 2 Vlog

Shakeology Cleanse: Day 1 Vlog

3-Day Shakeology Cleanse Vlog

3 Day Shakeology Cleanse - Starts May 24th!

The Science Behind the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse
by Steve Edwards, Director of Results

I like to call the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse a “performance cleanse.” This is because it was designed to be done with a workout program. Let’s take a look at how this differs from other cleanses, how to tailor it to your needs, and what to expect if you decide to try it.

First of all, it’s not a true cleanse. It’s a calorie-restricted and nutrient-dense diet plan. Traditional cleanses contain very few calories and nutrients. Compared to the much more popular Master Cleanse, it’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Traditional cleansing diets are done to rid your system of toxins and bring it into homeostasis. They also contain a spiritual aspect. This process can take a long time, which is why you may have seen coworkers walking around the office in a zombie-like state for weeks on end—swilling a strange concoction of lemons and maple syrup.

The Shakeology cleanse is nothing like that. Depending on how you decide to do it, you’ll be eating frequently and consuming between 800 and 1,200 calories per day, and it could be even more should you feel the need. The point of this cleanse is not calorie restriction, per se—it’s nutrient efficiency. The aim is to get the most nutrients possible into the fewest number of calories. The goal is to put all of these calories to use as a part of your exercise program, to rid your body of undigested foods and toxins, and to bring your hydration levels into homeostasis. The result you’re after is not weight loss—though it will likely occur—but for your body to be running more efficiently. This should make you feel lighter and more energetic, even though you’re doing an exercise program.

How It Works
Your eating structure doesn’t change. You still eat every few hours while you’re awake. Each meal should have a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber. And while you’re not eating as much food as you’d normally eat, your calorie-to-nutrient ratio is extremely high. This means that you shouldn’t restrict the actual nutrients you’re getting by too much, so activity can continue as normal.

We recommend you try to keep your shakes to just Shakeology. Adding fruits of any kind, or seeds (for fat and fiber), or the Shakeology Fiber supplement, can and should be done as you see fit.

Ditto for your one solid meal—a salad. As we all know from any salad bar, the definition of salad can be varied. The goal of the salad in the plan is to keep your calories coming from natural sources (no artificial ingredients should be added, including artificial salad dressing). Aside from that, you can add ingredients as necessary. Keep your meat intake to four ounces or less, but add veggies, seeds, nuts, fruits, and legumes in quantities to satiate you.

The goal of the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse is to optimize your performance. You want to eat enough to fuel your day AND your workout. The foods you’re eating are so high in fiber and nutrients that it’s virtually impossible to overeat. You’ll be consuming so much fiber, along with enzymes and digestive aids, that your body’s ability to flush excess foods quickly will be at its peak.

What to Drink
Water, of course, is recommended in quantity. This is vital to any cleanse, because one of your goals is to bring your hydration into homeostasis. When your electrolytes are out of balance—the main problem we have is salt—you often retain water outside of your cells. This situation, which we refer to as retaining water, is cured by drinking more water. As the excess salts are diffused, your body begins to hydrate your cells (using sodium as it should be used) and flush the water held outside the cells. So, oddly enough, you drink water to eliminate water retention.

Sodas, alcohols, juices, etc., should be eliminated entirely during a cleanse. Coffee and tea, which are diuretics, should be minimized at the very least and eliminated if possible. Again, performance is the key, so if you need a cup of Joe as a pick-me-up, go ahead. Just use only as needed, and don’t use additives. Eliminating sugar and chemicals is vital. However, do not use energy drinks or soda for this purpose, including the ones with artificial sweeteners. Coffee drinkers may find that switching to black tea during a cleanse will give you the energy you’re looking for with less upset. Coffee’s acidic nature can heighten the effects in a negative way during your cleanse.

Why You Won’t Lose Weight
I should say why you might not lose weight, but I wanted to get your attention. Most people will lose some weight during a cleanse, but that is not the goal. Those with a lot of undigested gunk in their systems will lose weight as it’s flushed out. Those of you who are properly hydrated and already eat well are less likely to lose. For those of you who need to lose weight, take heart: you are setting up your system to use nutrients more efficiently and improving your ability to lose weight through structured diet and exercise. So while you may not lose much on the cleanse, you’ll be more prepared to lose weight later.

