I have had so much going on the past week and a half that it’s hard to keep track any more!   Let’s see, why not start with workouts…

I’m back to Insanity and loving it.  This time around I’ve been on a prescription dose of Vitamin D (due to a severe deficiency) and I’m not having the pain in my joints that I did the first time around.  I’m also wearing shoes so there is no ankle or back pain either. It’s okay, you can all say “Duh!” together.  My muscles feel sore everyday but in a good way, tender so I know I’ve had a great workout but not so painful that I can’t walk.  I am already FEELING better and seeing improvements in my numbers.  I am able to do far more in my second Plyo Cardio workout than I was in the first.  And, because I don’t have the pain (mostly joint pain) after the workouts, I’m actually enjoying pushing myself through these workouts.  Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t easy but they are do-able, even considering that the only exercise I’ve done in the past 3 months is running, a little Turbo Kick (maybe 1x a week) and next to NO weight training or resistance (I know that’s bad!) 

What I HAVE learned over this past week is that it’s okay to take a break during the workout.  I am not pushing myself any harder than my limits.  I am checking my heart rate frequently and if it is over 190 when I get to the 30 second break, I take a 1 min. break instead.  I’ve even taken a couple of 90 second breaks.   I’m trying to keep it between 175-185 during the intervals which feels good to me yet lets me know I’ve worked out – HARD!

While my eating has still not been perfect it hasn’t been bad either and at Day 5 I am down 4 lbs with my clothes loosening around the waist.  I have lost .5 inches off my waist, 1.5 off my low abs  and .75 off my hips.  Keep in mind these are the places I want most to lose and this is just the first 5 days!!!  I’m pleased with the results (who wouldn’t be in 1 week) BUT won’t let this deter me from making sure that the doctor still refers me to an endocrinologist.  I know that there is more going on inside that needs to be solved.  I am taking my supplements (fish oil, Activit, calcium, and now vitamin D)  and Shakeology.  I won’t say that I always use the P90X Recovery Drink but most days I do have it with a 16 – 32 oz water during the Insanity workout.

On to other news…I got a call yesterday from the Beachbody corporate office.  It seems that Debbie Seibers (creator of Slim in 6) is going to QVC in January and would like to use my before and after pictures when she goes.  Let me see how quickly I can answer YES!  There is also a chance (albeit slim) that she will be asking several people to join her.  Hmmmm, I’ve never been to New York…Just a hint, Debbie, in case you’re reading!

I would love to tell you that I’m so busy lately because I’m working long hours, slaving away as a Beachbody Coach, but I’d be lying. I’m actually spending more time keeping busy playing with the kids.  While I have had several people join my team this week (I’m so excited because all of them are dying to help people become healthier, more fit and earning an income from their own home business) I have actually spent less time “working” this week than since beginning as a coach.  With the launch of The Game Plan last week, Beachbody has simplified the process of showing people what a coach does and what we have to offer that I don’t “work” at all now.  I’ve cut back from 30-40 hours and am now working (full time) about 10-12 hours a week.  Best of all, I’ve had 5 people join my team this week and my sales have doubled!  I’d call that a successful week!   (If you think you might want more info on joining my team or how being a coach might be something you can do to get physically and financially fit, just email me at fitcoachtina@comcast.net and I’ll help you out!)

I’m trying to get ready for Austin to leave for Science Camp next Monday.  It will be his first REAL trip away from home and I’m nervous.  He’s not but I am.  Kassie had been to camp several times prior to Science Camp but this is a first for him.  Just another reminder that my babies are growing up.  I even argued with Aidan this week that he was 8 and not 9.  It took the entire family and 20 minutes (plus math…oh how I hate math) to prove that he is, in fact, 9 years old.  (Then why is he still running around our neighborhood wearing a cape and styrofoam crown?!?!)

