Startin 'em young!

This is Grant, my 5 year old, P90X'er. He is a chin-up pro! He LOVES to do them and can do about 5 at a time now. Then he'll take a break for a few minutes and do 5 more and so on! He's gonna be one strong little dude!

And just a little "MERRY CHRISTMAS" picture to you from me and my little girlie-pup Kinley!

My "drug" of choice...

pumpin' and jumpin'.

There is nothing like pumping some iron and doing some good old jumping to give you an all-natural high!
I've been in a complete FUNK for the past several days. Just moody and whiney and overall---just way more negative than my normal self. Today is the day I teach classes at the gym and it dawned on me while I was preparing for class, that DUH!!! I'm probably feeling this way because it's been an entire WEEK since I've worked out!
Sure enough...not long into my first class (weight-lifting) and I could feel the difference. My blood was pumping, my heartbeat was dancing and my mood was lifting by the moment! By the time I was done with the 2nd class (bootcamp), I felt like a whole new woman!
Call it crazy, call it impossible...whatever...but I felt like the whole world was against me before I walked into that gym and when I walked out...I felt like I could CONQUER the world!
Now why in tarnation wouldn't EVERYONE want that?
Not only is exercise a total mood lifter and energy booster, but plus it keeps you healthy on the inside and SUPER-PLUS---makes you look fabulous on the outside!
If you aren't in some sort of regular exercise routine, I really hope you'll give it a try and just see if I'm right about this. Test me. Tell me you don't feel better after putting in a good work out. I dare you!

Tick, Tick, Tick...

The clock is ticking...time is running out. Yes, we're all focused and excited about Christmas right now, whihc is only 2 days away---but---what I'm talking about is the NEW YEAR! We are only 9 days away from 2010! Can you believe it?
I was just sitting here paying bills and several of them had due dates in 2010. It just seemed strange to write/type that new year in-as it does every time the year changes.
Anyway, a new year brings so many new opportunities for a fresh start-a new beginning. We're done with all the holiday eating and cookies and most of us, feel a renewed sense of determination and willpower towards our fitness goals and healthier eating.
I wanted to take a moment to put a bug in your ear to think about pursuing a new fitness program for this new year. Maybe you're a fellow P90X'er but are really ready to take things up a notch, or just switch to something different? Then it's time to try P90X+ or Insanity.
Maybe you're a P0wer 90 user or Slim in 6 and think you might be ready to try P90X now...???
Or, maybe you've done P90X, done Insanity and are wondering what's left? It's time for you get RevAbs or Brazil Butt lift!
I am not saying all of this because I want to SELL it to you (although of course that is nice!) but more importantly, I know that feeling of the "same old, same old" when it comes to work outs. Believe me, until I found P90X, I had been doing the same exact workout routine for nearly 3 solid years- day in and day out. BLECK! Thank GOD I saw the P90X infomercial because it really pulled me out of the gutter I was in and gave me a new excitement (and the results I'd been trying to get for years!) Then after almost 3 rounds of P90X, I knew things were getting "stale" again, so I ordered Insanity. I only got about half of it done before I had to put it aside for a bit, but beginning in January, I am Totally STOKED to start it back up and really do it right--the whole 60 days!
What's special about TODAY is...that if you order now, you can have your new program in your hands by January 1st and be ready to start!
I know, money is probably tight for all of us, so let me give you a quick run down of what some of these programs cost. It's surprising that some of the "next level" programs really aren't that bank-breaking at all!
Power 90 In-Home Boot Camp is $59.60
Power 90 Master Series is $59.85
Slim in 6 is $59.85
10-Minute Trainer is $79.90
Turbo Jam is $59.85
Hip Hop Abs is $59.85
P90X is $119.85
P90X+ is $59.90
Insanity is $119.85
RevAbs is $79.90
Brazil Butt Lift is $59.85
Tony Horton One on One is $19.95
Shakeology: The Workouts $29.95

In addition to these awesome programs that not only help you get fit but also tell you what foods to eat, you get an awesome coach to guide you through every step. Me! :o)

2010 has the potential to be one of the best years of your life! It's all up to you how good it's gonna be!