Another reason why we don’t always lose weight on cleanses is due to a stress hormone called cortisol. Restricting calories is stressful to the body, and it reacts by releasing cortisol. Cortisol is performance-enhancing in the short term, but if you somehow keep your body stressed for long periods, it creates havoc in your system and can cause you to doggedly hang onto weight in a type of survival mode. We don’t want this to occur, which is one reason the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse is short. It’s important not to remain in a highly calorie-deficient state for long periods of time, especially when you are trying to exercise hard.

Here is the full plan:

The Shakeology® 3-Day Cleanse
The key is to follow the same regimen all three days.
Essentials:
3 Shakeology shakes per day
2 cups of green tea per day
1 or 2 pieces of fruit per day (optional)
1 salad for dinner—can include fish or poultry
No dairy or extra sugars (this includes almond and soy milk)!
Drink 2 to 4 liters of water every day
Only use low-fat dressings, and go easy on the salt and/or pepper to taste
2 snacks before/after any of the major meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Fruit is optional, and it is discouraged (however, some of you will need the calories while others may not)
Power-workout participants (those who are already super conditioned) are recommended the higher numbers of calories
For maximum results, do NOT use additives
Dinner salad may include WHITE GRILLED PROTEIN—poultry or fish only

Daily Regimen:
1 cup of green tea to start the day

Breakfast:
1 scoop Shakeology (140 calories)
1/2 cup of fruit (60 to 90 calories)—optional
Ice to taste
8 to10 oz. of water

Snack 1 (85 calories):
1 piece of fruit (apple, pear, orange, banana mango, etc.)

Lunch:
1 scoop Shakeology (140 calories)
Ice to taste
8 to 10 oz. of water
1 cup of green tea or a detox tea

Snack 2: (you can have the second snack before or after dinner)
1 scoop Shakeology (140 calories)
Ice to taste
8 to10 oz. of water

Dinner: Salad with grilled white fish or poultry (roughly 340 calories)
Greens—3 servings of vegetables, plus 4 oz. of grilled white meat (fish or poultry)
2 tablespoons of dressing—no more!

Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse FAQ
Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions:
1. How many calories per day?
800 to 1,100 calories per day

2. How often can I do the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse?
Ideally, you should do it once per quarter (every 3 months)
As the seasons change
Before starting a new workout program
When you feel you need help breaking through a plateau.

3. Should/Can I still do my workouts during the Cleanse?
Depends on the individual
You’ll have less energy than normal, so consider doing it during a recovery week
Try not to do in the middle of P90X® or INSANITY®

4. Can I do a 1-day or a 2-day cleanse instead of a 3-day?
Yes! Some people will see results with one or two days
We recommend against continuing the cleanse for more than three days

5. Should/Can I take other Beachbody® supplements during the Cleanse?
Results and Recovery Formula™: No, too much sugar/calories
Others (Omega-3, etc.): Not necessary, but won’t hurt either

Click here to get your own bag of Shakeology!
It's always a 30 day money back guarantee!
http://www.myshakeology.com/swissms99

Just a thought....

"I believe in moderation. If you slip up, get over it, move more and move on! No big deal. Life is too short to be constantly chasing a number. Chase health! Chase happiness. Be your best and better yet, be a good person. Who you are is far more important that what you weigh." - Chalene Johnson

10 in 10 Challenge: Day 6 (& Weekend Update)

Hey hey! Here's my update on the weekend & Day 6:

10 in 10 Challenge: Day 3

Day 3 Update :)

Benefits of a Clean Eating Diet from http://www.answerfitness.com/204/clean-eating-eating-clean-answer-fitness/:

Benefits of a Clean Eating Diet

So why would a person want to try Clean Eating? There are a number of proven benefits to Clean Eating:

• Decreased body fat
• Increased lean tissue (muscle)
• Improved energy
• General improvements in overall health and immunity
• Decreased risk of certain types of diseases like diabetes, stroke, heart disease and cancers
• Less consumption of pesticides, artificial food additives and preservatives, sodium and sugar
• Less impact on the environment, since Eating Clean is also Eating Green; the foods you preference in a Clean Eating diet are minimally processed, and thus use less energy and produce less waste than highly-processed foods
• Less expensive. Contrary to what you might believe, Clean Eating is actually more cost-effective and less expensive than eating pre-packaged food or fast food. For instance, for the price of a Super-Sized Big Mac Meal Deal, you could prepare an entire pot of healthy soup that would make more than a half dozen meals that are healthier, more satisfying and more nutritionally-dense.
• Sustainable. Unlike fad diets, Clean Eating is a holistic approach to eating that a person can practice for their entire life. You don’t “go on” a Clean Eating diet — you’re always clean eating.