Okay, I think that should bring everyone pretty close to updated for this past week.  I will be having an Open House on Nov. 14th so if you’re in the area and interested in seeing the Beachbody products, sampling Shakeology or finding out more about the business opportunity, email me and I’ll give you directions.  This is going to be a no-pressure open house and the only “sale” will be to help everyone sign up for a free WOWY profile.  There will be NO product on hand so no need to worry about being “sold” on anything   Just in time, the kids are home so I’m off to help with homework!

Team Beachbody just updated our websites today (yes, as a Coach they DO give us great websites but they just got BETTER!)…take a look!

Tina – www.califitclub.com

Bryun – www.cafitclub.com

Soon they will be even nicer because we will be able to customize them (hopefully by the end of today) so that you can link to our blog, facebook, twitter, linked in and other social media from the same site!  I can’t wait until it’s all attached!!!

While you’re on there, take a look at the Beachbody products (including the Club/community and opportunity to become a support Coach yourself!)  They have done a great job putting any and all information you might want in a great set up that is easy to find and use.

Have fun on our sites and finding out more about us!

I deliberately held off to see who would be the first person to notice that I hadn’t posted the next week’s challenge and ASK about it.  Do you know that out of over 30 people who started this, only 1 person asked and that was just now? (10/21 @ 9 a.m. PST)!?!?!?!  What does that tell me?

1) You lost your way to this blog/site and don’t remember to look on Facebook.  (If you’re reading this…it’s pretty doubtful!)

2) You are afraid to post or send a message. (You posted me a message to start so I doubt this one…)

3) You’ve quit and are too afraid to say something.  (Ding, ding, ding…we have a winner!)

My guess is that it’s #3 for the majority of people.  What in the heck would make you think that you can’t just jump back in where you left off or pick up where we are.  So you stopped, so you missed a couple of weeks.  This isn’t your job where you get fired if you miss time without an excuse.  I’m not going to come and beat on you for falling down.  (I might do it if you don’t get back up though! LOL)

Don’t let a stumble turn into a refusal to get back up and continue on toward your goals.  You’re not a failure if you fall…you’re a failure if you refuse to get back up!  Trust me, I’ve had some pretty devestating things happen recently, and all at the same time.  I’m still going through several of them at once.  But I know that I can’t just say, “Oh, that means I’ve failed and I can give up forever now.”  GET UP! 

I don’t care if you didn’t make it past week 1, GET UP!  Or if you only made it an hour into DAY 1 – GET UP!  Today, this minute, this hour, this CHOICE is new…make it the one you want it to be!!!

Okay, so for Week 5 (since it’s a short week anyway now), your challenge:

Eat ONLY whole grains for the rest of this week.  No enriched wheat, not potatoe, not white…only 100% whole grain products.  This is pastas, breads, or cereals.  Any grain you have should be WHOLE GRAIN!

To recap:

Week 1 – Exercise 6 days a week (3 cardio, 3 weight training)

Week 2 – No sugar, drink 1/2 body weight in water

Week 3 – 5 meals per day with protein at each one

Week 4 – 5 vegetable servings each day

Week 5 – Only whole grains each day.

Next week will be an easy one…don’t forget we’ll be posting pictures after next week for Halloween!!!

Hey, they put me in as the spokesperson for the Slim in 6 portion!

Team Beachbody is the REAL thing…no pills, hype or bologna.  If you decide to make a change, commit to seeing your program through, you WILL succeed!

I wanted to post this last week but kept putting it off hoping that my feelings would change.  For those of you who are fans of the show, know that I’m a HUGE Biggest Loser fan.  My husband tells me often that I’m trying to grow up and become Jillian.  The trainers on the show are fantastic, the contestants (most of them) are an inspiration to people who have given up losing weight.

BUT…

Biggest Loser has finally “jumped the shark.”  I would love to be a fly on the wall and watch the entire season without any cuts and see how much of the drama is director made and how much really happens.  It’s a reality show and we all know that it’s never as dramatic as they make it out to be but after last week’s episode, I have to agree with Bryun – it’s a setup.