Short on time?

How many of us (me included) complain that we are too short on time to get in a workout?
(I'm throwing both hands up into the air right now!) Even on the days that I get in a good, long workout, that means I've just taken time away from other things I could have been doing. It's a matter of priority for me most of the time, but there are just some days when priority bites the dust and there is just no way on EARTH I can fit an hour-long workout and then a shower afterwards into my day.
Well, there are no excuses now. I'm letting you in on a secret: You can get in a major-good workout in just 10 minutes. At your house. Whenever you want.
Tony Horton's 10 minute trainer package is awesome...but now there is an even better option. It's the 10-Minute Trainer Upgrade Pack! Now instead of just 5 workouts, you get 9. It comes with everything you need to do them including the 2 professional-grade resistance bands. They even give you an "Advanced Workout Calendar" to show you how to rotate these 10-minute workouts for maximum resistance. Here is a description of the workouts that are included in this set:

Total Body 2. Tony layers this total-body workout with fat-burning cardio and moves to sculpt your entire body in no time! (10 minutes)
Core Cardio. Think you don't have enough time to burn some fat? Think again. Tony's got the key to tightening your midsection and shedding fat to reveal your six-pack abs. (10 minutes)
Upper Body. Tony's innovative moves will tone and shape your entire upper body, giving you the shapely arms and shoulders you want. (10 minutes)
One on One Lower. Follow Tony as he powers through a different move each minute to firm and strengthen your quads and glutes. (10 minutes)
Plyo Intervals. This plyometric workout will dramatically enhance your athletic performance in only minutes! (10 minutes)
One on One Upper. You'll beg for mercy in this fast-paced upper-body blowout that further defines your shoulders, arms, and back! (10 minutes)
Cardio Intervals. Go all out with Tony in fat-blasting, high-intensity drills that will kick your metabolism into high gear while you burn calories at the rate of an athlete. (10 minutes)
Chest & Back. Unique moves engineered to max out these two major muscle groups and get you strong FAST! (10 minutes)
Friday Night Arms. Tony's favorite Friday night workout since his teenage years—and still just as effective.

The cost is $79.90. If you pay $30 a month for your gym membership like I do, that is about 2 1/2 months worth. This is something you will own forever and be able to implement into your busy life for years and years to come.
And, if you decide you just don't like it, they offer a 30-day money back guarantee!
Place your order now and you'll be ready to go by January 1st! Just click here to order or read more!

Know your WHY

Over lunch with a friend today, I made this statement: "You have to know your "why" when trying to lose weight." If you don't know WHY you're doing it, chances are you won't succeed. Not only do you need to know your "why", it also needs to be something important to you.

If I were to ask myself "why am I trying to lose weight right now?" My honest answer would be "so I can look good up in front of my class--set a good example that they want to learn from". The truth is, I'm already doing the best that I can right now. Not perfect, but for me, I'm giving my best. Knowing that, deep down in my heart, that I really don't NEED to lose weight---is probably the reason I'm NOT losing weight. My really good reason "why" just isn't there right now.

However, when I first started losing weight, my "why" was VERY CLEAR and VERY IMPORTANT. (therefore, I was very succesful!)

What I'm getting at is---you've gotta really have a good reason already established if you're gonna accomplish your goals. Because when the going gets tough and the holiday cookies and eggnog are begging for your attention, that "WHY" has to be speaking louder in your ear than the cookies.

Today I am asking myself "why" did I become a Beachbody coach? That is really where this whole "why" concept originated. When you sign up to be a coach, one of the first things they tell you is "Know your why."
My "why" is: Because I want to help others get healthy and in-shape and open up opportunities to tell people about Jesus!
And it is about time that I start making it happen. Not only am I in between a rock and a hard place where income is concerned, I am also ready to either give it my all or give it up. Coaching, that is. I haven't had a chance to give it my full attention because I've been busy with my other job as well as instructing these fitness classes, but that is all coming to an end in just a couple weeks and so this is a great opportunity to get this ball rolling. People everywhere are becoming succesful and finacially secure through Beachbody coaching and I might as well be one of them! Anyone wanna join me? A team is so much stronger than an individual!