10 in 10 Challenge: Day 2

10 in 10 Challenge: Day 2 Update

10 Reasons to Drink Water from Team Beachbody:

1. Your body is made up primarily of water. When you're properly hydrated, about two-thirds of your body is water—muscle tissue is even higher, at around 70 percent, while fat is less. Muscle powers your body and fat protects it. Put two and two together, and you may infer that water is vital to the things that make your body do stuff. When you don't drink enough water, your body declines into a state we call dehydration. Get too dehydrated, and your body will not function properly, which isn't too surprising when your body's low on such a vital nutrient. (Your body can be as much as up to 65 percent water!)

2. You don't need to drink 65 percent of your weight in water each day. This is because, one, if you lost all the water in your body, you'd be dead, and two, that water makes up most of all the living things on our planet. Since we eat living—or recently alive—things, we get some water from the things we eat. When we cook things, they lose their water. This means that the more raw whole foods you eat, the less water you need to drink. Fruits and veggies lead the group of water-rich foods and contain around 95 percent water. If you eat a lot of plants, you can drink less water. But if you don't . . .

3. There is more to hydration than just your water levels. Chemicals in your body react with water so that you can function. We lose water in the form of sweat, and sweat is made up of water and body "salts," which are mainly sodium, chloride, and potassium, but they also include magnesium, calcium, and so on. These are called electrolytes and, basically, are the reason that salt is such a vital component in your diet. Salt is a mixture of sodium and chloride, but generally, we use the term "salts" in reference to electrolytes. Too much salt is bad and too little is bad. Both can kill you. This is why, like water, the amount you consume should be directly related to the workload your body is put under. More P90X® or ChaLEAN Extreme® equals more sweat, meaning that you need more water and more salt.

4. What about water weight? Some people are afraid to drink a lot of water because they're afraid of gaining "water weight." This is the opposite of what you should do. Water weight is a term for your body holding on to excess water because it's not getting enough. The best way to get rid of water weight is to drink more water. It works two ways. If you don't drink enough water or if you eat too much salt in your diet, your body hoards water. This water/salt relationship is referred to as your electrolyte balance.

Generally, there's an easy way to tell if you need more water or salt; because most people drink too little water and eat far too much salt—especially those who eat in restaurants. So when you aren't exercising, you almost never need more salt. When you are exercising, getting enough salt becomes an issue. Endurance athletes are ever aware of the need to have enough salt to avoid a condition called hyponatremia, a condition that results when you've had too much water and not enough salt, basically just dehydration from a different angle. Those who don't exercise outdoors excessively almost never have to worry about this condition.

5. So what does water do for you? You'll often hear claims that water helps chemical reactions, regulates your body temperature, and lubricates your joints, eyes, and spinal cord. Sure, it does all of this stuff. In fact, since you're mostly made up of water, a case can be made that it does almost everything. So why split hairs? Your body doesn't work, at all, without being fed a lot of water. You can live days, weeks, and, sometimes, even months without food. But you can't live even a few days without water.

6. Itchy skin. Dry skin. Constipation. Sneezing. Dry cough, headaches, nosebleeds, and acne. These are common ailments related to drinking too little water. Since water regulates your body's functions, it makes sense that minor glitches in bodily functions may be related to not drinking enough water. And this is just a partial list of common ailments. Many symptoms blamed on allergies are probably due to living in a dehydrated state. When you are properly hydrated, your body can better defend itself.

7. The above symptoms may be worse in the winter. Water is required just to breathe, and you lose water through your mouth and lungs. During winter, when the air is dry, more water is required. Add forced heat in the air—like from home heating systems and fires—and the situation is exacerbated. This means that you need to drink extra water in the winter when it's cold, even though you are probably less thirsty.

8. Water and your immune system. During winter, lack of water will dry out the mucous membranes of your lungs, gut, and sinus passages and lessen your resistance to disease. These barriers protect your body against bacteria, viruses, and pollutants when you're fully hydrated and intact. Allowing them to dry out could be the leading cause of the common cold and allergic symptoms, not to mention things like constipation, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and long-term diseases like hemorrhoids and colon cancer.