The odds of Tracy winning the two challenges from 2 weeks ago was pretty likely given the fact that she was the only one really participating in either one.  It’s a little suspicious that she can get out of the hospital and drop nearly 20 lbs in two weeks without any exercise, with diet alone.  (By the way, she’s most likely following a very strict high-protein diet.)  However, the last indication of the shark-jumping was when Tracy won the power to pick teams.  WAIT a minute!

We won’t even take into account how they add in the clips of the “wind began to blow as soon as Tracy stepped up” and “it was weird” comments from other contestants (more drama) but that she won the power to select teams?  The one and only person guaranteed to stir up drama?  Coincidence?  Doubtful!

But, the final straw for me was when Tracy and Coach Mo both fell below the yellow line.  I knew, I KNEW, they were going to show Mo “falling on the sword” and saying that he could lose the weight at home.  And I don’t doubt for a second that he could (and did) but the fact that every single contestant for two weeks has been saying that, given the chance they would send Tracy home, and then turned around and voted for Mo was beyond comprehension.  Their comments?  “Mo can do it at home.”  “Tracy needs to be here.” “Tracy doesn’t have the limitations that Mo does.”

Excuse me?!?!  Are we talking about the same people?  Mo had troubles with his legs.  Granted, the man is in his 60’s.  But he had pushed hard every week and dropped big numbers (over 5 lbs) each week.  Tracy had missed a week (Mo pulled her through) and lost big numbers for 2 weeks (11 & 8 lbs).  However, Tracy was limited to NO exercise.  A limitation that has yet to be lifted other than walking on the treadmill!  Who is the weaker contestant?

There are only 2 reasons to keep Tracy: 1) She’s not a thread due to her limitations or 2) Drama.

As we’ve all seen each week, she is a threat because she’s a conniving gameplayer that would give Vicki a run for her money.  And, she doesn’t bother to hide the fact that she’s gameplaying.  Her exercise limitations are being lifted as of last week’s show (they never did say what was wrong with her) and she has put out big numbers each week.

So the real reason Tracy is still on the ranch?  Drama.  She stirs it up and creates ratings.

It’s a shame really.  I know from watching each season that this is the one thing that drives Bob and Jillian nuts about the gig they have.  They want to help people change their lives, make different choices and empower them with confidence to be strong.  The B.S. drama soap-oprah game of the show is just part of the downside (doesn’t every job have one?).  In past seasons, it’s been fairly easy to overlook the drama, move past the game play and see the success and inspiration in the contestants.  But last season with Vicky started to change things.  It went from a little drama and a lot of inspiration to a lot of drama and a little inspiration.  The drama is becoming DRAMA and overshadowing everything.  Do you remember last year’s winner or do you remember Vicky?

This year they have some great stories in the group, some very loving people and some tremendous inspirations.  Yet all I’ve seen this year is one Tracy-drama-filled episode after another.  Enough already…

Sorry Bob, Jillian and the contestants I’d have really liked to have “known” better, but I’ve had my fill of Tracy and the NBC produced drama.  Just hand her the Biggest Loser prize (since that’s what she really wants anyway) and let’s get back to the business of changing lives for the rest of the people on the ranch.  And, so you don’t think I’m coming down too hard on Tracy, she may not really be the way NBC is portraying her (I pray she’s not) and she should be FURIOUS at the network for what they have done to her reputation.  However, like we have all heard from our mothers for years, if you can’t say something nice…don’t say anything.  Her own words are being used against her.

So what will I be doing while millions tune into the Biggest Loser tonight?  My alternative will be to watch Success Stories of real people, just like you and me who have won on in Team Beachbody’s Success Story game.  People with no ulterior motive who are doing the same thing as on the show but at home.  No professional gyms, no trainers beating them with “last chance workouts,” no crew to fix their meals or stock their fridge…real people who shop for themselves, workout with various programs (usually in their own homes) and stay accountable to you and me!  Yes, you can contact these people.  In face, I was one of them in July 2007!!  (I won $10,000)  You could be one as well!