CUH-RACKED me UP!

Watch this and get your giggle on!

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

I LOVE this guy!!!

On Monday Matt did something I NEVER thought he would EVER do. He came to my classes at the gym! I knew he didn't want to, but I've been begging him to come ever since I started instructing and for some odd reason, he decided to do it! He told me as we were walking into class, "This is your Christmas present!!!" and I said back to him, "No, this is YOUR Christmas present!" ha ha

Long story short, he did AWESOME and I was on Cloud 9 having him there with me. I love working out...but I LOVE my hubby...so if you put the two together...it's like a LOVE explosion! ha ha (don't roll your eyes!)

Anyway, later that night I asked him what he thought about it. He replied, "The only thing I regret is that I ever missed a class. I should have been going from the very beginning!"

Wow! What a compliment! I am SO STOKED that he's going to start joining me! This literally is a 'dream come true' to me. I know you might think I'm a bit nutsy--and I probably am--but I really hate being away from him...and now we have another opportunity to be together, doing something we love AND...what's sexier than seeing your husband all hot and sweaty, muscles popping, veins bulging....yummm!!!! :o)

Christmas Countdown Tip of the Day

persist–verb
to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition.

What one of us doesn't face opposition when it comes to eating right and working out? So why is it that some of us succeed and some fail? It comes down to this: Some of us choose to PERSIST and some of us choose to QUIT.

That reminds me of something God said in Deuteronomy 30:19. He said, "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life!"

It's like: Here you go--here are your two choices. Now, I'm going to tell you which one to pick so you'll be sure to get it right.

So this is what I'm saying to you today: Choose to PERSIST!

I've never met a person who regretted being persistant towards having and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You never hear people say, "I just wish I had given up and quit working out." But how many times do you hear people say, "I just wish I would have stuck with it and kept exercising." ????????
Can I get a resounding "DUH!!!" This isn't multiple choice y'all. There's only one answer and it's not a pill or a diet--it's Eat Clean/Work Out. Period.

Okay, I'm done being harsh....hope you all have a wonderful, happy, blessed, joyful, Jesus-filled day!

Christmas Countdown Tip of the Day

So, with today being Day 1 in our Christmas Countdown, I wanted to pass along a very important tip to you all. It is:
ALWAYS PACK A SNACK!!!
or even your lunch...but never leave home empty-handed.

I try to keep a baggie of almonds or a trail mix/protein bar in my purse or car at ALL times. I also make a point to bring a bottle of water (reusable of course) with me everytime I leave.

I can't tell you how many times I've ended up being out and about longer than I had expected and having this snack/water has saved me from the dreadful drive-thru! Not only that, it keeps your money in your pocket rather than wasting it on some nasty, greasy, not-gonna-benefit-you-in-any-way stuff from a fast-food restaurant.

I would confidently say that this is a MAJOR KEY to improving your eating habits, especially if you do a lot of running. Not running like marathons...running like library, school, church, shopping, etc. :o)

Sometimes I even pack my whole lunch. On days that I go to the gym and I know it's gonna be 11 a.m. before I get home, I bring along a PB&J and apple. Sure, I could wait until I got home to eat....BUT....by that time I'm in "starvation mode" and I won't think rationally. I might end up eating something because of impulse instead of intentionally.

EAT INTENTIONALLY--NOT IMPULSIVELY!

Specifically choose the foods you are going to put into your body to fuel it with. Ask yourself, how is this food going to nourish my body? Is it going to provide me with important nutrients and give me energy? Is it going to repair and rebuild my muscles?
You can eat a 100 calorie pack of Doritos or a small baggie of Almonds with 100 calories. Either way---you consume 100 calories. But the Doritos are not going to do a THING for you nutritionally. They are going to sit in your body and turn to sugar=fat. On the other hand, the almonds offer the same crunch and are PACKED with things your body needs.
Make the smart choice. Please, people, PLEASE....America needs to make these changes desperately! It starts with you and me!