9. Water and fat loss. We haven't yet discussed the importance of fat mobilization for energy and its relation to weight loss and effective exercise because, well, this is Nutrition 911 and that sounds complicated. Anyway, water is the main component of this action. A well-hydrated body has higher levels of oxygen in the bloodstream, translating into an increased ability to burn fat as fuel. The more efficiently you burn fat as fuel, the more effectively you exercise, leading to a better overall body composition.

10. How much water? It's said you need about 8 glasses of water a day. However, this will vary due to your activity level and environmental conditions. As a general rule, add a couple of glasses during the hot days of summer and the dry, cold nights of winter. During exercise, you may lose a quart an hour or more. While all liquids provide water, sugar, diuretics (caffeine, etc.), and carbonation reduce the hydration effect. Combining all three, as in soda, can reduce the hydration efficiency of the liquid to almost nil.

10 in 10 Challenge: Day 1 Vlog

Here's my update on Day 1 - how are you doing??



Recipe:
Pork Stir Fry from my friend, Amy - Thanks Amy!

Ingredients:
1 lb pork tenderloin
Various veggies (see #2 below)
1 cup chicken stock (low sodium)
2 TBSP soy sauce (low sodium)
2 TBSP molasses
5 tsp corn starch

1. Cut pork tenderloin into small chunks (about an inch). Try to make
them all around the same size so they cook evenly. Cook the meat in a
skillet with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. When its cooked,
put it on a plate and set it aside.

2. Chop your veggies. I use 1 bell pepper, 1 onion, a couple of cups
of bean sprouts and about a cup of broccoli. I think I'm going to
add mushrooms next time. Any veggies you have would probably be good.
(I steam the broccoli for about a minute in the microwave, too. I
like my broccoli softer.) Anyway, chop/slice the veggies and saute
them in a skillet with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Saute
them until the doneness that you like. I like mine softer, but still
kinda crispy.

3. While the veggies are cooking, mix together chicken stock, soy
sauce, and molasses. Take out about 1/4 cup of the mixture and put in
a small bowl. Mix in corn starch. Mix it up really good or it'll get
lumpy.

4. Then, put the pork (and any juices) back in the skillet with the
veggies. Add the sauce and bring it to a boil for a couple of
minutes. Add the corn starch sauce mixture and stir it together.
That will make the sauce thick.

10 in 10 Challenge

Hey everyone,

Sorry I've been MIA for a couple weeks but I've been working on a challenge for my Beachbody Team as well as a few other close Twitter & Facebook friends. It's called the 10 in 10 Challenge! What does it entail, you ask? Well here are the details:

10 IN 10 Challenge
1. Eat Fresh-Eliminate processed food

Exceptions: Shakeology

P90x bars

Recovery drink

Read the labels....if there are chemicals on the label, then let's consider it processed

2. Get rid of the white (foods)

3. Increase raw food intake

4. Cardio everyday/Strength 3x a week

5. Stop eating 3 hours before bed

6. Keep a food journal and accurate calorie count

Keep as accurate food diary as possible, including workouts...even if you don't know exact calorie counts, be as detailed as possible in the diary...

7. Downsize (your portions)

8. Eat every 2-1/2 to 3 hours hours (body goes into starvation mode and thinks your starving so holds onto anything you eat...that's how SUMO wrestlers are trained to get big...they starve them for morning and breakfast and then feed them dinner!!!)

9. Identify your achilles heel

Know your weaknesses. Be aware of your food triggers. Use the 10 days to determine how you can handle those triggers

10. No Alcohol or Soda

11. Increase sleep by 1-2 hours each nite. (get 7-8 hours sleep)

Want to have your own 10 in 10 Challenge? Join us! Track your calories on www.sparkpeople.com or www.myfitnesspal.com, etc. Log your workouts in WOWY. Weigh yourself on Day 1 and on Day 10 & post your results here!

We're starting our challenge THIS Wednesday - April 14th 12:00am. During the 10 Day challenge, I hope to post helpful tips that I have found from various websites.

Looking forward to hearing your results!!

In fitness,
Beth :)

Brazil Butt Lift: Review 3

Hey y'all!

So I've done High & Tight (H&T) and Tummy Tuck (TT) a few more times now...

H&T seems to still be VERY effective and TT seems to get more challenging everytime I do it. That is one killer ab routine. The waving arms - the extreme tightening of the abs - all the burning - the soreness I feel today. It's 20 minutes of pure core madness. :)

Now on to Sculpt...