Want to watch the stories?  (Or enter?)  Go to www.cafitclub.com and click on the $1000 link.  You can join as a FREE Team Beachbody member and watch the stories of people just like you who have accomplished their fitness goals.  You can too!  I’d be happy to help you along the way with encouragement and a kick in the rear when needed!

The new Team Beachbody Program – REV Abs – now available!

There is no magic solution – make a decision to make a change!

It happened again yesterday.  Bryun and I were leaving the grocery store and outside stood several kids and two adults holding canisters, hoping for some kind of donation.  Their cans were, for the most part, empty and barely jingled with a few coins.  Why is it that nonprofit organizations, meant to help others, can’t get any help themselves?

I dropped our contribution into one of the cans and wondered how to best tell them about Team Beachbody and how it can help their organization.  What, you ask, can Beachbody do to help the Knights of Columbus?  Or Shriners? Or the local animal shelter?  A LOT!

See, being a support coach with Team Beachbody doesn’t mean that I sell, it means I help!  Nonprofit organizations can join as Team Beachbody “Coaches” and while they promote health and fitness they are also earning a 25% commission from their Team Beachbody Nonprofit Website.  They are able to use their site as a fundraiser for their cause but unlike other fundraisers, it costs nothing to start or maintain.

It works like this, let’s say that the local nonprofit animal shelter signs up as a coach with me.  They appoint one person as their main contact and I remain in contact with this person if any problems or questions arise.  We upload a “biography” of the shelter.  The shelter can then advertise their fundraiser in any way they chose (word of mouth, flyers, events).  With every sale made through the website, they earn 25% commission.  If any customer has a question, it would be forwarded on to me to coach and encourage the customer through their program. 

There are no charges to sign up, no monthly maintenance fees for the website, no inventory (like those candy sales) and no risk since they can cancel at any time.  It can be an on-going, year round fundraiser!  Sounds pretty simple doesn’t it

And it isn’t just for nonprofit organizations!  Scout groups, schools, companies, sports teams are all signing up as “Coaches” to raise funds!  I’m tired of seeing nonprofits and groups suffer because they need funding and trying to raise it by selling candy, popcorn, and cookie dough.  Let’s NOT contribute to health problems and help two causes at one time!

 If you think this is something that your group might be interested in or you know of a group, I’d love to explain it in more detail (it really is pretty simple).  Just email me @ fitcoachtina@comcast.net or leave me a message at (209) 200-5729.

It’s finally here!  After months of waiting, Rev Abs is finally available.  It comes in two different packages – Basic and Deluxe.  The Basic ($79.90 retail) contains 7 different workouts (cardio and weight training) + 2 bonus workouts, all ab specific to get you the best abs you’ve ever had.  Also included in this “basic” package is the meal plan, guidebook and fat calipers. 

The Deluxe (addl $159.80) package includes all the above plus 3 more advanced workouts, 2 resistance bands with handles and a wall calendar/rotation including the advanced workouts.

RevAbs is your 90 Day ab solution!  Can’t wait to get mine!

Order your copy at www.cafitclub.com

It’s been a rough week.  Between my own medical issues (something metabolic going on they believe), Bryun’s illness and then subsequent injury at work, I’m tired of sitting in radiology, ER, offices and labs.  It was time for some fun, a little adventure.  But honestly, I didn’t have time for it.  Nor did I really have the energy.  But I needed….something!

I had to be at the lab yesterday morning for some (more) blood work.  This time they were doing an entire metabolic panel so I’d been fasting and had yet to have my coffee.  I had nagged Bryun into going with me (I’ll be honest, I nagged!) even though he would have preferred a needle in his eye to sitting in another medical office.  But turn-around is fair and I’ve done it for him all week.  So by 9:00 a.m., we headed out the door. 