The deets:
48 minutes long
You need: Towel, mat, water, & either resistance band or light weights.
The DVD actually gives you a range for each level (beginner, intermediate, & advanced), which I thought is helpful.

Well - in my head I expected it be similar to the Turbo Sculpt workout from Turbo Jam. The time length is similar at least. Some of the moves are similar, but it moves MUCH faster than Turbo Sculpt and even faster than ChaLEAN Extreme while we're on the topic. I am feeling the soreness today in my arms, abs, obliques, and thighs. Not bad, eh? I did the workout with my green/teal resistance band since that was easier to grab than my weights (how's that for honesty?). So there is one person that is doing the workout w/ a resistance band (and she is using the same band I am) and everyone else is using light weights.

So here's the issue - since there is only one person using the resistance bands sometimes the camera person will not show what she is doing between the exercises (i.e. the placement of the band, etc) so at times you have to wing it until you figure it out on your own or see her in the camera shot. It's not a huge deal & after doing it a few more times - it won't matter...but just a little heads up for those that want to use their resistance bands.

Oh, you're using weights? No problem - you won't even notice this. :)

Side note: There's actually two dudes in this workout - it's usually women in the other videos. :)

Leandro still makes me laugh - I really like him more and more each time I work out with him. I am so glad I invested in this workout!

Brazil Butt Lift: Review 2

Hey there-

Another review from me about Brazil Butt Lift!

So I did High & Tight last night & the Cardio Axe routine again. I wasn't sure what to expect (or need) for the High & Tight routine...but I was ready for a challenge. :) The H&T routine consisted of standing thigh & booty work, floor thigh & booty work & the more floor upper booty work using the ankle weights. (Yes, you heard me - ankle weights!) :) The workout was about 38 minutes long and at first, I thought that was a long time to do all this - it really went by fast. Well, it went by fast when my outer thighs & booty weren't burning like crazy.

The standing thigh & booty work asks for you to use the Booty Band, which is this smallish yellow band that looks kind of friendly, but beware...it is not that friendly. You put it across your feet and REALLY work the outer thigh (and that booty again!) There's some squats and legs raises among a few other new moves & you can really feel the muscles working and yes, it doesn't feel awesome, but you can tell it's working...and that's the point, right?

During the first floor work section, you use the Booty Band again and it gets even less friendly. It's downright cruel, however, that intense burning you are feeling is just an indicator about the results you will be seeing when you stick with this workout. The clamshells are even more killer than usual since the Booty Band really "ups" the intensity...you'll see why when you order it! :)

The last section (floor work w/ ankle weights) works on the upper booty muscles...which I never really thought about before! The leg lifts really did a number on me. Beware of the burn!! (The theme for High & Tight, no?) ;)

Ok, so the second try at Cardio Axe...LOVED IT! I was SOOOO much better at the routine & I was able to shake my hips a little more (which Leandro tells you to do often!) Watch out for the Tornado at the end! ;) Still sweated up a storm & I'm still amazed at how the girls on the screen aren't sweating...lol But it's still fun, just the same!

I still have to try the Sculpt workout out and I think one other...so there will be more! I will also share about my results after two weeks of doing it. :)

~Beth :)

Brazil Butt Lift: Review 1

So this weekend, I have been trying out a few of the workouts from Brazil Butt Lift and I have liked what I've tried so far...but there are a few things I want to share that I have learned or noticed in the past few days...

#1: Leandro makes me laugh. He has a good attitude/demeanor on the videos, which is great! I also enjoy his accent...but sometimes you can't understand him 100% and Beachbody must've noticed that too because...

#2: Beachbody has given the option for sub-titles in English & in Spanish during the workouts. I used them during Cardio Axe & I did find it helpful from time to time. :)

#3: Along with the sub-titles, you do get to see exactly what Leandro is saying...and wow, don't be surprised when you hear (and see) him saying to touch/feel yourself, be sexy, etc. I about died...and then attempted to replicate the moves that the women were doing on my screen. Uh, yeah...I am sure that I did not look that sexy whatsoever! I'm sure that'll come in time, right?

#4: And then there's the booty shaking...that's really fun (and funny when you see me do it!) I love to shake it so I was not disappointed by this part whatsoever! ;)

#5:The thing that confused me at first...was how the workouts switched from a "set" to Leandro & 3 other women doing the same workout on a beach in Brazil. The majority of the workout happens on the set w/ Leandro and 6/7 other people (mostly women) and then there are intermittent shots of Leandro and that crew on the beach. Kinda random but hey, it kept my attention. :P

Some basic info about Brazil Butt Lift:

The workouts are under 50 minutes a piece. The ab workout (Tummy Tuck) is the shortest at 20 minutes. The others range from 30 to 35 minutes except for Scuplt - that one is 50 minutes long. Not too shabby!

There are several different ways to do the program based on your bum bum blueprint and what kind of outcome you want after 30 days. It's for those w/ flat butt, pear butt, too big of a butt, & all of the above!

So far I have tried:

Bum Bum - lots of squats & I needed a chair to balance for many of the other moves. It definitely keeps you on your toes!

Cardio Axe - Wow, this 35 minute workout REALLY made me sweat! I wasn't expecting that but I should've known better since this is a Beachbody product! :) I was pretty rusty with all the moves, but it was a good time. Lots of hip & booty shaking! :)

Tummy Tuck - I was really feeling the burn with this ab routine. I think it's a good one to add to the rotation. :)

Let me know if you have other questions for me!

More later!

~Beth

What's a Bodybugg? By Chalene Johnson

Here is a short video from Chalene Johnson about the Bodybugg. I have owned mine for about 4 months now and I agree that it really helps you understand how many (or few) calories your body really burns during everyday activities and your workouts. It is truly eye-opening!

www.24hourfitness.com/training/bodybugg/

Enter discount code bbgcj24 and earn an additional $15.00 off the price of your purchase!

All lower case: bbgcj24

Also, be sure to check out Kristy's blog to find out how it's helped her too!

~Beth :)

Melissa "Turbo Kicks" her way into USA Today!

Left to Right: Me, Melinda, & Melissa

A good friend of mine, Melissa Dilling, was recently interviewed for her amazing results with USA TODAY Weight-Loss Challenge. She lost 25 pounds in 4 months - YOU GO GIRL!!!

Melissa and I do Turbo Kick created by the fabulous, Chalene Johnson, together on Tuesday nights (led by the super awesome Rachel Tyson!) - it's my fave part of the week! She has done an awesome job of sticking with her weekly workout routine & using her Bodybugg to keep her accountable on her calorie intake.

Here's the article for more info on how she's been so successful:
Weight-Loss Challenge: Dieter keeps close tabs on calories

Congrats again, Melissa!! She's a Beachbody Coach as well (on my team!!!) Be sure to check out her Beachbody Coach website too! Thanks! :)

What's your secret?

Hey friends,

I haven't updated (or had a substantial blog update) in quite awhile. I apologize for the delay. :) I hope 2010 is treating you well!

So I sometimes asked "what my secret" is to weightloss/maintaining weight, a healthier lifestyle, etc. Imagine that, right? Someone who is a Beachbody Coach and talks about this crazy thing called Turbo Kick/Jam...odd, I know.

Well, I thought I would share some of my "secrets", which are hardly that. Or at least my thoughts as to why sometimes I can be successful (and other times I am SO not.)

First off, I'm not perfect. I have my cheat days like anyone else. Sometimes I get upset at myself over them for a hot minute...but in the end, I move on and try to move more either that same day or the next. I mean, c'mon - sometimes you gotta have that cookie, piece of cake, slice of pizza, etc...and sometimes you find out later that your digestive system will remind you why you don't eat that stuff. But just the same, sometimes it just sounds good. Hey, we're human. Don't be so hard on yourself.

My second secret...is the one I didn't believe for many, many years. You must find a workout routine that you love...I'm serious! I love Turbo Kick with my entire heart now. I'll admit, I wasn't lovin' it at the very beginning but that was because I didn't know the moves & routines enough so I would just get frustrated. Not. smart. I didn't give it a fair chance then. But today? Wow! I still mess up (plenty of times) but oh. my. gosh. it's so much FUN! I know not everyone is going to love it as (a large) selection of us...but wow, at least give it a shot. If you like ANY type of beat, just try it.

Better yet, try something DIFFERENT for a change. Something you don't think you'll like - give it a couple weeks and see what you think then. Variety is good!