I decided to try heading to the office, which is only 10 minutes away, a different way.  I was feeling adventurous so I took one of the back country roads, just to see some different scenery.  And what we saw through the wind and rain that pummeled us yesterday were beautiful custom homes, vineyards and orchards.  I loved it – for the first 5 minutes.  It was about then when Bryun asked if I had any clue where I was going.

Now it’s a well understood fact between us, in our 12 years of marriage and our 20 years of friendship, that I have a built in compass in my brain.  I don’t get lost.  I may not know where I am but I always manage to find where I need to go.  I rarely get “turned around” or lose my bearings.  It comes in extremely handy in amusement parks and on my little “adventures.”

So, of course, I told him I knew where we were and that Ripon was in “that general direction” and waved off his concern.  Another 5 minutes of driving (when we should have been arriving near our destination, or at the very least, the same TOWN), Bryun began to look at street signs.  “We’re really lost.”

“No we aren’t!  This is an adventure, live it up and enjoy the ride.”  We passed a sheriff and I wondered if  I shouldn’t ask for directions.

“Do you know where you’re going?”

“Yep, that way.”

“You don’t know where we are.”

“Sure I do.  We’re on Manteca Road (wherever that leads) and we’re at that guy’s house.”  At least he laughed.  Twenty minutes and twenty twists and turns later, it wasn’t quite as funny as we came to a choice – right or left.  Well, not really a choice since I knew that left was the direction of the original freeway I should have taken.  So we went left and then veered for another ten minutes to the right, going even further from the direction I believed we needed to be.

“Boy, I’m sure having fun on this adventure!”  This was not the time for him to decide he had a sense of humor.  I was starving!  We finally hit a stop sign of a road Bryun recognized (and I saw the freeway in the distance to our left).  The problem was that this road happened to be 35 miles southwest of where we had originally headed!

It took us another 40 minutes in pouring rain, beating winds and 40 MPH roads to get to the lab.  By then, I was starving and losing all sense of adventure.  By the time we arrived at the lab it had taken us 90 minutes to make a 10 minute journey.

So, these are the lessons I gleaned from this “adventure:”

1) While spontaneity is great, it can’t really compete with the common sense of minimal preparation.

I don’t care if we are talking about me glancing at a map before leaving on a new route or you beginning a new health program or someone else launching a new career or deciding to make a move.  I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be adventurous but I am saying that you need to prepare for some of the pitfalls.  You wouldn’t take off on a drive across the country without filling up your gas tank first.  You don’t have to know all of the stops between Point A and Point B but at least know where Point A and Point B are! 

Since this is mostly a fitness blog, I’ll put it in that perspective.  Try new workouts but have a general plan.  Know that you will do 3 days of cardio and 3 days of weight training and then try new cardio.  Be adventurous!  Try kickboxing, spinning, step classes, dance classes, yoga classes.  Try something you’ve never tried but all keeping within your general (already prepared) plan of action.

2) Beware shortcuts. Just because a shortcut looks like it’s going to work, doesn’t mean it will and it can actually cause you more problems. 

Not every shortcut is a good one.  This is where your preparation will save you heartache (or hunger in my case).  Had I glanced at a map I would have realized that my “shortcut” really wasn’t a shortcut after all.  While there are better, more efficient ways of doing things, don’t trust people who sell you shortcuts that seem too easy whether it is in business, finances (we’ve all seen get-rich-quick schemes), relationships (love yourself first) or even weight loss (gimmicks and pills). 

Take ephedra for example.  Hundreds of thousands of people believed that this would help them lose weight fast with little or no work (or change) on their part.  It was a shortcut that landed hundreds in the hospital with heart troubles (not to mention the havoc it wrecked on other organs and systems) or worse and most ended up gaining back any weight they lost.  A shortcut that caused damage in the end.

I’m not trying to lecture or point fingers…just reminding of the danger of shortcuts.  You never know what is lurking…look a poor little red riding hood!