Third secret - SHAKEOLOGY! Don't believe me? I challenge you to give it a try for 30 days and get back with me. When you drink it consistently...you REALLY feel the difference. What's the worst you could lose? Weight? ;)

Fourth secret - Positive attitude! Sure, Beth. A positive attitude? For realio! Your mind is SUCH a powerful thing (I know you know this!!) - why cloud it with negative thoughts? That's not going to make for a good day. Yes, I know - we all have bad/stressful/horrid days/weeks/months, but c'mon - isn't there any type of silver lining? I will admit - I have had a more stressful couple of weeks more than usual and I had a day where I was just overwhelmed. It happens! But I had to push myself to get past that. Resolve what I could resolve and move on. All that worrying was not going to get me anything but acne & gray hairs. Not. cool.

Fifth secret - Support, support, support!! From your significant other, from your IRL friends, from your Beachbody friends, from your FB friends, from your Twitter friends (I have all of the above - Love you all!! THANK YOU!) They keep me inspired too...on those days where I am just dragging and I hear/read about their workouts...I think: "WAKE UP! Time to work it!" :) Beachbody has such a great network to connect w/ other fitness buddies. I just love sending out my workout invites because it keeps me accountable and let's me know w/ each person that "joins" my workout is cheering me on to stick w/ it. What could be better than that?

Oh and before I forget, I do have to add my Bodybugg has helped w/ the calories in & calories out formula. Really takes the guesswork out of this hypothyroid's metabolism/calorie burning rate! :)

So there are my secrets. They are really nothing special or life-changing. Just keep me on the road to weightloss/maintenance success!

New challenges ahead!

It's almost 2010 people - what's your goal for the NEW Year?

Me? I'm going to take on P90X! I've conquered ChaLEAN Extreme twice...and well, Turbo Jam is still my heart, but it's time to change it up once again and take the P90X challenge. I'm looking forward to it! (Hard to believe, right?) Since I'm still slightly on the mend from my month-long sickness...(I'm seriously hoping I am now immune to most colds, stomach bugs, cough-related illnesses for a LONG while!) I am READY to get back in the game. I am hoping by January 1st - my cough is 99% gone so I can get my booty into gear.

What about you?


Here's whats to come for me:



Are you looking for a similar challenge? Want/Need some extra support? Let's support each other! Sign up at www.turbobeth.com so we can help each other on our fitness challenges! It's free! What do you have to lose? :)



Now my other challenge - I've used many different products to help eliminate my acne issues. I've tried different Clean & Clear, Neutrogena, Clearasil products...even Proactiv. Unfortunately, Proactiv made my acne much, much worse so I had to stop using it after 3 months. I have also been to a dermatoligist and used prescriptions pills but found that to give me more stomach problems than I cared to deal with. I am now trying skiniD through Neutrogena. My derm highly recommended the use of Neutrogena products and I thought it was worth a shot. I'll let you know my progress as it goes on - in case any of my readers have been looking for an answer as well. I am hoping for the best!

I must note - I liked the quiz that is on the skiniD website. I am also trying their moisturizer & spot treatment.

Here's to new challenges in 2010!!

I'm Buggin' - BodyBuggin' that is :)

Greetings Earthlings! ;) I am hooked up to my BodyBugg right this second and I can tell you how many calories I burned since 6am this morning. Sounds pretty darn cool, huh? Well, it is!

It's a BodyBugg and it's that do-hickey they use on the Biggest Loser. It's a super, awesome armband that you wear that reads your calorie burn throughout the day (or however long you wear it). I also wear the digital reader that gives you instant gratification...which I love! I think - hmm - how many calories have I burned now? I just look at the "watch" and voila! It says 1401 calories! It also tells you how many steps you've taken as well as the activity time for the day. I freakin' love it.

I know some people that bedazzle their arm bands - super cute! I haven't done that myself but maybe some day :)

The armband is not as bulky as I expected to be honest. I just wear it under my long sleeves (since it's fall now) and it shows a little bit but no one has been curious enough to ask about it at work yet. ;) I have even slept in it and I still felt it...but it wasn't as bothersome as I thought.

I ordered this contraption since I wanted even more info about my health. I was really curious about my calorie burn w/ being hypothyroid. My friend, Melissa, just got her's the other day and I'm curious about comparing our counts. I want to see if my metabolism is slower than hers in the overall. I'm ready to experiment with this thing :)

I'll keep you posted on my findings. Let me know if you have any questions about this thing - I'll do my best to answer them!